www.scatteredchristians.org
Another Sermon for the Scattered and Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2005 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2005
Learning the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:

Men, Overcome or Be Overcome
If I could ever preach to a group of men for one last sermon, what would I say?
Preached at Touchet Baptist Church
Men's Preach'n'Shoot
January 15, 2005

First, I would hope to say what God would have me say - and I would have more Scriptures in the sermon than my own comments.

Second of all, I would hope the men hearing this sermon would be:

II Timothy 2:1-4  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.


The Ladies Took It Before, It is our Turn!
Just like I have preached to the women here - and as they have taken it well, so must we men!  (well, we could take this a little better than they did - haha)

see II Timothy 3:6,7  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The ladies have been led away by worthless men of this world - see verses 1-5
Have we allowed our own ladies to have been led away, as Adam did Eve?
(And it Adam that was responsible... see Romans 5:14-19 - it is called Adam's transgression))

Well, do any of us fit verses 1-5?   If we haven't done anything about it, then we are not much better than those men.  "But," you say, "WE ARE learning and we ARE ABLE to come to the knowledge of the truth!"

Then don't complain about things anymore.  It is time to get those pants back from your wife!

Will we continue to allow them to be led away?  No?  Ok...

Then how about your daughters? ... your sons?
Are they still being led away by the perverts of this world?

Are your hands tied?  Yes, they probably are these days... but this isn't about them, anyway -it is about us men!


It's Time for Us!
To be a Jeremiah (preach the words of God) to our family!
To be a Nehemiah (rebuild your wall around your family - physical, mental, spiritual)
To be a Joshua (have your family help out your pastor and the ministry in your church)
To be a Moses (lead your family to the promised land which is salvation AND the KJB)
To be their Saviour (lead them to a true salvation)
...But in all practicality, to be their PAUL to deliver them!
(Don't try to be Peter or John or James in a sailboat - or even Jesus of the Gospels with the family bondage that is so common today)

I Corinthians 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
I Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.


Men, we have been bound and disarmed!

...how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods,
except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Matthew 12:29

I have realized that I had been bound and disarmed during my past years - and only recently have I taken off some of those chains and have seen a change in my own life (Acts 12:7).   I can look back now and because of the Book, see HOW, WHO, WHERE, WHY and the PROCESSES that bound me up!

However, this is not a blame game sermon  -  there is barely enough time to go forward like Paul says - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14

Behold, ALL things are become new -  this means that all things are still new and will stay new - every second is a new second!

Us older guys can look back and see this stuff more than ever if we get in and stay in the Book!  (You young guys will probably just have to learn it all the hard way, but I hope you choose to hear and then take heed to this message today!)


When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him,
he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
Luke 11:21,22

My concern today is what we are doing, if anything
about the goods and spoils that God has given us today!


This sermon is not about your workplace
I am really not especially concerned how you are at your work, etc.  If what you do outside the home isn't done for the Lord, then it will all just burn, no matter how respected you are or whatever kind of good or bad reputation you have - no matter how well you do your work, etc.  It will just burn if it wasn't done for the LORD!
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Philippians 2:14, 15  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
I Corinthians 10:31- Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

And don't forget these - yes, it is too obvious that the Scriptures have the work place covered!
I Timothy 6:1,2 - Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Titus 2:9 -  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

If you don't put on and keep the Lord on at work, then it all will just burn - a total loss...
...what a waste of energy and life, eh!
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26

And you men who are understand the Greater Commission,
you know that goes for your inheritance, too!  amen?


Metrosexuals - Today's Man?
We have heterosexual, homosexual, bi-sexual, transsexual, asexual and now Metrosexuals!
Read the following articles on Metrosexuals:
The Metrosexual - Today's New Man
Rise of the Metrosexual

Can you see any or all, or most, of those characteristics in today's men?  I was shocked to see how well they fit more and more of the common modern American men, even the ones in our churches - KJB churches!  I Corinthians 6:9   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind...


