Having Done All (Preparing for Battle) Ep. 6: 10 - 20 INTRODUCTION: I would like to speak to you this morning on the topic of, "Having Done All, (Preparing for Battle)". Just a few weeks ago I watched the coverage of the Democratic Convention. Listening to all the politicians and other speakers trying to convince us, the American voters, what is wrong in America, who is at blame, what the answer is, and in whom that answer lies in. My purpose or aim of this message this morning is not to endorse or denounce any politician or political party. I in no way intend to attack or praise any man, rather to attack satan and praise Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. This is but one excerpt from some of the speeches that were made. I was overwhelmed with emotions to the point of tears when the Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke about equality, our children, Jesus, and how so movingly he described how we need to reach back for each other and not just become giants and forget about everyone else. Then so many of the other speakers tugged on our hearts and emotions by centering around our children and a vision of a better life for them. Even so many times they quoted scripture, talked of prayer, and of God given rights. They said over and over again how it was another man's fault that our nation is in the shape and moral dilemma that it is in today. They describe and promote a man and a system in which they said was the answer to our problems and despair. Anticipation and emotions ran high as the man they had chosen was about to appear. The crowd of thousands started to chant his name saying we want Bill over and over again. Then finally their chosen man appeared. The crowd went crazy. They were so excited and just knew that this man held the answers for our struggling country. He speech was moving. He talked about racism, homeless, drugs, crime, education, and the hard working people of this great country. He even quoted scripture on several occasions calling on the American people to come and join him in his "New Covenant." He said that if there was no change that our nations was heading for very serious trouble. He said that he would bring that change to America. I'm sure that Mr. Clinton feels that he has the answers to our problems here in America today. I say to you this morning that we know what the problem in America is today. We also know what and in who the answer lies. It's not a politician or a new political system, but it only lies in Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God!!! We want Jesus, We want Jesus, We want Jesus. Our country has and is falling simply because it has fallen away from God. So many times in the old testament we read how the great nation of Israel began to fall as they disobeyed or fell away from God. We need to return to back to God!!! He is the only answer for our problems today or any day!!! It is time the church quit being so naive and uninvolved in the problems of this nations. For the same reason of having a vision for our children's future. We need to "Having Done All." You may ask, "preacher what do you mean by "Having Done All." In "Having Done All" we must first dedicate our lives for the cause of Jesus Christ with such a passion that our daily lives become engulfed by fulfilling Jesus Christ's great commission that He given us. We must become a walking testament of Jesus Christ. In every aspect of our lives. We cannot just be "christians" here at church or at bible studies. We must be showing Jesus Christ love and faith in everything we do and say. Our very actions must show others that our lives don't belong to us, but belong to Jesus Christ, the son of the living God. I say to you that just as the Word of God states here in Ephesians 6:12, our problems and dilemma aren't the sole cause of just a politician or political system, but rather we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. In doing this we must by all means be prepared for battle against the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. In doing that we must take on the full amour of God. As we preach down the list of the amour that God has supplies for us, I pray that in some way it impacts you like never before. Truly we are in a great spiritual battle today and if we do not fight in it, it could happen that neither we nor our children would retain the rights to preach and love Jesus Christ in this country. It could very possibly happen. The Whole Armor of God Your Loins girt about with Truth: Before the armor could be put on, the soldier had to bind the loose, flowing garments worn by people of that day, so he could enjoy freedom of movement. To tighten the belt meant a soldier was ready for duty, and to loosen it meant he was going off duty. In the scriptures "loins" were used often to signify strength. Girded loins meant the opposite of self-indulgence, ease, or carelessness. Paul compared the wide leather belt of the soldier to the belt of truth worn by the Christian who stands literally "in the realm of truth." The person who operates in the realm of truth of God's Word will not be defeated in battle. The battle belongs to the Lord..... THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: The breastplate usually was composed of metallic scales, but sometimes it was made of leather or bronze. It covered the torso, and so protected the vital organs of the body - the heart, the lungs, etc. The breastplate often saved the Roman soldier from being mortally wounded. Similarly, the person who is just or righteous, because he has accepted the righteousness of Christ, will not be mortally wounded in the spiritual warfare in which he is engaged. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means an individual has come to grips with the basic tenets of the gospel. Greater is He that is me, than he that is in the world..... FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE: The Roman soldier needed sure footing to enable him to march and to move quickly when necessary. The Roman sandal or military shoe was bound by a thong over the instep and around the ankle, and the sole was studded with nails to permit surefootedness. "The preparation of the gospel of peace" is a fitting way of stating the a Christian must be prepared with the gospel which has peace as its message. We need to take time to know God's word. Not to despise people but to offer the true peace of Jesus Christ in the midst of their troubles... SHIELD OF FAITH: The believers should never be without the shield of faith. The large body-shield usually measured about 4 feet high by 2 1/2 feet wide. It normally was constructed of alternating layers of bronze and oxhide. Many of Rome's enemies used arrows dipped in pitch which would be set aflame and propelled toward the Roman soldiers. The shield would break the arrow's force and cause them to fall harmlessly to the ground. Just as the soldier could not afford to be without this protective shield at any time, the follower of Christ cannot for one moment afford to be without faith. We must have faith in God in all things.... HELMET OF SALVATION: The helmet was made of bronze with leather attachments. or of leather strengthened with metallic plates. It protected the head of the individual. First Thessalonians 5:8 makes another reference to this piece of equipment, calling it "the hope of salvation." It seems to refer to the fact that a person's will, a very important part of his intellectual process, is involved in the hope of full salvation. Christians must continue to will to serve God if they expect the ultimate consummation of all His promises. The head may also symbolize the mid which needs protection. We need to apply the blood of Jesus Christ over our mind in these lustful days and pray to develop the mind of Christ in all ways.... THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT: The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which is his son Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth..... The Attitude of Battle Having the proper attitude in battle is just as important as having the proper equipment..... PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION: Paul reminded the Ephesians of the need for prayer and watchfulness in this spiritual conflict, Prayer must be "in the Spirit" or "in the sphere of the Holy Spirit" in order to be effective. "Praying" comes from a more general word for prayer. It speaks of the necessity of always being in an attitude of prayer, of having a consistent prayer life. "Supplication" comes from a Greek term which relates to special times of need. If Christians truly practice prayer as a way of life, when the special times of need come they will be prepared for them. WATCHING: Watching translated literally means "to be awake or alert." Having the proper attitude in this spiritual warfare cannot be overemphasized. It is dangerous to take a flippant attitude about something this serious. The conflict is a real one, the enemies are spiritual forces that are not limited to the physical realm, but God has provided sufficient necessary equipment for believers to be victorious in the battle. UTTERANCE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL: Because Paul practiced what he preached, he asked the Ephesians to pray that God would help him proclaim the gospel, even though he was in chains. The apostle's request teaches an important lesson about the purpose of prayer. While there is no doubt that Paul also prayed for his own needs, the main emphasis of this prayer request was that God would give him the ennoblement to present the gospel message with boldness. This is consistent with Jesus' words to His disciples that His children should seek His kingdom and His righteousness first, and depend upon Him to supply their needs (Matthew 6:33). Perhaps Christians would receive more answers to prayer if they followed Paul's example and prayed more for the power to proclaim the gospel, rather than always asking God for things for self. KNOWING WE ARE AMBASSADORS IN BONDS: From the time of his conversion in Acts 9, Paul was consumed with one chief aim in life - proclaiming the gospel to the world. He considered himself a special appointee of Jesus Christ himself, much as a president of a country appoints an ambassador to represent him personally in another country. An ambassador does not speak for himself, but for the prominent person he represents. This gives a certain amount of boldness to the ambassador. How much more this should be true of a representative of Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God..... ??