Overcoming All Things: The Thirty-one Kings

Overcoming All Things: The Thirty-One Kings

(Note: This sermon is Based on utilizing of  A. B. Simpson’s Tract - Dr. Paul G.Caram developed a Teaching that I extracted from the Book "Victory over the Self Centered Life" published by "Zion Ministries".  This is based upon my M.Th course with them.)

Date: May 06, 2012
Scripture:Joshua 12:9-24
from the series Dying to self.

Introduction

Joshua 12:9-24 is a record of the thirty-one kings Israel had to drive out of Canaan in order to secure the inheritance God had promised them. Each of these kings represents an enthroned area of the self-life where ego still reigns instead of Christ our Lord. We'll call them pockets of resistance! These kings of the self-life are proud, independent and self-willed. Each king carefully guards his own area of domain, furiously opposing anyone who dares to tamper with even an inch of his territory. Unfortunately these thirty-one kings are also the cause of disunity among the brethren, for where self is reigning there is never unity! Therefore, if we are to enter into complete rest, and if we as individuals would come into true unity among our Christian brethren, then these thirty-one kings must be judged by the Sword.

Since these kings are reigning splendidly in our lives, they hinder us from having true love for the brethren. As we allow God’s sword to judge these enthroned kings of the self-life, we will come to that blessed state of “unfeigned love of the brethren” (1 Pet.1:22). This message on the thirty-one kings is for believers who have already come through the wilderness, crossed over Jordan, and have a level of maturity. Yet, they require an inner crucifixion of these particular ruling lords of the self-life.

Scripture

The 31 kings are as follows,

“The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one; The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one; The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one”.

This is the word of God. Thanks be to God. May the sweet spirit add blessing to our text now.

Sermon

EACH KING REPRESENTS A RULING LORD OF THE SELF-LIFE

KING 1 - SELF-WILL (Someone who determines his own course of action)

This is one of man’s greatest flaws. He is his own boss—he is on the throne in place of God. Many Christians tend to make their own choices and decisions. Rather than asking God, “What is Your will? How can I please You?”, man tells God what his plans are, and then asks God to bless them. We produce like kind! When a man is self-willed, he produces self willed children. When the children go their own way, the father has a living object lesson before him! A sad and mystified father asks, “Why has my son gone his own way!” God answers back, “Now you know how I feel about you. Neither have you ever listened to Me.” Let us pray for the nature of the Lamb who said, “Not my will but thine be done.” (see James 4:13-16.)

KING 2 - SELF-INDULGENCE (Feeding one’s ego)

This person's favorite subject is I. He monopolizes conversations, talking about himself, his experiences, and his attainments. Our first duty, however, is to draw

attention to God, and then stay out of the picture. We should always point to Christ. Paul said, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man on the things of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth” (Prov. 27:2, 2 Cor.12:2-5).

KING 3 - SELF-SEEKING (What’s in this for me? What do I get out of this?)

Napoleon said, “The only people I care about are those who can benefit me!” He had no use for anyone else. May we never be guilty of using people for our advantage. True love, according to First Corinthians 13, is unselfish. Love seeks not her own, bears all things, and endures all things. This kind of love is character; it considers the needs of others first.

KING 4 - SELF-COMPLACENCY (Passivity—I am good enough as I am. I don’t need to change.)

The Laodiceans thought they had reached the apex of spirituality (Rev. 3:17). They thought they had it all. This is blindness and deception, of course (1 Cor. 8:2, Gal. 6:3). This attitude is the exact opposite of one who is panting after God (Psa. 42:1-2, Mt. 5:6). People who are satisfied as they are, have ceased to grow. Even the Apostle Paul said, “I have not yet attained . . . I press toward the mark.” Unless we have an ongoing and progressing vision, we will dwell carelessly (Prov. 29:18). When individuals or churches have ceased growing, it is because they have stopped responding to fresh truth. They are living in the past and are satisfied with the past (Rev. 3:1). It is a horrible thing not to have grown for twenty years!

