Withstood Or Stood With

 

Withstood Or Stood With

Avoid The Crowd That Withstood Jesus

Join The Few That Stood With Jesus

     Which side are you on? Avoid the crowd that withstood Jesus and join the few that stood with Jesus. Jesus said at Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Either you are for Jesus or against Jesus; there is no middle ground. In other words people that remain lukewarm (not hot or cold) neutral, neither accepting or rejecting Jesus have rejected and withstood Jesus (Revelation 3:15-16). Right now get saved and receive peace and life while you join the few that stood with Jesus. Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again. 

     Our lives affect everyone around us. If we join the few that stood with Jesus, people everywhere will also decide to live for Jesus. But if we deny Jesus or remain neutral, enjoying the fading pleasures of this world, people around us will reject Jesus, experience trouble, and end up in hell. Remember Romans 14:7 says For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself. People watch us daily so remember that you might be the only example of Jesus to someone. Be a good example living holy each day for our Lord Jesus.  2 Corinthians 3:2 says Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men.  On the other hand, if you're going to hell rejecting Jesus, don't take everybody else with you.

     When somebody says I'm not going to get saved with Jesus; I'm not hurting anybody but myself; They don't realize that they're hurting their wife, kids, family, and all their friends. I've never met a person that regretted getting saved with Jesus. Jesus always makes a person better and blessed.

     The scriptures that mention the words "withstood" and "stood with" occur at 2 Timothy 4:14 that say Alexander the coppersmith did me (Paul) much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works. Of whom be thou ware also; for he has greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. According to these scriptures, we see that Alexander the coppersmith is forever remembered because he greatly withstood Paul. Many people say I wish I was mentioned in the bible; But you wouldn't want to be Alexander the coppersmith who was remembered only because he withstood Paul and Jesus.   

People In The Bible That Withstood The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Avoid This Crowd That Withstood Jesus

1) Lot's Family

     First let's look at people in the bible that withstood the preacher, God's Word, and Jesus. Lot's family withstood Lot, God's Word, and Jesus. Two angels warned Lot that God was going to destroy Sodom because of sin; God told Lot to warn his family to leave Sodom and not look back. First when Lot warned his sons in law to leave before destruction, they withstood Lot and called him crazy. Genesis 19:14 says And Lot went out and spake unto his sons in law which married his daughters and said, Up, get you out of this place, for the Lord will destroy this city; But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. Notice what happened to people that withstood God like Lot's sons in law; When Sodom was destroyed, the sons in law died and were destroyed.

     Then Lot's wife disobeyed and withstood God's warning to not look back at Sodom. Genesis 19:26 says But his wife looked back from behind him (Lot) and she became a pillar of salt. Remember who is the only woman in the bible that is not named, wasn't buried, you can find her grave clothes in the grocery store (salt), and Jesus said remember her (Luke 17:32); The answer is Lot's wife.

     Finally, Lot's daughters withstood the Lord Jesus by committing incest with their father Lot to create the wicked Ammonites and Moabites. Genesis 19:34 says And it came to pass on the morrow that the firstborn said unto the younger; Behold I lay yesternight with my father; let us make him drink wine this night also and go thou in and lie with him that we may preserve seed of our father. Don't be like Lot's family; Instead choose Jesus and life; Avoid the crowd that withstood Jesus.

People In The Bible That Withstood The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Avoid This Crowd That Withstood Jesus

2) Elymas or Bar-jesus

     Next we see Elymas or Bar-jesus who withstood Paul, God's Word, and Jesus. Elymas the sorcerer withstood Paul and tried to stop the salvation of Sergius Paulus the deputy on the isle of Paphos. Elymas suffered and became blind because he withstood Paul and God's Word. But Sergius Paulus got blessed and saved because he stood with Paul. Take time to look at the anointed painting pictured above by Raphael that shows Paul pointing to blind Elymas while Sergius Paulus gets saved while sitting on his throne. 

     Acts 13:6 speaks about how Elymas withstood Paul while Sergius Paulus got saved. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus, which was with the deputy of the country Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; Who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the Word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 

     Acts 13:9 goes on to say Then Saul (who is also called Paul) filled with the Holy Ghost set his eyes on him.  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. 

