Untitled Sermon

Understanding the Battle - “adversary” (singular – our only adversary)

Boot Camp - Right at the outset (team work)

Witnesses speak of a light snow fall that night. A profound desperation and chill from living knee deep in mud, fighting to keep their rations from rats as they were huddled to the ground when Christmas time arrived.

THAT’S WHEN SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY TRANSPIRED THAT HAS NEVER BEEN REPEATED, AT LEAST NOT IN THE SAME WAY, NOR ON THE SAME SCALE.

In the north by Ypres that night, the British soldiers listened as the shelling was replaced by a chorus of "O Tannenbaum" The unexpected beauty was remarkable enough for them to answer with "The First Noel," and then the two opposing armies joined together singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful."

In France to the south, the French army hushed to sound of the Germans singing "Silent Night." Not to be out done, they joined in, each army singing in their respective languages. In some places the Great War raged on, but all over the Western Front, a spontaneous movement of peace was observed as the troops celebrated together the Savior’s birth, even if from the inside of their trenches.

None would have been surprised by a return to hostilities the next day. In fact, that was the case for many that Christmas Day. The high command on either side would not approve of the nights impromptu vigil. Yet, in a day without the instant communication technologies that would later help control armies, there was a little more leeway to be human. That day the Germans put up small Christmas trees on their trenches. But the goodwill didn’t stop there.

NUMEROUS WITNESSES SPEAK OF THE UNIMAGINABLE.

Germans stepping out of the trenches with white flags, meeting the enemy in the middle, in No Man’s Land. They didn’t come to fight. They shook the hands of the enemy. They arranged for the dead to be buried. They held Christmas services.

The fraternizing went further. Enemies spoke of families waiting back home, exchanged Cognac, Cigars, Chocolat and other delicacies. There were football matches documented by photographs sent home in many of the amazed soldiers letters. In some places the unofficial truce lasted until the New Year.

Boot Camp Truth – The more “fronts” I am fighting on

the less effective I will be on the one that has the most at stake.

“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” ( ESV)

“outwitted” - gain the advantage by inflicting injury “Designs”– plans or schemes

If the enemy can’t destroy you he will either

disarm, distract, discourage/disillusion, diminish, or disect you

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes (methods) of the devil.” ESV

Ø “be strong” – durative present tense

Ø “put on”– to envelope in, to hide in, to clothe with. “whole armor”– panoply

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

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 firm.

The armor is needed because all the forces of hell and darkness are against you!

- “Lenski”

Stand, then, having girded your loins in truth, and having put on the breastplate of the righteousness, and having shod your feet in the preparation of the gospel of the peace, in addition to everything having taken up the long-shield of the faith, in connection with which you will be able to extinguish all the arrows of the wicked one, those that have been set on fire.

Resolves of the Spiritual Battle – (gird yourself, clothe yourself, shoe yourself)

“stand then” – aorist imperative – “take your stand” – “you shall not pass”- earnest resolve in view of the arguments made (ie the battle being waged, and the armor being provided)

The “standing” has 4 resolves noted by 4 aorist participles…

“having girded your loins” – first 3, aorist middle voice – my responsibility - "to gird around, to fasten garments with a girdle or belt." – belt of truth - gives freedom of movement

“ (in) truth” – ties all the armor together – breastplate tucked into it, sword hung from it, the tunic was restrained – more than Jesus being the “truth”

Ø Sets us apart from the devil - ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Ø Aligning life in Truth – gives freedom of heart and mind, note the anguish of King David when he hid his true self from others and tried to hide it form God – that which is pure and undivided

ESV “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah”

Ø includes a commitment to truth in the “inward parts” –

ESV “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

Ø A person of integrity, with a clear conscience, can face the enemy without fear. The belt also held the sword. Unless we practice the truth, we cannot use the Word of truth.

“having put on the breastplate of the righteousness” (aorist middle voice) The breastplate was usually a tough, sleeveless piece of leather or metal with animal horn or hoof pieces sewn on, covering the soldier's full torso, protecting his heart and other vital organs. It covered the body from the neck to the waist

Ø “the breastplate” = “the righteousness”

Ø Question – whose righteousness is this? - How much protection will my righteousness give?

Ø Justification – declared righteous – Our position that changes EVERYTHING

Illus. - to Tom Brady – “you are a rank amateur and will never amount to anything”

“and having shod (aorist middle) your feet in the preparation (readiness) of the gospel of the peace”

“and having shod (aorist middle) your feet in the preparation (readiness) of the gospel of the peace”

Ø The Gospel brings peace with God

Ø It opens the door to the peace of God

Ø This peace is the ultimate in “secure futures”

Ø The Preparation of Peace – “Bring It!”

“in addition to everything having taken up (aorist middle) the long-shield of the faith”

“in addition to everything having taken up (aorist middle) the long-shield of the faith”

Ø “the shield” = “the faith”

Ø Not personal faith

“... I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. - ESV

Ø All that God is, all that He has said and done, and the testimony of all that have given their lives in His name!

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” ESV

“in connection with which you will be able to extinguish all the arrows of the wicked one, those that have been set on fire.”