Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin
Pastor Teacher
Weekly Review
Dispensation of the Mosaic Law.
Doctrine of Idolatry.
Idolatry and the influence of the Phallic Cult.
100817
We have noted that our physical body should reflect the brand-marks of being a Christian, as the apostle Paul states in GAL 6:17 where he says, From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand‑marks of Jesus.
This means that the apostle Paul wore a badge that marked him out as being a true servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus. So, the “brand-marks” identified Paul as a slave of Christ, they were the marks of shame and reproach in the eyes of the world according to 1CO 4:1-14, Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.
For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards you as superior?
And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and I would indeed that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
This passage explains the marks on Paul’s body – the brand-marks of the Lord Jesus. Most of us want to be victorious Christians but and we seem to know little of “suffering for Christ’s sake.”
PHI 1:29, For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
1PE 2:21, For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
COL 1:24, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.
ACT 5:41, So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
The description of Paul’s suffering does not apply to us, he had a special and unique ministry, but there is a spiritual application which applies to all who name the name of Christ. Just as those physical marks branded Paul as one of Christ’s slaves, as His property, as His soldier and as His follower, so there should be upon us spiritual marks that brand us as belonging to Him.
What are these marks?
A Manifestation of fruit (GAL 5:22-23).
These are the marks of the Lord Jesus for He personified them all and as we are united with Him by faith, these marks will characterize our life also.
A spirit of meekness especially gentleness. GAL 6:1, Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness or; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
The “marks of Christ in our bodies” is also A willingness to share the burdens of others GAL 6:2, Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
A willingness to help support those who minister; GAL 6:6, And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
A life made up of doing good; GAL 6:10, So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
A complete separation from the world (GAL 6:12-13.
If the marks of the Lord Jesus are upon us we shall recognize that while we are in the world we are not of it, and we shall see to it that His prayer for us is fulfilled.
A glorying in the Cross; GAL 6:14, But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Point 5. Idolatry and the influence of the Phallic Cult, the question that arises is if the Phallic Cult is around today?
First of all, let me define the word cult for you from “Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Second Edition” = a cult means devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, or thing etc. Notice that a cult is described as devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, or thing etc.
As you can see, a cult is not necessarily devotion to a “god” as such, but it can also be devotion to an idea, especially one set up by the “god” of this world, Satan himself.
Now, you must remember that Satan knows the human race better than we do. And he knows that one of the most basic needs in the human race is the need to be loved, appreciated and wanted. Unfortunately, here is where the kingdom of darkness has done its best to deceive thousands of Christians.
Listen, if you are a normal member of the human race, you love to be loved, appreciated and wanted. And therefore, one of the main reasons why the Phallic cult is still around today, although it is not titled the Phallic cult, is because most individuals do not understand the difference between natural desires and lusts.
For example, in Eph 4:17-22, This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
Notice that phrase, the lusts of deceit. Paul is actually telling us about the influences that are impelling and driving and urging the old self in us toward destruction. And, he calls these influences “lusts”. What does lust mean?
Now, here is the subtlety and deception of Satan because the Greek word for lust is the noun epithumia, the word itself actually means a strong or an overpowering desire.
Now, you remember that our Lord said just before His death in LUK 22:15, “I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”
Notice that the word for “earnestly desired” is the same word that is used elsewhere for lust. It means a driving desire, whether good or bad. Let me give you some passages to prove what I mean.
MAT 5:28, But I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust [epithumia] for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
MAT 13:17, “For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired [epithumia] to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Notice that the same word is used, sometimes it’s good, sometimes it is not. Here’s the point, most of us do not have the ability or discernment to distinguish the difference between lusts and legitimate desires. And we get condemned at times because we cannot discern the difference between our legitimate desires and our lusts…because there is a fine line between them.
1CO 10:6, Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not lust [epithumia] for evil things, as they also lusted [epithumia].
1TI 3:1, It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to [epithumia] the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
JAM 4:2, You lust [epithumia] and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
Please notice that in these passages epithumia can mean lust or desire depending on not what it is directed towards but “how” it is directed toward those things.
And I am going to prove to you how the kingdom of darkness, with its tremendous organized plan, appeals to the needs of people to get them away from the PPOG for their life by making us question our faith because we have these legitimate desires that the world, or the cosmic system has perverted and distorted. And here is the truth – Those desires have been implanted within us by our God to give us enjoyment not condemnation.
When we think of lust I don’t think that we think of it as it is defined in the dictionary! It is true that lust can mean lasciviousness or an illicit, uncontrolled, overwhelming desire which originates from the old sin nature. However, the dictionary also defines lust also as a pleasure or delight. It can also mean an intense longing or craving for something! Now, today when we think of lust we always seem to associate it with something evil.
Lust by now has come to mean something almost entirely and exclusively bad, and there is a good reason for it…And that is that the overmastering and overpowering desires of most people are evil.
However, there is a difference between the legitimate desires and needs that a person has and the different lusts that are destroying many individuals inwardly.
For example, all of us have natural instincts!
Look at COL 3:5-8. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.