     Don't be like Elymas who withstood Jesus and tried to stop the salvation of Sergius Paulus. Instead choose Jesus and life. Avoid the crowd that withstood Jesus and persecuted the preacher for witnessing salvation with Jesus. Unlike Elymas, rejoice when anyone gets saved for Jesus; Today Jehovah witnesses like Elymas try to prevent people from getting saved for Jesus. One time Brother Bob witnessed Jesus to a cashier at Boston Market restaurant and the cashier got gloriously saved. But a Jehovah witness got angry and told the cashier that Jesus was not God. I told that Jehovah witness too late, the cashier is saved forever with the Lord Jesus while I gave the cashier a KJV bible.  

People In The Bible That Withstood The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Avoid This Crowd That Withstood Jesus

3) Jannes And Jambres

     Next we see Jannes and Jambres (Pharoah's magicians) who withstood Moses, God's Word, and Jesus. Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses by imitating the plagues sent by God to Egypt. When Aaron's rod became a serpent before Pharoah, Jannes and Jambres' rods also became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up Jannes and Jambres' rods.  Jannes and Jambres could imitate plagues but could not remove plagues. Pharoah had to request from Moses that God remove any plague. But the Lord Jesus was greater than Jannes and Jambres who could not imitate the plague of lice. Finally Jannes whose name means vexation and Jambres whose name means a fake foamy healer admitted at Exodus 8:19 that the plagues were the finger of God. 2 Timothy 3:8 says Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith; But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. Don't be like Jannes and Jambres; Instead choose Jesus and life; Avoid the crowd that withstood Jesus. 

     Because Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses and the Lord Jesus, they died in the Red Sea for their rebellion. Take time to read the following three scriptures that tell us what happened to people that withstood the preacher, God's Word, and Jesus. 2 Chronicles 36:16 warns But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Proverbs 29:1 says He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy. Finally Psalm 105:15 says Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm. 

People In The Bible That Withstood The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Avoid This Crowd That Withstood Jesus

4) King Saul

     Next we see King Saul who withstood David, God's Word, and Jesus. One day King Saul withstood David and became jealous of David when he heard the women saying at 1 Samuel 18:7 Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth and the saying displeased him and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands and to me they have ascribed but thousands and what can he have more but the kingdom. And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And Saul went crazy and lost his mind for rebelling and trying to kill David which eventually led to Saul consulting a woman with familiar spirits causing his death. 

     When Saul withstood David, Saul withstood God because David was a man after God's own heart. Because of Saul's rebellion when he withstood David, God told Saul at 1 Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue; the Lord hath sought him a man after His own heart (David) and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. 

     Unlike Saul, don't be jealous of other preachers. If you don't have a kind word to say about a preacher remain silent. Just preach about Jesus and His Word in the pulpit and pray for all preachers. Remember if you say anything bad about fellow preachers, like Saul you'll go crazy, suffer trouble, and might even die. Usually when a preacher slanders another minister in the pulpit, the other minister usually never retaliates and probably is the blessed man of God. Remember woe unto you when all men speak well of you; But you are blessed when all men speak evil of you for Jesus and the gospel's sake. Don't be like King Saul. Instead choose Jesus and life. Avoid the crowd that withstood Jesus. 

People In The Bible That Stood With The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Join These Few That Stood With Jesus

1) Aaron and Hur

     Now let's look at people in the bible that stood with the preacher, God's Word, and Jesus. Always stand with and support preachers for Jesus and God will greatly bless you. Aaron and Hur stood with Moses, God's Word, and Jesus. When Joshua fought the Amalekites, every time Moses lifted up his hands in prayer, Joshua won the battle. But when Moses let down his hands, the Amalekites won the battle. But, because Aaron and Hur stood with Moses by holding up Moses' hands, they experienced victory along with Joshua and Moses. Be like Aaron and Hur; Join the few that stood with Jesus and experience victory in every area of your life.

     Exodus 17:10 tells us how Aaron and Hur helped Moses and Joshua get the victory; So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek; And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat thereon and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands. The one on the one side and the other on the other side and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 

     Notice that Aaron and Hur were humble and not in the spotlight while they helped Moses and Joshua get the victory. The world usually does not recognize the few that stood with Jesus; But God in heaven will remember these faithful few and reward them greatly with blessings forever in heaven. The heroes on this earth who selfishly promoted their fame will be forgotten in heaven; But the humble christians that lifted up our Lord Jesus and prayed for the preachers that ministered Jesus will be rewarded and remembered forever in heaven. 

