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MOTHERS ARMED FOR SPIRITUAL BATTLE Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship May 9th, 2010 (Mother's Day)
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) 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. (13) 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. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
INTRODUCTION I love moms. I love my mom, my mother-in-law and the mother of my children. I love the moms in this room and the wisdom of God in giving us mothers. Motherhood is a unique and special gift from God...Motherhood is seen in the picture of the church. Mothers are called to a glorious calling and yet every mother is a sinner and lives in a sinful world - and they have daily reminders of this fact.
I want to encourage and strengthen mothers with this sermon. But the way someone is encouraged is not by putting your head in the sand so that you are oblivious to any nasty stuff that whirls around you.
The Bible is clear that the encouragement that comes from God, the only true encouragement, comes to us from His Word and through His Spirit. This encouragement looks all that would threaten it directly in the face and in one sense laughs at the futility of its work.
I want to be realistic this morning. Moms are in a battle. This battle is a battle that rages in their own heart. And it is a battle that rages around them.
Mothers In Battle Mothers need strength to fight this battle Mother's are called to the front line of the discipleship of children who will grow up to be men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, bankers, business owners, lawyers, politician, authors, teachers, police officers, judges, pastors, plumbers, truck drivers, doctors, etc. Mothers need protective armor from the enemy The enemy is two fold - in their sinful hearts that still needs to be put to death; and that which comes from outside - the world and Satan Mothers fight against spiritual forces - this is clear from this passage. The battle against discouragement, pain, regret, feelings of failure are fights that often have to do with the Enemy. Mothers need to stand in an evil day or else they will be picked up by the Enemy and tossed into the currents of this world.
Discouragement Depression Hormonal Instability Selfishness Worldliness Weariness/Exhaustion Anxiety Overwhelmedness Fear Temptations to Quit Boredom Futility Guilt Shame Failure Bereavement Smallness Loneliness
Under-appreciated
Rebellious Children Disobedient Husband/No Husband
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) 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. (13) 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. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Your might is in the Lord Put on the armor of God that He has supplied
The belt was an undergarment and this was necessary for making the solider ready for quick action.
Truth is what is at your waist. Truth not emotion. Truth not feelings. Truth from God and His Word. Truth from the One who is the Truth. Truth that brings life, sets us free.
This freedom is hope in a God who is working and will not fall to work until His work is complete.
1 Peter 1: 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
This also can me - BE TRUE. Don't give up and be real until the end.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness Here the soldier puts on the crucial piece of armor that will protect his or her body's organs. The very essence of who he is. Maybe you can say - He is identity. You lose them you lose the soldier.
Mom's have no
chance against the enemy without this piece of Armor. It is the
confident assurance that you now where the righteousness of God
through Christ. Hebrew 61:10 my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself l like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (34) Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Our righteousness is now in that of Christ's because of justification. Mom's you feel the accusation in your hearts by the enemy. I should do this more. I am this...or that... You are loved by Christ if you are in Christ by faith alone. 3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Mom's need the Gospel that brings true peace (reconciliation between God and man and each other) at all times.
Mom's you need the Gospel of grace - the fact that God made Christ to be sin so you would be righteous. That you are now His child and holy and righteous and that through the death of Christ all who look to Him (not work for him) will be freed from the bondage of sin.
Mom's need it for their kids and for others.
Mom's be good news bearers. Preach the gospel. Preach it often. This is actually a defensive armor to withstand against the Enemy.
I think that all of these can fit under the idea of faith in God. He says to take the shield of faith to protect yourself from the fiery darts of the devil. This was a large shield that was coated in a leather and usually soaked in water to put out tar-lit arrows.
Faith in God is crucial! 1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (2) For by it the people of old received their commendation.
Hebrews 11:30-40 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. (31) By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. (32) And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- (33) who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (35) Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. (36) Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- (38) of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (39) And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, (40) since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Psalms 115:9-15 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. (10) O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. (11) You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield. (12) The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; (13) he will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. (14) May the LORD give you increase, you and your children! (15) May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
5. Helmet of Salvation Salvation comes from the Lord and it is coming! He has promised it! Though the days seem dark and smelly and normal and tiring - He is working. Be not weary for He is saving and will save!
Psalms 62:1-8 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (2) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. (3) How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? (4) They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (5) For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (6) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (7) On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. (8) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
6. Sword of the Spirit Here he speaks of the offensive weapon of the Word of God. This is the description of a sword that is smaller in size and was used for close hand to hand combat.
Psalms 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Be people of the Word!
Praying at All Times The shortwave/walkie-talkie of the soldier in battle.
Discouragement - ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE LORD WORK Depression - SEASONS OF HUMBLING FOR FUTURE JOY IN GOD Hormonal Instability - REMINDERS THAT GOD WILL SOMEDAY RESTORE OUR BODIES Selfishness - JOY IN THE KINGDOM OF ANOTHER Worldliness - FREEDOM FROM THE WORLD'S DESTRUCTIVE PULL TO THE ONE WHO BRINGS REAL MEANING Weariness/Exhaustion - STRENGTH AND REFRESHING AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND Anxiety - PEACE AND ASSURANCE OF GOD'S PROVISION Overwhelmedness - RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF A STORM Fear - COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE Temptations to Quit - COMMITMENT TO PERSEVERE IN HOPE Boredom - MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE Futility - JOY IN THE GOD WHO MADE THINGS THIS WAY AND WILL MAKE Guilt/Shame - PEACE, CLEAR-CONSCIENCE AND RELIEF IN GOD'S FORGIVENESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Failure - ASSURANCE OF GOD'S USING ALL THINGS FOR OUR GOOD Bereavement - HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION THROUGH CHRIST Smallness - JOY IN BEING PART OF HIS GRAND KINGDOM - THAT HE EXALTS THE HUMBLE Loneliness - FRIENDSHIP IN CHRIST ALONE
Under-appreciated
- SUPPORTED IN THE FUTURE REWARD OF HIS PRAISE AND "WELL-DONE" Rebellious Children - CONFIDENT THAT THE GOSPEL CAN OVERCOME ALL - HIS PATIENCE IS GREAT Disobedient Husband/No Husband - JESUS IS YOUR TRUE HUSBAND HE CAN USE YOUR SILENT SUBMISSION TO THE LORD FOR GREAT GOOD |
