This Sunday will be our fifth and final sermon in our Gather series. We’ll consider how the church is like a barracks. When Paul urged the young pastor, Timothy, to “wage the good warfare (1 Timothy 1:18) he wasn’t being melodramatic. This wasn’t hyperbole and it wasn’t just a charge to pastors. To the Ephesian church, Paul wrote:

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. (Ephesians 6:10–13)

And this good warfare isn’t just defense. Christ’s church is to go on the offensive against these powers by boldly and prayerfully advancing the liberating message of the gospel into our dark world. And we should expect victory. Jesus told Peter:

“I will build my church and the gates of hell will shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)”

And Paul wrote to the church in Rome:

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).”

So are you in battle mode?

Erik Thoennes will be preaching from various passages that draw out this theme and Walt Harrah will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And as a guide to pray for our Grace family this week in preparation, you might take some time to pray through this great hymn by Keith and Kristyn Getty. You can also listen to it at the link below.

O church arise and put your armor 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 valor
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

Come see the cross where love and mercy meet
As the Son of God is stricken
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet
For the Conqueror has risen
And as the stone is rolled away
And Christ emerges from the grave
This victory march continues till the day
Every eye and heart shall see Him

So Spirit, come, put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful
As saints of old still line the way
Retelling triumphs of His grace
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in glory

See you Sunday, Grace. Let’s come hungry!

 

Song Link of the Week

O Church Arise by Keith and Kristyn Getty