Snakes And Scorpions Series

The scarlet thread that ties together everything from Genesis to Malachi is the coming of a Messiah…and Jesus tells his followers “what they all waited on…what they all longed for is here…you’re blessed to be part of it.”

The Savior is here…but if you reject that Savior now…you will meet Him in Judgment, and that will be an eternal rejection.

Let me share how important it is that our focus be on people’s salvation:

II. BE CAREFUL TO REJOICE OVER THE RIGHT VICTORIES

When the 72 returned to see Jesus after their journey, they returned rejoicing. It had been a powerful trip…and they explain why…“Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!”

It’s the wrong thing to celebrate…it’s a premature celebration.

I watched this video of a girl’s district softball championship…it’s of a team from Wylie Texas that believes they’ve defeated a team from McKinney North Texas to win. The Wylie Texas girls run out onto the field in celebration and joy....all while two runners on base from the McKinney team run the bases and cross home The problem was…there were only two outs. And the Wylie team began the celebration way too early

Jesus has a powerful reply to the 72’s premature celebration:

I saw Satan fall like lightening form heaven…I’ve given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

However…However…that word jumps out like a tiger from the bushes, huh?

Jesus witnessed the ultimate premature celebration and it’s consequences…Satan’s rejection of God’s authority and His banishment to earth and then ultimately to hell itself.

All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. Every knee will bow…every tongue will confess His Lordship one day. Snakes, scorpions and the power of the enemy are nothing compared to His power.

But that power is focused primarily on one purpose…salvation.

“Don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you…rejoice that your names are written in heaven!”

Have you ever noticed it’s much easier to celebrate our victories than someone else’s?

These demons submitted to us!!! “Oh yeah, in your name Lord.”

It’s really easy, if we’re not careful, to forget where the spiritual power and authority for real victories come from.

I share this because many believers get caught up in battles over things they think are of utmost importance and then forget about people’s salvation. We celebrate when we “win,” put the demons in their place…but have no concern about whether their names are written in heaven…it seems at times we are content to tell people they’re going to Hell and in our anger, hope they do. We celebrate way too prematurely and sometimes over the wrong things…instead of using the power and authority of Jesus to “make disciples.” We are joyful about proving people wrong.

When he was two years old his university professor parents divorced and his father and mother entered the gay lifestyle. His lesbian mom and her partner took him to gay pride parades, LGBT clubs, parties and camp outs, while his father remained “closeted” for several years.