This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Christian Life, A Design To Serve Others", Philemon 1

 CHRISTIAN LIFE, A DESIGN TO HELP OTHERS

Philemon 4-25

V:4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was a prisoner in Rome. He was there by

divine declaration. God used the hatred of the Jewish leaders for the Church of

Jesus Christ which Paul an apostle was a minister. Paul was imprisoned first in Jerusalem for the teaching of the Gospel. He appeals to Caesar in Rome to present his

case of innocence.

The Church in Colossae and Laodicea was established by converts of Paul after he

taught the Gospel in Ephesus. The Church at Colossae was held in the home of

Philemon. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who ran away to Rome.

The trip to Rome was about 1200 miles partly on land and partly by sea. Assuming

12 miles per day, it would have taken 3 months to get from Colossae to Rome.

The question is how did Philemon, a slave get to know Paul? Why did a slave go

to a Roman jail? Onesimus was in debt to Philemon by theft or a loan he couldn't

pay. Where did Onesimus get the money to travel to Rome?

God does not tell us, but He made a way for Onesimus to to get to Rome and become

a servant of Paul. Onesimus served Paul long enough to become converted to

Christianity and convicted of the wrong he had done and to return to Philemon.

We have two men, one who did well with talents God blessed him with and one

who fell on hard times. One who became a lender and one who became a borrower.

Both men made their way to Christ. The road to redemption takes different paths

for different people. Those who have been redeemed, owe a debt to Christ to help

those who are in the process of being redeemed.

God has a plan of redemption for each believer. The name Philemon means

one who kisses or is affectionate. The name Onesimus means useful or profitable.

We all need each other. The affectionate one needs the useful

one.

The useful one needs affectation. God places us in positions where we

recognize and use our gifts.

Paul prayed for the usefulness of the faith of the believers. Faith and love are

action words. Faith is driven by love and love is driven by faith. We were not

placed on earth to benefit ourselves. We were placed to benefit others. A life in

Christ is manifested in how we serve others in the name of the Lord.

FORGIVENESS THE EVIDENCE OF CHANGE

V:8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you based on love. I then, as Paul — an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus — 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Onesimus' escape to Rome was a setup for Philimon's spiritual growth. It was the start

of Onesimus' conversion to Christianity. Whatever we lack in spiritual growth, God has a

plan to strengthen us. Onesimus was trained in the Gospel under the Apostle Paul and became a trusted servant of Jesus. Paul knew Onesimus would not be free until he faced and made amends with Philemon.

Paul interceded for Onesimus by appealing to the faith and love of Philemon.

Many times we hold grudges and seek revenge for the wrongs done to us disregarding

the wrongs we did to Christ and his forgiveness of our sins. We judge others by

standards we refuse to live up to.

Paul considered Onesimus his son by way of his faith in Jesus Christ. Once a slave

by man, but freed in Christ Jesus. Once useless to man, but became useful to Christ as a

testimony to the Gospel. His conversion, like ours, included spiritual gifts and talents

useful to the ministry of Jesus Christ.

RECONCILIATION, A KEY TO UNITY

V:12 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

No one should keep what does not belong to them, no matter how it was obtained,

Onesimus came to Rome, a fugitive from his owner, broke, irresponsible, and perhaps

in fear, and attached himself to Paul. It is believed that Paul was under house arrest

and lived in a rented apartment called the Insula Of The Ara Coeli for two years

during his first imprisonment 2 Timonty 1:17. After his conversion, Onesimus became valuable to Paul as a servant.

We are not sure when Paul found out that Onesimus was a runaway slave. But

when he did, he knew it was best to send him back with high recommendations.

Paul considered Onesimus more than a servant but his son. Paul encouraged

Philimon to considers him a brother in the Lord and not a slave. It takes a humble

spirit to forgive the wrongs of others and start a new relationship with the Lord.

WE ARE PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS

V:17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. (Acts 28:30-31)

Paul a leader, a preacher, and a dear friend made his request known to Philemon

with the confidence that he would do as he asked. There are times when we have to

put the past behind us to profit the Gospel in obedience to Jesus Christ. Since all believers are partners in Jesus, there can be no unity of purpose if there is no peace in our hearts. To love, we have to see the person and not his past. We can’t see the person

if we are blinded by our own sins.

