Preparing for the Gathering Storm

We want to welcome you to the Sunday evening service at big impact church Rob McDormand and I are the only two any auditorium and I must say it is very vague as they can attend the snow we had people present services only on Sunday morning. That's at 930 I this point we don't offer nursery for that in addition to the people present service would live streaming Sunday morning at 930 Sunday evening at 6 PM and Wednesday evening at seven and were hoping offer more life services in the near future. Depending on the dictates of our governor by Novembers missions month had bacon and we have I think a wonderful missions program at the church.

Just looking at the insert in the bulletin that we had this morning. We support over 30 missionaries and 15 organizations were very thankful for the giving on the part of beacon folks and will remind them crying about their faith, promise, commitment and once you've made that commitment put a card in one of the places that we have for that in the past we've had missionaries come and speak to us during missionary month, but because of covert that's not been possible this year and we've resorted to having videos had they been very effective. Tom and Connie Chapman's nares to Chile where first missionaries that we heard from: Trish Snyder missionaries to propose a new Indonesia were next in their home on furlough because of physical issues that Paul has. Next we heard from Mike and Melanie Webster missionaries to France all mention something about Mike's health that later urban Wanda Taylor were last week.

Missionaries with reaching Hispanics and following our opening prayer tonight. We will conclude the reports from our missionaries with the video from Larry and Carol Bunyan. They are missionaries to the Blackfeet Indian reservation would come to love Larry and Carol, my wife and I taken several trips out there and even before I came on board at beacon beacon had been involved in the summer missions team to the Blackfeet Indian several times during the summer covert made that impossible list last year so we call Larry and asked him if he would do a video for us as the others have.

We hope and pray that very soon will be able to restart that program going out there at this time though. We want to go to the Lord and following your will see the video from Larry and Carol, father's, we come before you tonight would you praise you for the grace you bestow upon us and salvation. Lord, the continued grace that you give us in sanctification as we study and apply your word and father.

Even the grace that enables us to serve you. We thank you for providing our church families in our church and we ask you continue to do so. We pray for businesses Lord as they open up in the near future and try to recover or that you bless as you see fit. We got a host to people father that are dealing with various physical needs. Nelly Hunter town of FAF Harry Shaw John Spencer Don Burns and Brian Griffin is a recover from recent surgeries. We pray for Marseilles. Councilman she has ice review pending on December 1 father. We also pray for folks like Jonathan right in our congregation had coded, we asked you to protect our folks from this disease.

We think especially of Ruth Patterson and Pinky Smith, Hazel Garcia and Evan Butler, all of whom are in elder care facilities. Lord, I want to lift up tonight Betty Duncan and Francis Easley.

Both of these dear ladies endure chronic back pain and we think of our pope as well as he continues to deal with COPD and Alice Marley as she recovers from a recent fall.

Were we pray for sustaining grace for Drew Guthrie as she's dealing with cancer and Lord, we lift up the following missionaries in prayer who have physical me Stuart wall Trevor Johnson, Paul Snyder, David and Donna Eaton Steve worth and Mike Webster. We pray that you bless him and strength enable them to get back to full measure of health. Father we pray for our brother Greg Phillips as he continues to deal with repairs to his business following recent fire there and we lift up our government officials. Lord asked for wisdom for them and for courage to do what's right, we would ask Lord if it would please you.

That correction would be revealed, and justice would be performed. We ask your will would be done coming election in Georgia. Father, we please ask that you Donna yourself reflect for a few moments tonight upon the need to prepare to stand pastoring days that are becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity. May you be honored and glorified in everything that is said and done and I we assess in Christ's name, and men at this time will see the video from Larry and Carol will will will go over the last few weeks we will all sorts of weather patterns from 70° and blue shots were doubled as five days later was 15° with a howling blizzard straight out of the well is still little better to draw the virtues of the low wages were thoroughly ordinary for the sum of your will to lead us in our attic space is seriously the sheet rock ceiling of Windows letter dripping from the light fixture in the dining room with shortly thereafter we remove the light fixtures were starting to fall.

The loss of the kitchen light fixtures started happening selected with the insurance company about your notebook will see you in a week or so.

