2023-12-31

Why Are We Still Here?

Intro:

When we think of the Christian life, what do we think of ? A lot of times we think of things like, Reading our Bibles, Christian Music, Devotions, Prayer & going to church. But these things are what God has instituted to equip us for why were are still here.

Link:

We are still here because there is still a war going on.

Imagine if there were a war going on in our country. They reinstituted the draft. You for instance get called up into the draft. After you went through all that is included in the original going in and getting a physical, etc. They said OK private, your now in the army, go ahead and go home, you’re good to retire and enjoy the good life, here is all the info for your VA benefits.

To this we would laugh wouldn’t we. But many times, when someone gets saved, they never show up for the battle.

Yes were saved, were going to heaven, were forgiven

Yes we come to church to learn

But how many of us show up to FIGHT the battle that is all around us? Many don’t even recognize the battle, they think its at the Mardi-Graw Parade, or in Russia or China, India or Muslim countries.

Talking Point:

Spiritual warfare is all around us.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The term wrestle (Greek is Pal-ay) is a term used for “Hand-To-Hand” combat. It even means to vibrate.

Wrestling features trickery & deception, this is what Satan and his hosts do when they attack us.

They did it to Eve in the Garden of Eden. - Genesis 3:1-7

If you have ever wrestled, fought, you will quickly learn to deceive, to not telegraph a move.

On our last field, I had the opportunity to take a MMA class for about two years, I was half way to black belt when Covid came and the class never started back up. But 2x a week, I would fight others as we would practice. Every once in a while, I would say or they would say to the other partner, “WOW, I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING!” - This is how Satan and his host fight you and me. And sadly enough most of the time the church doesn’t even notice it.

The four designations describe the different strata and rankings of those demons and the evil supernatural empire in which they operate. Satan’s forces of darkness are highly structured for the most destructive purposes. - John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), Eph 6:12.

Principalities

Powers

Rulers of the Darkness of this Age

Spiritual host of Wickedness

This possibly refers to the most depraved abominations, including such things as extreme sexual perversions, occultism, and Satan worship. - John MacArthur

Charles B. Williams translates it: “For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest” (WMS). This suggests a definite army of demonic creatures that assist Satan in his attacks against believers. - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 57.

Ephesians 6:10–11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

This is why in the previous two verses that we just read here, God has given us His armor. Notice its not just armor, its not your armor, its God’s Armor.

Never underestimate the power of the devil. He is not compared to a lion and a dragon just for fun? - WW

The Book of Job tells what his power can do to a man’s body, home, wealth, and friends.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Satan is the thief, he wants to ruin your life and ruin all that he can for God.

Ruin your reputation

Ruin your relationship with God - Look at Saul's relationship with God in 2 Samuel 15, did that please God or Satan?

Ruin your relationship with your spouse - Look at what has happened to many marriages, does this please God or Satan?

Ruin your relationship with your children & grandchildren - Look at King Davids relationship with Absolom, did that please God or Satan?

Ruin you relationships with your coworkers & neighbors, and the list goes on...

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

So we see God’s instructions to take on just a few select pieces of the Armor of God, RIGHT?????

No, ALL, the Whole armor of God.

To put on God’s full armor is to be obedient. Not putting it on is an act of disobedience to God.

Vs. 13 says we put this on so we can withstand the EVIL DAY. The evil day is everyday since the fall of mankind in the Garden of EDEN.

Christian - So are you, are we as the local body:

Recognizing that we are still living in the evil days?

Are we putting on the full armor of God daily?

Are we encouraging each other in our commodore in this battle?

When a brother or sister is discouraged, depressed, down and out… What are we doing to encourage them?

When a brother or sister are in the battle with blinders on, are we trying to encourage them to see what is really going on?

Are we actively training so we can become stronger and better warriors for the Kingdom of Christ?

Unsaved - Are You even on the winning side?

Have you trusted Christ as your Savior? ABC Romans 10:13 For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Closing Song - Sound The Battle Cry