DEVICES OF THE DEVIL: CONFUSION

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV  10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;  11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV

James 3:13-18 KJV Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Ill. A university student was seen with a large “K” printed on his T-shirt. When someone asked him what the “K” stood for, he said, “Confused.” “But,” the questioner replied, “you don’t spell “confused” with a “K.” The student answered, “You don’t know how confused I am.” Source unknown

How's this for confusion!

If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. She happened to be his granddaughter’s husband’s mother.

That’s where the confusion began, according to Baker’s granddaughter, Lynn. "My mother-in-law is now my step-grandmother. My grandfather is now my stepfather-in-law. My mom is my sister-in-law and my brother is my nephew. But even crazier is that I’m now married to my uncle and my own children are my cousins."

CONFUSE, v.t.

1. To mix or blend things, so that they cannot be distinguished.

2. To disorder; as, a sudden alarm confused the troops; a careless bookkeeper has confused the accounts.

3. To perplex; to render indistinct; as, the clamor confused his ideas.

4. To throw the mind into disorder; to cast down or abash; to cause to blush; to agitate by surprise, or shame; to disconcert.

CONFUSION, n.

1. In a general sense, a mixture of several things promiscuously; hence, disorder; irregularity; as the confusion of tongues at Babel.

2. Tumult; want of order in society. The whole city was filled with confusion. Acts 19. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Cor 14.

3. A blending or confounding; indistinct combination; opposed to distinctness or perspicuity; as a confusion of ideas.

4. Abashment; shame. O Lord, let me never be put to confusion. Psa 71. We lie in shame and our confusion covereth us. Jer 3.

5. Astonishment; agitation; perturbation; distraction of mind. Confusion dwelt in every face.

6. Overthrow; defeat; ruin. The makers of idols shall go to confusion together. Isa 45.

7. A shameful blending of natures, a shocking crime.  (Webster)

Ill. Defeating the dragon seed warriors...Jason and the Argonauts

The keeper of the Golden Fleece, King Aeetes was the son of Helius, the sun god. Athena got Eros to shoot a magic arrow at Medea, the daughter of Aeetes. This caused her to fall in love with Jason. Aeetes challenged Jason to a test of strength. The challenge was to force a pair of fire breathing dragons to plant a field with dragon teeth that according to legend, fighting men would spring forth from. The final part of the challenge was to defeat the men who sprang from the seed. Medea, who was also a sorceress, gave Jason a drug which made him immune to the flames of the dragons. Jason was able to harness the dragons and plant the dragon teeth in the field. When the men popped out of the ground from the dragon’s teeth, Jason threw a large stone into the middle of the field, confusing the men. In their confusion, they began attacking each other, and Jason was able to finish them all off before nightfall.

Many times instead of uniting to fight against the enemy of our souls we end up fighting each other because of a stone thrown by the enemy and Jesus said... if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mark 3:24, 25

Beware of the devilish tactic to divide and conquer! If the devil can separate you from fellowship with God and the saints he can destroy you at his leisure with you not even aware you are being destroyed.

If we cannot hear the voice of God clearly, it brings confusion.

If we are in a situation where we end up in strife and envy it is confusion.

If we persist in listening to lies through whatever channel we will end up being confused for the devil is the source of all lies. Jesus said, Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. John 8:43-45 KJV

Or As Amplified: Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]  44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.  45  But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me]. John 8:43-45 AMP

1. CONFUSION IS CLOSELY ALLIED TO DOUBT AND UNBELIEF.

It creates a stronghold in the mind that spreads its influence in all directions resulting in clouding of clarity and a cover under which the enemy gathers strength. Look at how an evil report creates panic and confusion in a multitude of people and cause then to doubt Yahweh!

Numbers 13:26-33 KJV And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Numbers 14:1-4 KJV And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

 They were so confounded by this that they never entered the Promised Land

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,  8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  11  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)  12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:7-13 KJV 

2. CONFUSION ARISES WHEN WE BEGIN DOUBTING THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD

Doubts comes from conflicting teachings and questioning the truth of the Word.

Genesis 3:1-6 KJV Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

3. CONFUSION ARISES FROM A LACK OF PROPER COMMUNICATION.

1 Corinthians 14:6-12 KJV  6  Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?  7  And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?  9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.  10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.  12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Imagine an army unit cut off from communication with HQ. They will have no update on the overall plan and will have no knowledge of the immediate plans for the unit. They will either continue to operate on the old plan, never adjusting, never in harmony with the overall plan and never in coordination with the rest. They may even begin to believe they are the only ones left and will remain in a rut of form and rote with no freshness. How many churches have not found themselves at the point where they become a law unto themselves and become steeped in their traditions and opposing anyone and anything that looks likely to upset the status quo and the routine of the church? How often has this not resulted in confusion among the saints of God? How many times have we not found ourselves left behind because God's cloud lifted and moved on but we failed to follow?

