July 16, 2017 AM

when he was young man, he was living the American dream. He was talented in sports. He rose to become a professional baseball player with the Chicago White Sox organization.

Everything seem to be going his way. It didn't like them apples. For him it was a 90 mile-per-hour baseball to the face.

You lost one eye. and his baseball career abruptly ended

but life went on. and

he began to sense the tug of God in his life. Calling to full-time Ministry. So Brian entered. Hey time. Church work where he became a youth pastor and then a lead pastor of a church and over the 20-some years of pastoring this church this church grew significantly.

No two years ago last month.

Nothing could have been better for him. His wife just received her ordination. In ministry as well. That particular Sunday in June. They were honoring First Responders. And so they had the the fire department and the police department and people from the hospital and other other agencies and departments at their Church of 3000 people.

It was a wonderful day. After church was over. Brian and his wife got on their motorcycle and they they rode their their motorcycle to a neighboring Community to have a date at an ice cream parlor.

As they were driving home.

wife happened a drunk driver cross the Centerline hit them head-on.

everything changed

when he woke up from his drug-induced coma you face the new reality. His wife of 28 years had died. And his left leg was amputated.

And he would spend a year in rehab.

But instead of giving up his passion for Christ in for people just intensified.

a year ago this month he was able to get back into the pulpit. Preach the word. proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ

He's had of you his whole Ministry of this if God brings you to it. God will bring you through it.

You know throughout human history. Ever since Adam and Eve rejected God's plan for their lives life has been difficult.

The same enemy Satan who deceive them continues to throw everything at Humanity. He throws pain and suffering and poverty and disappointment and discouragement and hate and bitterness and unbelief and selfishness and fears in vain imaginations. And the list goes on and on That's what Satan does. You did it to Adam and Eve. He did it to Abraham. He did it to Moses. He did it to the children of Israel. He did it to Isaiah and Daniel and Ezekiel and all the prophets of old. He did it to Peter and and James even tried to do it to Jesus. He does it to us. friends This Is War the battlefield is littered with broken and defeated people. and the anime the enemy which Jesus described. Is a thief who comes to steal kill and destroy? The Apostle Paul referred to the spiritual war that we are engaged in as an ever-present reality.

this present Darkness

put God in his grace in his Mercy in his loving-kindness.

He will not leave his children defenseless.

In Ephesians 6:10, the Apostle Paul said finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

his might This is an imperative the command for the Believers be strong not in yourself. Not in your gift things not in your abilities. Not in your intellect. Not in your bank account not in your job. Not in all the things people do for you but be strong what in the Lord. Be strong in him. Nestle your faith in him trust in him

in the strength of his might not your own. his mind cheek to often we have bought into the idea if we're going to make it in this world as a believer in Jesus Christ that somehow we got to conjure up some positive thinking.

some good attitudes We got to figure out the exact words to say. we got to go all to the till all the different conferences and we got to go to all the different meetings and we got to read all the books and all the things that people have offered and only did maybe just maybe were going to be able Make it through. But friends, it's not on our abilities that we rely on. It's his might that we are to rely on.

We have to rely on this Ward the god of Heaven.

See we are called to be strong in the Lord. We are called to engage in the truth of his power and authority his might to defeat the so the question is. Do we believe it? And if we say we believe it do we actually act upon this truth?

Let's be honest. Let's be very real when life happens. Sometimes. It's easy to forget.

How strong God is and how Mighty he is. Remind the only one that goes through.

She no matter what we face. The schemes of the devil will happen.

We are going to Russell the Bible says against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic Powers over this present Darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly places. That is our life whether you like it or not, whether you have volunteered to be part of Royal Family Kids Camp or not, all of this in this room are engaged in a wrestling match with an a ferocious enemy that wants to destroy you Something that is preached a lot these days and taught a lot, but I will tell you we ignore this to our Peril and our defeat and are discouragement every single time.

So I say again. believer in Christ Do you really believe what God's word says about spiritual warfare? And do you really believe that God can help you overcome and be victorious do we actually really believe and do we actually act upon this stated belief?

Convert 16 of a fusion 6 Paul takes us to the next level of spiritual warfare. This is what he says in all circumstances. Take up the shield of faith. Which you can extinguish all the Flaming darts of the evil one.

circumstances not just some circumstances every circumstance in life. That's a lot of circumstances.

I mean just this morning you had to face a lot of circumstances to get here this morning. First of all you had to wake up.

I didn't want to wake up this morning. I want to stay in bed this morning.

My kids got in late last night. And I have a rule. I got to stay up until everybody's home. Everybody's in bed. And everybody is unconscious then I go to sleep. That's the rule so I was tired this morning. And then I had to get everybody up. You know what? I realize. I'm not the only one that wants to sleep in and everybody else wants to sleep in except for my wife.

My wife is a morning person, but I think she's the only morning person in the family.

So I can get them up and you know, they tell me 15 more minutes. No, I'll let you sleep as long as I wanted you to you get up. Take care of the dog.