Also continues to bring interesting and unexpected challenges. Battleship goals a few weeks ago Belushi had a relatively mellow Jason. About 95% of the beyond her now she's gone mostly through the ordeal and they'll do some energy left over and work with the will of the Lord brought her to the realm of shingles took about four weeks to get all the one through what everything is a 19 incident command the latest public notice is locked is going to continue for the foreseeable future looks a little intention of opening up anytime soon and probably won't even consider it until after the holidays person church service and argued since the March and resuming the use of our facility is not all of the near horizon use of all reservation community.

All for Sunday service, which we've been doing since Mother's Day from my office each week of the exact setting that you see in this video as well. All of the sermon on sermon audio which I know you're all well familiar with Excel have not been issues with 11 wishes to tell what else is connecting online last week to every PO Box to try to connect with the community in some way since were hardly around, other than to go get our mail and everything is pretty much shut down, with all the stakeholders in the province of work community in our letter of continuing for the we build our online presence we have any regular sleep told of the letter as well comprise about 7% of the population of Montana held for about 25% of the state's case is covert, 19, 39% of deaths is quite unnerving to many native people we are personally acquainted with several close who have contracted the virus, and a few little bit hospitalized for many weeks. Well I guess I called an anecdotal observation is seems that the folks who are diabetic seem to be very hard with it with contracted diabetes rate among native people is about seven times the national average was a lot of cause for concern among native people and select so that has led to many of the shutdowns in the stable mortars and in all of the mandates that have been floating about for the last number of months as we do plan to do our annual Christmas mailing in early December, covering nearly every household in the west end of our county that we been doing this for close to 12 years now and were also planning a special Christmas evening with our folks who interested in gathering down at the community hall off the reservation adjustments as best we can do these interesting days of going straight down is no tightened all the covert restrictions as of this coming weekend, but with massive mandates and 50% restaurant capacity and so forth course, the restaurant capacity issue doesn't affect us too much here restaurant around the small business issues and create so many challenges of more anger on the part of some more frustration on the part of others.

It seems that several of our church families as well have been under attack on many fronts in the last week or so. Most everyone is enduring a little covert fatigue has held steady throughout the coronavirus event. We have this far only lost the support of church due to decreases in their missions budget and we are certainly blessed and thankful for your gracious and faithful support for these last 38 years when work is not about his will is going to be accomplished and we are doing our best to try to understand the circumstances and try to find ways to continue to minister. Two people haven't done before and I'm sure this is the experience of missionaries all over the world and most churches here in the United States as well, but I work we know his word is not bound as will is going to be accomplished. Close our thoughts with you today with just a very brief reading from Isaiah my favorite Old Testament books. These words are addressed to the nation of Israel, but they certainly have wonderful applications for us as well and I returned to these versions of gone back to two times over the last few months and I like to share them with you.

Isaiah chapter 44, beginning in verse 21. These old Jacob and Israel, for you are my servant, I have found you.

You are my servant of Israel you will not be forgotten by me. I will cloud your transgressions like a cloud, your sins will return to me, for I have deemed you soon Evans for the Lord has done it show you more parts of the earth.

Assuming you mountains well for us in every tree is redeemed Jacob and Laura find himself in Israel versus the Lord, your Redeemer from the world I am the Lord who makes all things stretches out the heavens all alone spread the earth by myself and this is one verse that I love these strange political days frustrates the signs of the battlers and drives diviners mad.

Who determines wise man backward and makes their knowledge, foolishness, yet at the same time, the people of God, he says, and confirms the word of his servant and performs the Council of his messengers certainly work and is not bound in his will is going to be accomplished you for your partnership with us.

God bless you during the upcoming holidays. Carol sends you her love and greetings many many of you will know personally and were just thrilled to be a part of the beacons missions family so thank you again for your faithful and gracious support your partnership with us. All of these years and may God bless you during the upcoming holidays was informative and an encouragement. He was in question may as you can see the title of my message sign is preparing for the gathering storm and the title is taken from a book by Dr. Al Mohler, Pastor Kearns gave to me and I read through it. I highly recommend it be reading an excerpt from it, and a couple of quotes about later. I don't know about you, but as a father and as a grandfather.

I'm very concerned about preparing my loved ones for what might lie ahead. And I'm sure that many of you feel the same way as I do.

I want you to turn our text. Second Timothy chapter 2 of the verses one through four but I want to read in extended introduction that will place this text in a context and I think will be very beneficial as we go through the message tonight so if you will turn 2 May 2124 but listen to this as I read an introduction and a speech given on November 12, 2022.

