Responding to Challenging Times - Philippians 4:4-20

(See the video message, Responding to Challenging Times an exposition of Philippians 4:4-20 recorded at First Christian Church of Wilton Manors for the Sunday July 5, 2020 online message.)

                                                  

To say that we are living in challenging times would be an understatement. A time of political turmoil, the Covig-19 pandemic with its loss of life. The reshaping of our daily life, social distancing, stay at home orders, travel restrictions, 14 day quarantines school and church closures, online worship, working and studying from home, the cancellation or postponement of events and activities that have been a part of our daily lives. 

 

An unprecedented economic slowdown, business closures and failures, lost wages, unemployment, a volatile stock market, racial turmoil, protests and rioting, the destruction of businesses and private and public property. All of these can be the source of fear, anxiety, anger hardship,even suffering, and circumstances we've never faced before. Or you might be facing challenges unrelated to any of these events. 

 

This morning I want to share some thoughts with you from the Apostle Paul found in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Philippian church. You might remember Paul's first visit to the city of Philippi as recorded by Luke in Acts chapter 16. Luke writes that while in the city of Troas, in what is today Turkey, Paul had a vision of a "...man of Macedonia...urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" 

 

And that is exactly what Paul did arriving in Philippi, a Roman colony and leading city of Macedonia where he planted his first church in Europe, in what is today the country of Greece. He met Lydia, a "seller of purple goods" there by the riverside and led her and her household to the Lord. He cast out a demon from a slave girl who was a fortuneteller and a source of income to her slave masters. This led to the arrest of Paul and Silas, his companion in ministry. They were beaten with rods and imprisoned. God then miraculously set them free by an earthquake. Subsequently, the jailor and his family came to Christ. And now years later towards the end of his life Paul writes a letter to the Philippian church while in Roman prison. 

 

Sean McDonough explains one of the reasons Paul wrote the Philippians, "He was...eager to thank them for their continued support. Imprisonment carried with it a social stigma, and it would have been easy for the Philippians to turn their back on Paul at this point. But they had remained faithful to him." This is the background of Paul's letter to the Philippian church. And as we look this morning at how we can respond to challenging times I want to focus our thoughts on four things from this text, Joy - Prayer - Contentment and Provision. What does joy have to do with facing challenging times? What role does prayer play in living in unprecedented circumstances? How is contentment important in these days of uncertainty? What provisions has God made as for those facing hardships?

 

I want to acknowledge this morning that Ifor one need this message! You will note that in verse 9, of our text, Paul encouraged the Philippians, and us, not only to practice his teaching but to follow his example. He writes, "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-- practice these things." (ESV) So let's focus on those four words, joy - prayer - contentment and provision as we consider how to respond to challenging times. 

 

First of all the word joy in verse four,"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice."I think we all know what it means to rejoice, "be glad, be joyful" (The Analytical Greek Lexicon pg. 433). Here in verse four it is a present imperative, in other words, it is a command to continuously rejoice in the Lord. 

 

D. A. Hayes says the book of Philippians "...is the Epistle of Joy." (The Epistle to the Philippians,pg. 421) The title of A. T. Robertson's commentary on the book of Philippians is entitled,Paul's Joy in Christ. Writing about this letter to the Philippians, the German theologian Bengel said, "The sum of the epistle is, I rejoice; rejoice ye." In other words, I rejoice, you rejoice! 

 

Remember, Paul wrote these words while a prisoner in Rome! That fact alone is instructive, but not surprising. D. A. Hayes explains,

 

"Paul was a man whose spirits were undaunted in any circumstances. He might be scourged in one city and stoned in another and imprisoned in a third and left for dead in a fourth, but as long as he retained consciousness and as soonas he regained consciousness he rejoiced. Nothing could dampen his ardor. Nothing could disturb his peace. In Philippi he had been scourged and cast into the inner prison and his feet had been made fast in the stocks. His back was bleeding and torn; his ankles were swollen and paining him; he could not lie down; he could not sleep. It was too dark in the dungeon for him to see anyone, but he could hear the voice of Silas somewhere near him in the midnight gloom. Some men would have been depressed under these circumstances, and the prison damp and darkness would have chilled their very souls. It was not so with Paul. He began to sing hymns of praise to God, and Silas joined in. " (The Epistle to the Philippians, pg.421)

 

Under these dire and painful circumstances Paul and Silas held a midnight worship service! And Luke adds, "...and the prisoners were listening to them."

