The furtherance of the gospel

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. – Philippians 1.12-14

Why would Paul go through all he went through? Why would he go through arrests and attacks and shipwrecks and snake bites and all those troubles?  Paul was willing to put up with all he put up with for the furtherance of the gospel. From the time he got saved he put life and limb at risk to tell people about Jesus. When I read things like this I get really convicted about how little I am willing to go through for the furtherance of the gospel. Paul never begrudged what he had to do because he did every to see people come to Christ.

I don’t like trials. I don’t hard times. I don’t like when I have to do without. I don’t like when things don’t go my way. I don’t like rejection. Those kind of things can get me down and discouraged and defeated. I hate to admit it, but I have considered just quitting because of those kinds of things.

The thing we have to remember is that there is an eternal purpose that overrides everything else along the way. I am called to further the gospel. My own circumstances don’t really matter in the end as long as I am striving to further the gospel of Christ to those around me.

Paul showed Christ in his chains and in every other place. Oh, that I even had a smidgen of that boldness.

Fruit filled

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1.9-11

That you might be filled with all the fruits of righteousness, which are my Christ, to His praise and glory.

The picture of fruit is one used often in the scriptures. I like the picture. It makes me think if the paintings of cornucopia overflowing with a beautiful variety of vegetables and grains and fruits and nuts. It is a symbol of overflowing abundance.

When I read this verse that is the image that comes to my mind. Our lives are not meant to just get through spiritually. Our desire should be that our lives abound in bearing fruit and the fruit out to be the fruit of righteousness. What is this fruit of righteousness?

Paul talks about it elsewhere. It is love and joy and peace and long-suffering and gentleness and goodness and faith and meekness and temperance. These are this things that ought pour out of us like an overflowing cornucopia.

The Christian life is more than just getting along. It is pouring out the fruit of the Spirit so all the world can see and so that they will be drawn to the fullness of life in Christ.

Test all things

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1.9-11

Approve, or test everything that you many be sincere and without offence.

In this world of social media and immediate access to more information than we have ever had before we have more to test than we can imagine, but our responsibility to test them hasn’t changed.

I think about social media. I am a Facebook user. It astounds me to see the things that people, including Christians, are willing to share without ever checking to see if they are real. It matters not if they are true or if they cause offence. If people like it and agree with it they share it. Truth and fear of causing offence fall by the wayside in order to get shares and likes. All kinds of part truths, half truths, and lies are spread by believers simply because they don’t test what they post.

Though that is not the main point here – but it is a picture of how important that we test all things we come across. On Facebook it only makes us look foolish when we post nonsense, but in life it can be harmful. As Christians it is vital that we test all things – first of all to see how they line of up with God’s word. Secondly it is important that we make sure things are true. `if we are not careful about truth in trivial matters how we hope for people to trust us in our winters for Christ?

Love, knowledge, and judgement

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1.9-11

‘That your love may abound’ are powerful words. It is the kind of thing Paul writes about in nearly every, if not every letter. Love is not just an option or something we know we should do but don’t really think about. Our love should thrive and abound in our daily lives. People should see the love of God in us.

To do this we must choose to know the love of God and how to judge ourselves and others in the love of God. Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians when we writes how the love of Christ should constrain and compel us in all that we do. That is how we should be motivated, not to prove and point or to put others down or to win an argument, but judge out of love. In that same passage Paul writes about how we don’t see people through eyes of the flesh anymore. We stop seeing them though our eyes but we see them with Jesus’ eyes of love.

It is easy to judge others by our standards or preferences. I have seen A LOT of that and have sadly been guilty of it FAR too many times. I think of how much damage that has done and how much damage I caused.

We have a standard, a pattern if you, from 2 Timothy where Paul tells Timothy to grasp on to the pattern of sound doctrine in God’s word. When we combine that with an attitude of love our whole perspective on others will change.

May I now others in love. May I reserve my judgement on other passed on God’s word and love, not with the strife and envy Paul’s preacher critics did in Philippians 1.

Abounding in grace

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1.3-8

Paul talks a lot about God’s grace. It is a major theme in all his letters. It permeates his writings. He knew that amazingness of God’s amazing grace. It had carried him through all kinds of troubles.

Paul knew God’s grace because he knew about troubles. God grace had carried him safe this far and he knew what God’s grace would lead him home.