The Federalist Society Supreme Court judge Samuel Alito said, quote it pains me to say this but in certain quarters, religious liberty is fast becoming I disfavored. Right within a speech.

Judge Alito shared the following and I quote in 2016, a Harvard Law school professor provided to different version of the future America. He candidly wrote the culture wars are over. They lost we one. The question is the question now is how to deal with the losers in the culture wars.

My own judgment is that taking a hard line you lost. Live with it is better than trying to accommodate the losers taking a hard line seem to work reasonably well in Germany and Japan after 1945.

Judge Alito then asked this question is our country going to follow that course the question we face, he said, is whether our society will be inclusive enough to tolerate people with unpopular religious beliefs. That's a frightening statement following the same-sex marriage case back in 2015, Judge Alito wrote. I assume that those who cling to old beliefs will be able to whisper their thoughts in the recesses of their homes. But if they repeat those views in public that the writ they risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers and schools. He went on to say one of the great challenges of the Supreme Court going forward will be to protect freedom of speech, although that freedom is falling out of favor in some circles, we need to do whatever we can to prevent it from becoming a second-tier constitutional right. 11. I want to ask a hypothetical question. What a freedom of speech becomes a second-tier right what-if quote old beliefs are not tolerated. What will happen if a pastor preaches in Matthew 19, six, or Jesus quotes Genesis 223 and 24 and Jesus answered and said to them, have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. What's at stake here is stake is the truth of creation is stake is the truth that God created two genders and define marriage as a lifelong long covenant companionship between a man and his wife that's consummated when they become one flesh with that pastor references first Corinthians 6 or were told that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and that text is followed by a list that includes lifestyles that are in direct conflict with God's design. In second Timothy three, Paul warns it perilous times will come in the last days. The Greek word for perilous means harsh fears, savage recent years have revealed a cancer that has long been eating away at the values that have been the bedrock of our nation as this continues to happen biblical Christianity will become increasingly out of sing and seen as a hindrance or SFR to the greater good of an enlightened secular society.

The straightforward preaching of God's word will be deemed hate speech when in reality, preaching the truth is an act of obedience and active love and active conviction. Dr. Moeller, as I said, is written a book entitled the gathering storm and I want to read from my finally just part of his intro to his book he says from threats to religious liberty and re-definitions of marriage and family to attacks on the sacredness and dignity of human life, the perils faced by the West in the church are unprecedented. How should Christians respond to this challenge.

The gathering storm provides the answer revealing how secularism has infiltrated every aspect of society and showing how Christian equipped with the gospel of Jesus Christ can meet the storm head-on with hope, confidence and steadfast conviction. The apostle Paul using analogy of soldiers and warfare several times in his inspired writings give you two examples in first Timothy 118. Paul charges Timothy to wage the good warfare in chapter 6, verse 12, he again urged Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Paul picks up the same theme in second Timothy this letter is his last letter is written from prison.

As a result of Nero's persecution of Christians. Unlike his first imprisonment and house arrest. Paul Senecal will sell and in chains. He indicates in chapter 4 verses six through eight that he believes his martyrdom is near. In verse seven he writes this I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I've kept the faith. Some commentators speculate that Paul feared that Timothy might be weakening spiritually in the midst of persecution they say.

After all, Paul had been abandoned by nearly all of those close to them out of their own fear persecution without in mind. Paul sets out to exhort Timothy in five areas that were going to look at night that apply not only to pastors in our day as John MacArthur contends it also applies to soldiers in the pew. If you would look at the text that we've chosen for the night. Second Timothy 2124. You therefore, Mike, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things that you have heard from me among many would commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. Paul's first concern is with empowerment and education. I put all of this first point out that one time because it's just a matter of going over it quickly speaks for itself.

Empowerment and education.

Look at verses one and two again. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus in verse two and the things that you have heard from me among many would commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also verse one empowerment, my son, be strong. The words my son speak of an intimate spiritual relationship between a mentor and his commendable pupil. Beloved, we who are older need to mentor young people. We need to be preparing them for what might lie ahead.

The words be strong literally means be empowered by the grace it is ours in Christ before we can encourage and exhort others. We ourselves must be strong in the faith Matthew Henry gives two sides to this going to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. First of all, he notes that it's our responsibility to do so.

