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.
c The devil hates you...but his real aim is at Christ & His Kingdom.
2 Put on the armor to resist in the evil day.
II ...and having done everything, to stand firm.
A About 40 years ago in Ireland, 3 preachers prayed up, preached up massive evangelistic campaigns, saw thousands come to Christ.
1 A recent retrospective of the crusades found the 3 preachers.
a One was still faithfully preaching the Word, one had abandoned the faith/apostate, the other had died an alcoholic.
b What happened?
2 Some believers “have done everything” well in the Lord’s work...but they don’t continue to stand firm.
a Seen it time after time (burn white hot, serving, excited, called into ministry) only to one day turn their back on the work & return to the world.
b The circumstances differ, but the underlying reason is the same...they took the armor off.
c They lost their courage, power, desire to stand firm.
B John warned us: Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8 (NASB)
Paul did, too: ...but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Cor 9:27 (NASB)
1 These men weren’t worried about losing salvation, but reward...and more importantly, the usefulness to the Lord.
a The issue is not what you’ve done, but after the smoke & dust clears/battle is over...are you still standing true to the Savior?
b Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 Cor 10:12 (NASB)
2 We’re called to “resist the devil” & “stand firm”.
a Martin Luther stood accused of heresy at the Diet of Worms for going against the Roman Catholic Church teaching of earning salvation by saying man was saved by grace through faith in Christ. Luther said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God...here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”
b Neither can we! All we can do is stand firm faithfully.
Conclusion
A 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)
1 We are under attack & have been ever since Adam failed to stand firm.
2 I remember where I was when I got drafted-do you?
B God’s Busy (IL): A United States Marine was taking some college courses
between assignments. He had completed 20 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, "GOD, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform... I'll give you exactly 15 min."
1 The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am GOD, I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes, when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.
2 The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What in the world is the matter with you? Why did you do that?" The Marine calmly replied, "GOD was too busy today protecting America 's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So He sent me." The classroom erupted in cheers!
3 ...or a bag for your journey, or even two coats , or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support...Matt 10:10 (NASB)
a It’s on, war has been declared
b No exemptions, no deferments
aa Draft dodging
bb Defectors
C Let us...
1 Stand our ground (if we budge, he’ll get it back)
2 Keep your faith in the King & His armor
3 Stand against the enemy & his kingdom (his kingdom is one of sin-stand against sin).
4 Pray
a Salvation
b Rededication
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