Category: Judgment

Jehova Tsaba -- Warrior

6/12/2022

"David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45

One of God's names is Jehova Tsaba -- the Warrior God. Jesus is also the Warrior God! Always has been. And will come back this way.

"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.
2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;
    the Lord is his name." Exodus 15:1-3

(This is the first published poet by a woman)

Here God saves His people. They are not warriors. They've been slaves for hundreds of years. That's all they know. He is showing them Himself as a Warrior, a Fighter on their behalf.

"David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45

Here God's name is Jehova Sabaoth which means Lord of Hosts or Lord of the Angel Armies.

Lord Almighty = Warrior God.

"This is what the Lord says,
he who appoints the sun
    to shine by day,
who decrees the moon and stars
    to shine by night,
who stirs up the sea
    so that its waves roar--
    the Lord Almighty is his name:" Jeremiah 31:35

God is a God of Power.

"Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in." Psalm 24:7-9

The War Continues today

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

We're serving the Warrior God. If you have a commander you respect you will do anything for Him.

Jesus does not smell like hand lotion! We need to remember who He really is -- a Warrior. He is not wimpy. Not a doormat. He is mighty\

"36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'" John 18:36-37

He speaks with authority. He always speaks with authority. He never backs down. He is the Lion of Judah:

"5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.'" Revelation 5:5

Jesus will come back as a conqueroring Warrior.

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass." Proverbs 19:12

He voluntarily became the Lamb. He surrendered His power to save us. He was still the Son of God.

The Return of the King!

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." Revelation 19:11-14

Jesus challenged Leaders.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Matthew 12:30

"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:34

Jesus the Conqueror

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Revelation 1:17-18

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

We are also conquerors through Jesus.

Are we followers of the Warrior King?

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

What did Moses, Joshua and David do? They listened to God. They spoke to God. They did what He asked them to do. And they called on Him when they were in trouble.

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47

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3 people -- and the practice of labels

6/21/2020

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The world is full of labels -- people labeling themselves and people labeling other people.

How does the world see Christians?
In a 2008 Lifeway survey of nonchurchgoing Americans, this is what they found:
79% said Christianity is more about organized religion than about God
86% said it is possible to have a good relationship with God without going to church
44% said Christians “get on their nerves”
89% have close friends who are Christians
79% are open to having an honest conversation with a Christian about faith if asked.

Also, they saw that Christians see efficiency as more important than spirituality. And that Christians just want to be entertained.

What are we to see as we look at others? Especially those who don't agree with us; who don't look like us; who aren't Christians?
1. They are Created in God's image.

"So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

2. God desires all to be saved.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4

3. God looks at the heart

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”" 1 Samuel 16:7

He doesn't see people as we do.

As yourself three questions:
How do I see myself as a Christian?
How do others describe me as a Christian?
How do you think God sees you?

God wants absolutely everybody and He is seeking everyone and talking to everyone on this earth right at this moment!

What a radical concept!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus the radical! He talked to people society told Him He shouldn't talk to!

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:35-36

He had pity on the crowds! He saw they were like sheep. He saw they needed Him.

Here are the commands from Radical Jesus:

Do not judge!
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3

Repent – yourselves!

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

Let your light shine!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Love your enemies!

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" Matthew 5:44-46

Love God completely!

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38

And Love everybody else too!

"And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:39-40

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Embrace the Freedom of Victory

9/1/2019

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Slavery was acceptable and public in Bible times. Now it is hidden (most of the time). Today, we are talking about a different kind of slavery.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Paul is telling them to not go back to slavery. They'd (and we) have been freed already. Don't go back. Jesus set us free so we would be and stay free. There were people coming from Jerusalem who told the Galatian church members they needed to obey the Mosiac law. They were trying to add to the gospel.

Faith in Christ is our freedom.

"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2

Two Slaveries: Legalism and Sin

"You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:4-6

If you're trying to live by rules instead of by Grace and faith, you aren't living a life of faith. It's all about faith. It's easy to fall into rules/legalism. Humans like to control things, to control other peole.

Legalism= the excessive adherence to law/formula/rules.

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.'" Galatians 5:7-9

Who cut in on you? Who got you off course? Why are you listening to them?

It doesn't take much to change something. Watch out for "bad yeast." Legalism, if it comes in, can take over quickly. Faith is so simple it confounds the wise. Don't go back to the law.

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

Jesus completed the law.

Don't choose slavery.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:32-36

Second slavery -- Slavery of Self-Indulgence (license)

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13

Stay on the path. Don't use your freedom to fall away. If you love Jesus you will keep His commandments (that is what He says). Sin harms me and those around me.

Here is a short list of the self-indulgent sins:

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

We are for or against Christ. We walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Either or. We must surrender/yield to the Spirit.

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a]you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
Galatians 5:16-18

The Judge is the Judge. He judges right from wrong. We condemn ourselves. God never condemns. We choose Him or condemnation. We condemn ourselves when we don't choose Jesus.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:22-24

That is a life walking by the Spirit.

Self-control and love go hand in hand. Our joy will come through loving and serving others. Be joyful!

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

It's easy to see someone is out of step because he or she eventually walks away. Correct them in love. If you aren't in step you're walking away. Keep in step with the Spirit. It is all behind us in less we stand still -- then the junk wil catch up with us.

