Father’s Day 2011 – Fight the fight 2 Timothy 4.7-8

         

^{2Ti 4:7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

^{2Ti 4:8} Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

          Men – What kind of movies do you like to watch? If I would list my favorite movies of all times most of them would be like Patton, Midway, and Brave heart.

I have watched Midway may times – it is the story of the battle around Midway Island during WWII. The aircraft carriers of the US met the aircraft carriers of Japan. Both sent out planes to find the other. By luck I guess, the US planes found and sunk 3 or 4 of the Japanese aircraft carriers in just a short time, while suffering minor losses in ships and men. It is a 3+ hour movie.

          Why do I like the movie and others like it? It is the pride I have in the US military; at the men how were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect our country; and the bravery of these men. They were warriors fighting an enemy for their own protection and the well-being of their families and country. Men especially like that.

          This morning I am going to talk about a war or a fight all men (and women) are in every day, and one that at times we do not even know we are fighting. This is a different kind of war. It is an all out battle with satan for your life – your life here on earth and your eternal life. The best way to fight an enemy is to know the enemy we are fighting – to be able to see the one we are fighting. We cannot see the devil as such, but we can see the awful work that he does in our world. He indeed is a dangerous enemy. Satan is the original terrorist enemy doing whatever he can wherever he can to destroy us and our families.

1 Peter 5.8 says this:  ^5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ^5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

This enemy we have wants to devour us – attack us, kill us and then tear us to pieces. He wants to destroy your life and everything that is important to you. He wants to tear up our families and devastate our children. He wants to make us miserable – taking away our money and homes and whatever else he can. He wants to destroy this church and everyone in it. He wants us to take away all our joy and happiness in this life. Ultimately the devil wants to keep us from going to heaven and living forever with our heavenly Father. Other than those things, he is a pretty nice guy. Do you understand what your enemy wants to do to you and all that you love and see as important to you? (As I wrote this I could not help but think that these are the very things Alkida and the radical Muslims want to take away from us too.)

What are we to do about the attacks of the devil? In the passage from 1 Peter 5.8 it says we are to resist him and he will flee from us. Read again. Whenever you and I feel him pushing against us, we need to resist him by standing firm in our faith in God.  God is the one who gives us the strength to fight the attacks of the evil one. Some teachers give us the idea that all we have to do is let God fight for us, but this passage says we have a responsibility to resist satan ourselves. Stand up to him. Call him by name – Jesus said, get behind me satan. Tell him, I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and want nothing to do with you. Stay away from me. This is the phrase I have been using – I love you my God. Please help me fight this temptation. The passage also says that brothers and sisters all over the world are being attacked by this evil one also – we need to stand together with them in resisting the devil.

Do you ever feel like satan’s full-time job is attacking you? Some days I think that is true of me. Right from the beginning of the day, he is after me about something. This temptation comes to mind, and I resist that one, but pretty soon something else comes to mind. I get into a funk and think the burdens of life are too much. Poor me. There is not enough money in my account. I don’t feel good or something else. That is when I have to stop and tell the devil to bug off. What do I say? I love you my God. Please help me fight this temptation. There is a story about the great Martin Luther in his study working on translating the Bible into the German language. He felt the attacks of the devil so vividly he picked up the ink pot and threw it at the devil.

Toward the end of his life the apostle Paul could say this: read 2 Tim. 4.7-8.

I have fought the fight – he is saying day after day he fought the fight against the evil one and won because of Jesus Christ. He says he ran the race – he is not talking about a 100 yd dash here, but a marathon race. I used to run marathons – that is a race of 26.2 miles – from here to Albert Lea and half way back. I started 15 of those races and finished 14. It was actually fun to train for the races and run them – finishing was quite an accomplishment. The winners of the race (who finished an hour or more before I finished) won money for running the race. I got a T-shirt and sore feet and muscles.

          Running the race of life is not just a short sprint, but a life-long race for the Lord. That is part of the problem: the race just keeps going on and on. We are victorious today and tomorrow he comes again to attack us. Remember though before he comes, the Lord is there with us. We ask day after day for the Spirit of God to fill us and he does.