KING 5 - SELF-GLORYING (Vainglory, boasting, vaunting)

“Lest Israel vaunt themselves against me,saying, Mine own hand hath [gotten me the victory]” (Jud. 7:2). Though this king says “Glory to God,” he really means, “Glory to ME.” He boasts of his successes and abilities. Perhaps he uses huge, complicated words and rhetoric to sound important and to impress others. Christ said if we seek the praise of man, this alone will be our reward (Mt. 6:2, 6:6). Ulterior motives deplete the heart of genuine faith (Jn. 5:44). Paul warns, “Let us not be desirous of vainglory” (Gal. 5:26, Phil. 2:3).

KING 6 - SELF-CONFIDENCE (Human strength, confidence in the flesh. Phil. 3:3)

This entrenched king trusts in his own mind and in his own judgment. He is self-reliant. He does not need anyone—he knows what he is doing. He has everything under control and can work out his problems on his own. He is a self-made man; he has the answers. But this is the opposite of that holy dependence Jesus had, Who said; “I can do nothing of myself” (Jn.15:4, 5:30).

KING 7 - SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS (A dreadful bondage of worry)

This king relates everything that is said or done to himself. Every word, look, and gesture is carefully studied. He assumes that everyone is thinking and talking about him. He is a prisoner of his own imaginations. Sometimes girls spend hours before the mirror getting every hair in place because they think everyone is scrutinizing them. It is such a release to realize that people scarcely ever think about us at all. The truth is, they are just like us, they are thinking about themselves.

KING 8 - SELF-IMPORTANCE (A sense of one’s own importance or greatness)

This enthroned king has an inflated ego and is quick to to give in to anger or depression when he is not treated as a king (Jer. 48:29). How many believers who have received knowledge and training for a few years, think they have outgrown their teachers and pastor! Some even drift into the deception that they are God's special messenger sent to correct all their leaders.

KING 9 - SELF-DEPRECIATION (Constantly degrading one's self)

It is not beneficial to repeatedly run ourselves down or constantly be aware of our shortcomings. This is a preoccupation with self instead of a focus on the Lord, and it leaves a man powerless. It is better to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” for then the emphasis is upon Christ rather than upon ME. Philemon 1:6 commands us to “Acknowledge every good thing that is in us by Christ Jesus.” Give the Holy Spirit credit for all the good things He has done in our life. Let us turn the emphasis off ourself, and onto Him. If we do not have a wholesome opinion of ourselves, then we probably won’t have a wholesome opinion of others either. God wants us to have a wholesome sense of self-worth. Self-acceptance is important for good spiritual health, too. “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Thus, we are to love ourselves in a wholesome way.

KING 10 - SELF-VINDICATION (Defensive of rights, standing firm for one's position)

This king has a need to be right. He demands his rights, defends his position, and justifies himself and his ways—even unto death. This king would rather die than give in. He is not convinced that “turning the other cheek” is really for today.Nor does he believe that injustices are ordained of God to move him closer to the throne (Gen. 50:20). Some Christians go through life never learning this lesson. The very idea of the Incarnation was the renunciation of rights! What about us? Are we better than Christ? A. B. Simpson said, “I solemnly believe that most of the blessings that have been given to me in my life and ministry have come because of the evil things people have said of me, and because God made me willing to allow them to do it.”

KING 11 - SELF-SENSITIVENESS (Overly sensitive, easily offended)

This king is very protective of himself. He is very conscious of his own feelings, but is usually unaware when he is hurting others. Ironically, when he accuses others of being uncaring and insensitive to him, he is oblivious of how much he is hurting them by charging them so (Rom. 2:1). Resentment will not let go of an offense. Resentment is a bondage, the inability to let go of an injury! God understands all the reasons people struggle with this, and He also wants to give us the answer! Let's seek Him and hear what He has to tell us.

KING 12 - SELF-SEEING (One who can only see things from his own point of view)

This is the king who rigidly asserts, “There is only one way to do it!” The Apostle Peter struggled with this king in his life. He was the one who always said “never,” but had to repent every time (Matt.16:22, 26:33, Jn.13:8, Acts 10:14). Job's  three friends refused to budge from their philosophic appraisals of Job's calamity. They were unqualified, however, to counsel or console him because they had never seen, heard of, or experienced any trial like Job's. Therefore, they lacked the proper light to speak effectively into Job's tragic situation. Yet they insisted, “This is the only way to look at it!” The attitude of this is the only way, is symptomatic of several needs. It suggests that everything that can be known about the subject, is known. It also presents the attitude of infallibility. But true wisdom possesses a broad spectrum of matters, can offer other workable alternatives in gentleness, and knows when enough has been said.