4. CONFUSION ARISES WHEN GOD'S MANDATED LINES OF DISTINCTION ARE BLURRED BY MAN'S PERVERSION.

Ezekiel 22:26-28 KJV Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.  27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.  28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Slick and smooth statements such as "Why worry, God is love" and "Don't worry, God understands" which are spouted as excuses when we sin does nothing to create harmony among the saints of God

Gender confusion is not of God. Believing that there is a man in a woman’s' body crying to be released and vice versa, is confusion.

Extreme fashion and cross dressing are tools of confusion and products of confusion.

Divorce is not approved by God and Hollywood style marriage is reminiscent of the days of Noah!

Isaiah 5:20-24 KJV  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:  23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!  24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Proverbs 17:15 KJV He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Malachi 2:14-16 KJV Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Malachi 2:17 KJV Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment

Romans 1:21-32 KJV Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Confusion results in non cooperation, non productivity, division and separation cf. Babel where God confounded the language of man.

Judas could not reconcile himself to the concept of the Messiah as portrayed by Jesus. He expected a conquering king to set Israel free and make them rulers. When expectations did not materialize he resorted to devious, conniving methods which produced results he did not expect and he became confused killing himself.

IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST THE ENEMY WE NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT: ... though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV

Remember to: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.  8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV 

For:  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

  So ... When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 KJV

Paul says:  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:6-9 KJV

5. SOUND DOCTRINE IS VITAL IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST CONFUSION:

Titus 1:9-16 KJV  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus 2:1 KJV But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJV  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

   

1 Timothy 6:3-6 KJV If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 1:9-11 KJV  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,  10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;  11  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

DEVICES OF THE DEVIL:DISCOURAGEMENT

2 Corinthians 2:8-11 KJV 8  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.  9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.  10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;  11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 One of Satan's premium weapons of attack is Discouragement! Many saints of God have laid down arms never to take them up again because they gave in to discouragement. The children of Israel in Numbers 14 became very discouraged at the report of the 10 spies concerning giants in the land. The Bible says: And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? Numbers 14:1-3 KJV

  Again the Bible records: And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. Numbers 21:4-5 KJV

 Job complained: My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? Job 10:1-3 KJV

 Then we have Elijah, Joshua, Nehemiah's people and David!  

 A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  Soon the pots came to boil.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

 In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.

She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.

She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.  Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.

She did and noted that they were soft.  The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.  Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.  The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.  The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

 Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ...  boiling water.  Each reacted differently.  The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.  The egg had been fragile.  Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however.  After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

 "Which are you?" she asked her daughter.  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?  Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?  Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?  Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

 Or am I like the coffee bean?  The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.  When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.  If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.  When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?  How do you handle adversity?  Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

We will now examine some instances of discouragement in the Bible and see what we can

1. WE CAN BECOME DISCOURAGED AS A RESULT OF DISAPPOINTMENTS WHEN OUR EFFORTS APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED TO PRODUCE FRUIT AS ELIJAH’S WERE

1 Kings 19:1-10 KJV And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.  2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.  3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.  4  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.  5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.  7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.  8  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.  9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?  10  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

 Elijah had high hopes for Israel. The nation will see the mighty power of Yahweh on display and will recognize that the futile efforts of Baal's worshipers fade into insignificance and there will be a widespread revival and returning to Yahweh! Unfortunately Jezebel put a spoke into the wheel by seeking Elijah's life. It resulted in this man who had shaken his fist under Ahab's nose and killed 450 prophets of Baal running for his life and then asking Yahweh to take him away. How many time haven't we after a great experience in our lives often found ourselves confronted by a vicious onslaught from the devil that makes us want to curl up and die. The enemy will try to make you look like you have been wasting your time serving God and you will end up feeling no better that the others who fell. We can end up feeling as though no one else is for God and we are all alone but then God reminds us that we are not alone and indispensable. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18 KJV

God ended up finding a replacement for Elijah before taking him out of the way

 2. WE CAN BECOME DISCOURAGED AS A RESULT OF DISAPPEARANCE OF OUR MENTORS AND LEADERS AND PEOPLE WE LOOK UP TO AS JOSHUA DID TO MOSES

Joshua 1:1-9 KJV Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2  Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.  3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.  4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.  5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua loved a war so much that he once even thought that the sound of a feast and revelry was the noise of war until Moses corrected him. After this Moses died Joshua felt alone and helpless. How often have we not felt helpless and powerless when a mentor or someone we looked up to is no longer there. We feel tiny and insignificant for the great task lying before us. That is when we need to hear God's assurance and absorb His promises. Be strong and of good courage! I will never leave you nor forsake you.