Paul did not want believers to partake of his suffering, but he does want us to be full partakers of the grace of God in our lives. We need to see grace ever growing and abounding.

It took great grace to save us. It takes great grace to carry us through day by day. It was all because of God’s amazing grace – let us glory in it. Let us ever abound in it.

He will complete it

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1.3-8

I have to admit that in the years of the ministry here there are time when I have wondered what we are doing here. The work has been though highs and lows. There have been good times and bad. We have had joys and sorrows, but sometimes it has seemed like we have done nothing. How in the world am I supposed to keep on going?

The truth is none of can just keep on going without the knowledge that God is with us and that He able to complete the work He started in us. If it were up to us we would never be able to endure the opposition and trials.

Only God can complete the task. God will not quit on a work He begins in us. The only one who can quit is you and me. We can be assured that as long as we keep going God is going to keep on going with us doing in His work through.

God is never going to give up on us. Let’s pray that we never give up on Him.

Always

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1.3-8

Here was are, back to prayer again. Paul’s opening statements in his letter to the Philippian are full of love and blessings and encouragement. He he talks about his prayer for them.

Paul was must have been some kind of pray-er. He prayed for all theses churches and here he tells the Philippians that thanked God for them and prayed for their needs ‘always and in every prayer.’

I try to pray like that. I try to spend devoted time in prayer everyday for my fellow believers. I try to pray specifically and especially for those in our church. I try to keep them in mind – but I still would fall short of Paul’s ‘always and in every prayer’ for other, especially when you add the thankfulness and joy aspects. I pray – but I desire to pray more like Paul did. I want to join in prayer for others always, in every prayer, with thanksgiving, and with joy.

Praying is certainly not all we should do. We must put actions to our prayers. But there is nothing more important we can do than praying for each other.

Boldness

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. – Ephesians 6.19-20

Paul says ‘pray for me that I might speak and that I might boldly make know the mystery of the gospel. I am an ambassador of the gospel. Pray that I may speak boldly because that is how I ought to speak.’

If I could think of anyone who was bold in their proclamation of the gospel it would be Paul.  From the day he got saved he was determined to preach and nothing stopped him. He preached to everyone everywhere without regard to personal repercussions. He certainly seemed bold to me.

And still he asked for more boldness when he asked the Ephesians to pray.

Then I look at me. I certainly would not consider my efforts for the Lord to be bold. When I do get to share it can be with anxiety and fear and timidity. If there is one thing I would ask other to pray for in my witness is that I would be bold to proclaim the good news to those I try to talk to about Christ. I have a lot of opportunities walking Jasper on the canal walks. I have been able to introduce the couple to many folks I talk to, but I rarely have the boldness to proclaim the truth what salvation means, their need of our, and the importance of taking the step of putting their faith in Jesus.

O Lord, give me that boldness as I encounter people today.

Overflowing

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1.9-11

That you might be filled with all the fruits of righteousness, which are my Christ, to His praise and glory.

The picture of fruit is one used often in the scriptures. I like the picture. It makes me think if the paintings of cornucopia overflowing with a beautiful variety of vegetables and grains and fruits and nuts. It is a symbol of overflowing abundance.

When I read this verse that is the image that comes to my mind. Our lives are not meant to just get through spiritually. Our desire should be that our lives abound in bearing fruit and the fruit out to be the fruit of righteousness. What is this fruit of righteousness?

Paul talks about it elsewhere. It is love and joy and peace and long-suffering and gentleness and goodness and faith and meekness and temperance. These are this things that ought pour out of us like an overflowing cornucopia.

The Christian life is more than just getting along. It is pouring out the fruit of the Spirit so all the world can see and so that they will be drawn to the fullness of life in Christ.

Praying

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

Praying. What a simple statement yet how complicated a matter it can be. We all know that we ought to pray and most of us I think know we ought to pray more, much more, than we do.

Prayer is our supply line for ourselves and for each other. Prayer is our access to headquarters. When troops can’t communicate with the higher up who know what is going on they don’t know what to do. Whether it is by messenger or semaphore or telegraph or radio or telephone or email there must be communication between the commander and his troops.

When we do not communicate with our Commander we too are doomed to fail. We end up cowering in our foxholes with the enemy fire erupting around us and we don’t call in for support. How can we hope to survive?

; - Ephesians 6.14-18

Praying. What a simple statement yet how complicated a matter it can be. We all know that we ought to pray and most of us I think know we ought to pray more, much more, than we do.

