TRICK OR TREAT

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

This coming week, many Americans will be celebrating the pagan "holiday" known as Halloween.  I admit that I have never really liked Halloween.  Since becoming a Christian, I like the "holiday" even less.

Halloween, as it is celebrated these days, is a holiday for the "dark side" of life.  Issues like death, demons and deceit are at the core of the day.  Many young people dress up in costumes and go door-to-door seeking candy.  I am surprised at the number of adults who dress up for Halloween.  A few years ago, I was at an office where several of the workers were wearing Halloween costumes.  One woman was dressed as a nun.  When I see adults wearing costumes at Halloween, I feel like quoting 1 Corinthians 13:11:  "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."  Some people need to grow up. 

I think it is high time for Christians to dare to be different.  Christians should teach their children the truth.  We don't make light of demons.  Neither do we celebrate the deeds of darkness.  Instead, we live and walk in the light.

In my opinion, the nature of Halloween is demonic.  As a Christian, I want nothing to do with Halloween.  I know that some will chuckle and think that I am too strict or overreacting to things.  I don't care.  I think it is time for Christians to get serious about vital matters of life & faith.

Paul wrote, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."  Although most people, including most professing Christians, consider Halloween to be an innocent time of fun, I refuse to participate.  The longer I live, the more I am convinced that I need to live separate from the world.  Some will call me a legalist, but I want to heed Paul's words, "Be not overcome of evil."

Despite my disdain for Halloween, the "holiday" does pose great evangelistic opportunities for us.  Paul wrote, "... overcome evil with good."  Is it wrong to give candy to children who knock on your door?  The answer comes from our text:  overcome evil with good.  Christians should not be mean or heartless to children.  Instead, we should be loving and merciful.  Here's an idea:  if you give out candy to children on Halloween, put a Gospel tract in their bag along with candy.  Overcome evil with good.  If people at work want to share "ghost stories," you can share the true story of how the Holy Ghost has worked in your life.

The key to overcoming evil with good is found in this simple command of Christ:  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:17).   During Halloween, the world emphasizes darkness.  The light shines brightest in dark areas.  Jesus has called us to be that light.

Often I find myself complaining about the darkness around me.  Often the Lord reminds me that this is a world of darkness.  I've not been called to complain but to let the light of Christ shine from my life. 

Some claim that Halloween is the devil's holiday.  I think it is a great day for Christians to rise up and let the light of Christ penetrate the darkness around us. 

The devil may offer tricks, but the only treat is found in Christ.  Instead of complaining or being neutral about Halloween, let's be proactive in making Christ known.  Make this Halloween a day of prayer.  Be strategic.  Deliberately spend the entire day sharing the Gospel.  Let the light of Christ penetrate the darkness.

Overcome evil with good. 

PERSECUTION 101

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)

This week, we've been reminded that Christian persecution has arrived in America.  In the past, we've faced minor forms of persecution, such as ridicule and isolation.  This week, it has been reported that the city of Houston has subpoenaed sermons from five pastors who've vocally criticized the city's gay ordinance and its lesbian mayor.  The legal action taken by the city has invaded the sanctuary of the church and violated the Constitution.  Of course, the action taken by the mayor is an act of intimidation as well as persecution. 

Regardless of the outcome of this outrageous act, we must face the reality that Christian persecution is here.  While the action by the city of Houston has incited heavy criticism from inside and even outside the church, be assured that such action in the future will be more acceptable as our nation continues its downward spiral into a Sodom-like society.

Let me be clear about something.  I don't think the pulpit is the place to endorse political candidates.  However, moral, ethical and spiritual subjects such as gay marriage, abortion and euthanasia need to be addressed.  

The fact is that the moral erosion of our nation is now impacting churches.  As a result, I believe that few are ready for the consequences.  With Christian persecution on the rise in our country, we need to seriously ponder the issue of persecution.  In American, there are few sermons about persecution --- and with good reason.  So far, there's been very little Biblical Christianity to persecute.

The Bible has much to say about persecution.  In fact, here are some facts we need to understand.