Jesus overlooked our sins and died while we were His enemy. He nailed our sins

to the cross and cleaned us with His blood. We owe the same forgiveness to others,

especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Onesimus' escape became Philimon's

spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul became a counselor to both.

God uses others who cause us pain to grow us in Love. We are no longer slaves of

sin, but free in Jesus Christ and His brothers and sisters. We owe Jesus the same love

He shows us daily.

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

V:22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Your situation may be bad and beyond human help, but we serve a God which is our hope. Our hope is a God that answers our prayers according to His will for our lives.

Does hope work according to the prayers of others? The Apostle Paul was confident

it did. Throughout the New Testament, we find examples of individual prayers working

for the benefit of others. Four men cut a hole in the roof of a house and dropped their

friend on a mat down in front of Jesus.

Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

We owe a debt to those who serve the Lord to pray for their well-being. We all

stand on the prayers of family and friends and unknown Christians who pray for

our well-being. When requested we ought to provide resources and comfort

to other servants for the sake of the Gospel.

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Living For Christ", Colossians 2:6-19

 LIVING FOR CHRIST

Colossians 2:6-19

WALK IN THE SHOES OF THOSE YOU PREACH

V:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

To understand the mindset of those you preach the Gospel, it is a good idea to

understand the environment that they are living in. They may not be able to understand

the Word preached because of the influences around them.

In verses 1-5, Paul expressed his concern for the churches at Colossae and Laodicea

knowing the deceptive teaching in the church by those who opposed the Gospel.

The Churches at Colossae were believed to have been established by Epaphrus after his

conversion in Ephesus(Act 19). Paul probably had not visited Colossae but heard

about their faithfulness. He considered himself with them in the spirit as the

writing of the letter.

Since Paul was not there at the establishment of the Church he encouraged the church

with a message from him about the love of Jesus Christ for all Gentiles which had been

hidden in ages past. God chose Paul to present the Gospel to them and the hidden treasures of knowledge and wisdom. Paul taught the Gospel with clarity and

convictions so that others believed and spread it where they traveled so the church grew.

It is one thing to hear the Gospel and believe it but another to live in Christ with faith

and thankfulness. The churches at Colossae and Laodicea were encouraged to continue

in faith but cautioned not to be deceived by the philosophy and traditions of the world.

The world’s philosophy of life constantly changes to oppose God’s commands and to

destroy the righteousness of God in the hearts of believers.

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

V:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

The human soul is empty and void filled with the vain and useless doctrine of the

world. In Christ dwells the fullness of God's head suited to fill the void of the soul with divine knowledge, wisdom, grace, mercy, and love of God. Any man in Christ

becomes a new creation

In Christ, we have been circumcised of our sinful nature by His death on

the cross. His shed blood washed us clean of our sins making the righteousness

of God the foundation of our new nature. We were raised in His resurrection making us

full members of the body of Christ. We were buried in His death and raised

in His life and given a measure of faith to believe in His power, authority, and promise

of eternal life.

CANCELING THE DEBT OF SIN

V:13 When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The cross was a necessary and planned part of our salvation. The law was given as

a tutor until Christ came (Galatians 3-24). The righteousness of God contained in law was never designed as salvation but as judgment. No man was able to keep the law but Christ. At His, death the law was nailed to the cross for sinful man, Satan, and his demons to see. The plan of sinful man to kill Jesus by destroying the flesh was short

-sighted because Jesus lives in the Spirit. The proof was Christ’s resurrection on the third day.

The influence of Satan, the ruler of darkness no longer exists for those who believe in

Jesus. The temptation to sin exists in the flesh but we have the power to resist sin

and are no longer under the penalty of the law. Our sins, past, present, and future

have been atoned for by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus who knew no sin

became sin for us.

The shadow of death exists in our minds (23 Psalms). But a shadow only exists because

of the light that shines behind the object. That light is Jesus Christ that dwells in

each believer.

GRACE AND MERCY THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

V:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or about a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

The judgment of the law no longer applies to believers having been nailed to the cross.

By the law no man is justified (Galatians 2:16). We are justified by faith in Jesus only.

