WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.800 Shuffling going on here as we get squared out. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:10.859 I have some stuff here that I need today. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:10.859 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.100 Just put this on. 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:31.879 There you go. 00:00:33.780 --> 00:00:35.759 Let's get you kicked out here a little bit. 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:39.980 They go in, but well, forget that. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:40.939 There's too much detail. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:48.060 Isaac, come. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:48.140 Come. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:48.659 Come. 00:00:48.659 --> 00:01:00.959 I think the helmet will fit you, I'm pretty sure. 00:01:01.699 --> 00:01:03.500 Just get this helmet on here, would you please? 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:06.699 I know, there'll be a word from the back. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:07.719 Do this, do that. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:08.359 You know, it's like. 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:11.799 There we go. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:14.079 Go stand over there by Isaiah. 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:14.599 Yeah. 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:27.579 Well, when Greg Bernard also has material like this, a little bit, it's for Riot gear. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:30.879 And Seth Kirtland. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:33.319 Okay, guys. 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:34.899 Hey, pretty good looking, aren't they? 00:01:34.899 --> 00:01:35.239 Huh? 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:42.679 You can go back down now. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:47.439 No, Isaiah, you stay up here. 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:47.959 I need, no. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:49.379 I'm teasing. 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:10.199 I asked Greg Bernard and Seth Kirtland and Sam to give me a little bit of insight into the materials they wear when they are, 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:15.139 they're either firefighting or involved in what they do professionally. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:25.500 And I can tell you that none of them wear the protective gear that is part of their requirement for their job, 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:27.560 except when it's needed. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:30.979 You know, I, Greg, you have yours in the car. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:34.039 Is that when you go out that's there or it's tucked away somewhere? 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.400 And do you ever put it on to come down for breakfast? 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:38.319 I know. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:43.239 Sam, do you ever use yours to mow the lawn? 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:44.120 Anything like that? 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:46.680 You know, it's like, I know you live in a tough neighborhood. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:47.039 No, I... 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:51.560 And where's Kathy? 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:58.519 I don't know if things can be fiery there, but, you know, Seth does not come down with his kit on without a reason. 00:02:58.520 --> 00:02:59.480 Okay? 00:03:01.880 --> 00:03:11.160 I want us to think very, very carefully about how seriously we take the environment we live in. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:21.140 And I would be remiss to not preface our lesson with prayer. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:21.580 Am I right? 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.000 So let's pray. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:30.740 Father, we call upon your name. 00:03:33.180 --> 00:03:39.259 And in doing so, we confess our frailty and our inadequacy, and we confess your sufficiency. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:50.259 We also come with confidence because of the finished work of Christ and because of the absolute certainty we have that you love us 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:56.620 and that you're interested in us and you want us to understand your word and you want us to apply it. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:03.620 At the very outset, we recognize that the purpose of preaching is really not to entertain, 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:18.319 but to bring to us the sweet and wonderful words of your wisdom that we might be thoroughly fit and furnished 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:27.120 to live godly lives, to honor Christ, and to make glory to the cross. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:36.280 And so we want your spirit to help us, and we want to change and grow as a result of attention to your word this morning. 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:40.259 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:41.239 Amen. 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:47.000 I want you to turn your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 6, and I want you to look there at verse 11. 00:04:47.119 --> 00:04:47.719 It says this, 00:04:47.799 --> 00:04:51.079 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:58.779 And as I started out this morning, what I did was I just took a little bit of the battle gear that Sam has 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:04.300 and put it on a couple kids, and you can see it, A, it doesn't fit well, 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:10.399 but B, it's something that's cumbersome and bulky, and it is not something that anybody wears 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:12.860 when they're out for a casual little spin. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:15.799 It's only worn when it's necessary. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:21.759 And the truth of the matter is, is that when Paul makes this statement, and he says, 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:24.280 Finally, brethren, okay, he says, 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:27.020 Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:32.519 he is not making this statement finally like some professor does, 00:05:32.580 --> 00:05:34.280 when at the end of the class he says, 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:37.939 Oh, finally, there will be no quiz tomorrow. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:39.980 You know, it's a little detail as you close off. 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:43.240 And as the professor is speaking, he is doing what with his notebook? 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:48.740 He's closing it up, and you're packing things up and sliding it into your ruck, 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:51.060 and you're kind of thinking, Well, I'm out of here. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:54.439 That's not what Paul intends for us to do. 00:05:55.560 --> 00:06:01.660 He intends for us to listen very carefully because what he is saying now and carrying forward 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:04.900 is profoundly significant to us. 