Sermon Central
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Standing Strong For The Lord!
Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Jun 20, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: To challenge each Christian to stand for the Lord in their daily walk.
PP0715 DATE
STANDING STRONG FOR THE LORD!!
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV)
INTRODUCTION: One of the hardest jobs of any pastor is to keep the congregation on a steady growth, a steady place of inhabitation, a steady walk with the Lord. It is hard to stand strong today – there are temptations from everywhere to change our stand.
The Pastor’s responsibility is to lead the flock. To protect them from evil beasts and sicknesses. Looking at your own responsibility, how does our responsibilities differ? Each of you are responsible for your own growth, your own protection and your own spiritual health. Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (KJV)
Therefore, in a true sense of speaking, your job and my job has very little difference in job description.
Ga 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.(KJV)
Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV)
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)
Each of us are to look out for the other in all manners of spiritual and personal matters.
If you are going to stand for the Lord, and stand against the devil there will be some things that you must possess:
The challenge I want to give you tonight is to “Stand Strong For The Lord”! If you are going to do that you must follow a very certain recipe. The recipe must be biblical in content, and expectant of results in your individual life.
I. A HEART FOR THE SAVIOR
Where are those who have a heart for God, and the things of God? When I was a boy there were many that had a heart for the Saviour - now there are but few. You can sense it when people have a heart for God. It is a kindred spirit. We need those who have a longing for the heart for the Savior. You must love Jesus before you will live for Him.
“I will serve Thee, because I love thee.”
A heart for the Savior is a:
A. Result Of A Personal Salvation.
You will never develop a heart for the Savior until you have had a salvation experience. You must be born again.
It is not turning over a new leaf. It is not cleaning up your life. It is a change that takes place in your life. When Jesus Christ comes into your heart, you will develop a heart for the Saviour.
B. Result From A Total Surrender. Saying yes to the Lord Jesus Christ. Being in a position to allow Him to mandate what He wants me to do with my life. I have been bought with a price. I have no right to say, “This is what I will do with my life.” I have but one responsibility, and that is to surrender my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is impossible to say you have a heart for the Savior if you are not surrendered.
C. Result Of Dying To Self.
Some say, “That is no big deal.” You haven’t done much dying lately. You must die daily. Crucify this flesh daily. “Not my will, but thine be done.”
(Illustration) You can’t insult a dead person. You can say anything you wish about the corpse and he will not respond. The family might be offended, but not the dead person.
People say the strangest things at the casket:
“He looks so natural”.
“He looks so good.”
“She looks as though she could talk to us.”
You could say, “He looks terrible”, and the corpse would not respond.
“That’s the ugliest suit I have ever seen.”
“What an obnoxious dress.”
“I wouldn’t be caught in that dead.”
You can say all matter of stuff, and you will not offend the corpse.
A dead person has no opinion.
You will never be successful in standing for the Lord until you have a heart for the Savior, which means death to self.
D. A Result Of Self-Denial.
Lu 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (KJV) A person who is given to an appetite for things of the world will not deny self. When our love for the Lord supersedes all other emotions then we will be on our way to “Standing Strong For The Lord”.
