WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.080 The scripture passage we're reading today is taken from Ephesians 6. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:14.179 We're doing verse 18b, but I'm going to read the entire of 18. 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:20.740 Verse 20, which is page 979 in your pew Bible. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:24.460 Sorry. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:29.740 So we're dealing with warfare. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.119 We have been dealing with warfare, spiritual warfare. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:42.140 Warfare is engagement in or the activities involved in a war or conflict. 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:45.240 There are different types of warfare. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:54.260 There's a natural warfare, and here in the text we are encountering and learning about the reality of spiritual warfare. 00:00:54.259 --> 00:01:05.939 And we are told here about what is necessary or what our strategy should be to fight and to be victorious in a spiritual war. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:22.019 In fact, the natural wars that we are seeing take place on the battlefields around our world or in the hearts and minds of humanity and in our own hearts and minds, because we too are a part of humanity, are flesh and blood wars. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:28.899 These wars that can be seen and even felt viscerally. 00:01:29.119 --> 00:01:35.299 But here in the text we are told that even such wars are not the fights that we need to be distracted by. 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:45.739 Because the origin of our very own flesh and blood conflict, both in our beings and in the outside world, originates from a spiritual war that is raging in full effect. 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:56.479 A friend in Los Angeles once pointed out when we were just theologically reflecting about what we observed was going on in the madness of our world. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:01.819 She said to me, she said, Evan, what you don't see is what's real. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:03.659 That's what she said. 00:02:03.699 --> 00:02:06.959 She said, what you don't see is what's real. 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:28.060 So if what we don't see is what's real, then somehow it behooves us or it is in our best interest to engage in this spiritual battle with a very real enemy who's not visible to us, although we are told that we can recognize his schemes. 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:38.460 But even though he's not visible to us, we're facing a very real enemy and we have to engage this enemy in a very unique way. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:54.360 In fact, before we talk about the strategy outlined in Ephesians, we should be reminded and embrace the very real fact that this enemy is not only real, but this enemy is fully committed to our destruction. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:55.879 Fully committed. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:03:10.259 In fact, the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5 points this out quite vividly when he warns us that our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:21.780 So our enemy's ultimate goal is not just to irritate us or to get on our nerves or to make us sad or even oppressed. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:26.460 He's ultimately trying to destroy us. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:34.139 His enemy, Satan, and the forces of darkness is ultimately trying to destroy us. 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:49.179 Now, knowing that we are in a spiritual war and knowing that the nature and the objective of the enemy we are facing, we have to understand why this instruction to pray or communicate with heaven in this warfare context is so important. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:52.500 Here's an illustration that may help. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:55.759 I've never been a foot soldier. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:04:02.699 I'm sure some people here have been in the military, but one of my best friends and one of my favorite cousins have been. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:04.240 Everybody has a favorite cousin. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:07.099 We used to beat them up when they were kids. 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:09.360 This is that cousin. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:13.360 But they were both, and they were both, and one is still in the Marine, Marine grunts. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:14.780 They're a Marine infantryman. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:24.680 And I'm a bit of a bootleg war historian, too, because I've always found the psychology of human conflict interesting and also some of the strategy. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:34.959 If you know anything, for example, about the American Civil War, what was considered one of the most pivotal battles in that war was the Battle of Gettysburg. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:52.240 That took place in July 1863, and it was so pivotal that if the North would have lost that battle, then I would most likely be at Yale Divinity School on a student visa from Canada or the UK. 00:04:56.019 --> 00:05:02.519 Now, there was a battle within that battle that occurred on the second day in the Battle of Gettysburg, which was a three-day battle. 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:10.199 And that battle, many historians believe, was the most significant, smaller battle within this larger Battle of Gettysburg. 00:05:10.279 --> 00:05:18.699 It took place around a hilltop situated at the Union Army's extreme left flank called Little Round Top. 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:30.379 Geographic importance of Little Round Top was there because of where it was situated on the battlefield. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:34.939 Now, whoever controlled that ground could dominate the countryside for miles. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:38.860 But this hill represented the most vulnerable flank of the Union lines. 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:42.399 So losing that position would be disastrous. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:52.540 But along with its geographic location, it was equally important to point out that it was on a hill or a high ground. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:06:02.720 It was strategic not only because of its location, but more so because of how it sat in that location. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:11.140 I understand, and this is from my best friend, mostly, I'm sure my cousin would concur, 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:17.740 that in warfare, having the high ground gives you a significant advantage. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:23.399 And although in modern warfare, air power can neutralize the advantage of high ground, 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:26.079 it is still better to have the high ground. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:34.779 Because the high ground gives you perspective or a point of view that puts you at the advantage over the enemy. 00:06:34.779 --> 00:06:41.479 So when we pray, as the essential element of spiritual warfare, 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:55.439 we need to not only remember that our God rules the high ground and sits on the highest ground in this war where our enemy is not flesh and blood, 00:06:55.439 --> 00:07:01.519 but that our God also owns the high ground on which he sits. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:07.360 And therefore, has a point of view or the perspective that will give us the victory 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:13.360 when we have to engage the enemy and discern his destructive schemes. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:16.699 So now that we find ourselves in warfare, 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:21.720 we pray to get instructions for the fight. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:26.640 And then God begins to download his point of view from the high ground. 00:07:27.880 --> 00:07:28.900 And here in Ephesians, 00:07:30.020 --> 00:07:33.480 the first thing we are told to do actually in this passage of Scripture 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.760 is keep alert with all perseverance, 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:39.980 making supplication for all the saints, 00:07:40.440 --> 00:07:41.600 or praying for all the saints. 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:45.400 Let's look at that first half of this verse. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:48.960 In the military, 00:07:50.140 --> 00:07:51.220 in the infantry in particular, 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:54.080 both officers and enlisted, 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.140 whether it's the army or the Marines, 00:07:56.260 --> 00:07:59.920 you are taught that you need to fight for the man next to you, 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.720 or even the woman next to you, 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:03.460 depending on the country you're from, 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:04.780 because some women are in combat, 00:08:05.080 --> 00:08:06.020 like with the men. 00:08:06.380 --> 00:08:07.800 I know that happens in the Middle East. 00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:10.240 But you have to fight for the man next to you, 00:08:10.260 --> 00:08:11.700 the one who's standing beside you. 00:08:11.940 --> 00:08:14.060 There's no one else that you need to worry about 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:15.600 in that moment of battle, 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:18.380 because your brother or sister in the fight 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:22.800 is the one who truly matters in that moment of life and death realities. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:27.460 Also, while you are preparing for the fight, 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:28.500 or in the fight, 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.160 when you are in the field, 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:33.600 you're often facing or experiencing sleep deprivation, 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:35.100 or extreme fatigue. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:39.000 I understand that this is a daily reality of the infantrymen, 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:40.820 when they are in the field, 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.620 and being alert, 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.700 which includes not snoring when you do sleep. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:46.960 In spite of how you may feel, 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:47.879 you have to be alert, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:50.160 no matter how you may feel, 00:08:50.420 --> 00:08:52.000 but it's something that basically, 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:55.240 your life and the life of those who fight beside you 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:57.020 are dependent upon. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:00.360 Now, when a soldier is in a battle, 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:02.860 one thing's always certain, 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:04.960 or is on the battlefield, 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:05.780 this is always certain, 00:09:05.900 --> 00:09:07.800 that an ever-present threat exists. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:10.340 Even if there's downtime, 00:09:10.660 --> 00:09:12.700 or they may be back, 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.860 they may be back at the base camp, 00:09:14.920 --> 00:09:15.800 or playing basketball, 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:16.860 or flag football, 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:17.860 or card games, 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.120 what often will underlie their thoughts, 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.100 even in their moments of rest and relaxation, 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:24.180 is that there is an enemy out there 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:26.879 whose objective is hell-bent on destroying them. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:27.879 In other words, 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:30.560 impending danger is always lurking, 00:09:31.040 --> 00:09:33.240 so being alert has to become a discipline. 00:09:34.040 --> 00:09:35.180 It has to become a discipline, 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.220 and this requires all perseverance. 00:09:39.020 --> 00:09:41.200 Perseverance implies steadfastness, 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:42.420 tenacity, 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:43.500 or staying power. 00:09:45.020 --> 00:09:46.500 So the implication here is that 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.720 staying alert takes effort. 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:51.660 Staying alert in warfare requires us to 00:09:51.660 --> 00:09:54.960 also be honest about what is going on around us, 00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:57.040 and even in us, 00:09:57.280 --> 00:10:00.460 so that we can be more effective for the fight. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:04.580 I suggest that one way of staying alert 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.600 is being committed when we pray 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:11.019 of first taking a spiritual inventory 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:13.500 of our own lives before the Lord, 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:16.740 just telling the truth to God 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:18.759 because God already knows us, 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:22.560 and allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work in us 00:10:22.560 --> 00:10:25.379 to help us grow toward wholeness and maturity, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:29.799 to help us where we cannot help ourselves, 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.679 and therefore become more effective soldiers 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:35.480 for God's kingdom. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.879 Staying alert involves us not only looking for the attack 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.460 of the enemy from the outside, 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:44.820 but allowing God to give us victory over the enemy 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:49.740 and the challenges of our flesh on the inside. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:53.320 Paul writes in Romans 7, 18-21, 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:56.580 for I know that nothing good dwells in me 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:58.560 that is in my flesh, 00:10:59.700 --> 00:11:01.980 but I have the desire to do what is right, 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:05.580 but not the ability to carry it out, 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:09.720 for I do not do the good I want, 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:12.019 but the evil I do not want 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.960 is what I keep on doing. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.419 Now if I do what I do not want, 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:17.960 it is no longer I who do it, 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.780 but sin that dwells within me. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:22.379 So I find it to be a law 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:24.920 that when I want to do right, 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:27.280 evil lies close in hand. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:31.460 Saints, we are perpetually, sorry, 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:33.280 fighting a battle on the inside, 00:11:33.400 --> 00:11:35.280 and we need the healing and gracious power 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.139 of the Holy Spirit 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:38.259 to lead us into victory 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:41.240 on a daily basis in that battle, 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.600 yet we also face the enemy on the outside. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:46.680 And so does everyone else 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:48.980 whom we know and who we do not know 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:51.120 who follows Jesus Christ. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:57.100 And we not only need to pray for ourselves then, 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:59.000 but we need to pray for them, 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:00.860 for all the other saints, 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.600 all around the world. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.680 And when Hebrew says all, 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:05.879 in Greek and in Hebrew, 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:08.019 all means all. 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.159 Why is this necessary? 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.960 Because when we pray to the God of the high ground, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:18.460 that God sees or has a perspective 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:22.039 that prioritizes community. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:22.939 Here's what I mean. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.799 Ephesians 3 gives us a clear, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:28.679 clearer, a clue earlier 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:30.120 when it declares that for this reason 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:32.100 I bow my knees before the Father, 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:34.879 from whom every family in heaven 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.960 and on earth is named, 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:39.200 that according to the riches of his glory, 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:40.939 he may grant you to be strengthened 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:42.320 with power through his spirit 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:43.620 in your inner being, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.960 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:46.620 through faith, 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:49.340 that you being rooted and grounded in love 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:52.000 may have strength to comprehend 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.320 with all the saints 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:56.299 what is the breadth and length 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:58.240 and height and depth, 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.240 and to know the love of Christ 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.360 that the past is knowledge, 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:03.440 that you may be filled with all 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:05.200 the fullness of God. 