 

Beth and I had three new granddaughters added to our family last year, one in January, February and September. And it has been so easy to rejoice in the birth of these three precious babies. The joy experienced in meeting them, holding them, loving on them has been effortless. But Paul says rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. While it is easy to rejoice in the birth of three new granddaughters, rejoicing in the midst of overwhelming even painful circumstances, as was the case of Paul and Silas, and perhaps some of us today is another matter. 

 

Jac Muller notes that Paul's instruction to "rejoice in the Lord always" is a command. He writes, "Not circumstances decide whether there will be joy, but 

 

No matter what our circumstances, good or bad, we are to take joy in knowing the Lord. Rejoicing in our relationship with Him! I believe to "Rejoice in the Lord always" is an act of worship. I believe it is a form of praise. May I suggest that rejoicing in the Lord sets the stage for facing difficult circumstances like we are facing in these unprecedented days. Listen to the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 100 (NIV), 

 

"Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations." 

 

Do you see why Paul instructs us to "rejoice in the Lord." The God described in Psalm 100 remains the same no matter what our circumstances are. Our circumstances can change but the character and faithfulness of God never changes. Please do not underestimate what we are to rejoice 

 

"Paul's joy was not grounded in earthly conditions but in Christ. No one could rob Paul of Christ or of his joy in Christ. Christ satisfied Paul's soul. Christ was his all in all. He needed nothing else to make his soul sing aloud and long for sheer joy." (

 

Let me ask you this morning. Can you rejoice "in the Lord"? You see there is a prerequisite to rejoicing in the Lord. First you must Jesus Christ "gave himself for me." That is, He died on the cross bearing the penalty for my sin and yours, our sin that separates us from God. When we repent of our sin and put our trust in Jesus' death and resurrection we are born again and Christ lives in us as Paul testified. Only then can you "rejoice in the Lord." 

 

Rejoicing in the Lord, giving praise to the Lord, sets the stage for giving thanks to the Lord in prayer. That is the second word we look at. Philippians 4:4-6. What role does prayer play in responding to difficult circumstances, facing unprecedented challenges? You will notice that thanksgiving is included in Paul's instructions on prayer, verse six, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [or petition] 

 

Giving thanks is a part of our prayer life, and especially when we are struggling with anxiety. Paul says, don't be anxious but "in everythingby prayer and petition with thanksgivingmake your requests known unto God." (emphasis mine) As we have just noted, Paul says we are to "rejoice in the Lord always"meaning in every circumstance. And now he instructs us when faced with anxiety to pray with thanksgiving in every circumstance. 

 

Paul gave similar instructions to the Thessalonians found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV). "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Have the circumstances you are facing caused you to be anxious? Paul described some of his "circumstances". In writing the Corinthians.  (2 Corinthians 11:24-28 ESV) 

 

"Five times I received at the hands of Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. [one of those was in Philippi] Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers, in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." 

 

Paul had multiple opportunities in his personal experiences to practice thanksgiving in prayer. In light of these experiences of Paul we see the need for him to write in verse five,  "let your reasonableness [or gentleness - forbearance] be known to everyone."  

 

I don't know about you but when I get anxious or worried about something I sometimes get on edge. Anxiety often produces inner turmoil that can spill over in our relationship to others. Hence the admonition to be reasonable toward others, to be gentle, forbearing. Notice that Paul then goes on to explain how to deal with anxiety. "Do not be anxious about anything", verse six. Standing on its own this would be a tall order if not an impossible order! "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING? Paul makes no room for anxiety! 

 

He however, does not leave us out on a limb. He continues verse 6, "...but in everything by prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." 

 

Paul is challenging us to take our anxieties to the Lord in prayer and petition, and do it in the context of joy with thanksgiving! "Give thanks in ALL circumstances". Essentially, Paul is linking prayer with our daily living. And he links thanksgiving with prayer. Both are to be the practice of the believer. It is a call to Thanksgiving Living no matter what the circumstances might be. 

