The Unseen Enemy

                                                   The Unseen Enemy!

If I asked you who your enemy is in a politically charged country, the Democrats would be quick to point to Republicans as their enemies and vice versa. But are they? Are people our enemies, or do we face a real enemy we don't see? In 1941, three men who escaped from a Siberian gulag trekked 4,000 miles through Mongolia, China, and Tibet to India.

They struggled through savage snowstorms in Siberia, burning thirst in the Gobi Desert, harrowing heights in the Himalayas, and imminent starvation everywhere. Despite the severity of those conditions, the enemy that threatened to destroy them was unseen. Had they surrendered to despair and hopelessness, their dream of freedom would have ended as another nightmare. The movie The Way Back (2010) depicts their journey. 

We can challenge and fight an enemy that is seen and known to us, but how can we fight an unknown and unseen enemy? That was precisely what the Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian believers about when he wrote these words in Ephesians 6:10-12. Why did Paul write these challenging words to the Ephesian believers, and what do we know about our Unseen Enemy?

I. Ephesus: A City of Sorcerers, Exorcists, and Idol Worshipers

Ephesus was the capital city of a Roman province in Asia. Ephesus was a significant center of trade. It was also the location of the great temple of Artemis, or Diana, which was built in 550 BC.  Much of the Ephesian industry was related to this temple. Artisans sold shrines and household images of the goddess so worshipers could take on long journeys. A silversmith named Demetrius made a lot of money by making silver shrines of Artemis. (Acts 19:35).[1] As a Hellenistic city, Ephesus was a home for sorcerers and exorcists. There was even a family business of exorcism by a Jewish high priest, Sceva, and his seven sons (Acts 19:13-16).

To such a pagan city of Ephesus, Paul brought the gospel by teaching about the power of Christ and performing extraordinary miracles for about two years. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were placed on the sick; their illness was cured, and evil spirits left them. The fear of God gripped many Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus. Several sorcerers brought their scrolls worth fifty thousand drachmas (several million dollars) and burned them publicly. (Acts 19:17). The Ephesian Church was born under miraculous circumstances.

The Ephesian believers knew what Paul was referring to when he said, "Vs. 10-12, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The Ephesians knew who their enemy was. Do we know who our Unseen Enemy is?

 

II. The Unseen Enemy

In a success-driven world, people would retort to anything to succeed. They demonize people, casting them as their enemies and even harming them to meet their selfish needs. Paul made the Ephesian believers realize that people were not their enemies but the evil forces were. The unseen enemy of Christians and the Church of Jesus is not the people but the Devil, also known as Satan and his followers. What does the Bible say about our Unseen Enemy?

In our study, we will explore several questions. What is the origin of Satan? How and why did he fall? What is his nature? What is his final destiny? What are the fallen angels called? How do Satan and his followers attack God's People? How can we stand against the Devil?

In Colossians 1:15-16, we read, ^"For in him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." It was Jesus that Paul referred to in these two verses.

Suppose Jesus created all things, which means Satan, as well. However, Satan was not evil as we know now. Initially, he was a beautiful, blameless, anointed cherub holding the highest rank among the angels on the mountain of God. Then why did Satan fall from that lofty position?

Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many "I will..." statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15. He was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially "kick God off His throne" and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that desire is what Satan tempted Adam and Eve within the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5).

Because of Satan's sin, God threw him out of heaven. A third of the angels followed him, and they were what came to be referred to as demons and evil spirits. Rev 12:4. Jesus witnessed Satan's fall, and He mentions it in Luke 10:18, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Satan was thrown down from heaven because of his sin. Heaven has no place for sin and sinners.

One day, Satan will be thrown entirely from heaven into a firey lake hell. Until such time, Satan means adversary, the enemy of God, and His people prowl around (restlessly) like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Pet 5:8). We have this Hollywood version of the Devil in mind: Strangely looking, with horns on the head, a long tail, and a pitchfork in hand.

Some people keep ghostly decorations during Halloween, such as skeletons and spooky ghosts. But that's not how he presents himself in the Bible. He disguises himself as an "angel of light." II Cor 11:14. The Devil constantly attacks God's people. Here is how he does it.

III. Lying is a powerful weapon in the hands of the Devil

Jesu rebuked the Pharisees, saying, "You belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and father of lies." Jn 8:44-45.

Jesus sums up the core nature of Satan and his demonic forces. Lying is a powerful weapon in the hands of Satan. He effectively used it against Adam and Eve, deceiving them into sinning against God. Subsequently, he used it on many people, including Jesus in the wilderness. The only difference in Jesus' case was He did not fall for Satan's deceptive schemes. Luke 4:1-13. Jesus counter-attacked every lie of the enemy by saying, "It is written." When the Devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Similar lying tactics Satan uses against God's people. Unfortunately, many believe in the lies of the enemy and sinning against God. How can we repel the lies of the enemy? By using the Truth of God's word. Whether you know the Bible or not, the Devil knows it well. For instance, when the Devil whispers in your ears saying you are ugly and not attractive, you repel that lie by saying, No! "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps 139:13-14).