Prayer is our supply line for ourselves and for each other. Prayer is our access to headquarters. When troops can’t communicate with the higher up who know what is going on they don’t know what to do. Whether it is by messenger or semaphore or telegraph or radio or telephone or email there must be communication between the commander and his troops.

When we do not communicate with our Commander we too are doomed to fail. We end up cowering in our foxholes with the enemy fire erupting around us and we don’t call in for support. How can we hope to survive?

The sword of the Spirit

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

In the armour of God most of the things described are things that our used for our defence. They are things to protect us and to keep us going. There is one thing though that we are to use in the offensive. Our weapon, or our sword, is the word of God. One of the reasons I think that Paul wrote Hebrews is because of this quote from the book. ‘Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’

There are a lot of things we are tempted to use as our offensive weapon. . We are tempted to use our own wisdom or knowledge or eloquence or persuasion or any number of things to persuade people of the truth of God’s word.  We can be tempted to depend on human logic.

But all of these things are going to let us down. He one weapon we can always depend on is God’s word because He promises us that His word will not return void. It is never a waster to proclaim it because it will do what He wants it to do. We never know what God’s word will do, but we do know that it is the only thing that can truly work in the thoughts and intents of man.

We will be mocked. People will scoff and make fun. We may even be attacked, but God’s word will do God’s work. .  We must be bold to proclaim it without apology.

The helmet of salvation

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

I like the film ‘Inside Out.’ It tells the story of what goes in the mind of a little girl who is growing up. At the centre the is a big control panel. Various emotions take control of the panel as the little girl goes through various situations.

It's interesting that the salvation is listed here as our helmet. The helmet of course protects our brains. Our brains are where decisions are made and thoughts processed.  It is the great control centre for the rest of the body. Like the film it all comes down to who is at the control panel. Anger or lust or jealousy of selfishness can sit at the controls, but we need to be sure that our control panel is under the control of the Holy Spirit.

The key to that is making sure that our minds are protected – and at the end of the day it is our salvation that really protects us. Our minds must be stayed on the fact that our salvation is secure or we will surely fail when our faith is tried. We cannot have the mind of Christ if we are not assured of our salvation. We can’t think in heavenly unless we are assured that our salvation is secure.

Don’t forget that wonderful helmet of salvation.

Shield of faith

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18



The last piece of armour we talk about, the last defensive tool, is the shield of faith. We are told here that this shield of faith is what allows us to fend off the ‘fiery darts of the wicked one.’ It reminds me of the ‘brazen walls’ God gave Jerusalem to protect them in land. Proverbs 30.5 tells us that God is a shield to those who trust Him.

The shield imagery is vivid in the Old Testament, but here Paul tells us exactly what that shield it – it is a shield of faith in God and in that what He says is true. When the attacks come they can seem overwhelming and sometimes we have no answer on our own. Doubts and fears assail and there seems to be nothing we can do. I remember the scene from ‘Band of Brothers’ in the Ardennes and the fire was so intense that the troops were totally pinned down. There was no way to defend themselves. Sometimes our lives can seem like that. The attacks keep coming. Trees are exploding and the bullets are relentless. We can’t seem to buy a break.

But we have something that those troops didn’t. We have a shield they didn’t have. We have the shield of faith in the God to protect us. When those things come we can raise our shield and trust God so the doubts and fear don’t win. We need not be pinned down.

That’s why Paul can write that we are not to be full of cares and woes. We need instead to go to God with prayers and supplication giving thanks to God for all He does so that the peace of God that passes all understanding can rule in our hearts.

In the midst of the fight we need to raise our shields and stand fast to God an His word.

Our footgear

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

Ive heard it said that the one thing a warrior desires more than anything else it is peace. Sadly sometimes warfare has to be used as way to acquire peace. Our warfare though seeks peace not through winning a military battle, but a spiritual one.

Our desire is to solve the conflict, not with physical weapons and armour, but by sharing the gospel of peace. Shoes or boots are vital in a battle. They give us a grounding, they give us traction, they give us a firm footing. One of the biggest issues in a battle is to make sure your troops can stand up and walk and hold their ground and have stability.

It is the gospel of the peace of our God that is our grounding. That peace that passes all understanding is what will keep us going when everything seems to be a slippery slope. It gives us traction. The Pslams talk about the beautiful feet of those who bring goodness.