People In The Bible That Stood With The Preacher, God's Word, and Jesus

Join These Few That Stood With Jesus

2) Andrew

     Next we see Andrew who stood with Peter, God's Word, and Jesus. Andrew was a humble disciple that stood with Jesus and helped witness Jesus to 8000 lost souls. Andrew wasn't in the spotlight but led Peter to Jesus. If it wasn't for Andrew, Peter wouldn't have gotten to meet Jesus and get saved. Because Andrew was responsible for Peter's salvation, Peter saved 3000 lost souls after Pentecost. And then Andrew introduced Jesus to a little boy that had two fish and five loaves of bread that Jesus used to feed 5000 people. Therefore because humble Andrew stood with Jesus, 8000 lost souls were blessed. Be like Andrew and join the few that stood with Jesus. You'll be greatly rewarded in heaven and rejoice forever with the many saints that got saved because of your good works for Jesus. Jesus promised at Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be (these rewards will occur at the bema judgment seat when Jesus appears in the clouds after the rapture of his saints).

People In The Bible That Stood With The Preacher, God's Word, And Jesus

Join These Few That Stood With Jesus

3) Ham, Shem and Japheth

     Next we see Noah's sons Ham, Shem, and Japheth who stood with Noah, God's Word, and Jesus. Ham, Shem, and Japheth stood with Noah and helped build the ark that saved mankind from the flood. Noah wouldn't have completed the ark without the help of Ham, Shem, and Japheth. They stood with Noah because they got into the ark believing that a flood would occur on earth. Noah's sons were blessed and survived the flood because they ignored the persecutions and mockings from the unbelieving world that accused Noah of being crazy for building an ark in a land where it never rained. Even though the world overlooked Ham, Shem, and Japheth, the Lord Jesus blessed them with life and peace because they stood with God's man Noah. Be like Ham, Shem, and Japheth and join the few that stood with Jesus while you experience eternal life and peace with our Lord Jesus. 

     I pray in Jesus name that children can be like Ham, Shem, and Japheth and support their parents who serve our Lord Jesus. Children, when your parents attend church, attend church with your parents. When your parents witness Jesus everywhere, help witness Jesus to lost souls everywhere with your parents. Don't be like Eli's sons (wicked Hophni and Phinehas) who disobeyed and withstood their father Eli by laying with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (1 Samuel 2:22). The sins of Hophni and Phinehas led to Eli's death, their death, and the loss of the ark of God. Don't be like Samuel's sons (wicked Joel and Abiah) where according to 1 Samuel 8:2-3 And his (Samuel's) sons walked not in his ways but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment. This created rebellion in Israel and Saul becoming king against God's will.

People In The Bible That Stood With The Preacher, God's Word, and Jesus

Join These Few That Stood With Jesus

4) Elisha

     Next we see Elisha who stood with Elijah, God's Word, and Jesus. Elijah told Elisha if you see me when I get caught up in God's chariot to heaven, you'll receive a double portion blessing. Elisha stood with Elijah and followed Elijah everywhere at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan (2 Kings 2:1-13). When they both slept, Elisha put his hand on Elijah's arm and if Elisha felt Elijah's arm move, Elisha would awake and jump up so he kept seeing when Elijah got caught up in the chariot. And when swing low sweet chariot happened, Elisha saw Elijah go up to heaven in the chariot and received the double portion blessing. 

     Like Elisha, if you join the few that stood with Jesus, you'll receive a double portion blessing that is exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 promises Now unto Him (Jesus) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Like Elisha, daily abide and keep living for Jesus and you can receive anything you pray for because your requests will be in the perfect will of God. Jesus promised us at John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Stand With Jesus Because Jesus Will Always Stand With You

     For my final thought today stand with Jesus because Jesus will always stand with you. Like Paul. christians can say 2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me that by me the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. If we stand with Jesus we can always be comforted that Jesus will always stand with us. Jesus promises at Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Jesus also promises at Matthew 28:20 Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Now rejoice and proclaim 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

     And when we proclaim everywhere that I'm on the Lord's side, we can rejoice and claim the promise of 2 Timothy 2:11 that says It is a faithful saying, For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 

     Say the following three scriptures to give you strength when you suffer for Jesus. These scriptures will give you strength and peace to overcome the troubles of this world. Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes all over this earth with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.