 

H. A. Kennedy writes, "Thanksgiving is the background, the predominant tone of the Christian life." (

with our petitions and requests. This is the question I have to ask myself in light of Paul's admonition here. Is my prayer life characterized by thanksgiving? Dr. Mark Lee wrote, "Thanksgiving is a part of the formula of prayer. Thanks and praise are as necessary to prayer as salt and pepper are to food." ("Five Kernels of Corn" 

 

Note briefly these results. What is the opposite of anxiety? Paul makes mention of "peace" twice in this passage. In verse 7 he writes, "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". He goes on to give us instructions about our thought life in verse 8-9, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me --practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (ESV)

 

What could be more valuable than peace as we struggle with anxiety? What could be more valuable than peace in the midst of the challenging times of our day? Paul says in verse 7, "the...peace of God...will guard your hearts". A.T. Robertson, "This peace of God quiets both out hearts and our thoughts." (

 

"God is the God of peace (Phil. 4:9), and his peace is the inward peace of the soul that is grounded in God's presence and promise. Paul here assumes that we have made our peace with God in Christ and now we are enjoying our peace with God (Rom. 5:1)."(

 

Have you been reconciled to God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ? In other words, are you at peace 

 

The third word is contentment, verse 11. How is contentment important in a life of thanksgiving and as we face challenging times? Paul expresses his thanksgiving for the gifts of support he had received from the Philippian church. And in doing so, Paul shares what is apparently an important part of our response to difficult and challenging circumstances - contentment. 

 

According to verse 12 he experienced times of great need as we noted in his letter to the Corinthians, but also times of great plenty. And in verse 11 he says "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."May I suggest to you that contentment is part of the framework of thanksgiving.  J A Motyer writes it is, "...the 'restful contentment' of the Christian, the opposite of the desire for more." and in Paul's case, he writes "Circumstances no longer had power to touch him, for he was content." (Philippian Studies, page 176) 

 

Paul wrote the Romans, "...we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope..." (5:3-4 ESV)erse 12. Notice in verse 13 he testifies, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (ESV)For the born again Christian nothing God calls us to do or be depends on our own strength. And that truth is Paul's explicit testimony in this verse. The times of suffering, deprivation and need and the times of plenty were the context of Paul learning contentment, but it was the power of God that strengthened him making it possible for him to live in contentment not matter what the circumstances.

Remember the Thanksgiving celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621? What you might not remember is that this came after incredible suffering following their arrival in Massachusetts ten months before in December of 1620. Shirley Dobson writes,

 

"The pilgrims landed in Massachusetts on December 16, 1620. Lacking sufficient provisions and shelter for winter, most settlers became ill within weeks. Ten of 17 husbands and fathers died with the 'first infection', and of the 17 wives, only three were alive after three months. By April, more than half of the population had died of disease or famine. These bleak circumstances were punctuated by other forms of human tragedy. For example, William Bradford's wife drowned as they disembarked from the Mayflower, leaving him a widower with a 1-year old son." 

 

In spite of these overwhelming tragedies and unimaginable suffering, the Pilgrims that survived that first winter set apart time to give thanks to God. 

 

Paul's testimony, "...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (vs.11b) and verse 13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Paul's exhortation to us in verse 6 "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (ESV)

 

The fourth and last word is provisionPaul was grateful for the gifts of the Philippian church helping him in his time of need. But note in verse 19 another truth that is important, if not foundational for us n these days of uncertainty. 

 

God's promise to supply our needs is echoed throughout Scripture, for example Matthew 6:33. In the context of discussing the futility of being anxious about the physical needs of life food, clothing and shelter, Jesus said, (ESV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." And notice the guarantee behind the promise of verse 19 of our text, "...my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

 

God can make this kind of promise because of whois inseparable from theglory of the One making the promise. It is the promise of a resurrected, ascended, exalted and sovereign Lord unlimited in power and resources. That is the foundation for thanksgiving! That allows us to "give thanks in all circumstances"and "to continue in prayer, being...thankful".

