Living in Denial
John 15:18-20
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Earlier this month, the independent governor of the state of Minnesota made a very egregious statement.
When he was asked to state his opinion of the church, he said this.
“I believe that religion is for the weak minded. It is for those that have nothing in themselves. For those that need something else to make them strong. "
The main stream media loved this quote. Christianity as a whole was dismayed by it, but not shocked.
You see, hatred of the church is not a new thing. It is not something that began with Jesse Ventura, nor will it end with his conceited statement.
In fact, Jesus told the disciples and the church that hatred would be a constant companion to the New Testament believer.
Matt 10:22
22 "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
We would be greatly naïve to believe that the true church has ever reached a place of tolerance and acceptance in our society today.
Although it appears that the church is respected and revered, there are ongoing efforts to delineate her borders, and compromise her character.
Even yet, there are many that would love to destroy the credibility of the church by assassinating the character of her leaders.
Again. Let me remind you of the words of Jesus. You will be hated in the world because of my name.
But let me go on a step further, Jesus said it like this.
John 16:33
33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
(NKJ)
I want to help someone this morning.
I want to encourage someone this morning.
There are many that will deny the power and influence of the church on your life.
There are many like dear Governor Ventura that would like to tell you that the church is just a place for the weak minded to gather and lick their wounds.
I want to firmly ensconce in your mind today, this is God’s church and no matter what any man says, no matter what any theologian or philosopher tries to ascribe to it, it will stand strong.
It was not meant to be a subject of history books, but a source of history reversals.
This church was founded with the blood, sweat, and tears of Jesus Christ and it will withstand every attack that is launched by the devious forces of evil.
Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!
To the church of Pergamos, Jesus spoke these words.
Rev 2:13
13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
This church was situated at the mouth of Hell. Figuratively in our imaginations we can see it there for a great purpose.
The church is the place to change your direction! The church is the way to change your eternal destiny!
We are here to do as Jude commanded, to save with fear, and pull souls out of the fires of sin!
Some feel that they are beyond the help of the church or Jesus. But I would beg to differ.
In Luke, Jesus told of a prodigal son. His story was quite interesting. Quite revealing.
He left home with design of sin in his mind. Blue prints for a lifestyle of riotous living. His purpose was to go and get all that he could in the world.
Yet when he was wasted away, depleted of his life, he was not shunned and banished, he was welcomed home with open arms and a celebration!
Jesus went on to say that there is even greater joy in heaven over one sinner that repents!
You are at the right place to make a turn around. You may feel like you are a footstep or two away from a totally wasted life. Feel like you are on your way into an eternal destiny of torment.
The church is here today to help you escape that place!
To the church, Jesus spoke that he was aware that even though they were living near hell itself, they had not denied his faith. That the church had held fast to his name!
If there is a sure-fire way to make it, a plan and an agenda that we need to go by, it can be encapsulated in this statement.
Live in denial!
Not of Jesus. No, you need to hold fast to his name, and his faith.
You need to start living in denial of Satan and sin.
The bible teaches us that we are to deny ungodliness. Walking uprightly. Soberly and justly in this world.
It is time for you and I to start living in denial!
Deny the power of sin to have dominion over your life.
Romans instructs us this way:
Rom 6:14
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
You do not have to live under the power of sin!
Deny it. Every time Satan tells you that you are his, that you are a sinner, that you can’t help but sin, you need to deny it!
Deny Satan access to your life!
Safeguard yourself with the word of God.
Deny doubt.
Deny fear.
Deny sickness. Don’t accept it!
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. You do not have to believe a word that he speaks into your life.
Every situation that he introduces into your life is a lie!
Every sickness, every disease. Every habit. Every compulsion to sin.
It is a lie!
Healed by the power of Jesus.
Stripes. Blood. Washing in the water of the word.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus!
Deny fear. You do not have to live your life in fear.
Deny defeat. You are more than a conqueror.