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:08.160 All the fullness of God. 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:10.820 God loves us. 00:13:12.020 --> 00:13:13.260 And we are able to grasp 00:13:13.260 --> 00:13:15.580 a broader sense of that fullness 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:17.240 of what the love of God is 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:17.920 through community. 00:13:19.280 --> 00:13:19.840 For instance, 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:21.720 I don't know what the love of God 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:24.080 looks like in the context of surviving 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:26.480 or combating cancer. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.560 I have friends that do. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:30.860 But I do know what the love of God 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:32.300 looks like when you have to walk 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:34.319 loved ones through terminal illness 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:37.759 or face never-ending financial crisis, 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.500 wanting to work and you can't get arrested 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.259 for a job. 00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:43.359 I know what the love of God 00:13:43.359 --> 00:13:45.259 looks like in those contexts. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.939 I don't know what the love of God 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:50.039 looks like when you have to live 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.199 with chronic illness. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.579 But I know saints who do. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.219 I don't know what the love of God 00:13:56.219 --> 00:13:57.659 looks like when you have to serve 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:59.039 hard time in prison 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.399 for a bad decision. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.939 But I know people who do. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.319 So the fullness of God's love 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.659 is such that there is 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:09.159 are so many dimensions 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.559 that in order to grasp 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.879 some measure of it 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:13.379 beyond our own experience, 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.399 you and I need to be in community. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.259 And this makes the health 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.980 and safety of this community 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.219 a priority of prayer 00:14:20.219 --> 00:14:20.839 and warfare. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:20.980 prayer. 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.580 Because God is continuously 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.860 pouring out expressions 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.019 of his loving kindness 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:28.660 in this community. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:35.860 So we must pray for all the saints. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.200 Second, 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:41.019 prayer gives us the courage 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:41.700 we need 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:44.480 to do our kingdom job well. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.519 Prayer gives us 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.019 the courage we need 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:50.799 to do our kingdom job well. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.579 We already know 00:14:53.579 --> 00:14:54.500 that we are in a war, 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.039 a fight. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.980 And a fight, 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:57.799 and in a fight, 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:58.919 we need courage. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.679 Even if we think 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.639 we got some courage. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.819 If we're honest, 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.819 we can admit to times 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:05.600 in our lives 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.579 where our courage 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:07.620 has faltered. 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:10.199 And we're not even referring 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.679 to spiritual warfare per se. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.159 Just basic courage 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.960 we need to have 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:15.679 even hard conversations 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:17.159 that need to be had. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.899 But here it's interesting 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.000 that Paul in the context 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.939 of spiritual war 00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:23.159 is asking that 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.419 prayer be offered up 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:26.339 so that he will first 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.539 know what to say 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.239 in relation to the mystery 00:15:29.239 --> 00:15:29.859 of the gospel. 00:15:30.479 --> 00:15:31.539 And that once he knows 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.459 what to say 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:34.199 that he will say it 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:34.799 with courage. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.699 Now Paul was a communicator. 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.299 He was a leader 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:39.919 but in a 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:42.599 but an additional gift 00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:43.439 that he possessed 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.639 was his ability 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.539 to communicate 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.240 clearly 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.919 and to argue 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.879 or reason 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.459 when presenting 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:50.120 the gospel 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.379 to those 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.939 outside of the faith. 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.059 We see a number 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.000 of instances of this 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.199 not only in his writing 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:59.159 but we see it 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.139 in actions being 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.379 described to us 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.240 that he does. 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:02.759 For example, 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.039 it can be pointed out 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.839 in Acts 17, 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.899 16 through 34 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.599 when he's speaking 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.419 to the men of Athens. 