THE SWAMP

Do you have the courage to fulfill your divine purpose?

We live in a place that huge majority of the population claims not to be Christian.  We are surrounded by people of all walks of life.  Some are considered good people, others are what we would consider bad people.  However, many of them  think  Christians are selfish, self centered, judgmental and unwilling to develop true friendships with them.  They think we think we are better than they are and they are actually afraid to walk through doors of a church because of past experiences they’ve had or fear of being rejected.  Why do you suppose that is?   I’ll tell you, because as an institution, that is how we are.   As an institution we tell them they are going to Hell, we tell our children that they cannot be friends with their children, we avoid the public school system because it’s evil.  We send a lot of messages telling them they are not good enough to associate with us.  Right or wrong, their perception of us is that we are high and mighty, think too much of ourselves, judge them for not being Christian and they think we are hypocrites.  And people who are not Christians don’t want to feel like a project, they don’t want to be told they are going to Hell, they don’t want to be made to feel inferior, they don’t want to hear one thing and see another thing.  But on many occasions, that’s exactly what happens.   It’s time that we as Christians embrace humbleness, we need to step off the pedestal and into the real world.  That doesn’t make us worldly, it means we need to learn to associate with worldly people.  We need to learn to embrace all people just as Jesus embraced them.  I’ll relate it to going into the swamp of life outside Christianity. Many of us have been protected most of our lives, we are comfortable where we live, work and play.  It’s easy to turn a blind eye to those people wallowing in the swamp because we can justify it a thousand ways.  However, that is not what we are called to do.  We need to get comfortable wading through the swamp and we need to establish relationships with “swamp” people.  In essence, we need to become part of the swamp, we need to embrace the swamp, we need to know how the swamp works and we need to be one with the swamp in a way that people learn who we are in Christ.  Let them see through our words and actions that their preconceived notions about Christians are wrong.  We need to let them see, by our words and actions, the power and freedom that knowing and accepting Jesus has to offer. They need to see the compassion of a God who wants their soul and wants to see them come home, they need to see the light of truth, love and victory.    They need to know there is hope and we can show that to them.  But we must go into the swamp to do so. That is what we are called to do.  We are called to spread the gospel to the whole world. And we each have our own gifts on how to do that, but we must not be afraid to enter the swamp and put our gifts to work.  

Are you willing to get your hands dirty to accomplish all  tasks at hand?  Are you willing to go into and live in the swamp and to build relationships in the swamp?  

How far would you go to rescue or at least feed a lost soul?  How far would you want someone else to go to rescue you or one of your loved ones?   We know how far Jesus went to rescue each of us.  Are you up to the task?   That’s a real question, that deserves a real answer. Because following Jesus is not for the faint of heart.   It’s a life of service, sacrifice, persecution and  constant attacks that require diligence, a relationship with God the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  It takes courage and a willingness to love where love is not deserved.  Becoming a Christian is more than getting your ticket punched at Heaven’s gate.  It’s a life of service and self sacrifice to help bring life to places where death reigns.  

What did Jesus do?  Let me remind you:

1. He went against religion 

2. Befriended prostitutes

3. Befriended tax collectors

4. 40 days being tempted

5. Courageously made his point clear

6. Drove out demons

7. Healed people

8. Taught people 

9. Set the example for us all to follow 

10. Stood up to the Pharisees

11. Fulfilled the law

12. Commanded us to love one another 

13. Gave his life so that we may live

14. He came to testify to the truth

Note: You must be willing to say yes!  Lives depend on you wether you know it or not 

Promises made by Jesus/God

We have been promised over and over in the Bible that God is with us, that we are His Children, that we are set apart and we are protected.  

John 14:12 

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Joshua 1:5

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

If the Bible is God’s word and I believe that it is, then what do we have to fear?  The answer is:  absolutely nothing!

You must be willing to enter into the swamp.  Where is the swamp?  Any place where there is Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. These are all overt and easy to recognize but the swamp is not necessary as overt as these things, it could simply be a person you meet that doesn’t know the truth about Jesus. The swamp is all around us.  It’s overt and it’s covert.  It might be your neighbor, it might be the corner bar, it’s definitely the local adult book store and the local strip club. It’s the “sub culture” that deals in drugs and prostitution.  It could be a dark dingy place where souls are swallowed up because of a multitude of  reasons.  Or it could be the local coffee shop. It’s any place that Satan has a foothold and doesn’t want to let go.  We must not be afraid to go into the swamp!  JAMES 2:14-26 faith without works is dead.

But, as a whole we are afraid!  So, why are we afraid to go into the swamp?

1.  Because of the Appearance of evil.  We are afraid of what somebody may think so we avoid the swamp. We give authority over to man even when God is directing our path.  Remember, you belong to God, He is your King, your direction comes from Him. Psalms 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Your direction comes from God, listen to the Holy Spirit and not to the nay sayers.  

2. Because it is a scary dark place.    Bad things happen in the swamp. Dark evil things are in the swamp.  But, we must have courage to enter the swamp. Psalms 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. And Matthew 5:16. Let your light shine. 