Christian Men - We Are Failing in Our Role & Duties
Through teaching for more than 25 years public, private and homeschools, visiting churches across the country, preaching for 8 (not that many, I know, but still...), and through conversation after conversation with men AND women face to face, over the telephone and through email... I have seen that we men - myself included - have failed in our godly designed roles and duties towards our family and towards God!

As pastor, teacher, etc. I see more and more:

Wives are crying for a Christian AND godly man!  (now, for the women who are praying for their man to 'get right' and to take charge of the family, I WARN THEM!  It will shake their nylons if their man really does get ahold of truth and God gets ahold of the man.  But... that is not excusing a man to be a jerk about it, either.  If the man of the house gets ahold of RIGHTLY DIVIDING, IT WILL SHAKE UP THE WHOLE HOUSE - and in most cases, their church family, too!

If  folks try to define "Godly Man" they will all have different answers and opinions!
Let's just go with the Book!
The King James Bible!


I.  Our Goods and Spoils are Being Divided!

Look again at Luke 11:21,22
 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him,
he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Our Goods
NOT the house, the car, our guns, our belongings, our toys, our jobs, our salary, our raises, our retirement programs, our stocks, our food, our snowmobiles, our 4-wheelers, our horses - that is not what this is about today!

Matthew 6:19: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Come on men - those 'things' ARE already being destroyed or ARE destroyed and they are or will destroy your family as they grow up!!

If you can't see that yet, your are blinded by the god of this world, you are selfish, lazy.  We can get pre-occupied with success, money, sports, TV, videos, your house, your personal desires, comforts, your job, your own design of your life, and your earthly future. etc. - and remember, all that stuff is designed by the very people God tells us to withdraw from, from such turn away, etc.

Yes, those things do have their place - amen!  I am not preaching the apostolic doctrine of 'give it all to Jesus' - I Timothy 6:17  says that we should trust in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; I Timothy 2:2b says, ...that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. But those times are changing - and HAVE BEEN for some time in America - we just pretend not to see it - we don't WANT to see the truth of these days!  We like what we have in the bank, in our garages, in our homes, in our rooms and in our pockets!

I believe that as men, our judgment seats are going to be a disaster - and as we shame him today, we will be ashamed tomorrow!
Colossians 3:23,24 and 25 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Works that we are doing that were designed for our wives to do will burn in our judgment fires,
and the stuff of ours that the ladies are doing will burn in their fires!

God's Order will be rewarded, man's order will burn!
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:20


The GOODS that I am talking about are our:
These are our goods and spoils that are being stolen - and Christian men are allowing it to take place - and they themselves are being bound!

Physical kingdom challenges today:
Yes, we do see the physical challenges taking place in the public place in Christianity today: - we are being accused of being hate speech; being put down with no opportunity to return the favor; no KJ Bible; laws against the Book and us; being targeted by police and lawyers, etc. but I wonder if that is really the calling of this church age anyway- are some folks making some huge mistakes in their public witness?  in this what the Book really has to say to folks today?  Are we really putting forth the proper words and testimony to sinners?  Just asking...


Men, I believe we all have been tricked by:

Those and other things have caused:
In other words, No Real Deliverance!
They can 'say' they have been set free all they want,
but they won't be truly delivered until they are 'made free!'
II.  So What Do We Do About It, Men?

We must be willing to be,  seeking to be & wanting to be DELIVERED!
A.  Be Saved
    1.  Yes, salvation is a great thing, no doubt, but there is more to being a Christian than being saved!
    2.  Jesus preached the Great Commission to a nation that needed to fear the wrath of God for rejecting their Messiah!
         a.  Matthew 3:7; Malachi 3:1-5; Malachi 4:1-6
         b.  See John 3:7 - Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. - the nation of Israel needed to be born again - their Messiah was here!
         c.  The beatitudes HAD to be walked, etc. (Matthew 5:9; 20; 44,45, 48; 7:24-27)