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:17.500 You see, while it is true that Ephesians has laid out for us just a broad scope of incredibly true doctrinal principles, 00:06:17.679 --> 00:06:24.359 in fact, Paul actually takes the time to cover 27 different doctrinal issues in the book of Ephesians. 00:06:24.419 --> 00:06:27.679 It's kind of a mini-survey of Bible teaching. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:34.519 He's worked his way through the issue of our salvation and how we, by grace, saved. 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:44.079 He's explained the fact that we also are drawn together and put into a body of believers for the sake of our well-being 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:45.560 and for the sake of his testimony. 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:51.399 He's explained to us the importance of living according to the power of the Spirit of God. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:59.039 And now he comes to this last little bit and he says, Listen, finally, brethren, be strong, be strong, 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:02.339 be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:09.179 And as I think about this this morning, I have to confess that I venture to think, to guess, 00:07:09.179 --> 00:07:20.759 that for the most part, we do not live as conscientiously and as sensitively to the conflict and the danger that we face. 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:24.599 Let's do a little threat assessment. 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:31.199 What I mean by that is let's take a little private quiz to figure out how on point you are, 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:36.759 how focused, how intentional you are on your own spiritual survivability. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:38.519 Here we go. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:39.019 Questions. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.299 You can kind of check them off in your own mind. 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:46.120 First of all, do you have meaningful devotions on a daily basis? 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:51.840 Hey, guys, I am not talking about the daily bread. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:52.800 You got that? 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:58.879 Do you have devotions on a daily basis? 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:07.759 I'll never forget talking some time ago with a pastor whose truth of the matter is the wheels were coming off. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:16.240 And one of the early things that goes with counseling is trying to assess where is this person? 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:17.779 What's happening in their life? 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:22.180 And I ask the question, so what do you do for daily devotions? 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:24.800 And you know how I feel about the daily bread. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:26.599 Has anybody figured out how I feel about the daily bread? 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:27.259 Is that a secret? 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:28.219 Does anybody know? 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:28.740 Okay. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:33.840 And he says to me, well, I use the daily bread. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.360 It was all I could do. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:36.519 Just, mm-hmm, yeah. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:38.039 Good. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:40.340 And I said, well, okay. 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:43.480 I thought I'd better ask another question so I didn't choke on my tongue. 00:08:43.560 --> 00:08:46.100 I said, so tell me about your prayer life. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.860 There was a long pause. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:52.159 And he thought, well, I probably ought to throw some kind of answer out there. 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:53.600 He says, well, I pray the Lord's Prayer. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.600 Now, hey, I'm all about the Lord's Prayer. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:09:02.200 And I think the Lord's Prayer is important, and I think the Lord's Prayer, the one you're thinking of, John 17, right? 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:02.960 That's what you were thinking. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:12.379 The Lord's Prayer, the one we commonly refer to, is actually the example prayer where Jesus said, hey, let me give you an outline to kind of give you the broad flow. 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:15.100 Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:26.139 And when I have a man say to me who is in pastoral ministry, I use the daily bread, and I do recite the Lord's Prayer. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.980 You know what I'm thinking? 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:27.799 You know what I'm thinking? 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:31.580 I'm thinking I understand why this man is toast. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:36.879 So, do you have a meaningful devotions on a daily basis? 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:37.720 Do you? 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:42.120 Do you regularly pray for protection from temptation? 00:09:42.319 --> 00:09:45.220 That's the second question that I want you to think about this morning. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:49.820 Jesus, when he taught his disciples to pray, he said, lead us, what? 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:52.420 Not into temptation. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:10:00.800 By the way, is it more important to pray about not being led into temptation than having daily bread? 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:01.379 What do you think? 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:02.580 Huh? 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:02.660 Huh? 00:10:03.780 --> 00:10:08.180 The things we pray about are reflective of the things we think that are important. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.060 Am I right or wrong? 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:17.580 A couple days ago, anybody who knows me knows that I am a very conscientious and deliberate and careful driver that... 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:25.200 Now, this is the truth. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:30.160 In the space of about two days, I had almost three accidents. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.680 You know, I was like, people are trying to hit me. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:32.560 I want you to know that. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:42.560 And I have to tell you that following that, the last couple days when I get into the car, I'm praying, 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:48.200 Lord, protect me and help other people not to get hurt by me. 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:51.280 You know, I pray because I need help. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.020 Do you follow that? 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:58.100 So, do you pray on a regular basis, lead me not into temptation? 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:04.019 Jesus, when he was teaching his disciples, he says, listen, pray that you don't enter into temptation. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:13.740 Third, hey, do you recognize that Satan is out to ruin your life and he knows your weak spots? 