Prepare for Battle
Ephesians 6:10-20
We last looked to Gods word and studied the Beatitudes that Jesus gave us from the Sermon on the Mount. We covered a broad list of attitudes and characteristics that we as Christians are called to reflect in our lives as Gods children. It is not a list that anyone of us has been able to fully complete. We are Gods craftsmanship being made into that which He desires us to be day by day. We are to take the Beatitudes and build them into our character and daily life so that we can demonstrate God growing in us to the world.
How does the world respond to the people of God? What has been their reaction over the millennia? The short answer is that Gods people have been rebuked by the world. Gods people have been seen as a stumbling block and a reproach. We, as the living representatives of our faith have been reviled by the world. We stand in the way of the world. The world of sin which desires its own way rather than Gods way would love to see us vanish from the face of the earth. This is the conflict of the ages to which we are all a part of as Christians.
It was true for the Nation of Israel as the called out ones, the chosen of God and it is true for the Christians the redeemed of God those saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. How then can we make our way in such an environment? Why must we press on against such an adversary? What is the conflict all about and why should it matter to me?
Todays scripture passage was written almost two thousand years ago by a man who was put into prison for teaching about Jesus Christ. He was put into prison by a One World Government, by that I mean that the Government of the day ruled the entire known world of its time. It seems hard for us to comprehend such a thing since we live in a time of nation states but even now that seems to be changing before our very eyes.
The once independent nations of Europe have dismantled their independence in favor of co-dependence and are even now living under the European Union. It is a Union that has expanded from its original small group of ten nations and now represents more than 27 member states and continues to grow the concept of mutual dependency and centralized government rather than independence and local government. We are living in a time when we are witness to the dismantling of democracy. Such was the time that todays scripture came to the Church in Ephesus.
St. Paul wrote these words to assure the church of its unity in Christ, its unity of purpose and its share in the promise of Christ. Today we are still relatively free and we are free to speak out against whatever we wish but we see an ever increasing move to change laws and to build an attitude of fear. I like you have watched with concern the way the Americans have changed their laws and have removed civil liberties in favor of increased government powers to identify citizens and control their movements. Could we be approaching a new kind of government born out of the manipulation of fear using terrorism as a platform for destroying democracy as we know it? It does seem ominous.
What are we to do in such times? How are we to react and act as Christians and citizens?
We first must realize that we are not our own. We must realize that we are like the nation of Israel. We are Gods chosen people purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world just as the early church was. We are to draw all men to Jesus Christ through the message of the Gospel and the power of transformed lives that have the Holy Spirit living in them.
Today in Canada we see a nation that is ever more secular and less and less Christian. In fact in our Provincial Legislature the current Premier Dalton McGuinty wants to abolish the practice of reading The Lords Prayer at each opening session. He wants to strike The Lords Prayer and in its place replace it with a more inclusive prayer that reflects the diversity of Ontario.
Wed, February 13, 2008
Alternative to Lords Prayer considered for legislature
By Antonella Artuso, Sun Media
I believe it is time for Ontarios legislature to better reflect Ontarios reality and celebrate our diversity, McGuinty says in a letter to opposition party leaders. It is time to move beyond the daily recitation of the Lords Prayer in the Ontario legisature to a more inclusive approach that relfects 21st century Ontario.
http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/02/13/4844209.html
The government that we have and hold was made possible for us by Christian men and women who gave their lives in service to the ideal that is Canada. Yet today we see the very real effort of those in government who say that they represent our ideals abandoning them for something that removes God from our institutions of government.
A few weeks ago a dear saint here mentioned to me that I had neglected to read The Lords Prayer as part of our weekly devotions at Sunday Service. I apologized and as is my custom I tend to go a little long with my sermons so I left the prayer out of the order of service to save time. God has taken me to the wood shed on this issue and I want to apologize to you as a church for my error. In the future I will endeavor to shorten my sermon in favor of reciting The Lords Prayer.
While it does sometimes seem to be recited out of habit and without the solemnity that it deserves we will do our best to restore the practice and reverently, prayerfully pray The Lords Prayer as part of our Order of Worship. For if we the church leave off our practice of prayer what example are we to the government?
Times are changing for us as a nation and as Christians. We see ever more increasing attacks on the people of God and the Church of Christ almost in direct proportion to the efforts to appease other religious groups that were not principal in our founding as a nation.
In fact in another recent news item it was revealed that in Toronto Muslim men who have several wives, some as many as five are apply for and being granted social assistance and welfare up to amounts of $90,000.00 annually. It seems that the way the law is written they can and are doing this without legal ramifications. Canadians are not allowed to do the same thing because here polygamy is unlawful but if you immigrate from a country that does practice polygamy then it is perfectly fine to draw these large funds from the public purse.
Polygamous marriage partners snag welfare
Some Toronto Muslims with harems cashing in
Posted By Tom Godfrey, SUN MEDIA
http://www.recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=894722&auth=Tom+Godfrey%2c+SUN+MEDIA
It is time that put on the Armor of God. Let us take a look at that armor so that we know what it is we are to wear as we go into spiritual battle as a church.
Belt of Truth Gods word, Satan will and has used Gods word but twist it so that it sounds similar yet it is not. Just as when Eve was in the garden checking out the forbidden fruit.
Breastplate of Righteousness Satan often attacks our hearts, the seat of emotions, self worth and trust. Gods righteousness is the breastplate that protects our hearts. It is impenetrable for Gods righteousness is Holy.
Footwear We are called to go to all nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ so we must be ready to march as soldiers in all types of terrain at a moments notice.
Shield of Faith The Roman shield was designed in such a way that they could be locked together in a battle forming a wall to opposing enemies. We the church must be willing to draw together in battle and lock our shields one to the other as we stand and fight. We must draw faith from one another as we share our experiences with Jesus
Helmet of Salvation God has given you a new mind in Christ a new way of thinking about yourself and sin. You now understand that salvation is through Jesus Christ not your works or any other sacrifice. Know what you believe.
The Sword of the Spirit The only offensive weapon in your arsenal is Gods Word. This is the same weapon Jesus used in His battle with Satan in the desert. Plant Gods word deep in your heart so that you can bring it forward when needed whatever the circumstance.
Hebrews 4:12-13.
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Let us pray.
