June 22, 2008 Summit AM
Being Determined To Be Faithful
Introduction
A. Text - Eph.6:10-18
B. Being victorious as a Christian is a choice
1. Fact
- All of life is a choice
Are today what you chose to be yesterday
Will be tomorrow what you choose to be today
You are spiritually what you choose to be weak or strong
Everything need for life & godliness been given choose what do with0
2. Look
at text vs.13 put on armor so can stand then stand
Not say might be able to stand (should be able)
Says stand = no question of if you can is your choice
Vs.16 shield of faith able extinguish all Satans arrows
3. Question is how determined are we to be victorious?
C. Pray
A. Jesus
wanted His disciples to know they were up to the task
1. Assured them with thoughts of
victory
a. Jn.14-16
14:1-3 - Place prepared for them in Gods mansion
14:.21 - Will come & make My home with you
14:,26 Spirit will teach you all things
14:27 My peace is given to you (no need be troubled)
15:5 remain in Me & you will be fruitful
15:7 ask what you wish be given
b. Never any question in Jesus mind about possibilities
Acts 1:8 will be My witnesses to ends of earth
Mt.28:18-20 all authority given to Me Go!
c. Apostles went out determined
to be victorious
Allowed nothing to deter them persecution; hardship
Never see them worried about funds possibilities
Col.1:23 gospel proclaimed to all under heaven
2. Apostles want us to know - that we are also up to the task
a. Personal holiness Col.1:21-23
b. Given fullness in Christ Col.2:8
Full fellowship with God
Complete forgiveness of all sin
In a covenant relationship with God
Ability to fulfill Gods will completely
c. Phil.2:12,13 work out salvation God is at work in you
Possibilities are endless Phil4:13; Eph.2:20
B. Question
is what is our spiritual self-image?
1. See selves as victorious or helpless victim?
2. See selves as insignificant or as a soldier for Jesus?
A. Stop
looking for excuses to fail
1. Do or die diet (next day off = parking space in front of bakery)
2. Spiritual growth in word = tired; bored; too busy
3. Witness to someone = might say wrong thing; not know enough
B. We
are not determined to resist Satan
1. James 4:7
Resist Satan & he will flee (not might or even probably will)
Resist = stand against or oppose
No middle ground or reason for neutrality (on sidelines)
Not a spectator sport you are in the battle
Your task = resist & keep on resisting (God make him flee)
See Jesus in the wilderness Mt.4
2. Fail to put on the whole armor
of God Eph.6
Not sense the seriousness of the struggle
Are confident in our own strength abilities
Not sense the importance of our resisting = example
C. Fail
to take advantage of the tools given us to win
1. Gods word the sword of the Spirit
The source of our faith, which stops Satan in his tracks
Gal.5:16 live by Spirit & not gratify desires of flesh
Heb.5:11-14 choose to not grow spiritually
2. Prayer
Mt.7:7 ask; seek; knock (God on your side)
Rom.8:26,27,34 Spirit & Jesus interceding for us
We talk about prayer how many of us truly pray
3. Encouragement of other
Christians
Heb.10:24,25 purposely dont assemble
Heb.3:12-15 not serious about winning over sin
Purposely stay away no need attend
4. The influence of Gods Spirit in our lives
Eph.4:30 we grieve & resist His influence
We obey if it is convenient
Rom.8:12-18 are to follow the lead of Gods Spirit
Able to put to death misdeeds of the body
No longer a slave to our fears
Confident in our inheritance with Jesus Gods sons
D. Not
determined to win spiritually
1. Take for granted that all will be OK on its own
2. 2 Pet.1:3-9 add to your faith these virtues
If do = keep you from being ineffective & unproductive
If dont = continually be spiritually near sighted & blind
Will soon forget your cleansing
2 Pet.1:10,11 eagerly make your calling & election sure = never fall & rich reward