Submission To Government

Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2017

1 Peter 2:13-16

Introduction:

A.  As we read these verses tonight, we need to once again consider them within the context in which they are written.

1.  We live in days of civil disobedience.  People in our day have a real problem with authority of any kind: in the home, in the schools, and to the governmental laws.

2.  These dispersed Jews (strangers-scattered) were being heavily persecuted the civil government.  Paul is writing to them to, despite the persecution, submit to the government they lived under.

B.  To many of these Jews, this must have seemed a “bitter pill” to swallow. 

Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (Paul said to fear, obey, and honor those in authority.)

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  (Paul said here to be good citizens and not speak against or resist the powers that be.)

C.  God gave these persecuted Jews neither excuse or exemption in the realm or submission to the “powers that be.”  I have known preachers who gave excuses for disobedience to law.

Romans 13:1-2  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

1.  Submission To Government is our Duty - Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Proverbs 24:21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

2.  Submission To Government does have a Condition - Acts 5:26-29  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

3.  Submission To Government demands Submission - 1 Peter 2:13-17  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  (Magistrate - A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States.  But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.)

4.  Submission To Government pays Taxes - Matthew 22:17-22   Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?  Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.  And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.  When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

TRIB'UTE, n. 1.  An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty.  The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute

5.  Submission To Government commands Respect - Exodus 22:28  Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Acts 23:5  Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Ecclesiastes 10:20  Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Jude 8-10  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignity.es (An elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society; advancement; preferment, or the rank attached to it)  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation (to speak evil against or to condemn), but said, The Lord rebuke thee.  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

                                                                                            

6.  Submission To Government requires Supplication - 1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

7.  Submission To Government brings Results - 1 Peter 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Introduction To The Book of Romans

Temple Baptist Church - 5-28-2017

Romans 1:1-5

Introduction:

A.  As we finished 2 Thessalonians, I tried to get the mind of the Lord as to what Pauline Epistle that I needed to begin.  The Book of Romans kept coming to mind so we will begin a long series of preaching through this delightful book of the Bible. 

1.  This epistle to the Roman believers is said to be the “greatest letter every written.”  Though several of Paul’s epistles were written at an earlier date, the Holy Spirit saw fit to place it as the first or prelude to all other epistles.  It possibly set forth first because it gives a comprehensive overview of the salvation, justification, sanctification and responsibility of the child of God. 

2.  I have spent years preaching through the Pauline or Church Epistles.  If I had it to do over with, I would have preached them in the order in which they are placed in the Bible.  At least, in the beginning of my ministry here at Temple Baptist, I taught through Romans in Sunday School.

B.  The Book of Romans is a doctrinal book. 

1.  I read that it has been called “An anchor in the shifting sands of human theology.”  I can find no better title to give to this epistle.  Rome was the center of Satanic suppression.  As Caesar was Rome’s “god,” Satan used Rome as his stronghold to hinder and stop the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

2.  Notice that Paul was writing to individual and not to a local church or churches.  Rome would have been a hard and dangerous place for Christians to assemble!  That further amplifies the importance of the Roman Epistle. 

3.  The time of Paul’s writing this epistle is also important.  It was written somewhere between 60-62 AD. 

a.  Nero Claudius Caesar (58-64 AD), called the most despicable manifestation of human flesh every born, was the Emperor of Rome.  He was the Caesar that Paul appealed to and apparently won his appeal because his deliverance was noted in the Book of 2 Timothy, chapter 4.

b.  2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

4.  Nero later put Paul to death.

C.  Nero hated Christianity and destroyed many of the Christians living there.  The Neronian persecution was vicious indeed.

1.  Tacitus (c. A.D. 60-120), a Roman historian, has preserved a record of this situation. We quote the following from his Annals (XV.44).

“And so, to get rid of this rumor, Nero set up [i.e., falsely accused] as the culprits and punished with the utmost refinement of cruelty a class hated for their abominations, who are commonly called Christians. Christus, from whom their name is derived, was executed at the hands of the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius. Checked for a moment, this pernicious superstition again broke out, not only in Judea, the source of the evil, but even in Rome.... Accordingly, arrest was first made of those who confessed [to being Christians]; then, on their evidence, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much on the charge of arson as because of [their] hatred for the human race. Besides being put to death they were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clothed in the hides of beasts and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his grounds for the display, and was putting on a show in the circus, where he mingled with the people in the dress of charioteer or drove about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of pity, even towards men whose guilt merited the most exemplary punishment; for it was felt that they were being destroyed not for the public good but to gratify the cruelty of an individual.”

