People all over the world need to decisively & conclusively determine to be whole-heartedly committed to being on the Lord’s side – for life!
In this message we put special emphasis on the importance of maintaining fruits (works) of righteousness. ‘Fruits’ & ‘works’ are synonyms.
Ephesians 2:10 – We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
Matthew 12:33 – Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT.
FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
What are the fruits of righteousness? What does faithfulness look like? What does it look like to be on Jesus side, as compared to being on the Devil’s side?
What is being demonstrated by our life-style, decisions, words, and activities…?
WHOLE-HEARTED SERVICE
Luke 11:23 – HE WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Matthew 6:24 – Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. (AMP)
FAITHFULNESS
The Lord has expectations of those on the Lord’s side – FAITHFULNESS! Those that are with Jesus are faithful!
Revelation 17:14 – These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are WITH Him are called, chosen, and FAITHFUL.”
obedience
2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Soon Jesus will be revealed) — “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
vision (Review)
In part 1 of this message a recent vision was referred to. It was one that my wife received recently. I will review it here, in case you did not get it yet.
She had a picture of Jesus sitting at a table. He was looking through a card index file for people’s names. He was very serious, as He flipped through these names, studying the, and she heard Him distinctly say, “WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?”
Who of these people are ON THE LORD’S SIDE? She said that it was a little sad, because it seemed as if He was having a hard time finding very many who were on His side.
importance of being on the lord’s side
Being on the Lord’s side, & Him being on our side is A BIG DEAL! It is a matter of life or death!
Joshua 24:14-22 – “Now therefore, fear the Lord, SERVE HIM IN SINCERITY AND IN TRUTH, and put away the gods which your fathers served… SERVE THE LORD! “Now therefore, fear the Lord, SERVE HIM IN SINCERITY AND IN TRUTH, and put away the gods which your fathers served… SERVE THE LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served… But as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.”…
the lord is awesome
God is Sovereign! He is to be feared & respected! He is awesome!
Acknowledge His Lordship & Supremacy!
Sooner or later every knee will bow & every tongue confess that He is Lord! (Philippians 2:9-11)
we are at war
Let’s fight the fight of faith, and be overcomer’s in the spiritual battles we face! (I Timothy 6:12)
The weapons of our warfare are mighty! (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Submit to God… RESIST THE DEVIL (& everything that is from the Devil) – and he will flee from you! Take a stand against the Devil! (James 4:7; I Peter 5:9)
THE LORD IS A WARRIOR!
He is the Lord of angel armies! He is the Lord of hosts! He is a great & wonderful ‘dread champion’! He’s a mighty conqueror!
Joshua met the captain of the Lord of hosts (captain of the Lord’s army) before entering the promised land (Joshua 5:14).What was his response? It was one of respect, humility, and petition…
the victory is ours
David wrote: “when my enemies came upon me— they stumbled and fell! Though a host should encamp me… though war should rise against me…my head shall be lifted up above my enemies! (Psalm 27:2-3,6)
If the Lord isn’t on our side, we are done! It’s over! (We are like a sunk ship!) (Psalm 124)
If God is for us & with us, nothing and nobody can stand against us! The Lord gives us the victory through Jesus! Hallelujah! (Romans 8:31,32; I Corinthians 15:57)
We are more than conquerors! (Romans 8:37)
moses & the goldeN calf (REVIEW)
The people were backslidden, even after experiencing many wonderful miracles from the Lord. They were worshiping false gods. It was shameful!
They had a decision to make. “Whoever is on the Lord’s side – come to me!” (Moses said). Some chose the Lord. Some didn’t choose to side with the Lord, and there were dreadful consequences…
ELIJAH & THE PROPHETS OF BAAL (Review)
Elijah had a show down between the Lord and Baal… He told them to choose: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (I Kings 18)
He didn’t tell them to serve both of them. He told them to choose one or the other!
choose the side of christ
Many profess Christ & yet are embracing wickedness & worldliness!
We are forced to choose what side we are on…
Matthew Henry’s Commentary (Exodus 32)
There are 2 sides – sin & wickedness / truth & holiness. No neutral side
Are we on the Lord’s side?
