In John 18 (also Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22) we are told of Jesus’ arrest. During this incident one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter to be exact, drew his sword and lopped off the right ear of the high priest’s servant. The high priest was Caiaphas and the servant here is a man named Malchus. After Jesus healed Malchus he was arrested and taken first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. (By the way, this is the last physical healing Jesus performed.)

If you recall, Peter had previously said that very evening in the upper room that he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus responded by informing Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crows.

Now after that conversation with Jesus, here in the garden is Peter carrying a sword. Why?

From studying the history of those days, and it would be applicable to us also; the roads they traveled were dangerous. He, and perhaps others in the group, carried a weapon for self-defense. Jesus never contested their doing so. The disciples and anyone else who carried a weapon for self-defense were not “living by the sword.” They were not trouble-makers. They simply meant to protect themselves and their loved ones. But this really isn’t my point.

We know that after Jesus was arrested, Peter vehemently denied even knowing Jesus. The same man who took a slice at the high priest’ servant is now cowardly hiding in the shadows, afraid to even admit knowing Jesus. What happened between these two events? I’m not sure, and I don’t think any of us can offer much more than a guess.

My guess is: Peter reacted in the heat of the moment. Even though there were, under these circumstances, 200-600 Roman soldiers in addition to the temple police, Peter’s adrenalin level was still way up there in declaring earlier that he would lay down his life for Jesus. After Jesus calmed everyone down, reality set in, and Peter probably broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, “Am I suicidal?!”

This being said, what does all this have to do with, “Don’t take a knife to a gunfight?” Thanks for asking. I would like to point out two things for us to think about.

First of all the very heart of the Gospel is starting at this point in history to be played out before the eyes of those present.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, (1) died for us, (2) was buried, and (3) rose again the third day that those who believe in Him might have eternal life.

This event that Peter and the others were witnessing wasn’t as much about soldiers, police, and witnesses as it was about a battle between good and evil. There was much more going on here than what one could see with the naked eye. The forces of Satan were prepping for a victory, so they thought, by finally killing the Son of God and ruining God’s plan for salvation for mankind. The clock had started ticking on their anticipated and joyful success.

Peter’s short bladed Roman sword was no match for the forces of Satan. If Jesus had not stepped in, Peter and the other disciples would have also been arrested and perhaps crucified along with Jesus.

I find it odd that Satan didn’t make a better effort in attempting this. I think his reasoning was that it wasn’t necessary. He would kill Jesus and that would be the end of it. Little did he know that an empty grave would change everything.

Also, keep in mind that when Jesus said, “I am He,” his accusers “drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:6 NIV) Jesus may have been starting His journey to the cross, but He was still God and He was definitely the one in charge, not Satan. Satan may have thought he had the advantage since he had the “big guns” (Roman soldiers, temple police) so to speak, but all Jesus needed was the Word of His mouth.

So His disciples were released to fight another day when they would be empowered with, not a Roman sword, but the Sword of God. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit would very soon begin His Church through their message about the Son of God.

The second point I would like to make is that sometimes we are guilty of bullying the Gospel upon others. It is essential that we speak the Truth, all the Truth, but it is not necessary to beat people over the head with the Gospel.

Sometimes we think we must talk the person into being a Christian. We have to be more eloquent and knowledgeable than they. However, more often than not, we’re just taking a knife to a gunfight. Besides, it isn’t our responsibility to “talk them into” being a Christian. We couldn’t anyway. Only God can move a person’s heart. Only God can draw them to Him. We are not God. We are messengers, and our message is Jesus Christ.

We have no power of ourselves. Our power source is the Holy Spirit who resides within each and every Christian.

The Holy Spirit of God is our teacher and our guide. As we grow in Jesus, the Spirit of God will help us to grow in love and share the love of Christ with others.

Notice that I mentioned “love” before “share.” Our love will never be fully matured on this earth, but without love we best keep our mouth shut. The Apostle Paul said,

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV)

When speaking to others about Jesus, we bring a knife to a gunfight if we depend on our abilities. On the other hand, if we allow prayer and the Holy Spirit within us to be our own strength, Satan is disarmed. Satan is no match for the Word of God.

We can never outsmart Satan, but neither can Satan ever outsmart God. We can never overpower Satan, but Satan is a weakling before God. Doesn’t it make sense then for those of us saved by the blood of Jesus Christ to submit totally to our Father’s will and let Him do the fighting?

If we’re going to meet Satan at the OK Corral our only defense is God’s offense. Our strength is in our Holy God, not us. Therefore we should depend on Him. Prayer and the Bible allow the Holy Spirit to work within us to accomplish God’s purpose for us. His will, not ours gives us the ultimate weapon against the forces of evil.

Grant Phillips

“They talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.” That is a good way to say, “They’re just giving lip service.”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “lip service” as: support for someone or something that is expressed by someone in words but that is not shown in that person’s actions.