Quote where there is the truth of grace. There must be a laboring after the strength of grace as our trials increase.

We have need to grow stronger and stronger, and that which is good. Our faith is stronger a resolution stronger. Our love to God in Christ stronger. Paul wrote in second Timothy 215 you be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We have a responsibility to be strong in the Lord and we become strong in the Lord as we study his word and applied paralyze, but the flipside of that coin it. We have a responsibility to flipside is our dependency. Matthew Henry says be strong may be understood in opposition are being strong in our own strength. Be strong, not confiding in your own sufficiency, but in the grace that is in Jesus Christ.

Paul put it this way in second Timothy chapter 4 verse 17 that my first offense. No one stood with me, but offers may not be charged against them, but the Lord stood with me and strengthen me so that the message might be preached fully through May that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of a lion, and note this the Lord will deliver me from every evil work in preserving for his heavenly kingdom.

To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Love the need for education is addressed in verse two.

Notice it again and the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Things heard from me that refers to giving an ear to a teaching or a teacher to comprehend, to understand, obviously, you got to know something before you can share with others in second Timothy three verses 14 and 15, Paul said, you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned and that from childhood you've known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, who did he learn these things from his grandmother's mother and Paul himself. One thing among many that I'm thankful for beacon Baptist Church and that is this our children's program and I must say Artane program in both of these the children's program.

The teen program, as well as our adult Sunday schools and from this pulpit. This book is central when I grow burdened over teenagers that have left the youth group and may not be.

Perhaps following the path that I would love to see them follow. I fall back in the fact that God is our and just as he saved Paul on the road to Damascus, he can save those team they have heard the word of God from elementary school at this church all the way up to senior Heineken in the college and career and we need to thank the Lord for that. The words many witnesses refers to those who also heard Paul's teaching and they know if Timothy was staying true to men like Barnabas, Silas, Peter and Luke the network commit the new American Standard Bible translates this word as in trust, and it carries the idea of depositing something of value for safe keeping. If you look back one chapter to chapter 1 verse 14. The new American states, new American Standard states guard to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The treasure which has been entrusted to you friends. This begs the question, do you treasure the word do you treasure the word your personal time with the Lord each day here in the work will answer that question loud and clear. And then last under this particular thing of empowerment and education.

Men who were faithful.

MacArthur states that this refers to men whose character reflects the faithfulness of God's own word and God's own son.

Men who were capable elders in particular.

But as I mentioned in my introduction, MacArthur also states that on a more general level. Parents Sunday school teachers, youth leaders are responsible to the best of their ability to pass on God's word to those under their care. So one will reflect upon empowerment and education. I asked this question, is it your personal conviction, that you must have God's daily empowering that the Bible is the supreme standard that must be obeyed in the face of cultural norms that contradict, is that your conviction that the Bible is the standard by which all men, including you, and including May will be will be judged and we are committed to standing for that no matter what.

After speaking on Timothy's need to be strong.

The truth others. Paul addresses a second thing and that is endurance and we see that in verse three, he says, you therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ endure hardship, the appealed endure hardship means literally, to suffer together with someone you're not in it along. Enduring hardship means collectively as individuals together as a local body suffering together with someone the sense of the commanders joined the ranks of those who bear suffering. Hebrews chapter 11, you know list. Many soldiers are motivated by the example of their command. This principle of endurance or perseverance is likewise emphasized in Hebrews 12 123 and in that tax. Christ is the supreme example listen to it as I read it to you. Therefore, we also sense were surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Those people listed in Hebrews 11, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking under Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and I sat down at the right hand throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility of sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. We have to ask the question, how are we to endure hardship. Matthew Henry says when were referring to good soldier Jesus Christ. The soldiers of Christ Jesus must approve themselves good soldiers faithful to their captain resolute in his cause, and must not stop fighting to eliminate more than conquerors through him that loved him found in Romans chapter 8 verse 37 for us to do this and necessitates four things in our life and we want to look at those for a second you're going to find them in chapter 1 he turned back to someone one chapter. Second, the one the first thing power verses seven and eight for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings of the gospel according to the power of God. Beloved, when we pray for power, God will answer that prayer and he will give us what we need during the time of trial. The second thing that we need is persuasion will mean by that will be fine. Then in second Timothy 112. For this reason, I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I'm not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I've committed or entrusted to him until that day. Verse 13 hold fast the pattern of sound words what you've heard from me in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. We not only to pray for powers, but we need to pray that God will help us remain steadfast.

