Are You Brave and Courageous, or Hiding in Compromise?

 The Church in Thessalonica - 1 Thessalonians 3

In Paul’s second missionary journey Paul, Timothy & others traveled to Thessalonica and spent three weeks there encouraging the new believers. Then due to major opposition he left. But now because of his love and concern for them, he sent Timothy, his spiritual son, to see them to get a report on how they were doing. In verse six he is rejoicing in the good news that he received from Timothy.

 

V 6-8 NLT

⁶But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. ⁷So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. ⁸It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. (emphasis mine)  

·         The phrase “standing firm” in the Greek means to persevere, to persist, or
to keep one's standing.

·         How do you respond when people ridicule you for your faith? Do you cower back or stand firm in God’s grace?

·         Do you feel embarrassed or afraid of what others are going to think?

·         Another verse - Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.   

(1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV)

Paul Prays for The Thessalonian Church

¹⁰Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. ¹¹May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. ¹²And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. ¹³ May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO US?

On a national Level there is chaos all around between government ideologies and cities being destroyed. Even right down to the local level authorities are frazzled about what to do about crime etc.

Even more sadly is that the Christians don't seem to know what to do. Sometimes, things are confusing because church leaders have refused to take a stand. They have given in to the lie to be relevant to society, to not be offensive. I'm sorry friends for those who want to live for themselves the gospel is offensive. Look at 2 Corinthians 2:15;16 – (NLT)

¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

The last question of this passage leads us to the heart of what I would really like to discuss today. All the turmoil that is around us, the persecution against the church, how can we be brave to stand firm in it all? I'm glad you asked. As you know I like acronyms. So, let's look at an acronym for the word “brave.”

READY TO BE BRAVE?

“Let us not look at the darkness that is growing continually deeper; but let us look upon the light that is shining brighter and brighter. Let us look at the works of God.”

- Zelma E. Argue 1922

 Be focused – on Jesus, not the opinions of others.

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (Psalm 5:4 NKJV)

And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (Matthew 10:22 NAS)

Remain – We must stay connected to Jesus. Most bible translations use the word “abide.” In the Greek, the word abide means “to remain.” As this verse says if we do not remain in Him, we will not be fruitful. Think about it, if your life just seems to keep going in circles, it’s time to get plugged into Jesus and remain there.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. (John 15:4 NLT)

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. (Romans 8:5 NLT)

Ask – Ask God to help you abandon your ways so that you can live for him. Ask Him to empower you to have the courage to be different for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Victory - if you find yourself constantly struggling with a particular area in your life ask God to show you how to have the victory.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you ^[a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV)

Embrace the truth – of God.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. (Psalm 145:18 AMPC)

Let’s try to pull all of this together in a simple statement.

Being courageous and brave will only happen when we fully surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. He knows our strengths, weaknesses and woundedness. He wants to pour His life into us so that we will live out the verse in in Matthew 24:13 which says, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Till next time… Be brave!

Are You Free?

Recently I re-posted a “story” on Facebook that I’ve shared in the past. It was an encouragement to people who are still struggling with various bondages through the week or weekend yet show up in church on Sunday. The invitation was “It doesn’t matter what you struggle with, you can sit with me.”

Some have questioned me saying. “Aren’t you giving them permission to stay in sin by saying that?

My answer is this:

No, we should welcome anyone to attend our churches with the thought in mind that Jesus loves us too much to allow us to remain as we are.  When we are loving and accepting toward people not yet living for Jesus, God by His spirit will begin to work in their lives till they surrender. Our love and acceptance will make them open to Jesus.  Then we need to be ready to disciple them.

Some of you know that I am in the process of working to relaunch our recovery ministry called Free Indeed --RM. It’s often referred to as a recovery ministry because that’s language the world understands. However, those of you who really know me, you know that I am not a proponent of getting caught in what I call “the cycle of recovery.”

What do I mean by that?  After a season in “recovery mode” we must shift to “discipleship mode” to become strong followers of Jesus Christ. The “RM” in our name Free Indeed RM stands for Restoration Ministry. I believe in the power of God to restore and transform lives. We don’t have to live the rest of our lives claiming the title “addict,” Once a person is born again, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, they are now a new Christian. They have a new identity of son/daughter of God. I am not a “recovering” anything. I am delivered. To God be the glory!

Look what it says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV)

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such WERE some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  (emphasis mine)

Do you see that? “Such WERE some of you.” Once you surrender to Jesus and He sets you free, you no longer have to live under your old identity of fearful, depressed, crackhead, dope head, alcoholic, addict…whatever had you bound you can be free of when you cry out to Jesus.

You might say, but I am so ashamed. Look at this verse. “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NAS)

So, the big question is… how do we move forward to walk in freedom and a new identity?

Getting Out of a Defeated Place

1.   If it's not been easy, don't be ashamed.  Memorize the Romans 8:1 verse above.

 

2.   It's time to rise up from the ashes. Ask God to help you start moving forward. Find a church/bible study group to encourage you. Come to Free Indeed when we get started.

3. God doesn't need our perfection; He needs our brokenness. There is hope beyond where you are.

Where we have been and where we are is not where we're headed!

4. PUSH - Pray Until Something Happens – Don’t give up!

 

5. Determine to know God's direction. 

·         Don't be vague. Vague people never accomplish anything because they have no direction or plan. 

·         Ask yourself this question - In order to be empowered by the H.S. am I willing to go forward with God regardless of what it may cost? (Reputation, Family, Job, Friends, Hobby,- TV, Sports, Music) 

·         It might require that we come clean about a secret sin in our life.   You see, as long as you hide, you'll never be totally free.  The power of the bondage is n the secret of it. Once it’s “out” it no longer has control over you.

6.  Forget the past – Stop looking back. Allow for changes. Ask God to help you forgive others and yourself.

 

7. Establish an accountability relationship. Find someone… a counselor, pastor, friend who will help you move forward in truth.

 

8.  Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you! 

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord." (Zecheriah 4:6 NKJV)

• Might represents Man force, sometimes refers to an accumulation of things/wealth. 
•  Power represents  man’s expertise, intellectualism. 
• Spirit represents the Breath of God 

 There is so much more I could share. This is already long enough. Allow me to close with these thoughts.

What God touches is set in order. 

What God touches is made whole and complete. 

 What God touches is truly delivered and set free.

Till next time, keep your chin up and keep pressing on!