Not For You | Bishop Kyle Searcy | 10.29.23

NOT FOR YOU

I. The Historical Roots of Halloween

Halloween finds its origins in pagan practices, specifically the Celtic festival of

Samhain. Though modern celebrations may seem detached from these origins, the

spiritual world doesn't operate on the same linear timeline as we do. Connections

and doors, once opened, may remain so.

1. Samhain: Halloween's deepest roots are in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain

(pronounced "SAH-win"), which marked the end of the harvest season and the

beginning of winter. It was believed that on the night of October 31st, the veil

between the living and the spirit world was at its thinnest, allowing spirits and

fairies to cross over into the world of the living. During Samhain, the Celts would

light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these spirits.

 marked the end of the harvest season

 Belief thin veil allowing spirits to cross over

 Celts light fires and wear costumes to ward off the spirits

2. Roman Influence: As the Romans expanded their empire, they began to

assimilate various Celtic customs. Two Roman festivals became intertwined with

Samhain: Feralia, a day in late October to commemorate the passing of the dead,

and a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The apple, a

symbol for Pomona, might be the origin of the Halloween tradition of bobbing

for apples.

 Romans adopted Celtic Customs and mixed them

 Feralia a day to commemorate passing of the dead

 Pamona Roman goddess of fruit trees

 Christian Influence:

 Spread of Christianity into Celtic lands by the 9th century.

 November 1st designated by Pope Gregory III as All Saints' Day.

 October 31st became All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to Halloween.

II. ALL HALLOWS EVE/DAY

All Hallows' Eve is the evening before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day.

The term "hallow" is an old word for "saint," and "eve" refers to the night before.

Hence, All Hallows' Eve means the evening before the day of all the saints. This day

is celebrated on October 31st and is more commonly known today as Halloween.

Historically, All Hallows' Eve marked the beginning of a three-day observance

dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the

departed faithful. This three-day period is sometimes referred to as Allhallowtide,

consisting of:

1. All Hallows' Eve (October 31st) - Halloween

2. All Saints' Day (November 1st) - A Christian holiday commemorating all saints,

known and unknown.

3. All Souls' Day (November 2nd) - A day to pray for the souls of the dead,

especially those in purgatory.

a. Attending Mass or Church Services: The most fundamental way of observing

All Saints' Day for many Christians is by attending church services. Specific

readings, hymns, and prayers focused on the saints are typically included.

b. Lighting Candles: In many cultures, candles are lit in memory of the saints.

Some people also light candles for deceased loved ones, linking All Saints'

Day with the commemoration of the faithfully departed.

c. Visiting Graves: Especially in Catholic and some Anglican traditions, it's

customary for people to visit the graves of deceased loved ones, leaving

flowers and lighting candles. While this practice is more closely associated

with All Souls' Day (November 2nd), it often begins on All Saints' Day in many

cultures.

d. Special Prayers: Prayers are offered to saints as intercessors, asking for their

guidance and protection. There might also be prayers thanking God for the

witness of the saints.

e. Fasting and Feasting: In some Christian traditions, people fast during the eve

of All Saints' (i.e., on Halloween) and then feast on All Saints' Day itself.

f. Processions: In certain places, processions are held where people march,

sing hymns, and carry images or relics of saints.

g. Ringing Church Bells: In some cultures, church bells are rung in

remembrance of the dead.

h. Art and Iconography: Churches and homes may be decorated with images,

icons, or statues of saints. These serve as visual reminders of the holy lives

that the saints led and their special status in the Christian tradition.

i. Special Liturgical Colors: In many Christian denominations, white is the

liturgical color for All Saints' Day, symbolizing purity, holiness, and victory

over death.

j. Folk Traditions: As with many religious holidays, various folk customs have

become associated with All Saints' Day in different cultures. For instance, in

some parts of Europe, children go door-to-door on All Saints' Day (rather

than Halloween) to ask for food or money in exchange for prayers for the

dead.

DUE TO COMMERCIALISM AND AN A NEVER-ENDING STRATEGY OF SATAN TO

DECEIVE AND ATTRACT WORSHIP IT HAS MORPHED INTO WHAT IT IS NOW

III. Biblical Warnings Against Witchcraft and the Occult

The Bible warns us consistently about engaging with the spiritual world outside the

boundaries God has set.

1. Exodus 22:18: "You shall not permit a sorceress to live."

2. Leviticus 19:26: "You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice

divination or soothsaying."

