July 6, 1997

Could the church be called an army?

Is the Church an Army?

By: Ron George Jr.

Text: Eph. 6:10-18

Ephe 6:10 (KJS) 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]. {flesh...: Gr. blood and flesh} {spiritual...: or, wicked spirits} {high: or, heavenly}

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. {having...:or, having overcome all}

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. Look up! The captain of our army is Jesus and the warfare we are involved in is spiritual. This is war.

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 battle field.. v.10-12.. We wrestle against the powers of the invisible forces of the devil..

Hebr 2:9 (KJS) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; 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. Join 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 . 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. Suit Up! 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..

1. The armor is offensive in nature . It is not a defensive postion but we are created to go to battle.

 

Before Andrew Jackson became the seventh president of the United States, he served as a major general in the Tennessee militia. During the War of 1812 his troops reached an all-time low in morale. As a result they began arguing, bickering, and fighting among themselves. It is reported that Old Hickory called them all together on one occasion when tensions were at their worst and said, "Gentlemen! Let’s remember, the enemy is over there."

His sobering reminder would be an appropriate word for the church today.

In fact, I wonder if Christ sometimes looks down at us and says with a sigh, "Christians, your Enemy is over there! Stop your infighting! Pull for one another. Support one another. Believe in one another. Care for one another.

Pray for one another. Love one another."

IV. Move up and out... Reach up and out.. Can you imagine an army suited up but never going anywhere.. Thats the picture of the church today.. A big toothless lion with all the potential but a bite.

 

Matt 16:16 (KJS) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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? By not showing up for the battle. Will we show up ? How? Begin to pray. V.18 Praying always...

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...!!