 

I close with this illustration. As I was thinking about this message I remembered the words of King David recorded in Psalm 63. I think most commentators believe David wrote this psalm after he fled Jerusalem when his son Absalom made an attempt to take the throne away from his very own father. David's life was endangered and his throne in jeopardy by an insurrection and rebellion of his own son! And so he fled to the desert and wilderness. 

 

In the midst of those challenging circumstances heartache and danger David faced, as I share his words, notice the praise that springs from David's heart in this face of his adversity. Notice the words that express his insatiable hunger for God in the midst of the challenges he faced. Notice the words that express his intimate fellowship with God in the face of his trials. Listen carefully to the metaphors and the word pictures that he used to describe his faith and trust in the Lord in these difficult circumstances. 

 

May I suggest to you as I close, that his words embody how we are to respond to God in the face of every challenge and adversity. As you listen to verses 1-8 of Psalm 63 (NIV)

 

David wrote, 

"Oh God, you are my God, Earnestly I seek you; 

My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, 

in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

I have seen you in the sanctuary 

and beheld you power and your glory. 

Because your love is better than life, 

my lips will glorify you. 

I will praise you as long as I live, 

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; 

With singing lips my lips my mouth will praise you; 

On my bed I remember you; 

I think of you through the watches of the night. 

Because you are my help, 

I sing under the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you;  

your right hand upholds me. " 

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand [or near], do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [petition] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)

 

"...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

 

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13  (ESV)

 

"And my God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory 

for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19  (ESV)   

 

© James P. McGarvey All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare & The Battle For Life - 40 Days For Life

(I gave this message on March 14, 2020 at the Mid-Point Rally of Fort Lauderdale's 40 Days For Life Prayer and Fasting Vigil. You may view the PowerPoint slides of this message online at Microsoft OneDrive Here. You may download Microsoft OneDrive Basic free Here.)

At the Kick Off Rally last month I gave a message entitled "Strategic Prayer". We noted seven things to help us to engage in strategic prayer during the 40 day prayer and fasting vigil. 

We began by identifying the enemy, looking at two passages in particular where Jesus clearly identified the devil as the driving force behind the worldwide effort to kill human life at any age. The Biblical evidence makes it clear that Satan is the Architect of Abortion. Killing unborn children is part of his Agenda. Abortion is a Satanic Enterprise. 

In this morning's message, "Spiritual Warfare & the Battle For Life", we will look at Biblical truth that will further equip us for the spiritual warfare we are engaged in during these 40 Days. But first, I want to answer the question "Why does Satan want to kill unborn children?" Why is he so determined to exterminate human life? After all that is why we pray and fast at an abortion clinic asking God to prevent unborn children from being murdered. 

We speak of the sanctity of human life. What does that mean? What value does God place on human life? More specifically, how valuable are the unborn to God? This takes us to the Biblical creation account. 

Man was created by God and in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:27 (ESV), “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” and Genesis 2:7 (ESV), “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” 

It should be clear from the Biblical creation account that man is not the product of a random, meaningless evolutionary process over millions of years. Man is not the result of a cosmic accident. Rather God intentionally created man with capacities reflective of Himself, in other words, in His image and likeness. As recorded in Isaiah 43:7 God says, man was “created for my glory.” (NIV)

Man is made in the image of God. What does that mean? In his book, Man: The Image of God, pediatrician, Dr. John Rendle-Short, M.D. points out the Godlike qualities man shares with God.

Language – humans can communicate.  I had a dog named Maggie who could bark, whine, and growl, but over thirteen years I never heard her utter a single word, no less speak a sentence. 

Intelligence – man can think. Not only is man a rational being he can think in the abstract. For example, he can compute complex mathematical, chemical and engineering formulas. 

Creativity – his intelligence allows him to create sophisticated products. He can send a man to the moon and back and speak instantly around the world from a cell phone or by the internet. 

Love- relationships, fellowship, community. Man is a social creature with the ability to love and be loved. With the ability to care for and nurture its young and to live in life long committed relationships.

Holiness -man has a moral conscience, the ability to tell right from wrong. 

