Fighting For Our Lives

Man on a Mission: "Fighting For Our Lives"

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Special Edition

I almost feel like this message should be part of an introductory packet to the city of Chicago offered at the Welcome Center We begin this week with Jesus' baptism as the perfect Son of God Matthew 3:13-17

• It is Jesus' 30th year and the beginning of His three year ministry that would turn the planet upside down and literally save the world.  Baptisms in the culture were symbolic of purification and washing.  It was also indicative of priests being set apart for their divine and holy service.
• Once again, Christ set an example for us with his baptism.  He was perfect in his righteousness, but did all to fulfill the law and lead by example.  In effect, He has never asked or commanded us to do anything, as we remain in Him, that He has not done Himself.  This includes his victory over temptation and sin in the daily bouts of life.
• It is significant that at the beginning of His ministry, as in the beginning of this church, it commences with a fight.


Matthew 4:1-17

*The Spirit of God led Jesus into the desert, not to tempt Jesus, but into warfare, being tempted by Satan.  Without a doubt, we are in a fight of faith that will either refine us like gold as God intends, or destroy our lives as the enemy desires (ref. John 10:10).  There is no demilitarized zone.  (Rest comes solely in the presence of God.)

• There are many types of resistance from Satan's forces, but the names utilized for our enemy tells us a lot about one of the components of the battle in which we find ourselves:
  • Devil (Greek: Diabolos) means accuser, slanderer.  The word was used for that sinful activity in instructing the church.
  • Tempter (Greek: Peirazo) means to try, test by solicitation, entice, allure.  Different from another Greek word dokimazo which means to test in order to prove someone good.  Peirazo involves entanglement to discover someone's weakness or strength in attempts to show them unacceptable.

“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” 
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

It was after Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the desert that the enemy brought the onslaught of temptation. The same is true for us in the wilderness periods of our lives when we feel like the things that normally satisfy (in relationships, work or pleasures) are withheld from us for a season. It is here when our love for God and His bride are tested.  If Jesus had faltered, we all would have been lost.

If you don't embrace the fact that there is going to be, without a doubt, warfare in your life, you will waste your emotional energy on two things rather than one.  You will not only be fighting the battle itself, but you will spend strength that should have otherwise been allocated to the fight condemning yourself for even being in a fight.  This is inappropriate since the Son of God Himself modeled the fight.  Focus and expend your spiritual vigor accordingly.

• I've never spoken to a veteran that enjoys the battle, with bullets flying and the threat of death surrounding them.  It is a healthy fear however, that preserves their life.
• God is showing us clearly that, like Jesus, as we step out to reach a city, there will be increased spiritual warfare for which we must be ready.

A traditional understanding of where these attacks lay are:

1. Jesus' appetites (fleshly desires for sex, sensory indulgence and physical food)
2. Jesus' sense of testing the boundaries It is here that we find Satan's manipulation of Scripture.  It is the trap that many fall into because they do not study the Scripture to understand context or God's intended meaning.  Rather they go on what they are taught by the diatribes of popular culture raging against God, or the church providing tradition which inadvertently misleads its followers and separates its adherents from the head (Matthew 15 - we'll discuss more later)
3. The allure of power for Jesus (fame, riches and prestige fall under these categories.  The things that you are willing to sacrifice to obtain these are tested here.  Many a man and woman have lost integrity, family and purity on these fronts - i.e. - the business community and entertainment industry)

Spiritual warfare = nonsensical conclusions based on the facts

These attacks against Jesus had nothing to do with reality.  He had already been confirmed audibly and publically as the unique Son of God by the Father.  However, Satan makes a direct attack on His identity (and thus His place of importance in the world and to others), His relationship with the Father and His abilities.

• The attacks against us come in the similar ways, many times directly assaulting what should be most obvious, or our areas of strength.  This can be in a relationship, a gifting, or your very security before and from God.  Where the greatest attacks lay often indicate the greatest places of promise from God.

Where is the battle?: In our emotions and in our thought life II Corinth 10

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

It is when we don't acknowledge the reality of the enemy's unseen attacks in our relationships, when we are discouraged and when we have trials, that He is able to win the fight.