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:15.740 Huh? 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:22.039 It says in the scriptures that we have an adversary. 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:26.320 We are not to be ignorant of his devices. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:35.120 If you're sitting here and you are not aware of the adversary and the fact that he knows, he has a strategy for you, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:38.500 you're missing it. 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.159 A fourth one. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:45.199 Do you see the body of Christ as an essential part of your spiritual defense plan? 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:52.480 Do you actually see the body of Christ as an essential part of your spiritual defense plan? 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.959 Can I tell you something about church? 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:59.759 You know, I wish church were filled with perfect people. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:02.459 At least on this side of glory, it would be so much easier. 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:04.420 But I'm here. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:08.139 And starting with me, there's problems. 00:12:09.280 --> 00:12:10.220 But you know what? 00:12:10.780 --> 00:12:16.639 I need other people in the family of God to help me in this journey and not to be overwhelmed by the enemy. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:19.500 It says in Hebrews chapter 3, it says, listen, 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:27.120 talks about the fact that the deceitfulness of sin can creep in and lead us astray from the living God. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.940 And so we have to exhort one another. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:30.580 We need each other. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:42.139 And your sensitivity to the priority of the bride of Christ is directly proportionate to many theological things, 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:45.920 including your sense of spiritual vulnerability. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:53.799 And I have to tell you, as I think over my life and pastoral ministry, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:13:02.699 I have to say that I see far too many people that are almost brain dead when it comes to the matter of spiritual conflict. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:07.379 I want you to look at this passage, and kind of as an overarching thing, 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:09.860 I want you to understand that, first of all, we are at war. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:12.340 We are at war. 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:21.720 Ephesians has opened our heart up to this broad flow of theology that explains to us the matter of the calling of God in salvation 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:27.300 and the blessing of being part of His family and the power of the Spirit of God in our lives. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:32.539 And we have been encouraged to understand that we don't have to stay the way we used to be. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:33.580 Listen to me. 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:38.920 I love what Andrew said about conversion. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:39.740 You know what? 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.960 Hey, listen to me. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:44.540 There is a before and after in the real work of God. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.580 Would you agree with that? 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:52.160 Let me say it again slowly because I think there are far too many people rattling around telling me that they know Jesus, 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:56.440 and there is no evidence of transforming power in their life. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:59.820 If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a what? 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.500 He is a new creation. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.360 He is something different, and we ought to be able to see that. 00:14:06.780 --> 00:14:10.800 Paul has walked us through these things, and now as he comes towards the end, he says, 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:14.760 listen, before I turn you loose and go out into the world that you live in, 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:17.540 I want you to understand there is a battle going on. 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:20.020 Now, it is interesting. 00:14:20.140 --> 00:14:23.660 When I was thinking and praying about this, I recognized there are actually two battles going on. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:29.319 In Tim's life, I've got this problem with indwelling sin. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.559 Does anybody else have the problem with indwelling sin? 00:14:31.959 --> 00:14:32.319 Okay. 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.120 I just wanted to be sure we were friends here. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:39.860 But, you know, I'm dealing with indwelling sin, and this passage is primarily not about indwelling sin. 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:41.240 That's in another text. 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:48.519 This is about a different thing, and Paul wants us to understand that there is a conflict going on. 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:58.000 Now, the spiritual vocabulary that we're going to cover here in Ephesians 6, verse 10 through 20, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:03.559 is loaded with implications about just how dangerous the world is that we live in. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:06.840 Let me kind of fast forward a little bit, and we're not going to deal with all this today, 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.579 but I want you to look at verse 12. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:08.799 It says, 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:16.379 How many of you have been really tweaked out with somebody else in the family of God? 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:21.240 You ever been just, I mean, you're at the point of spitting because you're so irritated with them. 00:15:21.479 --> 00:15:22.139 Come on. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:29.599 I mean, these are saints who have let you down, have hurt you, have disappointed you, 00:15:29.599 --> 00:15:35.539 have had little hissy fits, and you think that lightning at least ought to do something for them. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.639 You follow that? 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.159 And it's not happening. 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:46.100 Well, you know, here is Paul saying, you know, it's not about that person. 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:50.100 It says, we're not wrestling against flesh and blood. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.960 Oh, yeah, I am. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.139 You know, people I work with, you know. 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.059 No, no, no. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:56.379 We're against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:15:56.379 --> 00:16:01.379 against the cosmic powers over this present darkness. 