We need to be persuaded. The fact that we have in Christ we know whom we have believed and where persuaded he's able to keep the treasure. We committed him until that day 1/3 thing that were going to need those partnership second in the 115 Paul said this to Timothy this you know that all those in Asia have turned away from me. What a statement this you know that all those in Asia have turned away from among whom are five jealous Hermogenes, in contrast, Paul set of Vanessa for us.

He often refreshment and was not a friend of my chain ashamed of my chain. When he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found beloved, do you have Christians that you are in partnership with I'm not talking about the glittering generality of being a member of the church of Christ, the universal church. I'm not even talking by just being a member of bacon People that are especially encouragement to like Vanessa for us was to Paul, we need to encourage each other. We need to encourage each other daily and and foreplay not only power and persuasion in partnership but public identification. Notice how in verses eight, 12 and 16.

It refers to not being a chamber not going to read but I think that's one of the things that were honest that we have to battle the most and that is a fact that we are not quick to share our faith of the people. Pastor Bartman alluded to that this morning and an excellent message. I'm giving thanks, if we are truly grateful for what Jesus has done on our behalf of were in him will be quick to publicly confess our faith and if were not people who are able to talk easily. Certainly we can speak to our lives as well. Question is it your conviction that through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, you will endure hardship as you persevere in the faith, let me ask that again is it your conviction that through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, you will endure hardship as you persevere in the face, come what may. Education and endurance mean very little in spiritual warfare without engagement and we find that in verse four no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier engagement in warfare refers to active.

It refers to active duty first Peter 315 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in and you with meekness and fear. The English standard version says with gentleness and respect without being confrontational without coming across as a know it all, can you defame defend that which you believe if I were to ask you this question.

How would you answer. Do you believe that the Bible is the word of God. Most of you listening to this kind of been a safe course I do. What if you are followed up with a without return question. Why do you believe that, can you defend why you believe that the Bible is the inspired and errant, all sufficient word of God. I challenge challenge that I gave to my senior Bible class dancer education and endurance mean little in spiritual warfare without engagement engagement in warfare refers to active duty.

Secondly, engagement in warfare involves an opposing arm listen to Ephesians 612 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 heavenly places. This quote from a commentator. These powers exploit culture and social systems in their attempts to rack the saving work of God, can you give us examples. Yes, North Korea.

The China Communist Party radical Islam and groups like freedom from religion foundation APS alliance international the American humanist Association and most and institutions of higher learning to name some mess. One reason why think that we need to be preparing our young people for what might lie ahead. Secular colleges, quite honestly, and I hate to say it, but perhaps some Christian colleges are going to be hostile to a literal translation of the word, and exposition of the Scripture. They're going to be hospital hostile to them now for any of you who doubt the reality that this warfare for freedom of religion is waging in America today. Let me share just three recent headlines from Christian broadcasting network listen. Of these, if you would November 17, 2020, Kansas middle school ends, operation Christmas child after APS complying me read it again.

November 17, 2020, Kansas middle school ends, operation Christmas child after APS complaint operation Christian child as some of you know is a shoebox outreach done by Franklin Graham and Samaritans purse. Several of our kids have been involved in that church.

Samaritans purse is collected and distributed more than 178 million shoebox gifts to children and hundred and 60 countries who could have a problem with that. Well, here's the problem Franklin Graham stated. Every box is an opportunity to reach a child with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's about telling the children around the world and their families. God loves him. God is not forgotten. The problem Franklin is you've got to involve God and they will not tolerate a second heading November 19, 2020 30 year military chaplain fired from Air Force's crime biblical views on sexual morality. There's a quote from the chaplain. I got passed over for promotion twice, and involuntarily separated from the Air Force in 2016. That means even with almost 30 years of service nearly 20 of them active duty.

