Stand
Notes
Transcript
READ -
READ -
INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
It is always interesting to find correlation between ancient and contemporary.
Take for instance Martin Luther in 1521 and a song written by Robert and Kristen Lopez that won the 2013 Oscar for Best Original Song - [The title of which I'm afraid to mention as some will be singing it the rest of the sermon instead of listening] "Let it Go"
Take for instance Martin Luther in 1521 and a song written by Robert and Kristen Lopez that won the 2013 Oscar for Best Original Song - [The title of which I'm afraid to mention as some will be singing it the rest of the sermon instead of listening] "Let it Go"
Both Luther and the Lopez's make the same declaration, but with stark differences in meaning.
Martin Luther is reported to have said in 1521 in front of the Diet of Worms - an assembly of the Catholic Church - charged with heresy -
A declaration that has lasted and inspired many to hold true to the authority of the Bible -
A declaration that has lasted and inspired many to hold true to the authority of the Bible -
Luther declared, "Here I Stand!"
Luther declared, "Here I Stand!"
The Lopez's song sang by the Disney character Elsa in the story Frozen - declares, "Here I stand and here I'll stay!"
The Lopez's song sang by the Disney character Elsa in the story Frozen - declares, "Here I stand and here I'll stay!"
The Lopez's song sang by the Disney character Elsa in the story Frozen - declares, "Here I stand and here I'll stay!"
But when we look at the difference of meanings and stands we see that the same words, can mean the exact opposite of each other.
But when we look at the difference of meanings and stands we see that the same words, can mean the exact opposite of each other.
Luther -- was declaring his allegiance to the authority of God's infallible word, especially to the doctrine of "Justification by faith." His stand was his being bound by the Word of God and its norms.
Elsa was declaring freedom comes from having no boundaries at all - speaking for contemporary culture.
Elsa was declaring freedom comes from having no boundaries at all - speaking for contemporary culture.
When Paul exhorts these believers at the Church of Philippi to "Stand fast in the Lord!" he is placing extreme importance on Spiritual Stability
When Paul exhorts these believers at the Church of Philippi to "Stand fast in the Lord!" he is placing extreme importance on Spiritual Stability
When Paul exhorts these believers at the Church of Philippi to "Stand fast in the Lord!" he is placing extreme importance on Spiritual Stability
This is a great theme of the Apostle as well as a large portion of the New Testament
This is a great theme of the Apostle as well as a large portion of the New Testament
This is a great theme of the Apostle as well as a large portion of the New Testament
Jesus, Himself, warned that the Church would be under attack in "In this world you will have tribulation…" - But he promised we could make it - we could be spiritually stable - when he continued - "But be of good cheer- for I have overcome the world"
• Jesus, Himself, warned that the Church would be under attack in John 16:33 "In this world you will have tribulation…" - But he promised we could make it - we could be spiritually stable - when he continued - "But be of good cheer- for I have overcome the world"
• Jesus, Himself, warned that the Church would be under attack in John 16:33 "In this world you will have tribulation…" - But he promised we could make it - we could be spiritually stable - when he continued - "But be of good cheer- for I have overcome the world"
Paul echoed this warning from the Savior in - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
• Paul echoed this warning from the Savior in Acts 14:22 -
• Paul echoed this warning from the Savior in Acts 14:22 -
Acts 14:22 (KJV)
Acts 14:22 (KJV)
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
He wrote to the young preacher Timothy - (KJV) 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• He wrote to the young preacher Timothy - 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• He wrote to the young preacher Timothy - 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
It is during these times of hardship, trial, and sometimes especially when things are good - we must be stable- we must "STAND STEADFAST."
• It is during these times of hardship, trial, and sometimes especially when things are good - we must be stable- we must "STAND STEADFAST."
• It is during these times of hardship, trial, and sometimes especially when things are good - we must be stable- we must "STAND STEADFAST."
To "stand steadfast" the most important verb in this passage - means, "To hold one's ground; maintain a position; to be steadfast or upright.
To "stand steadfast" the most important verb in this passage - means, "To hold one's ground; maintain a position; to be steadfast or upright.