B.  We must be delivered!
    1.  Today, from Jesus Christ to Paul, we preach the GREATER COMMISSION - Paul's Gospel
    2.  There is still the initital and most necessary need to be saved, of course!
    3.  The need is also to be delivered!  (not just how to mingle; how to 'get along;' how to mix with the multitudes - but how to give God glory for all that he did for those saved - FOR US -  to provoke others to jealousy (Romans 11:11!)
         a.  delivered from the law of sin to serve in newness of spirit - Romans 7:5,6
         b.  delivered from the body of the battle between our flesh, sin that is in me and the Spirit of God - the body of this death - Romans 7:24
         c.  delivered from the frustrations and tribulations of daily life - the sentence of death in ourselves -  II Corinthians 1:8-10
         d.  delivered from ourselves that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh - II Corinthians 4:5-11
         e.  delivered from this present evil world - according to the will of God, not ourselves - Galatians 1:4
         f.  delivered from the power of darkness - into a spiritual world - Colossians 1:13 (Ephesians 6:12; I Corinthians 2:9-16, etc)
         g.  delivered from the wrath to come - I Thessalonians 1:10
         h.  delivered from unreasonable and wicked men - men that have not faith - II Thessalonians 3:2


Modern trends resulting from vain faith and vain babblings
that do NOT deliver anyone from anything!
The devils is using these to try to be like the most high - Isaiah 14:13,14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

These are the purpose driven trendy ALPHA designed fun fleshly music easy psychological sermons - that produce a religion that God hates!  Their vain babblings lead unto more ungodliness - true godliness must be according to the Book, not according the new terms of what is right and wrong!  II Timothy 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

C.  Help others be saved AND delivered! - Don't stop at Salvation! God said not to, Jesus said not to, Paul says not to!
         a. John 6:40 - raise him up!  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
         b. John 6:39 - raise it up!  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
         c. Paul with same desire - Acts 26:18 and many other references - too many for today's sermon...  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

But... folks must make their own decision to get out of the messes their lives & famillies are in - it is their call to go to God and to open the Book - we can show them - we can show them how God delivers them, but they must make the call and THEN God will DELIVER THEM!  II Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We can't forget - any of us - that we are all dogs that have been delivered out of the dog house and from underneath the table!  Romans 10:19; Matthew 7:6; 15:26; ACts 26:15-18; Ephesians 1:15-19; 2:14-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12!


Are you saved?
and
Are you DELIVERED?

The Spirit in this Book will save you - and your family!
The Spirit in this Book will deliver you - and your family!!

Jesus Christ saves - Jesus Christ delivers!
Paul shows us Christ's Salvation TODAY - Paul shows us Christ's deliverance TODAY!


In closing, my final piece of sermonated advice to us men...
Know the Proper Battles for Today!
(I will expound on this more in another sermon)

We can't pretend to live the Philadelphian church age and expect the same blessings - open doors - doors we can't shut, etc.  and battles - and promises!  We are in the Laodicean church age - this is the hour of temptation - not the beginning of sorrows, that is the  tribulation inMark 13:8

Revelation 3:14-22
Revelation 3:10 -  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
I Peter 1:7-9 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
I Corinthians 10:12-13 - Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I Timothy 6:9 - But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Galatians 4:14 - And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
II Peter 2:9 - The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

There is a 'right way' for Christians today and a wrong way - a right way and a wrong way  for us men today!  We must be alert to the right way dispensationally and rightly dividingly.  We can do the right thing the wrong way and at the wrong time!


God's final advice:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Revelation 3:18

But we must remember, men - Our families are CONSTANTLY under GREAT TEMPTATION,
not great tribulation...
...YET!


It's the Book - the King James Bible - Daily
Read it - Study it - Rightly Divide it - Follow Paul -

The Peace of God be in you
and
the God of Peace be with you!

Philippians 4:6-9  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We have to, men!  Our wives, our daughters, our sons, our grandkids,
our neighbours, our friends are watching us - will they listen to us!

Do you have anything to show them - and do you have anything to tell them?

A Real Man is Saved AND Delivered!
And tells others - and shows others - ESPECIALLY HIS OWN!
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12