09/25/23 CALLED TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE

09/25/23 CALLED TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Since the beginning of my pastoral ministry in 1969, I have sought to teach my people the word of God, the doctrines of salvation, the way of holiness, the life of perfect love, the cost of true discipleship, the meaning of sacrifice and loving our enemies, the unity and submission of the local body, and as a pastor, I have endeavored to prepare my people to live Biblical lives in a rapidly changing and thoroughly corrupting world.

The Bible refers to this kind of preaching as prophetic. Not in the sense of being a seer, one who foretells the unseeable future, but one who declares the unfolding events, which are clearly written in Scripture for our learning, our training, our comfort and our admonition. 

Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

I have not only reported the accomplished salvific work of Christ's life, death, resurrection and intercession, I have also tried to build believers in the faith, which makes us more than conquerors, equips us as soldier of the cross to fight the good fight, establish believers in the truth so that they might stand firm.

Ephesians 6:11-18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Philippians 1:27-29
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Colossians 4:12
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

In recent years the world has been moving closer to a more demonic state of affairs. As a teaching pastor, I endeavor to prepare and equip my people for the coming chaos and intensified attacks on Christians (those who are obeying Christ by following peace with all men and the holiness of heart and life, without which no man shall see the Lord).

The world, which has rejected God's call to repentance, and the"Christians" who follow a diluted and corrupted message of carnal salvation, will vent their anger on the true followers of Christ who do not worship the State as they follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Our weapons are not carnal...
We wrestle not against flesh and blood...
Christ's kingdom is not of this world...
God told us to love our enemies and do good to those who do us wrong...
Believers are to give their own life, rather than take the lives of others.

This does not mean that God won't use men to accomplish His purposes, but it does mean that God does not send His people to be instruments of destruction.

Remember,
There is no New Testament verse that commands Christians to shed human blood.
There is no New Testament verse that commends Christians for shedding human blood.
There is no New Testament verse that allows Christians to shed human blood.

There are New Testament verses that forbid Christians from shedding human blood.

The world has war because it has rejected Christ.
America will suffer internal upheaval and violence because it has rejected the Lordship of Christ over them.

People who have boasted in their patriotism have stood by and paid for all the wickedness of our present society.
People who have stood by and complained about the evil in our present society have mocked Christians who bear the Sword of the Spirit, rather than the sword of steel.

Serious Christians have taken steps to protect America's morals, freedoms, families, children and faith.
However, those who claim to trust in chariots to save our country will turn against those who trust in the Name of the Lord God.

It is inevitable that evil will destroy America. It appears to be making its entrance. God can forestall it, but believers need to be ready to stand firm in the faith and fight the good fight of faith, not the fight of flesh.

The New Testament bears witness to Christian non-violence; Church history bears witness to Christian non-violence. It is a perverted Christianity that expects Christians to be instruments of carnal violence.