Who is on the Lord’s Side
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - We are living in perilous times; we have enemies that we thought were defeated long ago are rising once again. Demonic forces are making their presences known in greater ways in our communities, our schools, and our families. Our political arena is more corrupt than it has even been, wrong is called right and right is called wrong. Republicans are against the Democrats, the Democrats are against the Republicans, Laws are being made and passed trying to appease ungodly, while many people are criticized and ostracized for standing on their morals and trying to live just a basically morally respectful life.
Demonic ideas and agendas are being pushed by the television and news media. Schools are pushing evil and perverted agendas while parents are left out in the dark. Every corner of the world is affected by the sinless and immoral lives that many are living. The most Holy place on earth host the largest ungodly festivals in the world while sin is ignored.
There is the desire in the world for people to compromise their beliefs, to lower or disregard their standards and live life against the Will and Word of God. Religions are preaching a unholy gospel trying to get along with a sinful world attempting to have peace and get along with Ungodliness. They say we are all one, and we all serve the same God, but in different ways, and all the different ways and means are equally acceptable unto the Lord. That’s a lie straight out of the mouth of Satan. The only way we are truly on the same side, is if we are all on the Lord’s side.
When there is a clash of interest rather it’s sports, politics, food or religion people must take sides.
The question is like Moses said Who is on the Lord’s side.
PRAYER: -
SCRIPTURE: - Exodus 32:26 “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him”.
BACKGROUND: - Moses had be up on the Mount of God - Mount Sinai where he receives the Ten Commandments. He had been up on the mount for forty days and nights. During this time the people began to doubt, grumble, and complain and turned to Aaron and wanted to have idols made to worship saying these shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Verse 8 says, “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt”. They worshipped, dance, and were naked in front of the golden calf and Moses was angry for they had sinned against God. He was ready to pronounce judgment of the people for sinning against God when he said verse 26 “Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him”. There was a clash of interest and sides had to be taken.
Today amongst all the sin, degradation, unholiness, wretched, perverse, ungodliness, corrupt, nefarious, evil, hateful, immoral interest in the world the clarion cry is still Who is on the Lord’s side.
What does it mean to be on the Lord's side?
To be on the Lord’s side means you stand with and for righteousness, you like what He likes and hate what He hates Hebrews 1:9 says, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”.
It means you are committed to doing the will of the Lord – Matthew 7:21 says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”.
It means to do everything to glorify God 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”.
You strive to live holy because you understand the Holiness without no man shall see the Lord - Hebrews 12:14.
It means we have received salvation. You have decided to reject the world and accepted Jesus has your Lord and Savior. You have understood John 3:3,5-7 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again”. You done Acts 2:38 which says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. You did Romans 10:9-11 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”.
Being on the Lord’s side means that we are new creatures 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. It means you have decided like Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
Being on the Lord’s side means you have “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Ephesians 6:11. “You have your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; you above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. You have the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and you are praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”.
Being on the Lord’s side means we believe the Bible; it is the Word of God and we place ourselves under the authority of the Word of God. We are students of the Word of God ever learning we don’t pick and choose the verses we believe and reject the rest but obey all scriptures and reject all sin.
Being on the Lord’s side means that we hold up a standard being a light in a dark world.
WATCH THIS: - When God told Abraham in Genesis 26:4 “And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven”. Then we come to the New Testament in Galatians 3:29 and find the Bible says, “And if ye be Christ's, (that’s on the Lord’s side) then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Then we are his (Abraham’s) seed that are multiplied as the stars of heaven and stars shine in the darkness. So, to be on the Lord’s side means we shine in this sin darkened world.
WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?
Reason why should I be on the Lord's side?
Well because otherwise there is only one alternative. Matthew 12:30 says, “He that is not with me is against me”. There is no middle ground, no straddling the fence Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”. WATCH THIS: - understand the significance of the two’s - narrow vs broad, life vs death and if you read the entire chapter 7 you will see wise vs foolish, good vs rotten, build on rock vs build on sand. You are either on the Lord’s side or you are not.
OK Bishop but give me more reasons why I should be on the Lord’s side.
Because He commands it. Mark 12:30 says, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment”.
Because there was a price paid by Jesus Christ we could not pay. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body (that is being on the Lord’s side), and in your spirit, which are God's”.
Because you will escape the wrath of God. The Levites that decided to be on the Lord’s side didn’t have to face judgment. Exodus 32:27 says, “And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour”. Exodus 32:33 says, “And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”.
Requirements for being on the Lord's side?
There must be confession of sin. Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”.
When Moses asked who is on the Lord’s side the tribe of Levi responded and came to Moses. They confessed there sin, so many times people want to make excuses for sin instead of confessing to God our sins. Psalm 41:4 says, “I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee”.
There must be Repentance & Consecration. Acts 2:38 says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. Exodus 32:29 says, “For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day”. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”. Romans 12:1-2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”.
CLOSING: - The question is being asked again today like it was asked by Moses – “Who is on the Lord’s side”? Are you ready to stand for the truth of God’s word and defend it any time and any day like 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”.
Are you willing to have a Joshua commitment. When the world looks at you with evil eye, heart, and intent because you are willing to stand on the Lord’s side. Joshua 24:15 says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.
During this corrupt and perilous time that we are living in when corruption, degradation, immorality, perverseness, and a total disregard for anything holy characterize life, the decisions that are made, and how people live, the ones that decide to be on the Lord’s side must decide to passionately and without waver follow the way of righteousness, Revelation 22:11 says, “he that is holy, let him be holy still”.
As for me and my house we are on the Lord’s side.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