2.  Because of the time frame in which Romans was written, these were relatively new believers and, were possibly without a pastor or local church; therefore, they had possibly had little or no doctrinal grounding. 

3.  Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, knew that the only thing that would protect and stabilize these new believers was sound, biblical doctrine.  The Word of God was to be their “anchor” in a turbulent sea of wickedness and persecution.

D.  “The shifting sands of human theology” is befitting of the times in which we also live. 

1.  Virtually every major denomination has left the “old paths” of the inspiration and infallibility of the Scriptures, the practical sanctification of the believers, and doctrines of the faith once delivered that were so precious to Christians in years gone past. 

2.  Paul, when writing his second epistle to Timothy (a young pastor in Ephesus), prophesied of the turning away of the churches from hearing the Truth.  It was also prophetic of the days in which we live.

3.  Doctrinal preaching will do one of two things: ground the recipients in the Truth of the Bible or run the rejecters off.  In both the Old and New Testament, people in general refuse to hear the Word of God, especially when sound doctrinal preaching and teaching go forth.

Zechariah 7:8-14  And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,  (9)  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:  (10)  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.  (11)  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.  (13)  Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:  (14)  But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

2 Timothy 4:1-5  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

4.  The result will always be the same: churches permeated with worldly, lost people. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

E.  Sound Biblical Doctrine is the foundation of the church.  Psalms 11:3  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 

1.  The question was asked and the answer was evident: NOTHING!  Without sound doctrine, the church will drift and the people will be destroyed.

2. Therefore, Satan has “chipped away” at the foundation as a termite undermines the foundation of a home: subtle and unnoticed to the casual observer.)

F.  God’s house is a house of doctrine.  Satan hates God, hates the child of God, hates the local church, and is actively working to destroy all.

1.  De-emphasizing of Sound Doctrine - A tactic of the devil to bring about the ecumenical movement which teaches that where you go to church is not important.  This form of doctrinal ignorance is leading to the rise of the modern day ecumenical movement.  It does matter where you go to church and it does matter what that church teaches doctrinally.

2.  Demonizing of Sound Doctrine – A tactic of the devil that portrays God’s men in a pharisaical light and the Bible believing local church as cultic.  This form of doctrinal ignorance drives away those who listen to such tactics and opens wide the door for false teachers and preachers.

3.  Dividing of Sound Doctrine – A tactic of the devil to bring about division within the fundamental churches. Fundamental churches once had basically the same doctrine. Today, the word “fundamental” has become an irrelevant term. 

G.  There is a decline in the teaching of Bible doctrine in the churches today as many churches, pastors, and teachers shy away from it and go from “heart pricking” to “ear tickling.”  To these, doctrine is neither important nor is it relevant to our day.  I want to reiterate that sound doctrine is imperative!  Sound doctrine is imperative to:

1.  The stability of the local church - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (If the church is not doctrinally correct, then it cannot be trusted.  The Head of the church is Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is the Word of God; therefore, if the Head and the Word are right, the local church can be trusted to be right also.)

2.  The detection and rejection of the infiltration of false teachers - Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (God gives to the local church pastors who rightly divide the word of truth, feed the flock of God, and equip the saints to be able to discern false teaching.  Theological “food poisoning” is a good term describing false doctrinal teaching.  It brings joy to the pastor’s heart when his people can detect false statements.)

3.  The spiritual well being of the believer - Colossians 2:6-8  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  (7)  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  (8)  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  (One of the greatest accolades that can be given to the local church is that of a people who know what and why they believe.  A knowledgeable people are both productive and protected.  Too many churches are characterized by biblical ignorance.  Paul often addressed the believers with the statement, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren.”)

4.  The biblical training of our children - Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  (The Bible and doctrinal truth are essential to the spiritual upbringing of our children.  Our children need to be taught the Word of God, not just entertained and the Bible taught must be right and the doctrine correct.  I have seen people purposely confuse their children in order to show rebellion toward the preaching and teaching from the pulpit.)

The Necessity of War

Temple Baptist Church - 5-28-2017

Genesis 14:1-16; Revelation 19:19-21

Introduction:

A.  Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  A day in which we remember our war dead.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971. On this day we need to pause and thank God for the men and the women who served our Armed Forces to bring Liberty and Justice for all to our country. May we truly pause and remember their sacrifice, their service, and their blood.

B.  War is a terrible thing!  Through the annals of history, if all were known, there have probably been billions who have died (both soldiers and collateral damage-civilians) in all wars.  In all the American wars, either by our country or within our country, over 45,000,000 men and women have served in wartime with app. 1,175,000 war dead and app. 1,500,000 wounded in action.  That is a tremendous number of young lives that have been given and forever changed while affording us the freedom that we now enjoy.

