11/18/12 P.M. Location: GOSPELLighthouse (CD#740)
”COMING to Truth CAUSES the Coming Out”
STARTERQUESTION: Let the title sink down through your ears to you SEED-BED! As we read our text: KEEP in mind there are only 2 people listed here – 2 types that is – 1 serving the Lord – and the other serving the devil! Remember the devil is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour – note “MAY DEVOUR” – he can’t devour everybody!
*TEXT: 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – Type 1 V.24 “SERVANT OF THE LORD” & Type 2 V.25 “THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES”
Food 4 Thought: TROPHIES are a hunter’s hardest catch – You do not see heads of squirrels mounted on walls of the hunter’s trophy room You see bucks with large sets of antlers, indicating their age and wisdom and avoidance of many hunters before. TROPHIES are game that have been hard to hunt and capture. The Christian is a TROPHY to the devil if he can catch one we aren’t helpless animals we are more than conquerors!
#1 Opposing SELF
*REREAD 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – “OPPOSE THEMSELVES” #475 (an-tee-dee-at-eeth’-em-ahee) to set oneself opposite, that is, be inclined to dispute.
Illustration: Here we are in the main event tonight: here in the main event tonight: in one corner CARNAL MAN wearing black trunks – here in the other corner SPIRITUAL MAN wearing white trunks – they stand the same height – same weight – same reach – IN OTHERS WORDS WE ARE IN A FIGHT WITH OURSELVES – THE DEVIL IS WORKING ON ME TO OPPOSE MYSELF!
Example: Remember (Luke 1:5-20 – KEY VERSE 20) Zacharias and Elisabeth we in old age and childless then one day Gabriel appeared to him while he was in his service as priest and told him they were to have a son and to name him John! Now READ Luke 1:18-20 – V.18 Zacharias asks for a sign and he has a heart full of unbelief! He ask for a sign and he got a sign! Note the word “BECAUSE” #473 (an-tee’) A primary particle; opposite, that is, instead of – here he separated himself from their prayers and from his work in the Lord’s church! Sadly this happens all the time – we pray, we serve then when things don’t happen WHEN we think they should we OPPOSE – come against ourselves! *Jesus Christ likened our lives as HOUSES (Luke 6:47-49) and HE taught in Luke 11:17 … A HOUSE DIVIDED against a house falleth.
*REREAD 2 Timothy 2:26 – “RECOVER THEMSELVES” #366 (an-an-ay’-fo) to become sober again, that is, (figuratively) regain (one’s) senses – TO COME TO ONE’S SENSES – HENCE THE TITLE TO TONIGHT’S MESSAGE! Whatever you and I take in through our gates is what we have inside us.
“SNARE” #3803 (pag-ece’) a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): – snare
“DEVIL” #1228 (dee-ab’-ol-os) a traducer; specifically Satan – false accuser, devil, slanderer.
“TAKEN CAPTIVE” #2221 (dzogue-reh’-o) to take alive (make a prisoner of war), that is, (figuratively) to capture or ensnare
Illustration: Have someone pour some water from a pitcher into a cup, then ask them for a soft drink! They can’t give you what is NOT in the pitcher they can only give you what is in the pitcher! To become drunk on something – to be influenced by say alcohol or drugs they first must be introduced into your system. When the devil tries to introduce his lies – his enslavement to our system we must stand against him!
#3 Operating SOUNDLY
*READ 2 Timothy 1:7 – note “SOUND MIND” #4995 (so-fron-is-mos’) discipline, that is, self-control – AS WE THINK IN OUR HEART SO ARE WE (Proverbs 23:7)
*Proverbs 4:23 says Keep (GUARD) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues (BOUNDARIES) of life.
*REREAD 2 Timothy 2:26 – NOTE TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM (SATAN) “at his will” – better translated “to do his will”. We know God’s will – that NONE PERISH – the devil is opposite – opposing – his will is for all to perish and he wants to use all he can – especially the media – Hollywood – movies – television – and all types of arts and entertainment to set the standard of what is acceptable.
Those who are serving the Lord – who are in the position to help – to teach the WORD are NOT to quarrel – argue! It’s the WORD which is the truth that makes us free (REMEMBER JESUS IS THE WORD) we must hold fast that faithful WORD!
*READ Titus 1:9 – Proverbs 18:21– Proverbs 6:2&5 – we must be taught the WORD then SPEAK it forth – if we talk anything else we ensnare ourselves! If my WORDS have ensnared me them NOW my WORDS can make me free!
Closing Illustration: Satan’s hidden agenda behind every harassing accusation spoken against us and every hurtful deed done to us. Each of these fiery darts is designed to get us to say something that will give Satan access to our lives. But once we become aware of how important our words are, we can together tonight pray as David did: “Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). As long as we keep a watch over our mouths, Satan doesn’t have a noose to tighten around our neck.