Believers are dead to the law to live in Christ. The Sabbath, the holy day under the law

was moved to Sunday the day celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, the new life for

believers (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2)

The law remains our tutor teaching us the righteousness of God. Jesus came not to

abolish the law but to fulfill all its requirements for us for all times (Matthew 5:17).

We must be alert and on guard to those who add their traditions and misinterpretations

of the law as additional qualifications for our salvation.

BELIEVE JESUS AND HIM CRUCIFIED ONLY

V:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

We must be careful of preachers and teachers who preach a doctrine other than

Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is faith in Jesus plus nothing (John 3:16).

We are saved by faith through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Some make Mary the mother of Jesus or angels the guardians of

our salvation. Some preachers preach donations of money to them

and their causes prompt God to favor you financially and materially, thus

undermining the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).

It is faith in Jesus only. To add to faith in Jesus minimizes the power and

authority of Jesus. Focusing on anything other than Jesus loses contact with Him.

Focusing on anything other than Jesus adds idol gods to faith. Those who preach

idols in any shape, form, or fashion are under the influence of Satan.

Jesus Christ descended from heaven in the most humble spirit, born into a poor

family, made himself known to shepherds first, and lived a life void of pride

and possessions for our sake. He was poor in worldly possessions, but rich in the

Spirit with all power and authority. It is Jesus who is the author of our faith,

the salvation of our life, and the one who holds the body of believers together.

Let us not be deceived that the name of a church, the size of a congregation,

the fame of a pastor, and vain teaching have anything to do with our salvation. It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified only.

It is by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the fellowship

of the Holy Spirit that we live, move, and have our being as citizens of

Heaven.

JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED PLUS

NOTHING

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus, The Eternal God", Colossians 1:15-28

 JESUS, THE ETERNAL GOD

Colossians 1:15-28

HIS DIVINE NATURE

V:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.

Jesus is the exact picture of the God the Father. No one has seen God the Father

at any time. Jesus became flesh so you and I could get a mirror image of the Father.

Jesus's divine nature is the same as God the Father. His divine nature manifests

itself in the author and ruler of all creation.

Being creator, Jesus has no beginning or end. All things were created by Him

and for Him. He was not created by the Father because He and the Father are one.

Heaven and earth were created by Him. All things that are invisible to the mind and

eye were created by Him. Air is plentiful, and all around us, but we have never

seen air. Yet it was Jesus who made the atmosphere for all things He created to

exist in. How much more we cannot see, know, or imagine exists in Jesus' creation?

Notice Jesus is before all things and is the one who keeps all things together.

This is a testimony to Jesus's immeasurable power and authority. Can you imagine

for a moment the creative power it takes to keep all the known planets moons and

stars in place? Can you imagine the power of the Word spoken by Jesus in which

all things that are, came into existence? Can you imagine the immeasurable

knowledge of Jesus that it took to put creation into existence? Can you imagine

the presence of Jesus in all places at the same time as He saw His creation

come into existence? I don't understand omnipotence, or omnipresence, or

omniscience. But I do understand they describe the unlimited qualities of

Jesus.

HIS HUMAN NATURE

V:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Of His authority, Jesus took on human flesh and became man, so He could

dwell among us. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, all human

mankind was separated from God and cast into darkness. One man's sin caused

us all to be born into sin and enemies of God. Not of our own doing, from the womb

we are all born dead, that is separated from and without eternal hope.

Jesus was born without sin when He took on Human flesh by the power of the

Holy Spirit to be our salvation.

Jesus lived a life on earth free of sin, preaching the Good news of God’s righteousness.

Having not sinned, Jesus was the perfect blood sacrifice for the atonement

of the sins of the world. He willingly placed Himself on the cross to be crucified

by sinful man to make peace with God the Father. Having died on the cross

He became the salvation for all who believe in Him (John 3:16)

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE DEAD

V:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

God created two groups of people, Jews and Gentiles who would be reconciled together

through the blood sacrifice of His Son (Isa 53:5-6). The Jews born in slavery in Egypt were God's chosen nation. Through 42 generations Jesus the Messiah would be born (Joel 3:20). Christ took on human flesh, born of a virgin (Isa 7:14). The gospel of peace was given to the Jews first, then to the gentiles (Romans 2:9-10).

