120813_Christmas_Gifts

 

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Summary

TITLE: Household of God: CHRISTmas Gifts – Ephesians 6:10-20 AIM: Considering the whole armor of God, gifts given thru Christ. INTRO: We understand in our minds that Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift to us of His Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Savior & Lord. Of course, it’s been turned into a gift giving occasion. We make lists (check them 2ce) of what want to receive & what plan to give. That’s not all bad, to give gifts to celebrate His gift, but that often gets lost in the shuffle. Many in America/world give little thought to the birth of Jesus or why He came. Not saying shouldn’t give/receive gifts – especially since I’ve purchased most of the gifts I’m giving, but we certainly ought to focus on the greatest gift ever & the greatest giver of gifts. There is so much that comes to us thru the gift of Jesus Christ. Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is filled w/descriptions of what comes to us in/thru Christ, including Paul’s layout of the armor of God. 2013 theme: HofG – understanding that we who are in Christ are the HofG & seeking to understand what it means to be HofG. I submit to you that members of God’s household are given the gift of Jesus & are given gifts thru Jesus. The whole armor of God are some of those gifts on that wonderful gift list under the heading, “JESUS”. Ephesians 6:10-20 (READ). Just by way of review, the core message of this passage is that we are at war. It’s a spiritual war against spiritual foes – not flesh & blood, tho that’s what we often feel. But our true enemy is Satan & his demonic forces, which are very real & seek in any way can to destroy the works of God, us included. Yet, our battle is really God’s battle, which He has already won thru Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension & soon return. Satan can’t stop what God has done/is doing, so his attention is on us, to steal, kill & destroy us & hinder God’s work in us. But God has made provision for us, having given us complete armor. Our aim (God’s aim for us) is to stand and w/stand, having put on the whole armor of God. The armor of God is essentially our truth covering. We must be centered on the truth & be encompassed by the truth. As began last week, let’s take a look at the armor that God has provided for us. 1)Belt of Truth, focused on last week. It’s very imp, as we face our foe, to be girded w/truth, in general & specifically the truth of God & our relationship w/Him – the truth of who God is, of what He has done for us in Christ, of who we are in Christ, etc., because this is what Satan will attack, probing for chinks in the armor. “Is God really in control? Does He really care about your life/circumstances? Are you really forgiven? Is there any hope? Does God really love you?” On & on & on the lies will come, attacking the truth claims of God in general & specifically in regard to your life. We must embrace & be embraced by the truth, which Jesus is, which God has spoken, on which we must/ can stand. Didn’t mention last week, but occurred to me that there’s sense in which each piece of the armor may have a primary & secondary application. Must not only be encompassed by the truth of God, but also by truth of character. Integrity – being true to what we believe protects us in times of temptation/struggle. 2)Breastplate of Righteousness – vs14. The breastplate was that piece of armor, “consisting of 2 parts & protecting the body on both sides from neck to middle” (Strong’s). The breastplate essentially protected the vital organs. Today’s soldier is equipped w/body armor for that very reason. This breastplate of righteousness is a gift from God thru Christ. It represents nothing less than the righteousness of Christ credited to us. It’s very imp for us to realize that perfect righteousness is the only status that God will accept from us, that will make us acceptable to Him. Is anyone here perfect? Anyone anywhere? There’s only been 1 ever – Jesus. Jesus said in Matt.5:48 – “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” No wonder Isaiah said, “Woe is me, for I am undone.” No wonder Peter said to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” If God requires perfect righteousness, how can any of us be accepted by Him? It’s laughable to consider anyone thinking, “I’ve tried, done my best. God will accept me.” On the basis of what? Many people, including many Christians, don’t seem to understand that the death of Christ in payment of our sin was not enough to save us from God’s righteous, justified wrath. The death of Christ for our sin just brings us from a negative balance to zero. It doesn’t give us a positive balance. We still are lacking. We need righteousness if we would stand right before God, a righteousness we don’t have of ourselves, but which does come to us thru Christ. II Cor.5:21 is one of the most glorious vs in all of Scripture. “For our sake He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus Christ the Son) to be sin who knew not sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” The great cosmic exchange on the cross settled the account for those who believe. Christ took our sin upon Himself, to pay the full penalty; & His righteousness was credited to us, so that we become the righteousness of God. Paul understood this & counted all his past credentials & accomplishments as nothing/dung, “…that I may gain Christ, & be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law (keeping the law perfectly), but that which comes thru faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…” (Phil.3:8-9). It’s this right standing before God that Satan will attack as the accuser of our souls. He can attack this truth of our being justified thru faith in Christ – not guilty, but righteous in His sight, acceptable