Immortality – he is eternal and unlike the rest of the animal world, he will live forever.

Freedom - man can make choices. All of this “because he is human, made in the image of God.” 

The Personhood of the unborn is also clearly established in God's word. We look at two examples. This is what God said to Jeremiah, (1:5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”Before there was any physical manifestation of Jeremiah in the womb of his mother, God knew Him. God regarded Jeremiah as a unique and distinct person even before his birth. 

Note this incredible incident. These words were spoken by Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist, when Mary, just days pregnant with Jesus Christ, visited her as recorded in Luke 1:41-44 (NIV), 

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’" 

Do you realize what took place? The text says that six month old John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb when he came into the presence of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who was but days old in the womb of his mother Mary. This is the first record of worship of the Messiah. And it took place in the womb! I call it intra-uterine worship. 

Do you see the personhood of the unborn in these narratives? You see, the Biblical evidence is clear. The unborn are created by God and for God. They are created in His image and God recognizes them as distinct and unique persons in the womb from the moment of conception. 

The scientific evidence leads us to the same conclusion. Douglas Erlandson writes, "When the fertilized egg (or zygote) is first formed, it already possesses its fullcomplement of DNA or genetic information." He continues, "That information never changes. A person’s sex, blood type hair and skin color, and future height are all determined in that first cell. From that moment on, unless its life is terminated, it will develop until it becomes an adult human being.” 

Professor, Dr. Micheline Matthews-Roth, M.D. of Harvard University Medical School writes, “…It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception…”

We don't have time to dwell on this further in this message. For more information see my presentation, "The Scientific, Philosophical & Metaphysical Case for Life" on my website churchforlife.blogspot.com. 

Let's bring Satan back into the picture. We noted last time ["Strategic Prayer" 40 Days Kick Off Rally] that the devil is the driving force behind abortion. The stage was set thousands of years ago as recorded in Genesis 3:15  (NIV). After Adam and Eve fell into sin, God said to Satan,"...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."And with that, the epoch struggle between good and evil began. And ever since, Satan has been involved in an unrelenting effort to kill the offspring of Eve, created in the image of God. 

Remember Jesus Himself said as much. In John 8:44 (NIV) Jesus said this to those who were threatening to kill him, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and father of lies." Here Jesus identifies two roles of Satan, a murderer from the beginning and a liar and the father of lies. 

In 2013 a study by Dr. Brian Clowes revealed that there had been 1.72 billion abortions worldwide in the forty years since 1973. That's an average of 117,800 per day for 40 years. Abortion is the most frequently performed elective surgery in America, over 3,000 a day. 21% of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) are surgically aborted. “About one in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she reaches age 45.” (Compiled by Operation Rescue) 

John Powell has written, “In the United States it is statistically confirmed that the most dangerous place for anyone to be, with regard to the preservation of one’s life, is in the womb of one’s mother.” (Abortion: The Silent Holocaust)

Remember in John 10:10, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and to destroy...."  (NIV) The Devil has been very successful in carrying out his agenda. This is why we pray and fast to end abortion. We are in a spiritual war with the powers of darkness. 

Satan is also a liar and the father of lies.  As we noted last time, deception proliferates in the abortion industry. In fact, deception characterizes the abortion industry. Notice, deception involves telling lies. These were the words of an abortion counselor:

                                

"Although the test is positive, you shouldn't consider yourself pregnant," she explained. "It's really just cells dividing at this point. We can take care of the problem quickly and easily, and you'll never have to think about it again.” She made four statements. Each of the four statements was a lie. This is the mantra of the abortion industry. Remember this as you pray at the clinic. The women and men entering the abortion clinic next door will be told similar lies. 

Deception involves withholding the truth. This study showed that, “Even though the majority felt rushed and uncertain, 67% received no counseling; 79% were not told about alternatives to abortion.” ( VM Rue et. al.,  Medical Science Monitor) 

Lies and deception are part of the business model of the clinic where you are interceding in prayer on behalf of the unborn and their parents. You see, deception Leads to Moral Schizophrenia. How else do you explain this conclusion by Pastor Randy Alcorn, "In America it is illegal to harm your pre-born child, but it is perfectly legal to kill him.” 