To "stand steadfast" the most important verb in this passage - means, "To hold one's ground; maintain a position; to be steadfast or upright.
In chapter 3 Paul exhorts the Philippians believers using the metaphor of running - their love must ever be advancing and growing. - But in this instance Paul uses a military expression: stand. To stand as a soldier in the midst of battle as in Ephesians 6 - they must stand immovable, true to their Christ and His Gospel!!!
In chapter 3 Paul exhorts the Philippians believers using the metaphor of running - their love must ever be advancing and growing. - But in this instance Paul uses a military expression: stand. To stand as a soldier in the midst of battle as in Ephesians 6 - they must stand immovable, true to their Christ and His Gospel!!!
In chapter 3 Paul exhorts the Philippians believers using the metaphor of running - their love must ever be advancing and growing. - But in this instance Paul uses a military expression: stand. To stand as a soldier in the midst of battle as in Ephesians 6 - they must stand immovable, true to their Christ and His Gospel!!!
Today, all around us, we are seeing a great falling away from the essential and core doctrine of Christianity, sometimes from some of the most unexpected sources.
Today, all around us, we are seeing a great falling away from the essential and core doctrine of Christianity, sometimes from some of the most unexpected sources.
I want to encourage us - to "STAND FAST in the LORD!!!" TO say along with Luther - "HERE I STAND" and add "AND HERE I WILL REMAIN!!!"
I want to encourage us - to "STAND FAST in the LORD!!!" TO say along with Luther - "HERE I STAND" and add "AND HERE I WILL REMAIN!!!"
There are three main sources the attacks on the Church comes from that we will need to "Stand Fast in the LORD"
There are three main sources the attacks on the Church comes from that we will need to "Stand Fast in the LORD"
1. THE WORLD -
1. THE WORLD -
The World - By the term "world" we are using John's idea from - allurements, enticements, evils to draw us away from our "first-love" Christ.
• The World - By the term "world" we are using John's idea from 1 John 2 - allurements, enticements, evils to draw us away from our "first-love" Christ.
• The World - By the term "world" we are using John's idea from 1 John 2 - allurements, enticements, evils to draw us away from our "first-love" Christ.
We are not alone in this struggle - but we can take comfort that God's word speaks to this in a powerful way many times. One of my favorites is found in - Daniel chapter 3
a. We are not alone in this struggle - but we can take comfort that God's word speaks to this in a powerful way many times. One of my favorites is found in - Daniel chapter 3
a. We are not alone in this struggle - but we can take comfort that God's word speaks to this in a powerful way many times. One of my favorites is found in - Daniel chapter 3
They found out if they stood for God - God would stand for them!!!
b. They found out if they stood for God - God would stand for them!!!
b. They found out if they stood for God - God would stand for them!!!
The world wanted them to compromise their belief in God!
c. The world wanted them to compromise their belief in God!
c. The world wanted them to compromise their belief in God!
Make your worship of Jehovah a private thing - in the public square - worship like everyone else! Be like the majority, don't offend anyone especially the King!
d. Make your worship of Jehovah a private thing - in the public square - worship like everyone else! Be like the majority, don't offend anyone especially the King!
d. Make your worship of Jehovah a private thing - in the public square - worship like everyone else! Be like the majority, don't offend anyone especially the King!
Their response - We stand with God - we are already a majority
e. Their response - We stand with God - we are already a majority
e. Their response - We stand with God - we are already a majority
We are not careful to answer thee -
f. We are not careful to answer thee -
f. We are not careful to answer thee -
They were thrown in the fiery furnace - but were met there by the One they were standing for!!!
g. They were thrown in the fiery furnace - but were met there by the One they were standing for!!!
g. They were thrown in the fiery furnace - but were met there by the One they were standing for!!!
Daniel 3:16-18 (KJV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Love not the world - neither the things that are in the world - if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him - Preaches John the Beloved ()
You like the three Hebrew boys, and all who will live Godly will have to "Stand fast" against the world.
• Love not the world - neither the things that are in the world - if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him - Preaches John the Beloved (1 John 2:16)
• Love not the world - neither the things that are in the world - if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him - Preaches John the Beloved (1 John 2:16)
• You like the three Hebrew boys, and all who will live Godly will have to "Stand fast" against the world.