When the enemy lies to you, saying you are dumb and can't do anything right, you say, No! "The Lord gives me wisdom (Pro 2:6), and I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." ( Phil 4:13). When he tells you no one loves you, and everyone hates you, You say, God loves me with an everlasting love. (Jer 31:3).

When he frightens you by saying the world's economy is crumbling, the government will get you. Our country is becoming a third-world country. You repel that lie by saying, "Even though when I walk through the valley of shadow death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." Ps 23:4

In this election season, our political leaders are telling so many lies. Remember, whenever someone tells a lie, especially leaders, they are speaking Satan's native tongue, which is lying. What lies are you listening to these days? Every lie of the enemy can be successfully repelled by knowing and speaking the Truth, which is found in God's Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Ephesus-in-the-Bible.html

Who Is The Boss?

                                                      WHO'S THE BOSS?

Studs Terkel, the famous Chicago author, interviewed hundreds of people about their jobs and put down what they said in his 1972 book, Working. He wrote, "This book, being about work, is, by its very nature, about violence to the spirit and body. It is about ulcers as well as accidents, shouting matches as well as fistfights, nervous breakdowns, and daily humiliations.

Surviving the day is triumph enough for the walking wounded among many of us. It is about a search, too, for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than lethargy. In short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying. Immortality, too, is part of the quest. To be remembered was the wish, spoken and unspoken, of the heroes and heroines of this book."[1]

In a 9 to 5 job world, heroes and heroines get recognition for their work, such as first responders, firefighters, police, doctors, nurses, teachers, military personnel, politicians, musicians, and celebrities. We hold them in high honor and respect for their contributions to society. But let's remember the unsung or unspoken heroes and heroines, such as trash collectors who do janitorial jobs, construction workers, maids who clean our houses, dock workers, etc.

Their work, often overlooked, is crucial to the functioning of our society, and they deserve our utmost respect and appreciation. How do you feel about your job? For some, work is their identity, so they become workaholics. For others, work is a burden; hence, they seldom or never work. Are you working hard or hardly working? Remember, a well-balanced life is the key to happiness and fulfillment. In Ephesians 6:5-9 we will discuss biblical work ethics, our approach to work, and the spirit-guided relationships between employees and employers. The context of Ephesians 6:5-9 was written initially for slaves and masters.

My friend Lee Eclov provided information on Slavery in Greco-Roman times, which was quite different from our concept of Slavery. You will find it at the end of my notes. Though our culture today differs from theirs, this passage speaks to something still true: the complex relationship between workers and bosses. As we read these verses, we notice how central Christ is in these relationships. Before going further, let's examine what the Bible says about work.

I. Work is God-ordained.

            We first read about "work" when God placed Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden and entrusted them with this responsibility. They were to work it and take care of it. (Gen 2:15) In NASB, it is read, To cultivate and to Keep it. Two Hebrew words were used here. Abad means to work, labor, toil, till, plow, serve, and worship. This may be how we got the proverb, "Work is Worship first coined by Mahatma Gandhi, who said it to instill hard work among the people of India. It compares the work of man with the worship of God.

            The second Hebrew word, Shamar, means to hedge around, keep, and guard. From these two words, God ordained man to cultivate the ground and protect the eco-friendly environment. But all that changed after the Fall of Man. God cursed the ground, saying, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you will return." Gen 3:17-19.

 

 

In the Garden, God intended for man to have something useful to do and enjoy it. After the Fall, Mom and Dad worked the fields and raised the cattle, and the children attended household chores for a long time. The rural work environment where everyone worked to survive changed to employment with the Industrial Revolution in the early 19^th century.

Now, we live in a highly competitive job environment where work, once meant to bring joy and fulfillment, becomes a burden and struggle. At times, Christians find themselves in a toxic work environment. How can we derive joy and satisfaction in our work and transform the toxic environment during such challenging situations? The Apostle Paul has some advice in Eph 6:5-9 on how to make our God-ordained work rewarding for ourselves and others.

 

II. Recognizing Who the Boss is makes our Jobs Joyful and fulfilling.

If you work in a job, you might have a boss to whom you are accountable. In general, most bosses are kind and reasonable. On rare occasions, we may have a boss who is uncaring and unreasonable. We live in a culture where many think all authority is evil and no one should tell you what you should or should not do. You can't trust anyone, be your own boss, etc.