1.  PERSECUTION WILL COME.   Paul wrote, "... all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."  Notice that Paul wrote that ALL who live godly in Christ are going to suffer persecution. 

2.  PERSECUTION HAS COME.  Many Christians are already suffering persecution in other countries.  Many are dying because of their faith.  For the most part, the American press avoids this subject. 

3.  GOD HAS NOT PROMISED TO SPARE US FROM PERSECUTION.  Although God can, and many times does spare us from persecution, it is wrong to think that God will always intervene and stop persecution.  Keep in mind that most of the disciples were martyred for their faith. 

4.  PERSECUTION PURIFIES THE CHURCH.  The American church is filthy because of greed, pride, and heresy.  When persecution arises, there is often a separation of saints and pretenders.  The heat of persecution melts away the dross from the pure.

5.  PERSECUTION OFTEN LEADS TO REVIVAL.  Many of us pray for revival in America, but how will it come?  Most of us desire revival to come during economic prosperity and political calmness.  However, most of the time, revival comes during times of desperation.  Keep in mind that Israel grew most when Pharaoh sought to stop their growth.  During desperate times, God's people get intense in their prayers.  God seems to be drawn to desperate, weak people.

Knowing that Christian persecution is here, what should we do?  Most pray for political solutions.  While it is not wrong to pray for the outcome of elections, that should not be our primary focus.  We need spiritual solutions instead of political solutions.  Instead of praying most for our national elections, let's pray for a national revival!  Folks, we need to prepare for persecution.  Here's a few ways to prepare.

1.  KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE.  This is vital.  It is not enough to say, "this is what my church believes," or "this is what I've been taught."  You need to know what you believe.  Read your Bible.  Stay in your Bible.  Know what you believe.

2.  KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE.  It is important to know why you believe the Bible.  Trying to determine this during hot persecution will be too late.  Find out why you believe right now.  Study the Bible.  Study apologetics.  Have strong convictions that are built upon God's Word.

3.  DRAW LINES IN THE SAND.  Know ahead of time what decisions you will make during persecution.  Determine right now what you will refuse to do.  Determine this moment that you will not compromise your faith.

4.  STAND FIRM.  Right now is the time to stand firm.  If you cannot and will not stand firm in your faith while persecution is light, how will you stand when persecution is intense? 

It would be wonderful if Jesus would come before persecution gets worse in America.  But unless Jesus comes in my lifetime, this very blog message may be used as evidence against me as a "crime against the state." 

It is time for American Christians to prepare for persecution. 

SLEEPING IN CHURCH

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." - Romans 13:11

Have you ever seen someone sleep during church?  Some find it difficult to stay awake during church because of the medicine they are taking.  Others stay up too late on Saturday night, making it tough for them to stay awake during a worship service.  Sadly, some fall asleep during church because there is so little happening during the service to keep them awake.

The real problem in most churches is not an elderly person who nods off during the sermon.  Instead, the real problem is that most church members are spiritually asleep.  It is possible to be wide-awake during the service, yet be sleeping spiritually.

What are the signs of spiritual sleep in a church?

1.  INDIFFERENCE 

First of all, there is indifference.  When a person is asleep, he doesn't care what is going on around him.  When a person sleeps, he is unconcerned about events that are going on.  Spiritual sleep is very similar.  When a person is spiritually asleep, he doesn't care about spiritual reality.  Apathy is a deadly disease in many churches.  Many church members simply come to church because of tradition or for the sake of their image.  They are careless about critical, spiritual issues.

2.  INACTIVITY

Secondly, there is inactivity.  When a person experiences physical sleep, he tends to remain rather inactive.  Spiritual sleep brings similar results.  A sleeping church member is dormant.  Although many professing believers carry a Bible, a notepad and a pen to church with them (which is good), how many are actually practicing the sermons they hear?  Like never before, we have messages available from very gifted ministers.  Furthermore, study Bibles and Bible software are abundant.  Yet how many believers are actually working for the Lord?  We tend to feast at God's table every week, but we are spiritually obese because of a lack of exercise.  Inactivity is a sign of spiritual sleep.  In fact, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a sleeping person and a dead person, isn't it?  Today, it is often tough to make a distinction between the saints and sinners. 

