Without a doubt, everyone listening can say, "I had to prepare for life. For my job, for my health circumstances, for my finances, for my family," and so many other examples. When we think about being prepared, it never comes easy when we think about how constantly we need to be on top of things. Whether it's a home-cooked meal, or making a serious decision, getting ready for company to arrive during a holiday, or even going to see a sick friend or loved one in the hospital. And there are many other examples to circumvent, isn't there!
Sometimes though, when we try to prepare for something, we tend to get off track, thinking, "What's the use, or nothing is really happening that I can't control." We tend to do what “minimize our circumstance to fit our personality.” We seem to make things either more or less than what they really are! Obviously, we all need to be pessimistic than optimistic, but what happens when we just take things for granted, especially when it comes to our own spiritual well-being.
So when we mention about prepartions of our spiritual life, what comes to mind? Our prayer life? Our biblical studies? Our servanthood? Etc…
Certainly, all of those apply here, but I wanted to emphasize more on the mere fact of how being prepared is vitally important, even when we don’t think we need it!
In 1939, A British Major-General Sir Ernest Swinton, used to speak on the radio once each week as a military commentator. Nothing seemed to be happening, no guns were being fired, there had been no clash of arms, no air-raids had taken place, the war seemed dead. But Sir Ernest Swinton kept on saying each week, 'We are fighting for our lives.' He seemed to many to be a pessimist, but he kept on saying it. 'Make no mistake about it,' he used to say, 'we are fighting for our very lives.' And he continued to say it though nothing was happening. The fact was that he knew something about the power and the subtlety of the enemy; he knew what was happening. He knew that this apparent lull was most deceptive and that if we were wise, we would be preparing with all our might and main. He knew that the terrible onslaught was bound to come. And of course warfare did come, not too long after!
During WWII, many nations were involved, and just think how much preparation was made into attempting to help win the war? It was devastating wasn’t it? Some of you may remember it! But one thing stands to reason here, it’s the mere fact that where there is peace, there is also war! One cannot live without the other in this fallen world. War that not only devastates lives and even destroys but can cripple, mangle and terrorize the life of someone and yet, they still live!
In reading from the epistle of Ephesians, we are reminded just how serious our encounter with war-fare is, and even more relevant, how to prepare ourselves! Its the age old story of Good versus Evil!
Since the fall of man, sin has reigned in every single life, except the spotless lamb of God! Our Saviour!
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Basically, the devil himself!
I’m not telling you something you don’t already know, we all are facing a daily battle. So here is two solutions to the problem when we are faced with evil. One, give into it and become more like it, or two defend yourselves and resist at all costs. Which one of those are easier?
So, knowing as Christian, Jesus tells us we are to walk in the likeness of Christ, and suffer like Christ, and take up our cross and follow him. But is it enough, just to sweat, suffer and live in defeat?
A method to the madness of this sinful world is not just fight a war, but to honorably defend yourself while being a conqueror! That is being prepared for daily walking with God while holding close and putting on The Whole Armour of God! Friends, I’m sure each of us have heard about the Armour of God! We maybe even memorized it into our daily lives! But, in titling todays sermon “Be Strong, Stand Firm,” I myself fail at that feat, it seems every day in some fashion. But please do not mistake what God is saying here, we WILL be fighting for our lives, Just as the Major General stated earlier!
So what is God telling us to do? Ephesians 6:10 starts off like this, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
BOOM! Right there it is! Be strong! Be Strong in the Lord! Be Strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might! Its all there!
Throughout scripture friends, God absolutely tells us time and time again to do what? Trust him! Put Faith in Him! Be Strong in Him! Joshua chapter 1 is a great example of God giving all of us hope, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Friends, if you never listened to anything I ever said before, I beg you to hear me out on this! If God does not supply all our needs, then he is NOT GOD PERIOD! YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY TRUST HIM FULLY, WITHOUT FAIL!
What seems to drive us away from God, is what we will stand firm against, all the while putting on the WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD!
So lets look a little deeper into this HOLY ARMOUR!
Helmet of Salvation
Just as a soldier’s helmet protects his head, so our spiritual helmet protects our minds from the voices, false messages, ugly lies. It protects the battlefield of the mind.
Breastplate of Righteousness
This guards the heart – the source of a soldiers life. In a similar way, righteousness sprotects the spiritual ife of the Christian. Our righteousness comes not from ourselves but form Christ..
Sword of the Spirit
Paul noted only one offensive weapon, the soldiers sword. For the Christian, the sword is the Word of God; all that God is and has given to us.
Shield of Faith
Faith gleems the armor with security to defect anything thrown at us. Firey arrows to actual words, they are all deflected and extinguished..
Belt of Truth
The belt served as the foundation of the armor, holding the sword, breastplace in place. We cannot stand unless we stand on truth of God.
Shoes of Peace
The armor is heavy, and the feet sustain all the load. From giving us traction and security to withstand the heat of battle all the while giving us the peace that comes only from our Lord and Saviour.
Inclosing, Having Gods Holy Armor means one things, we CAN SUCEED IN ANYTHING WITH IT ON! In Verse 11 it says clearly “Put On The Whole Armor of God!” Notice God doesn’t put it on for us, WE DO IT!
We can endure hardship! We can conqueor our mission to fight the good fight and keep the faith of our Lord.
Be of good cheer friends! Don’t worry! God has got this, we just need to work better on trusting him and leaning of him throughout our lives, to be better prepared in learning Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Salvation and The Word of God. All of this coming to final conclusion, to Be Strong and Stand Firm! Amen.