3. Leviticus 20:6: "And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to

prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him

off from his people."

4. Leviticus 20:27: "A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar

spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their

blood shall be upon them."

5. 1 Samuel 15:23: "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as

iniquity and idolatry."

6. 2 Kings 21:6: King Manasseh "made his son pass through the fire, practiced

soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much

evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger."

7. Isaiah 8:19: "And when they say to you, 'Seek those who are mediums and

wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek their God?"

8. Acts 19:18-20: “And many who had believed came confessing and telling their

deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books

together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of

them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20  So the word of the Lord

grew mightily and prevailed.”

9. Deuteronomy 18:10-12: "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns

his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells

fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a

necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is

an abomination to the Lord."

10. Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,

uncleanness, lewdness, 20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies,

outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21  envy, murders,

drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also

told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the

kingdom of God.

IV. WHY GLORIFY SATAN OR HIS AGENTS

1. Eve in the Garden of Eden - In Genesis 3, Satan (in the form of a serpent) tempts Eve

to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, leading to the Fall of Man.

2. Job - In the Book of Job, Satan challenges Job's faithfulness to God and, with God's

permission, brings great suffering upon him, taking away his wealth, health, and

children.

3. Judas Iscariot - In the New Testament, particularly in Luke 22:3-4 and John 13:27, it is

mentioned that Satan entered Judas, leading him to betray Jesus.

4. The Woman with the Spirit of Infirmity - In Luke 13:11-16, Jesus heals a woman who

had been crippled for eighteen years. He indicates that she has been bound by Satan.

5. The Man with the Legion of Demons - In Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39, Jesus

encounters a man possessed by a "legion" of demons. After a confrontation, Jesus

allows the demons to enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown.

6. The Boy with an Unclean Spirit - In Mark 9:14-29 and Luke 9:37-43, Jesus heals a boy

possessed by a spirit that has rendered him mute and often throws him into fire or

water.

7. The Thief – In John 10:10 he is the theif that only comes to steal kill and destroy.

8. His End is in the Lake

Rev 20:10

  The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the

beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever

and ever.

Matthew 25:41

  “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into

the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

V. YOUR AUTHORITY IS WHY YOU CAN’T PLAY WITH THIS

.

Gen 1:28

  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the

earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the

air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

Subdue – Subjugate, Violate

Ps 115:14-16

May the LORD give you increase more and more, You and your children. 15 May you be

blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens,

are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.

Psalm 8:4-6

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5

For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him

with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your

hands; You have put all things under his feet.

1. The Three Ways Your Authority is Manifest

a. Agreement

b. Words

c. Prayer

1 Tim 4:1-2

Look at 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times

some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and

doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own

conscience seared with a hot iron.”

VI. AS BELIEVERS WE DEAL WITH DEVILS INSTEAD OF ENTERTAINING THEM

1. We resist them.

James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from

you."

2. We give them no place.

Ephesians 4:27: "... nor give place to the devil."

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring

lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that

the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

3. We subject them to us.

Luke 10:17-20

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to

us in Your name.” 18  And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19  Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all

the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20  Nevertheless do

not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your

names are written in heaven.”

4. We cast them out.

Mark 16:15-17

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be

condemned. 17  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will

cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.

VII. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO BE DIFFERENT

Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be

seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot

by men.

Eph 5:11

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose

them. 12  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in

secret.

FIRM FOUNDATION: What’s at Stake | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10.22.23

FIRM FOUNDATION!

What’s at Stake!

DESIRING A SPIRIT OF REVELATION - EPH. 1:17

Ephesians 1:15-17

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all

God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I

keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the

Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

As we get closer to the end of this age we need the spirit of wisdom and revelation more than

ever before.

1. Faithless age

Pew projects that in 2070, Christians will likely make up less than half the US population.

50 years ago that number was 90%

We are entering the faithless age

Here’s the problem with that statement……

the human species was created to worship.

Isaiah 43:7

7 everyone who is called by my name,

    whom I created for my glory,

    whom I formed and made.”

Isaiah 43:21

21 the people whom I formed for myself

that they might declare my praise.

We don’t stop worshipping we just change who we worship.

Satan Tempts Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And

when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the

tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become

bread.”

