Some stuff worth reading...
This first article is a helpful guidance as we start to live in a 'new government climate' in Australia...
www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/tearing-apart-convictional-civility/
This second article drives hom this basic truth: read the Bible...
perell.com/essay/the-book-you-need-to-read/
This third article draws out the meaning of 'meek'- and I suspect that I should read it again, and again, and again!...
theopolisinstitute.com/warhorse-meek/
And, like a good bookend, here is the fourth article, which gives helpful guidance - Biblical guidance - about dealing with our current political climate...
au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-this-christian-is-responding-to-the-federal-election/
How this Christian is Responding to the Federal Election - The Gospel Coalition | Australia
au.thegospelcoalition.org
This week, Australia has a new Prime Minister and a new Federal Government. Millions of Australians are happy and excited by what may come about as the result of Saturday’s...
Ephesians 6:10-20
The 'full suit of armour' that God commands his mob to wear each day is a suit that is tried and tested - to use the battle analogy, it is beaten and bloody and dented! It is a suit that has already been worn, and proven successful in victory - just look back at Isaiah 59:15-20:
15 Truth is missing,
and whoever turns from evil is plundered.
The LORD saw that there was no justice,
and He was offended.
16 He saw that there was no man--
He was amazed that there was no one interceding;
so His own arm brought salvation,
and His own righteousness supported Him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and He wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18 Thus He will repay according to their deeds:
fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes,
and He will repay the coastlands.
19 They will fear the name of the LORD in the west,
and His glory in the east;
for He will come like a rushing stream driven by the wind of the LORD.
20 The Redeemer will come to Zion,
and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.
This is the LORD's declaration.
It is a stratling reminder that the reference to the 'vast strength' of God in Ephesians 6:10 is a pointer to the suit of armour that already works - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus was a life, death and resurrection ensconced in this very same armour of God. It has already been used by Jesus to crush the devil - and as that enemy thrashes around now, seeking to attack God's mob, the very same suit of armour is made available to them!!!
Ephesians 6:10-20
The command by Paul to 'be strengthened' is the foundation for the command to 'suit up and take a stand against the devil'. The foundation for dealing with 'sin, the world, and the flesh' - the devil and all his tactics - is the already flexed muscle of God - the resurrection of Christ.
In every way, this is our only hope, because the battle we face is not against tanks, mines, mortars, missiles or murder - it is against an opponent who dwells in the supernatural (bursting into the natural), an opponent with lies and slithering seduction, an opponent who rails against God by sliding into our desires and passion and views and emotions. This enemy is evil, and so we must dig our offensive and defensive roots into the already displayed 'vast strength' of God!
Some stuff worth reading...
This first article touches on something I never would have considered today (memories) - and it is a striking read...
www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/memories-dwell/
This second article touches on a piece of American religious history I had no idea about - but which is remarkably pertinent for us today - remarkably pertinent!...
www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/liberalism-threat-fundamentalism/
This third article scratches an itch for me - and highlights a 'mojo' we are missing in our church...
au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/evangelism-made-slightly-less-difficult/
Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult? - The Gospel Coalition | Australia
au.thegospelcoalition.org
Over 20 years ago in Northern Ireland, I was responsible for running a course for our church called Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult. It wasn’t my title (I’d borrowed it...
Ephesians 6:10-20
This coming Sunday, we have a one-off sermon from the Bishop, Rod Chiswell. He will be looking at the famous 'armour of God' passage from Ephesians 6:10ff.
This week, we will spend some time in these verses. And it is striking that Paul closes his letter to the Ephesian Christians by returning to the theme of God's 'vast strength'. He actually begins with this strength, in Ephesians 1:19. This 'vast strength' was exercised in power in raising Jesus from the dead, and sitting Jesus as the ruler of the universe (1:19-23). This 'vast strength' is working in God's people (1:19). This 'vast strength' has already been displayed, tested, and found good - and now it is continuing to work in God's people as they take a stand against the attacks of the evil one.
As you face this day, please remember what is working in you, already: God's 'vast strength'!