Preparing for War! 6

The Voice of Truth: Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cKm_mYVPQE

Psalm 85 NASB95

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. 1 O Lord, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the captivity of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah. 3 You withdrew all Your fury; You turned away from Your burning anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord, And grant us Your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth springs from the earth, And righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce. 13 Righteousness will go before Him And will make His footsteps into a way.

Pray

Opening Hymn:

Announcements

Genesis 3:1–7 NIV

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

3 Worship Songs

John 8:42–47 NIV

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Prayer Chorus

Prayer

Prayer Video

Preparing for War

Introduction:

I like to step back and read old classics from time to time. In recent years, one of those books was Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Kidnapped!.

Stevenson spins the tale of David Balfour in his book Kidnapped. As the story opens, David’s father has died, and an attorney sends David to his uncle to claim his inheritance. Night is falling as David approaches the crumbling castle where his uncle lives. The specter of the aging ruins in the growing dusk sends a chill through David, but the boy has nowhere else to go. Hesitantly he approaches the massive oaken doors set into ancient stones. He knocks. He waits, and then knocks again. Finally, frightened by the sudden darkness that has fallen around him, he pounds on the doors desperately.

At last he hears shuffling steps, and a smaller door that David had not noticed opens. In the light of a single candle, David sees the face of a stooped old man who peers with hostility out into the darkness. “It’s David, your nephew.”

The old man brings David inside and leads him through icy, empty hallways into a barren kitchen. The uncle sits down at a decrepit table where he is eating a bowl of gruel. Despite the chill there is no fire burning in the grate, and when David offers to build one the old man shakes his head. Coal is expensive, and the old man will not spend an extra farthing to warm the room.

David tells the story of his father’s death and hands his uncle the will and the letter prepared by the attorney. The uncle puts it aside. They will speak of it in the morning. Now it is time for bed. The uncle points to a flight of stone steps leading up into even deeper darkness. David is to climb the steps until he comes to an open doorway. Inside he will find a bed where he is to spend the night. When David asks for a candle to light the way, his uncle refuses. He will waste no money on extra candles. He instructs David to feel his way by keeping one hand on the wall until he comes to the doorway that leads into his room.

David protests, but his uncle insists. So, hesitantly, David begins making his way up the stairs. The darkness is so deep that David cannot even see the great stones set in the castle wall. With one hand pressed against those chill slabs, David stumbles up the rough stone steps until he reaches what seems to be a landing. With arms outstretched David is about to step into what he has been told is his room.

Suddenly there is a flash of lightning, and David sees that the stairway ends in nothingness! Looking down David sees rocky crags on which his uncle expected him to fall to his death. The lightning flash revealed what was really there. The light showed David the truth.

(Richards, Larry. The Full Armor of God (p. 118). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.)

Truth is not always obvious to us. The reason is because, we do not see full reality. We are limited to only seeing the physical world around us. There is an entire spiritual realm that is invisible to us. It is in this spiritual realm that our life even began. On top of that, we have only experienced a short period of life. There are many historical events that we cannot witness for ourselves. We are dependent on written accounts of what took place. Then we must choose whether or not we believe those accounts.

All history has revolved around two opinions: Either we believe in God and God’s Word, or we do not. This brings us to the subject matter of today’s message. Please stand as we investigate Paul’s teaching regarding the final piece of equipment for our Armor.

Ephesians 5:1–16 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Pray

II. Spiritual Armor for a Spiritual Battle

Today we will wrap up our “Spiritual Armor for a Spiritual Battle” segment. We began this series with looking at the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and spiritual battles require a different kind of armor that we would typically wear in our world for war. Allow me to make a quick review of the pieces of armor we have discussed these past few weeks.

1. Helmet of Salvation - Enemy’s attacks against our self worth - Enemy defeated by our full understanding and confidence in salvation.

2. Shield of Faith - Enemy’s attempt to bring fear, confusion and misdirection in our life - Defeated by our confidence in God’s faithfulness

3. Sandals of Peace - Enemy’s attempt to bring conflict into our lives - Defeated by the peace we have through reconciliation with God and others

4. Breastplate of Righteousness - Enemy’s attempt to tempt us by enticing our sin nature - Defeated by the triumph of choosing to act in obedience to God and His Word

As you can see, in each case, there is a different scheme of Satan’s that our armor is protecting us from. So let us jump in again with...

