Jim FritzOur own Dr. Jim Fritz gave the sermon June 6 in the pastor’s absence.  His message was entitled “Satanic IED’s.”

In it, he spoke about some of the dangers that face the church – citing examples from both the Holy Bible and everyday life.

Click here to listen to the sermon (MP3 format)

 

 

Satanic IED’s

(Improvised Explosive Devices)

Hidden Dangers That Confront a Growing Church
 

Introduction:

Ø      IED’s are in the news a lot lately — Zarqawi responsible for thousands of deaths.

Ø      Medina High School principal’s son hit by roadside bomb — IED

Ø      Recondo at the Academy

I.                  The Problem of Priorities
 

A.                 Attacks on Doctrine

1.                  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (4:8-10)

2.                  The Salvation from Jesus Christ (4:12)

B.                 Attacks on Duty

1.                  An Undeniable Miracle (4:14, 16)

2.                  An Unthinkable Mandate (4:18)

C.                 The Results

1.                  They Received Boldness (4:31).

2.                  They Received Blessings (4:4 cf. 6:1) – Multiplication

Acts 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
 

D.                 Application: shifting priorities led to:

1.                  The Dark Ages — the ignorance of the people in dominance of the Catholic Church

2.                  The Holocaust — covenant theology and government solutions

3.                  The Politically Correct Movement — The Marriage Amendment

How has a small minority (pro-homosexual activists) of less that 2% been able to force this on the American public? One reason is that those who believe in traditional marriage have been silent.
Some Senators feel they are safe voting against the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) by confusing their constituents with a lot of political double talk. Regardless of the political double-talk, remember this: If a Senator votes against the MPA, he or she is in reality voting for homosexual marriage.
Your Senators need to hear from you today! Tell them you want them to vote for the MPA. Let them know that if they refuse to do so you will remember it when election time comes. That is tough language, but the homosexual grip on some Senators is so strong that that is the only language some understand.
 

Principal #1 — As a growing Church, we must be bold in keeping our priorities straight.
Ø      We must be Spirit-filled (4:8, 31).
Ø      We must pray (4:29).
Ø      We must stand on the Word of God (4:25-28) – Only the Word of God Can Change Lives!
 

II.               The Problem of Pride
 

A.                 The Deception — Hypocrisy (4:32-5:2)

B.                 The Discovery (5:3-4)

1.                  He was satanically motivated.
a)                  James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
b)                  1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
c)                  Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
2.                  He lied to God — Numbers 32:23 “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
 

C.                 The Discipline (5:5-11) — Why so severe?

1.                  To purify the Church (Achan).

2.                  To remind us of God’s attitude toward sin.

3.                  To institute the concept of Church discipline.

D.                 The Results

1.                  A Strong Unity (5:12)

2.                  A Good Testimony (5:13)

3.                  A Strong Outreach (5:14-16)

Principal #2 — As a growing Church, we must always be conscious of the fear of God.
Ø      Watch out for self!
Ø      Watch out for sin!
Ø      Watch out for Satan!
 

III.           The Problem of Paralysis
 

A.                 A Legitimate Argument (6:1-2)

B.                 A Logical Answer (6:3)

1.                  Choose Qualified Servants

2.                  Clarify Responsibilities & Priorities

C.                 The Results

1.                  The Word of God increased (6:7).

2.                  The number of disciples multiplied (6:7).

3.                  The body-life principal was initiated (1 Cor. 12:12-31).

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
a)                  We are all part of the body.

b)                  We are all gifted with abilities to serve the body.

c)                  We are all affected by the other body parts.

Principal #3 — As a growing Church, we must remember that God-ordained organization leads to God-ordained multiplication.
Ø      What is your gift?
Ø      How are you contributing to the growth of Faith Baptist Church?  Don’t wait to be asked!
Ø      Are you an asset or a liability?  Are you an IED?
 

Conclusion:

The Cycle Continues!

Persecution, Pride, Internal Problems > Growth

Faith Baptist Church is a growing Church!

  1. Pray for our leaders.                 Priorities
  2. Protect against sin.                    Pride
  3. Participate in God’s blessing.     Paralysis