The Devil is “a murderer”, “a liar and father of lies”.These two “attributes” expose himas the Architect of Abortion.

Look with me at the ancient origin child killing. We trace it back to Molech worship. Molech was a god of the Ammonites the descendants of Lot. Molech was a fertility god whose worship included child sacrifice. Israel became involved in this form of idolatry. Children were placed on the out stretched arms of idol Molech falling into the fire burning in the belly of the idol where they were burned alive. 

Ezekiel 16:20-21 records God's response, “And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols…You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols.”King Solomon built the first high place for the worship of Molech. Subsequent kings continued the practice including King Ahaz and Manasseh who sacrificed their very own children as they led their nation in the worship of the demon god Molech. 

Notice the parallels with abortion. In Molech worship a child was sacrificed to gain Molech's favor. In other words, the parents sacrificed something of value, their child, to gain something at a given point in time they considered to be of even greater value. For example, seeking Molech’s favor for, a good harvest, victory in battle or financial wellbeing. 

Notice the similarity with abortion. In abortion the mother sacrifices the life of her child for something, which at that time is of more value to her than the child - her education, avoiding personal shame, financial reasons, personal convenience, her career or birth control. 

Sacrifice for what? Pastor John Piper has written, “Abortion in America is not done consciously with any desire to get blessing from a deity. But it is done to gain something 'better' than the baby— The life of a child is being sacrificed for something. What that 'something' is defines the barbarity of our culture.”  

Pastor Rusty Thomas, in his book Field Manual for Abortion Ministry, writes, 

"Though thousands of years have passed,...The pagan ritual...persists. These ancient rites continue through clinics established by organizations such as Planned Parenthood in the abortion industry. The setting has indeed changed, but the lying message and brutal practice remains the same. Can you hear its voice today? 'You are too young.' 'You have to think about your schooling and career.' 'You cannot afford a baby.' 'It will leave stretch marks' ...Moloch and Baal still whisper, 'Give your child to me and all will be well with you.'" 

Do you see the deception?  This is why we pray and fast that God will open the eyes of those who are being lied to and deceived by our culture and the abortion industry. 

The Scriptures identify the demonic nature of this child sacrifice in Psalm 106:37-38. 

"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood."

There are distinct parallels between Molech worshipand abortion.

1. Abortion is the “sacrifice” of the unborn. “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters”

2. The unborn are family – our sons & daughters. “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters”

3. Abortion sheds innocent blood. “They...shed innocent blood”

4. The innocent blood of the aborted is sacrificed demons. “They sacrificed…to demons”

Pastor Randy Alcorn writes, 

“As the devil loved the sacrifice of children in the ancient heathen cultures, so he loves the sacrifice of children in our modern culture." "Whether children are sacrificed to a heathen god called Molech or to the god of our own convenience, he does not care. Whether these children are born or unborn does not matter to God’s enemies, for each of them is equally created in the image of God, and by killing them Satan comes as close as he can to striking out at God Himself. In killing those created in God’s image, Satan kills God in effigy.” (Prolife Answers to ProChoice Arguments.)

Eric Holmberg and Jay Rogers, in their work, Massacre of Innocence,summarize, “The spiritual heritage of the Moabites and the Ammonites is passed down to our own day. Today the church is fighting against those same spiritual forces for the very survival of our nation."

They continue, "Without all out spiritual warfare, what are our chances of victory when the demons' lust is being gorged on the blood of not just one, but over one million children killed each year?”

Prayer and fasting to end abortion is spiritual warfare. That makes it the business of the Church. Tell that to your pastors and spiritual leaders!

As we noted last time, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”(Ephesians 6:12, NIV) And the Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians,

"For though we walk in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension [lofty opinion] that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV) Prayer and fasting are an essential part of that spiritual arsenal. 