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.339 First he's reasoning 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:09.879 in the synagogue 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.599 with the Jews 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:12.299 and devout persons 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:12.980 and then he's out 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.419 in the street 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.259 with the philosophers 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:16.139 who love to philosophize 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.679 as scripture points out 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.639 and then it 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.779 as scripture points out 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.639 and then it culminates 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.879 with his sermon 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:24.079 on Mars Hill 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:26.799 or Mars Hill. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.599 I'm going to strip over 00:16:29.599 --> 00:16:30.819 the Greek word of it 00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:32.279 beyond that word of it 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:32.979 but it's Mars Hill 00:16:32.979 --> 00:16:34.019 it's also called Mars Hill 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:36.199 where he contends 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:36.840 for God 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:39.179 who these Athenians 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.279 sought to label 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.379 as the unknown God. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.159 He proclaims, 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.079 he proclaims 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.480 that this God 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:47.059 is truly the God 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.819 who made the world 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:48.679 and everything in it. 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:51.120 So Paul was a proclaimer. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.860 Now using military terms 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.639 since we are dealing 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.299 with warfare, 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:56.899 proclaiming 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.819 in the context 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.279 of leadership 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:00.259 which was his MOS 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:02.000 or his military 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.419 occupational specialty. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.480 In the military, 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.019 the military, 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:06.859 the MOS 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:08.779 is one's job description 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.319 basically. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.339 If there's a war 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:10.799 or battle 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.639 then everyone is 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.519 counting on you 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.379 to do your job. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.019 The job, 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.460 that job 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.019 and to do it 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.220 with a reasonable degree 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.839 of proficiency 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.980 and definitely courage 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.440 in order to bring 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.539 about the victory 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.279 for your unit, 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.119 your military force, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.740 your country 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.759 or the kingdom 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.440 that you've pledged 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.299 your allegiance to. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.180 Interesting that 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.060 although Paul 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.820 was gifted, 00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:33.779 a gifted 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.000 and brilliant communicator, 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.900 we see his humility 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.720 and his dependence 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.360 on God here 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.660 because he did not say, 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.720 hey, this is what 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.539 I want to say. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.480 No, he wanted to know 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.759 what the God 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.640 of the high ground 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:47.140 wanted him to say 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.960 in order that the mystery 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.680 of the gospel 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.620 be communicated 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.740 and done so 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.360 with effectiveness. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.539 You see, 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.019 God knew the proper context 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:57.720 in which Paul 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.600 needed to speak. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.160 God was intimately 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:02.940 familiar with the audience 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.880 of Paul's message 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.600 whenever or wherever 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.660 he would find himself 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.360 delivering it. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.600 It is believed 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.380 that the context 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.360 in which he was to speak 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.279 was one where he had 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:14.100 to defend this new faith 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:15.019 before Nero, 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.019 the Caesar in Rome, 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.740 to allay any suspicion 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.380 that Christianity 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:19.940 was a threat to the empire 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.860 as some new Jewish sect 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:23.880 or heretical group 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:25.660 as far as many of their 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.460 fellow Jews 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.380 had categorized them, 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.920 but instead, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.980 it was a new community 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.740 of both Jews 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.620 and Gentiles. 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:34.600 Paul wanted to be clear 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:35.420 in his message 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.660 given the subject matter 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.640 and bold 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.060 given the audience 00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:39.940 and what could have 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:40.720 been at stake 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.360 when declaring 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.120 that Christ had, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.060 when declaring 00:18:44.060 --> 00:18:45.020 what Christ had done 00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:46.820 in merging Jews 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.500 and Gentiles 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.880 into this new humanity. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:52.280 And how was it 00:18:52.280 --> 00:18:53.940 this mystery 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.860 was also good news 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.540 for all? 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.800 Boldness 00:18:58.800 --> 00:19:00.140 was also required 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.540 because, 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.420 as he points out 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.260 in verse 19, 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:03.280 he was in chains. 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:04.980 He was a prisoner. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.400 He needed courage 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.660 in this battle 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.420 from the God 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:11.080 of the high ground. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.520 Similarly, 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.320 similarly, 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.580 God knows 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:16.560 the context 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.400 of our battles 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.840 individually 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:20.540 and as a community. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:22.779 our battles 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.579 are always 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.379 couched 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.019 in specific 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.819 contexts. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.420 You and I 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.059 cannot always 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.700 fight every 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.559 spiritual battle 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.019 the same 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.079 because the next 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.759 battle may be 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.159 surrounded 00:19:32.159 --> 00:19:34.099 by totally 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.039 different contexts. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.399 For instance, 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.299 when Winston Churchill 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.299 made his famous speech 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.220 in the House of Commons 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.700 in World War II, 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.399 it wasn't World War II 00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:43.920 for us yet, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.680 but it was World War II 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.180 going on, 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.779 June 4, 1940, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:49.700 when the United Kingdom 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.819 was under assault 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.379 from Nazi Germany's 00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.079 Blitzkrieg 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.099 or lightning war 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.819 from the air, 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.319 he sought to encourage 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.200 the people of the UK 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.379 to persevere 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.000 when he declared 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.099 we shall fight in France, 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.700 we shall fight 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.660 on the seas 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:04.000 and on the oceans, 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.660 we shall fight 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.639 with growing confidence 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.720 and growing strength 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.180 in the air. 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.180 He goes on to say 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.799 we shall fight 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.619 on the beaches, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.160 we shall fight 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.399 on the landing grounds, 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.259 we shall fight 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.819 in the fields 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.480 and in the streets, 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.099 we shall fight 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.480 in the hills, 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.420 we shall never surrender. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.140 Now what Churchill 00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:21.599 understood about warfare 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.440 is that battles 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.599 have different 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.599 contextual frameworks 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.440 that require 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.819 the proper equipment, 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:29.860 intelligence, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.380 training, 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.319 and personnel 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.860 who are operating 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.620 in their military 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.839 occupational specialty 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:36.860 with a strong degree 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.559 of competency 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.660 and in unity 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.420 with one another 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:41.579 in order to be victorious. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.519 In spiritual warfare, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:46.559 each of us has 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:48.180 a spiritual MOS 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.240 as it were, 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.339 military occupational 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.980 specialty. 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.039 And even though 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.059 we may be familiar 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.839 with our gifting 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:57.200 to the point 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.799 where we think 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.279 we know 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.480 what the specific 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.720 battle requires, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.420 the example 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.279 being given here 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.240 should encourage us 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.220 to seek 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.299 God's instruction 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:06.779 in prayer. 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:09.079 in spite of what 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.639 we think we know 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.460 and doing so, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.200 we'll be doing, 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.339 think we know 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:14.859 and doing so, 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.779 we'll be better positioned 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.960 to discern 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.740 when we pray 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.960 to defer in the context 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.759 of our battles 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:21.160 because the God 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:21.839 of the high ground 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.899 knows what we need 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:24.960 from him 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.819 in order to win. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:30.319 finally prayer 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:32.980 is necessary 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:35.299 not only because 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.039 we are soldiers 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.839 in a fight 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:39.379 but we are also 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:39.980 ambassadors 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.879 with a message. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.159 We are soldiers 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:45.679 in a fight 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:47.539 but we are also 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.119 ambassadors 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.700 with a message. 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:53.080 Paul describes 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:53.740 himself here 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.539 as an ambassador. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.160 2 Corinthians 5.20 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.880 when he addresses 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.860 the Corinthian church 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.080 he declares 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.620 we 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:02.440 are ambassadors 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.160 of Christ. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.900 Then he tells us 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.940 that as ambassadors 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.880 God is 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.259 making his appeal 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.059 through us. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.460 How does this work? 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.299 This appeal thing 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:17.980 or this ambassador thing. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:20.360 Now ambassadors 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:22.380 in our modern context 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.480 are diplomats. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.160 These diplomats 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.779 are envoys 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.779 or persons 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.960 designated 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.200 to represent 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.960 one government 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.799 in its dealings 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.259 with another. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:32.579 Now they are typically 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.579 four central duties 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:35.220 of ambassadors 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.240 when we think about them 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.240 in a modern sense. 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.079 These duties 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.019 are representation 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.620 policy 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.059 protecting citizens 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.700 and management. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:44.860 And management 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.759 typically happens 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.380 at the embassy 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.240 where the diplomat 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.279 is assigned. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.700 However 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.660 for the sake 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.680 of what we're seeing 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.180 in this text 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.759 I want to look 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.620 at two of the duties. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.180 The duty of representation 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:58.579 and the duty of policy. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.240 First 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.000 who do we represent? 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.019 We are ambassadors. 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.400 Scripture tells us 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.680 that we are ambassadors 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.539 for Christ 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.519 just like Paul. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:10.880 It says 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.940 Paul is in chains 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.819 which is not necessarily 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.400 the image 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.380 or the context 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.000 we imagine 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.779 when we think 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.380 of ambassadors 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.160 because being an ambassador 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.160 should carry 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.480 a more polished image. 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:22.000 But maybe the point 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.020 is that the context 00:23:23.020 --> 00:23:23.680 of our battle 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.360 or the framework 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.140 of our fight 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.660 does not change 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.120 the role 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.800 that we are given 00:23:27.800 --> 00:23:29.060 as Christ's ambassadors. 00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:31.920 And in our representation 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.560 of Christ 00:23:32.560 --> 00:23:34.020 we are representing 00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:34.820 God's kingdom 00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:36.260 and God's kingdom 00:23:36.260 --> 00:23:37.600 quoting Dr. Tony Evans 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:39.860 originates 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.940 from God's realm 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.760 which is spiritual. 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.960 He goes on 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.460 to clarify 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:46.680 when he says 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.299 he does not 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.460 deny that the whole 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.460 universe constitute 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.120 the realm 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.000 of God's kingdom 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.779 which means 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:54.180 that God's kingdom 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.039 is all embracing 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.600 or it is God's 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.400 comprehensive rule 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.259 of all creation. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.640 It is just that 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.920 the origin of God's kingdom 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:02.019 is from above 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.920 not from the earth. 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.360 So we are representatives 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.480 of a heavenly kingdom 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.880 here on earth 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.840 and here on earth 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.600 and it is something 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.380 that we can never 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:11.960 relinquish 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.880 or get away from 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.259 and need to always 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.039 be mindful of. 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:15.840 Now I don't say this 00:24:15.840 --> 00:24:16.319 to put pressure 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.100 on you and myself. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.420 It's just reality 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.259 of the situation. 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.840 But I want to 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.720 encourage you 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:25.340 by saying that 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.500 God gives us grace 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:28.200 to do our duty 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:30.579 in spite of ourselves. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.740 Please remember 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.579 there is grace 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.880 that abounds in Christ. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.740 And I cannot 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.880 emphasize enough 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:39.460 how incredibly kind 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.600 God's grace is 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.879 in relation to humanity 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.159 but particularly 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:44.019 to his church. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.980 1 John 3 declares 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.519 so see what love 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:50.219 the father has given us 00:24:50.219 --> 00:24:52.539 that we shall be called 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.579 children of God. 