Is Religious Freedom Under Fire ?

Is there a war in the United States against Christianity?  Find out with guest Kelly Shackelford on the show Christ in Prophecy. Legal cases after legal case is discussed in detail. This message will encourage Christians to Stand Firm in their faith.

STAND FIRM - OVERCOME AND RESIST

As we stand firm in the Faith we must take up the full armor of God. Below is quoted from Charles Spurgeon. Here he instructs us with the verse from 1 Peter 5:9 : But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”   

HOW WE MAY OVERCOME THIS ADVERSARY

“Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” This is our first means of defense. When Satan attacks us as an angel of light, we need not so much resist by open antagonism as by flight. There are some temptations that are to be overcome only by running away from them, but when Satan roars, we must raise the shout and the war cry. To run then would be cowardice and must entail certain destruction.

 

Suppose now that Satan roars with persecution, or suppose you are slandered, vilified, abused---will you give way? Then are you undone. Will you say, “No, never. By Him who called me to this work, I will see this battle out.” You have done well: you have resisted, and you will win the day. Has he assailed you with some temptation obnoxious to your spirit? Yield an inch, and you are undone, but become more watchful and vigilant over yourself in that particular sin, and resistance must certainly bring victory. Or has he injected blasphemy? Resist. Be more prayerful every time he is more active. He will soon give it up if you find that his attacks drive you to Christ. Often has Satan been nothing but a big black dog to drive Christ’s sheep nearer to the Master. Match Satan by turning his temptations to good account, and he will soon give up that method of warfare.

Resist him. But how? “Steadfast in the faith” Seek to obtain a clear knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel and then get a good grip of them. Be ready to die rather than give up a particle of God’s revealed truth. This will make you strong. Then take hold of the promises of God which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Know that to every doctrine there is some opposite promise. Have ready for every attack some strong word commencing with “It is written.”

All the water outside a ship cannot sink it. It is the water inside that perils the ship’s safety. So if your faith can keep its hold and you can say, “Though he slay me yet will I trust in him,” Satan may batter your shield, but he has not wounded your flesh. The conflict may be long, but the victory is absolutely sure. Keep near to the cross, and you are safe. Throw your arms around the dying Savior. Let the droppings of His blood fall on your sins, and even if you cannot see Him, still believe in Him. Then let Satan roar, he cannot hurt; let him rage, his fury is vain; he may only show his teeth, for he certainly cannot bite. “Whom resist, steadfast in the faith.”

 

 

THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD - Stand Firm in the Faith

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
EPHESIANS 6:10-17

See Video
Full Armor of God
http://youtu.be/hsRm8rnmdLw
 


 

Encourage and comfort one another

1 Thess. 3:6-8

"But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live if you stand firm in the Lord."

For a biblical Christian believer of Jesus Christ, standing firm and holding firmly to the scriptures, holding to the sound doctrine of the faith, sharing the gospel to people in your life and to strangers, and yet you find over time, many of them either reject what good news you've given them, or they have aligned themselves with heretical teachings or teachers.  How discouraging and heartbreaking this can be.  If this sounds familiar read 1 Thess. 3:6-8, where Paul had become discouraged to continue preaching in his distress. When churches had been unfaithful and given in to sin and yielded to false teachers, the Apostle Paul was distressed by it, and had become depressed, like what happened in the Corinthian church  (2 Cor. 7:5,6)

"For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"

The good news to Paul came by way of Timothy about the Thessalonians, the true saving faith of them, encouragement was given that strengthen Paul, that they were standing firm in their faith.  They were standing firm on the Apostles teachings. Paul was encouraged by their love and remembrance of him, and it strengthened him to continue in the labor of the Lord.

The Thessalonians steadfastness consisted of 3 important points: (These things worked to Paul's encouragement:

1. There faith continued steadfast in the gospel, they stood firm in their faith.

2. Their charity, they loved and helped each other, lived in peace.

3. They were affectionately attached to the Apostle Paul, and had good memories of him and desired to see him.

All these things worked to encourage the Apostle Paul in his work that he did not view his labor as being in vain.  1 Thess. 3:8 ...for now we really live"

"Your steadfastness in the faith gives me new life and comfort; I now feel that I live to some purpose, as my labor in the Lord is not in vain."

To proclaim the gospel and to defend sound teaching is no easy task. Paul's method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy in the believers, and then to correct what was amiss.  A good pattern to all who admonish others.