The Gentiles (all none Jews) were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and the

hope of salvation until the death of Jesus on the cross (Romans 2:9-10). Having heard

the preach Word and believed in Jesus Christ the Gentiles are reconciled to the Father.

The blood of Jesus cleanses and sanctifies all who come by faith to Him.

THE MYSTERY OF THE SAINTS REVEALED

V:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking regarding Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah did not reveal the salvation

being offered to the Gentiles through the death of Jesus on the cross. However, the prophecy of salvation given to many nations was given to Abraham in Genesis 7:4-6

The Apostle Paul was called by Christ to suffer for Him while preaching the gospel of

peace to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:11, 15). You and I brothers and sisters in Christ have

had the Gospel preached to us by the grace of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ. We were chosen before the foundation of the earth to do good works for

the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:4).

PERFECTION IN CHRIST, THE MISSION

V:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

We owe God thanks and gratitude for choosing preachers to preach the Gospel

of salvation to us. We were drawn by the Father to Christ for our salvation (John 6:44).

In His drawing, He gave us a measure of faith to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior

(Romans 12:3). Not only did God give us a measure of faith, but He sealed us until

the day of redemption to ensure we would not fall away from Him (Ephesians 4:30).

Every minister of Christ, including you and I has been gifted to preach the Gospel

of Christ to the lost and encourage the believers (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, The Armor Of God. Well Dressed For The Lord, Ephesians 6:10-24

 WELL DRESSED FOR THE LORD

Ephesians 6:10-24

Whenever you go out, go out dressed for the occasion. If you are going to work,

dress for the occasion. If you going to school, dress for the occasion. If you going

out for a nice dinner, dress for the occasion. If you coming to the church dress

for the occasion. Looking good on the outside is important. But looking on the inside

is most important.

If you look at our armed services, the army. Air Force, marines, navy, they all dressed

in uniform. But underneath the dress is a well-trained individual dressed mentally

for the uniform.

God has a uniform for all believers. Paul compares the godly uniform to the armor of

a Roman soldier. It is not physical, but spiritual. God wants you to be physiologically

and mentally strong.

We are in a spiritual war with Satan and His demons. The War is going on daily

against every believer. It is a force that you can't see or put your hands on but

is ever-present.

Mentally we must prepare ourselves to deal peacefully with the problems we

will face

WHERE THE MENTAL TROUBLE BEGAN

The question is where did all the mess come from? Where did all the hating?

The fighting, the moral corruption come from?

In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.

The Heavens were first created.

In Job’s ordeal God asked Job in his complaint;

Job 38:4-8

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,

or who laid its cornerstone—

7 while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy?

THE ANGELIC REBELLION

The angelic beings were created first. But one angel Lucifer an arch angel rebelled

(Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14)

Ezekiel 28:15-17

17 Your heart became proud

on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom

because of your splendor.

So I threw you to the earth;

Lucifer, now called Satan had a moral or mental breakdown when he believed

he could be equal to or better than God his creator.

The Enemy of God was watching and waiting as God created man to get his

revenge. Lucifer, now called Satan, did not go quietly, according to Revelation

12:3-4 he corrupted 1/3 of angelic beings.

Revelation 12:4-5

His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.

The enemy of God was at war before man was placed on earth.

So how do we live a life on earth with peace and joy given we are amid

the enemy of God?

The battle is not yours, it is the Lords

2 Chronicles 20:15-16

"Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

Satan and His demons are all around us. They know how to exploit every weakness in

your mind and body to drive you away from the Lord, They can find ways to tempt the best and strongest Christians into sin, Their job is to steal, kill, and destroy.

You were not equipped to fight the battles of life by yourself. I don’t believe you and

I fully understand the battle we are fighting. Most often we work on the symptoms

but never find the cure.

The battle is not yours because it is a battle against the true and living God

Satan and his demons have captivated the hearts and minds of the highest officials in this world. They work against you 24/7

So how do we survive in this world of wickedness? We have to live and operate from

a position of power. Get dressed for the battle.

KEY TO MENTAL HEALTH, BE STRONG IN THE

 LORD

Your mental and physical well-being is God's top priority. This is the most important

lesson on mental health you will ever get. Daily you are dealing with mental

health problems.