God puts it like this: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13a)

He goes on to say, “Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me?” Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing?” (Isaiah 29:13b-16)

There is an old saying, “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch.” That can be seen en masse today. Even those who say they are Christians are giving only lip service to God. The world apart from God has gone to hell in a hand basket, and many in the churches are standing in line with them.

Those who are truly of Christ should stand out like a sore thumb. It isn’t that they are better or more important, but only because when we follow Jesus, we travel a different road.

Most people today don’t want to stand out. They want to blend in. They want to be part of the “in-crowd.” They want to be politically correct. They want to be liked by everyone. We have become so politically correct, we are spiritually worthless. Another saying is, “They could gag a maggot.” I think Jesus had that in mind in Revelation 3:16 when speaking to the church of Laodicea.

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (NJKV)

How’s that for a vivid mental picture? God does not mince words, even when it isn’t politically correct. He just tells the Truth.

It is almost impossible to find a body of believers today who are actually serious about what a church body should be, as defined by the Bible. Most of it is man-made hoopla.

When speaking to Israel God had this to say about their “church” services:

“I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.” (Amos 5:2 NLT)

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.” (Amos 5:2 NIV)

I wonder if He is saying the same thing to most of today’s churches when they all gather on Sunday for their self-promotion, rah-rah activities.

Look, as Christians, there isn’t one of us who doesn’t have room for improvement in our Christian lives when it comes to serving Jesus Christ as He means for us to, and makes so plain in His Word the Bible. I know that. That isn’t the problem. The problem is the vast majority of so-called Christians who make up various church groups who don’t know this and could care less as long as their little world is running smoothly.

Is our Lord’s church in trouble? No, not His true followers. They are sprinkled here and there in various church groups and will stand firm until the Rapture when they are called home. However, the secular church, Laodicea, is leading millions away from God to judgment.

I know in my heart that Jesus is returning soon to retrieve His Church in what the Bible calls the Rapture. I don’t know when and I may or may not even be alive at that time, but it can’t be much longer now. How many of us are looking for Him? Just from listening to people, I feel that many true Christians are eagerly anticipating Jesus return.

The problem arises when that is compared as a percentage of the whole. What is the percentage? I don’t know, but I’m sure the Lord knows. However, I don’t think it takes a mental heavy-weight to conclude that the vast majority of the “church” is not looking for Christ’s return, and don’t give it much thought anyway. These same ones would probably rather He wait, not so more people may be saved, but so they can enjoy their little world that much longer. “Good grief, at least wait until after my vacation Lord.”

Lip Service: You are running for office. I listen to what you have to say and accept one of your cards. I tell you how impressed I am with your stand on the issues, and I’m behind you all the way. Election Day comes and goes. I keep my word and do not vote for your opponent. Unfortunately, I don’t vote for you either, since I didn’t bother to vote anyway.

This is exactly what many are doing with Christ. They praise Him with their lips, and it stops there.

May I provide another example? Thank you: Our group had a special memorial gathering to honor you and your work. We really had a great time. We laughed; cried, shouted, heard a bunch of interesting stories and the singing was fantastic. I’m sorry it wasn’t exactly what you had in mind and we kind of forgot you, but at least we had a good time. Well anyway, we’ve got to run. Have to beat the lunch crowd. We’ll catch you next week though. Have a good one!

This is just about all Jesus Christ, the Savior, gets on Sundays anymore; a little rah-rah gathering once a week and off we go back to our little worlds.

I’ve always wondered if Jesus will return for His church on a Sunday morning while all the churches are gathered together. I guess you know what I’m going to say next. Yep, how many will still be sitting in the pews after the true church is gone in that twinkling of an eye?

There is too much lip service today toward our Creator God. We each, who claim Jesus as our Savior and Lord, need to do a punch list of our lives. We cannot do this for anyone else, and no one else can do this for us. This is solely solo. Are we a “lip service” candidate? We must know now, and we must correct it, if need be. If I need a Savior, He will be my Savior if I ask Him. If I haven’t been serving my Savior as Lord, I need to change that right now. No more lip service.

Jesus is coming soon, and thousands upon thousands of people are going to be horrified because they have been misled by the evil one.

In this country, generally speaking, life is easy, and it is so easy to give lip service to God and go our way. However, when the true Church is gone in the Rapture, hell will be unleashed upon this world and that includes the United States of America. Life will not be easy. It will be the most horrific time this world has ever seen. It will hit every single individual, none excluded. A stand for Jesus during that time will probably cost you your life. The “lip service” days will be over.

While there is still time, and while it is still so easy, put your faith in Jesus now to be your Savior and Lord. Stand for Him, unashamedly. He is coming back.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16 NIV)

Grant Phillips