KING 13 - SELF-INTROSPECTION (Always looking within)

This king majors on verses such as, “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing” or “O wretched man that I am” (Rom. 7:18, 24). God never told us to analyze or figure out our puzzles with our human minds. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that we do not know what is in our hearts anyway. The Lord is the One who tries our hearts and will show us what we need to know, in His time. Until then, we should be positive, at peace, and keep joy in our heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust the Lord implicitly,and do not lean to your own understanding. Allow God to show you what you need to know about yourself, and let Him take you at His pace. He knows when it is best to speak.

KING 14 - SELF-LOVE (Overprotective of self and selfish interests)

This king lives for himself and resents inconveniences or intrusions upon his private life, time, or substance. How contrary to the nature of God, Who willingly gave up conveniences and even His very life for others! Christ never chose the path of convenience.  Some Christians refuse to go into the ministry or to a foreign field because of self-love—they love their life and their security. But in so doing, they are losing both. Joy is found where the will of God leads us. Happiness is where the presence of God resides. And the safest place on earth is in the center of God's will. Christ said, “He that loves his life [referring to self-love and self-preservation] shall lose it; but he that loses his life shall find it” (Mk. 8:34-35, Mt.19:29).

KING 15 - SELF-AFFECTIONS (Loving only those who love us—Luke 6:32-33)

When we appreciate only those who appreciate us, we are ordinary Christians. Even sinners are able to do this! Are we thankful only for those who approve of us and praise us? Do we have little use for everyone else? Is our scope of fellowship small and cliquish? In a church of 300, are we friendly only to thirty? God desires to enlarge and make more charitable the hearts of every one of His people.

KING 16 - SELFISH MOTIVES (Doing favors for others with hopes of getting something in return - Luke 6:34-35.)

This little enthroned king donates money to God in expectation of getting more back for himself. Much of today’s prosperity message promotes this mentality—“Give to God so that He may return sevenfold back to you.” God truly is a generous God, and He loves to bless His people; yet our motive for giving should never be to get more back for ourselves. And remember—ministers and evangelists who are genuine avoid using up whole services just to appeal for money!

KING 17 - SELFISH DESIRES (Covetousness, something for ME)

This king longs to look successful or have security. He will seek to have close friendships with prominent people in order to gain influence and power. Some try to marry into a particular family for wealth and prestige. We should check out our motives to see what is prompting our words and endeavors. Lord, why do I really want this? God can show us our motives  (Psa.139:1-4).

KING 18 - SELFISH CHOICES (Choosing what we think will make us happy, instead of asking God what would edify Him)

Lot made this mistake when he chose to dwell in Sodom (Gen.13:9-11). This king does not enquire of God for His will. He wants his own will. Since we were created to bring Him pleasure, we should always ask God which choice would please Him most (Rev. 4:11, Psa. 40:8). If we are not bringing pleasure to our Maker, then we are living in vain. Life is filled with choices. This includes whom we should marry! Many Christians disobey God on this point! Marrying the wrong person can impair our chances of fulfilling God's call. Therefore, we must choose His choice, for this will ultimately bring about a happier and smoother marriage—a marriage that is glorifying to Him (Phil. 2:13).

KING 19 - SELFISH PLEASURES (To gratify self)

Today's society is pleasure-mad. Today the scripture is fulfilled that says—“Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4). Sports, cars, clothes, and hobbies can be idols too. Much of the Church is obsessed with an insatiable appetite for pleasure. Many Indians desire to move to Bangalore, not because they are longing to do the will of God, but to have a life of ease in the tropical climate. Some have allowed a retirement mentality to creep into their lives at a very young age.  True pleasure, however, is found in the presence of God, and in the place of His will for our lives. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psa.16:11, 45:7). If I am living just to gratify myself, I am living in vain (see also 1 Tim. 5:6).

KING 20 - SELFISH POSSESSIONS (A grasping spirit)

One sure way to cause hidden iniquity to surface from deep within the heart is when any latitude is given in the interpretation of a Last Will and Testament! Families and friendships have been destroyed over the bitterness of a contested will (Lu.12:13-15). Jesus did not encourage the man who had an argument over an inheritance to fight for a bigger share. The Lord saw a motive of covetousness in his heart (Lu. 12:15). Jesus warned that happiness is not measured by how many possessions we amass. The things people grasp for never satisfy anyway. Everything we clutch we will lose, sooner or later. Be openhanded! People who obtain riches or possessions by deceitful means end up being fools and without fruit (Jer.17:9-11).

