PIBC24-Friday

Introduction - We have come to this final morning devotion time here at PIBC.

It has been a good week.

I like for us to finish this week—- and give you some parting words this morning, that I pray will be an encouragement and exhortation (counsel to do that which is right.).

We will be looking at Ephesians chapter 6:10-13.

Our theme for this year’s camp is based on Romans 8:37—- which declares the fact that a Christian as more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.

We understood that this week. .

But I want you to understand as we finish out this week, that the Christian life is a day by day experience, as long as the Lord has us here.

This afternoon, you will head back to home wherever that is, but if your a Christian you are still more than a conqueror.

Every day though, you will challenged and will be dealing with the last two words we will discuss for the week—- victory or defeat.

And I want you to determine with the Lord’s enablement that you are going to strive for the Lord to live from victory unto victory.

I think there are four statements that we can glean from this passage in Ephesians for us to live as victorious Christians—- versus being a defeated Christian.

Let’s read together these few verses in Ephesians chapter 6.

Ephesians 6:10–13 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Let’s Pray.

Do you see the first word there, it says finally my brethren..

Paul is giving some final words, for Christians.

Paul looked to these people at Ephesus—- a church he was familiar with and wanted them to be successful.

First of all in verse 10, notice what Paul states.

1. Be Strong (vs. 10) -

This command is specific— it says, “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

It reminds me of the Old Testament account of Joshua—- the Lord told Joshua who had to take the place of the towering figure Moses… Be strong and of a good courage—- “…as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:5)

So, important was this point that the Lord repeated Himself two chapters later in Joshua 3:7 “...as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.”

Listen young person, there must be a humble admission of insufficiency in the life of a Christian.

In others words, every day, I come to the Lord realizing and expressing that I cannot achieve victory without Him.

We might express this in the language of Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

When the Lord taught His disciples to pray— He told them to pray and ask to be delivered from evil, because they could not deliver themselves.

Matthew 26:41 “41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

What exactly are you praying—- you are asking God to help you—- understanding—-as we sing that wonderful song that:

He’s Able — He’s Able —- I know He is Able —-

God’s Word for us here is first, Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Secondly, I would encourage you this way:

2. Be Equipped (vs. 11) -

Notice what verse 11 states.

Ephesians 6:11 “11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

In other words, we might say it this way, be equipped.

What have you learned this week from the Lord, that will equip you to have victory?

You must be equipped with the necessary tools that God gives for victory.

2 Corinthians 10:4 “4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God has given to the Christian“… all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

This week you have been equipped with various messages from the Word of God.

I think about Pastor Carroll’s message

Strap on the Armour of God

Shun the Devil

Supplication to God

Stand on the Promises of God found in the Word of God

Just yesterday Pastor Joshua Carroll spoke about prayer:

Asking to be strengthened with might.

Christ may dwell in your heart by faith.

Rooted and Grounded in the love of God.

Pastor Tim Gainey preached to us out of the Word of God:

You have to be on the right team

You know what the end is.

Ask God to help you live like God wants you too in the Middle

Pastor Mike Vest —

Identity of a conqueror

Insight of a conqueror

Invitation of a conqueror

I think about Pastor Earl’s crystal clear declaration, explanation, and invitation of the gospel, for you all to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior.

I think about our special speaker, Ms. Betsy’s messages concerning not listening to the lies of the Devil but to go forth with what God has called you to do with your life.

So much has been given to you this week.

The Lord Jesus Christ said on one occasion a word of caution in Luke 12:48 to “…whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:”

The Lord’s expectation for you is that you would use every tool that God has given you for His glory.

In other words, young person, be equipped…. Will you equip yourself with what you have been taught.

3. Be Aware vs. 12 -

Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

I hear to tell you young person, you are up against powerful enemies.

It is a fact—- that there are principalities standing against you.

There are rulers of darkness standing against you.

There is spiritual wickedness in high places standing against.

But God, loves you so much—- He has told you about these enemies.

The Bible says, in 2 Corinthians 2:11 “…we are not ignorant of [the devils] devices.”

Just like Pastor Earl said last night, that the Devil wants you to believe that there is something better than what God has for you… that your missing something—- we know that is a lie— because God has shown us that from His Word.

Just like the puppet skit Ms. Betty and Pastor Jeff put together concerning service to the King and not listening to the lies of the serpent.

We know the Devil is our advesary… we know He wants to destroy us… And all I am trying to tell you —- is as you head home from camp don’t forget that important truth.

Be aware——- “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Lastly,

4. Be Real (vs 13) -

Ephesians 6:13 “13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

My dear wife for a number of years struggled back and forth with her Salvation… She got saved at a young age much like many of you.

She grew up in a Christian home…She grew up going to Christian School.

But the fact of the matter was—- whether she was saved or not at that young age — she needed to be real…

A preacher stood up and preached a message entitled “Christian Pretenders”

And the Lord used that to bring her to a place where she got things right with God and made a decision to quite playing Christian.

When I say “Be Real,” what I am trying to say is follow through with the commitments you’ve made to the Lord.