3.  INATTENTIVENESS

Finally, there is inattentiveness.  When a person experiences physical sleep, he is often oblivious to events going on around him --- even critical events.  Many church members are numb to the dire need near them.  I fear that many church members are unaware of the spiritual decay, eroding freedom and spreading persecution in our world.  So many church members fail to realize how close we are to the Lord's return.  Despite the reality of hell and impending judgment, many church members are insensitive to the fact that souls are perishing.

What is the answer to spiritual sleep?  In our text, Paul writes, "... now it is high time to awake out of sleep."  In this text, Paul is writing to believers.  Believers need to heed God's wake up call.  Adrian Rogers used to say, "We dare not push the snooze button!"  I believe God is sending out the alarm for church members to wake up!  Here's the reason, "... for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."  We are closer than ever to the Lord's return.  Very soon, we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  

Eternity is near.  Judgment is coming.  Souls are perishing.  The Gospel is true.  It is high time that believers wake up to reality.  Knowing that souls are at stake, we dare not sleep any longer.

It is time to heed God's alarm --- and wake up!

HINDRANCES TO REVIVAL:  PRAYERLESSNESS

"... ye have not, because ye ask not." (James 4:2)

We need revival.  Yet one of the major hindrances to revival is a lack of prayer by God's people.  Sure, we talk about prayer, sing about prayer, think about prayer, read about prayer and even attend prayer meetings.  But do we REALLY pray?

In the book of Acts, the early Church was a praying Church.  When revival came on the day of Pentecost, believers gathered in an upper room and focused on one thing: prayer.  When intense persecution arose, believers did not hire a lawyer, instead they gathered together to pray.  When Peter was arrested, facing certain execution, the Church gathered to pray.  When Paul and Silas were arrested and thrown into prison, at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God. 

What has happened to churches in America?  Most professing believers would do about anything rather than pray.  Yet the great need of our hour is prayer.

What ever happened to prayer meetings in our churches?  While many churches refer to their Wednesday night services as "prayer meetings," more often than not, they are Bible study classes.  I am convinced that most church members are not interested in prayer meetings.  Prove me wrong.  Advertise and conduct a genuine prayer meeting.  More than likely few will come for the first service and fewer will come as time passes.  Most people are not interested in praying.  Yet without prayer, we have no hope of revival.

Nearly every revival in the Bible and church history began with just a handful of people who came together to seek God.  I believe that revival in America can only come as God's people unite for prayer.

James wrote, "... ye have not, because ye ask not."  What a profound truth!  Many churches are desolate today because of a lack of prayer.

Here's the real problem: most "prayers" are superficial.  It is easy to "go through the motions" in prayer.  Sadly, many believers try to manipulate God when they pray.  If they were honest, many of their prayers are shallow and selfish.  Prayer at church is usually a formality. 

Yet we need a fresh revival of prayer.  Here are two major things we need to do in prayer:

1.  SEEK THE FACE OF GOD.  We need to seek the Lord Himself.  Do we seek Him or only His blessings?  We need Him desperately.  We need to worship Him in our prayers.  We need to adore and praise the One we are praying to. 

2.  SEEK THE GRACE OF GOD.  Secondly, we need to seek God's grace.  We should not confuse God's blessings with God Himself, however we do need His blessings.  We need Him to break through barriers, move mountains and change hearts.  We need Him to restore homes, reunite marriages and bring prodigals home.  We need Him to bring fresh conviction of sin.  We need Him to save lost souls from hell.  We need a fresh touch from God ourselves. 

It is not wrong to have a prayer list.  As a matter of fact, I highly recommend that you use a prayer list.  However, we need to avoid the trap of becoming mechanical in our prayers.  We need to offer heartfelt prayers to the Lord.

I really believe we'd see revival come to our churches if God's people prayed.  God referred to His house as a "house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:7; Mat. 21:13). 

It is time for the House of God to be a house of prayer again!