Fight the Good Fight Newsletter 323 September 2005 Unfortunately, many Christians look to the cross, and

they don't understand what it is all about. They don't realize the awesome price Jesus paid so that Christians can call on His power and strength when they need help and guidance. There is a terrible conflict going on between God and Satan. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the news. Many are trying to remove God from our vocabulary. Many are trying to remove God from our schools and judicial courts. When you enlist in God's army, you can look to the cross knowing this is no game. We are not playing church. There is a time to make a stand for God. There is a time to let those who would try to remove God from our lives know that we aren't going to stand quietly by while they threaten our freedom of religion. Spiritually, we are at war. Be prepared to fight the good fight. Let's begin our study in the Book of Luke. Luke 13:23 Then said one unto Him, "Lord, are there few that are saved?" And He said unto them, This has to do with the second advent. Some might ask, "Do you mean there are only a few that will be saved?" How many know the spurious messiah returns first? How many will worship him? How many are waiting to fly away in the rapture? There aren't a great many that are going to make it on the "first round", friends. Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. The word "strive" in this verse means to struggle and to contend with an enemy. It means to fight. Are you ready to stand against Satan? Are you ready to fight the good fight for God? Those who are spiritually blind will not make it through the narrow gate. Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, Lord, open unto us;' and He shall answer and say unto you, `I know ye not whence ye are.' Why would Jesus do that? He wants a virgin bride. Those who are spiritually "in bed" with Satan, when Jesus returns, will not be virgins. Luke 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, `We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets.' v27 But He shall say, `I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.' Iniquity is sin. They won't be allowed to enter, because they are

guilty of sin. What is their sin? Worshipping the antichrist, that is to say Satan. Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Don't miss the time element revealed to us in this verse. When will you be able to see Abraham, and the others mentioned? Only when you are in that dimension. That doesn't happen until the seventh trump has sounded, and Christ has returned. The gate to the kingdom is narrow. Stand up for your rights as a Christian. Don't give Satan any quarter. Fight to enter the narrow gate. Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. V30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last." This refers to God's elect. Those who know the truth and stay true to Jesus. Those who fight the good fight and overcome Satan. The elect are living in this the last generation, and they were chosen in the first earth age (Ephesians 1:4). They stood with God then, they stand with God now, and they will stand with God in the future. Absolutely no one is going to remove God from our vocabulary! Turn with me to Chapter 16 of this same Book. Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is the least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If you don't have the faith to make a stand for God, then He isn't going to trust you with the big things. Drop on down to verse 14 with me. This has to do with money. Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. The Pharisees loved money. There is nothing wrong with being rich as a result of hard work and blessings, but God hates those who rip off others to gain wealth. Luke 16:15 And He said unto them, "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. It is an abomination to God for people to love money more than Him. I don't care how much money you have; you are not going to buy your way into the kingdom. Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time

the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. "Presseth" means to be seized by God. When God has seized your heart, you want to serve Him. Many of you have been pressed into His service. You are willing to make a stand for Him, even when others are offended. Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven, and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. The law is not going to change. God is not going to change. Be pressed into His service. Love and obey Father. Fight the good fight for Him. Let's continue our study in I Thessalonians. I Thessalonians 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: v2 But even after that which we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. Paul knew how to fight the good fight. At Philippi Paul was beaten and thrown in jail. He converted the jailer to Christianity. The lesson for us is to "make hay while the sun is shining", even when there is contention. Be bold as a Christian. Be willing to make a stand. I Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: v4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing to men, but God, Which trieth our hearts. God does test His servants to see if they are able to cut it. Paul really didn't care whether the gospel offended men, or not. His concern was to be pleasing to God. That should be our concern, today, as some attempt to remove God from our lives. They will not succeed. I Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness, God is witness: v6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. Paul didn't seek to please men. Paul always put pleasing God first. That is the way God's Word should be taught. If you teach God's Word, you will reach the people that matter. That doesn't necessarily mean I would like to see others go to hell. We have the millennium. I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: v8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God

only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. That is Christian love. Our brothers and sisters are spiritually starving for truth. You are part of this ministry that is feeding the flock God's Word. I Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. V10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and umblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. Paul earned his own way. He was a tent maker by trade. Paul didn't want to be accountable to any man. I Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. V12 that ye would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory. Many of you have known since you were a child that God had something special in store for you. Many of you didn't volunteer. You were called by Father. I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. The words of men don't amount to much, when compared to the Word of God. Turn with me to I Timothy. Paul is preparing Timothy, and us, to go out into the world to teach truth. When you go our into the world, you are going to run into all kinds of doctrine. Some of it is false. I Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; v 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, If someone teaches a doctrine which is contrary to God's Word, he is a fool. Those who listen to him are even bigger fools. Document what you teach in the Word. I Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. The most religious even of a church service, according to some supposed pastors, is the passing of the plate.

I Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. V7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. As far as your worldly possessions are concerned, you can take nothing with you when you die, however, there is one thing you will take with you. Whether good or bad, your works follow you (Revelation 14:13). Don't focus on building up riches of the world. Focus on God's Word and following His commandments. I Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. V9 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. Paul is talking about those who place the riches of the world above having God in their lives. I Timothy 6:10 for the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. V 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. The love of money will cause you nothing but problems. There are so many more important things in live. I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Fight the good fight. Make a stand for God, even when doing so offends some. Lay hold on eternal life. In His Service, Arnold Murray