Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Aug 9th Asleep At The Switch

Passage – Isaiah 54 – 58

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. (Isaiah 56:10)

“Asleep at the switch” is an old expression that I have used since a child which, I believe, originated with the men who had the responsibility of switching the track that a train was traveling on. If the man was asleep at the switch the train would go down the wrong track and would crash head on with another train. God speaks hear of the prophets of Israel who were spiritually asleep at the switch. Though all of the warning signs were there, these “men of God” ignored them, and failed to warn the people of the judgment that was coming. Oh there were a few godly prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, but for the most part the watchmen were  asleep, and numb to the fact that the people of God were on the track heading for destruction.

As a dad and as a pastor, I am a watchman. God expects me to be looking out for the enemies that are always trying to slip through the fences in order to destroy the people that God has given me to protect. I must be alert for things that will cause the people I love to go down the wrong track. It may be a person; or it may be a false doctrine; it may be a worldly influence. The list is really endless; but my job is to watch, and then warn. How about your family, or your ministry. Is Satan having a field day sending in through your watch things or people that are going to harm. We need to be sober and vigilant don’t we. Let’s wake up, and stop ignoring all of the dangers that are creeping into our families and our churches.

Aug 8th Determination

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 49 – 53

The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:5-7)

The passage referenced above speaks of Christ, and what He endured when He went to the cross. Of course it is important to remember that Isaiah penned these words over 700 years before the time that Christ would suffer for our sins. When I read these verses I can’t help but be astonished at the determination of our Lord. Knowing full well what He would face, He determined to stay the course. He didn’t deviate to the right or to the left: He set [His] face like a flint. You could say that He was “bullheaded” when it came to the will of God.

I am embarrassed at how often I have wanted to quit the will of God. There have been many times that I have made decisions for the Lord; and then have turned back from fulfilling them. I am often only faithful to the will of God when the skies are clear and the weather is fair. I desire to be the type of person that first discovers what God wants from my life; and then determines to follow the course that God has charted, no matter what circumstances may arise. I have heard it said that every decision we make for the Lord will be tested. Now we need to be very careful about these decisions. Make sure that it is, in fact, God that is telling you to do it. Don’t get caught up with the emotional pressure that men can put on you; but once you know that it is God, obey Him and stay the course. Don’t quit when times get tough! It is my desire to pass the test; It is my desire to stick it out even when it makes no human sense to do so.

How about you? Have you gone back on anything that you determined at one time to be the will of God. The Bible tells us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29) God hasn’t changed His mind. Have you?

Aug 7th Custom Design

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 45 – 48

Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; (Isaiah 45:1)

For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (Isaiah 45:4)

I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 45:13)

The prophecies of God are amazing. Isaiah wrote this book about 750 BC, which was during the reign of the Assyrian Empire. We know from history that Assyria would be conquered by the Babylonians; and then later the Babylonians would be overtaken by the Medes and Persians. Cyrus, was a Persian king that was “raised up” by God to release the Hebrew captives and make a proclamation to re-build the temple in Jerusalem. The fascinating thing about this is that Isaiah was writing about Cyrus, by name, hundreds of years before he was born. Consider this verse referring to Jeremiah:

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

According to this verse and the verses from Isaiah, God knows us before we are even born, and ordains us for a specific purpose. Better than that though is the fact that God actually “forms” us for a specific purpose. God created Jeremiah to be a prophet. God created Cyrus to deliver the captives from Persia and to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. God created me to be the husband of Cindy Erickson; the father of my four children; and to be the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church. These are a partial list of what I was hand made and hand picked to do. God chose me before I was born to fulfill a purpose for Him.

God has chosen you for a purpose as well. He has created you and custom designed you to fulfill His will. What is that purpose? Have you discovered it yet? Max Lucado calls this purpose your “sweet spot”; it’s the thing that you were made for. God formed you, and ordained you; and He even knew your name before you were even born. Amazing! Happy people are the people who have found God’s will for their lives and are fulfilling it.

Aug 6th Sick and Tired

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 42 – 44

But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. (Isaiah 43:22)

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. (Isaiah 43:24)

I often use the phrase, “sick and tired”. I frequently say that I am sick and tired about this, or sick and tired about that. We read the phrase in Isaiah 43:22, “thou hast been weary of me”; and then again in v 24, “thou hast wearied me”. It sounds to me like the people were saying that they were sick and tired of God; and then God was saying that He was sick and tired of their sin.

