Can't Stands No More

Can’t Stands No More

September 12, 2010

Introduction

A This week we have seen a firestorm of controversy over a pastor’s threat to burn over 200 copies of the holy book of Islam, the Koran.

1 Islamics from all over the world have voiced their outrage.

a Have shown it by protesting, burning flags, & effigies of the President & the pastor.

b Indonesian cleric said “...hurt the heart of the Muslim world.”

aa Burning Koran is “...tantamount to war. A war that would (have) rallied Muslims all over the world.”

bb Pics of India protesters, Pakistan

c In Pakistan, about 200 lawyers & civil society members marched in Multan, Pakistan.

aa Banner: “If Qu’ran is burned, it would be the beginning of the destruction of America.”

bb Protesters chanted, “Down with America”

2 Foreign ministers of Pakistan & the Gulf nation Bahrain called it a “shameful act which is incompatible with the principles of tolerance and coexistence.”

a Last year, a church in Oklahoma sent thousands of Bibles to Afghanistan in the two most common Afghan languages for soldiers to give out to Afghani people.

aa Al Jazeera ran a story, Defense Department told soldiers to throw the Bibles away...trash...trash is burned.

bb Did not want to offend Muslims, so burned Bibles.

b Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told a crowd of tens of thousands of Muslim faithfuls, “...respond to this criminal (Jones), this liar, this crazy priest who reflects a crazy Western attitude toward Islam and the Muslim nation.”

c He continues, “God willing, should they try to carry out their crime against the Qu’ran, God will tear their state apart and they will become God’s lesson to anyone who tries to desecrate the Holy Book.”

aa Last year, a group of Hamas militants stormed a Catholic church in Gaza, broke every cross they could get their hands on, burned prayer books and Bibles, & destroyed statues.

bb Nothing happens by accident-we are under attack.

B The attack we are under is of spiritual nature.

1 We’re talking Bibles/Qu’ran, Christianity/Islam, God’s Law/Shiri Law...spiritual battle.

a I am convinced Islam is the end-time one-world religion

aa Its demonic deception will only be increased.

bb As a religion, it is being used as a part of the devil’s grand scheme/attack on the Church, Kingdom of Christ.

b Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph 6:13 (NASB)

2 “I’ve had all I can stand, and I can’t stands no more.”-Popeye

a However, standing is exactly what we’ve been called to as Christians.

b Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness...Eph 6:11-14 (NASB) we’re told to “stand” 4x’s in 4 verses.

3 Let’s look at what it means for us to stand in these last days.

I Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day...

A God’s people are at war, & continue to be at war with the devil until Jesus returns & takes charge.

1 All of us are enlisted in the Lord’s Army (no one is exempt-God isn’t giving any of us deferments).

a There are a few draft dodgers here & there, but many of us are eager to defend & fight for our King.

b Even the most eager/willing soldier is helpless without God’s provision.

c Paul’s point is “Put on the full armor of God!”

2 We have God’s provision by being His child, having His Word, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, access to the resources of heaven.

a He is our strength, shield...but He’s only our strength/shield if we are obedient-do what He demands.

b We must take it up/put it on.

3 If we don’t, we won’t be able to resist the devil.

B The armor is not a uniform, it’s to be on full-time.

1 We don’t put it on/take it off like an outfit.

a The devil is scheming, roaming like a lion...

aa Stalking in the tall grass...

bb Sneaking up on us...

b He tries to do two things:

aa Attempts to take territory that is no longer his

bb Defame Christ & His Kingdom by causing you to fail.