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.619 And then he writes 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.779 and that is what we are. 00:24:58.699 --> 00:25:00.019 So we are representatives 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.159 for Christ 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:02.019 and God's kingdom 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.740 but our duty 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.519 is also 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:05.119 to convey 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:07.059 the policy 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.619 of the kingdom. 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:10.219 Now in order 00:25:10.219 --> 00:25:11.339 to carry out policy 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:13.179 aptly defined 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.919 as a deliberate 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:15.079 system of principles 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.639 to guide decisions 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.699 and achieve 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:19.019 rational outcomes 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:21.299 the ambassador 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.819 has to consult 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.039 with the president 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.959 the head of state 00:25:25.959 --> 00:25:27.719 or the sovereign 00:25:27.719 --> 00:25:30.039 about what the policy is. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.899 So as ambassadors 00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:33.500 of Christ 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:35.259 we receive our policy 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.000 and directives 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.539 in the midst 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.119 of the battle 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.859 from the Lord God 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.400 from the God 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.259 of the high ground. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.980 In other words 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.980 even in the midst 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.559 of our roles 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.079 as soldiers 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.920 fighting the enemy 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:47.019 through prayer 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:49.420 we are also able 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.099 to receive 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.339 instructions from God 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.859 who rules the high ground 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:54.240 on how to carry out 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.119 kingdom policy 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.599 as his ambassadors. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.980 As soldiers 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.720 we fight against 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.140 the forces 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.640 of the enemy 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.339 of our souls 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.240 but as ambassadors 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.220 with a message 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:05.120 God is making 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.759 an appeal 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.380 through us 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.480 to the world. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.100 Now this message 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:11.220 is one of reconciliation 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:15.200 and this is reconciliation 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.319 that begins 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.460 with salvation. 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.500 Theologian 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.500 Paul Fidesz 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.839 when speaking 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.720 of one dimension 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.559 of how God's 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.480 salvation works 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.819 he writes 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.579 in our world 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.819 in our world 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.420 how God's salvation 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.259 works in our world 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.720 I'm sorry 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:33.100 he writes 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.539 that God 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.539 acts to heal 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:36.400 and reconcile 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:38.860 entering a great 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.480 cost 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.799 into the disruption 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.839 of human lives 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.360 in order to 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:44.680 share our predicament 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:47.240 and release us 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.880 from it. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:51.400 God embraces us 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:54.400 as fragile humanity 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.480 he embraces us 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:57.140 he embraces us 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.279 in our predicament 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.620 through Christ Jesus 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:01.279 and we 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:03.459 carry that message 00:27:03.459 --> 00:27:04.159 of reconciliation 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:06.059 to the world 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:07.899 as his ambassadors. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:11.219 It is kingdom policy 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:13.059 that God so loved 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.379 the world 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:13.899 that he gave 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.859 his only begotten son 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.419 that whosoever 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.159 believes in him 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:17.199 should not perish 00:27:17.199 --> 00:27:19.439 but have everlasting life. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.399 Let us by God's grace 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:26.000 continually look 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.459 to God 00:27:26.459 --> 00:27:27.079 to the God 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.839 of the high ground 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.379 in prayer 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:30.759 with the goal 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.639 to be bold 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.980 effective ambassadors 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:34.399 of that message 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.099 of reconciliation 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:37.960 and bold effective 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.659 soldiers 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.699 fighting the forces 00:27:39.699 --> 00:27:40.259 of the enemy 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.119 of our souls 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.639 who seek to distort 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.359 that message. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:45.779 Prayer 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:47.299 in the context 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.220 of spiritual warfare 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:50.799 is what will give us 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.379 perspective 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.639 that we need 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:54.779 but it also provides us 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.460 with the strength 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.899 we need 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.539 for the fight. 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:59.399 God bless you. 00:27:59.399 --> 00:27:59.439 God bless you.