Disclaimer:
Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copies and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Pastor James May
The Battle Flag of God!
Between the years of 1850 and 1890 America’s focus changed from self-preservation during the Civil War to expansion. Since most of the nation east of the Mississippi river had become “civilized”, the most logical direction for our new frontier was to head out west across the plains to California. Horace Greeley is credited with the famous words, “God west young man, Go West!”
Yes, the West was a place to seek your fortune and to find a new way of life but there were grave dangers also. Besides drought, wild animals, bandits and starvation, the greatest danger of all was from the Indian Tribes whose land we were confiscating.
Which of us, especially of my generation, has not been stirred by emotion when we see the wagon train, surrounded by hundreds of bloodthirsty Indians whose protection of their land and homes meant that they must kill every man, woman and child of these invading white eyes from the east?
The most exciting moment of these movies for me was when it seemed that all was lost, and the Indians were surely about to annihilate the settlers, off in the distance you could hear the bugle call of the cavalry as they came riding into the battle with their banners flying in the breeze and their sabers held high.
You can’t watch this without the wonderful feeling of relief and joy that the victory is finally won, unless you happened to be one of the attacking Indians.
Throughout History there have been countless battles fought and won because soldiers would rally around their flag. To lose that banner in battle would be the height of insult and a sign of defeat from which a unit would not recover.
Even in our own nation, if you are a true patriot, when you see the Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze it brings up a sense of pride and reverence. Sad to say, those feelings are slowly but surely being erased from the heart of America.
Yes, mankind has rallied around many banners, standards and flags to win battles that have brought great changes and shaped the course of History.
But the greatest Standard that has ever been raised, and the one that brings the greatest changes on earth is The Blood Stained Banner of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan has marshaled his forces in an all out battle against God, against righteousness and against those who trust in Jesus Christ and are the Bride of Christ.
Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The devil knows that his army cannot win and yet he does his best to make us believe that he will. He has drawn up his demons and has concentrated his powers in a battle line in order to defend his territory and to advance upon the eternal soul of mankind.
Church of the Living God, precious saints, I want you to know that Satan cannot defeat you. He can snarl, bark, growl, hiss or whatever he thinks might frighten you but he has no power to destroy God’s people.
God’s angels are encamped around his children. The Holy Spirit is within you and greater he than all the forces of Satan in this world. The armies of Heaven are standing, waiting for God to give them direction to charge into your battle and fight off the devil. You are on the winning team and never forget it!
I heard a minister put it this way. Satan has set his forces in order. His generals (principalities) set up his government and methods and they pass along the battle plan of Satan to the Lieutenants (powers). They in turn pass along the orders to the Sergeants (the rulers of darkness of this world) and then it’s the duty of the Privates (spiritual wicked demons) to carry out the mission.
But the devil knows that his plans are for nothing. His army has already been kicked out of Heaven and it will soon be kicked off this earth too. God has prepared a Lake of Fire for Satan and his demons. Those people who join forces with Satan will be there too.
But the Church marches on under the Banner of the Lord!
Satan has tried to stop the church as it goes forth but he can’t do it.
He has lost the battle to keep the gospel out of Russia where the church is flourishing under a new freedom of religion that is putting America’s so called freedom to shame. He is losing the battle in Red China where the church is growing in a vast underground network and people are being saved. All around the world there is a revival and the church of the Living God is marching onward in victory!
Isaiah 59:19, "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."
Just about the time when it seems that we get discouraged from the fight, the Holy Spirit will flood our soul and refill us with the power of God.
God’s battle flag, the Blood stained banner of the Cross, is crammed into the face of the enemy and Satan’s forces cringe in fear and defeat for they know they are whipped.
God’s promise of victory over sin, death, hell and the grave are seen time and again throughout the Word of God.
God will not allow his church to be defeated for he has promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Zechariah 9:14-17, "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! …."
It may seem that the devil is winning because our world gets more wicked everyday. But God is allowing this to happen in an effort to bring man to his knees in repentance.
Yet, the evil of this world and the reign of Satan are held in check by the victorious church.
2 Thessalonians 2:7, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."
Yes, God’s true Church, His called out ones, His chosen people, the Apple of His eye, those who love Him and looking for His coming have nothing to fear for we are on the offensive and the powers of hell must retreat before our advance.
In my heart I can see the ranks of Christians, with the Banner of the Lord out front, with Jesus Christ as our Lord and King leading us ever onward, headlong into the battle against the dark powers. They are in full retreat as we steadily advance.
Just as in any battle, we may see some who are wounded by sin. Sometimes our faith is weak, our knowledge of the Word is lacking or our commitment is lacking. This allows Satan’s darts to wound us causing some to fall away and must be restored.
Psalms 40:2, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."
Jesus never gives up on a wounded soldier.
He gives us access to the very throne of God to seek forgiveness and healing for our soul. God is quick to hear and heal so that we join the fight once more.
But what about you; are you a part of God’s Church or are you fighting on the losing side with Satan.
Every one of us is in a spiritual war right now. There is no neutrality in this fight. You’re either on one side or the other.
God’s Battle Flag is out front. Jesus is beckoning us onward with the promise of victory.
But, the decision must be ours to follow Him.
There is coming a day soon when all of the armies of the world will be drawn together in one final battle against God. This is called the Battle of Armageddon.
I hope that all of you who hear this message will be at that battle on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When that day comes, Jesus will come riding out of Heaven on a white stallion, with all the saints dressed in white robes of righteousness and riding white horses behind him. We will all ride to earth to defeat the powers of hell once and for all.
But not one of God’s army will have to fight or be wounded in that battle for with the Word of His mouth, going forth like a sharp sword, will destroy the enemies in one quick moment.
Will you be on the winning side, or will your blood flow with the millions of others who are killed as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords strikes his final blow of judgment?
The Church of God, the Bride of Christ, marches ever onward!
The Blood Stained Banner of Christ is flying high!
The Trumpet of God is soon to sound, calling all mankind together for the last great battle!
Satan’s forces are crumbling all around him. His reign of terror and fear will soon be over. Those who serve him will go into everlasting punishment.
God’s army is steadily winning. His millennial Kingdom is already prepared. His reign of peace and joy will be eternal. Those who serve Him will go into everlasting glory and victory.
The choice is a no-brainer! But, you must make that choice.
Which will it be, lose with Satan or win with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Make your choice wisely. When life is over, and the battle has ended, and the destiny of all men is sealed, it will be too late to choose then.
