Stand Your Ground!

Notes: Stand Your Ground!

Ephesians 6:10–13

Pastor Greg Laurie

Sunday, June 28, 2015 — 12:00 p.m.

Our country needs prayer, and our church is under attack. However, God is still on the throne and the mission of the church has not changed. In today's message, Pastor Greg Laurie addresses the recent Supreme Court decision, urges Christians to stand their ground, and stresses the importance of prayer.

The church is under attack all over the world, believers killed inside churches in America and mass killings in the Middle East.

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

[12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Traditional values are being challenged, but more importantly Biblical truths are being challenged.

God created marriage, he invented it, and it was His idea.

The first marriage was by God.

Mark 10:6-9 NKJV

[6] But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' [7] 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, [8] and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Malachi 2:15 NKJV

[15] But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

God expects Godly children from a Godly marriage.

If things aren't done God's way, then things can't expect to workout.

As things seem to fall apart, then we need to recognize they are coming together as the Bible has described.

1. Don't panic! God is still on the throne.

God and faith often appear to thrive in times of attack.

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

[20] But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

The church out lives, out prays, and out loves the non-believer.

Keep calm and carry on!

2. Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible!

Romans 8:28 NKJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Psalm 119:91 NKJV

[91] They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

Psalm 76:10 NKJV

[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.

3. We need to show this culture what a Biblical marriage looks like.

Your marriage should be a great witness to nonbelievers.

We don't need to worry about others redefining marriage. We need to worry about showing God’s love in our marriage.

4. We need to show the love of Christ to everyone!

We need to love everyone, no matter where they are in life.

Matthew 7:1 NKJV

[1] "Judge not, that you be not judged

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

[13] And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We don't have to except everyone’s decisions, but we are to love everyone.

Proverbs 27:5-6 NKJV

[5] Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

5. We need to engage all people with the Gospel.

It doesn't matter if you are gay, straight, drunk, sober, mean or nice, God can work in your life.

Greg is reading us a letter from a woman who wrote him about living her life as a man. She is a born again Christian now and thankful and saved.

6. We need to pray!

For our church, each other and our country.

We are a church moving forward, we need to reach out and we need to pray.

War has been declared on us by the devil.

It started at your birth and intensified on the day of your conversion.

Conversion has made our hearts a battlefield.

The devil won't waste his time on someone who is not a threat to his kingdom.

Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We need to arm ourselves.

Wiles means method. Like stalking pray with a methodology.

It's not a sin to be tempted. You must reject the temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

[13] No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

There is always a way out!

Sometimes and usually the simplest solution is the best one.

Genesis 39:12 NKJV

[12] that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

Flee youthful lust.

Satan doesn't want you to know that Satan was defeated at the Cross.

Colossians 2:14-15 NKJV

[14] having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [15] Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from God’s victory.