STAY AT HOME #2
Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
This is the second printed article on the subject “Stay At Home.” We have already understood that God has determined both the times and bounds of our habitations. And he has done so in order that we might seek him. (See Acts 17:26-27) God placed Adam in the garden, but sin placed him outside into a world of thorns and briars, and into that world of the murder of one son by another. 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
In our Luke 8:26-39 text we find our main character as a demon possessed, future preacher living in the tombs. He was displaced from his home. Then in our verse thirty-nine we find the Lord’s placement of him back in that home, in the domestic atmosphere and its influences in order for him to fulfill his ministry. He was instructed to Return to thine own house, in order for him to benefit from God’s proper order.
The Prophet Elijah did well in front of King Ahab. But then he was to hide himself in a place of God’s choosing. (1 Kings 17:1-5) But the final place of his abode before he was allowed to call fire down from heaven was in the domestic scene at the home of the widow of Zarephath. He was to return to a home environment first. For the relation of the man to the woman is a great mystery, referring to the revelation of God’s relationship to his people! Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
But who were the very first deserters? In what society did the first rebellion from God’s order take place? – It was among the angels, as mentioned in our first article. For we read this in Jude verse six, listed above. And also listed is Peter’s instruction that the angels deserting their assigned place was a sin! For he speaks of “the angels that sinned!” They should have “Stayed At Home!”
Take careful and serious notice of the Prophet Samuel’s words to King Saul, the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Saul’s instructions were to await the arrival of Samuel before going out to do battle with the Philistines. Not only did he disobey those instructions but he further worsened his sin by offering a sacrifice, entering sinfully into the priest’s office. And his rebellion against God’s order was proclaimed to be as wicked as witchcraft. Therefore refusal to submit to God’s rule in one’s life, whether angel or man, is a horrible sin against God. For it is as vile as the sin of witchcraft, and will be to the destruction of the one sinning!
In Matthew 21:28-32 we have the Lord’s recorded words concerning the response of a man’s two sons when asked by the father to go work in his vineyard. One said, “I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.” Then of the second we read; And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Therefore one had repentance, reversing his former stance. He represents those formally living sinful lives to whom God granted repentance. Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
But the other son had immediate lip service, but no heart of obedience. He represents the scribes and Pharisees, learned in the scriptures, but rebellious in their hearts. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. This is like most of the religion in our own nation today. (We really don’t know that many true Christians!)
And just what was the conclusion the Lord made from this situation? Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:31,32,43)
Because of their rebellion God took the kingdom away from Israel and gave it to the “holy nation” of the church! 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: For the spiritual church is the “Israel of God!” Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
And all should beware that as this unchangeable, holy God took the kingdom away from natural Israel, so he is still as holy and will remove himself and his kingdom from any who yield not to his rule over them! Remember that rebellion against him and his will is seen as evil as witchcraft. We Gentiles were grafted into the root stock, replacing the “branches” of the previously rebellious religious professors. Therefore if we become but professors, who are not possessors of spiritual submission, we too can be removed!
Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Here are some of the instructions to believers as given by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. He instructs them not to regard their stations, or situations in life to the point of rebelling against them. He states that if one is a servant to others, not to care for it! And he states that if one is free from being a servant, use it rather. 1 Corinthians 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
He continues in so far as to instruct us not to regard our station in life so as to rebel against God in order to change it. It is fine to use the world, but not to abuse it. For even the longest life spent here on earth is not to compare with the eternity which we shall have to abide in forever. 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
It is reported that Albany, Ga. at one time virtually had no one infected by the corona virus. But after two funerals at the same funeral home, it has become one of the locations for the fastest spreading of the virus in the nation. Just a few people infected the whole city. But the greatest pandemic of sin, which is killing 100% of every human being upon earth, had only one man who infected the entire human race! Sin has caused the death of every human being since time began! And it happened by one man – Adam!
Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
And what was it that brought death to every soul on earth? It was “disobedience” – Rebellion against God’s will! And how shall any be saved from such a horrible pandemic? What is the ‘serum?’ What is the cure? Even as it was by one man’s disobedience that brought this upon us, even so it is by the ‘obedience’ of one man that has provided the cure! The first Adam disobeyed and infected us all with sin. But the Last Adam – the Lord Jesus Christ – by his ‘obedience’ can we all be eternally cured! Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Listen to Christ’s dedication to the obedience of his Father. He gave these instructions to his disciples just before going to the cross, to reveal his perfect love and obedience to his Father. John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Consider also these verses: John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
This one, single thing, the obedience of Jesus Christ to the Father’s will, is the source of all men’s salvation! And he learned it by his sufferings. Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
He spent his earthly life and ministry in mediation. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; He was strongly crying out to the Father for the benefit of those given him by the Father. John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 ¶ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
And he came to his glory by his obedience. For the cross is the gateway to glory! And he came to understand the extent of his obedience by the extent of his sufferings! Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
The very purpose of the gospel is to call sinners to obedience in Christ! Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Pastor Gene Breed
April 16, 2020