If we aren’t at peace we can’t take peace to others, so let’s be sure we are grounded in peace as we set out today.

The breastplate of righteousness

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

The breastplate is the part of our armour that protects the heart and other vital organs. The thing that protects our spiritual heart and keeps us safe from the enemy is righteousness. We are blessed in that we are all imputed with Christ righteousness the moment we accept Christ as saviour. All of His righteousness is placed on us. That indwelling righteousness gives us the heart to keep on going. It should protect us from the wickedness around us.

But there is a practical side to this righteousness. God called on us to reflect our imputed righteousness to the world around us. Our behaviour should not reflect the ways of the world. We can’t fight their battle with our meagre weapons because they will win.

When we live in righteousness when we walk in obedience to God, when our actions please Him, when we live in the light of Christ’s righteousness.

When I put on the breastplate of righteousness I chose to do right. When possible conflict comes or we need to make a decision we choose to do right no matter what the perceived cost. We read God’s word, we pray, and we do right. That’s how we protect our spirit.

Belt of truth

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6.14-18

Though we may be convinced that as we obey ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ that the weapons we use are the same weapons the world uses. We feel like our battle is against flesh and blood and that all the people of the world are our enemies and that to win we must take them down by hook or by crook. We use the world’s tool of mockery and vitriol and hatred to knock our ‘enemies’ off their pedestals.

But God has a whole different set of armour and weapons for us and He tells us to put it on daily. At the base of all of the armour is what God calls the ‘belt of truth.’ Everything else is supported by this basic piece of armour. Our sword is hung there.  The breastplate is attached to it. It is the foundation.

The foundation of all of our armour is truth. Truth must guide all we say and do. If we cannot be truthful we can never hope to serve our God. All truth is based on the word of God for it is the source of truth.

It is too easy to build our lives on lies. We can all act one way and believe another. It is easy to put on our show for others to see – or even to deceive ourselves. We can go through our lives never be honest with ourselves about our relationship to and our walk with God. When we do that nobody wins, especially us.

Stand

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6.11-13

I am finally watching the series ‘Band of Brothers’ on DVD. I can see why it is so highly acclaimed. It is well written and well acted and tells an amazing story of Easy Company who landed in Normandy on D-Day.

A few days ago I watched the episode on the Battle of Bastogne. The company was great outnumbered. All five roads to the town were blocked. The Germans had them totally surrounded and there was not hope of resupply or reinforcement. They were battered by artillery shells day and night. The Ardennes forest  was ripped to shreds by the constant cannon fire. I was especially interested because Beth and Ronnie had taken us there a few years ago. We had seen the town and the foxholes and the bunkers.

Anyway, E-Company was is desperate shape. Their orders were simple – hang on and fight. There was no hope of advancing, much less winning. All they could do was to hold on until help arrived.

 Our Christian walk at times can be like that. We can’t move forward. Out strength is gone and we can feel like we too weak to carry on. We sometimes can only put on the  whole armour of God and hold on.

That’s not a bad thing though. It kind of reminds me of God’s call to Jeremiah when God told him that he would make him like an iron pillar and give him a strong wall and provide protection for Jeremiah and how by standing one day he’d be able to tear down the enemies strongholds.

But we must stand. We can’t waver. We can’t run. We can’t give up. At one point the German commander sent a message telling Easy Company that their fight was hopeless and they should surrender. The reply, a bit coarse of course, was simply ‘Nuts.’

Eventually relief came and the battle was won. One day Jesus will return and our battle will be won – until then – stand therefore.

Wiles

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6.10-13

One of my favourite cartoons was, and is, The Roadrunner. Most of us know the theme, every episode involves the roadrunner being pursued by his arch nemesis Wiley E Coyote. The coyote was constantly trying to catch and devour the roadrunner. Part of the them song went ‘Roadrunner, the coyote’s after you. Roadrunner , if he catches you you’re through.’ Through the years Coyote used every scheme and trick and deception he could buy from Acme – but nothing worked because Roadrunner was ready for him.

I like the word wiles. I like the word to describe the sneaky tactics of the devil as he wages war against God and His people. He is sneaky. He is deceptive. He uses all kinds of trickery in order to trap us. He walks about like a roaring lion (or coyote?) seeking who he may devour. He is a lots smarter than Wiley E Coyote though. He doesn’t waste time on Acme Inc. He has been around since the beginning and he knows all the tricks. He has learned the weaknesses of men and he seeks to exploit them in his unending war on guard and if we are not careful we get caught in his trap.

