Your Mission If You Choose To Accept It

I. Introduction:

When a unit downrange in Iraq or Afghanistan goes on a patrol outside the wire they have a patrol brief that is given so that everyone on that team knows what is going on. The patrol brief has many elements to it but today we are going to look at 3 basic elements. The first is the enemy situation the environment or conditions the team is likely to encounter during the patrol. Secondly, a roll call is done for accountability and personnel are briefed on their specific role within the patrol. Thirdly, they are given the anticipated end state which is what should be accomplished at completion of the mission. This morning the Lord will be giving us our spiritual patrol brief. He will identify the situation and environment we are likely to encounter. He will identify His team and provide each with a specific role. And lastly, He will tell us what the end state should be when the mission is accomplished.

II. Point 1 – The Situation and Environment

a. The days are evil

b. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual battle.

c. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, ( 1 Peter 5:8-9)

d. Examples of moral decay – 50% of 1st marriages end in divorce

60% of 2nd marriages end in divorce

70-75% of 3rd marriages end in divorce

Divorce is readily available and socially acceptable. Instead of honoring the vows we take during our wedding ceremony “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health till death do us part” and making the relationship work many choose to give up when life gets difficult.

before marriage has become the social norm. Waiting until marriage is considered old fashioned and out dated.

Increase in living together before getting married. The success rate of those living together who actually get married is the same as 2nd marriages – 60% end in divorce.

Same marriages is gradually being accepted.

Be wise and alert. Make no mistake about it. Our battle is a spiritual battle and the enemy, Satan is alive and well and he is chewing away deceptively at our morality.

But the Lord Almighty has created a team to be on constant patrol.

III. Point 2 – The Team – do the roll call (Father, Husband, Mother, Wife, Son, Daughter)

The team the Lord is sending out into the world is the family. He has chosen each one of you to make a difference for him in this world. You are specifically chosen, you are specifically called, you are specifically equipped with gifts and talents he wants you to use for His glory and the benefit of others. You are responsible for carrying out your role. Whether or not you perform your role is not dependent upon your other teammates performing their role. You are to execute your role “as unto the Lord” in obedience and reverence. This is your spiritual act of worship.

a. Father

i. You are accountable to God for everything that goes on in your household. God has chosen you to be the human, “in the flesh” example of servant leadership. We are not to Lord our “head of the household” position over anyone. If we are than it shows that we do not have an understanding of servant leadership.

ii. Many people say that they did not have a father growing up so they do not have a good example of what a good father should look like. Your primary relationship in life must be God the Father. In Him we have the perfect example of a father. We see His loving patience with His children as we continually stray away in our own sin. We see how His love for us is truly unconditional. He continually teaches us,

continually loves us, continually forgives us and gave His all for us. He always has our best interests in mind.

iii. Husband love your wife by giving yourself up for her. Sacrificially meet her needs. Do you know what her needs are? Do you want to know what her needs are? She needs to be loved by you. She needs to know that the relationship is secure. She needs to know that you will always be there for her and the family and that you will not give up. She needs to know that you respect her and the things she does for you and the family. She needs to be encouraged by you and built up. She needs to know that you are spiritually grounded and that you are maintaining your relationship with God so that you can become the man, husband and father that the Lord desires for you to be.