Lord Jesus, may Your will be done, and may all our thoughts, our words, and actions glorify you. We thank you for your Heavenly blessings today and always. Amen.
In reading a number of different versions of tonight’s lessons, I came upon this introduction to Ephesians, entitled “Why read this book?”
And it said, “The greatest adventure in life is not an exotic safari, a booming business success, or a love relationship with that special someone. Rather, it’s discovering the purpose of our lives.” This ‘letter’ of Paul’s to Ephesus answers the question men and women have asked throughout all time, “Why am I here?” It has to do with eternity, making peace with God, and identifying with Christ. Although we are only reading one small selection tonight, it’s well worthwhile to read the whole letter when you have some time. The adventure is only beginning.
When you get up in the morning, you don’t leave your home until you have quaffed your hair, brushed your teeth, shaved or done the make-up thing. You eat something and have a coffee or juice or whatever. You wouldn’t want to meet up with anyone until you are sure you look and feel presentable. Dressed in appropriate clothes for the occasion, a favourite tie, and a special outfit – you want to be ready to be favourably recognized. And since you’ve taken care of all the little primps, you are comfortable with seeing an old friend, a new acquaintance, or a fellow worker. You haven’t hidden your face or worn a mask – well - unless it’s Hallowe’en or a masquerade or you are heading off to one of those strange Dunany parties. You will be recognized without a doubt. You’d probably actually be recognized even costumed up for the Dunany Party.
Well, we have heard tonight about wearing the full armour of God. I suggest we don’t want to leave this church, the Lord’s house, tonight without wearing all of it. We won’t be recognized by the clothes we wear, the new haircut, our signature cologne or aftershave. We will be recognized as one of Christ’s own. We will be recognized as a Christian, not by our looks but by our attitude and by our actions. We will walk the walk, and we will talk the talk.
Paul wrote, “Stand firm with the belt of truth around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of god. And then pray on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers. Be alert and pray for all the saints including yourself.”
All this sounds pretty ominous, really heavy, doesn’t it? Yet, it can give you such a feeling of protection and power – imagine being safe in all that armour. And we can be – through prayer all the parts of the armour are held together. But we need it all. Truth and righteousness can’t be worn alone. You need the word of God and the Gospel of peace; and held in front of you faith – faith for all to see. It’s one of those package deals. No one part is sold alone. And you have to be continually refitted – the more you hear of His word, the more you pray - then the more the truth and righteousness are fortified and the stronger that armour becomes – the stronger you inside all that armour becomes.
Now that you are all suited up, what are you going to do? I can almost picture each of you looking like a warrior, a soldier, or a guard. I picture the heavy metal suits of armour. I see the face plates lifted over your heads and falling forward with a clunk. Wow, you look like you can do anything you set your minds to.
Jesus told his followers the importance of eating and drinking his flesh and blood. He told them in his usual vibrant way. Really I think it means getting to the heart of the scriptures. Not just taking face value, but studying, really getting to understand and attach ourselves to the word of God, the teachings of Jesus Christ. Make it a part of our whole being. Just as eating fills our physical needs, taking in the word feeds our spiritual needs and desires.
Difficult for all of us, but with prayer everything is possible. Many of Jesus’ followers were weak and couldn’t or wouldn’t make the effort, but the true believers, the faithful stayed with Jesus. They knew that there was really no place else to turn. The words of eternal life were there and those words are here, now. We do believe that Christ is the Holy one of God.
In the O.T. reading, we hear that a special place of honour was given to the arc of the covenant. How it was taken with much pomp to the newly built synagogue. How the inner sanctuary was built of gold and the altar of cedar. Special indeed. King Solomon praised God dedicating the synagogue to the Lord’s name and not to the Lord - knowing that God could not be contained within any walls. This arc contained only 2 things, the 2 stone tablets given to Moses – the 10 Commandments.
So all 3 lessons are pulled together tonight. The 10 commandments given a place of honour – and still today we need to give them a place of honour in our daily lives. We remember the first and greatest, “The lord you God is one and you shall love the Lord your god with all our heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all our strength.” Then, Jesus teaches the word of god and the importance of eating the flesh and drinking his blood, of truly taking in the word, fully and completely. And that we should never turn away, but continually fill our souls with all the knowledge, the wisdom and the spirit of this word. Then finally, we put on all that armour. Safe, strong and powerful, we go out there and share his word.
What is it that God wants us to do? In our prayers tonight, we will pray, “For you are the helper of the helpless, the saviour of the lost, the refuge of the wanderer, the healer of the sick.” Well, we too, must share that load, helping, loving, caring, saving. We need to get out there and spread the word, not necessarily by speaking but by doing. Leave here with the armour well-fitted, leave here filled with God’s grace. We are by example, His disciples, we are by example, His messengers, we are by example His children.
How wonderfully, powerful are the words Paul wrote to the people of Ephesus. The same words he could be writing to us here in Dunany - or anywhere - and at any time. And Paul knew first hand of God’s grace and the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, from the time his life was so completely changed on the road to, and in Damascus. We are so blessed to be able to hear and to read those words over and over again.
So be recognized this week as a Christian, by what you do every day, not just an hour here on a Sunday evening. For it is sure that what we do does affect others. We always need to fight for Christianity, proving to all - that this is the only way to the Father, through Jesus Christ. So, friends, be recognized, not by your dress or by your tie, or cologne or haircut, but be recognized by your love, your faith, your grace. Be recognized as one of Christ’s own.
Amen.
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