          The rest of the passage says that if we fight the fight and run the race, there is a reward for us – the crown of life – eternal life with the Lord himself. That is the goal we all are aiming at, like I talked about last week. The reward of heaven is what drives us on. Yesterday was Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth – 26.2 miles starting in Two Harbors, MN. I ran that 7 times, I think. This is a unique marathon in that you can see the finish for the last 20 miles or so. The race ends at the foot of the lift bridge in Duluth and you can see that from a long way off. See the end, the goal, helps us going on toward the goal. Heaven is our goal – we need to keep our eyes on that and live today in light of living eternally with the Lord.

          Today is Father’s Day, a day to remember our dad and what they did for us or are doing for us. I believe dads are under a severe attack by the devil today. If he can get to the father, he can destroy the family. We need to pray for our fathers here in the congregation to help keep them safe. Also, I believe we dads have a special extremely important job to do with our families. We need to pray for each of them constantly that they will be ready for the battle each day to resist the evil one. Remember : I love you my God. Please help me fight this temptation.

Lesson on satan

1.     He is the father of lies – John 8.44

2.     Causes spiritual blindness – 2 Cor.4.4

3.     Deceiver of the whole world – Rev. 12.9

4.     Can be angle of light – 2 Cor. 11.14

5.     Prince of this world – John 12.31 & Eph. 6.12

6.     Defeated foe – 1John 3.8

7.     Destiny – Matthew 25.41

Fight against satan

1.     Resist the devil – 1 Peter 5.8

2.     Limit to temptation  - 1 Cor.10.13

3.     Do not fall into temptation – Mark 14.37 – 38

Psalm 119 with Jesus Christ in view

 aAleph

 ¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
² Blessed are those who keep the teachings of Jesus Christ and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down His precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Jesus Christ!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn from Jesus Christ.
⁸ I will obey Jesus Christ; do not utterly forsake me.

   ב Beth

   ⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from Jesus Christ.
¹¹ I have enthroned Jesus Christ in my heart that I might not sin against Him.
¹² Praise be to you, LORD; teach me the decrees of Jesus Christ.
¹³ With my lips I recount all the words of Jesus that come from his mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following Jesus Christ as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on Jesus Christ and consider His ways.
¹⁶ I delight in Jesus Christ; I will not neglect his word.

   ג Gimel

   ¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey Jesus Christ.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things Jesus taught and did.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Jesus Christ from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for Jesus Christ at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from Jesus Christ.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep the sayings of Jesus Christ.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on Jesus Christ.
²⁴ Jesus Christ is my delight; he is my counselor.











   ד Daleth

   ²⁵ I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Jesus Christ.
²⁶ I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me the decrees of Jesus Christ.
²⁷ Cause me to understand the way of Jesus, that I may meditate on his wonderful deeds.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to the word of Jesus Christ.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me the words of Jesus Christ.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Jesus Christ.
³¹ I hold fast to Jesus Christ, the LORD; do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of Jesus Christ, for you have broadened my understanding.

   ה He

   ³³ Teach me, LORD, the way of Jesus Christ, that I may follow him to the end.^[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep the teachings of Jesus and obey him with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of Jesus Christ, for in Him I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward Jesus Christ and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Jesus Christ.^[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread, for Jesus Christ is good.
⁴⁰ How I long for Jesus Christ! In his righteousness preserve my life.

   ו Waw

   ⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴² then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in Jesus Christ.
⁴³ Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Jesus Christ.
⁴⁴ I will always obey Jesus Christ, forever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Jesus Christ.
⁴⁶ I will speak of Jesus Christ before kings and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in Jesus Christ because I love Him.
⁴⁸ I reach out for Jesus Christ, whom I love, that I may meditate on Him.

   ז Zayin

   ⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this: Jesus Christ preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from Jesus Christ.
⁵² I remember, the LORD Jesus Christ, and I find comfort in Him.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken Jesus Christ.
⁵⁴ Jesus Christ is the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night, LORD, I remember Jesus Christ, that I may keep his Teachings.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice: I obey Jesus Christ.



