How to protect the lambs of your flock
My sermon today is about an outrage in which not just one infant was brutally murdered but in fact dozens of baby boy’s aged two years and under were systematically put to death to appease the fears and insecurities of King Herod. Jeremiah had prophesied it, that there would be weeping and great mourning, Rachel (who was buried in the Bethlehem area) weeping for her children. Imagine the desolation and heartbreak for those families. All their baby boys put to the sword. Herod wanted to make sure that he had killed the Messiah child to prevent him growing up and becoming the new King of Israel. But God had another plan that Jesus’ life would not be taken but rather given out of love and obedience to the Father as a sacrifice for the sin of man.
What possessed Herod or what moved him to do such a wicked and despicable act. Well, we can work it out who is it that fuels and feeds our fears and insecurities? Who was it that stood to lose the most to the Messiah the prince? Whose kingdom would be destroyed by the Christ. Whose head would be crushed by feet side. Yes, you are right, Satan and his wicked spirits. They are the ones who invite men to commit wicked deeds by playing on their fears and insecurities.
But God had another Plan
Jesus Christ delivered the ultimately fatal blow to Satan’s head when he died on the cross and paid in full for all your sins and all my sins. Yes, the devil only has a short time left until that blow finally carries him, his fallen angels, and the unbelievers into the eternal lake of fire. Satan is defeated and all that he can do now is to try to hurt and destroy God’s children as a last defiant gesture of a defeated rebel. Yes, it is Satan, the spirit of Herod who motivates and promotes millions of terminations every year, innocent babies in their mother’s wombs sacrificed on the altars of fear, self-interest, and convenience. These poor girls and women have been deceived by the spirit of Herod.
Thank God, that the precious blood of Jesus Christ is available to take away the guilt and shame of these poor girls and women if they want it.
Yes, the spirit of Herod is alive and well and has also targeted other babies to steal, kill and destroy, they are the baby Christians. He particularly likes to get them before they have known Jesus for more than two years and tries to kill off their faith before they can grow up into a maturity in Christ. For Satan knows that every Christian baby (who he cannot kill off) will grow up in faith and power and authority and will go on to destroys Satan’s kingdom and see God’s kingdom established here on earth in their own life, family, and church. For we are the Christians, the Christ like ones, the little anointed ones. Be alert you young Christians for Satan wants to kill off your faith.
But God has another plan; and today we are going to expose the spirit of Herod and find out how to thwart his attempts at killing off baby Christians.
Main Text
Matthew 2:1-4
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Verse 4; Troubled by thought of a new king, someone more powerful than Herod. Satan tempted Herod, jealousy perhaps it was the same spirit who tempted Saul to kill David? These babies were helpless, but God does not leave his babies helpless.
Verse 16-18; Great weeping and mourning in and around Bethlehem.
What is a Baby Christian?
In 1 John 2:12-13 the Word of God identifies four stages of spiritual growth. We start with the baby Christians.
Little Children (Babies)
Characteristics like that of Babies
1. Need protected and defended, lots of care and attention
2. Have difficulty feeding themselves; need nourish milk of word
3. Need their nappies changed
4. Cannot help others, focused on own needs
5. Unsteady feet, might be up and down
Can you identify yourself or others at this stage? This is what we are like during our first couple of years as a Christian. Satan tries to kill you off then as it is much easier to get you as a baby than when you have become a fully armed, armour wearing, faith filled, Spirit led, soldier in God’s army.
If you had to remove an oak tree, when would you do it, as a sapling or fully rooted tree?
Satan’s tactics to kill of Baby Christians.
He seeks to take out of our vital supplies.
1. Food – word of God [1 Peter 2:2]
2. Air – praying to God
3. Fellowship with the Lord by attending church
But how does he deceive us into giving them up?
Matthew 13:18-23
Verse 21; Affliction or persecution, falling away. Baby stunted or killed.
Stops feeding on the Bible.
Stops praying.
Stops seeing spiritual parents.
Verse 22; Worries and cares or even riches like word. Baby is stunted or killed.
Keep your heart and mind on Jesus Christ not the circumstances.
Another baby killing tactic is condemnation. Satan condemns us when we sin, he right in there ‘you might as well give up’, ‘It’s not for you’, ‘you’re a sinner’, ‘You’ll never make it’ (so stop praying, reading the bible and church going).
Yes, you will make it, he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
Remember, little children your sins are forgiven.
Remember 1 John 1:9 is there for you when you sin.
Remember what Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery.
Neither do I condemn you... Go and sin no more.
Jesus never came to condemn but to save.
Today, if we confess our sins, he forgives and no condemnation.
“Little Children your sins are forgiven”.
Babies
What are three things you need (show of hands) recognise you are at risk. Build these three things into your life. Do not let the spirit of Herod kill off your walk with Jesus Christ before you become 2 years old.
If you are a Mature or Maturing Believers
Remember our spiritual babies by recognising they are highly at risk to the spirit of Herod.
Pray for them.
Ephesians 3:16-19
Name them before God; befriend them in sincerity, most people who leave any fellowship in the first 2 years have not made any special friends. You must close the back door of your fellowship.
Disciple them
Love them.
Be there for them counsel them, guide them, fellowship with them, shepherd them. Do not let spirit of Herod get them!
He draws them out the back door of the church then kills off their faith.
We must close back door of our church.
Yes, the very same spirit of Herod who slaughtered the babies in Bethlehem is alive today and seeking to devour our Christian babies. But we must not allow it, we must protect, feed, tend them until they are strong enough to defeat Satan in their own lives. (And they will, if given the chance) and go on to victorious life Christ. Amen.
Prayer
Lord, in Jesus name, give us pastor hearts to protect our lambs.
May we guide all our lambs through to maturity in Christ.
Amen.
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