• You like the three Hebrew boys, and all who will live Godly will have to "Stand fast" against the world.
2. Division -
2. Division -
Division - In the very next verse () Paul is beseeching - gently urging or pleading that Eudois, and Syntyche be of the same mind in the Lord. There was obviously some differences, some divisions that needed to be worked out.
We are facing divisions on levels that a few years ago I would have never dreamed of. People can turn on each other so quickly and sometimes over just simple misunderstandings.
a. We are facing divisions on levels that a few years ago I would have never dreamed of. People can turn on each other so quickly and sometimes over just simple misunderstandings.
a. We are facing divisions on levels that a few years ago I would have never dreamed of. People can turn on each other so quickly and sometimes over just simple misunderstandings.
We are going to have to be filled with love and "Stand fast" in that love.
b. We are going to have to be filled with love and "Stand fast" in that love.
b. We are going to have to be filled with love and "Stand fast" in that love.
We will have to be like David's Mighty - Shammah - who found a piece of ground full of lentils - and while everyone else fled - he stood in the midst of the ground and defended I, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
c. We will have to be like David's Mighty - Shammah - who found a piece of ground full of lentils - and while everyone else fled - he stood in the midst of the ground and defended I, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
c. We will have to be like David's Mighty - Shammah - who found a piece of ground full of lentils - and while everyone else fled - he stood in the midst of the ground and defended I, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
The Philistines of division are going to attack - and bring all kinds of reasons to turn on others - but you better "stand fast" on your ground in your lentil field of love for one another and fight - fight for unity and love
d. The Philistines of division are going to attack - and bring all kinds of reasons to turn on others - but you better "stand fast" on your ground in your lentil field of love for one another and fight - fight for unity and love
d. The Philistines of division are going to attack - and bring all kinds of reasons to turn on others - but you better "stand fast" on your ground in your lentil field of love for one another and fight - fight for unity and love
Paul wrote in a previous prison epistle Ephesians 4:3 that we are should be, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
i. Paul wrote in a previous prison epistle Ephesians 4:3 that we are should be, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
i. Paul wrote in a previous prison epistle Ephesians 4:3 that we are should be, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
3. The Devil -
3. The Devil -
The Devil - Three times we are given an extreme battle against darkness, satanic forces and the devil in the Temptation of Christ.
3. The Devil - Three times we are given an extreme battle against darkness, satanic forces and the devil in the Temptation of Christ. I love how Christ patterns for us how we can "STAND FAST" in the Lord - we can declare - "HERE I STAND" And be ministered to by angels - while the Devil has to go off and nurse his wounds in defeat.
3. The Devil - Three times we are given an extreme battle against darkness, satanic forces and the devil in the Temptation of Christ. I love how Christ patterns for us how we can "STAND FAST" in the Lord - we can declare - "HERE I STAND" And be ministered to by angels - while the Devil has to go off and nurse his wounds in defeat.
I love how Christ patterns for us how we can "STAND FAST" in the Lord -
we can declare - "HERE I STAND" And be ministered to by angels - while the Devil has to go off and nurse his wounds in defeat.
Right now each of us are facing the decision to either 'stand fast' or give up with others and leave - but as Peter told the LORD when he aksed them - "Will ye also go" Peter said to whom else can we go?"
Right now each of us are facing the decision to either 'stand fast' or give up with others and leave - but as Peter told the LORD when he aksed them - "Will ye also go" Peter said to whom else can we go?"
Where can we go but to the LORD - we had better stand - or we will fall in defeat.
Where can we go but to the LORD - we had better stand - or we will fall in defeat.
Luther's biographer declares that Luther was sweating profusly and nervously as he made his declaration on that day many years ago - we may stand trembling - but stand - by all means stand fast.
Luther's biographer declares that Luther was sweating profusly and nervously as he made his declaration on that day many years ago - we may stand trembling - but stand - by all means stand fast.
Stand fast against the world, division and the devil.
Stand fast against the world, division and the devil.
And God will stand with YOU!!!
And God will stand with YOU!!!