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Eph 6: 10-20       

 Strong in the Christ and the Strength of God?s Power    E/GR       Aug. 27, 06

 

  1. How do we live and work in this world as faithful followers of the Christ?  Ted Hicks a Manitoba Presbyterian minister was sharing on CBC last Sunday that he believes that being a ?servant leader? is the way to address the present day principalities and powers.  He asserts that the two roles are antidotes for each other.  If we are only servants we may get stepped on, or be scared to speak out.  If we are only leaders there is the danger of arrogance.  A servant leader brings out the best of both. 

 

  1. That?s what Paul was getting at in our scripture this morning.  How do we live and work in this world as faithful followers of the Christ?  The people he was writing to believed there were evil spirits that Christ?s disciples must overcome, as well as physical danger.  They lived in an occupied land and so he used the image of a soldier of Christ.  What did they need to be equipped by God to do Christ?s work in the world?  Paul talked about the armour they needed, to be equipped by God for their ministries.

 

  1. Let?s see if the armour he suggested could help us with the equipment we need today!  Beginning with the belt of truth.  The belt held in the soldiers? tunic.  The belt of truth is what holds us together.  It lets us have integrity.  If we speak the truth in love as we learned a few weeks ago, people know they can count on us to speak the hard truth that in the end will bring healing.  They can trust that they will know where we stand.  That we will say the same thing in front of or behind their back.  If something is bothering me in relationship I will tell you, and you won?t have to guess.  We are one of a piece, whole, because we are held together with the belt of truth.

 

  1. The breastplate of righteousness.  This is the piece of equipment that would protect the vital organs.  Righteousness is right relationship.  Righting the injustices that endanger the vital organs of life in this universe.  The UC has a long history of standing up for justice and right relationship.  Sometimes we?ve been accused of simply petitioning governments to do things, and not asking anything that costs us.  This year?s General Council has adopted a pro-peace investment strategy for the Middle East that actually is asking the Church for something concrete.  To raise 1 million dollars to support projects, initiatives, and groups of any faith working for peace in Palestine and Israel.  The delegates agreed to invite the membership, congregations, and organizations of The United Church of Canada to:

 

*  continue to work with the Jewish and Arab communities to promote peace and understanding and the end of hostilities in the Middle East

            *   continue to denounce acts of violence perpetrated against persons on all sides of the conflict

*  adopt a pro-investment strategy with companies that engage in ethically responsible business, and that contribute to peace and a secure and economically viable Palestinian state alongside a secure and economically viable State of Israel

* make financial investments, as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, with Canadian and international corporations and companies that are engaged only in peaceful pursuits in the region

            If you want more information about this important strategy, there?s a summary sheet at the back.

 

  1. Paul goes on.  Put on your feet whatever will make you ready to proclaim the Gospel of peace.  That?s pretty clear what our marching orders are.  To be creators and proclaimers of peace.  To be faithful followers we equip ourselves with everything that prepares us to make known by word and action the Good News of peace.  In our homes and families.  In our schools, work places and churches.  Getting the facts and lobbying governments in our world.  Standing up for the Gospel of peace.
  2. The shield that Paul spoke of was a large wooden oblong made of 2 sections of wood glued together.  The weapon of choice of the day was a flaming arrow.  But when it sank into the wood, the flame was put out.  I think of the ?slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? that Shakespeare wrote about when I see this.  What do we need to put out or neutralize those slings and arrows that are continuously endangering our well ? being?  You know those times when you feel unjustly accused.  Or wrongfully treated.  And just being in the situation, or with the person leaves you sick at heart.  Now sometimes we can just leave the situation.  But what if it?s work, and it takes time to find a new job?  Or it?s family.  A particularly helpful minister once suggested spiritual armour.  A ring or article of clothing or stone in your pocket or shoe that could be worn whenever I was in the place that was toxic for me.  And the feel of that piece of equipment would remind me that God was present to protect and help me not let the poisonous arrows get in.  Many have found that this spiritual armour really works!

 

  1. Now why in the world would Paul choose a helmet for salvation?  Well perhaps it?s about protecting the part we think with!  Salvation is about wholeness, being healthy and well, being right with the world.  The messages running around in our minds affect that well-being deeply.  Perhaps the helmet tells of the power of the mind to affect our health.  So if we can heal our minds to give positive, healthy messages, our whole selves become healthier.  You know the messages it seems are way easier to give.  ?You?re so stupid!  You?re never on time.  You can?t do that!  Why can?t you be smarter, kinder, and more fun??  Or the hurts from the past that if they?re not worked on go round and round our minds wounding us more.  A helmet of salvation would be equipment that would help smarten us up to get to a counselor to help deal with those messages and hurts.  And then prevent us from continuing to hurt ourselves.

 

  1. The next piece of equipment is the sword of the Spirit.  So if you?re carrying a sword it?s what touches everything before any other part of us.  And Paul says the sword of the Spirit, is the Word of God.  Remember?  ?In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.?  So this Word is the Christ.  We relate to the world with the Christ, the Word of God who dwells within.  Imagine what might happen if we could remember that the Christ was between us and everything we touched.  The Christ praying, healing, teaching, sharing the Good News.  Accepting the people considered the dregs of society, challenging all that was oppressive, bringing out the best in the people he met.

 

  1. Part of this equipment is prayer.  It?s what transforms us to be servant leaders, equipped by God.  And we are to pray for each other.  All of us.  So as we begin this New Year in the church, let us pray for leaders continuing or taking on new ministries as teachers and visitors and choir or committee members.  And Myrna, Bob and Bev ask your prayers in this new church year as they seek to continue to be faithful servant leaders of Christ.

 

  1. ?Be strong in the Christ and the strength of God?s power.?  This is where Paul begins.  Our beginning, end and in between.  We don?t do this on our own.  That?s what this equipment is, reminders of what God is doing.  Reminders to keep opening ourselves to God?s strength to live lives of truth, in right relationship, proclaiming the good news of peace, shielded by our spiritual armour, saved by God into well-being, living aware of the Christ, the living Word of God, praying without ceasing with the Spirit?s help. And that it is in God?s strength that we protect ourselves from what is destructive, and open ourselves to Life.