Only a few are choosing to be on his side.
If we are on the Lord’s side, how does that affect our lives?
DON’T LOVE THE WORLD
I John 2:15-17 – If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us…
There is no middle ground! It is tragic that many “Christians” are not living the life…
DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
I John 3:8 (sin is of the devil – Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil!)
Are we living the life of Sin – or the overcoming, victorious life?
There are 2 Ways – one leads to life, the other to death (Matthew 7:13,14). It is hard to go both ways at the same time!
MORE ILLUSTRATIONS
GIDEON – Judges 6-8
The Israelites were in great distress & prayed (Judges 6:6,7).
The Angel of the Lord came to Gideon – “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor” (brave man) (Judges 6:12).
”Surely I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites” (Judges 6:16).
“The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet” (Judges 6:43).
God gave him some miraculous signs to encourage his faith (Judges 6:36-40).
Midianites were on one side (to the north), Israel on the other side (Joshua 7:1).
There were too many – (God didn’t want the people to get proud & think that they had won the battle by themselves).
22,000 were afraid & fearful – they left (Joshua 7:2,3) 10,000 remained (Joshua 7:3).
From the remaining 10,000 Gideon sent home all but 300 chosen men (Judges 7:4-8).
There was a dream sent by the Lord to confirm that the Lord was going to save Israel by the sword of Gideon & of the Lord – (Judges 7:9-15)
THE LORD delivered into their hand the host of Midian (Judges 7:15-25) They cried, “The SWORD OF THE LORD & of Gideon” as they broke their pitchers (lamps), and blew their trumpets (Judges 7:16-22). The enemies ran, and cried, and fled – AND THE LORD SET EVERY MAN’S SWORD AGAINST HIS FELLOW throughout the host, & the host fled… There was a mighty VICTORY – Israel was delivered! (Judges 7-8)
There were 300 against around 135,000 — the enemy were slain (8:4,11) – In numbers the enemy had advantage 450 to 1 – yet THE LORD gave them VICTORY!
VaLKYRIE
This term has a number of meanings & applications. Recently, it appears to have application to an evil plot recently to overthrow the U.S.A.
Volkyrie was a false goddess in Norse mythology which means – “chooser of the fallen or slain”
Historical meaning and application: Nazi had a plan in place to regain control of Germany, should the people of Germany ever rebel against them – they had a plan to overthrow the rebellion & take the nation back.
In a spiritual dream given by the Lord recently to a man of God, an angel of the Lord used this name to depict an evil plot in America that would be exposed & destroyed if His people would PRAY!
Here are some inspirational youtube links for more information about that, if interested:
Operation Valkyrie 3AM Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Xi8qJfZeA #DutchSheetsMinistries #DutchSheets #DSM
Recapping Operation Valkyrie Give Him 15: Daily Prayer with Dutch Day 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIJ_UeIvUZY
12/1/2020 7 PM Pray For The Nation Pennsylvania: Pray For The Nation https: //www.facebook.com/DutchSheets22/videos/781919185868269/ –
“VaLKYRIE HAS FALLEN!”
Intercessors gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 3:00 a.m. in the cold of winter As they were praying & making decrees in faith & doing spiritual warfare – there appears to be what may have been an amazing sign in the sky, as the liberty bell rang! You might like to check it out for yourself in the above link – “Operation Valkyrie 3 a.m. prayer”. JESUS said in these last days there would be “signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11) “I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath” (Acts 2:19).
Does God answer prayer? YES! Does He fight for and with His people? YES!
JONATHAN & HIS ARMOR-BEARER – I Samuel 14
Jonathan & his armor bearer bravely went against the Philistines (the enemy) – I Samuel 14:1) Jonathan said, “it may be that the Lord will work for us, for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few!” (I Samuel 14:6,7)
“The Lord delivered them (the enemy) into the hand of Israel (I Samuel 14:12) There was an earthquake (I Samuel 14:15). The multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another (I Samuel 14:16).
