Fighting Wild Beasts Or Eat, Drink, Be Merry?

Introduction

I’m rapidly approaching a decade that I’ve been with this congregation of the Lord’s people. For those of you who were here on that fateful day, and actually preceded it by a couple of years, I send you greetings from former members of the Decker Prairie Church of Christ. Now, this is rare. When I go off into a meeting and meet former members of Decker Prayer. There’s not a lot of those around in other places. Glenn and Tammy Headley said to tell you hi. So a good fifty of you may know, maybe not that many, may remember them. And they got out as I ate with them on Thursday night, the final night of the meeting, the photo album that you all put together for them of the Decker Prairie family at that time.

And if I had those pictures, we could do some bribery. I laughed to see those of you 15 years ago.

Great to be home. Let’s start with the title. Unusual for me. Fighting wild beasts in Ephesus. Or eat, drink, be married. If from human motives, Paul says, I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus. I want to know more about that than the scriptures reveal. It doesn’t sound pleasant to fight with wild beasts. Haven’t had that experience. Don’t plan on it. You never know. If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, and that is our hope. If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Okay, so this text doesn’t say be merry. But when I think of that phrase, that’s where my mind goes, and so I had to do a quick rabbit trail on eat, drink, and be merry.

1. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in the Scriptures

And Solomon sort of extolled the idea of enjoying life in this regard, eat, drink, and be merry in Ecclesiastes chapter 8 and verse 15. In the story of the prodigal son, because they killed the fatted calf for the son that had come home, there was eating and drinking and merriment associated with that celebration. And so I would say that, as the scriptures use that phrase, it’s not always spoken of negatively as much as it is just an expression of festivity and joy. Now, I would also add that there is a negative element to it if one’s soul is not right with God. Like Luke 12 and the story of the rich fool who tore down his barns and built bigger barns, and now he’s going to take his ease, he is going to eat, drink, and be merry.

But this night, his soul was going to be required of him. Actually, in the New American Standard, this is treated as a quotation. Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. And it perhaps is a reference to Isaiah chapter 22 and verse 13, where it says, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die. But in that context, again, like the rich fool of Luke 12, this is the day of the Lord that is imminent. Sinners who are not ready for the day of judgment, and instead there is gaiety and gladness, killing of cattle, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, drinking of wine, let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. But the Lord of hosts reveals himself, surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you.

And there’s a similar reference in Isaiah 56 and verse 12 that takes this merriment even a little further.

And tomorrow will be like today, and more so.

2. If Christ Has Not Been Raised

If Jesus Himself was not raised, which is the foundation of our resurrection and our hope in it, then why am I fighting wild beasts in Ephesus? Because of my faith. That is nonsense. Why would I endure that? Why would I put myself at that kind of risk if it’s all for something that is not true? I ought to just make the best of what life has to offer. And stop creating such waves with this message about Jesus. And so this leads me to a comment that was, I reported that verse. A comment that was made in Bible class about the believer and the atheist. Let’s suppose all of this isn’t true. Then we’ve gotten it wrong. And that the atheist in fact right. What is the end result of that?

Well, at the end of the day, we all die and we’re like rover, we’re dead all over. And that’s the end of it. And so an observation was made that believer, at the very least, has a hope beyond this life. We haven’t put all of our eggs in the here and now basket. We believe there’s something beyond immortality. And believe me, the comments about immortality in the New Testament attract my attention. God has brought immortality to light through the gospel. As Ponce de Lyon was searching for the fountain of youth, we will imbibe of the fountain of eternal youth. Immortality in the presence of God. That is the promise of the gospel. And that hope beyond should involve for the believer a very real expectation of receiving it.

And that’s your teaser for next Sunday morning sermon. The expectation of glory. Isn’t there anything beyond the here and now? Is there anything beyond this life? How sure are you? How sure am I? I’m more sure about that than all the things we discussed about dinosaurs in our class that we weren’t sure of. I don’t know how the whole dinosaur thing plays out entirely. I believe the lesson was right, that men and dinosaurs coexisted, that the Bible at least references these large creatures in some measure. And while I may not have all the answers about T Rexes and such, I want to affirm to you this morning that I am one hundred percent certain that there is something beyond this life, that we indeed have a creator, and that Jesus has risen from the dead.

Did I say 100% certain? I did. Philippians chapter 2. Therefore, God highly exalted him. That is either so or the book of Hebrews is absolutely pointless. Because that’s the point. We have a high priest in the heavens. God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. There is no rival. There is no authority. There is no supremacy that belongs to anyone or anything else in any realm that rivals that of our King Jesus. He who descended to the uttermost, more on that tonight, has now ascended to the uttermost. And that at his name, on the basis of all that he is, every knee should bow. Every knee. Everywhere. And every tongue should confess that he is Lord to the glory of God, the Father.

And thus you ought to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Because that very real God is at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. You owe him your allegiance. If Christ has not been raised, what in the world are we doing here? Let’s just go eat lunch early. And eat, drink, and be merry.