 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:16-18 KJV

 

3. WE CAN BECOME DISCOURAGED WHEN DAUNTED AS A RESULT OF THE UPHILL TASK WE APPEAR TO FACE

Nehemiah 4:1-3 KJV  But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.  2  And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?  3  Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

 Nehemiah 4:10-12 KJV  And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.  11  And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.  12  And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.

Nehemiah's people became discouraged at the huge uphill task they faced. The rubbish was too much (it's amazing how much garbage can pile up if left alone!) Their strength was on the decrease and they had fierce adversaries to contend with. Isn't this the way it is in our work for God? We feel it is too much to clear the dirt away and the enemy is voracious. Our strength fades and we like Peter begin sinking beneath it all. It's time to band together and fight for the Christ Cause! It's time to hold those all night prayer meetings regardless of who attends for How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?  Deuteronomy 32:30 KJV

 

4. WE CAN BECOME DISCOURAGED AS A RESULT OF DISASTER, DOUBTS, DISCORD AND DISCONTENT AS DAVID EXPERIENCED

  And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;  2  And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.  3  So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.  4  Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.  5  And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.  6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:1-6 KJV

Poor David! He was leader of a band of rugged lawless rebels who had just discovered that their homes were burned and their families taken captive. They were all ready to stone David. But what did David do? Among the rubble and ashes of complete desolation and devastation he encouraged himself in the Lord and then with the Lord's help proceed to take back all that was stolen from them!

Paul said to the Corinthian church:

 8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 KJV

And to the Romans:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord .Romans 8:35-39 KJV

  It does not matter what is the devil’s worst! It will not remain forever!

When times are going great...we seldom ask, "How much longer is this going to last"?

But, when times are rough...they seem to go on and on and on. We begin to wonder if it will ever end.

The story is told of a Sunday class that had been asked the question, “in your time of discouragement, what is your favorite Scripture?”

A young man said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; Psalm 23:1.”

A middle aged woman said, “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; Psalm 46:1”

Another woman said, “In this world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome this world; John 16:33-35.”

Then John, an 80 years old man said, “and it came to pass; 396 times in the bible". The class started to laugh a nervous laugh, thinking that old John’s lack of memory was getting the best of him.

When the snickering stopped, he said. "At 30 I lost my job with six hungry mouths and a wife to feed. I didn’t know how I would make it. At 40 my eldest son was killed overseas in the war. It knocked me down. At 50 my house burned to the ground. Nothing was saved out of the house. At 60 my wife of 40 years got cancer. It slowly ate away at her. We cried together many a night on our knees in prayer. At 65 she died. I still miss her today. The agony I went through in each of these situations was unbelievable. I wondered where God was. But each time I looked in the bible I saw one of those 396 verses that said, “and it came to pass.” I felt that God was telling me, my pain and my circumstances were also going to pass and that God would get me through it."

When life gets rough, we need to remember ol’ John’s verse, “and it came to pass.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 KJV 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

THE WAR IS ON!!!

Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;                                            

  There is an exhortation to:

1. Be Strong. Not just to be strong alone, but to be strong in the LORD, to be strong in the power of His Might!

2. Put on the whole armor of God. Not just any armor but the armor of God. Not just a part but the whole armor.

3. Stand against the wiles of the devil. It cannot be done alone. It requires the armor of GOD! The whole armor of God!

We had better realize and believe that we are in a battle...an unceasing battle that requires continuous wearing of armor. Not just any armor but the one God designed for you.  This battle rages all around us even though we do not often see it. It is the duty of the Christian warrior to be aware of the invisible war around him that requires a sober vigilance. Many of us are only aware of the world around us observed by the five senses.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV 

 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:11-14 KJV

We are in a real war... a war made all the more dangerous in that we cannot see the enemy with our physical eyes. In order to mount a successful defense and counterattack we need to locate our enemy. We need to know who our enemy is. We need to properly utilize our resources.