C.  War is not something that any sane man or woman wants, but we find in our text that war is sometimes a necessity.  Men who will not fight will not remain free. 

D.  Henry Patrick Henry, the fiery politician from Virginia, gave his famous speech before the Virginia Provincial Convention...Here is how he concluded it:

"3 million people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the Destiny of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. Battle sir, is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.…. it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. There clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come. I repeat it, sir let it come!…..Gentleman may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war has actually begun! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?…..Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

E.  It is the cry of the patriot and is the prerequisite for freedom.  To live free, men must sometimes die.  Freedom in a privilege, not a right!  There are many in this country who enjoy the freedoms while misusing them.  We do not have the freedom to do wrong in this land.  We do not have the freedom to live here and defame this land.  America has had some sordidness in its history and still is not a perfect land, but it is my country and I continue to say, “Love it or leave it.”

F.  Many people protest war while many others are pacifists and will not fight in war.  Many of these are professing “Christians” who are completely ignorant of what the Bible says about war.  God is an Advocate of wars fought for the right principles.  These objectors or pacifists are the ungrateful who fail to realize that their freedom was purchased with the blood of others.  They are free to protest; they are free to speak; they are free to live and work; they are free this morning because men and women were will to go, fight, and die!

G.  On this day, a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknowns or Unknown Soldier as well as other dedicated places across our land.  On its western panel are inscribed the words:

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

H.  Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard."

Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one-gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

Q: How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

A: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.

Q: Why are his gloves wet?

A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

A: No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Q: How often are the guards changed?

A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Q: What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

A: For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30".

I.  Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

J.  The Sentinels Creed:

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well-meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

K.  As our minds go back to the reality of war, I want to look at the First Mention of “war” in the Bible as it sets forth both the truth and necessity of war.

1.  The unfortunate necessity of war.

a.  First Mention of War.  In our text, we find that war was made a necessity because of the Wicked.  These pagan kings chose to place others in bondage.  This first war affected the freedom of the righteous man, Lot.

b.  We find that God’s people reacted to war with a Righteous Response.  Abraham placed his men on the field of battle against the wicked and set righteous Lot and all that he possessed free.

c.  Last Mention of War.  Revelation 19:19-21.  Here we also see a Righteous Response of God to against the wicked.

2.  The misconception of war.  Righteous war has God’s “stamp of approval” upon it. Ecclesiastes 3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

a.  God taught Israel to war.  Numbers 1:1-3  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first[day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2  Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.  (God said that, when the men were old enough, they were to go to war!  This was a Draft System.  At age 20, men were prepared for war and entered the army of Israel.  They still do!)

b.  God taught King David to war.   Psalm 144:1  Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:  (David was a man after God’s own heart and was a man of war.  If you do not believe that spiritual men can be warriors, just ask the enemies of Israel what they thought of King David.)

c.  Without war, God’s people are oppressed, enslaved, or destroyed! - Numbers 10:9  And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

d.  Without war, the righteous perish! - Psalms 69:4  They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

Ephesians 6:10-13  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2.  The righteousness of war.  War can be a both good and necessary.  There are times to fight and things we must fight for.  Ecclesiastes 3:3, 8  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up … (8)  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  (God both ordained and commanded war to be made.  God is good and God but is also a God of war!)

a.  We must war for our nation - Psalms 9:17  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.  (We must not give up on America because it is a good land; a God given land and is under constant attack from both without and within.  We must fight our outside enemies!  We must fight our inside enemies!)

b.  We must war for the Faith - Jude 3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort youthat ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  (The Word of God is under constant attack but we stand and fight for it.  It is a good fight!  It is a right fight!)

c.  We must war for the Old Paths - Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.  (The old ways of holiness and separation are under constant attack but we stand and fight for them.  It is a good fight!  It is a right fight!)

d.  We must war for our Families - Psalms 78:5 -8 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6  That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8  And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.  (Our families and our children are under constant attack and we must stand and fight for them.  It is a good fight!  It is a right fight!)

3.  War will always be a perpetual thing.  Exodus 17:16  For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. (I once had a bumper sticker that said, “Eternal vigilance is the price for liberty.”  The fight will not end until the Prince of Peace comes.)

Isaiah 2:4  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

a.  So, until then, let us fight Advisedly - Proverbs 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

b.  So, until then, let us fight Fearlessly - Psalms 27:3-5  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will Ibe confident. 4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

c.  So, until then, let us fight Continually - 2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: