1. Introduction
   1. In anything we do in life, there comes a point when we must stand on the principles for whatever we do in life.
   2. If you have no principles, if you can’t take a stand, everyone takes a stand for you. Then your words are no longer valid. They’re like gongs & tinkling symbols in one’s ear.
   3. I personally have always taken a stand. What that means is that I’ve learned certain values, certain words or phrases that I saw that have helped me throughout the years that I’ve lived.
   4. If you can’t take a stand, you’ll be run over like a freight train and always subjecting yourself to someone else’s thinking.
   5. In other words, you’ll always just be a follower. In relation to God’s Word, taking a stand is very important, especially for his word though it doesn’t need any leaning post.
   6. There are many values that we must stand by. For example, you must stand for the inerrant word of God.
   7. There’s only one faith, one God, and one baptism. There aren’t 486 versions of God’s Word.
   8. The King James bible is the most reliable source and concrete evidence historically, factually, spiritually and doctrinally. If you don’t have one, you need to pick up one!
   9. We are living in a day today when standing on God’s Word is so important. Only about 2.5% of the Christian population reads and studies God’s Word and understand it.
   10. Most are just going through the motions. When you take a stand for God’s Word and correct people with God’s Word, they become very angry and combative, because most want to live according to their ways, not God’s Way.
   11. It’s not enough just to believe in God. The devil believes in God. James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
   12. If the world is going to see a difference between itself and the Christian, there must be fruit to bear. Otherwise, we’re no different than they are.
   13. The bible tells us in2nd Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
   14. The bible goes on to tell us inMatthew 7:16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
   15. Lastly, the bible tells us in 2^nd Timothy 2:15:Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
   16. We’re living in what is called the Laodicean Church Age. (Revelation 3:14-20). The last and final blast before the return of our Lord.
   17. As Christians, we must take a stand. We must stand firm on God’s Word. We can’t be subject to the world’s thinking.
   18. We must listen carefully for God’s Thinking, for the bible says in1st Corinthians 2:16: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
   19. Suit up Christians!Ephesians 6:13-14: Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
   20. Christians, be courageous! Be faithful! Be consistent men and women of valor. Take your rightful place.
   21. Proclaim your stand and stand firm for your reward in heaven according to the bible will be great.Matthew 5:12: Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
   22. Christians take your rightful position and stand on the firm foundation of God’s Word. God is depending on you to bring a solid message to a lost and dying world. Let’s shout it out with a loud amen!
   23. Now let us look into our message, standing firm when all seems to be against you.

 

2. Where are you today in relation to the introduction? Are you standing on God’s firm foundation?
   1. Are you standing on the firm foundation? That firm foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 28:16: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Is your life built on the firm foundation. Can you sing the song “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand”?

 

3. Do you study God’s Word or carry a sword with a very dull point?
   1. If you are studying God’s Word and living by it, you have a sharp double edged sword. Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. When you don’t study the bible, and just listen to what people say about the bible, then your sword becomes dull and ineffective.

 

4. Are you leading your everyday life by the conversation of Christ?
   1. Is every conversation truly the conversation of Christ? Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Everything that we discuss should reflect the nature of who Christ is. Every word should be full of His Love, Grace, and Truth.
   2. God doesn’t want to be left out of any area of your life. 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. This is why we open the door & let Jesus in at every service. You should do this at home, work, and everywhere you go.
   3. Living by the conversation of Christ starts with the things you think about. Philippians 4:8: 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. This also applies to what you read, what you listen to for music, and what you watch on TV. It might be time to turn off the movies and rock music and turn on the word of God and worship!

 

5. Are you living every day to please God?
   1. It is important to remember that the first ingredient you need in order to please God is faith. Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. It takes faith to accept Christ, and it takes faith to live a life pleasing to Christ.
   2. Are you living your life as a living sacrifice, and being separate from the world? Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. If you are living this way, you are living a life that is pleasing to God.

 

6. Do Christians know one another by the fruit that you bear?
   1. As we saw earler, Jesus said we would know our brothers and sisters by the fruit they bear. Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. You can usually determine a true brother and sister in Christ by looking at their lifestyle.
   2. Jesus goes on to qualify this further in Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. The thing that will make your life stand out from the world is if you are endeavoring to do God’s Will every day.
   3. The ones that are not truly bearing fruit but are just going through the motions, are the ones Jesus refers to here. Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Let’s be fruit-bearers, living everyday to serve God and do His Will. Amen?
7. Can the world see a difference in you or are you just the same, having the same thinking and mindset?
   1. We looked at this verse earlier, but it bears reviewing again, because when we choose to think on the right things, the more we will have a different mindset from the world. Philippians 4:8: 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. There is an old saying, garbage in, garbage out. What are you taking into your mind? You can only put out what you put in. If you are thinking on the kinds of things in this scripture, our mindset and way of living will reflect outwardly the mind of Christ.
   2. Another way that people will see a difference is if you are saturating your mind with God’s word. Psalm 119:9-11: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Now that’s a good 9-1-1 call that will rescue you from the ways of the world, and keep you on the straight and narrow way of God’s Word.

 

8. When you come to church, are you prayed up? When you leave the church are you filled up? Do you take the message and do something with it, or has it fallen on deaf ears? Think about it.
   1. As I’ve often said, don’t come to church to get prayed for. Come prayed up so you can pray for someone else. James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. You want to come in with a heart ready to bless someone else, and in the process you will be blessed.
   2. When you leave church, are you filled up from the worship music and the Word? Colossians 1:9: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; There’s an old chorus that says “You won’t leave here like you came in Jesus’ Name.” The Word of God, worship, and the fellowship should fill you up and get you fired up and ready to win the world for Christ.
9. In the bible there were many men who took a stand for the Gospel. They weren’t popular and eventually martyred.
   1. John the Baptist was in prison, and had boldly told the king that he should not be with Herodias. He took a bold stand for God and paid with his life. Mark 6:25: And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. The king did what she requested and John went home to be with the Lord.
   2. We just read about Stephen in our Thursday night study of Acts. He had just preached a message showing that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and blaming his audience for His Crucifixion. Acts 7:57-58: Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. Stephen also took a bold stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ and was faithful to the end.

1. James the son of Zebedee was executed by the sword for his stand for Jesus Christ. Acts 12:1-2: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. The Jews were happy about this, so Herod was emboldened, and decided to try for Peter next.

 

10. Who in the bible were overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb?
    1. In our study of the Book of Revelation, we saw 4 accounts of the tribulation period, and all that the people left behind would experience. Take a look at Revelation 12:10-11: And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. You and I also can overcome all that the devil throws at us, and our testimony will help others.
    2. You and I are overcomers of the power of sin and death by the Blood of the Lamb. 1st Peter 1:18-19: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: We are purchased, redeemed, and protected by the Blood of the Lamb if we have given our hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

11. Who in the bible stood firm on God’s word?
    1. Abraham left everything he knew at the age of 40 to go to an unknown land based on the Word of God. Genesis 12:1-2: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Abraham stood on God’s Word, was obedient, and became the father of many nations.
    2. Jesus met a Roman Centurion that had more faith in God’s Word than anyone else in Israel. Matthew 8:7-8: And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

The Centurion knew that the Word of God is powerful and stood on the Word of God for his servant’s healing. Are you standing on God’s Word for your healing or miracle?

 

12. The greatest man that ever came to earth to seek and save that which is lost faced the greatest amount of pain and suffering, more than Job ever endured. Here is an account of the pain and suffering.
    1. First, he had poured His Life into His 12 Disciples for 3 years, and at a time when He needed them to be praying for Him, they slept. Matthew 26:41-43: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. This happened 3 times just before Jesus was betrayed.
    2. Jesus is then arrested and led away, and at the same time, sees one of his closest friends deny Him. Matthew 26:73-74: And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Then Peter came to his senses, and realized that he had done exactly what Jesus said he would do. He later repented and was restored.
    3. Jesus sees a crowd of his own people that he came to save calling for his crucifixion. Matthew 27:22-23: Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. These are basically Jesus’s relatives all coming against Him.
    4. On the Cross, Jesus bore the weight of the world’s sin upon Him, and at this time He was separated from the Father for the first time ever. Matthew 27:45-46: Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? As Krys said on Thursday night, every evil deed from the past, present and future was all put upon Jesus in that one moment of time. He did it for you, my friend, and he did it for me. Let’s stand firm on His Word and serve Him out of love and gratitude for what He went through.
13. When you know a brother or sister is in sin, do you tell them their fault? Or are you afraid of what they may think of you?
    1. Paul gives us instructions concerning this in Galatians. First let’s look at Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. The goal is always to build up and restore, not to tear down. That is the only reason that we should point out someone’s faults.
    2. We are always to look on the things of others more than ourselves. This includes bearing one another’s burdens. Trying to help that person that’s struggling with sin. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Along with pointing out their sin, you might offer a solution or help them in some other way.
    3. Remember that if you are pointing out someone else’s sin in hopes of making yourself look good, you’ve deceived yourself. Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Any correcting of sin should always be done to build up and encourage, not make ourselves look good.

14. Conclusion
    1. Where are you in light of this message?
    2. If you’re not taking a stand, can you see why you need to?
    3. What sacrifice are you making to see people come to the saving knowledge of Christ? Are you winning souls?Yes or no?