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:04.360 This world's a mess. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:10.080 And Satan wants to absolutely destroy your life. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:19.039 He has no other goal than to dishonor the testimony and the power of Christ 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:22.039 and bring shame upon his name, 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:26.600 and you happen to be the one with the bullseye painted on your back, 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:29.080 and he's interested in destroying you. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:36.660 Salvation brings great blessing. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.580 That's true. 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:42.700 But salvation also draws us into conflict. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:45.440 And we ought to wake up and know that. 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.860 Salvation brings great blessing. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:57.240 One of the things that ought to constantly affect our living is we remember the before and after. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:01.620 But salvation also brings us into great conflict. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.940 Let me reference a couple different places where that's true, 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.099 and I want you to turn in your Bible just for a moment to see it. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:13.899 In Matthew chapter 10, verse 21, and then go back to 35, if you will. 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:20.379 In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus is speaking about his ministry in people's lives. 00:17:20.439 --> 00:17:21.659 And here's what it says in verse 21. 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.719 It says, 00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:25.899 Hey, brother will deliver brother over to death, and father his child, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:29.719 and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.600 And 35, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:37.319 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against his mother, 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:39.940 and a daughter-in-law against his mother-in-law. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:46.259 I remember years ago sharing the gospel with a guy named Mike Eusena. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.900 He worked with me. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:52.940 And the truth of the matter is, is I didn't thump him between the eyes with a Bible. 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:57.339 What I did was I just kind of lived a life for the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:57.339 --> 00:18:00.319 and it didn't take him very long to notice that, number one, 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:03.139 I didn't swear and curse like everybody else did around me. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:07.240 And secondly, I just didn't get kind of caught up in the filthy, 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:11.419 perverted vocabulary and jokes that were part of the culture that we were in. 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:14.819 And just out of curiosity, he asked me, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.639 So what's the deal? 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:18.759 And I didn't tell him that I was a vegan. 00:18:18.959 --> 00:18:20.119 I told him I was a Christian. 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.000 I was like, 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.220 A Christian? 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:25.039 Well, I'm one of those, you know. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.579 Really? 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.199 Wow, that's encouraging. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:33.259 And I found out Mike actually came from a Catholic background, 00:18:33.659 --> 00:18:36.879 and his faith was really something that was practiced. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.699 Well, I like a good Friday. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.779 We're going to have a good Friday service on this Friday, right? 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.019 And by the way, everybody pay attention to this. 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:47.059 We're going to have Dr. Brown, the new president of Cedarville, 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:47.339 is going to... 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.039 Dr. White. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.759 I said brown. 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.279 It's white. 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.619 Change the color. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:58.279 I hope he's there a long time after I'm gone. 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.479 And just stick with the white. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.699 Dr. Tom White. 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:03.000 And I got to tell you, I have heard him, 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:05.839 and he is an unbelievable godly man. 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.699 I think you're going to be blessed. 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:09.459 But, you know, some people show up for church when? 00:19:09.739 --> 00:19:10.299 Good Friday? 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.279 Sunday? 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:14.239 By the way, I want you to know I'll be preaching the gospel on Sunday, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.879 just in case you're wondering what I'm going to be doing. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.319 Hammer, hammer, hammer. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.619 It's all about Jesus, right? 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:19.700 Okay. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:21.779 Here's Jesus. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:26.559 He says, listen, you come to me, you're going to have conflict. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:27.960 It's going to be tough. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.659 I remember Mike Ucina coming to Christ. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.779 And I said, you know, Mike, why don't you tell your family 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.279 about the wonderful thing Christ has done? 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:36.980 He brought his dad in and his mom in 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.740 and actually got his family together. 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:40.099 And they were a big, large Catholic family. 00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:41.399 Had a whole bunch in the room. 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:43.299 And he says, you're not going to believe this, 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:46.179 but I have found complete forgiveness in Jesus. 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:49.160 He died on the cross for my sins, and I've trusted him. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.799 And it's wonderful. 00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.840 His dad started crying. 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.820 His dad started crying. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:01.299 And his dad said, you don't understand. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:05.900 Our family has been Catholic for over 400 years. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:09.039 How can you say that? 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.140 You were baptized as an infant. 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:19.640 When we come to Christ, there's conflict. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:28.720 In Matthew chapter 16, verse 18, Jesus uses a very dramatic little phrase. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:31.060 He says, listen, I will build my church, 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:34.780 and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:36.000 Do you know what that implies? 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:38.140 There's going to be a little bit of conflict. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:44.340 And you walk out into the world in which we live, 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:48.160 whether it is in the workplace or whether it is where you go to school, 00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:49.820 whether it is in your neighborhood. 00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:53.720 At the end of the day, you can kind of just keep your mouth shut. 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:57.700 You kind of never say anything about what's really going on. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:02.940 But the minute you let people know that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:07.580 and that there is no hope apart from Christ, guess what happens? 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.880 There's conflict. 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:18.340 And Paul says here, he says, hey, listen, you need to understand that there's a battle. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:22.900 Over in 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8, and I'll just recite the text to you, 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:27.740 it says that Satan goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may what? 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.099 Devour. 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:35.620 One of the advantages of being a pastor here for 27 years is I know, 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:39.259 I was thinking about this actually as I was driving here and praying this morning. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:43.240 I thought, you know, one of the things that characterizes ministry 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:49.839 is being one who has discovered the joy of grace and the power of the cross for one thing. 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.500 Do you follow that? 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:54.240 You can speak intelligently and say, I know what it is to be delivered from the curse. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:59.400 I know what it is to be delivered from the horrible stain of sin. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:02.740 I have redemption and I have forgiveness. 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:06.620 And when I preach about those things, I'm talking about things I know. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.799 I'm not talking about something in a book alone. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:20.539 And I know God's people affected by the enemy. 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:28.379 And so as a shepherd, it does kind of bother me sometimes when I see God's people 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:30.799 not paying attention to the battle that we're in. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:39.519 The Bible is very, very clear about the conflict. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:47.799 And yet, I bump into a lot of believers that really just aren't aware of how dangerous the times are. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:50.379 Let me give you a couple illustrations just to make my point. 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:58.220 Honestly, the daily devotional life of many believers is rather anemic at best or non-existent. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.059 Do you follow that? 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:06.799 The covetousness. 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:08.279 Do you know what covetousness is? 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.279 Everybody smile. 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:16.180 It's believing that you'd be happier with something else than what you have already. 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:21.779 If I just had, fill in the blank. 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:27.839 In fact, until I have it, you know, I think about that Psalm, you know, Psalm 73. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.240 Who do I have in heaven but you? 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:32.660 Well, but I would also like an iPad. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:39.640 And you know, that car I have, it's, in fact, it needs its tires changed. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:44.240 It's time to choose what I'm going to do here. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:50.020 So, covetousness has become an accepted religious practice. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.200 I was thinking about this. 00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:52.840 Dangerous thing to do. 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:56.380 But, you know, we all kind of diss the health and wealth gospel. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.259 Do you know what I'm talking about? 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.960 I mean, hey, listen to me. 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:01.620 Joel Osteen is not God's chosen. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:05.660 In case you're wondering, he does not preach clear, simple, godly gospel. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:12.880 Oh, we can pick at him, but we practice much of the same lifestyle. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:26.240 Third, the entertainment and Internet activities of many professing believers is unbelievably alarming. 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:28.080 Huh? 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:38.100 I'm probably going too close here, but let's try one or two more just to see if I'm close. 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:42.459 The parental indifference to immodesty and purity is shameful. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.299 I know we're coming up on spring. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.039 Do you follow that? 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.719 Now, let me explain something, just so you understand. 00:24:53.139 --> 00:25:00.839 I don't, my socks are pulling down, but, you know, if I was constantly tugging on my trousers to pull them down, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.099 what would you think? 00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:06.099 I need more fabric somewhere. 00:25:06.959 --> 00:25:07.980 I mean, do you follow what I'm saying? 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.980 Am I right? 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.179 Everybody, how many of you understand what I'm talking about here? 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:16.459 You know, this is a little cryptic, but I want to help you get this picture. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:20.240 You know, if I'm, it means I need a little more fabric. 00:25:20.459 --> 00:25:21.059 You follow that? 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:25.919 So when I'm watching girls do this business, you know, it's like, there's a way to solve that. 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.659 Wear a towel. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.299 I know, I know. 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.339 Or doing this thing. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.219 Do you follow what I'm saying? 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:40.640 If you're embarrassed when the pastor comes around and you think you ought to be doing this, there's a way to solve it. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:49.840 Go to your husband, if you're married, and say, what do you think, hon? 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:54.720 And if he says, well, you probably ought not to leave the house. 00:25:59.459 --> 00:26:03.099 You can say to him, for your eyes only, honey, but after that, I get the message. 00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:03.519 Do you follow? 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:05.199 Everybody understands what I'm saying. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.699 Do you follow me? 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:09.279 Now, listen, there's a battle going on. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:18.840 The moral choices that many Christian singles make is pagan. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:39.959 And I have to tell you that more and more churches are accommodating the culture today, whether it is dealing with abortion or homosexuality or the contemporary behaviors that everybody else is doing it, picking their nose and chewing it. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:41.480 And we all practice the same thing. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:44.159 You know, it's like, well, everybody else is doing it. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.119 You know, really? 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.239 Really? 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:48.500 There's a battle going on. 00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:51.279 There's a battle going on. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.959 Well, let's deal with another little thing. 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:58.619 Well, did I look at the time? 00:26:58.699 --> 00:27:00.279 I got another point, and I'm in trouble. 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.159 Second. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.779 That's like, finally. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.519 Okay. 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.500 Attitude before armor. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:17.159 Attitude before armor. 00:27:18.739 --> 00:27:24.179 As we take up our text, I don't want you to miss how Paul starts. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:30.419 We're commanded to be strong in the Lord before we're commanded to suit up. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:39.899 I've heard extended sermons on this passage, and they generally fall into one of two groups. 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:50.240 Some have made much of spiritual warfare and demonic powers, and, you know, it's kind of like Frank Peretti on steroids. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:54.160 I know this is a very age-specific thing. 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.660 Some of you younger ones are sitting here. 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.140 Is that in Kindle? 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.680 I don't know. 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:04.320 This was in a previous life that people actually read Frank Peretti, and, you know, very popular. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:07.900 And so, you know, some people kind of go off on the spiritual warfare. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.000 You know, I was like, ooh. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:17.779 Ooh, I remember a lady called me a couple months ago, said, I need a pastor over here because somebody said I have demons in every one of the rooms of my house. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:23.599 Yeah, Pastor Saul's laughing at me here. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.480 Those are the calls I love. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.480 Really? 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.819 You've got to be kidding me. 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.480 Get out of the house now. 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.380 No, I didn't say that. 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.299 But, you know. 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.160 Okay. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:41.640 On one side, you have that, ooh, there's a demon under every bush. 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:44.259 And on the other side, everybody's all about the armor. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:50.880 You know, I want to talk about Roman military and Roman sword and Roman shield and Roman this and Roman that. 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.880 I've got to tell you something. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.759 That's not where this is really going. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.599 Here are the points. 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.559 We're responsible. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.240 That's where we start. 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:10.960 The fact that the statement, be strong, is in the imperative makes it clear that the believer has a part to play in this conflict. 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:21.140 We must be conscious and deliberate in choosing to focus on the battle that we're engaged in. 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:23.519 You've got to choose to be strong. 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:34.519 That's the reason at the very beginning I said let's take a little bit of threat assessment and double check and see where you are in your prayer life and in your personal walk and in your relationship with the body of Christ. 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:41.740 Because if you don't think there is a conflict going on, those all become secondary in importance and you're not engaged. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:47.279 Paul says, hey, you, you're responsible. 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:52.639 Second thing is it says here that his strength is to be relied upon. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.079 Look at what it says there in verse 10. 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.099 It says, be strong. 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.680 What? 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.059 In the Lord. 00:29:59.399 --> 00:30:00.200 In the Lord. 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:05.579 How many of you have already figured out that you just can't pull it by yourself? 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:08.559 Wave at me if you're in that pile. 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:10.259 I cannot do it by myself. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:17.920 Let me hammer on just a couple passages in relationship to that and close. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:21.539 John chapter 16 verse 33. 