to Him, because we see the practical reality of our everyday lives. We not only make mistakes from time to time (which is enough to condemn us were it not for the death & righteousness of Christ counting for us), but we choose to disobey & blatantly sin. Sometimes the vilest things come out of the mouths/lives of Christians, words & actions & attitudes which are not in any way following Christ. We give Satan plenty of ammunition to use against us. But, if we are in Christ we are accepted by God on the basis of Christ. Hallelujah for that, for there’s no way that you/I could ever reach or maintain a perfect righteousness of our own. However, I believe the 2ndary application of the breastplate of righteousness could be our own right living. Whenever we choose to do what is right we take ammunition away from Satan. Again, integrity in our actions/attitudes/words protects us from the schemes of the enemy. And by the grace of God & the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives we can choose to do right in any & every circumstances. Before we came to faith in Christ, we could not do anything but sin. Even our so-called righteousness was like filthy rags before God. But now, in Christ, we can say no to sin & yes to righteousness by the power of the living Christ w/in. That’s not the basis of salvation for us, but a living out of what God has put w/in us. It happens only as we give way to the Holy Spirit & Christ Jesus lives His life thru us. Focus on Him, surrender to Him, & live/walk/stand on higher ground. 3)Shoes of the readiness of the Gospel – vs15. It’s clear that proper footwear is essential for a soldier. If he can’t stand or walk solidly, he can’t fight. If our aim is to stand against the schemes of the devil, to w/stand in the evil day, to stand firm, then we need good footing & a good foundation. The truth of the gospel is the readiness/ “underbinding” of the Christian. Are you ready/prepared to meet your God? Only then can you/I be prepared to meet our foe. Do you believe the gospel? The word, as most know, means “good tidings.” According to Strong’s, it is for the Church, “the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up & subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of the kingdom. After the death (& resurrection) of Jesus , the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for those in the kingdom of God – salvation thru Christ’s death, burial & resurrection & the saving impact upon all who believe.” We’re ready to stand if we believe the gospel & therefore are right w/God. Rom.5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace w/God thru our Lord Jesus Christ.” Hallelujah, amen! Again, this is truth which Satan will attack, because if he can get us to doubt the gospel & thru our salvation, he will render us useless for the work of Church/gospel & helpless in dealing w/life. However, if we stand on the preparedness/readiness of the gospel, we are ready to take that gospel to those around us. The 2ndary application of this part of the armor is our participation in the spread of the gospel. Again, we cannot save anyone, but God will use us & work/speak thru us. And if you’re active in telling others the good news, you will have less inclination to go your own way or give over to sin. 4)Shield of Faith – that is, faith in God & His promises – vs.16. The wd used here for shield references the type of shield that was a “large, oblong, 4-cornered shield,” perhaps metal, or wood covered w/leather, almost covering the entire person holding it. A soldier could set it on the ground & kneel behind it & be completely shielded from the arrows shot by the enemy. Often those arrows would be dipped in pitch & lighted, so they would be “flaming darts.” Satan fires flaming darts at us all the time, practically continuously. As Francis Foulkes describes them, they are “the arrow tongues of men, the shafts of impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, that are planned by the enemy to burn & destroy.” They are also, again, darts enflamed w/lies against the truth claims of God. Our defense/shield is faith – certainly faith in the gospel & the imputed righteousness of Christ, but also faith in God Himself & in His promises. It startles me awake sometimes to realize that many Christians, maybe you, have a hard time trusting God’s goodness or His sovereign plan; but I have to admit I struggle to trust too, sometimes. Do you really think that God having started His good work in you will not carry it thru to completion? Do you really believe that God, having loved you so much that He would not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, will not graciously give you all things you need (really need)? Do you really doubt that God is big enough & kind enough to take care of you, His child? Do you really doubt that your heavenly Father knows your need? Do you really doubt that your heavenly Father knows what He’s doing & is faithfully working for His glory & your good even thru the dark times/deep waters? Faith – conviction of the truth, trust & holy fervor born of & joined w/faith. Faith in God & His promises – that’s our shield, protecting us at all times against the flaming arrows shot our way by the enemy Satan. We need to take hold of faith, that our God & Father is good & righteous! His promises are true – He will not fail nor forsake us! His word is sure – you can take it to the bank w/out hesitation or fear of there not being enough to cover. We’ll pick up here next week, but understand the wonder of these marvelous gifts – Christmas gifts, really, because they all come to us thru the one gift of Jesus, born of a virgin, born in a manger, born a child & yet a King, born a man, & yet divine Savior & Son of God. Give thanks w/a grateful heart. Take heart in Christ & stand. Put on the whole armor of God, and STAND! We are the Household of God!