Spiritual Survival in a Hostile Environment
By Pastor Dan Kennedy
© July 10, 2016
Life!
Survival is a primary instinct for everything living on earth. Life is precious and a gift from God.
Every living thing fights to stay alive.
We Naturally Prepare for Life’s Survival in the Face of Potential Disasters
Every home should have food, water and supplies set aside for at least a few days of “survival” should an earthquake or some disaster comes upon us. That is just good common sense. We are programed by God to survive as long as He gives us life.
· The Eternal God, the Creator of Life, has inbred this intense instinct of survival so that humankind will seek life...and, in particular, eternal life.
o God gives hope in life, even in the midst of great despair.
There is “a Curse” that Clouds Life
The curse of sin and death has distorted the brilliance and beauty of life, the “breath” and gift of God.
· Satan, the mortal enemy of God, counters life and our basic desire for earthly survival and eternal life with every deceptive mental and emotional power that he can manipulate to bring despair and destruction of life
…even against God’s own people:
o Moses (Num. 11:13-15)
o Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-5)
o Job (Job 3:1-16; 6:9; 7:16; 10:1)
o Jeremiah (Jer. 20:14-18)
o Jonah (Jonah 4:8)
Murder, suicide, abuse, anger, resentment…there is so much death and destruction in the world today – everywhere.
How do we survive spiritually in a spiritually hostile world?
Survival in Spiritual Life During Hostile Times
1. Know the Truth.
What is Truth?
There is an earthly kingdom and The Eternal Spiritual Kingdom of God.
If the Truth of God’s Eternal Kingdom is undermined and replaced with only a belief in the tangible material of this earthly realm, then the god of this world has won the battle for the mind.
“My Kingdom is not of this world.” - Jesus
John 18:33–38
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
What Is Truth?
Jesus told us that “His Kingdom was not of this world”, that He was going to go to prepare a place for us and that He would come again to receive us to Himself .
John 14:1–6
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Who are we and How did we get on this earth?
How do we know that there is more than what is in our physical life?
Even the particle physicists have some serious questions that “keep them up at night”.
In the summer of 2013 more than 700 particle physicists from nearly 100 universities and laboratories across the United States came together on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus for the Snowmass Community Summer Study meeting.
In one of the sessions they were asked to write down what problems in physics were the ones that bothered them the most. They responded with questions such as:
· “What will be the fate of our universe?”
· “What is this mysterious dark energy that drives the accelerated expansion of our universe?”
· “Where the heck do cosmic rays come from?”
· “Where do astrophysical neutrinos come from?”
· “How come the universe is made of matter (and not anti-matter)?
· “Is the mass of the Higgs Boson an accident, or necessary?”
· “Why is the universe so exquisitely balanced such that life can exist?”
Based on the odds, we really shouldn’t be here. [1]
Michael Hanlon in Aeon Magazine sub-headlined his article on consciousness, with this statement,
“Consciousness is the greatest, most troubling mystery in science.”
Human beings, made in the Image of God, are not mere animals.
We have Consciousness.
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•We reason, contemplate and have purpose;
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•We communicate and write in sophisticated, multi-lingual speech and universal body language;
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•We plan, build, shelter and protect;
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•Humans strive for the ideal while dealing with poverty, luxury and everything in-between;
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•We respond to events throughout human history and teach our children math, science, history, language, the arts, and a growing volume of disciplines and occupations;
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•We perceive right and wrong and weigh personal motivations;
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•We organize, innovate, discover, and determine successful remedies for failure;
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•We have discernment and premonitions;
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•We propose and project potentials and innovations;
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•We create and develop…etc., etc.
Each living human being has Consciousness: “the greatest, most troubling mystery in science” – for those who do not believe in the Creator!
The real “us” is dynamically joined on earth to our physical body but primarily the “real us” is affected by our unseen consciousness – our soul and spirit. This non-tangible, invisible and highly sophisticated consciousness is that which makes each of us unique individuals. The reality of our consciousness is the “hard question” for any who are seeking to honestly analyze how we came to exist – to have life…without believing in creation by God.
· Life without consciousness has little meaning.
· The fragility of earthly life means each of us must face certain earthly death.
· Is earthly death the end of a conscious life or the beginning of an eternal consciousness with an eternal body?
That depends if the Universe has a Personal Creator…
who has given us an opportunity for Eternal Life.
· Is the Scripture clear regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
· How important, then, is this “Gospel” of Eternal Life…from our Creator?
This Truth is important.
Survival in Spiritual Life During Hostile Times
2. Understand that the lines of Truth will be blurred more and more as this age comes to an end
Jesus tells us what will be happening…
Matthew 24:4–13
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
· Did Jesus say that all nations will hate those who believe in Him?
· Did Jesus say that those who believe in Him will face persecution and even possible death?
· Did Jesus say that many will turn away from faith in Him and will betray and hate each other?
· Does He say that there will be rampant spiritual deception?
· Does He say that because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most toward God will grow cold?
· How real is the potential of love growing cold toward God, in our generation?
