Sermon Title: What is our struggle?
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
ILLUSTRATION:
As a group of frogs was traveling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.
However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit.
Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out.
Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.
He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought
they were encouraging him the entire time.
Scripture Text:
Ephesians 6:10-20 (NLT)
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
THE WORD OF GOD
FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
Sermon:
First on the list is one of our struggles that has been around since people could communicate with each.
And that struggle is: What is truth.
How can we find truth? What is truth? What is there about it that make us want to fine it. How can we actually find truth?
- First we have to know its not our truth or their truth but “the Truth”.
- God communicates with us through His creation and our moral conscience via the Bible (what we know and understand about His Word spoken to us in His Bible) and His Holy Spirit.
- Our Conscience isn’t God talking to us. Our conscience is a learned thing from all the input we have received. Gods moral conscience is the Holy Spirit talking to us.
-Our conscience is a learned way of thinking, doing, and determining the correct way to do or go about things from many sources.
-Our God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. Learn to hear him, learn the sound of his voice, and know him when he speaks to you and to us.
Staying close to God and with God will enable us to hear Him and know His voice. He speaks in many way. For instance if you are separated from someone you love long enough you will forget what their voice sounds like. Never let that happen between you and your God.
Sometimes Christians quote the Bible to prove the Bible; to prove truth. Most skeptics are rightly cautious of this approach.
-Quoting the Bible to prove the Bible is viewed as being circular reasoning or illogical. After all, quoting the Bible to prove the Bible assumes the Bible is true, which is really the point of contention or discussion.
-But if the Bible can be shown to be a reliable document, accurately recorded and transmitted through history, from God to us, then we can build a strong case that the Bible is indeed true.
-The New Testament records are incredibly accurate. There are minor differences in manuscripts, called variants, but none of these variants impact or change key Christian beliefs or claims.
So what is our struggle? For me its knowing the Truth as God tells the Truth.
-My own conscience can rationalize just about any situation.
-God’s truth doesn’t rationalize but His truth finalizes.
John 18:37
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
In the first sentence of John 14:6 Jesus says:
6. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