We must always be aware. We must ‘walk circumspectly’ as we go from day to day. Wake up. Be alert. Let’s keep our eyes open and be knowledgeable to the devil’s wiles.

Our enemy

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6.10-13

It is easy to get confused in these troublesome days. With all the ugliness and hatred going on it is easy for us to get caught up in it all and forget who our real enemy is. When we think of warfare and battles we think of violence and killing and maiming and hurting our enemy as much as we can. As Christians we can feel that we need to do the same thing. We think we can win the battle by being as ugly and mean and vicious and violent as the world. We insult and tear down and make fun of spew out hatred and vitriol against those we see as enemies – often only because they are political opponents.

But that’s crazy. We are always going to lose when we use those tactics because our fight is not about visible things. We may win and get people to act the way we want, but we lose because their hearts don’t change. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood. Our real enemy is the one who holds them captive and we can’t defeat him with those weapons.

I could write all day and not put is as well the Gettys do in their marvellous hymn ‘O Church Arise’ so it is. Enjoy. Be challenged. Be blessed. Be motivated.

O church, arise, and put your armour on;

Hear the call of Christ our captain.

For now the weak can say that they are strong

In the strength that God has given.

With shield of faith and belt of truth,

We'll stand against the devil's lies.

An army bold, whose battle cry is love,

Reaching out to those in darkness.

Our call to war, to love the captive soul,

But to rage against the captor;

And with the sword that makes the wounded whole,

We will fight with faith and valour.

When faced with trials on every side,

We know the outcome is secure.

And Christ will have the prize for which He died:

An inheritance of nations

Be strong

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Ephesians 6.10-13

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We have to be reminded over and over again about this. References in the power of the Lord abound all through the word of God. I think it is because we are a bit thick and we have to be reminded that we are not as strong as we think we are because no one like to think of themselves as weak.

But we are weak. Any one of us who has tried to fight our spiritual battles on our own knows just how weak we are. Every single time I have relied on my own strength to get through a battle I have lost. We are powerless and hopeless without Him. He that is in the world is stronger that I am, but greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world.

We need to give up trying to handle it on our own. We need to give up trying to figure it all out on our own. We need give up trying to figure out how God is going to sort it out. We need to trust Him and His power.

Be strong – but in His strength alone. Be storing the power of His might and His might alone.

Only then are we going to find the peace of resting in Him.

Work as unto the Lord

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. – Ephesians 6.5-8

Paul’s words were written to a different culture. Various forms of slavery were sadly a part of life. Most of the time this slavery was a type of temporary indentured servitude. People were getting saved and many of them were slaves. What were slaves supposed to do about their slavery now?

It’s a difficult situation for us to grasp, but God has never condoned rebellion in the church. He never commands His people to rise up. In general God is the author of authority As a result He tells those servants to submit to the masters in the flesh.

While we mat argue about how slavery and servitude and such there is an important principle here that we ought not miss. When we are serving or working for someone we need to remember that more than anything else of testimony is what really matters. We ought to reflect our relationship with Christ. We don’t work only to be seen and to make the boss happy. We ought to be done as the best workers in the workplace so that we can magnify Christ.

Today we have the freedom to change jobs mostly, but if we are stuck in a difficult situation, we may do the best job we can do to reflect Jesus to our bosses and let God sort out the rest.

And, by the way, for Christian bosses, they are also told to treat their workers as Christ would treat them. They is no room in God’s family for tyrants or bullies in any relationship.

Parents and children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. – Ephesians 6.1-4

Parents are quick to point out to their children the words ‘children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.’

That’s true of course – but those words are tempered with the words ‘fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath.’

The parent/child relationship is, like all of the relationships here, a two way street. Children must submit to their parents, but the parents have the huge responsibility not to abuse their authority by provoking their children to disobedience.

If parents are not provoking their children to wrath the children are far more likely to obey. The onus is not on the kids, it is on us. We can be so focused on our authority and getting the kids to obey us that sometimes we make that more important than how we treat them. We can demand obedience without giving them a reason to obey us.

This is a fine balance for us to find. We must expect and require obedience, but we can’t provoke while we do it. It is a tough task, I’ve been then and sadly I am afraid I have done my share of ‘provoking.’  