On the contrary, Paul tells the followers of Christ in Ephesians 6:5, "In Vs. 5, Paul says, "Obey your earthly masters with respect, fear, and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ." You can have reasonable conversations about your work and the things you may disagree with. But we do it respectfully. We submit to our leaders recognizing that God appointed them, even when they mistreat us and are unreasonable. Psalm 75:6-7

Another way we can respect our bosses is by doing our assigned work with a sincerity of heart. You are not just doing things to check boxes and check out at the end of the day. In everything you do, you strive for excellence as if you are doing it unto the Lord. Paul's advice to Philippians might help change our unreasonable bosses and toxic work environment.

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing so you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then we will shine among them like stars in the sky as we hold firmly to the word of life." Phil 2:14-15. Paul not only advised Ephesian believers to respect their bosses but also to serve them wholeheartedly.

 

III. Serving others wholeheartedly as if we are serving the Lord.

Jesus, while teaching his disciples not to be like overbearing gentile leaders, laid out a principle of servant leadership. He said, "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:27-28.

Jesus, our servant King, should be our model in doing our work. Jesus was always looking out for others. In her book Why Work, Dorothy Sayer defines, "Work is the gracious expression of creative energy in the service of others." Our primary motive for work is to serve others, not make a living. Paul brings this principle home by saying in Ephesians 6:7-8, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free."

Author and educator Howard Hendricks sat in a plane that was delayed for takeoff. After a long wait, the passengers became more and more irritated. Hendricks noticed how gracious one of the flight attendants was as she spoke with them. After the plane finally took off, he told the flight attendant how amazed he was at her poise and self-control and said he wanted to write a letter of commendation for her to the airline. The stewardess replied that she didn't work for the airline company but for Jesus Christ. She said that just before going to work, she and her husband prayed together that she would represent Christ well."

From working as a flight attendant to waiting on tables in a restaurant, from preaching on the pulpit to handling the media, from homemaking to home cleaning, let's serve as if we are serving the Lord, not people wholeheartedly. Seeing our sincere good works, God will reward us. Paul also has some choice words for the bosses. They were to do their job as God's will. They should treat their workers kindly and not threaten them. In closing, Who's your boss? Our work will be fulfilling and rewarding when we recognize that we serve a higher boss. Amen!

 

Slaves in the Greco-Roman World of the New Testament

In his commentary on Ephesians, John Stott writes, "Slavery seems to have been universal in the ancient world. A high percentage of the population were slaves. 'It has been computed that in the Roman Empire there were 60,000,000 slaves' (Barclay, p.212). They constituted the workforce and included not only domestic servants and manual laborers but educated people as well, like doctors, teachers, and administrators. Slaves could be inherited or purchased or acquired in settlement of bad debt, and prisons of war commonly became slaves." [The Message of Ephesians, p.150]

            Nonetheless, slaves were not the equals of their masters. Aristotle wrote that "a slave is a kind of possession with a soul."

            Dr. Timothy Keller said in a sermon that Slavery in that day was "more like indentured servanthood." he drew on the scholarship of Dr. Murray Harris (a member of VCL when he taught at TEDS). Keller said, "He says that in Greco-Roman times, number one, slaves were not distinguishable from anyone else by race, speech, or clothing. They looked and lived like everyone else and were never segregated from the rest of society. Number two, slaves were more educated than their owners in many cases and many times held high managerial positions. Number three, from a financial standpoint, slaves made the same wages as free laborers and, therefore, were not themselves usually poor and often accrued enough personal capital to buy themselves out. Number four, very few persons were slaves for life in the first century. Most are expected to be emancipated after about ten years or by their late thirties at the latest.

            "In contrast, New World slavery—17th, 18th, and 19th-century slavery—was race-based, and its default mode was Slavery for life. Also, the African slave trade was [started] and resourced through kidnapping, which the Bible unconditionally condemns in 1 Timothy 1:9-11 and Deuteronomy 24:7. Therefore, while the early Christians, like Saint Paul … discouraged [1st-century slavery] … saying to slaves, "get free if you can," [they] didn't go on a campaign to end it. [But] 18th and 19th century Christians, when faced with New World-style slavery, did work for its complete abolition because it could not be squared in any way with biblical teaching.

            "So, the point is that when you hear somebody say, 'The Bible condones slavery,' you say, 'No, it didn't—not the way you and I define 'Slavery. It's not talking about that.'"

 

Timothy Keller, in the sermon Literalism: Isn't the Bible Historically Unreliable and Regressive? Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York, New York (preached 11-5-06); source: Murray Harris, Slave of Christ (IVP, 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Studds Terkel, Working,  (Introduction) page Xi

 

Spirit-Guided Child and Parent Relationships

                                 Spirit-Guided Child and Parent Relationships

 

I vividly remember twenty-eight years ago when I heard that Wilma conceived and I would be a Dad. My heart flooded with such joy and pride. When our first daughter Joanna was born, we could hardly wait to see her opening those bright eyes and look at us each morning.