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.579 Jesus said this. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:24.039 He said, let me tell you something. 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:28.740 He says, be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:32.180 Philippians chapter 1 verse 6. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.559 I want you to look at that passage. 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:36.399 If you're there in Ephesians, you don't have far to turn. 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:46.619 But in verse 6 it says, I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will, what? 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:49.419 He's sure hoping you pull it off. 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.700 No. 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.220 What's he say? 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:57.579 He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion in the day of Jesus Christ. 00:30:57.579 --> 00:31:01.919 Now we go also to Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 and 13. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:07.179 And I would encourage you to mark these down and have them memorized in your own spiritual life. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.299 It says this. 00:31:08.679 --> 00:31:10.799 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:18.519 I had somebody say to me, hey, how does this bit of human responsibility and God's divine power work together? 00:31:18.699 --> 00:31:19.279 Here's the truth. 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.159 I don't know. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.779 But I know it's there. 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:26.539 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.740 You better have devotions, Tim, or you're toast. 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:36.339 But then we have the other verse in 13 that says, for God works in you both to will and do his good pleasure. 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:39.480 Now here's my closer, and I love this verse. 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:41.500 You can just, we're in Philippians, keep going. 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:44.059 Colossians chapter 1 verse 29. 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:53.159 For this I toil, struggling with, what's the next word? 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:59.099 All his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.720 I love that verse. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:04.759 How do I know God's at work in me? 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:08.180 I see progress. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:11.059 Is it as quick as I would like? 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:16.879 I remember saying with somebody else, I don't know why it took me to 65 to figure out that particular point. 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:19.379 I would have much rather learned it at 64. 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.839 But you know what? 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:32.139 Here's Paul saying, I know God is working because I continue moving towards glory. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.279 So let me summarize. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:37.500 I want you to think personally. 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:41.179 First of all, which side are you on? 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.000 Hmm? 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:48.359 Truth of the matter is, is the Bible always puts things in black and white, yes or no. 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:55.000 You are either here today and you know Christ as your personal Savior, and you are one of his children, 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:58.799 and the adversary hates you and he's interested in destroying you. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:03.539 Or you are sitting here this morning with a burden of guilt and shame. 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:06.140 You have never come to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:09.319 Your life has not been transformed by the gospel, 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:15.700 and all the turmoil and mess that you have is God working to push you towards that place of, 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:17.659 man, I need something. 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.679 Yes, you need Jesus. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:23.700 And if you're here today and you do not know Christ, let me tell you, 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:27.579 my plea would be this, that you do not walk out of here thinking, 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:30.299 well, I learned a Juana versus, doesn't that count? 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:39.179 Or I happen to have been baptized in Maranatha Baptist tank right back here about 35,000 years ago. 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:46.419 You know, hey, what I'm interested in is whether you really know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.919 And you don't have to come to the front to take care of that. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:54.139 Right where you sit, you can say, I am a sinner who stands justly condemned before a holy God, 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:56.179 and I have no hope in my own work. 00:33:56.179 --> 00:34:00.599 I need Jesus to save me, and he died for my sins, and I trust what he's done. 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:07.259 It is only pride and arrogance that keeps a person who has been broken by the reality of their sin 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:10.079 from calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus and saying, save me. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:19.099 Second question is this, do you believe him when he says you're at war? 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.119 Hmm? 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:27.759 Listen, if you tell me you believe him when he says we're at war, 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:32.179 then what I have to assume is that your devotional life, your prayer life, 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:37.559 your affection and relationship with the body of Christ, and the things I ask, they're there, right? 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:43.059 Do you need to humble yourself? 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.480 That's a practical question. 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:46.960 Do you need to humble yourself and take him seriously? 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:50.240 By the way, you don't have to come down front to do that. 00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:51.019 Do you know what you have to do? 00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:54.179 You have to say, I'm going to take you seriously, God. 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.760 We're at war. 00:34:57.159 --> 00:34:59.840 And frankly, I've been a casualty, and I've not been paying attention, 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.880 and I need you to help me. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:05.639 I'm going to ask John to come as we sing, 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:13.320 and I'm going to ask the candidate for baptism to come as we celebrate faith together.