Marty Blackwelder October 9th, 2021 Saturday Night service

Sunday Morning Services

Has a divisive enemy slipped into your home or work place causing havoc and chaos? It happened in the Bible and this enemy doesn’t just slip in, it’s invited. How can you tell if this enemy is at work in you, your family, your job? We will show you some details of a story you likely know. It’s about two sisters, their husband, and also their father. How did they bring this enemy in, what are the signs it might be with you, and of course how do we get rid of it.

Has a divisive enemy slipped into your home or work place causing havoc and chaos? It happened in the Bible and this enemy doesn’t just slip in, it’s invited. How can you tell if this enemy is at work in you, your family, your job? We will show you some details of a story you likely know. It’s about two sisters, their husband, and also their father. How did they bring this enemy in, what are the signs it might be with you, and of course how do we get rid of it.

There was a situation in the Bible that had become normal to everyone. Only the few who benefitted liked it, and only those who didn’t were subject to it. It wasn’t always normal, but at some point the people in power made gradual changes to altar what God had set up and one day decided to stand up to it. What was their motivation to come against something that seemed bigger than a single person? Did this opposition change the conditions, empower the silent majority, or make a positive change?

Sadly it would seem no, but was it worth it? Was God in the opposition? You may know the story but you may not have seen it from this perspective. Last Sunday I left off three very important lessons from the Athaliah and Jehoiada. We will go over those, get back into the series on Honor, and hopefully learn some things with a different perspective on a Biblical encounter.

There was a situation in the Bible that had become normal to everyone. Only the few who benefitted liked it, and only those who didn’t were subject to it. It wasn’t always normal, but at some point the people in power made gradual changes to altar what God had set up and one day decided to stand up to it. What was their motivation to come against something that seemed bigger than a single person? Did this opposition change the conditions, empower the silent majority, or make a positive change?

Sadly it would seem no, but was it worth it? Was God in the opposition? You may know the story but you may not have seen it from this perspective. Last Sunday I left off three very important lessons from the Athaliah and Jehoiada. We will go over those, get back into the series on Honor, and hopefully learn some things with a different perspective on a Biblical encounter.

Should we fight against everything the world wants us to do? Are there some things that are not worth a battle? Today it’s should we get vaccinated or not, mask up or not, socially distance or be the people God made us to be. Tomorrow, it will be new battles.

As we’ve seen, long ago it was eat the meat or just vegetables (Daniel), bow or don’t bow, even eat only clean foods or except what God has called clean. How do we know if something we are being forced or coerced to do is worth a fight like some of our Bible heroes, or if we should just go along? Are there times that Christians just went along without compromising who they were? We are called out of darkness, so how can we recognize the compromises that can pull us back into it?

Should we fight against everything the world wants us to do? Are there some things that are not worth a battle? Today it’s should we get vaccinated or not, mask up or not, socially distance or be the people God made us to be. Tomorrow, it will be new battles.

As we’ve seen, long ago it was eat the meat or just vegetables (Daniel), bow or don’t bow, even eat only clean foods or except what God has called clean. How do we know if something we are being forced or coerced to do is worth a fight like some of our Bible heroes, or if we should just go along? Are there times that Christians just went along without compromising who they were? We are called out of darkness, so how can we recognize the compromises that can pull us back into it?

Do you belong to God? Most Christians would answer yes, but there is a event in the Old Testament that very clearly shows not all who feel they belong to God, actually do. How can you know for certain that you do belong to God? The word tells us that some religious leaders honored God with the lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

We have looked at Numbers 16 before for the purpose of faithfulness and even to understand rebellion. Today we look at this chapter for what it teaches us about honoring God in our worship. What does God look for to see who are truly His?

Do you belong to God? Most Christians would answer yes, but there is a event in the Old Testament that very clearly shows not all who feel they belong to God, actually do. How can you know for certain that you do belong to God? The word tells us that some religious leaders honored God with the lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

We have looked at Numbers 16 before for the purpose of faithfulness and even to understand rebellion. Today we look at this chapter for what it teaches us about honoring God in our worship. What does God look for to see who are truly His?