1. Satan’s Scheme #5: Deception John 8:44; 1 John 2:16; 5:19

John wrote a lot on this subject.

John 8:44 NIV

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 2:16 NIV

16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 5:19 NIV

19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

So, the evil one, or Satan as we most often call him, is the father of lies and deception and this world is under his control. We see evidence of this everywhere. Have you listened to the news or any politicians lately? They are masters of spin! They can take the truth and spin it in to fit their own narrative no matter how untrue their narrative may be.

I always knew I could never be a salesmen because you are often put pressure upon to do the same thing. This week, I heard a man sharing his experience when he went in to interview with the QVC home shopping network. He was required to spin a narrative that would lead people to desire to buy an ordinary yellow #2 pencil. His job was to describe the ordinary, every day pencil into something that was God’s best gift to man and so no one could ever have enough of them.

Well, Satan is the master of spin. We have a written record of his first success with humankind.

Genesis 3:1 NIV

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Genesis 3:4–5 NIV

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

His intent is to either deceive us or appeal to us in a way that will lead us to rationalize the truth to bend it to our will. However, the final outcome is the same, we disobey God and bring the curse of sin into our lives.

Now, let us look at the armor that provides protection from the deception of Satan.

2. The Armor: The Belt Ephesians 6:14

Ephesians 6:14 NIV

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

Picture of Belt

The belt was a thick piece of leather. It actually was a bit of an apron as well as it had strips of leather hanging down with small brass plates to help protect the sensitive groin area. The belt sometimes had another piece that came up across the chest and over the shoulder to keep is secured. The sword was secured to the belt for easy access. However, the greatest purpose of the belt was to secure the soldiers garments to keep them from tangling in the soldiers legs. They kept the garments in place so he was always ready for action.

The fact is, that literal Greek translation of this passage is “Stand, having girded your loins with truth.” This was a common Jewish reference but this is the only time it was used in a military fashion. So, many added the term belt as the Roman soldiers belt had the same purpose. It was to keep the clothing from tangling in a man’s legs preventing him from moving fast and efficiently.

Once again, it was defensive. It allowed soldier freedom to act swiftly and defensively.

3. The Belts Equivalent: Truth John 8:31-32

John 8:31–32 NIV

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Why is truth so important? What does it accomplish? Well let me as you this. If you have a group of soldiers on a front line, who are the ones most likely to fight to defend the line? The ones who believe in the cause. Those who believe truth and justice are on their side. If they do not believe in the cause, or have no faith in its truth, they will more than likely desert.

Truth is what strengthens our core. I noticed that some of the pictures of modern replicas of the Roman belt seemed like thin leather while others were made out of wider pieces of leather. I read in one place that the Roman belt helped support the core of the soldier, much like the thick, wide belts people use today to give core strength for heavy lifting.

Truth strengthens our core. It provides the key to every piece of armor in our armory.

Our world is trying hard to convince everyone that truth is relative, but if truth is relative, then there is no truth at all. That is the philosophy that comes out of believing that all creation was the accident of some explosion. If life was an accident of some explosion, then they are correct that there is no truth. However, at our core we all are seeking truth. What would prompt us to believe there is a truth?

The answer is God. God created us. He designed us to be relational and to have a relationship with Him. For this reason, there is an emptiness within us that is seeking to find the truth, to find the purpose behind our existence. When we find Him and build a relationship with Him, we understand the truth and it gives us peace and fulfillment.

Paul says we move from children in darkness to become children of the light.

Ephesians 5:8–14 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

David Balfour walked up the stairway of that castle headed for certain death, but the light illuminated the truth that lay before him. He was able to correct his path and was saved.

God’s Word is the beacon of light in our life that illuminates the truth. It gives testimony of the history that has happened before we were born. Without it, we are in the dark about what is really going on around us because Satan is spinning his own story with the hope of deceiving us and leading us to crash on the jagged crag below.

I like the way Larry Richard’s stated it in his book, The Full Armor of God.