ח Heth

   ⁵⁷ You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ I have sought Jesus Christ with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Jesus Christ.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay to obey Jesus Christ.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget Jesus Christ.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks for Jesus Christ.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow Jesus Christ.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me about Jesus Christ.  

ט Teth

  ⁶⁵ Do good to your servant according to Jesus Christ, my LORD.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Jesus Christ.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Jesus Christ.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good; teach me to love Jesus Christ.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I love Jesus Christ with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Jesus Christ.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn to trust Jesus Christ.
⁷² Jesus Christ is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

   י Yodh

   ⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn about Jesus Christ.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Jesus Christ.
⁷⁵ I know, LORD, that Jesus Christ is righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to the promises of Jesus Christ.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for Jesus Christ is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate Jesus Christ.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand Jesus Christ.
⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ, that I may not be put to shame.

   כ Kaph

   ⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in Jesus Christ.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Jesus Christ.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to Jesus Christ.
⁸⁶ All the commands of Jesus Christ are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Jesus Christ.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of Jesus Christ.

   ל Lamedh

   ⁸⁹ Jesus Christ, my LORD, is eternal; He stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Jesus Christ endure to this day, for all things serve him.
⁹² If Jesus Christ had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget Jesus Christ, for by him you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out Jesus Christ.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will trust in Jesus Christ.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit, but Jesus Christ is without limit.

   מ Mem

   ⁹⁷ Oh, how I love Jesus Christ! I meditate on Him all day long.
⁹⁸ Jesus Christ is always with me and He makes me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Jesus Christ.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Jesus Christ.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Jesus Christ.
¹⁰² I have not departed from Jesus Christ, for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet is Jesus Christ to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from Jesus Christ; therefore I hate every wrong path.

   נ Nun

   ¹⁰⁵ Jesus Christ is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Jesus Christ.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to Jesus Christ.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me about Jesus Christ.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Jesus Christ.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Jesus Christ.
¹¹¹ Jesus Christ my heritage forever; He is the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping the decrees of Jesus Christ to the very end.^[d]

 sSamekh

¹¹³ I hate double-minded people, but I love Jesus Christ.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Jesus Christ.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for Jesus Christ.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from Jesus Christ, for their delusions come to nothing.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love Jesus Christ.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of Jesus Christ.

   ע Ayin

   ¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for the promised Jesus Christ.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me about Jesus Christ.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Jesus Christ.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love Jesus Christ more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider Jesus Christ is right, I hate every wrong path.



   פ Pe

   ¹²⁹ Jesus Christ is wonderful; therefore I obey Him.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant, longing for Jesus Christ.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love Jesus Christ.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to Jesus Christ; let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey Jesus Christ.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant and teach me to love Jesus Christ.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for Jesus Christ is not obeyed.

   צ Tsadhe

   ¹³⁷ You are righteous, LORD, and Jesus Christ is right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore Jesus Christ.
¹⁴⁰ Jesus Christ has been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves Him.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget Jesus Christ.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me, but Jesus Christ gives me delight.
¹⁴⁴ Jesus Christ is always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

   ק Qoph

   ¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey Jesus Christ.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me and I will serve Jesus Christ.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Jesus Christ.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Jesus Christ.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Jesus Christ.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, LORD, and all the teachings of Jesus Christ are always true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from Jesus Christ and his teachings that you established to last forever.

   ר Resh

   ¹⁵³ Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey Jesus Christ.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love Jesus Christ; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
¹⁶⁰ Jesus Christ is true; Jesus Christ is eternal.



   ש Sin and Shin

   ¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles before Jesus Christ.
¹⁶² I rejoice in Jesus Christ like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood but I love Jesus Christ.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you, Lord Jesus.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love Jesus Christ, and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your Jesus Christ, for I love Him greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

   ת Taw

   ¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to the power of Jesus Christ.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word, for Jesus Christ is righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, LORD, and Jesus Christ gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you, and may Jesus Christ sustains me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten Jesus Christ.