· Who then will be saved?
“Those who stand firm to the end”
Our age is blurring the lines between good and evil.
Good vs. Evil
Right vs. Wrong
Blessing vs. Cursing
Righteousness vs. Wickedness
Survival in Spiritual Life During Hostile Times
1. Know the Truth.
2. Understand that the lines of Truth will be blurred more and more as this age comes to its end.
3. Hold on to the Truth
· The Reality of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all Life.
· The Redeeming Gospel of Christ, given to us by God:
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
3 …That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…
· God’s desire for His Children is that they live a Righteous Life.
· There is an Eternal Reward for the Righteous.
What are the Qualities of Righteousness vs. Wickedness?
Integrity in the Life of the Righteous
According to
Proverbs 11:1-21
Righteous
· Honesty: Accurate weights (v. 1)
· Humility and Wisdom (v. 2)
· Integrity guides them (v. 3)
· Delivered from death (v. 4)
· Blamelessness makes a straight way (v. 5)
· Righteousness delivers them (v. 6)
· Rescued from trouble (v. 8)
· Through knowledge the righteous escape (v. 9)
· The city rejoices when the righteous prosper (v. 10)
· The city is exalted through the blessing of the upright (v. 11)
· A man of understanding holds his tongue (v. 12)
· The truly righteous man attains life (v. 19)
· The Lord delights in those whose ways are blameless (v. 20)
· Be sure of this: those who are righteous will go free (v. 21)
Wicked
· Dishonest Scales (v. 1)
· Pride and disgrace (v. 2)
· Destroyed by duplicity (v. 3)
· Wealth worthless in day of wrath (v.4)
· Wicked are brought down by wickedness (v. 5)
· Unfaithful trapped by evil desires (v. 6)
· At death his hope perishes…all expectations from their power comes to nothing (v. 7)
· Trouble comes on the wicked instead of the righteous (v.8)
· With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor (v. 9)
· When the wicked perish…shouts of joy (v.10)
· The city is destroyed by the mouth of the wicked (v. 11)
· A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor (v.12)
· He who pursues evil goes to his death (v.19)
· The Lord detests men of perverse heart (v. 20)
· Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished (v.21)
Will Righteousness ever be Blurred with Wickedness before God?
• Right now, as well as in the future, will there always be a distinct difference between Righteousness and Wickedness in God’s Eyes?
• Will these ever be blurred in God’s Eyes?
• Is there a blurring of those lines today in the societies of our world?
• What is going to happen to those who are honorably righteous before God?
• How does the Spiritually righteous person Survive in a Spiritually Hostile Environment?
What is the end result of those who live according to their sinful nature?
Natural Desires vs. Spiritual Desires
Romans 8:5–8
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Ephesians 5:6
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Marks of the True Christian
Romans 12:9–13
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Serving in a Hostile Environment: The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14–30
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “ ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Serving in a Hostile Environment
What can we do, as believers in Jesus Christ to further the Kingdom of Heaven and not just “bury” the gifts that God has given us, even living in an age hostile to God’s Truth?
Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit to reach out to those around us.
· God will bring people who need Him into your lives.
· God will guide you in areas of service as you seek Him.
· Love others as God has loved you.
Our greatest emphasis is not to do more things, but to be who God wants us to be.
If we are who we should be, we will naturally do and be available to do that which will benefit the Eternal Kingdom of God.
How can we be who we should be?
Building Our Personal Spiritual Survival in Hostile Environments
Refining the depth of our heart’s integrity in an age of Godlessness and hostility.
What should we be building in our soul for our Spiritual Survival?
· Communicating regularly with God during the day; continually building our relationship with Him – Prayer.
· Consuming God’s Word as daily food for our soul – Knowing and meditating on God’s Word.
· Confessing our faults to God and others appropriately as a means of honestly purifying our heart – making Humility and Repentance, a normal part of life.
· Continuing to faithfully commit our life to God in order to grow spiritually and overcome the world, flesh and the devil, by the power of God’s Spirit – Being in the world but not of the world; Dying to the flesh; Resisting the devil.
· Coming together in the fellowship of a healthy Believing Community – Spiritual Fellowship.
· Waiting on and Hoping in God – Faith and Trust in God, no matter what the future holds.
· Being sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit when reaching out to Others: Effectively using the gifts God has given us.
1. Know the Truth.
2. Understand that the lines of Truth will be blurred more and more as this age comes to its end.
3. Hold on to the Truth
I Trust in God
Author unknown
I trust in God wherever I may be
Upon the land or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul
My heavenly Father watches over me!
I trust in God
I know He cares for me
Upon the land or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul
My heavenly Father watches over me!
[1] Symmetry Magazine (published by two U.S.-government funded physics labs) asked many of these particle physicists to name the open questions in physics they most want answers to.
Clara Moskowitz wrote an article inspired by this physicist’s summer study, published this week, October 25, 2013 in Scientific American entitled “5 Unanswered Questions That Will Keep Physicists Awake at Night