Ephesians 6:10-12

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The first thing we need is complete trust in the Lord. The moment our eyes open in the

morning, it ought to be prayer with the Father with an attitude of gratefulness. Thankful

for another day's journey. We need to be confident in our minds that God has a

plan for our day and the plan will be successful. We can do nothing on our own,

but everything through God’s power. The first thing we need to understand, is we are

not alone.

TAKE TIME TO GET DRESSED

Second, before we walk out the door, we need to be fully dressed in the Lord's armor.

Don’t put yourself in a rush to get in the traffic, it going to be there. Get up early

enough to get fully dressed. It is a mind thing. You have to prepare your mind for

the war. You are not going to a party. You are going to deal with Satan and his

representatives sometime in the day.

Sam ain’t the problem, Sue ain’t the problem. You boss ain’t the problem. Satan

and his demons are your problem. You can’t put a face on spiritual wickedness. Satan

will use anyone to carry out his schemes against you. Our mental problem

is elevated when we take a stand against the wrong person. It is not a person we are battling against, it is spiritual wickedness in high places.

The question is who is influencing you? It is God or Satan. If thoughts and actions

don’t glorify God, then the influence is Satan.

You can’t see the devil coming. He is already in your face. The best thing you can do is know when he is speaking and know his actions.

When you know it is Satan, you will know to let the Holy Spirit guide your

response. Remember, as painful and frustrating as your situation is, the battle is already won, but you must stand on the promises of God.

PROTECT YOUR MIND WITH THE SPIRITUAL

 ARMOR

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, stand.

Our main discussion this morning is about the armor of God. With the armor on, you are

mentally prepared for the spiritual battle. God is not getting you ready for a physical

battle, that is his domain. You have some internal work to do. You must break the

bonds of unbelief, fear, worry, and vengeance.

Replace unbelief with trust. Replace fear with confidence. Replace worry with hope.

Replace vengeance with love. Practice patience with yourself and tolerance for others.

Faith, hope, love, compassion, and forgiveness are the undergarments.

Be at peace with yourself. You are good enough for God. Fix your mind on the victory

that is already won and that you are more than a conqueror. The first requirement is to

be strong in the Lord and His power, this is mental preparedness.

The spiritual armor rests on your confidence in God and His promises.

THE SPIRITUAL ARMOR CONSTRUCTION

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (SHOW PICTURE)

STAND YOUR GROUND

V:13 Stand your ground after you have done everything

Conduct yourself in a Godly manner, and treat others with respect. Love

your enemy, speak the truth, pray to the Lord, and be at peace with yourself

and others. Place your confidence in the Lord. Make up your mind to stand

for the Lord. Watch and wait for the Lord’s directions

THE BELT OF TRUTH

V:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.

Truth secures the Armor from the waist up and the waist down.

You must know the truth for yourself, which is the word of God

You must study the Word of God daily. It must be part of your working

vocabulary. If God said it, believe it. He put the Word in print for you.

Your situation is not hopeless if you put it in God's hands.

I know you tried and weary, but God is your strength in times of weakness,

God gave us an example of not knowing the truth.

God gave Adam the command. Adam gave the command to Eve. According to

Genesis Satan came to Eve and she repeated the command. But Satan twisted

the truth to look like a suggestion rather than a command with a punishment.

Instead of consulting God, Adam went along to get along. His disobedience

got Him and his wife kicked out of the garden.

Satan is the Father of lies. You will know a lie when it disagrees with or opposes the

Word of God. Every person who lies is influenced by Satan. Every evil thought

or action is influenced by Satan.

God does not expect you to memorize every scripture in the Bible. But He does

expect you to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. What scripture do you know

will be brought to your remembrance when you need it?

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

V:14b with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

The breastplate shields all the vital organs in battle.

It is important to protect your heart from the evil of society. Out of

the heart flows the issues of life. Pursue holiness and purity in the

Lord Jesus.

Always do the right thing. People hate, you love. People lie, you tell the

truth. People talk you down, you lift and encourage. People steal, you

work for what you need. People misuse and abuse, you treat others with

respect. Your spiritual mental health rests on the Word of God operating in your soul.

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

V:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Why is the Gospel associated with the feet? We are on a journey to be the light

of a dark world. We are the good news about Jesus in motion. We are the

church that people see every day.

