Taking A Stand

From the Desk of Pastor Toby Powers

Truth Baptist Church

Bremen, GA

www.trumpetoftruthonline.org

TAKING A STAND Eph. 6:10-18

Intro: We come to expect an unmoveable object to always be there. Landmarks we call them; things that never move. God is unmoveable, and unchangeable, and we should pattern our lives after his example and stand, therefore. Like the hymn writer George Duffield Jr. wrote, it is time to “STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.” This word “therefore” means consequently, or because of the before mentioned statement. Because of the wiles of the Devil we should stand. Because of the warfare with Satan, we should stand. Because of the wrestling match with principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness, we should stand. IT IS TIME FOR GOD’S PEOPLE TO TAKE A STAND!

I. How Should We Stand?- We Should Stand:

A. Scripturally- as Jesus in Matthew 4:4, 7, 10.

B. Prayerfully- as did Peter and John in Acts 4 (they were commanded to preach no more in Jesus’ name, but they prayed and continued to preach).

C. Courageously- as was commanded in Deut. 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them, for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee. He will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”

II. Where Should We Stand?- We Should Stand:

A. Publicly- as Jesus did- Luke 13:10-17, 31-32, Notice He was in the synagogue publicly teaching and working miracles(10). When the government said he could not do it, He said that he would do miracles today and tomorrow, and God would glorify him.

B. By God- as Moses did- Deut. 5:31, “But as for thee, stand thou here by me and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes and the judgements which thou shalt teach them.” Stand by God... his precepts, plan, power, and purpose.

C. In the Gap- The Gap Of: Separation of Church and State... Putting God First in All Things... Service Created by Non-Workers... Prayer Created by unconcerned people... Evangelism Created by Apathetic Folk... Steadfast Christian Living... Forgetting God, His Church, His Program, His Promises, His Power, and The Return of His Son. STAND IN THE GAP AND MAKE UP THE HEDGE!

Ezek. 22:30, “I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap for the land, that I should not destroy it.”

III. Why Should We Stand?- We Should Stand Because:

A. Many folk are looking for something or some one stable to hang on to.

B. Very few are standing in the gap. Ezek. 13:5, “Ye have not gone up into the gap, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the day of battle in the day of the Lord.”

C. It is Right- Since our enemy opposes God. II Thess. 2:4, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.”

IV. How Can You Stand?- Stand having on the Whole Armour of God: Breastplate of Righteousness, Loins girt about with Truth, Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and The Sword of the Spirit.

V. When Should We Stand?- We Should Stand:

A. As long as we can

B. ‘Till the houses be wasted without inhabitants. Is. 6:11

C. As long as God stands

D. As long as there is breath in your body

E. Stand at home, on the job, at the business, in the midst of trouble, in good times, in bad times; stand in war, stand in peace, stand in truth, stand in faith, stand in work, stand in patience, stand in wisdom, stand in preparation, stand in dedication, stand wherever you are, stand wherever you go, stand as long as you can stand, and one day you can stand before the face of the Righteous Judge and hear him say, “Well done thy good and Faithful Servant!!”

VI. Sinner Take a Stand: Stand for Jesus because you are lost and need salvation.

A. Stand for Hell awaits you.

B. Stand for Salvation is priceless, but free.

C. Stand for Satan has deceived you, duped you, and lied to you, and it’s time for things to change!

D. Stand because Jesus died for you.

E. Stand because your friends and family may be saved if you will.

F. Stand because in Hell you will wish for eternity that you had.

G. Stand today because the time is short, and running out.

Stand now and come to Jesus while there is still a chance to get things right.

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