To whatever extent you want to enjoy merryment. If the dead are not raised. If Christ has not been raised. Some of the arguments that he makes in verses 12 about Christ being preached. If there is no resurrection of the dead, why even do that? Your preaching is vain. Your faith is vain. You are found false witnesses before God. I would be a false witness this morning if the dead are not raised, if Christ has not been raised, and again, the one is predicated upon the other. And your faith is worthless, and you’re dead in your sins. And guess what? Those who have fallen asleep are gone. They’re gone. They’re done.

3. Of All Men Most to Be Pitied

We are of all men most to be pitied. And that’s the verse. That’s the verse that gets me in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 19. Why should the believer be pitied? If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. I’ve heard some answers to this question that I don’t agree with. It is not because living the principles and morality of Christianity are otherwise miserable. I wouldn’t have to listen to all these sermons. I wouldn’t have to attend all these Bible classes. Wouldn’t have to attend all these assemblies. I can do what I wanted on Sunday morning. Sunday night, Wednesday night. Do what I want. I don’t have to refrain from anything I don’t want to refrain from.

No restraint. I get concerned about Christians who are miserable. Serving the Lord. You have not yet discovered the joy that God intends for it to be. The joy of expressing with our lips faith and fidelity to God. Whom we need above all others.

Christianity is more than just hope beyond this world. Christianity is conducive to healthy relationships here. The message of the New Testament promotes better marriages. It promotes better relationships in the world with enemies, with lost people, with brethren. It’s the manual on human relationships. And I would say this. Yes, there is self-restraint involved. But it is beneficial to us in all of those aspects that I’ve mentioned. And then there’s this: if you just want to eat, drink, and be merry, and that is the way of the treacherous is their ruin. Or the way of the transgressor is hard, the American Standard Version says, or the way of the treacherous is hard. There’s all kinds of ways of translating this particular verse, none of which are too favorable in practice.

The way of the unfaithful leads to destruction. I like that the NIV says. Actually, Proverbs 3 and verse 5 contains a similar thought.

A wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. That’s the new American standard. And then this. This is the NIV. I really like this that Proverbs 3 and verse 5. The wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. Just when you think you have arrived by getting rid of Christianity and all of its restrictions and all of its restraint, all of the moral principles that I have to seek after, the hard work that I have to do, there’s diligence involved in Christianity. There’s discipleship involved. There is striving. There’s self-sacrifice. Oh, let’s just get rid of all of that and just take our ease. Well, you can follow the impulses of your heart, but don’t forget Proverbs 13 and verse 15. Living it up, sources, peril, and consequences.

We see it in our world all the time. People that have no spiritual moorings or spiritual values, and they go out and they inebriate themselves and look at some of the things that happen as they do so. As they find themselves in the clutches of various vices and the pain and misery it brings.

Not to mention the impact on relationships. The all about me lifestyle has its attending woes.

When he found himself in want and there was no one giving him anything. So why? Why should the believer be pitied if Christ has not been raised? Because he is committed fervently to what is false. He has dedicated his whole life to what is untrue, to what is a lie. All of life and its pursuits have thus been built on a false premise and hope. That’s why we need to be certain that Jesus has indeed been raised, and that there is a resurrection of the dead, and there’s hope for me in you.

4. Know the Potential Extremes of Faithful Commitment

And that is, you need to know the potential extremes of faithful commitment. God is not the only force at work in the world. Why is Paul having to fight the wild beasts at Ephesus? Because there is opposition. You will be tenaciously opposed in service to the king. Because we have an adversary who dislays, discourages, and deals destruction. Don’t be surprised. Too often I think Christians are blindsided by the troubles that wait a minute. If I didn’t serve the Lord, maybe things wouldn’t be so painful. Maybe things would be a little bit easier. I wouldn’t have so much opposition. Especially if you’re being persecuted for what you believe. If people are making fun of you and ridiculing you and causing you to think that you have the intellect the size of a pee.

Because you believe in Jesus.

Because the devil is going to do anything he can to tell you this is a bunch of hogwash and you ought to give it up.

He will attempt to destroy you, and he will not leave off in the pursuit.

He wants you to manipulate the gospel message. If you can alter it to your own liking.

Oh, and by the way, I don’t have to do any of those things. I can just make them miserable. I can convince them that they’re miserable serving the Lord. And that life could be better lived doing anything else other than this. Don’t be surprised when it comes to your doorstep. That’s really the message of 1 Peter. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? Why even raise that question if it’s not a possibility? Don’t worry about what they can do to you. And he’s going to go on into chapter 4 and say, don’t think this is some strange thing. But rejoice in the fact that you’re suffering as a Christian and in that name, glorify God. It is with difficulty that the righteous are saved.

This is the very kind of difficulty Peter was talking about. Trouble could come to your doorstep in a very severe fashion because you believe in Jesus because you have an adversary who wants to stop you. And trust your soul to a faithful creator that I believe 100% in, and you should too. And trust your soul to a faithful creator in doing what is right. And do not be dissuaded in the pursuit. Pain visits your doorstep. Know that God is still with you. Whatever it is, it’s temporary. And it is spiritually survivable. Whatever it is.