Seeing her grow up was a delight. God has blessed us with three such precious gifts. How quickly all of them grew up and became beautiful young women. Sometimes, we wish to return to their childhood and cherish them again. That's how it should be with every child. Each one is fearfully and wonderfully made by God and given as a gift to their parents. Ps 127:3

Here are some quotes about children: "The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family." Mother Teresa, "Every child you encounter is a divine appointment." Wess Stafford, president emeritus of Compassion International. "A child is a beam of sunlight from the Infinite and Eternal, with possibilities of virtue and vice, but as yet unstained." Lyman Abbott, American congregationalist. "Children are our most valuable resource." Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States. "If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!" Dwight L. Moody, Evangelist.

Here are a few quotes on raising children. "The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other." Michael Gurian. "It's not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It's our job to raise children who will make the World a little less cruel and heartless." R. Knost. "The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models." Zig Ziglar. "There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one." Sue Atkins.

The scriptures talk a lot about the rewarding relationship between Children and Parents. In our passage, Ephesians 6:1-4, the apostle Paul, who never raised his own children, gives some helpful advice to children and instructions to parents on how to raise godly children.

In this election year, among many contentious issues, abortion is at the front and center of politics in the USA. Whatever your political or ideological views on abortion are, as Christians, we must understand what the Bible says about children, especially unborn children.

I. Biblical View on Children

Various scriptures suggest that life begins at conception. We must value unborn and born children alike. The Psalmist praised God for His involvement in the lives of human beings, from the womb to the tomb. Psalm 139:13-16, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book."

Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before He forms us in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty—death—for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as for someone who commits murder. Therefore, for the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman's right to choose to have a baby. The baby is already present and living. Abortion is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God's image. Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6.

We receive and cherish children as they are God-given gifts. Ps 127:3-5. "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Prov 17:6. There was a time when Christians considered having a big family a blessing from God.

 

 

Jesus warned those who despise children, saying, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in Heaven. Matt 18:10-11. Therefore, let us watch out for how we deal with the unborn and the innocent children. Let's hear Paul's advice to children and instruction to parents.

II. Obedience to our parents rewards wellness and a long life on the earth

 Vs. 1-3, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise, "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Writing to Colossians, he further qualifies, saying," Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Col 3:20.

Here, Paul referred to one of the Ten Commandments, which promises wellness and long life to children who obey and honor their parents. As young children, you obey your parents in everything. You do what you are told without questioning. You still obey your parents as you grow older, but you do it in the Lord. What does obeying your parents in the Lord mean?

It doesn't mean blind obedience. It means standing up to what is right and holding on to the scriptural truth that pleases God. For instance, if your parents tell you to lie, cheat in exams, hurt and bully others, steal, or tell you not to go to Church or read the Bible, then you can disobey your parents because they are going against God's will. But in all other aspects,  it is right for children to obey their parents so that they might enjoy a long life on earth.  

At age twelve, while returning from a yearly festival, Jesus stayed back in Jerusalem. When his parents couldn't find him for three days, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. They found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this?

Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. Jesus asked them, why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? Then, He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them." Lk 2:41-52. But later in life, though He still honored his parents, He obeyed his heavenly Father's will more than his parent's wishes. If Jesus, being God's son, obeyed his earthly parents, should we not obey and honor our parents?

III. Christian Parents are commanded to raise children in God's ways.

 Vs. 24, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." NASB

Raising children in the ways of God is a command for every Christian parent. It takes both mother and father to instruct, train, and discipline children so that, hopefully, they will grow up to be men and women of God. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 13:24, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."

This careful discipline and instructions must begin at a very early age. Parents, you would only have five years before your child starts to talk back and become defiant. In the name of love and wanting to be friends with their children, modern-day parents abdicate their God-given responsibility and let their children get away with any and everything. In certain states, laws prevent Christian parents from exercising their responsibility of raising them in God's ways.

Christian parents are warned to exercise wisdom while raising their children. Paul's instructions to parents, "Do not exasperate your children; "do not provoke your children to anger." In what ways might parents provoke their children to anger? 1. Excessive punishment for a minor mistake. My Dad beat me up for losing a toy. 2. Unwise comparison of your child's IQ with others. (My Dad frequently compared me with my older brother).

3. Showing favoritism among children. 4. Broken promises. 5. Being too busy for your children. 6. Punishing or ridiculing your children in front of others. 7. Losing your temper and lashing at your children. Christian parenting is a tremendous responsibility. Let us ask God to give us wisdom so that we can bring up our children in the ways of God.