He can't retire from the Air Force. This chaplain then says while it's a net loss of more than $1 million in pension and health benefits. He sees a bigger issue. What is the issue freedom of speech. The last headline that I would share with you. November 21, 2020. John MacArthur warrants in America is in a moral free fall. That was the headline John MacArthur warns that America is in a moral free fall. This headlines in reference to his interview on Fox News Thursday, November 19, 2020 concerning California shutdown of churches notice this. This is the interviewer's opening statement quote while a judge has ordered San Diego strip labs to be re-re-open California churches are still fighting for the right to open their doors once again. I guess this virus is selected, but that are to be alarming. Folks, this is happening now this was this month, Kansas middle school ends, operation Christmas child after APS complaint two people complained November 19, 2020 30 year military chaplain fired from Air Force's crime biblical views on sexual morality and finally John MacArthur warrants in America is in a moral free fall and I believe we all would agree that the next thing that we want to look at the is engagement in warfare.

This necessitates effective weapons engagement in warfare necessitates effective weapons of war. I want you to just listen to second Corinthians 10 verses three through five. Paul writes for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Folks if we do that last thing, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We will have more than half the battle won. If we win the battle for our mind.

We have one significantly. The word warfare in this tax literally means campaign.

This warfare is not a skirmish it's an ongoing war battle. The word arguments refers to reasonings that are opposed to the truth of God's word, not listen carefully to this refers to pride of intelligence that exalts itself. Paul wooden attacking intelligence, but intellectualism the high-minded attitude that makes people think they know more than they really do. That's what he was attacking Paul use spiritual weapons to tear down opposing arguments. What are those weapons while I put them up for you on the screen and I asked you this question. What part of these played in your life daily prayer for the empowering of God spirit, and for wisdom Dias for that before you start the day.

Lord I ask that you would give me the power to be courageous to be a man of conviction to be a Daniel and not a dud. I ask that you give me wisdom to make proper decisions that will glorify you a second weapon of warfare practical application of God's word in daily living. In other words, practicing what we preach. Can you say that you generally seek do that none of us to a perfect but folks are you sincerely seeking to practice what you preach.

I'm careful in saying mass when I first started coaching several years ago. I'm ashamed of some of the memories that I have because basically what I have was a ACC philosophy was sugar town sugarcoating of Christianity over you know the old if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I hope and I believe that I grown since then, to the point were in the latter years of my coaching. I realize that that's where I can be the greatest example to the young people know me involved in the context of Alamance Christian school. They expect me to act a certain way when I teach Bible. I want them to see me act the same way when I coach soccer and that is a challenge.

Listen in a choice, ask yourself this question. Am I doing my best to apply the word of God in daily living.

The third thing proclamation of the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone. You got a no to be able to share and that's something that we should be rehearsing in our hearts and our minds over and over again ways that we can share the gospel. The saving gospel of Jesus Christ and then finally principled love for his fellow believers. His neighbors in his and we say principal log because it's based upon the commander love each of these groups is not on their love, ability say love at a principal you love Adam obedience. What are the sum of the spiritual weapons that tear down opposing arguments.

Prayer for God's power and for wisdom, practical consistent application of the word of God proclamation of the gospel of salvation and principle of for other people question is it your conviction that Christians must love others enough to confront error with biblical truth, both in what you say and how you live is that your conviction that you must love others enough confront error with biblical truth, both in what you say and how you live.

Then Paul warns Timothy not get off track and make himself a victim of entanglement, a victim of entanglement. Notice verse four no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life.

Why, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier, no soldier who desires to survive and to be victorious entangles himself with hindrances to victory. He serious why the stakes are high. He serious because the stakes are high.

The word entangle refers to an absorbing engrossing pursuit. Beloved, although we have earthly obligations and opportunities.

Matthew Henry warns us that we must not entangle ourselves with those affairs and be diverted and drawn aside from our duty to God and the great concerns of our Christianity, not words keep things into perspective.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added on. Be careful about becoming entangled with the things of this world. It's not that all secular things are bad it is that even appropriate things of this world cannot be our priority, even appropriate things of this world cannot be our priority men finally under entanglement. Paul's appeal shows the importance of developing an ability to distinguish between doing good things and doing the best that one of the hardest things that we have to deal with Paul's appeal shows the importance of developing an ability to distinguish between doing good things and doing the best things were not supposed to as soldiers of Christ to be well-rounded dabbler in all kinds of trivial pursuits. We need to be tough-minded from the standpoint that we are focused on the kingdom first and foremost, and I have an extended pole here that I think is pretty profound receipt on the screen just part of it, the further one retreats from the front lines more frequent and trivial become the point complaints that's that is a profound statement of further one retreats a person retreats from the frontline.

