Stand Firm 3: Stand Firm with the Spiritual Armour 11-8-15

Stand Firm 3: Stand Firm with the Spiritual Armour

Ephesians 6:10-20, Isaiah 59:17

I. The Spiritual Struggle

A. Puts our daily lives (and the life of the corporate church) in the context of the spiritual world. We are in a spiritual war, not just a physical fight

B. Highlights that our adversary is consistently on the attack, i.e. in attack mode.  MWG: two concepts among many from OT and NT: accuser (Zechariah 3:1-10) and adversary (Job 1 & 2)

C. Emphasizes that the struggle is not against flesh and blood (lit. blood and flesh) but against spiritual powers and forces.

D. The Lord doesn't ask us to win the big battle, He has already done that. He asks us to stand in the fight.

II. The Spiritual Reminder

Reminds us that our strength is in the Lord

A. Relational Strength - Access to Him

B. Resource Availability - Application of His Power

III. The Spiritual Stand - Stand Firm then...

A. The three sections:

1. Finally... vss 10-13

2. Stand Firm Then ... vss 14-17

3. And Pray ... vss 18-20

B. The images:

1.  The Roman soldier?

2. The Lord as Warrior? Note Isaiah 59:17

C. The Elements:

Conclusion: Stand Firm

1. with the offensive and defensive weapons at your disposal

2.  in the fight in the physical world by waging war in the spiritual world

3. when opposed by the accuser and the adversary

4. against a world view contrary to our biblical perspectives, and against a culture that seeks to demolish our biblical beliefs

5. against the relativism of truth, and trust that there remains absolute truth.

Stand Firm 4: Stand Firm in One Spirit 11-15-15

Sermon Brief: 11-15-15

 Stand Firm - Stand Firm in One Spirit

Sermon Text: Phil 1:27-30

I. The Personal Dimension of Conduct

A. Even Through Circumstances 

B. With an Affirmation of Faith

C. With Acceptance of a Mode of Life

II. The Personal Acceptance of  Conduct

A. The Manner of the Savior

B. The Conduct of the Believer

C. For the Sake of the Gospel

III. The Firm Stand in One Spirit

A. With the Gospel

B. For the Church

C. For the World

D. As a Family  

Stand Firm 2: Stand Firm in Freedom 11-1-2015

Sermon Series: Stand Firm

Stand Firm 2: Stand Firm in Freedom

Galatians 5:1 (1-15) Galatians 5:1  Freedom, set free

"If you do not stand firm in faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)

אִ֚ם לֹ֣א תַאֲמִ֔ינוּ כִּ֖י לֹ֥א תֵאָמֵֽנוּ׃

Transliteration: Im lo ta'aminu ki lo te'amenu.

Word for Word Translation: If not you stand (intensive), then not you shall stand (reflexive).

I. Freedom for the Believer

1. Freedom is the birthright of every believer (New American Commentary)

2. Freedom is grounded in the believers relationship with Christ (NAC)

3. Freedom doesn't lead to theological anarchy (NAC)

4. Freedom is found in the context of what God gives and how God leads

5. Freedom is not a license to do as one pleases, but to live a life pleasing to God (note vs 13)

6. Freedom is a release from being bound, but living within healthy boundaries

II. Freedom From: (i.e. Deliverance From)

A. Legalism - unattainable perfection, thus we find grace

B. Punishment - deserved penalty, thus we find mercy

C. Captivity - the bondage of sin, thus we find deliverance, forgiveness and redemption

III. Freedom For:

A. Restoration and Relationship

B. Abundance and Provision

C. Fruitfulness and Productivity

D.  Righteousness and Holiness