Husbands and wives

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. – Ephesians 5.32-33

Sometimes there are things in the word of God that don’t fit in society around us. Anything that tells wives to submit to their husband’s leadership is considered sexist or anti-woman.

But God’s plan is always right. God’s plan for the home is that the husband and the wife complement each other. The husband loves his wife like Jesus loves the church. He gave Himself for the church. He submitted to take on the form of a servant. He came and died for the church. He gave it all for the church.

Wives are submit to the husband’s loving leadership.

My wife and I are a team. We would not work well if we both tried to do the same thing in our home. God gives us the responsibility for me to love my wife to the point that I would die for her. If I do that she will be able to submit to my leadership. If we are working together to show the world a picture of Christ and the church that we be our priority will be that instead of what my spouse has to do and how much I have to do. In a proper Bible home the husband and the wife complement each other and God’s work can carry on showing the world how Christ loves the church.

Thankful for each other

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. – Ephesians 5.19-21

I remember when we first moved to Naas in April 1995. We did not know anyone, must less any other Christians. We started to make some friends, but it was still a while before we met another believer. I will never forget the sense of aloneness during those few months.

Now, all these years on we have plenty Christian friends. We have a small church family who love each other. I always have someone I can go to. We have wonderful fellowship in and out of church.

I am grateful for all my friends, but I am especially grateful for my Christian friends. We are truly family and my Christian friends ‘get it.’ They understand. They understand when I am up and when I ma down. They love through good times and bad. The rejoice when I rejoice and they weep when I weep.

So let us not forget be give thanks for each other and to be sure to let them know that we are thankful for them,

Submitting

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. – Ephesians 5.19-21

Submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord.

That kind of summarises our attitude, who what should be our attitude toward each other. It flies in the face of all that most of us want to do. Very few people like the notion of submitting to each other, but here it is in black and white.

Our Christian lives are all about humility and a lack of pride. In relation to others it means putting them first and not having to have our way.I rarely like to submit my will to others.

To put it plainly what this means is that I don’t have to have my way. It means others are more important to me than me. It makes sense when I stop and thinks about what Jesus submitted to for my sake. He left heaven, took on the form of a man, and went to cross for me. I have never had any kind of submission in my life that comes close to that. Submission usually means simple things like doing things for each other. It means that I am as capable of making a cuppa tea as anyone. It means that I can take out the rubbish or brush the floor or whatever else. It means that I submit to help others. It means simple humility.

I don’t have to have it my way.

Singing

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. – Ephesians 5.19-21

O love going to church. I love our little church here in Naas. One of the things I love the most about going to church is the singing.

Everyone knows the power of son. Political campaigns use it at rallies. Nations have anthems to stir patriotic fervour. Nothing stirs a rugby crowd in Dublin like the singing of ‘Ireland’s Call.’ Advertisers spend millions creating catchy tunes to associate with their products. Music has power in and of itself.

The world knows that – and since God created music if we miss it we are really doing harm to ourselves and to our churches. Singing was a huge part of the Old Testament – it even contains 150 songs!

We are told here that psalms and hymns and spiritual songs need to be a part of our worship. Songs speak to each other and it makes a special melody in our hearts. A church in song can be a very special and memorable place.

When we come together we all ought to join in to encourage and bless each other and to be blessed. The quality of our singing doesn’t make any difference. As the old joke goes we are told to ‘make a joyful noise’ unto the Lord. When we see out of a heart of joy on song will be joyful and encouraging. We ought to fill our lives with God-honouring music so that God can use that music to lift us when we are down.

Sing, make melody. Join in songs of praise and thanksgiving and worship. Let God use this powerful tool to work in our lives.

Don't be drunk with wine

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, - Ephesians 5.18

I know what I am about to say is not going to gain me many friends. It is a stand for which I have taken the most criticism from my brethren, but strangely never from worldly friends. I have been accused of being a legalistic and a liberty denier over it. It is not about what I say about others, but about a choice I made for me

Are you ready? I don’t drink alcohol – full stop. I know the Bible only forbids drunkenness, but there is more than meets the eye here for me.