See the dogs a circumstance to

We thanks all these circumstances and like just thinking. Get everybody in the car on time. Drive over here. Get the church. Make certain our sound system can work. Make certain my lights are on mixer in the air conditioning is on that circumstances. We face circumstances all the time.

A circumstances win get that bill in the mail that you weren't expecting. Or when you go to the doctor and the doctor says we got to run tests as a circumstances in it.

When you have friction in a relationship, that's a circumstance. in all circumstances

We are to be aware. In everything that we do when problems happen when life happens when we win all this stuff happens, we can't get distracted. We count all the busyness of our life to to draw. So the truth that Jesus Christ is the center of our existence. He is our identity. And it is essential for me to live my life under his authority.

life happens one of three things Choices we will make one is we will run and hide. When the enemy is throwing things at you, one of our inclinations is we're going to run and hide we're going to find a place where we can hide ourselves we can we can find some security by being alone. We are motivated by fear.

Or another decision we can make it so we can compromise and align ourselves with the with the world. We think that this will make life easier. and we convinced ourselves that God's word is not to be taken seriously or we can stand on the truth of God and live obeying his truth. For the believer in Christ, we must stand on the truth of God. We must act on this truth and we must act on this truth consistently and constantly because we will face. the potential of serious and destructive things happening against us because it happens against every single breathing person and that every person

So what does a Believer face in this spiritual warfare when the enemy is throwing things at you? What is actually happening? See the scripture tells us? bat there are these fiery arrows these fiery darts and their from the evil one the devil.

So when we're going through life and facing circumstances, we need to understand that the enemy's throwing things at us. And he doesn't play fair.

in Paul's day arrows in the Arsenal of an army wear dipped in some kind of flammable substance some kind of pitch. Just before they were shot. They were ignited. And they were shot at the enemy. It was deadly to the soldier and it was destructive to the equipment that surrounded them in the surrounding vegetation. Satan shoots fiery arrows at our hearts and our minds and what are those fiery darts? What are those arrows that he likes to shoot their wise their Blasphemous thoughts. people thoughts about others doubt desire for sin Are you just going through life? Everything is going okay in your brain? Something so ungodly I something so terrible and you're like what? Come from the enemy.

The problem is that the enemy has stolen things. Actually that problem is is when we begin to succumb to what the enemy is throwing at us and we begin to live and act upon those things that he's throwing our way.

If we do not quench these arrows. If we do not guard our hearts concerning these darts. They will light a fire Within. And we will disobey God. So what do we do? We take up the shield of faith. We take it up.

Take up means that we have a part to play in the spiritual battle. Too many of us we tweet we think God will take care of it. We just need to sit down and do life our own way. But we have a responsibility in this spiritual warfare and part of that responsibility is that we are to take up the shield of faith.

The Shield Hall had in mind is not one of those round ones.

Not like the one Ross has in his office. Westworld, there you are You know that little one that you have that Captain America one that you have. You gave it to Awendaw, okay. Not that this one. is is is like a door?

But I got a picture of that if you could show that.

If it's still good about 4 ft tall about 2 and 1/2 feet wide, and I remember people back then were shorter than us today. It was meant to cover you and shield you from things thrown at you like arrows.

It was made by. Flying sheets of wood. Usually about three sheets of wood in between each sheet might have been muslin or something some kind of material. And then it was over laid by layers of leather. And then they may have some decorative feature that that either either gave symbolism to a god. I think like the god of Jupiter or or the emperor.

And that's what they use the shield themselves and that's what Paul had in mind here in a fusion chapter 6.

And when we look at the shield and we when we we think about it several things come to mind. First thing that comes to mind when I think about the shield. Is being alert. When you're tearing The Shield, you know that you're carrying it. It's at least 20 lb. And if you're tearing 20 lb for a lengthy time, it feels heavier and heavier. You're aware of the shield that you're carrying.

In 1st Peter chapter 5 verse 8. The scripture says Be sober-minded Be watchful your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We are called to be at work. So when we are carrying the shield of faith, we are we are demonstrating a preparation for whatever the enemy is going to throw at us. We are going to be alert.

We are going to be engaged. We're not going to treat the Battle of some sort of picnic. But we are recognizing the enemy is hard at work. He's not going to play fair. He's not going to tell us when he's going to shoot something at us. We need to be alert for what the enemy is going to do to hearing that Shield of faith is demonstrating alertness. secondly the shield of faith Is a faith that trust in the promises and power of God.

The Shield of faith it represents a kind of trust if it's it's more than just that Jesus died on the cross for me that's saving trust that saving Faith. This is a faith that believes that no matter what I'm going through in life God is greater than what I'm going through.

It is a trust that is going to carry me through whatever circumstance I'm going to face because my God is with me and I believe it when I am carrying The Shield a face. What I am saying is God. I trust you in all things even though I may not have an answer and even though I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I know that you are able

Now that was easier said than done. Because when you are going through battles in your life. It can be very hard and sometimes very difficult to trust in the Lord.