We have to be prepared to proclaim the Gospel and to suffer as a result of our love

for Christ. Strength comes through suffering. When we are weak Christ is strong

Knowing Jesus Christ and being ready to proclaim Him to all who come along

brings peace to your soul. When people claim that they did, you claim Jesus did.

When people claim weakness, you claim strength in Jesus, When people claim

it can’t be done, you claim all things possible through Jesus Christ.

Christ gives us peace in our hearts amid trouble on the outside. No

matter how bad the circumstances are, the good news of Jesus Christ is present.

Focus on the peace that Jesus surpasses all understanding. Your light shines

brightest in troubled times.

If there is no peace in you, how can you be peaceful toward others? If there is

no peace, there is no joy. If there is no joy there is anger underneath the surface.

If there is anger, one is easily provoked. The anger in you is a tool

Satan will used to draw you in conflict.

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

V:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. It is a must that you meditate

on the Word of God day and night. You have to fill your mind up with the Word so that when the world, Satan's agents, present you with a lie or mixed truth you can recognize it and reject it. To stand on the Word, you must apply the Word to your situation.

A flaming arrow hitting wood would set it on fire, But hitting a metal shield would be

deflected. Our minds and souls can easily be affected by the lies and deceptions of Satan if we are not shielded by our faith in Jesus.

Any doubt in our minds is a flaming arrow. Satan will use any doubt in our minds to

drive us away from God. If you don't believe that God will provide what you need,

the flaming arrow is burning in your soul.

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

V:17 Take the helmet of salvation

The head houses the mind and the soul which are directly affected by the influences of the world

Not knowing that our sins past present and future have been covered by the

the blood of Jesus can take us down the road of despair. I know many Christians

who live in distress and anger because they refuse to take hold of the peace and

joy that Jesus provides.

It is important that we tune our spirit to the Holy Spirit that resides within us

so that He can comfort and counsel us in times of trouble and confusion.

The helmet represents victory already won. It is the name of Jesus representing hope.

Prosperity, protection, and provisions. It represents the victory that ends in

our heavenly home

Salvation is provided constantly while we are here on earth. We are saved by faith

from the evil of the world. God comes to our rescue by what didn’t happen each

day. He answers our prayers and relieves us from the stress of this world.

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

V:17b. The sword of the spirit is the Holy scriptures. The scriptures are fulfilled in

the souls who are guided by the Holy Spirit. There is power in the Word of God

when spoken in times of trials and tribulation. Confidence in the Word brings

peace and joy in times of trouble. Confidence in the Word brings jubilation

in the presence of good news. Since God's Word is unchangeable we can hold

fast to it in all times and all situations.

After His Baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by

Satan and to be strengthened for the battles ahead of Him. Jesus used the Scriptures

to combat the lies of Satan.

Submit yourself to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Success is

assured. The spirit is an offensive wealth. The Spirit guides our understanding of

the Word of God and ensures our confidence in Him.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

V:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

This is breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t start your day off without prayer. Don’t leave

the house without prayer. Focus your mind on prayer all day long. Pray without

ceasing. Prayer repels Satan.

We have to know without a doubt that prayer works. God is waiting to hear and

answer our prayers of faith. There is nothing that we should not take to God

in prayer before we act. He is capable of making all decisions because He

foresees the outcome. God knows the outcome so we need to let him guide us.

Be anxious for nothing, but in all things make your request known to God

with thanksgiving and the peace of God will surpass all understanding.

We have a Dynamic Trio working in Our Lives. God the Father Who made

us, God the Son Who saved us, and God the Holy Spirit who guides and

directs us.

We Got the Dynamic Trio working For us on a daily basis. God the Father

has all the resources, God the Son provides the resources as we need them

And God the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to use the resources to glorify

the Father.

Your mental health is protected and promoted by the armor of God

PRAY FOR GOD’S SOLDIERS

Ephesians 6:19-24

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

When you are fully dressed in the Lord, you can take the focus off you and put

it on the good work of God which you were designed for.

The Apostle Paul as strong as he was in the Lord, asked the church to pray for him.

There is no one serving the Lord that doesn't need your prayers. God makes known

to us people in our congregation who need our prayers.

We may never know what people around us are going through. But one thing we know

is they need our prayers. I need you and you need me. We are all in the same boat,

with Christ and no one should be in active or unconcerned.