Could an
individual Christian be called a soldier of the Lord? If we are soldiers then
where is the war?
Text: Eph. 6:10-18
Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on
the whole armor 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 armor of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith
ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
A bunch of recruits were having a written examination, and when one of
them was asked why he wasn't working, he replied, "Sir, I have neither
paper nor pencil."
"Well!"
exclaimed the instructor, "what would you think of a soldier who went
into battle with neither rifle nor ammunition?"
The
recruit thought for a moment, and then answered, "I'd think he was an
officer, sir." Unfortunately,
too many Christians today think they are officers" in God's army and have
no need of the Spirit's weapons.
Don't underestimate the enemy!
The
church is involved in a spiritual War with the devil and his armies for the
lives and the souls of men, women, boys, and girls.
I. Have you Looked up! The
warfare we are involved in is spiritual nature. This is war. Everyone
has a captain or a sergeant that we listen to.
Who is yours? If you are
not following the Lord then yours is the devil.
If you are not serving the Lord then you are doing exactly what the
devil wants you to do. If you are
seeking to serve the Lord then you are in the battle and the devil is the
enemy. This is a spiritual war
and we need some spiritual veterans who will continue to do battle.
What is the battle over? The
battle is for the souls and lives of men and women.
The first life in the balance is yours.
When you have been won to the Lord then you are involved in this fight
for the control of the destiny of the souls of humans.
One pastor that I know
left his church after 10 months said that he was leaving because he knew if he
stayed it would be a fight. Anytime
anyone serves the Lord in the church it is going to be a fight with the enemy
the devil. How can you avoid the
fight? Stay off of the
battlefield.
v.10-12. We wrestle against the powers of the invisible
forces of the devil.
The
captain of our army is Jesus.
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the
suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom [are] all
things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to
make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
II.
Are you signed up?
Are you resolved to serve?
For the fight and committed. Have
you joined God’s Army the church opened the door?
Put on the helmet of salvation. A
spiritual veteran is someone who has been there.
Have you been there? Are
you still in the battle for the souls of men and women?
There is only one way to lose. That
is if we don’t show up for the war. This
is war. Declare war on the evil
of the world that goes away from the one true living God. This is a selective
service and God wants you.
Have
you joined up! This is a
volunteer service for the Lord and it is your decision to serve or
not. You don't have to get involved in the work of the Lord.
This is your choice. In
Uncle Sam's army you were always told to not to volunteer for anything.
But in God's army you must volunteer because the Lord has led you to
get involved in delivering the people from the grips of the devil. Our symbols are baptism and communion with the Lord.
Set those held in the grasp of sin free.
III.
Have you Suited Up! Are
you involved?
Put on your armor before
going into battle. The armor is spiritual in nature and it is the product of a
strong relationship with the Lord of the armies.
The armor is offensive in nature. It is not a defensive position but we are created to go to
battle. V.
14…having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Wear the
truth. Live the right. Go spread the gospel. Let
faith be your guard and salvation your protection. Use the sword of the Lord or the word of God to win others.
IV.
Are you moving out?
Are you evolved in the Lord’s work?
George Jefferson was moving on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Are you going up into the battle of the Lord?
No armor for the back. Don’t
turn away, but turn with the Lord.
Move
up and out. Reach up and out.
Can you imagine an army suited up but never going anywhere?
That’s the picture of the church today.
The church is like a lion with a roar but no bite.
Each of us must move out into the work of the Lord.
It
is time for the church to storm the gates of hell and set those held in the
bondage of sin free. Set the
captives free.
How can the army of God be defeated?
The only way we can loose is by not showing up for the battle.
Will we show up? How? Begin to pray. V.18
praying always...
V.
Are you standing up? Have you stood up for the Lord? Many
of your friends, family, and neighbors depend on your stand.
Will you stand up for the Lord today?
Having done all to stand.
Follow
the leadership of our captain by taking his hand and
1. Pray 2.
Love others 3. Serve
others 4.
Commit your self to the war.
5. Care
for the unlovable.
In the power of his might give yourself to follow the
captain who died for others. He bids you and me to come follow him, take up
our cross and die for others.
Look up for the captain of our salvation..
Join up with the Lord's volunteer army of believers.
Suit up with the Lord and get busy going out into the
battle.
Move up and out to the Lord's work. This is war. Now it
is time to begin to pray!