I think of this week. Assembly of God pastor and his wife grandparents they have their grandchildren over their house. It's going to be a wonderful evening a wonderful week. You might have seen this in the news. But a drunk driver. crashed into their house and their two granddaughters were killed. And their daughter-in-law was severely injured. Now that's a battle. Work you're like pouring my trusty is near empty.

We wonder sometimes as we're going through life. Lord, I don't know Let's see when we take up that Shield of Faith. It's not saying Lord. I know all things and I know how I'm going to get through this Lord when I take up the shield of faith God my trust is in you. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know how I'm going to make it. I know that you are able and so Lord. I'm going to trust you Lord help me to trust you.

I think of the psalmist in Psalm 91. He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the Olmec? I will say of the Lord my refuge and my Fortress my God in whom I trust.

She God doesn't say I got to figure it out. When I carry that Shield of faith. I'm trusting in the one who knows how to deal with it. Who knows what's going to happen? Who knows how how how he is going to help us through life circumstances. I'm trusting in Him alone.

But then the shield of faith when I pick it up when I take it up when I I surround myself with that Shield of faith.

I'm being reminded.

But that Shield of faith is layered with the promises and the precepts of God's word. Remember when Jesus after he was baptized led by the Holy Spirit into the desert spent 40 days and nights fasting. And then the enemy came against him. That's so unfair. Especially when you're doing what you're doing something spiritual. When you when you are are are doing something that you know honors God.

I am almost have come to the conclusion when I know I am honoring God I need to recognize there is the enemy the liar and chief himself that's going to come and try to bring destruction in my life. I need you just recognize it and yet you know what I always surprised. And usually if I'm not careful I get discouraged Lord what's going on? Why is this happening?

But God and His grace and his mercy so sad and be okay. I'm watching over you. You know how I know that because see his word says so his word says in Romans 10:17. So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. Layer upon layer precept upon precept God says I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you God says, I'm the mighty tower the high tower. You can run to and be safe. God says trust in me lean on me and I will direct your paths. God says do not be afraid do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will uphold you. I will help you. I will be there for you. God says call upon me. And I will answer. God says if you pray and seek my face and turn from your Wicked Ways, then you will hear from Heaven your view of you will experience his healing virtue. That's what God says over and over again and remind ourselves the layer upon layer on that. His promises for what God says, he will do God does not lie.

then There's a face.

That is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit is our Shield

he is he is the third person of the Trinity. We don't talk about it much. Maybe we shut. But she the Holy Spirit. He doesn't draw attention to himself the Holy Spirit. He wants he wants always to point us. To Christ into the reality of Jesus the Holy Spirit and he is at work in our life and he is protecting and guarding us and see the the enemy the enemy the enemy realizes that if the holy spirit is at work in our life there. He's limited he can't do anything he wants to

Holy spirit gives us confidence in the truth. And here is the chief confidence the holy spirit gives us God is able to deliver you. God is able to deliver you. There is nothing that the enemy can throw at you. That God is not able to come against.

How did you know there's something else about the shield? I don't want to forget it.

This kind of Shield was made in a certain way. The edges of The Shield were constructed in such a way that an entire line of soldiers could interlock. They would interlock the shield and they would March into the enemy like a solid wall.

Just that we Christians are not in the battle alone. When two or three are gathered in his name, he is there in the midst of us. We are not alone. No matter what we're going through in life. No matter what challenges in life when we come together as a community of Believers is a Community of Faith and we interlock our faith with one another there is no enemy that can stand against. In fact, this becomes not just a merely a defensive mechanism mechanism where we begin to go in his camp. We begin to go against the enemy with our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the use of God to bring down the stronghold that bring destruction upon people. See that's what God has called us as a community.

alone New Life

Royal Family Kids

Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I will.

You've been in some of you you are Ultra batteries of this. So what I say won't surprise you there's some of you this is your first year. Maybe I shouldn't say it, but I will.

You are going to this week experience spiritual warfare. You will because whenever you do. the Lord's bidding the enemy wants to bring destruction. It's either going to be 43 children. That have been neglected and abused and they're going to come your way.

And they're filled with fear. and doubt and questions

and they're going to wonder are you safe? And they're going to have their guard up.

You're nice person.

They don't.

And it's easy when somebody like a little kid pushes you. Your natural instinct is to push back isn't what you're not going to do that. Because I'm going to give you a heads up just like all the training has been giving you heads up this whole year. your email spiritual warfare and God is called you to be a soldier of love and kindness and compassion. And that's what you're going to do. And they're going to test that call him especially at night time when they time to go to bed. They're going to test it.

And you can remind yourself. This is spiritual warfare.

And you're going to hold up your Shield of Faith. It's not a barrier to them. No, no, no.

Shield of faith that you're going to be a barrier between them and the enemy you're going to stand in the gap.

You're going to see challenges raise their ugly head. But she has to get Park. You're going to see the miracle-working god. working through you time and time and time again by Friday evening when you have your dinner and you begin to share your to be filled with emotion because you saw the power of the Living God flow through you.

France

in this present Darkness

We are called not to live as defeated. victoriously So this morning?

We're going to give God the glory and the honor price.

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