David Defeats Goliath – I Samuel 17
The Philistines (enemy) stood on ONE SIDE – Israel stood on THE OTHER SIDE: and there was a VALLEY BETWEEN them (I Samuel 17:3).
David said to Goliath – “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear: for THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands! … So David prevailed over the Philistine… ” (I Samuel 17:45-50)
LEVIATHAN – Isaiah 27 / Revelation 12
Isaiah 27:1 In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish LEVIATHAN THE PIERCING SERPENT, even leviathan that crooked SERPENT; and he shall SLAY THE DRAGON that is in the sea.
In that day, the Lord Yahweh will mercilessly wield His massive, mighty sword and punish Leviathan, the SWIFT, SLITHERING SERPENT. He will SLAY THE DRAGON of the sea— LEVIATHAN, THE TWISTING SERPENT. (TPT)
In that day [the Lord will deliver Israel from her enemies and also from the rebel powers of evil and darkness] the Lord will punish LEVIATHAN THE FLEEING SERPENT with His fierce and great and mighty sword [rescuing Israel from her enemy], Even LEVIATHAN THE TWISTED SERPENT; And He will kill the DRAGON who lives in the sea. (Amp)
SERPENT (DEVIL) OVERCOME – REVELATION 12
3) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red DRAGON… 7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the DRAGON; and the DRAGON fought and his angels… 9) And the great DRAGON was cast out, that old SERPENT, called the DEVIL, AND SATAN, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him…11) And THEY OVERCAME him (Satan) BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB and BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY; and they loved not their lives unto the death… Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for THE DEVIL is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.
Revelation 17:14 – These (God’s enemies) will make war with THE LAMB, and THE LAMB will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are WITH HIM are CALLED, CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.”
HEROES OF FAITH – HEBREWS 11
Abel; Enoch; Noah; Abraham; Isaac; Jacob; Joseph; Moses…. 33) through FAITH subdued kingdoms, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, … stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, TURNED TO FLIGHT THE ARMIES OF THE ALIENS.
THE LORD’S SIDE (CONT)
WISDOM
Individual choices – Yes, there is the freedom of choice. That privilege needs to be exercised within the context of WISDOM… (Proverbs 1-4) Let’s make wise choice, not foolish ones!
ABIDING
Continuing & abiding in the Lord is not only very important, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!
Romans 11:22 – Therefore consider the goodness AND severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness,IF YOU CONTINUE in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
John 15:4-6 – Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear FRUIT of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me...He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does NOT ABIDE in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
THE DEVIL’S SIDE (CONT)
I John 3:8 – He who SINS is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
TWO SIDES
Living a sinful life OR the overcoming, victorious life of a true Christian!
NO FENCE-STRADDLERS ALLOWED
The Word of God draws the line for us, by defining sin and teaching sound doctrine. There is NO controversy if you believe the Bible. Where do you stand? Fence-straddlers make God vomit. (Revelation 3:16)
There is a fierce battle, raging in the world. THE SIDE OF SCRIPTURE OR TRADITION? The side of the Bible OR certain things which have been handed down, by tradition, from the fathers? Are you on the side of God’s Word or of man’s word?
THE LORD’S SIDE (CONT)
The Side of the HOLY
…wherever there is anything that is right, true, pure, holy, and of good report – that is “the Lord’s side.” Wherefore, always be on that side. (Philippians 4:8)
THE ENEMY’S SIDE (CONT)
THE SIDE OF THE UNHOLY
Double-minded, false, counterfeit pseudo-Christianity makes God sick! God says, “I need to go vomit.”
HATE SIN & EVIL
A born-again child of God should feel the same way that God does about EVIL & SIN!
Psalm 97:10 – “You that love the LORD, hate evil…”
THE TWO WAYS
Matthew 7:13,14 – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY
Many spit in God’s face by living in sin, and then have the audacity to profess that they love Him.
DRUNKENESS
Some propagate the slogan DRINK RESPONSIBLY, while irresponsible legislatures allow drunk drivers on the streets that have caused destruction & many to lose their lives!