5. Live It Up, but Problems Will Still Be Ahead

Yes, pursue the course of your own choosing. Live it up. But you need to know something about that. We talked about the way of the transgressor is hard, but pain is not completely unavoidable just because you reject Christianity. In fact, I’m pretty sure you’re going to have some. And aging and death. And I think there’s probably some difficulty associated with that. Aging and death are not absolutely avoidable. The strength of any man. I don’t care if you have ten times my strength, and that really wouldn’t be that hard. The strength of any man is minimal to ward off all that life will throw at you. I don’t care how big your guns are. I don’t care how big your guns are. Like the others that shoot.

Conclusion

There are things beyond your ability to control in this world, in this life. And while it sounds good in the moment, eat, drink, and be merry. I promise you. Problems will still be ahead. So let me tell you in conclusion what the knowledgeable do. Those who realize that Christ is indeed raised, that our creator that we read about in Genesis is real, and that we will answer him, answer to him one day. That’s what we do. Because Jesus is raised, we acknowledge him for who he is. That his name is above all names, and we do work out our salvation with fear and with trembling. And then this in verse 34 of 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Be sober minded as you ought. And stop sinning. This is what the people in the know do, for some have no knowledge of God.

I speak this to your shame. You have knowledge of God. You better order your ways aright. While there’s time and opportunity. How are you thinking of things? How are you looking at things? Do you have spiritual things in their proper place in your life? In your thinking. Are you doing the daily Bible reading? Haven’t gotten that in a while. I haven’t been here. Proverbs, remember? Wisdom Wednesday. I’ve now synced up with the actual reading that we’re doing. I’ve got two this week. I’m excited. Do you have spiritual things in the proper priority in your heart? Do you value them above everything else? Have you been imbibing in sinful conduct? Have you been inebriating yourself? That’s called drinking alcohol. Forfeiting sobriety. Looking at pornography. Using profanity.

Being hard to live with in your home. How am I going to defeat all of those things? Let me give you a little secret. You ready? Stop. Stop it. Isn’t it amazing? I’ve always looked at this verse and go, wow, it’s as we say, not rocket science. Just got to stop it. Stop it. Change your behavior. Well, that’s just one day. Well, you change your behavior today, and tomorrow you don’t do those things, and the next day you don’t do those things. And then all of a sudden you’ve developed some new patterns, some new habits. And you start doing the right things day after day after day, and you stop sinning. The practice of sin contains little benefit and no lasting satisfaction, to be sure. And it’s destructive.

Just stop it. Found this little tidbit this morning from Psalm 36. Here’s what the evil man does. He has ceased to be wise and do good. Instead of staying on the right course, he stopped doing the right things. He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He sets himself on a path that is not good. He does not despise evil. You want to overcome evil? You got to despise it. I’ve seen that several times lately. In Psalm 97, I saw it. In a sermon that I’ve been preaching in meetings all this year. I see it in Psalm 119. You gotta hate evil, you who love the Lord. He doesn’t despise evil. And so the next thing you know, he’s partaking in it. He sets himself on a path that is not good.

Is that what you’ve done? In recent weeks, have you have you started? Have you set yourself on a path, or maybe you’ve been on it for a while? Are you on a path that is not good? Is your past one where you were wise and doing good, but you’ve lost your way? You’ve lost your sobriety. The knowledge of God is not being active in the decisions and choices that you’re making. I’ll tell you what’s happened in that time or hasn’t happened. Jesus is still where he was. Possessing the name that is above every name. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So let me tell you this. I didn’t go to 1 Corinthians 15 expecting to convince anyone about the resurrection this morning. If I did, that’s great.

But I was pretty sure my audience was already convinced.

Number one, I want you to see the value of serving the Lord, period. That it is better than eat, drink, and be merry. It is superior by far to eat, drink, and be merry. And the second thing I wanted to do is to make sure you’re awake. No, not just not sleeping during my sermon. But you are awake spiritually to the knowledge of God that is within you. And if you’re on a destructive path, change it. Be determined to change it today. Blowing out of this is Paul’s final admonitions. Sober minded, keep alert. Keep alert. Win. Today. And if tomorrow the sun rises, that day. Keep alert. Always. Stand firm in your faith. Be strong and courageous. Be strong. Let all that you do, everything. Don’t cease to do good.

Pursue doing good. Let all that you do be done in love. All of it. Every relationship. Everything. And do not slumber. As others do. We do not sleep as others do, that the day should overtake us as a thief. What if that day was today? We have not been destined to wrath. But for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing. We’re going to do that tonight at 5 o’clock. We’re going to encourage one another and build one another up. I’ve got a lesson that’s going to help you, I think. We are of the day. Let’s wear the armor of light. Let us be steadfast.

I notice something in the song, as the deer. I’ve sung that hundreds of times. There’s a phrase in the chorus that we need to pay attention to. To you alone may my spirit yield. That’s rich. So often we will yield our spirit to so many things that we should not. To you alone may my spirit yield. To him who has the name above every name. You need to respond to his invitation. Come and drink of his fountain of salvation while there’s time and opportunity. Let’s stay and sing.