Glad to be with you on this Thursday. As we head towards the fourth I’m grateful we can be together in God’s grace!
Our message this week is called “Battle Ready”. Our Scripture is Ephesians 6:10-18.
As you know Thursday is when we read and review all our work from the week. We look for how our ideas fit together. We listen for a message for Sunday.
Here’s what I’ve “heard” and what’s coming forward for me:
Since this is July 4 weekend, I thought it fitting to open with an illustration from the Declaration of Independence. In a sense, the Declaration of Independence was a declaration of war. When the signers penned their names they knew the King of England, George III, would not be pleased. They knew they better be battle ready.
This scenario of how conflict commences is very often the case. When you have a desire, make a decision, and state a declaration that you want to move forward in any area of life there are forces in play that want to maintain control and uphold the status quo. They are willing to fight for it. They are battle ready.
The Apostle Paul says this even applies to our faith. Faith is a moving forward in life in Christ’s love. When we want to become our best selves in God’s grace, bless others with God’s goodness, and advance God’s kingdom in our world we will face opposing forces. There will be a struggle. And it is a spiritual struggle.
We experience this struggle in many ways. We know these opposing forces by many names. The undertow of temptation is always pulling at us. The bottom line is, there is “spiritual warfare” and we need to be battle ready.
Not only does this Scripture speak of spiritual warfare, even our Baptismal Vows use this language. The opening question of the vows sets the tone, “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world and repent of your sin?”
As we enter into this struggle we need to be strong. Since this is a spiritual struggle we need to be strong in the Lord. This is the opening encouragement of our passage today.
The symbol of strength held up by this Scripture was the Roman centurion. He was the fiercest, most feared, formidable fighting man of his time. His armor was the epitome of his power.
When the Apostle said, “Put on the full armor” he was holding up this illustration of a centurion putting on his armor, piece by piece, as a prayer guide.
So how do we prepare with prayer for spiritual warfare? According to the Apostle it’s done through a “Wardrobe Check”.
“Praying in the Spirit” is a suiting up in spiritual strength. As the Apostle details the centurion’s outfit we find ourselves outfitted with what we need. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faithfulness, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Word are all put on, piece by piece, in prayer.
Being battle ready, we would always “keep alert”. Not only do we want to avoid an ambush. We want to see and seize the opportunities for love and life in Christ as they come. “Carpe Diem” for God’s Kingdom!
Even as we pray we want to support our fellow “soldiering saints”. The Apostle says for us to persevere in prayer and continue in supplication for all the saints.
This prayer support is particularly critical in these days. As Covid has made its rebound, many have felt more embattled than ever. Maybe you have too. Forces of disappointment and despair rise up and would pull us down. Yet we are battle ready. We know how stay strong in the Lord. We put on the full armor of God. We prepare with prayer.
In that strength which God supplies and the progress in faith it makes possible, we not only survive our struggles we rise to victory in the love and life of Jesus Christ.
These are talking points for Sunday. Of course the message will be fuller as illustration and commentary are added.
Besides the message, there will be some great music (as always), a short video celebrating VBS, and the observance of the sacrament of communion. It will be a beautiful time of worship.
In that faith which stays strong in the Lord as we prepare with prayer, I look forward to see you then!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank You always for the blessing of worship. Thank you for the ways worship strengthens us spiritually, so that we might be “strong in the Lord, in the strength of your power”. Thank You for how that strength fortifies our faith, especially in the spiritual struggles of our lives. For this gift of your grace and the ways we receive it with prayer, we give you our thanks and praise in Jesus’ holy name. Amen