Hold on! He is coming!!

'Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’" Revelation 2:24-25

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Challenges to our Faith

5/21/2017

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You will find the notes below the video.

Challenges to our faith.

John 6:60-66:
60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62 What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would [a]betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

There are Biblical truths, life truths, that are hard to grasp and accept.

Mark 9:21-24:
21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

He wants to believe, but in his own mind he knows he has unbelief.

It takes work to overcome our human natures. Don't get distracted by the world.

The world says one thing. God says something else. Who are you going to follow? You can't follow both. Being skeptical is seen as a good thing in the world -- not according to God when it comes to Him and His ways.

The world and the WORD are two separate things. When we try to mix the world and the The Word together it is like oil and water. We can't shake it and keep it together.

Circumstances. Careful not to walk away from your faith because of them.

Sometimes when things are going right we do not obey. Maybe we rationalize our disobedience.

Sometimes mass faith is a good thing, but eventually we have to stand on our own two feet.

Luke 22:31: Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.

Jesus began strengthening Peter before the trial came. God will do the same with all of us.

1 Peter 5:10:
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

We have to come back to our faith after we get angry or distraught with God. Our Faith will be challenged.

It isn't going to be easy. Faith will be challenged. Only faith can get us through this life, through suffering.

Challenge to Evangelism.

Because we are worried what people might think we don't talk. Our discomfort stops us from speaking.

Faith and Message --

#1 We believe the Bible is the Inspired Word of God. (2 TImothy 3:14-17)

#2 We believe in the Trinity, 3 in 1, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three equal (John 15:26)

#3 Salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

And after Salvation there is sanctification and Glorification.

John 6:67-70:
67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?”

What do you believe? Do you truly believe? Will you walk away too?

We each are in one of three places with God:
1. I have a relationship with Christ. I know I am going to heaven.
2. I am on the fence. I want to know more (so ask. God will tell you, will reveal Himself to you).
3. I'm not a believer. I mighthave a fish sticker on my car and own a few Christian t-shirts, but it means nothing to me.

Consider who you really are.

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Why did God send Jesus?

3/5/2017

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Notes from today (3/5/2017):

Reasons for our faith:

God hasn't changed.

We are who we are.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Humanity got first exposure to perfection -- human perfection (Jesus is 100% Human, 100% God) in Christ.

Jesus came to be our Sacrifice.

Problem of OT sacrifices -- constant blood shed for sin.

They were like paying interest on the principal that could never be touched with an animal sacrifice (or any sacrifice apart from Christ).

Romans 4:10.

He sacrificed His Son.
He paid the debt for us.

Jesus came as a mediator. Hebrews 4.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law.

He is the Bridge to God.

Psalm 19:7 -- The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul

With maturity comes better eyesight (spiritual eyesight)

I've gotta go so the Helper can come (John 16).

Understand what a gift the Spirit is!

God says, "Come to Me now."

You can be free from sin.

It's not a one time event. It's a lifetime event.

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The Unforgivable Sin

10/30/2016

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Well folks, something happened with my recording device and I didn't get the sermon recorded. Instead we had a few recordings of homelife -- we'll do better next week. But it was such a great sermon so I will share with you the notes I took this morning. Shannon used two passages of scripture. The first was Matthew 12:22-32. This says:

22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to [a]Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by [b]Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “[c]Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and [d]any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he [e]is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by [f]Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
The Unpardonable Sin30 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
31 “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.32 Whoever [g]speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever [h]speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Look at verse 24 -- Shannon said, "What a hard-hearted statement."

People don't understand so they condemn.

If you aren't gathering you're scattering.

Second passage was John 14:16-17. It says:

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [a]Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

The Greek word used for the Spirit here is Paraclete which means counselor, comforter, a witness for you, a defender for you, your advocate! The world will not accept the Holy Spirit.

Conviction leads to repentance. The Pharisees believed two things about the Spirit: the Holy Spirit revealed truth and the Holy Spirit allowed them to speak truth.

If you ignore the Holy Spirit there is no way you can repent -- it is the hardening of the heart!

Use it or lose it..If we don't use the Holy Spirit, if we don't listen to Him we will eventually not be able to hear him. What we are attuned to is what we hear. If we have our hearts attuned to God's voice we will hear Him for He is speaking all the time. We just must listen.

When we ignore the Holy Spirit we are hardening our hearts.

Excuses and justifications harden our hearts.

The more I listen the better I get at it. Am I letting the world's white noise get in the way of hearing God?

What am I hoping to hear?
What am I attuned to hear?
What am I anticipating I'll hear?

Psalm 46:10: Be still and know that I am God.

This is a learned behavior -- learning to be still.
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That ends my notes from today. I'll do better next week!

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The Mystery of God

9/20/2016

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Pastor Shannon speaks about the Mystery of God Sunday September 18, 2016 at the Dupree Baptist Church. I think maybe this post could be called a plog? Like a podcast/blog? Thoughts? Thanks for listening. J.H.

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Jehova Tsaba -- Warrior

3 people -- and the practice of labels

Embrace the Freedom of Victory

Challenges to our Faith

Why did God send Jesus?

The Unforgivable Sin

The Mystery of God

Shannon Hinrichs

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