This passage was written referring to Israel. I am not quite sure if in this particular reference the term Israel is used for just the northern kingdom, or if it refers corporately to the entire 12 tribes. At any case, the first several verses imply that God had an unconditional love for this people even though they had rebelled against Him over and over again in their history. There were times when they loved and served God; and then there were times when they were “sick and tired”.

Can you identify with the people of Israel? I know we don’t like to think that we could be rebellious like them; but did you ever get sick and tired of God? Did you ever get sick and tired of going to all of the services? Did you ever get sick and tired of all of the standards; etc. I have. But then I remember that though God gets sick and tired of my sin, He never gets sick and tired of me. I am reminded that God loves me unconditionally, and that causes me to be refreshed and revived in my love and devotion for Him.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Aug 5th Misunderstood

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 36 – 41

But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar? (Isaiah 36:7)

Through the years, I have preached many messages from this historical section of the Book of Isaiah. You have probably noticed that chapters 36 – 39 are very different from the rest of the book. This passage reads much like one of the historical books like the Kings or the Chronicles. At any rate, I got to thinking this morning about how this military leader from Assyria (Rabshakeh) completely misunderstood the belief system of the people of Judah. He mistakingly lumped all of the Jews together, comparing the worship of the southern kingdom (Judah) with that of the north (Israel). The northern kingdom of Israel had already been conquered by the Assyrians. However, the only reason that God had allowed this was because Israel had forsaken Him. This Assyrian general figured that since the God of Israel did not come to their rescue, neither will the God of Judah. Rabshakeh knew that the religion of Israel was ritualistic but it wasn’t real. His mistake was that he did not realize that the southern kingdom was still in a right relationship with their God. They were worshipping Him is Spirit and in truth; they were truly trusting in the Lord their God.

I find that the lost world around us, misunderstands us as well. The don’t understand what we really believe in. They often think that our salvation somehow comes through a system of rituals and works rather than through our faith in Christ. This is partially because they don’t have the Spirit of God in them to guide and teach them: the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. But, I think it is also the fault of believers. We often don’t express to the world around us the message of love and compassion that Christ offers freely to all who will receive Him.

The lost people whose lives intertwine with ours should see our separation, and they should hear about our doctrine at times; but more importantly, they should sense that we are a people who have a sincere love for God and a genuine love  and compassion for them. Our love should be the thing that stands out more than anything else. People are still going to misunderstand us, and, at times, misrepresent us; but perhaps if we could learn to let the love of Christ flow through us, we would be misunderstood less. And maybe we would be able to convince more of the people around us to trust Christ and join us in our love and devotion for the Saviour.

Aug 4th Streams in the Desert

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 31 – 35

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (Isaiah 35:2)

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:6)

In Lancaster, California on the campus of West Coast Baptist College near the Sisk Dormitory there is a fountain with Isaiah 35:6 inscribed on it. It sits there as a testimony to the goodness of blessing of God. 25 years ago in that same location there was nothing but desert. Some would have called it a “dust bowl” back then; but now it is a beautiful campus with beautiful green landscaping and gorgeous buildings. More importantly, it is a place where God’s Spirit is moving in a great way; and many people are being saved and trained to serve the Lord.

Isaiah 35 tells us about the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ where He will rule and reign on the earth. There will be a lot of changes during that time period; but it is safe to say that it will be a glorious time to live on the earth. The desert will literally blossom as the rose. Isaiah encourages the people of Israel often by reminding them of this future period of peace and prosperity. The saved of today will rule and reign with Christ during this time. What a wonderful God we serve!

We don’t have to wait until the Millennium to experience this bliss, however. We can have it right now. Jesus said:

…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

The life of the Christian who is yielded to the will of God, and filled with the Spirit of God is an oasis in the midst of a dry and barren land. Jesus said that He would fill those that are thirsting for Him. Perhaps the reason why so many of God’s people do not experience this type of spiritual refreshing is because they are hungering and thirsting after the things of this world rather than the things that are eternal. Christian, our lives ought to be overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit and the water of life. Perhaps if we were, we just might cause the arid world around us to be thirsty for God.

Aug 3rd Lovers of Pleasure

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 28 – 30

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (Isaiah 28:7)

Isaiah 28 is directed initially toward Ephraim which was one of the two half tribes of Joseph, part of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim is often used symbolically to refer to all of the northern kingdom of Israel in the Book of Isaiah. Remember, Isaiah is writing this book right around the time that the northern kingdom was being swallowed up into captivity by the Assyrians. There were many reasons for the downfall of Israel; but here in this chapter we see that they were a prosperous nation (vv 1, 4 – fat valley, referring to the fruitfulness of the land) that was consumed with pleasure. The irony of this whole thing is that God gave them this fruitful land and all of the prosperity that came with it. He also protected them for many years from the enemies around them, which also added to their prosperity. But prosperity will often cause a people to fall sooner than persecution will. In fact, persecution will often cause a nation to draw closer to God. The cycle goes like this: First God blesses His people; then the people in their abundance forget about their God; then God judges His people, removing some of the protection and prosperity; then the people turn back to God; and finally, God can begin to bless His people again.

The multiple references to drunkenness in this passage is not so much a condemnation for a person who is trapped by alcoholism as it is an observation of a nation that is consumed with pleasure. Pleasure seekers often turn to wine, strong drink; and, today, drugs in order to satisfy their lust for pleasure. A people in this condition will quickly fall away from God. This is sadly not just the testimony of the lost people; but is also the way that many Christians are going. It is now acceptable in many Christian circles to allow a little social drinking. The preachers may still preach against drunkenness, but they used to admonish their people to completely abstain from alcohol. We are gradually moving away from the sound principles of the Word of God.

Paul wrote abut this day that we are living in in 2 Timothy:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (1 Timothy 3:1 – 5)

We can’t do much about the condition of the world; and we most likely will not be able to stop the judgment that surely must be imminent in America; but we can make sure that we are not a part of the problem. We are Christians! We need to represent Christ to this dark world that we live in; and we aren’t supposed to live like they do. Abstain from the appearance of evil; be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be ye filled with the Spirit. These are God’s instructions to His ambassadors today. As this world around us begins to crumble as it did for Israel, we need to be strong and Spirit-filled so that we will be able to help the fallen find their way back to God.

Aug 2nd Peace

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 23 – 27

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.(Isaiah 26:3)

This is one of those passages of Scripture that has an immediate context involving the nation of Israel (or more specifically here, Judah); but it also contains a principle that can be universally applied to everyone that is trusting the Lord. Peace is something that the world is searching for, but can only be found through a deep, abiding faith in God. The peace that God gives to those that trust Him is the kind of peace that manifests itself at all times regardless of the outward circumstances. It’s the kind of inner tranquility that reminds us that no matter how badly the storm rages on the outside, we are going to be OK; because God has everything under His control. The christian today who has surrendered his life to God does not have to stress and worry about everything because he has full assurance that God is going to take care of him.

Consider some parallel passages in the Bible:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    (Philippians 4:7)

Notice here it says that God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds. God does not guarantee that there will not be an outward struggle against evil; but He does guarantee peace within your own mind. I find that most of my unrest is due to worry and stress in my mind. But when I am trusting in the Lord, He assures me and gives me peace.

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

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:13)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6)

Do you have peace today? Is your life filled with inner anxiety and possibly outward turmoil? God can remove all of that, if you will yield your life to Him. I don’t have to worry about anything, because my Heavenly Father already is.

Aug 1st A House Divided

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 18 – 22

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. (Isaiah 19:2)

And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3;25)

As we read through this portion of the Book of Isaiah, we see that God is pronouncing judgment on all of the nations that have been enemies to God and His people Israel. In chapter 19, we see that God is dealing specifically with the Egyptians. The Egyptians had been an enemy to the people of God throughout much of their history. Perhaps, they were not as bad as some; yet still God states here that some judgment is coming.

My thought for this morning surrounds verse 2. Part of the judgment that was going to come to Egypt was a battle from within its own borders; a fight among its own inhabitants; a civil war. Our nation faced this same type of conflict 150 years ago. It was perhaps the ugliest battle America would ever face: neighbor against neighbor; brother against brother. We found that it was impossible for the nation to move forward until its inner struggle was settled.

I have noticed that we oftentimes face a similar type of judgment in our families and in our church: a division on the inside; a battle, not with an invading army, but with an injured brother. When a church moves away from fighting the external battle against the world and the devil, it then begins to fight amongst itself. It seems that by nature we are fighters; and to some degree we ought to be. We ought to fight against the sin and darkness of this world; we ought to hate the devil; and we ought to be striving together in order to bring the gospel to the people around us. Oftentimes we forget who the real enemy is and we take up arms against each other. Satan is very wise and understands that if he can get us to destroy each other, he won’t have to destroy us himself.

The cure for this problem is simply to recognize the battle is not within, but without. When we get busy fighting for the Lord, we will not have time nor desire to fight each other.

Jul 31st Guest Post by Gary Geiger

Today’s Reading – Isaiah 13 – 17

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof,” saith the LORD God of Israel. (Isaiah 17:6)

Those two or three berries which cling to the uppermost bough could be compared to the Christian who lives his life through the eyes of the Lord always looking on things above.  Despite fierce shaking by the world his fruit has withstood the harvest of the world, yet he still is not convinced of the truth.

Those four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof could be compared to the Christian who has spent his entire life amongst the fruitful branches thereof.  He has clung onto the promises of God.  His bough has become a fruitful branch. He has remained because of his connections to the gods of this world.

Soon God will shake the olive tree one last time and even then gleaning grapes shall be left in it. He knows the hearts of his children, those that are not yet convinced and those that have a form of godliness.    Some say that this verse refers to the end of the ten battles by the Assyrians.  I have studied to the best of my ability the olive tree and I’m not convinced.  I love the unconditional love of God in this verse; God doesn’t wish that any should perish but that all shall come to repentance. I think God loves us so much that even after the rapture he has a plan for the gleaning grapes to offer one last opportunity to those young berries in the bough and to those in the fruitful branches.

I also did an exhaustive study of the Olive tree.  Read the verses, study and enjoy God’s word:
The Olive-tree

• Often grew wild. Romans 11:17

CULTIVATED

• In olive yards. 1 Samuel 8:14, Nehemiah 5:11

Among rocks. Deuteronomy 32:13

On the sides of mountains. Matthew 21:1

Canaan abounded in. Deuteronomy 6:1, Deuteronomy 8:8

• Assyria abounded in. 2 Kings 18:32

Kings of Israel largely cultivated. 1 Chronicles 27:28

DESCRIBED AS

• Green. Jeremiah 11:16

Fair and beautiful. Jeremiah 11:16, Hosea 14:6

Fat and unctuous. Judges 9:9, Romans 11:17

Bearing goodly fruit. Jeremiah 11:16, James 3:12

Grafting of, alluded to. Romans 11:24

Pruning of, alluded to. Romans 11:18-19

Often cast its flowers. Job 15:33

Often cast its fruit. Deuteronomy 28:40

Often suffered from caterpillars. Amos 4:9

Good for the service of God and man. Judges 9:9

Oil procured from. Exodus 27:20, Deuteronomy 8:8

USED FOR MAKING

• The cherubim in the temple. 1 Kings 6:23

The doors and posts of the temple. 1 Kings 6:31-33

Booths at feast of tabernacles. Nehemiah 8:15

Beaten to remove the fruit. Deuteronomy 24:20

Shaken when fully ripe. Isaiah 17:6

Gleaning of, left for the poor. Deuteronomy 24:20

Fruit of, during sabbatical year left for the poor, Exodus 23:11

• The fruit of, trodden in presses. Micah 6:15, Haggai 2:16

Failure of, a great calamity. Habakkuk 3:17-18

ILLUSTRATIVE

• Of Christ. Romans 11:17, Romans 11:24

Of the Jewish church. Jeremiah 11:16

Of the righteous. Psalms 52:8, Hosea 14:6

Of children of pious parents. Psalms 128:3

Of the two witnesses. Revelation 11:3-4

(When wild,) of the Gentiles. Romans 11:17, Romans 11:24

(Gleaning of,) of the remnant of grace.

Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

The emblem of peace. Genesis 8:11