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word

that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said

to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the

kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if

You will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship

the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

- If the devil can’t take your faith he’ll try to change who you worship. -

2. Information Age

“The Information Age is the idea that access to and the control of information is the defining

characteristic of this current era in human civilization.” Linda Tucci, Industry Editor -- CIO

- Approximately 328.77 million terabytes of data are created each day

For context 500 movies = one Terabyte.

Which equals 164,385,000,000 billion movies per day. As a data equivalent

- By 2025 that's believed to increase to 463 exabytes of data, which is an increase of 1,000,000

times that of today.

Now among all of that content there is a prevalence of doctrines and different faiths.

On a scale never seen before people are questioning the validity of our faith, and coming up

with their own.

Paganism is on the rise:

“Why paganism and witchcraft are making a comeback” - NBC News

"Could neo-paganism be the new ‘religion’ of America?” - Big Think

“The pagan boom – why young people are turning to non-traditional religions” - Dazed

The pagan population in the us has grown by 341% in 6 years.

According to a Trinity College survey from 2008 and a pew research study from 2014

If that percentage growth continues that number would have surpassed 6,615,000 3 years ago,

and be at 9 million now.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their

own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching

ears want to hear.

4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father

except through me.

Colossians 1:15

[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (preeminent in rank Psalm

89:27). For by him all things were created…

3. The Need

There are 2 reasons why the attacks on the legitimacy of Christ and the legitimacy and

inherency of scripture is the most pressing issue facing the globe right now.

Reason 1. It is making its way into the church.

Reason 2. Its In your home.

Reason 1.

As believers we are to pray for Unity in Christ!

Ephesians 4:11-15

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and

teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built

up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and

become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here

and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their

deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in

every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

We have to be on one accord in the Gospel and in the inherency of its pages, holding Jesus

Christ the risen savior as he is found in these pages.

WE MUST PRAY FOR THE CHURCH AND WE CAN NOT ABIDE THOSE WHO DISTORT ITS

TEACHINGS.

Reason 2.

Its in your house!

ALL other ministry is SECONDARY.

To stewarding Godly homes, and offspring.

4. The Answer

What is our response……

The spirit of wisdom and revelation be given to us.

The “wisdom” is a better understanding of the doctrines of God, and the “revelation” is a clearer

picture of the divine character and will.

ITS TIME TO GROW UP!

We are at war!

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of

God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle

against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic

powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly

places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the

evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of

truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having

put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of

faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet

of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the

Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance,

making supplication for all the saints,

We can’t share it if we don’t understand it.

That’s why we need the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

What are the things that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation teach us:

Ephesians 1:18-19

The hope to which he has called you. (How the story ends)

The riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. (Us as his reward)

And his incomparably great power for us who believe. (His unmatched power and glory)

THE ISRAEL CONFLICT | Bishop Kyle Searcy | 10.15.23

THE ISRAEL CONFLICT

I. HISTORY IS ABOUT THE “GOD-MAN”

Revelation 13:8

8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in

the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Genesis 3:15

15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her

Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

1. To bring God-Man: a seed, a people and a geographic location was chosen.

Deuteronomy 7:6-8

6 “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen

you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the

face of the earth.

7  The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in

number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;

8  but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He

swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and

redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of

Egypt.

Genesis 12:1-3

1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and

from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And

you shall be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you

all the families of the earth shall be blessed”

Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of

Abraham:

2  Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his

brothers. 3  Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and

Hezron begot Ram.

4  Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot

Salmon.

5  Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

6  and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had

been the wife of Uriah.

7  Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa.

8  Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah.

9  Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.

10  Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah.

11  Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away

to Babylon.

12  And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel

begot Zerubbabel.

13  Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.

14  Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud.

15  Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob.

16  And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is

called Christ.

17  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from

David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the

captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

2. The seed has always been attacked and always will be.

Genesis 3:15

15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and

her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

Revelation 12:13-17

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted

the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

14  But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the

wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a

time, from the presence of the serpent.

15  So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.

16  But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and

swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

17  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with

the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the

testimony of Jesus Christ.

Historically, Israel has been persecuted as long as it has been a nation.

By: Egyptians, Amalekites, Midianites, Moabites, Ammonites, Amorites,

Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, or Romans

3. The seed is not perfect and doesn’t always do everything right, but they are the

chosen seed.

II. THE FUTURE IS ABOUT THE “GOD-MAN”

1. Salvation and personal acceptance

John 3:36

36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe

the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Acts 4:11-12

11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, ‘which has become the

chief cornerstone. ’

12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven

given among men by which we must be saved.

John 14:6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through Me.

2. Eternal Lordship

Luke 1:30-33

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor

with God.

31  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall

call His name JESUS.

32  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will

give Him the throne of His father David.

33  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will

be no end.

Revelation 5:1-10

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside

and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2  Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming

with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3  And

no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll,

or to look at it. 4  So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and

read the scroll, or to look at it. 5  But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep.

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open

the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6  And I looked, and behold, in the midst

of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders,

stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,

which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7  Then He came

and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

8  Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four

elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of

incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9  And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and

have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and

people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we

shall reign on the earth.”

3. Invitation to Bridal Partnership

Matthew 25:1-12

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their

lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

4  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6  “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to

meet him!’

7  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

8  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are

going out.’

9  But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and

you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready

went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11  “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

12  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

III. ISRAEL’S COMING CONFLICT

Psalm 2:1-12

1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep

displeasure:

6 “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”

7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, You are My Son, Today I

have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of

the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a

potter’s vessel.’”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, When His wrath is

kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him

Joel 3:20

20 But Judah shall abide forever, And Jerusalem from generation to generation.

IV. AVOID PERIPHERIAL DISTRACTIONS

1. Replacement Theology

2. The Melanin Requirement

3. The Delay Distraction

4. The Loving this World Enticement

5. The Mesmerizing Deception

Who Controls the Rain? | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10am

Who Controls the Rain?

Trusting God to provide.

CONTEXT: 

Elijah was a prophet to Isreal during a very difficult time in the Nations history. 870 BC.

They were doing evil against God by erecting idols and worshipping other Gods. 

And then there was Ahab!!!!!

1 Kings 16:30

30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.

1 Kings 16:33

And Ahab made an Asherah (wooden poles, images, or trees associated with pagan worship). Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Baal Worship practices:

“Child sacrifice, Sexual immorality (both heterosexual and homosexual) and Pantheism (reverence of creation over the Creator)

WHY!

The Israelites were doing this because they thought Ba’al controlled the rain so they were worshipping him in order to prosper.

ELIJAH:

1 Kings 17:1

17 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

God then told Elijah to flee and hide, and it appears he endures three tests:

1 Kings 17:2-3

2 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 

1. God commanded the ravens to bring him bread and meat.

2. Then the widow provides who is about to starve to death. 

1 Kings 17:12

12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

3. Then The widows son dies but Elijah brings her back by laying on him 3 times

1 Kings 12:17-24

Stretched 3 times, cried have you also brought tragedy on her, God revived him.

God take Elijah through all this to show the Israelites through Elijah that God is faithful and will provide for all of our needs even past death.

1 Kings 18:21 

21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal (is god), then follow him.”

1 Kings 18:37-40

Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering the wood the stones the dust, and licked up the water 

They saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 

It shows us that God is unwilling to let his people look to any other source for provision.

He is our provider and in him we have everything we need. 

THE FAITHFUL ONE

PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF:

1 Kings 18:40

And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.

1 Kings 18:41-46

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

How do you think Ahab and Jezebel responded? 

1 Kings 19:1-2

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”

1 Kings 19:3

Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. (120 miles 6 days journey)

1 Kings 19:4

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

19:11

Then God tells Elijah to go to the opening of the cave and:

A strong wing comes by that rips the mountain, but he wasn’t in the wind.

Then an Earthquake, but he wasn’t in the earthquake. 

Then a fire but he wasn’t in the fire. 

Then in a whisper God says; Elijah what are you doing here?

1 Kings 19:14
“I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

The God says return to the wilderness of Damascus.

God gives Eliah new instructions: 

He must now return to the very north of Syria-Palestine and anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. 

1 Kings 19:16-18

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Because God know Elijah can’t bear the sins of Isreal… He falls short just like every king, prophet and judge that came before him. 

BUT THERE IS ONE!!!!

Isaiah 53:4-6

4 Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

There is one hero in this story. There is one most loving most merciful most kind most faithful.

And that is Jesus!!!!!!

The bible is what’s called an epic narrative that tells the story of ONE MAN!

An epic is a lengthy narrative typically about the extraordinary deeds of an extraordinary character who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the mortal universe for their descendants. 

Epic, long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

So when we read the scriptures we should have 1 prominent question. 

“What does this say about Jesus.”

“What does this reveal about Jesus.”

“What does this teach about Jesus.”