January 12, 1991 Ephesians 6:10-24 THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD The decision to live for Jesus Christ inevitably leads to a spiritual warfare. The decision itself, and every "YES!" to God thereafter will be met with opposition, sometimes passive, sometimes subtle, sometimes active and massive. I don't like talking about warfare this evening. I trust that we shall have peace in our time on earth. But whatever happens in the Persian Gulf, in these days more than ever before perhaps, we need to recognize that living for God, living by faith in Jesus Christ, is a spiritual warfare. Every impulse for good is opposed. We need God's equipping grace to face life. And God does have grace with which to equip us! To recognize the the spiritual dimensions in our struggles is a significant part of the battle. It isn't that the devil is responsible for every bad feeling we have; but he will seize upon it and use it unless we refuse to play into his evil schemes. [This past week in a Prayer Retreat one of the most highly respected men on the district told how he FELT at times like a total failure. There may well be psychological easons for these and many others of our feelings. But Satan uses such feelings as a launching pad for attacks designed to put us out of the fight; to incapacitate us, and leave us weak and self-centered and out of the battle.] These words in Galatians Six are much, much more than a quaint description of ancient armor. Paul is speaking to life as we have to live it just now in all its tension-- and believe me, the whole world is feeling the strain! Christians need to be equipped! This is not just "spiritual talk." It speaks of very real human struggle! I. CASUALTIES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE Unfortunately we all know sad casualties of the warfare for men and womnen's souls. A. I see a young Christian "all-out for God". Then there is a FLAME OUT! Perhaps disillusion with older Christians (they aren't perfect!) Perhaps "intelectual problems." B. I recall a solid, sincere, intelligent Christian at a Christian college. Not a partyer; good testimony. Becomes a high- paid specialist in a high paying profession. The things of the world enamor him-- he becomes rich.. and totally useless to the kingdom of God. C. I know of not one not two not three or four talented men of God-- genuine talent-- real call-- become ambitious, or greedy, or lustful-- and they FALL! They take an untold toll when they fall. D. It is hard to compare casualties like this with much more graphic casualties of physical warfare. And it is easy to assume that I am being totally parochial, and exaggerating-- easy to assume that I am a Nazarene pastor who cannot see beyond the ministry of my own denomination. But I AM desperately concerned that the people I serve-- the sphere of influence where I can make my voice heard-- realize the seriousness and the all-out nature of this spiritual warfare. I am concerned that WE REALIZE THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES OF WINNING OR LOSING THIS WARFARE. II. DIMENSIONS OF PREPAREDNESS FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE A. Make no mistake: REAL danger exists! The old armor is only representative-- but there are GUT shots and HEART shots and FOOT shots! Each piece of armor is connected with some aspect of the integrity of obedience. The admonition is: YOU NEED IT ALL! Some people never get past playing roles! (Jesus spoke of children playing "wedding" or "funeral" and dancing or crying on cue.) 1. LOINS - truth - 6:14 Some people never can quite get themselves to quit the sin business; to own perfect allegience to King Jesus. 2. BREASTPLATE - break with sin! excusing/rationalizing Some people never learn to "take care of their feet". They always travel on other people's spiritual insights. We have to do some Bible digging for ourselves! 3. FEET - step-by-step is how we take the Promised Land Not one of us is perfect! We all have "chinks" in the armor! 4. SHIELD OF FAITH Not one of us knows all the answeres! [I like how Jesus handled dear Doubting Thomas! He was kind!] 5. HELMET Professor Jesus! More later-- SWORD & PRAYER! III. THE BATTLE JOINED! A. It can never simply be "business as usual!" There is a war on! B. The battle somehow centers in the struggle for the personality of men and women! And somehow it is centered in this period of mortal life here in time and space. C. Strange as it may seem, I do not think it is necessary to be "experts on the opposition." The enemy IS wise and darkly powerful. But God has defeated him. God is "working both sides of the street" when it comes to spiritual struggle. D. We may fill our place in this spiritual warfare: the idea is to "Fight the good fight of faith!" There are TWO VITAL ITEMS which we have not yet discussed: 6:17 The sword of the Spirit! The living Word... connected with the Bible, but living in and through Christ-in-you: "Being used of God!" the cutting edge of the gospel! 6:18 Prayer in the Spirit! Prayer is where we maintain contact! How we receive orders. How we are nourished! Conclusion: We're in this war for the duration! For as long as it takes! We all need the prayers of one another! Soldiers do as they are told! They don't have to survive! They DO have to be faithful! Let us Pray: Equip us, O Lord, to be Your faithful soldiers. Amen. [ Baptismal Candidates as well as others who wish to stand with them in re-affirming Baptismal Vows invited to come forward to front seat during hymn. Congregation sings: EH #58 - Soldiers of Christ, Arise!] Mini-Homily: The words of ritual in the Church of Jesus Christ across the years have referred to the significance of water in the ceremony of baptism: NOAH AND THE ARK ISRAEL THROUGH RED SEA (AND JORDAN RIVER) JESUS BAPTISM WITH SINNERS SIGNIFYING THE WASHING AWAY OF SINS THROUGH SPIRITUAL BIRTH ... as well as the significance of being "buried with Christ and arising with Him in newness of life. We mention also such scriptures as Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned." Acts 2 where Peter says [Peter]: "Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You are obeying your Master, Jesus Christ in presenting yourselves for baptism here this day. (Shall we pray) Prayer: O Fathr, Give the assurance of Your Holy Spirit's Presence to these persons who confess Your name in Baptism today! [Will the congregation please stand; will the Baptismal Candidates stand here at the altar; and those wishing to re- affirm their vows publicly stand with them. May we ALL hear the questions, and answer them before God as an affirmation of our belonging to the Body of Christ:] Beloved: Desiring to receive holy Baptism, the Lord Jesus Himself has promised in His Word the things we have prayed for; the Church of Jesus Christ stands ready to receive you, and you may count on His faithfulness, as well as the stedfastness of the true Church until He comes. Your part is to promise by God's grace to renounce the devil and all his works, to constantly believe God's holy Word, and to obediently keep Christ's commandments. Please give public testimony by answering the following questions appropriately: Do you renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetoius desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them? Answer: I renounce them all. Do you believe in the truth as stated in the Apostle's Creed? Answer: All this I stedfastly believe. Will you be baptized in this faith? Answer: It is my desire. Will you then obediently keep God's holy will and command ments, and walk with Jesus as your Savior and Lord all the days of your life? Answer: God being my helper, I will endeavor so to do. Prayer: Grant, O Lord, that these persons may truly be buried with Christ as dead indeed unto sin and evil affections, and that they may be raised to newness of life in Christ. Grant that this baptism may be a means of grace that they may know that they have power and strength to have victory and to triumph over he world, the flesh and the devil all the days of their lives. [To the candidates;] In just a few moments, as we baptize each one of you, we affirm that you are full members, not necessarily of this organization we call the Church of the Nazarene, but full members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and living participants in the Body of Christ. Those of you have re-affirmed your Christian Baptism of other years, we pray that God indeed does witness to your hearts that you, too, are called to be a vital part in the Church of Jesus Christ, living members in the Body of Christ, the Church. The Baptismal Candidates may leave to prepare for the Sacrament. Those who have re-affirmed their vows may return to your seats; you all may be seated. (Congregational Song - Sacrament - Benediction and/or as appropri ate, led by Pastor Nielson) Pastor Nielson close the service and give benediction.