Giving place to drunkenness and vices is not the Lord’s side.
WHAT IS THE LORD’S SIDE?
Temperance, righteousness, sobriety… these are all on “the Lord’s side” of that question. Let everyone who calls themself a Christian take the same side as the Lord does!
ABORTION
Some murder their own children by abortion; yet shamelessly boast that they VALUE LIFE!
HOMOSEXUALITY
Homosexuality is a horrible sin, which brings the judgment of God upon a nation!
Those who allow homosexuality, promote it, and participate in it will be severely judged by God our Creator!
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
The following are some of the words in Scripture to describe this kind of abomination to the Lord —
Romans 1:24-32 – “uncleanness”- “vile affections/passions” – “error” – “reprobation”
2 Peter 2:6 – Sodom & Gomorrah was condemned & burned — “ungodliness”
Jude 1:7 – Sodom & Gomorrah “fornication” – “strange flesh” – suffered the vengeance of “ETERNAL FIRE!”
REBELLION & PROMISCUITY
Rebellion, immoral sex and substance abuse are not only sinful, they are very destructive.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Moses forced the Israelites to make a decision… “who is on the Lord’s side?” Those who chose not to side with the Lord were destroyed that day. Are you on the Lord’s side? If you don’t see anything wrong with witchcraft, then you are on the Devil’s side. People who think that homosexuality should be a legal right, and that it’s ok to teach children that homosexual is acceptable, are on the Devil’s side. If you think abortion is a mother’s right, or that abortion is necessary to control the population, then you are on the Devil’s side. If you think gambling is acceptable, and you don’t have a problem with it, then you are not right with God and are His enemy. If you don’t see anything wrong with the alcohol industry and promote drunkenness which has destroyed so many lives – Is that kind of behavior on the Lord’s side?
evil is the enemy of god
Evil & sin is an enemy of the cross of Christ! Jesus came to destroy evil & every devilish enemy on the cross! (I John 3:8)
Philippians 3:18 – “For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES of the cross of Christ”.
James 4:4 – “You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a FRIEND OF THE WORLD is the ENEMY OF GOD.”
Don’t live like the world!
NO MIDDLE GROUND
Either you are on the Lord’s side or not. You CANNOT be friends with the sinful world and God at the same time. This is what the Bible teaches. The Bible states (James 4:4) that to be a friend of the world is to be God’s enemy.
If we believe in the True God, Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior – then we must devote ourselves entirely to Him.
THE LORD’S SIDE (CONT)
How can we DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE ON SIDE?
We must be bold adherents and brave proclaimers… to swim against the tide of public opinion, to speak unpopular truth, to declare that which God has taught you, even though nobody else believes it, being willing to stand against the whole world for God, as necessary…
A MINORITY
If you are on “the Lord’s side”, be willing to be in a minority. Be followers of the early Christians; run not with the multitude to do evil; rather CHOOSE THE NARROW WAY that leads unto life, though few there be that find it.
From the days of Noah, the followers of the Lord have usually been in the minority. The sons of Levi were in a minority, in comparison with the great host of idolaters in the camp of Israel, yet they came out boldly for the Lord.
UNITE WITH CHRISTIANS
Moses cried, “Who is on the Lord’s side? …let him come (gather) unto me.” If you are a Christian, you should unite with other Christians… rally with the hosts of God in the great battle against wrong. Continue to gather together to encourage one another and build one another up in faith.
RESIST THE DEVIL
Make no wicked league or truce, for we are to resist the devil. As Peter writes, “whom RESIST steadfast in the faith.” (I Peter 5:9) We are not called to appeasement or compromise with the enemy – we are called to overcome him!
BE AGRESSIVE – be bold witnesses
The sons of Levi had to smite the adversaries of God, and at certain times & under the Lord’s direction so must you do, who are on “the Lord’s side.”
Attack the foe (enemy) on all sides. Speak to your friends about Christ! So live that they will see Christ’s life reproduced in you, at least in a measure! Those you work or live with — your companions… tell them all about Jesus Christ, & how they can BE SAVED!