Lest you think that that abortion and the demonic is just ancient history, let me bring you up to date. Modern feminism, witchcraft & abortion. In December of 1985 an article, entitled, "Feminist Spiritualism and Abortion" appeared in the feminist Ms. Magazine, written, and I emphasize, by feminists about themselves. "The feminist spirituality movement began to emerge in the mid-1970s and has become one of the largest sub-movements within feminism...to the women in feminist spirituality, witchcraft had even a more fundamental meaning. It is a woman's religion, vilified by patriarchal Christianity, and now, finally, reclaimed.” 

Eric Holmberg and Jay Rogers write this about what was in the article, "Much space was given to goddess worship or adulation of the various demons associated with child sacrifice (including Isis and Aphrodite).”  (Massacreof Innocence)

Here is just a sample of the thinking of modern day feminists with regard to abortion. Patricia Baird-Windle owned three abortion clinics responsible for 65,000 abortions. In an interview after retirement she said, "Abortion is a major blessing                                                     and a sacrament in the hands of women..." (The 'Sacrament' of Abortion: An Interview With a Retired Abortionist.") 

Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, President of the Episcopal Divinity School in New England said the following in a sermon   given in Birmingham AL in 2007, “When a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight – only blessing.” 

Episcopal Priestess, Dr. Carter Hayward, in 1985, told the National Abortion Federation, "Abortion would be a sacrament if women were in charge. Abortion should be a sacrament even today." 

Listen to these astounding words. "It’s rare for a woman to choose abortion because in some way she dislikes the fetus. She sacrifices it for the sake of something she judges at this moment to be more important, whether it be her existing children…                                                   or her own physical, economic, or psychological survival or the fate of the planet." Do you remember what I just shared comparing abortion to child sacrifice? 

Psychologist Dr. Ginnette Paris wrote those words in her book The Sacrament of Abortion.She continues, “When abortion is necessary, not only should there be no shame but there should be a new consensus that to have a child who cannot adequately be cared for is shameful…it is not immoral to choose abortion; it is simply another kind of morality, a pagan one.”

Frank Pavone, commenting on her book writes, “The fact that some defend abortion as a sacred act should alert us to the depth of the spiritual warfare that is going on. Abortion has never been merely or even primarily a political issue. It is a false religion." He writes of a former abortion clinic security guard who "...after being converted, admitted why he was angry at pro-life sidewalk counselors 'You were coming to protest in front of our church. That clinic was where we conducted our worship.’” ("The 'Sacrament' of Abortion")

Do you see why abortion is a gospel issue? Do you see why ending abortion is the business of the Church? And the first work of the Church with regard to anything is prayer and fasting. To think otherwise is to be Biblically uninformed! 

Unmasking a "woman's right to choose." and "reproductive rights". If you dialogue about abortion around the water cooler at work or at home over the back yard fence these are the words that always come into play. These are the two terms the proponents of abortion use to frame the debate. "A woman's right to choose" and "reproductive rights" are code words for a woman's right to take the life of her unborn child. 

The key Scripture that addresses this issue is Genesis 3:1-5 (NIV).

"Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?' The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' ‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Note the significance of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". These were the temptations Eve faced then and we face today.

To live independent of God - Self-idolatry – self love rules.

Man becomes his own god “you will be like God". In other words, the self-deification of man -- and its result.

Man determines right & wrong (moral relativism).

This is the underlying premise of the proponents of a woman's right to choose" and "reproductive rights.” As Dr. Carl Ellis has said, "Eve became, in essence, the first secular humanist." 

Notice the link between abortion and the Garden of Eden. "I do not what a child at this time." Pastor John Piper writes, “…that is one of the most powerful sentences a person can speak…the ‘want’- of a mother has become the will of a god. …Our modern, secular, God-dethroning culture has endowed the will (the ‘want’) of a mother not just with sovereignty over her child, but with something vastly greater...the right and the power to create personhood.” (“Abortion & the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.”) 

The legal right “to choose” gives women the legal right to define personhood or play god.  Again Pastor Piper, “…the awesome thing is that we endow her will not just with sovereignty over her unborn baby, but with the authority to define it. If she wants it, it is a baby, a person. If she does not want it, it is not a baby, not a person.” (“Abortion & the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.”)

Pastor Randy Alcorn, “The prochoice position always overlooks the victim’s right to choose...The blacks didn’t choose slavery. The Jews didn’t choose the ovens. And the babies don’t choose abortion.” 

