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Newsletter 235 May 1998

HINDER Satan enjoys hindering the good news of the gospel. He also likes to hinder those that help to spread the good news. That is you that sow the seeds of God's Word. If you allow Satan to hinder your family, he will gladly do that as well. The Greek word from which our word "hindered" is translated is "egkopto" (engkop'-to). It means to detain or impede. It has also been translated into English as "to be tedious unto". I like to call this nit-picking. There are those that are so tedious in their "holy walk" that they actually hinder work being accomplished. Be careful. Satan works in many ways, and usually, the nit-picker is well intentioned and has no idea Satan is utilizing him to hinder God's work. Let's begin our study with Paul teaching us how to recognize those that would hinder the gospel. 1 Thessalonians
2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. God does the calling. This is important for you to remember as you plant seeds. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews: The Kenites have slipped in with our brother Judah and claim to be of Judah. Paul will warn us that the Kenites are good at hindering God's work being accomplished. 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. The subject of both I and II Thessalonians is the return of Christ. The cup of God's wrath will be poured out when Christ returns. 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. Satan detained or impeded Paul. 2:19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 2:20

For ye are our glory and joy. The fruit that your seed planting brings forth is your crown. Satan will do anything in his power to hinder that fruit from being produced. Use the power Christ gave you over all your enemies, and order Satan out of your life. Don't be hindered. We are going to take a look at how Satan hindered Paul. Acts 24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. Tertullus was a lawyer. He was being utilized by Satan to hinder Paul. Ananias was a high priest appointed by a Roman governor, not by God. 24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 24:3 We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Tertullus is "buttering up" the governor. You can be certain the governor thought Tertullus was a very good judge of character. 24:4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 24:5 For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Paul is accused of being a cult leader. Many consider those that teach the truth of God's Word a cult today. 24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands, The accusations were outright lies. God always provides for those that serve Him. Lysias took Paul from them, before they could harm him. 24:8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 24:9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. It is looking bad for Paul. 24:10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Paul was a pretty good lawyer. He was confident in his ability to defend himself. 24:11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 24:12

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Paul had only been there twelve days and was under the vows of a Nazerite. He couldn't have done the things he was accused of without breaking his vows. 24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: The way they called heresy was the way of Jesus Christ. Paul believed and worshipped in the way. 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Paul would often use the resurrection issue to divide the Pharisees and Sadducees. You see, the Pharasees believed in life after the flesh and the Sadducees didn't. They started fighting among themselves while the Romans whisked Paul away. He is about to do it again. 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men. 24:17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 24:18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

The Kenites found Paul in the temple under the vows of a Nazerite causing no problems.
24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Where are their witnesses? Where is their proof? 24:20 Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 24:21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. There was only one reason Paul was standing there at this point. He was teaching the way of Jesus Christ. There is life after death of the flesh. 24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. Felix was knowledgeable about Christianity, and he knew Paul could not have done as accused under the vow of a Nazerite. The governor then put the accusers off, until he could hear what Lysais had to say. 24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. Paul was to be protected by his rights as a Roman citizen. Undoubtedly, Paul was also being protected by the hand of God. 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Felix wanted to know more about these teachings. 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Felix was almost converted. 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. The governor wanted a bribe to set Paul free. Satan utilized those practicing false religion to hinder Paul. We also saw the protecting hand of God over one that loved and served Him. Let's turn to II Corinthians as we continue our study. We are going to take a closer look at the parameters within which Satan must operate. II Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. If you ever want to get on God's bad side, handle His Word deceitfully. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4:4 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. The god, note the small "g", of this world is Satan. He has the power to influence the minds of people. When you are planting a seed in an unbeliever and you see the scales of Satan blinding them, take names and kick dragon. One of the most hurtful ways Satan hinders is through family. Let's turn to I Peter. I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Man and wife are one flesh. In the knowledge of God, they share equally in the inheritance of unmerited favor from God. But, if you allow Satan into your home, your prayers may be hindered. God will let Satan have his way with you and your family, just as He let Satan have his way with Job. Jesus Christ gave you authority over all of your enemies, including Satan. Exercise that authority! Don't allow Satan to hinder your relationship with God or your family. Don't allow him to hinder your efforts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In His Service, Arnold Murray The Shepherds Chapel P.O. Box 416 Gravette AR 72736 Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE Newsletter #235 May 1998

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