When God gives us a gift or talent, it is for two main reasons:
1.) First, it is to establish and bless us (Rom.1:11); and
2.) It is for the purpose of blessing others (1 Cor.12:7).
The gift is not to be kept to ourself!

For example, when God gives us strength in a certain area, it is to help others who are weaker in that area. If we have health,then it is for the purpose of helping others who are not blessed with good health. Abundance of financial blessings are entrusted to some in order that they can help the poor. If our mate has an area of weakness, then God has probably given us extra grace in that area to compensate for his lack. Thus, we should not criticize people for their lack, but help them with our abundance. Our attitude toward possessions should be—“They're not mine, they have been entrusted to me by God in order to help others” (Lu.12:15-21; Acts 4:32).

KING 21 - SELFISH FEARS AND CARES (What is going to happen to me?)

This king exemplifies the law of self-preservation. He is very protective of himself, and has an acute problem trusting God. “God is not going to take care of me!” or “God might let me fail!” Some fears stem from pride—I might look like a fool,or I might be humiliated. People worry for months about an oncoming event, only to find that their fears were totally groundless when it arrives. If our particular fear is rooted in pride, then humility can break our bondage.

KING 22 - SELFISH SORROWS (Self-inflicted sorrows or sorrows from wounded pride)

 “God let me down, God has not been fair to me.” This king is quick to charge God and others with irresponsibility and not caring.  This kind of sorrow results from unfulfilled expectations - expectations of something God never intended one to have! If God thwarted some endeavor or direction, it was because He had something far better in mind, and showed His mercy. Remember, Godly sorrow brings life, but the self-induced sorrow brings death (2 Cor. 7:10).

KING 23 - SELFISH SACRIFICES AND SELF-DENIALS (Giving to satisfy self - 1 Cor.13:1-3).

A man could give all his goods to feed the poor and his body to be burned as a martyr and still not have divine love as his ultimate motive. People can have peculiar motives. One may fast for forty days, not to draw closer to God, but to break a record or to have an experience to glory in. This is a fast to satisfy the flesh. Sometimes self-denials are with the motive of displaying religiosity. Watch sacrifices and self-denials! Let us make sure that our motives are right. Do you remember the story of the man who for twenty-five years sat on the top of a pillar and lived on roots and rations, all in the name of piety? What did it accomplish? —the very epitome of self-righteousness and self-consciousness! All it did was draw attention to himself.

KING 24 - SELFISH VIRTUE AND MORALITY (I am holier than thou.)

This is the attitude—“I am a notch or two better than others because of my high standards and beliefs.” We are the special chosen ones. It produces a standoffishness from others and it is rooted in spiritual pride. The Jews, in general, felt that the Gentiles were beneath them. They would not eat with them or associate with them. If they came in contact with them through commerce, they would carefully wash their hands afterwards (Acts 10:28, 11:3). This king must be slain, or he will hinder many from coming into our churches.

KING 25 - SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS (I am what I am by my works and efforts)

This is the attitude and idea that I have made myself good by my dedication and effort (i. e. by my devotional life, sacrifice, abstinence, separation.) While it is true that effort on our part is required to live a holy life, yet the fact remains that if we have any righteousness or holiness within, it is because of God's grace. Therefore, we have nothing of which to brag or boast. Job had a particular problem with self-righteousness. When Job found fault with God but none with himself (27:1-6, 32:1, 35:2), he was guilty of the deception of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is piety that people think they have earned by their hard work and efforts. Therefore, they feel it gives them the right to look down on others who have not worked as hard as they have (Lu.18:9-14, Phil. 3:9, Isa. 54:17, 64:4).

KING 26 - SELFISH SANCTITY AND SANCTIFICATION (Camping around a transforming experience of the past and glorying in this)

This happens when a legitimate experience we had in the past becomes an idol and we fail to move on in God. When people camp around an experience, the experience goes sour (Rev. 3:1). We must have new life flowing into us all the time, for no single experience will cause us to instantly arrive at maturity. We must continue to grow and have new experiences all the time, or we will dry up. Paul said he had not yet attained in spite of twenty-eight years of walking with God (Phil. 3:12-14).