In order to successfully stand against the enemy

1. WE NEED TO KNOW WHO OUR ENEMY IS AND HOW HE OPERATES.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV  10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;  11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 Satan operates in many areas. Briefly look at a few:

TEMPTATIONS: Genesis 3:1-7 KJV Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

 James 1:12-16 KJV Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 Judges 16:1-6 KJV Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.  2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.  3  And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.  4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.  5  And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.  6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

DECEPTION: 2 Peter 2:1-3 KJV  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  3  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

 He also uses such devices as fear, unbelief, worry, disobedience, rebellion, hardness of heart, and bringing lies and circumstances against you.

2. WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHERE OUR ENEMY IS LOCATED AND HOW TO DISCERN HIM

Matthew 16:21-23 KJV From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Ephesians 6:12 KJV  

3. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT OUR RESOURCES ARE AND HOW TO USE THEM

Simply beating the air results in useless expending of energy without accomplishing anything. Much activity but no results.

Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 Ephesians 6:13-18 KJV  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The battle cannot be won with a partial armor. We need to put on the whole armor. It's only when we wear the whole armor that we are able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The parts of the Roman armor are used as an illustration depicting the qualities needed in a believer's life to defeat the enemy but are not an actual literal armor that you put on. These are not just our own inbred qualities but they are of God. Since it is the armor of God then all components are of God!

Truth

Righteousness

Preparation of the gospel of peace

Faith

Salvation

Word of God

Prayer

Depending on the place and item they occupy and represent in the whole picture, the components are used to counteract specific strategies and attacks of the enemy. (Truth against deceptive lies; Righteousness against discouraging accusations of unrighteousness; Preparation of the gospel of peace against unsureness and uncertainty of false theological beliefs and attacks; Faith against all attacks of unbelief and hopelessness; Salvation against strategic attempts to weaken our resolve; The Word of God against all doctrines and teachings contrary     to the Spirit; Intercessory prayer as an enshrouding cloud of protection, and as a bell pull sounding the call for help from heaven)

God's armor unlike Saul's armor is adjusted to fit every believer and will not be a poor cumbersome fit for the saint of God!

In conclusion we need to remember:

1. We are in a real war against a real enemy whether we acknowledge it or not

2. We are not alone in this spiritual conflict.

3. Christ has already defeated the enemy

4. We are standing against the enemy based on what Christ has done.

5. We are assured of victory of we confront the enemy in the manner prescribed.

6. We need to ensure each and EVERY part of our armor is in place.

7. We should always seek to bring glory to Christ in our everyday stand

THE GOD WHO CARES

God cares enough about you to go off the beaten path in order to meet you and set up a meeting with you. cf the Samaritan Woman ...and He must needs go through Samaria.

Luke 19:2-9, "And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham."

Zacchaeus was determined to see Jesus because he must have heard something about Him. Whatever he heard stirred his inner longing. There must have been something he heard about Jesus that related to his needs.

1. THE CHARACTER CALLED ZACCHAEUS
a. Chief among the publicans (tax collectors).                                      
b. Rich.
c. Short in stature, not in brains.
d. Disliked by the people (evidenced by the murmurs when Jesus went with him).

This extract gives a singular glimpse into the character of someone like Zacchaeus:
“He was a leader of the publicans -"the chief among publicans."
For a more successful levying of taxes by the Romans, the institution of the publicans was introduced, which had existed in Rome since ancient times. But while in Rome and throughout Italy publicans were recruited from an esteemed warrior class, in Judea the Romans were forced to engage publicans from the moral outcasts, from among Jews that agreed to go over to work for them and force their brothers to pay tribute.

The acceptance of such a position was bound up with a most profound moral fall. It was bound not only with national, but, above all, religious betrayal: to become a tool for the subjugation of the divinely chosen people by coarse pagans, one had to deny the hopes of Israel, everything holy to it, its dreams, and -- what is more -- since the Romans did not take into account the spiritual tribulation of their agents, upon accepting his position a publican had to swear a pagan oath of fidelity to the emperor, and bring pagan sacrifices to his spirit (the genius of the emperor). Of course the publicans served not only Rome's interests, levying taxes upon their own country men, but pursuing their own greedy goals and becoming wealthy at the expense of their subjugated brothers, they made the yoke of Roman oppression felt even more, and still more difficult to bear. This is who the publicans were. This is why they were surrounded by justifiable hatred and scorn; as betrayers of their people, having betrayed not only their people but a divinely-chosen one, God's tool in the world, the only people through which rebirth and salvation could come to mankind.

