TREASURY OF SERMONS
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Celestial Forces that Contend over our Souls
By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow
(Preached at Life BPC, 10.30 am service, 30 Apr 2000 )
Text: Matt 2; Rev 12:1-5
The great majority of people in the world, ancient or modern, lie under the Evil One. Without hope and without God they are driven to believe in a blind Fate. Their lives are governed by superstitions and fear. In the making of grave decisions, such as career, marriage, business, travel, choosing a house, they must consult their horoscope. They must try to avoid bad luck and seek the good. To do this they look to the fortune-teller or the temple medium. It is reported that even politicians and leaders of state would consult Taoist monks and priests. A Christian president like Franklin Roosevelt was known to consult Jean Dixon, the clairvoyante. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, tells of the fears that grip even kings and emperors of the Roman Empire . Like Shih Hwang-Ti who conquered all of China , but could not conquer Death, they died in the throes of a fearful Beyond. But those who believe in Jesus are not sold to a Blind Fate. We are delivered from the Evil One into the freedom of the sons of God.
Now man is a unique creation. We are earthly creatures and yet endued with faculties touching the celestial. We belong to both the physical and the spiritual world. Insofar as the spiritual is concerned we have contact with the spirits whether good or evil. Our lives are under the influence of the good spirits, viz. angels and under the influence of the evil spirits, demons. The holy angel helped Joseph and guided him in the right way. The evil spirits, whose head is Satan, try to destroy us and lead us to perdition. Celestial forces are contending over our souls. This is markedly revealed in the second chapter of Matthew in the birth and infancy of our Lord Jesus Christ. From our Lord's experiences we can learn many lessons for ourselves.
In Rev 12:1-5 we see how when Jesus was born Satan tried to devour Him, but He was delivered out of the Dragon's mouth by the power of the living God.
- In Matthew chapter 2, it is clear that Satan worked through King Herod. The Wisemen who inquired from Jerusalem where Christ was born whose star they had seen in the East were told Bethlehem according to Bible prophecy. Now, when Herod heard of what was told to the Wisemen, he cunningly pretended he would also go to Bethlehem to worship Him. Satan is the master of intrigue and deception who worked in Herod's wicked heart. How often will he also put thoughts of hatred and revenge in our hearts against those who are our rivals. A Christian can become Satan's tool in as much as Peter was called Satan when he hindered Christ.
- Meanwhile the Wisemen were led by the Star to the house in Bethlehem where the infant Jesus lay. There they worshipped Him with the most expensive gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh. Unknowingly these gifts came to succour the holy family in their long journey to Egypt . How often those who serve the Lord are provided in ways mysterious, to keep them supplied in a time of need. The offerings brought by you at Christmas, insofar as Life Church is concerned, are distributed to worthy needy (sick) members, worthy needy missionaries and missions. God's providence over His children never fails, but He uses us to help brethren in need.
- God further thwarted Herod's evil design by revealing in a dream to the Wisemen not to return to Herod in Jerusalem , but by another way. And through an angel Joseph was told in a dream to flee to Egypt . God's Son was saved.
During WWII my good friend Elder Peter Yap and his parents and brothers fled a little village in Bukit Timah where they were staying. They were prompted of the Lord to run when the retreating British troops burnt their ammunition dump turning it into an inferno nearby. After they had left, the invading Japanese came into the little village. All who remained behind were massacred. Peter Yap and family were the only Christians. They came under God's special care. "His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me," as we sing it today.
Many Christians of the older generation who went through the war, I'm sure, have similar stories to tell, including me. Let us never forget the special mercies of our God and Saviour.
- Satan can never be appeased. He instigated Herod to kill all the children born in Bethlehem from two years and under. But our Lord had escaped in the nick of time through a dream given to Joseph. Take note that the Holy Family left hastily in the night. How many times we would be trapped by evil forces, but God guides us away with His eyes. When we preach the Gospel in a heathen country, many are the unseen darts aimed at us. John G. Patton, missionary to the South Seas Islands was in danger of being killed and eaten by cannibals, but he was unafraid, knowing of the Divine protection surrounding him.
We are going to start a worship service in Mersing, surrounded by people of a heterogeneous religion, but we are encouraged by the knowledge that holy angels surround us. "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me" (Ps 56:11).
- Herod died. Satan was totally defeated. Then came the Lord again in a dream to Joseph to tell him to go and live in Israel . When he heard that Herod's son had come to the throne of his father, he turned from Judea to live farther away in Nazareth of Galilee. Thus Jesus was channelled to be brought up in the place God had chosen.
In my young days my father had joined the Revolution against the Manchus. He served under Sun Yat Sen and Chiang Kai Shek. But we came from a family of pastors. Both my grandfather and great grandfather were ministers of the Gospel. God wanted us to serve Him. He caused my father to get very sick that he almost died. He had no choice but to resign. We migrated to Singapore . Educated in English we were given a good education. God channelled us to Singapore that we might become His humble servants. God has a plan also for you. "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Prov 20:24). I would like to speak a word to you who are my students at FEBC. Your joining the College is not by your own plan. It is God who has worked to bring you here.
By way of recapitulation, man is a unique creation. We belong to both worlds, the physical and the spiritual. Insofar as the spiritual world is concerned we have contact with the spirits, whether good or bad. Our lives are under the influence of the good spirits, viz., angels, and under the influence of the evil spirits, demons. The holy angels helped Joseph and guided him in the right way. Satan countered by working in the heart of Herod.
With the advance of science and the wonders of communication today by e-mail and computers, God needs not use dreams but by information through modern means. A friend concerned for your welfare may be prompted by His Spirit to e-mail you to avoid trouble awaiting you and direct you to safety.
The evil spirits whose head is Satan will try to destroy you and lead you to perdition. Satan may employ false friends to get you, as He used Herod.
But God to whom we belong is above all. He will thwart the machinations of the Evil One. He will deliver us and lead us in the way we should go. Let us not plan our own plans. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil" (Prov 3:5-7). Amen.
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