Doing The Stuff - Ii Series

Dakota Community Church

September 23, 2007

Doing the Stuff - II

II Timothy 2:3, 4&7

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

… Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

How do we engage the forces of darkness?

Quick review:

1. Spiritual Stuff.

Do we need to pray? – YES

Is that all we need to do? - NO

2. Mental Stuff.

The battlefield of the mind

3. Physical Stuff.

This is the part I really want to focus on this week.

Question:

Where and how does the Kingdom of Light clash with the kingdom of darkness in the physical realm?

- Is it in the fight against gay marriage?

- Is it in the fight against abortion?

- Is it in the battle to have the Ten Commandments displayed in public buildings?

- Is it in the fight to have prayer in schools?

- Is it in the political arena, in getting representatives to support “Christian” legislation?

Most Christians think that the way we engage the forces of darkness is through signing on to these kinds of issues. We think that we should be trying to achieve a “Christian” government in Canada. We think it is our job as Christians to see that laws get passed that uphold our moral code. THIS IS A COMPLETE MISTAKE!

I want you to know that for years I held this point of view – it is wrong!

The Christian faith has no call to create Christian national governments that force non-believers to live by Christian morals for their own good. There is only one government for Christians and it is world wide and has no boarders, I am talking about that rock that was cut out, “not by human hands” in the book of Daniel.

Jesus took on the forces of darkness in the most effective way it can be done – remember He is the one who is unclouded by sin, He is the one that Satan has nothing on, He is the one who does ONLY what He sees the Father doing.

Jesus did not make any political appeals of any kind. He did not chastise the horrible Roman government of His day. He did not criticize the Roman law (Extra Mile for example). He did not talk about the importance of enacting legislation to protect human rights.

Jesus attacked the kingdom of darkness in the physical realm by meeting the needs of those around him, by loving unconditionally, by receiving and embracing all who came to him, by sacrificially giving, by taking up the cross and by pouring out his life in service to everyone – even those who would not accept his gift.

Followers of Jesus must make His agenda our agenda!

Clearly He was concerned about more than simply making it possible for people to have relationship with Himself. (Though you would never know that by looking at the typical evangelical church.)

Jesus took a radical stance on many social issues – and so must we, but remember, we need to do it His way!

(A.) Jesus exposed greed and poverty to the light.

Luke 11:40-42

Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.

"I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God’s love. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.

Mark 10:21

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 12:32-34

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus repeatedly encourages his followers to meet the needs of the poor.

Luke 7:22-23

So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

- The blind are no longer blind