Being A Danger: A Strong Community Series

BEING A DANGER: A STRONG COMMUNITY

Ephesians 6.10

S: Community

C: A Strong Community

Th: Building Up in Love; Doing Our Work

Pr: WE ARE TO BE DANGEROUS FOR GOD.

?: What? What does it take for this to happen?

KW: Aspects

TS: We will find in our study of Ephesians 6 the four aspects it takes to be dangerous for God.

Type: Propositional (clarifying)

The ____ aspect is…

I. COMMUNITY

II. POWER

III. LORD

IV. WEAPONRY

PA: How is the change to be observed?

• Resist the enemy

• Win the world

• Be dangerous for Christ

Version: ESV

RMBC 15 October 06 AM

INTRODUCTION:

What kind of community do we need to be?

1. Called – Spiritual Blessings

2. Transformed – Grace

3. Praying – God’s Love

4. Diligent – Unity

5. God-Like – Love

6. Submitting – Raise each other up

7. Strong

TRANSITION:

ILL Dangerous (H)

A guy was sitting in an airplane when another guy took the seat beside him. The new guy was a wreck, pale, hands shaking, biting his nails and moaning in fear.

"Hey, pal, what’s the matter?" said the first guy.

"I’ve been transferred to Los Angeles, California," he answered nervously. "They’ve got race riots, drugs, the highest crime rate in the country..."

"Hold on," said the first. "I’ve been in L.A all my life, and it’s not as bad as the media says. Find a nice home, go to work, mind your own business, enroll your kids in a good school and it’s as safe as anywhere in the world."

The second guy stopped shaking for a moment and said, "Oh, thank you. I was worried to death! But if you live there and say it’s ok, I’ll take your word for it. By the way, what do you do for a living?"

"Me?" said the first, "I’m a tail gunner on a bread truck."

1. The Christian life is not a life of ease and comfort.

The believer’s life is a battlefield.

Immediately upon receiving Christ, the believer finds himself in a constant struggle.

He is engaged in an unceasing fight, an unending war.

He is a fighter, a soldier in conflict.

His calling is not to a life of enjoyment and ease, but to a life of hard conflict.

There are foes within and foes without.

From the cradle to the grave there is constant struggle against the corruptible lusts of the flesh and imposing temptations offered by the world and Satan. (George Blount, Jr.)

It is from this, a charge is given to the Christian soldier.

It is simply this…

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (6.10).

So, we are in a battle.

This we recognize.

And I think there is something exciting about soldiers that make the fight and prevail.

They are dangerous to the enemy.

You see…

2. WE ARE TO BE DANGEROUS FOR GOD.

Just as…

Flags of our Fathers

Iwo Jima

Great victory during WWII

Dangerous to their enemies.

We too should be dangerous.

What does it take for this to happen?

3. We will find in our study of Ephesians 6 the four aspects it takes to be dangerous for God.

OUR STUDY:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (6.10).

I. The first aspect is COMMUNITY.

The instructions are written to a church.

Body of Christ

We belong to Him

This is not an individual fight

Independence is no virtue

Unity

II. The second aspect is POWER.

We are not to be feeble, washed out and weak-kneed believers.

We first must remember our weakness.

On our own, we are weak.

This is why the command is literally “be made powerful.”

Cannot strengthen self

Must be empowered

Here is the good news.

The power is available.

This is a good thing, because we face a tough enemy.

We need to be able to withstand the evil day.

ILL Battle (S) – Alaskan Bull Moose

Recently National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon, are broken. That ensures defeat.

The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk.

There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now - before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they’re needed.