The war spiritual war, the more frequent and trivial become the complaints.

Let me flush that out. Those involved in the struggles of survival and the exhaustion of combat rarely complain about the food there simply happy to eat.

In other words there. Glad to be alive and up in the same way Christians who determined to live holy obedient life before God placed themselves on the front lines of spiritual warfare they encounter attacks of Satan. They suffer scorn and rejection often denied themselves many comforts. This is the point that I want us to get rarely do people on the front lines in spiritual warfare, concern themselves with petty inconvenience. Unmet expectations or criticism of fellow soldiers and I say that again rarely rarely do people on the front lines of spiritual warfare concern themselves with petty inconvenience.

Unmet expectations or criticism of fellow believers. Why not because you're alive spiritually and there focused on kingdom work. Beloved.

Finally, Paul reminds Timothy of the debt of gratitude that he owes to God's amazing grace for his enlistment. Notice verse four. Again, no one engaged in warfare entangles himself the affairs of this life. Why did he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. The motive for a soldier of Christ is the desire to please the king, who enlisted in enlistment means to gather as a warrior to enlist in the Army we need to be grateful for the grace that saved us to serve him. The method the method for pleasing making involves these five things and I put them all up at once to give you time to copy them if you so desire. But the method for pleasing making consecration to the cause of Christ. This is an intentional act with the price to be paid. What's the price all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution you choose to consecrate yourself to please the king, competence, and sharing the gospel. We've already gotten into what that means and involves courage to declare the whole counsel of God. That's one thing that our church does not believe anyone who consistently attends this church knows that we don't pick and choose. If that's the next thing. That's the next thing courage to declare the whole counsel of God number four contention when not if the instruments of unrighteousness, attack, freedom of religion and an notice I did not say that they just attack Christianity, we need to be very careful to uphold the freedom of religion, because if if freedom of religion is taken away from another religion is just one step being taken from us.

I don't think we have to worry about that happening because it surely seems like they level their guns at us first, then the final method, consistency, and the poor performance of our duty applications for young and old. I have one more yeah application for young and old alike I'm sorry empowerment and education is at your conviction that the Bible is the standard by which God will judge all men is that your conviction a second thing endurance. Are you prepared to persevere during persecution for your active faith in God's word that takes a mindset of folks you can't make that decision last minute. Are you prepared to persevere during persecution for your active faith in God's word that persecution could just be verbal at work I was persecuted in public school. My nickname was mama's boy. It was not easy. The Baptist not John the Baptist I just referred and it wasn't a compliment.

The Baptist it may be verbal persecution. Our children are teens are college and career age, you may be persecuted verbally.

The third thing.

Engagement what proof could you offer the year on active duty and not in the Army reserves. What proof could you offer that you are on active duty and not in the Army reserves number four entanglement. Is it obvious that your priorities involve seeking first God's kingdom and his righteousness is that obvious in your life, and finally under this enlistment are you confident that Christ has enlisted you as a soldier flight in a world dominated by darkness, beloved, if you're not confident in knowing who view your believing flee to Christ. The positive conclusion I want to read an excerpt again from Dr. Moeller. He concludes that in the gathering storm. Only the Christian worldview is sufficient to answer the demands of secularization, nor can any other worldview provides a framework for true human flourishing young people make sure that you get that it's only the Christian worldview that gives a framework for true human flourishing silence in this age is not an option, and deed, silence and retreat are tantamount to failure.

Believers in Jesus Christ possess the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as the power of the Holy Spirit obedience to Christ demands our faithful stewardship careful thinking, and wise engagement in the midst of this pressing crisis.

3 Massive Christian Virtues Marker Way as the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians. So now abide faith, hope and love.

These three but the greatest of these is love. We need to make certain were people of faith, we need to make certain were people who display a living hope, we need to make certain that we love God and others as were commanded to do by faith in the living hope it is ours in Christ focus upon. Grateful love for God, an act of love for others with the confidence that none of these things happening in the world has taken the Almighty by surprised Dare to be a Daniel. Even if it means sometimes standing alone after the benediction. If you would you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ on the eternal life in on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment defiled by the flesh now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to God our father, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen Mira Napa.

Even so,