KING 27 - SELFISH CHARITY AND GIFTS (Giving with ulterior motives)

Sometimes people contribute large sums of money to a church or organization, but there are strings attached. They want to control the work or use the people to propagate their own ideas and beliefs. Sometimes people give money and gifts in order to have public recognition or praise. God says, “Let it be between you and Me. Don't publicize it” (Mt. 6:2-4).

KING 28 - SELFISH CHRISTIAN WORK (When ministry is more important than relationship)

The Ephesian church had become so busy doing the Lord's work that they neglected their relationship with God (Rev. 2:2-4). God never intended ministry to take the place of our relationship with Him. The ministry must not be an idol! A little boy pouts if you take away his toys, and so does an immature Christian when God tells him to sit down and be quiet for a while. Will we pout and lose the victory if God withdraws us from our ministry for a season to speak to us? The mature Christian is able to sit down and wait. The immature one almost backslides if his idol of ministry is touched.

KING 29 - SELFISH PRAYERS (Give me, give me, give me.)

The prodigal son said, Father, give me! But after he squandered his substance he said “Father, make me! ” Make me the son you want me to be (Lu. 15:12 vs. 15:19). Today’s extreme prosperity gospel emphasizes Give me! Give me a quick answer, provisions, blessings, and the easiest way out of my problems. But the prosperity message has failed to emphasize Make me! Lord, make me fit for Your eternal kingdom, even if my circumstances are not always pleasant, and the answers I seek do not come immediately! Let us pray—“What can I do to bring pleasure to you, Lord?”

KING 30 - SELFISH HOPES (Dreamworlds, unrealistic expectations)

The human heart fanaticizes about becoming famous or wealthy, or cherishes something that belongs to another. God wants His people to learn contentment in their present circumstances (Phil. 4:11). We must be sure that what we are hoping for is what God desires to give us (Psa. 62:5).

KING 31 - OUR WHOLE LIFE (Withholding our lives from God)

Even our very lives must not be held as a selfish possessions but a sacred trust. Paul said, “Ye are not your own, you are bought with a price.” “Neither count I my life dear unto myself . . . so that I might finish my course with joy” (1 Cor. 6:19-20, Acts 20:24).

Invitation and Final Challenge:
Building on this sermon,Dr. Caram shared that living this way will radically change a person’s understanding of individuality.we acknowledged that this call to die to self could lead people to think that their uniqueness will be destroyed. This is the final resistence.Yet, the reality is the opposite. Dr. Caram  affirmed every person’s need to feel unique. However, what is essential in distinguishing between a healthy and unhealthy sense of uniqueness is the means by which a person seeks it. The false self carves it out in competition. People attempt to be the best, the smartest, the holiest in comparison to others. Instead of resting in their God-given uniqueness, they actually demonstrate radical conformity by buying into the lie that they must strive to secure their worth and individuality. This involves overcoming 31 kings as Joshua did.

    God is calling us to wake up to the reality of the matrix of lies that says we must secure our own existence. The truth is that Jesus has come to give us abundant life in opposition to the stealing, killing, and destroying that marks the devil’s work (John 10:10). Moreover, this abundant life does not squelch our individuality, but actually rescues and establishes it.

   Romans 8:29 tells us that all people who are in Christ are predestined to be conformed into the image of Jesus. However, this conformity is not about homogeneity. Let us compare people’s uniqueness in the Kingdom of God to that of a prism. A prism is a pyramid-shaped stone or glass that refracts light into its various component colors. So also, when God’s light shines through the prism-like Kingdom of God into the individuals who comprise the Kingdom, each person reflects that singular experience of God’s light in their own unique way. In contrast to the false self that attempts to secure its own uniqueness through competition with others, the person who has died to self realizes that God alone is the source of his or her worth. If we will surrender all to God, then we will shine. We will be free to delight in and love God and others (Matthew 22:36-40). A personal question to you: "have you conquered all these kings in your personal life?" If not come forward we will minister to you. Else we will sing the song together. God bless you.
--
The Rev. Lenin Kumar
The Potter's Home International Church
The Christian Living

Theology   Character   Fire
www.pottershomeinternational.org