February 07, 2010
Stand!

TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

The question comes up every once in awhile.

“What’s wrong with the church these days?”
With scandals rocking it at its foundations, shrinking memberships and worship attendance, the questioning of basic doctrines, and the little impact it seems to have on the culture these days, people are puzzled and wonder, “What’s wrong?”

I believe that the Apostle Paul would respond to that question in this way:
“Perhaps the church has forgotten it’s in a war. ..that this world is a war zone between the power of the evil one and the Kingdom of God.”
He would probably then go on and say, “Church of Christ, wake up and stand!”

Where do I get this notion?

From a portion of a letter that Paul wrote to a young church in Ephesus. It referred to as the book of Ephesians in our Bibles. That congregation existed in a cosmopolitan area with a real mix of peoples, nations, and belief and value systems. The great Temple of Artemis was in that community and the church was surrounded by paganism. Perhaps it was in danger of losing its way – being swallowed up by the majority. So Paul wrote them a letter. First, he reviewed the basic doctrines with them. Then he launched into a secton on how to live as Christ’s community in response to the gospel. But then there is this interesting little section at the end of the letter where Paul attempts to awaken them to what they are really facing. I believe these Spirit soaked words are for us as well today in the contemporary church. Read Ephesians 6:10-20…..

According to Paul there is a war going on – a spiritual war – against the church of Jesus Christ. There is one who longs to destroy the church and your faith. I am sometimes asked, “do you really believe that Satan exists?” I do. People much smarter and wiser than me believe that as well. I like what writer CS Lewis wrote on this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel and excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”
Obviously from our text, Paul believed this. So did Peter….and John. And of course, we know our Lord Jesus did as he talked of the gates of Hades not prevailing against his church, or told of the temptation in the wilderness to get him off track from his mission. He was under attack!

So, how does Satan work? He has a variety of ways.

Through heresy and compromise. Sometimes he uses adversity to discourage us and quiet us. Sometimes he uses apathy to the commission of the church. Gets the church preoccupied with trivialities that don’t matter and we lose sight of the great commission to change the world with the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that we are not called to be a church that moves WITH the world, but a church that MOVES the world.

Paul saw a the church in the midst of a spiritual battle and danger of being swallowed up and rendered useless by the surrounding culture.
Things have not changed. We still are in the midst of battle. Yes, we know that Jesus defeated the power of sin, death, and the devil through the cross and resurrection, but according to the Word of God we are still in the midst of a mop up operation. There is still opposition.

And so Paul issues a battle cry. “Stand” he says. Not once but four times. It’s military language which means “hold the line.” “Soldiers, hold the line.”

He also writes, “stand against.” Against what? The wiles of the evil one who seeks to knock us off balance and keep us from carrying out the kingdom mission.

And here is the good news. …Paul writes, “You’re not on your own in this. God has provided all you need to be victorious.”

Paul then goes on to describe God’s battle wear: the belt of truth – the Gospel of Jesus the way the truth and the life. The breastplate of righteousness to protect your heart and remind you that you are righteous through Christ and you can do the right thing through him. The shoes of the gospel of peace allow one to stand strong and steady as you are prepared to share the good news of Christ. The shield of faith protects your attitude as you trust in the God’s power. The helmet of salvation protects your thinking and gives you confidence that the battle is the Lord’s and I am his forever.” Finally there is the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. Read it, study it, apply it. It is the church’s authority in matters of faith and life. Soldier of Christ, operate under it.

Finally, Paul reminds them to pray at all times. It takes a supernatural power to stand strong. We cannot do it on our own. If we are going to be salt of the earth, a light to the world, a city on a hill we must be continually connected to the supernatural power of God offered us in prayer. Like the hymn says, “Put on your gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”

So what’s the big idea Paul is communicating? THERE IS A BATTLE GOING ON! STAND! HOLD THE LINE!

When I was younger we sang about that a lot in our church. “Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war.” “ Lead on O King Eternal, the day of march has come.”

These hymns were reminders. There’s a battle going on. They served as reveilles for the church. That’s what Paul does for us in this text today. He’s blown reveille with these words.
Stand!

Amen.

Rev. Steve Kramer
Christian Crusaders