If we are a church that is fully awakened, and zealous for Christ and his truth, we should expect persecution. Those that will live godly in Christ will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
SHARE WITH EXCITEMENT
The early Christian church was very enthusiastic; they went everywhere preaching the Word.
OBEDIENCE
They who are on “the Lord’s side” must do as they are bidden. They must be prepared to obey all Christ’s commands. When we are converted to Christ, we lay down this rule for myself, “Whatever the Lord teaches me, in his Word, I will follow… No longer does our life center selfishly in ourself – now we live to do the Lord’s will, not our own. When we love Jesus, we are willing to keep HIs commands (John 14:15,21)
FAITH
This is where, “the Lord’s side” begins, — Belief in God against Atheism and other forms of unbelief. (Hebrews 11:6)
Believers are on the opposite side of unbelief & atheism.
FRUIT / WORKS IS SHOWN IN SO MANY WAYS
If we are truly on the Lord’s side, there will be much proof that is seen in our life. Jesus said, “by their fruit you shall know them” the true vs the evil ones – (Matthew 7:15-17)
To fear him, to reverence him, to trust him, to love him, to serve him, to worship him — that is being on “the Lord’s side.”
The following things are good fruit “proof” of a life being lived “on the Lord’s side”: by good decisions; a good lifestyle; our true worship & whole-hearted love for God; holiness; separation from the world; Faith, belief, trust; being strong in the Lord & courageous; by overcoming sin and temptation; walking in the light; a willingness to sacrifice & to live your life as a living sacrifice; by enduring hardness cheerfully, as to the Lord; by demonstrating devotion & commitment; living in the fear of God; being obedient; gathering together for fellowship with Christians; etc..
THE DEVIL’S SIDE (CONT)
Infidelity (lack of faith or belief) assumes many forms…
1) the DOUBT as to whether there is any God at all.
2) the DARING DEFIANCE of God, if there be a God.
3) or INDIFFERENCE, which utterly neglects God, not caring about Him either one way or another.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Are you a believer, a fearer, a truster, a lover, a worshiper of God; OR are you a neglecter, a rejecter, a hater of him?
Do you love sin, OR sound doctrine?
When people decide NOT to join the Lord’s side, the end result is destruction – it is the way of eternal death!
GOD’S WAYS
Isaiah 2:2-3 – Now it shall come to pass in the latter days… the Lord’s house
shall be established… all nations shall flow to it. He will teach us His ways,
and we shall walk in His paths.”
resist the devil
Resist the Devil & anything/everything that is from the Devil!
LET’S GET AGGRESSIVE AGAINST THE DEVIL! LET’S SUBMIT TO GOD! (James 4:7)
It is time to stop being stubborn, rebellious, &/or so independent that we can’t listen to God or anybody else…)
Let’s WAGE WAR FOR JESUS!
Let’s BE HIS WITNESSES!
IT’S TIME TO TAKE SIDES …
DON’T BE INDECISIVE!
Belief OR unbelief!
Holiness OR unholiness!
Righteousness OR unrighteousness!
Truth OR tradition!
Willingness to stand alone & be part of a minority OR go the way of the world!
DECISION NEEDED
Many want to just stay on the fence, so to speak. They don’t want to make a decision either for or against the Lord. THAT ISN’T POSSIBLE! According to what Jesus said. “If you are not for me – YOUR ARE against me. (Luke 11:23)
We must make a decision! Those who didn’t join the Lord when Moses called them – were killed. If we don’t join the Lord during our lifetime, we will experience eternal death.
MULTITUDES NEED TO SIDE WITH JESUS
Joel 3:14 – Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Let’s decide conclusively, and decisively that for the rest of our life we will live faithfully on the Lord’s side!
COMMITMENT
I hope & pray that all of us are willing to SAY, (confession with our mouth is very important – it activates faith, Romans 10:8-10) “I love my Savior, and I am willing to say ‘yes’, and confess that I am on ‘the Lord’s side. I have been far too long hesitating, and halting between two opinions; but I will not let another week go by without saying, as plainly as words can say it, ‘I have given myself to Christ.”