Everything said above pertains to Zacchaeus in the highest degree, because he was not a run-of-the-mill publican, but a chief among publicans - an architelonis. Without a doubt he had done everything: brought pagan sacrifices and sworn a pagan oath, mercilessly forced taxes from his brothers, increasing them to his own advantage. And he became, as the Gospel witnesses, a rich man.” (Saint John of Shanghai)

e. Determined and resourceful (looked for solutions to his problems).
f. Ready to accept the Lord.
g. Humble in his obedience.

2. THE CRISIS ZACCHAEUS FACED
a. Zacchaeus had a need.
b. He had a handicap (his stature).
c. He had an obstacle (the crowd).
d. He needed to react appropriately.
“Of course Zacchaeus understood clearly that the hopes of Israel were lost to him. Everything foretold by the prophets, beloved from childhood, that at which every believing Old Testament soul trembled joyfully, was not for him. He was a traitor, a betrayer, a cast-off. He had no part in Israel. And now rumors reached him that the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah announced by the prophets, has already appeared in the world, and together with a small group of disciples is walking the fields of Galilee and Judea, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and working great miracles. Joyous hopes are ignited with trembling in believing hearts. How will Zacchaeus react to this? For him personally, the coming of the Messiah is a catastrophe. The rule of Rome must come to an end, and the triumphant Israel will, of course, take revenge for the losses suffered because of him, for the offences and oppressions that were his fault. But even if this is not so, for the Messiah, as the prophet witnessed, comes as a righteous one, bringing salvation as a meek one (cf. Zech. 9:9), the triumph of the Messiah must bring to him, to Zacchaeus, only the greatest shame and the loss of all the wealth and of the position he acquired at the frightening price of his treachery before God, his own people, and all the hopes of Israel.” (Saint John of Shanghai)

3. THE CHRIST WHO CARES
a. He knew exactly where Zacchaeus was.
Like the psalmist declared in Psalms 139:7-12 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
 Jesus came to the tree stopped and looked up. In the press of the crowd that caused Zacchaeus to climb the tree, Jesus still knew that he was there. Maybe in your life with the busy world passing you by, you wonder...does anybody even know I am here? Your status and strata in society is not the issue. You can be rich yet lonely. You can be surrounded by family and be lonely. Loneliness drives young people...and old to do crazy things to get attention so that people will know they are there. Know today that you are not invisible to God. He knows where you are and he is passing your way. He will stop at you tree and invite Himself into your life. It is up to you to get down your particular tree in order to properly receive Him. He stopped for Zacchaeus! He will stop for you!

b. He knew who he was. He knew his name.
Psalms 139:1-6 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
 Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name. He stopped, looked up, and addressed him by name! Never think that God does not know you. He knows all about you. He knows your secret and innermost thought. Nothing is hidden. You may be striving on this earth to make a name for yourself so that they will remember you when you are gone. But the real joy is that He know your name and He knows you now as an individual. He calls you by name.

c. He knew his need. He knew why he was there.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  Matthew 6:8
 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32
John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
 Zacchaeus was a lonely man. He had a deep longing to see Jesus for he had probably heard that Jesus was a friend to the outcast. He wanted to know more about this man. If he could only reach Him maybe He'll understand my need. He would care. Surprise! Jesus invites Himself to Zacchaeus' house. He invites Himself to your dwelling, your house, your life. He addresses your innermost need and longing. He is able to do what no other can do.
 Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

d. He supplied the missing dimension in his life.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19
 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 Zacchaeus needed something that only Jesus can supply...a sense of belonging...no longer an outcast, ostracized and lonely. Zacchaeus need a restoration of faith. He needed someone who would accept him just as he was warts and all! He needed someone to look at him without scorn and insults, without a judgmental eye and Jesus became His focus, His meaning to life, His reason for living, the One whose approval he now desired to win and he did not spare himself in his new commitment. He would make restitution. He would show the fruits of repentance.

What passed between them at that first glance? What was Zacchaeus’ gut reaction when he looked into the eyes of Jesus? Whatever it was it did something to Zacchaeus for his life took a complete turnaround! He was never the same after that. Salvation had come to the home of Zacchaeus to his life on which he now had a new lease.

4. THE CONCLUSION WE SHOULD PURSUE
a. Our determination to reach with God is essential to the supply of our need.
b. Our response to God’s invitation determines His status and effectiveness in our lives.
c. Our humble submission to the will of God is essential to salvation and peace of mind.
d. Our relationship with God will result in decisions and action that wins His approval.
God knows where you are, He knows who you are and He knows what your need is. He is able to supply that need if you will respond to Him when He comes calling.