Behind the Scenes

Mark Dunagan
01/08/17 - Sunday Evening

Behind the Scenes

When it comes to living for God do you ever feel alone or vastly outnumbered especially in your school, extended family or work environment? When the Bible says that Satan is seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), that our struggle is against world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12), and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), it may simply seem overwhelming. 

An Overwhelmed Believer

Long ago the King of Syria was out seeking to capture Elisha the prophet of God (2 Kings 6:13), and he finally found where Elisha was living and had surrounded the city (6:14). Early in the morning Elisha's attendant went out and was shocked when he saw the city surrounded by foreign troops. He said what we say all too often, "What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15). Elisha then calmed him down and said, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (6:16). Elisha then prayed that God would show mercy on his attendant and enable him to see the real truth of the matter. The prayer was granted and the servant saw horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (6:17). The truth was that Elisha was not outnumbered, rather the enemies of God were vastly outnumbered by superior forces. 

What We See

Jesus reminded us that if we are just counting people, the number of people who choose the narrow way will be much smaller than those who choose the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14). The leading men among the Jews in Rome said that all that they had heard about the gospel was that "everywhere it was spoken against" (Acts 28:22). The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul reminded us that even many who start on the narrow path will not continue (2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2 "Many will follow"). Jude also reminds believers of an important past precedent. Many of those who God delivered from Egyptian bondage were subsequently condemned because of their unbelief (Jude 5; 1 Corinthians 10:5 "Nevertheless with most of them God was not well-pleased").

What We Often Do Not Remember

At the same time the Bible equally reminds us that we have tremendous resources at our fingertips for resisting temptation and remaining faithful:

• "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
• "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
• "In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:15).
• "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Ephesians 3:20).

The Power of Faith

• "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5).

Consider Hebrews chapter 11 on this point:

• When faith operated, Abraham left a comfortable home and headed out into the unknown on a journey of 1000 miles: Hebrews 11:8
• All the peer pressure and ridicule that the world at that time could muster did not prevent Noah from immediately obeying God and building the ark.  Even though absolutely no one else (besides his wife, sons and daughter-in-laws) responded to his preaching, Noah continued to preach to his generation during the entire construction of the ark.
• The comforts, power and riches of Egypt could not stop Moses from siding with God's people (Hebrews 11:24-26).

As you read the list of the faithful in Hebrews chapter 11, simply consider how many of these people remained faithful to God, not only when given huge tasks to accomplish, but equally, when they were so outnumbered when it came to faithfulness and following God. Rahab was the only inhabitant in Jericho who decided to side with God (11:31). David was the only Israelite male who knew that Goliath could be defeated (11:32). 

The Power of Purity and Holiness

Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). In fact, when one determines to be pure in heart, nothing can stop them from seeing God. We see this vividly demonstrated in Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death". 

The Vulnerability of the Enemy

When Goliath showed up on the field of battle most who were there considered him to be an opponent with no weaknesses, who simply could not be defeated. He was simply a massive opponent, clothed in armor from head to foot. Just the weight of his body armor was 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:5). He seemed invincible. Yet here is what many did not see that day:

• If he was such a fearless warrior then why did he need a shield bearer, who walked before him? (1 Samuel 17:7; 41 "with his shield bearer"). 
• He was big, but big also can mean slow. Goliath came to meet David, but David ran quickly to meet him (1 Samuel 17:48).
• Goliath was clothed in armor, yet his forehead was exposed and unprotected (1 Samuel 17:49).
• Goliath was prepared for a hand to hand combat that involved brute strength, but had no real defense for David's aerial assault.
• Most importantly, Goliath had offended God, and anyone who is not right with God is extremely vulnerable!

So in this case, all of Goliath's confidence, boastfulness, size, armor, weight, past training in hand to hand combat and so on were more liabilities rather than assets in this type of battle. 

Many Resources and Assets

• God designed the church so that each local congregation is self-governing with its own elders (1 Peter 5:2). This means that we can move, adjust and adapt to the spiritual battle quickly, while the behemoths in the world have to go through all sorts of channels and red tape before they can adjust.
• The evangelism that is simply by word of mouth can move a lot faster and have far more success than huge programs that are often pouring a lot of money and resources into some fad that has only limited and short-term success.
• Our faith and holiness has a purifying effect upon the people that arrive within our circle. Such qualities draw in the sincere and repel those with ulterior motives. The same is true in a congregational sense. When other people see how serious we are about serving God, those who want their ears tickled opt for another option. Therefore, we are not wasting our time and energy on fields of labor that will never produce any fruit.
• The world continues to provide to our children a continual list of human examples of how not to live. Nature is on our side. We are not the only ones preaching against the dangers of drugs, alcohol, fornication, etc. The news provides many examples as well.
• God provides for us a network that keeps us mentally, emotionally, often physically and spiritually healthy. Time in the word of God, daily prayer to God (1 Peter 5:7), close Christian friends, godly parents and a godly mate all help us to stay alert, mentally sharp, encouraged, and prevent us from constructing our own mental world that is out of sync with reality (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net