Put to death the deeds of the body

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Fighting sin is a matter of life and death. Too often we do not take to heart the reality of this concept. The Apostle Paul admonished us to fight sin. In fact he described his battle with the flesh as giving himself a black eye if need be.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Job made an agreement with God that he would not allow his eyes to wander.

Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

How can you fight the battle of the flesh?

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

The more full you’re your mind is with the Word of God the less room you have for evil thoughts.

John Piper gives a practical strategy to fight sin that is worthy of consideration.

We must not give a sexual image or impulse more than five seconds before we mount a violent counterattack with the mind. I mean that! Five seconds. In the first two seconds we shout, "No! Get out of my head!" In the next two seconds we cry out: "O God, in the name of Jesus, help me. Save me now. I am yours."

Good beginning. But then the real battle begins. This is a mind war. The absolute necessity is to get the image and the impulse out of our mind.

How?

Get a counter-image into the mind. Fight. Push. Strike. Don't ease up. It must be an image that is so powerful that the other image cannot survive.

There are lust-destroying images and thoughts.

For example, have you ever in the first five seconds of temptation, demanded of your mind that it look steadfastly at the crucified form of Jesus Christ?

Picture this. You have just seen a peek-a-boo blouse inviting further fantasy. You have five seconds. "No! Get out of my mind! God help me!"

Now, immediately, demand of your mind—you can do this by the Spirit (Romans 8:13). Demand of your mind to fix its gaze on Christ on the cross. Use all your fantasizing power to see his lacerated back. Thirty-nine lashes left little flesh intact. He heaves with his breath up and down against the rough vertical beam of the cross. Each breath puts splinters into the lacerations.

The Lord gasps. From time to time he screams out with intolerable pain. He tries to pull away from the wood and the massive spikes through his wrist rip into the nerve endings and he screams again with agony and pushes up with his feet to give some relief to his wrists. But the bones and nerves in his pierced feet crush against each other with anguish and he screams again.

There is no relief. His throat is raw from screaming and thirst. He loses his breath and thinks he is suffocating, and suddenly his body involuntarily gasps for air and all the injuries unite in pain. In torment, he forgets about the crown of two-inch thorns and throws his head back in desperation, only to hit one of the thorns perpendicular against the cross beam and drive it half an inch into his skull. His voice reaches a soprano pitch of pain and sobs break over his pain-wracked body as every cry brings more and more pain.

Now, I am not thinking about the blouse any more. I am at Calvary.

To read Piper's article in full click on this link.

No Small Churches

"For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”" (Zechariah 4:10, NKJV)

In preparation for my Sunday sermon I came across this Zechariah 4:10. My purpose for going to this passage was because it is a cross reference on the sevenfold Holy Spirit as mentioned in Revelation 4. This text includes the line, ”who has despised the day of small things?” Zerubbabel had been working on restoring the Temple. This post exilic temple would pale in comparison to Solomon’s Temple. Zerubbabel was discouraged because of its lack of size and impressive beauty. God on the other hand was well pleased and told him not to despise small things.

This is a passage that is easier to read than believe for the many pastors who struggle to build a congregation to the glory of God. But the reality is that God has not called us to build an impressive facility or a church with a mass of humanity. He was called us to be faithful to the Word.

Everything God does is a big thing. There are no small churches. God is omnisciently watching and caring for the church, Jesus is in the process of building His church, and one day will gather His glorious church together.

As Jesus calls His church from every tribe an nation we will fully recognize that there are no small churches.

"And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation," (Revelation 5:9, NKJV)

35 Questions asked about eternity

" After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”" (Revelation 4:1-8, NKJV)

On Sunday mornings at LABC we going through the Book of Revelation verse by verse. We have now reached chapter four in which John gets a glimpse of Heaven. In preparation for this Sunday’s sermon I came across an article that I thought would shed some light on the subject.

Christianity Today published an article titled “What Will Heaven Be Like?

Thirty-five frequently asked questions about eternity.” Peter Kreeft | posted 6/01/2003

That title looks like it may go well with our topic. So I read the article which was basically answers to 35 frequently asked questions about eternity. Below are a few of the questions, you can read the article in its entirety by clicking on the aforementioned link.

1. How do we know anything about Heaven, anyway?

3. Will we recognize our loved ones in Heaven?

6. Will we have emotions in Heaven?

10. What happens in Heaven?

11. Can the blessed in Heaven see us now?

12. Will we know everything in Heaven?

13. Will we all be equal in Heaven?

15. What kind of bodies will we have in Heaven?

16. What of injuries and deformities? Will they all be removed in the resurrection body?

17. Will there be nature in Heaven?

18. Will we be able to perform magic and miracles?

19. Will there be animals in Heaven? Will my dead cat be there?

20. Will we eat in Heaven?

21. Will our bodies be clothed in Heaven?

22. Will there be music in Heaven?

25. Will there be time in Heaven?

This article was written to respond to the most frequently asked question about heaven. If you carefully consider each question and I posted a link to it on my blog all of these questions focus on the centrality of man. Out of thirty five questions there is no question that addresses the central focus of heaven, God’s throne. Perhaps one of the reasons is because mankind is so naturally man centered that God is merely an after-thought.

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3, NKJV)

Since God is the greatest good He will be your greatest delight and the center of your affections. In the man centered world in which we live it is hard to see anything better than those things which now occupy our time, but in eternity our taste buds will be expanded to delight in God.

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)

Beloved Heaven if first and foremost about God, and that is why those prophets who have actually been granted a vision of Heaven reported a common message with a familiar theme. God is the centerpiece of heaven.

The central focus of heaven is God.

Planet Earth

And some say that this all happened by accident…

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19, NKJV)

Majestic Blessing

What a blessing! It was a privilege to host the choral group Majesty this year. The college students from Master’s College in Southern California did an excellent job sharing with us their testimony through singing and through various anecdotes. Special thanks to all who participated in inviting people and for providing for the needs of the music team. The students were encourage by your presence and will need your prayers over the next few weeks as they continue to proclaim the glory of Christ through music.

We housed the guys on campus. One of the students played bluegrass music and brought his mandolin so Tom got his Banjo and I got a guitar and the seven of us sang one song after another for about three hours. We had a great time but one of the tenors said he may have trouble singing at the next venue because of singing so much [I saw him the next morning and he had recovered so don’t be too alarmed. Besides it would have been worthwhile.]

In any case Tom and I helped those California boys get a real Southern twang in their tone. I think the next church in Alabama will be satisfied, but I think the school may not let them come out to the South to play again. J

Again the girls and guys of Majesty thank all of you for your support.

Majesty

Tonight LABC has the privilege to present the choral group Majesty. The members of this group are college students from John MacArthur’s Masters College in Southern California.

In March I had the opportunity to attend the Shepherd’s fellowship, a pastor’s conference hosted by John MacArthur and Grace Community Church. We had an excellent time as we were challenged to continue to feature Biblical preaching in our ministries. In addition to excellent preaching we had the privilege of hearing excellent music. This connection led to Majesty arranging a visit with us today.

I am looking forward to being blessed by excellent God honoring music this evening. In addition I know we will also be blessed to see young men and women pursue ministry opportunities in music. No doubt tonight will be a time of mutual encouragement as we participate in glorifying God in worship.

Service time starts at 7:00 PM…you may want to arrive early.

Normally we have a time of extended prayer on Wednesday evening. This evening will focus on the concert however we will still take prayer requests and pray for those needs during the week. You can bring your request with you tonight or email them to prayer@lyndonavenue.org

Monday