The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist.” 
― Charles Baudelaire, or Keyser Soze from The Usual Suspects

The tactics of the enemy:

1. Accusation - Revelation 12
2. Discouragement and Isolation - Psalm 2; Hebrews 3

*Co-Dependent Mentalities are a trap of the enemy

Independent Responsibility, Interdependent Relationships is where God wants to take us for health and victory

• If you continually blame your shortcomings or sin on a lack of accountability or help given by others, you are living with a co-dependent mentality that will leave you crippled.
• Here in this culture, Sunday isn't a day for God, it's a day for me so that I can rest and revitalize myself, rewarding myself for a long work week. In doing so, I cut off the very mechanism, the gathering of the brethren, which God has given to strengthen us in our core, our spirit, from whence all life flows.

It is in this place that we learn to use these weapons found in God's Word:

1. Memorial stones of Gods faithfulness as a weapon.
2. Speak to our souls - the Psalms (i.e. - Psalm 57:8)
3. Every sigh turned into a prayer

* If we will allow Jesus to lead us through these trials, we, like him, become more than conquerors (Romans 8 - we're seeing how all Scripture works together).  Jesus' destination was not to live in the desert, it was a passing through. We don't need to camp there in our mentalities.

* Our sin is never just about us.  It affects families, churches and cities.  In the same way, our victories in Christ are never just about us.  God wants to release generational blessings through the obedience of individuals and communities of faith!

Jesus emerging as more than a conqueror had a message to preach to others to see them set free:  Repent (Change your mind and actions) for the Kingdom of Heaven is near! (Matthew 4:12-17)

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.” 
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Practical Faith Challenge of the Week: This week, identify where the enemy's attacks have been in your life and apply the good news of God's word for your freedom and someone of like condition.

This week read Matthew 4:18-25 in preparation for "Man on a Mission" Part 5 - "Following and Fishing"

2nd City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012

Preparing the way for the Lord

Man on a Mission:"Preparing the way for the Lord"

* In the future we will get into topical messages and series, but right now, to set the foundation of the church plant, we want to make sure to let Jesus and the Bible speak for themselves as to what is important to God, even things that we may have heard before, but upon which we have not spent much time dwelling to make them premiums in our lives.

We all want God to move in our lives and in the city.  However, what ALWAYS PRECEDES a move of God is the people's move towards confession and repentance.

*Matthew 3:1-12


Why would John call them a brood of vipers? There was poison on their lips (ref. Romans 3:13). Often, when we have become prideful in our Christianity, thinking ourselves the experts, or hurt in our community, thinking ourselves the victims, we lose sight of Christ Himself who looks to redeem imperfect scenarios.  The only result is a fault-finding attitude, rather than one of humility and service.  Here is where you begin to criticize the people and work of God rather than throwing in your lot to aid and join them.  The vipers often feed on the embryonic eggs of other creatures trying to come to life.  He is giving a warning to watch ourselves and exhorting us to throw in our lot with Jesus and his people.

When we think of repentance, we think of thoughts of God's anger, having visceral reactions in regards to His judgments.  It is because we don't understand the heart of our Father in the midst of these commands.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (Romans 2:4 NIV84)

How would it be the case that He is expressing His kindness? There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)

• says the exact same thing in Prov. 16:25


Here's an example in which many of us have found ourselves:

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword. 
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. (Proverbs 5:3-6 NIV84)

In preaching there is proclamation, but there is also an element of counseling for every aspect of Christ's character or counsel that we are encouraging people to obey.  Everyone has a history explaining why they are the way that they are and an attachment to the reason they live and behave the way that they do.  God is sensitive to this, yet still calls us, as the Creator, to the liberating and higher place.

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters; 
and you who have no money, 
come, buy and eat! 
Come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without cost. 
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live. 
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, 
my faithful love promised to David. 
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
 call on him while he is near. 
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts. 
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” 
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven, 
and do not return to it 
without watering the earth 
and making it bud and flourish, 
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace; 
the mountains and hills 
will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field 
will clap their hands. 
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. 
This will be for the Lord's renown,
for an everlasting sign, 
which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13 NIV84)

There is an emotional response to the behavioral patterns that have marked our lives and to which we have become identified.  We cling to them, feeling that if we lose this part of our activity, we lose our very selves.  Yet Jesus calls us to trust him in this change of mind so that He might bring us into the life that is truly life.  Never forget, He knows best and desires our best.