How should the Church respond? I hope that you have seen this morning that abortion is first and foremost a spiritual issue,  and therefore a gospel issue. This makes prayer the first work in the effort to end abortion. Last time I made a copy of the tri-fold "Praying to End Abortion" available to assist us in our prayers. Be sure to get one if you were not here. 

I shared these two conclusions with you last time. They bear repeating in light of the Biblical truth we have just noted. The Body of Christ, the church, is the only organism (institution) spiritually equipped to engage the Satanic forces behind abortion.

Therefore the Church must take the lead in the efforts to end abortion. 

When the church sees abortion as a Gospel issue we will win the battle for life! Christ has already won the victory! The Apostle Paul wrote, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over ever power and authority." (Colossians 1:9-10, NIV) 

The enemy has been defeated. "The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work."(1 John 3:8, NIV)  

As you enter the battle against the demonic forces propelling the abortion holocaust, remember Paul's words, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV) 

Pastor John Ensor in his book,Innocent Blood writes, "The commands of Scripture exist that we might be compelled to do what does not come naturally." In Luke chapter ten Jesus helped a lawyer understand what it meant to love his neighbor. The lawyer was evidently hung up on exactly what that looked like. So he asked Jesus, "Who his my neighbor?" Jesus then tells him the story of a man on his way to Jericho from Jerusalem who was robbed and beaten and left half dead alongside the road. 

Three different individuals had the opportunity to come to his rescue, in all likelihood to save his life. Two of the three did not respond to the needs of the man bleeding by the side of the road. Those two were the church leaders of that day, a priest and a Levite, responsible for the spiritual care of their nation. And Jesus points out that not only did they fail to respond but, they "passed by on the other side." (NIV) In other words they consciously and deliberately distanced themselves from the needs of the man dying by the side of the road. 

Jesus then pointed out that the one who proved to be the neighbor to the dying man was the one who showed mercy to the badly beaten traveller. He then said, "Go and do likewise." John Ensor, in his book Innocent Blood, defines "Samaritan compassion" this way:"Doing right in the sight of the Lord means acting to stop the shedding of innocent blood. The only person in Jesus’ parable who is pro-life according to the demands of love is the Samaritan. Only he was willing to make the nearly dead man’s problem his own. Only he was willing to see the victim’s suffering as his own. Only he was willing to act according to what he would cry out for if their positions had been reversed."

May I suggest to you that according to Jesus' parable, our salvation has a moral imperative built into it with regards to the needs of those around us, our neighbors. In 2019 - 9,864 unborn children lost their lives to abortion in Broward County. That's an average of 27 children every day. They were our neighbors. 

Children will die unless someone intervenes on their behalf. In other words, we have an opportunity and responsibility to "go and do likewise!" Again, Pastor Ensor, "Loving my neighbor will occasionally arrest me, and maybe even require me to help prevent someone from being murdered." 

The writer of Proverbs said something very similar, "Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; Don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it."(24:10-12, NLT)

In his pamphlet, Field Manual for Abortion Ministry, (2014) Pastor Rusty Lee Thomas posed these two penetrating questions.

"What does Christianity look like in a nation that murders its own children? 

Has the church failed to be prolife or have we failed to be Christian when it comes to rescuing our neighbors scheduled to be dismembered?"

You participation in prayer and fasting to end abortion is part of the answer to those two questions. I hope you have seen tonight that ending abortion is a gospel issue if not a gospel imperative. The Church has no alternative but to take it's stand - against the devil's schemes engaging in spiritual warfare as it steps into the battle for life with all of the powerful resources

that the Gospel equips us with. 

On January 20, 2011, Rev. Flip Benham of Operation Save America issued the following statement ina press release. "...the time is now, for the Church to rise up and not wait for political parties, or the president, or Congress, or the Supreme Court to take care of the issue. It is our responsibility. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ. Abortion will come to an end, when the Church of Jesus Christ makes up her mind it will come to an end – not a Second sooner. The responsibility for ending abortion in America rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Church of Jesus Christ.”

  

© James P McGarvey All Rights Reserved