Drunkenness is ruin. We see the effects all the time. Nothing should ever have control over us but the Holy Spirit and alcohol always has that potential. I have seen the ruin that drunkenness creates. I have been there in the past. Drunkenness is not just a sin that affects the sinner, it affects everyone around. Drunkenness affects familes and friendships and other relationships. Drink driving kills. Drunkenness destroys homes. Drunkenness plays a role in many crimes. It is indeed dissipation. Because of all that I ask myself why even bother with that first drink with all it can lead to.

Alcohol, if not carefully controlled, takes control. As believers the only control over us should be when we are filled and controlled by God’s Holy Spirit. When He controls our lives He produces love and joy and peace and patience and gentleness and goodness.

Why dabble with something that opens the door to ruin? When Christians choose to use their liberty to have a drink they must be willing to let those who don't make that choice the same liberty.

The will of the Lord

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesian 5.17


Don’t be unwise about how to deal with this world. We surely live I a world where we need wisdom about how to deal with all the stuff out there. It’s nothing new, the church has always needed wisdom and God talks a lot about wisdom.

Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom here is equated with knowing God’s will. The two go hand in hand. You can’t know God’s will without His wisdom.

So how do we know His wisdom? We find it in the one way we are certain to hear His voice – in His word. Much of God’s will is clearly found in His word. All of it can be found in Biblical teaching and we can be assured that God’s will never goes contrary to His word.

Sure, at times circumstances and where God’s puts us play into His will. Sometimes I God permits to act with a spectrum of choices that are in His will – but I am never in His will when I go against His word or ignore His word.

And at the end of the day, if things don’t go the way that we think are best we must be willing to say “Your will be done.’

Husbands and wives

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. – Ephesians 5.32-33

Sometimes there are things in the word of God that don’t fit in society around us. Anything that tells wives to submit to their husband’s leadership is considered sexist or anti-woman.

But God’s plan is always right. God’s plan for the home is that the husband and the wife complement each other. The husband loves his wife like Jesus loves the church. He gave Himself for the church. He submitted to take on the form of a servant. He came and died for the church. He gave it all for the church.

Wives are submit to the husband’s loving leadership.

My wife and I are a team. We would not work well if we both tried to do the same thing in our home. God gives us the responsibility for me to love my wife to the point that I would die for her. If I do that she will be able to submit to my leadership. If we are working together to show the world a picture of Christ and the church that we be our priority will be that instead of what my spouse has to do and how much I have to do. In a proper Bible home the husband and the wife complement each other and God’s work can carry on showing the world the realtionship Christ and the Church and it will draw people to Him.

Walk circumspectly

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5.15-16

See then that you walk circumspectly. Be aware, look around at what is going on in this world. Not act in foolishness. Be wise. Use the time you have.

I love this phrase ‘walk circumspectly.’ It means just what it sounds like, to walk through life always on guard and looking around intently. It means to be aware of what is going on around us.

It is so easy to get caught off guard. There is always something just around the corner to catch us out and if we aren’t careful it will and the next thing we know we are in a real mess because we listened to the world.

We need to see all that is going on with the world not through social media or the television or any other source. We need to stay in the word of God so that we can see current events and news and politics through God’s eyes and we do that by spending time the word of God. Without that we can’t walk circumspectly. We will never understand what is going on around us.

And then we need to watch out. We have an enemy, who, like a roaring lion, is roaming the earth seeking whom he might devour.

Don’t go to sleep. Keep your heart with all diligence. Watch out. Don’t be caught out.

Light and darkness

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. – Ephesians 5.11-14

Darkness and light are two things that are in absolute contrast. John wrote about a world that was in darkness until Jesus came as the Light to shine in that darkness. The world rejected the Light because in this broken world men love darkness more than they love light.

When Jesus left He left us a children of light as we saw yesterday. Here Paul makes an application of that truth. As we walk as children of light we must not fellowship with the works of darkness. We must deal with those trapped in darkness, but we cannot partake of the wasteful works of the darkness.

Wake up, Paul writes, wake up from your spiritual deadness and Christ will give you light that allows you to make a difference in this dark world.

We are told to be a reproof to this world. Sometimes we do have to step out and speak out and openly reprove sin around us.

Here though we find that our very lives can be a reproof to this world. When our light is shining it is going to disturb the darkness just because it is there. The world loves darkness more than light to when the light shines it reveals sins and folks don’t tend to like that.

But some are looking for light to get them out of darkness. That’s why we must ‘let our light so shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

This little light of mine, I going to let it shine!