3. Because we may be tempted in the swamp.  We are strong in the Lord, we have a mission and we are told we will not be tempted beyond what we can handle.  Jesus has gone before you, He is our strength and source of power.  Galatians 5:25. Live and walk by the spirit 

4. Because our church family is comfortable living their happy little lives and don’t want get “dirty” by going into the swamp.    We have become complacent in our daily lives.   We have it good.  We have a good family, a good home, a good job, a nice car, nice toys, why would we venture into a place like the swamp?  It’s evil, has evil things and by god, we are not going to go out of our way just to get dirty in the swamp.  Song: onward Christian Soldiers 

5. It takes time and energy to be in the swamp.   To cultivate a true relationship means that we must put forth an effort to get to know somebody and give them time to get to know us.   It takes us out of our comfort zone.  

However, God is with us and there is no reason to fear and He has prepared us for this duty!

1. As Christians we are warriors. Ephesians 6:10-18. Don your armor and be the warrior God intended you to be. If we don’t go into the swamp, who will?  Our children, our grandchildren, our nieces and nephews will go into the swamp to be swallowed up by what’s in the swamp.  We are  commanded to go into the swamp.  Love your enemy, go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  

2. Self control: we all have weaknesses and we all have strengths, but God has given us a spirit that allows us to go into the swamp unscathed.  1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 

3. No fear:  2 Timothy 1:7  the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

4. We are commanded to love one another:  John 13:34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 1 Peter 4:8 Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins

We must go into the swamp as a church body.  There is strength in numbers.  We are not an army of one!

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:4

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.  We function as a team.  We all have our calling and together we are stronger than we are apart.  

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

You must have faith that the Lord goes before you.  And, you will be protected 

We are told over and over in the Bible that God is with and will protect us.  

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Samuel 22:3-4

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. 4 “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.

If you don’t go into the swamp then who will? 

1. Our sons and daughters, our nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones will go into the swamp not to fight it but to take part in the evils of the swamp.  And they will be overtaken in the swamp.  We must intervene, we must set the example, it’s our duty and we should not shirk it off for the next guy to take care of.  By the way, who is the next guy?   One thing I do know, is that Satan doesn’t take time off. 

It is our duty, calling and command to go into the swamp.  And God has prepared us to thrive and prevail in the swamp:

Acts 1:8

“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, 

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?”

Ephesians 6:10-18

The Armor of God

Through Gods grace and mercy we have been sanctified, (set apart or declared as holy) We are sons and daughters of the most high, it is Him who we represent, it is his light that we shine, it is His power and authority that we wield, through Him all things are possible.  

Matthew 19:26

He goes before us and no matter what, we win.  To live is Christ to die is gain.  Philippians 1:21 Either way we win and we have no reason to fear. 

1. We have been prepared:  1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

2. We are sanctified:  2 Timothy 2:21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work

3. We are protected:   2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

4. We are adopted: 2 Corinthians 6:18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

5. We belong to the King of Kings:  Revelation 19:16

6. We operate under His authority: Luke 10-19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

7. We are commanded to love one another:  Luke 6:27-31 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

8. We are commanded to spread the word to the ends of the earth. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'”

9. We answer to God:  James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

10. We have power and authority over evil. 

11. We have a light that exposes darkness:  Ephesians 5:13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible--and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

12. Those who are lost are looking for what we have whether they realize it or not. 

13. It’s our responsibility to go into the swamp to rescue those who are drowning, regardless of what those around us may say or think

14. Our calling comes from God Himself not any man

15. Man cannot condemn us or judge us

16. We are righteous in the eyes of the Lord.  Philippians 3:9

What are the benefits of going into the swamp?  

1. We establish relationships with “swamp people”. They get to see the light of the Lord. 

2. We share the love of the Lord in a place where there is no love. 

3. We help “swamp” people realize the truth and help them escape the swamp.

4.  We shine the light of the Lord into the dark recesses of the swamp. 

5. People will realize that they need the light, the truth, simply put, Jesus

6. True relationships will blossom.  Gives us more understanding about the swamp.  Knowledge is power!

7. Swamp people will change their perception of Christians 

8. Lost souls will be saved

The swamp should be our comfort zone, it should be our way of life. It’s our duty and calling to spread the gospel to the whole earth.  There is no place off limits, there is no place that is too dirty for God to be, there is no place restricted from hearing and seeing the power of Jesus.  

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything you have done for us.  Thank you for your grace and mercy and for loving us while we were yet sinners.   Thank you for your pain and suffering and for taking our sins for us.  Thank you for allowing us to be sons and daughters and for choosing us to be in your court.  Lord, as we come to you today I ask that each of us realize our role that you have set before us, that we each have the courage to follow that path and that we are each willing to serve others so that they may see you through us. Please open our eyes to the things around us that need our attention and involvement so that we may take the necessary steps to establish healthy relationships with people who do not know you.  I ask this in your precious name Jesus.   Amen