Our problem is that we human beings have lost touch with reality. We live in a world of illusions spun by Satan that appeal to our old nature, the “old man” that Paul implores us to take off. Stumbling along in this world of illusion we are unable to distinguish between right and wrong, between what will benefit us and what will harm us. We desperately need a trustworthy source of light that will reveal reality.

Richards, Larry. The Full Armor of God (p. 119). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

So, how do we know God’s Word is true? Well its trustworthiness has been proven over and over again. No one has been able to prove it is untrue and the number of prophecies that have been fulfilled point to its trustworthiness.

Let’s face it. How can we, who are so ignorant of the spiritual realm, know truth without someone telling us? If we cannot see and completely know all aspects of existence, we have no way of discerning truth without guidance from the One who does know. The One who created all things and was there to witness everything.

Our search for knowledge is always leading us to change what we believe to be truth. History books have been changed and our knowledge of history constantly changes based on new discoveries made through archaeology. Science often declares something as being true until they make a new discover that disproves what they previously thought. Then they change their minds. However, archaeology and science have never disproved the Bible, instead, the more they find and learn, the more it proves it.

Truth is on the side of the Bible. The proof is there. I find it interesting that we leave in a world that believes in a spiritual realm, yet even though they cannot see it or understand it, they will fight to declare they know truth and it is relative to what each person wants to believe. This just does not make any sense, but the Bible makes perfect sense and constantly wins the battle of continuity and truth in the telling.

So, how do we equip the Belt of Truth.

4. Equipping the Belt of Truth Ephesians 5:8-6:9; John 8:31-32

The key to equipping the belt of truth is actually found in John 8:31-32.

John 8:31–32 NIV

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Note that Jesus did not say, “the truth will set you free” (a great misquote among our world). Jesus is saying, “if you hold to my teaching, you will know the truth and it will set you free.” It is in experience that we prove truth and are set free by it. When we live according to God’s Word, we begin to experience the truth for ourselves and it sets us free. We are no longer searching. What was missing is now found and working its truth within us.

Paul knew and understood this. That is why he goes from talking about living in darkness to living in light and then takes us to the very heart of where we all live, in relationship with those closest to us. Paul immediately moves to what were called “Household codes” in his day. He addresses the relationship of husbands and wives (Eph 5:22-33), of parents and children (Eph 6:1-4) and employer and employees (okay, slaves and masters in his day) (Eph 6:5-9). :-)

Why does Paul take us from truth to these everyday relationship? Because, quoting Larry Richards, “The core of any person’s life is to be found in these primary relationships that exist in the family.” (And keep in mind, their employees were most often, part of the household family).

Now these “household codes” were common in Paul’s day, but Paul places Biblical truth to them. In the common household code, wife, children, and slaves all belonged and owed allegiance to the Head of the household and he in turn owed them nothing. They were all strictly there to support his needs and desires. However, in Paul’s discourse, as well as other scriptures of God’s Word, the head of household owed as much back to them if not more. He would be accountable before God for his conduct toward each of them. He was called to lead in love, nurture and to treat all with respect.

God’s truth is all about relationship to Him and to others. When we live according to His Word, truth is revealed through the blessings we receive: joy, peace, fulfillment, love, etc… However, when we deny truth, our life is filled with a lack of these. Life is a struggle and we suffer far more than many wish to admit.

And if we can live life by God’s truth within the home, we are much better employees and citizens outside the home. We actually become a light to others and when we face persecution, it is not personal. It is because we allow others to see the truth they are trying so hard to deny.

Conclusion:

When we understand truth, we are equipped to make wise choices in our life and relationships.

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

I am going to end here to allow more time in prayer. Our denominational prayer campaign ends today and I want to give us time to pray in regard to it as well as our normal attention to what God may be saying to us regarding our day’s message. But I want to leave you with a little homework for the week. I hope you have kept your notes as I would encourage you to take them and organize them to create a list for yourself. List each piece of armor, the scheme of Satan they protect you from, and how they are equipped. Do not just copy what I have written, but put this list in your own words. Each day as you quiet your heart and prepare to pray, read through that list and mentally equip each piece of armor thinking how that may look in your life for that day. I believe you will find a sense of strength, purpose, and courage as you go out into the world each day equipped for what may come your way.

Pray

Prayer music