“I myself said,
“ ‘How gladly would I treat you like sons 
and give you a desirable land, 
the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ 
I thought you would call me ‘Father’ 
and not turn away from following me. (Jeremiah 3:19 NIV84)

The Hebrew word for Torah in the Scripture encapsulated the Law and had a meaning that referred to a target.  Sin thus became a term for missing the mark.  It is far deeper than simple disobedience, but it is a general posture in life where we fail to even acknowledge God's good standard in our relationships, how we use our time or finances.  We fail to even aim for the mark and therefore live in sin.

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (James 4:17 NIV84)

It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

When we have made any level of commitment to Christ, the sins that we commit are far more sins of omission rather than commission - a general laziness of spirit and heart.  It is more the sin of apathy and complacency, doing the bare minimum to get by, than the sin of licentious living.

The more often [a man] feels without acting, the less he will ever be able to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Repentance is defined as a change of mind.  Greek:

Repentance is not a onetime activity, but an ongoing affair, a lifestyle.  It is to aim for, and by the grace of God, rise to the mark.  It is then we hit the target of peace, fulfillment and satisfaction in life because we are doing that for which we were created. Repentance is the prerequisite preparing the way continually for the ongoing work of The Lord Jesus in your life.

How do we get to a place, like the Pharisees, where we are surrounded culturally by the law of God, but become a brood of vipers?  In a city like Chicago, it is easy as God becomes a side note and not the center of our lives, an additive and not the director.  The syncretistic spirit in this city tolerates spirituality, but resists building our world and contextualizing daily activity around JESUS and His Kindom purposes.  There is an acknowledgement of God, but not a pursuit of Him.  Yet John's very purpose, and ours, is to prepare a way for Jesus.

Your religion is what you do with your solitude.”   -Archbishop William Temple

The problem with American culture today is the plethora of options with which we are confronted today.  In sociological studies, they've reported that countries with far less economically and what we would deem as comfort are far happier because the number of options are limited.  Therefore people are not thinking about what they don't have, always thinking they are missing something; rather they are enjoying what they do have. In this manner, their lives can be more fulfilled.

This atmosphere which dulls convictions was accentuated in my mind when I saw that the happiest time of year thus far for people in Chicago came during a trick or treat Halloween celebration. It takes more effort to do anything in a big city like Chicago, so without a compass, you will passively slump into the malaise and the perpetual tide of the culture around you.

Confession means to come into agreement with what is right

Confession does not just have to be to a priest or religious leader in the church, but someone with whom you're are walking for growth in Jesus and His purposes in your life:

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me; 
he whose walk is blameless 
will minister to me. (Psalm 101:6 NIV84)

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 NIV84)

Confession in the church serves multiple purposes:

1. to build intimate relationship through which we
2. to take responsibility for our actions and own our junk
3. to identify and nail the appropriate things to the cross

A lack of humility will lead to a lonely, isolated existence.

God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing; 
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:6 NIV84)

He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 NIV84)

There are three categories of people who will be coming to repentance in our midst:

1. The believer through the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
2. The non-Christian who is being reconciled to God
3. The church transfer who felt burnt or embittered at another church trying to find refuge here.  The challenging part in this scenario is people don't realize that things aren't always as one sided as they seem and may need to come to repentance themselves

If someone quickly finds fault with others, they will quickly do it with you. We don't encourage people to come from other churches without working out their grievances, otherwise when the rub comes, there will be the same response just in a different environment.

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy2:19-22 NIV84)

What good thing does God want from this repentance?

Christ set a different example for us with his baptism.  He was perfect in his righteousness, but did all to fulfill the law and lead by example.  In effect, He has never asked or commanded us to do anything that He has not done Himself. We can therefore trust Him in everything as He promises to lead us to life to the fullest.

Take time o pray, asking the Holy Spirit to search your hearts, confess and pray with another about things you need to repent and be healed about.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV84)

Practical Faith Challenge of the Week: This week, share with someone why the message of confession and repentance is a part of the good news.

* This week read Matthew 4 in preparation for "Man on a Mission" Part 4 - "Fighting for our Lives"

2nd City Church 2012 Man on a Mission Sermon series