Matthew 16:18: Veterans Day: I Fought For You

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor... These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day"....

Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day....

I would like all of military people to stand as we thank you for your service. Thank you for this life I am able to live. You are truly heroes in my eyes. You have served to keep us free and to keep the enemy from invading our territory. You have protected even those who ridicule you and abuse you and you did it because it was your duty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgYLr_LfhLo

Who Fought For You?

Tristan

At the beginning of the video, we hear about the discretionary of a veterans cemetery. later on in the video, it shows youth acting like youth and veteran just trying to spend time with the ones they love. it is not until they go and watch the movie on the war that happen and many lost their life till the youth understand how important the veterans are.

this video is more close to home then we realize. how many times do we overlook the one that fought for us and died for us? Jesus died for us and how many times do we just act like the children in the video and overlook that.

How many times do we just sit back and wait to see Jesus before we start caring about him?

it being veterans days we chose to remember those that served and gave up time and part of the life they have to support others that do not get those kind of freedoms.

Matthew 16:18

Ryan

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Gates of Hell shall not prevail.

This likely refers to the realm of the dead in general (the underworld).

Jesus and His disciples are at Caesarea Philippi, located at the base of Mount Hermon.

This region is affiliated in ancient Near Eastern, Jewish, and Greek literature with the gateway to the underworld, the gods, and other spiritual beings.

The OT also affiliates the region, called Bashan in the OT, with an evil giant clan and idolatry (Deut 2:10–12; 3:1,10–11; Josh 12:1–5). Jesus seems to be saying that through His power, the Church will overcome the powers of evil and death itself.

The realm of death and evil, will not be able to withstand the advance of the Church

We often think of this phrase as though God’s people are in a posture of having to bravely fend off Satan and his demons. Gates are defensive structures, not offensive weapons. The kingdom of God is the aggressor. It is the gates of hell that are under assault—and they will not hold up against the church.

Hell has no claim on those who align themselves with Jesus. He will reverse the curse of death and His own will rise on account of Him.

How the Church goes on the offensive

Spread the Gospel. Each soul that joins the kingdom of God is an attack on the kingdom of hell.

Live out the Gospel in your life. Every we don the armor of God, we resist the devil and he must flee

James 4:7 LEB

7 Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The Gates of hell are under assault and they will not hold up against the Church. Hell will one day be Satan's tomb.

You have the authority

Tristan

In the military, as you grow and promote you begin to have authority over others in your field of work.

Example: Myself as a recovery specialist.

you gain this authority by the ranking officers over you, but as Christians, we have an officer that is the highest-ranking overall. we were given authority over the hell and the demons that reside in it.

Matthew 28:18 LEB

18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Since Jesus has all authority, He has the right to command us what to do, and we have the responsibility to obey. His command to us is this: (Mat 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 LEB

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the age.”

Remember who your enemy is

Ryan

Ephesians 6:11–12 LEB

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil, 12 because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

You are not at war with one another. You are not at war with democrats or Republicans. You are not at war with the person that took your seat. You are not at war with your parents. You are not at war with yourself.

the struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Duty To Serve

Tristan

Most veterans join the military with a sense of Duty they want to perform for the country that gives some much to us.

It is that sense of duty that make them want to serve. we should have that same want as Christians. the bible gives us a command to do so.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 2

15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

In this verse Paul we should be Diligent to present ourselves to God. we should have the sense of want to serve. IT is our Duty to Perform the Teaching of the word of truth.

Veterans Guide the way

Ryan

Each individual hoplite carried his shield on the left arm, protecting not only himself but the soldier to the left. This meant that the men at the extreme right of the phalanx were only half-protected. In battle, opposing phalanxes would exploit this weakness by attempting to overlap the enemy's right flank. It also meant that, in battle, a phalanx would tend to drift to the right (as hoplites sought to remain behind the shield of their neighbour). The most experienced hoplites were often placed on the right side of the phalanx, to avoid these problems.

Veterans are the ones that Guide the way.

Are you a veteran for Christ?

How can you guide the way for those who have fought less with the rulers of darkness?

I Fought for you

Tristan

Gospel Presentation

Close your eyes and think Christ is face to face with you telling you I Fought for you. Do you believe that?

Next Steps

Ryan

--Bibliography--

Addison, Jeff. Veteran’s of Spiritual Warfare. The Ridge Abilene. 2018

Hanson, victor Davis. Hoplites: The Classical Greek Battle Experience. Routledge, 1993.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Got Questions Ministries. Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013.

Heiser, Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. First Edition. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015.

Heiser, Michael S. Reversing Hermon: Enoch, The Watchers & The Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.

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