Stay The Course Sermon Iii: Spiritual Maturity Instills Courage Series

SPIRITUAL MATURITY INSTILLS IN BELIEVERS COURAGE TO STAY THE COURSE

At the end of World War II, millions took to the streets to celebrate victory. Simultaneously, a multitude of others quietly gathered in churches to give thanks to God for peace. Nearly all of us had been affected by the war.

With God's help, we dealt with devastating effects of war on families, then the scars that remained - physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual.

Yes, as President Roosevelt had said, ''War is hell”, and as President Truman said, when declaring the war over, "We have been to hell and back". Those who depended on the Lord for strength and comfort rejoiced - but also reflected on what Jesus said:

"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ', and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for, all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Matthew 25:4-7)

All wars - whether wars of words, aggressive acts or bullets - are satanic in origin. Pride goes before a fall!

There always have been, are now, and will be until Jesus comes again, evil doers who think of themselves more highly than they ought to, and who believe they are the "rulers" or the "saviors" of this or that ... and that, therefore, the rest of the world should bow to their self-appointed rulership.

We could name the names of many anti-God, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian foes of the Lord our God, but won't because there is no need to do so. What we do need today as Israel needed back then is a revival of the Spirit of God in the minds and hearts of all who name the name of the Lord.

It's one thing to call on or to name the name of the Lord, but quite another to listen to and do what He says.

In most crisis situations, it is this very point that we need to emphasize and embrace.

If we intend with all our hearts to defend our faith and to depend on God for a victorious outcome - regardless of the severity of problems we face, nationally and individually, the negative certainty is: Without God's help, we fail. On the plus side:

With God's help, it can be said as well as sung with confidence: "Ye who are mature now serve Him, against unnumbered foes. Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose" (from the hymn "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus"). Now hear this: Spiritual maturity instills in believers courage to stay the course to the finish!

Asa, with God's help, had been awarded a great victory over a giant enemy. Of course the people celebrated - but cautiously - because they had to be reminded of a real danger following any defeat of a satanic power: It is easy to forget whose victory it was and to fall prey to spiritual decay by the sway of those who leave God out and go their own way.

As is always the case - when the Lord God seeks the attention of those who are called by His Name, the Spirit of God moved into the situation and manifested Himself to God's chosen communicator of His Message - 2 Chronicles 15:1-9 . . .

"Spirit" literally means "Breath" . . . God Himself is as present in every human situation just as surely as we breathe air - manifested as the Third Person of the Trinity.

Prior to His coming to indwell all believers, the Holy Sprit's function was to communicate to - instruct and inspire - certain individuals the Word of the Lord.

Thus, "the Spirit of God came on (moved in the mind and heart of) Azariah".

How exciting that Asa heard via the prophet what the Lord had to say right after a great victory! From God's message to Asa we discern 5 spiritual truths that speak to us today:

(1) God reveals Himself to those who earnestly seek to know Him . . .

(2) God's presence is obvious to those who faithfully seek to do His will . . .

{3) Be aware: 'The Lord is with you when you are with Him!" Plainly put to Asa - and to all believers: If you forsake God by neglecting that relationship He has granted you the privilege of entering into, His presence will no longer be obvious - and you will be left to deal with life's problems as if God had forsaken you.

(4) There's no getting around the fact that we must bear consequences of our own making when we forsake God and His standards of righteousness. To do so is to make life so hard that we feel as if God has abandoned us. On the other hand: