Defeat and Destruction When We Abandon the Lord

Study: # 647 –Church in the Houses From: August 10 – 16, 2010

TOPIC: "Defeat and Destruction When We Abandon the Lord” Jeremiah 47:3 When men have a lack of power it is because they preferred sin and incredulity. This is why they are incapable of doing something for God; because by themselves, by means of their own strength, they will not be able to do anything good. Through the years we find many challenges in our road, things that in order to face them we need to acquire strength, knowledge and courage. But, when we are not capable of fighting and saying yes, that in the name of the Lord we will face the event that is approaching, what we do is escape and exposes ourselves to great danger. When men cannot realize what is in front of them and they have a lack of faith because of their incredulity, then what will come is defeat. Let’s see what the Lord says to the nation of Israel in Leviticus 26:37. If we don’t do what God has prepared for us, in life we will only have obstacles. One will only obtain what sin does to men, bring more and more destruction for them and their loved ones. Great ruins will come because there is no power or support from God in their lives, but rather they will be exposed to illnesses, to hunger. Those who seem strong in this world will fall because God is not with them. Their cities will remain deserted. There will not be a sanctuary for them or for their families, but rather there will be a town devastated by the judgments of God for not seeking Him. Their enemies will be the ones to win the battles. Their land will be consumed by their enemies. Then, if that is what they will be receiving, what are you going to do today so that things won’t turn out this way for you? Do you fight in the name of the Lord who has called you, or are you considering turning back and face the wreck that comes to those who leave God and walk away? Deuteronomy 28:32 As we can see, there is great pain in disobedience. There are things we are requested to do and before them we must obey. We obey because we believe. Sometimes brothers and sisters in Christ want to consult with me (the pastor) about something or matters which they already know that they must do in obedience. For example, having an impious boyfriend! A non believer! They know that light and darkness cannot mix together and still they come to ask me! They ask me about decisions when they have already made a decision under their own criteria! I say, if you are obedient you will have blessings. In disobedience your hands will lack strength. The consequences of disobedience are that many punishments are received. The lack of power, the incredulity, the sin in us- too bad for our loved ones! For example: There was a young man who drove his car with no fear and was exposed to accidents against his own life and against the life of others. His father never reprimanded him because he said that he had done the same thing in his youth. His acts were this way because of the sin of rebellious that was hidden in him. Another example: A mother that doesn’t reprimand her daughter when she does something wrong. She doesn’t because of the sin there is hidden in her life; for such reason she cannot fight or deliver her loved ones from the destruction that is approachingpoor of them! When we break the covenants we have made with God, great misfortunes occur. Judges 16:17 Samson, the judge of the town of Israel and a very strong man, who thought he would never lose the strength which came from God. But, he revealed what he was not supposed to reveal to a philistine woman named Delilah. Samson was defeated, without power and without God’s support. How could he fight with the Philistines now? He broke the covenant. He was a "Nazirite", one who was dedicated all his life to God, and as a sign he could not shave off his hair. Upon discovering the secret of his "nazirite" he underestimated his condition as a "nazirite". He was seduced by this woman and told her that if his hair was shaved off he would lose his condition of "nazirite" and that his strength would leave him. He spoke what he was not supposed to speak. Now the town of Israel would remain desolate, without a Samson to defend them, and the Philistines had a feast because that man that God called remained without strength, without power. Now he was a prisoner of the mockeries of Jehovah’s enemies. Incredulity is the fall of a disciple. Mark 9:18 when there is incredulity the strength is lost to contend against the satanic forces. There was a need to cast out a devil and they couldn’t. Jesus said to them: "Oh incredulous generation". There stood a distressed father and some incredulous disciples. Poor man! He was desperate by the disorder in which his tormented son lived, who was possessed by an unworldly spirit that threw him to the ground, made him gnash his teeth with foams at the mouth. These convulsions consumed the poor young man. The father asks the disciples to help him, but they were not able to help him. Jesus had given them power; He wanted them to exercise that power. How long would Jesus have to be with them so that they would learn to use the authority given by Him? How much longer was Jesus going to tolerate impotent and defeated lives? John 15:5 If you separate from Him there is nothing you can do. We are branches of the vine, not the vine itself. If we belong to Him and He is in us, this is how we can conquer. Is the life of the vine that flows through the branches which are us. This is the only way to have the power to conquer as Christians. The branches cannot give a house, or furniture, or firewood; only a vine can give fruit and we jointly with her, as long as we belong to it. Have you sinned? Have you lost strength and power? Has incredulity arrived? Is there defeat that you can’t give fruit? Are you dry? Deliver yourself from all this evilness and remain firm grasped to your Lord, persevering in Him always and giving a great deal of fruit beside Him. Amen.