Ephesians 6:10-20 Life on Mission – Pray

The Armor of God

As we envision the Knights in Shining Armor of the past, we might be reminded of how courageous they appeared as the swordsmen raced toward one another upon the backs of  bold and determined steads. They were relentless until one or the other had fallen to his death.

There was a living, breathing human being inside each set of armor. Focusing on one in particular, let's speculate how this jousting match came to be: 

Likely as a young man, the knight began preparing for the day his competition would take place long before it happened. When the helmet was first placed upon his head, it strained his neck and put pressure on his temple. The breastplate made him uncomfortable as it dug into his ribs and made it difficult to breathe. As his belt was tightened, he groaned and wondered how he was going to manage. Placed in one hand was a gold plated shield he could barely lift, and in the other an ornate silver sword that made his arm and wrist ache as he raised it pridefully into the air. He was told that his feet should be at the ready at all times. Though excited about the challenge, he doubted himself and had no idea how he was going to find the strength to do the will of the king.

As time went on, the young knight to be was gaining strength. He listened to the other knights. He read up on the laws and rules of knighthood. He hung out with others who were in the same situation as he was, as well as those with more experience and asked questions that helped him grow as a knight. When he was alone, he worked with each piece of armor individually until he was comfortable with it and then added one after another until he was in full armor. Day after day the heart and soul of this knight grew stronger until he knew he was ready. Did he have a few twinges of doubt from time to time, sure, but overall he had the faith he needed to do the job . 

As we forge ahead with God's promise in hand, we too will be protected by armor, but this armor of the Lord is all housed within us.  

"Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God,.....Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the work of God. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...." Ephesians 6:10-18

Our armor will feel heavy and awkward at first as well, yet continued prayer and faith will lighten the burden and make this "Life on Mission" well worth the challenge. How are you doing on your checklist?

Ephesians 6:10-20

1 John 4:7-21

God’s Love and Ours

Where would you prefer to be?

Scenario 1: You walk in the door, receive a few superficial hugs and immediately tense up as you spy that big old elephant still sitting on the living room floor big as life, but everyone pretends it’s not there.  The conversation is shallow as you remain in the kitchen because the living room is still filled with things no one wants to talk about.

Scenario 2: You walk in the door, share several long, sincere hugs, walk into the empty living room together, settle into your favorite comfortable spot, and together fill the air with genuine conversation and laughter.

When we feel we are loved and love in return, we are connected. It is a comfortable place to be. We feel at home. The atmosphere is one of belonging. Peace and contentment consume us.

I love feeling that way!

This love is not romantic in nature; it is simply acceptance as is. It is unconditional, non-judgmental, genuine care and concern for another, with no motive to change or manipulate, only to love.

Loving unconditionally is a challenge we all face, and especially difficult when dealing with the "unlovable," yet the Bible is overflowing with verses on love; God’s type of love.

1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.

Jesus loved and reached out in love regardless of the individual’s status or behavior. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen, and He has given us this command: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (John 4:19-21)

In the book of Ephesians Chapters 1, 2 and 3, Paul speaks of who we are as God’s Children. In 4, 5 and 6 he writes on the way we are to conduct ourselves:

In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Amen! 

Read/Listen to 1 John 4:7-21

Through the Desert or Across the Room

            Mark 6:6-13, 30-34

In Mark chapter 6, Jesus spoke to the twelve apostles. They were sent out in twos to spread the Word. They were given authority over evil spirits. These were Jesus’ instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.  Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”

That is not a challenge for the weak of heart, or for one who trusts in himself alone. Only those who truly believe God is in control could take on that challenge. No food, money, extra clothes or anything. It is likely the twelve had reservations about the mission, but none questioned him. Jesus’ instructions were clear. They went. Yes, it may have helped that they were told they had authority to deal with evil spirits, but there was no guarantee.

Though today the Lord does not gather a specific group of us together and lay out exactly what to bring and not bring, or instruct each of us exactly where to go, his commands are clear. In addition, we have also been given the power of the Holy Spirit.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 1:13

The Bible is overflowing with guidance and instruction on how to live. If we abide by these three alone, will the Lord commend us as his "Good and Faithful Servant?" 

                                                                                                                                       

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:31

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me. 

Matthew 25:40

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13

 Book by: Bill Hybels

No need to walk through the desert. Look around the neighborhood. It is not essential to travel abroad, be patient with your children. Don’t seek out strangers until you have forgiven your relatives. Compassionate hearts, humility, kindness, etc. are qualities practiced and honed throughout the journey of life. As our character evolves we influence all those whose lives we touch in some way.

Read/Listen to Mark 6:6-13 

                         Mark 6:30-34

Ephesians 4: 1-16

Unity in the Body of Christ

The gifts God has given to us are meant to be given away for the benefit of others.

What is your gift?

Our pastor’s son delivered a message last year that included some of what is contained in this passage. He expanded on it to make it very personal and practical. I will summarize it to the best of my ability, for I believe it is worth contemplating.

Ephesians 4 states: “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up…”

1 Corinthians 12:12 speaks of finding clarity regarding God’s design for us, and 12:18 tells us our placement in the body is from and by God.

Romans 12:6 summarize once again these expressions of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts:

Prophecy

Service- always seeking needs

Teaching- Helping people understand biblical truth

Exhortation- Encourager, someone who builds up others

Giving- Giving freely to others to bring glory to God without recognition

Leader- Organizer of people, with a focus on God’s plan

Mercy- compassion, kindness, empathy-drawn to the hurting

Because you are a teacher does not automatically mean teaching is your gift. How then do we identify our God given gifts? We must first learn more about what these gifts are as noted above. We must ask God for guidance and inspiration as to his intended role for us, and we should ask others. We may be surprised at the response we get, but if we search deep within us and reach out for clarity, it will be revealed. The better we understand God’s design for us, the better we can fulfill it. What IS your gift?

Read/Listen to Ephesians 4: 1-16

Ephesians 3:2-6, 14-21

Prayer brings grace. Prayer reveals mercy.

Prayer brings peace. Prayer heals.

Paul prayed for God's people. He prayed long and hard! In Ephesians 3:16-19 he said, "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

I have a friend, who at forty nine was challenged with living or dying with pancreatic cancer. Karen has chosen to live, through the power of faith in our God. She is married and has three daughters between the ages of seventeen and twenty two. The journey Karen has taken us all on has been nothing short of miraculous. She has consistently inspired those who touch her life with love, hope, and peace. She has demonstrated her take on the Lord's deep, high, wide, unfailing love for us that does surpass our understanding. Karen is experiencing His healing power through her pain, though her trials have been many with more to come, she inspires us all to be more like her--God fearing, God trusting, God centered.

Perhaps we can learn from Karen, what is stated in the last two verses of Ephesians 3. "Now to Him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us....." Great strengths lie within us all, and through God's extreme love for us we can realize the power we possess to do great and mighty things.