Easter – 2022 – Village Campus

                                                         Easter – 2022 – Village Campus

Subject – The Purpose, the Pain, and the Power of the Cross

By Rick Welborne

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (NIV)
¹⁷  For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
¹⁸  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

Philippians 3:18-20 (NLT)
¹⁸  For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
¹⁹  They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
²⁰  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

--I heard someone use the term “Christian Atheist” and I thought immediately that statement is definitely an oxymoron. Then I listened to their definition. 

Christian atheist:  Someone who confesses Christ but lives like He does not exist.

--Today I want to speak to you about cross-less Christians.

Cross-less Christian – Someone who believes that their life in Christ should be, and must be, free from pain and suffering.

--Much damage has been done in the Kingdom by those who have taught a prosperity gospel that is all about what we receive and enjoy compared to what we give up and endure.

--So many want preachers to tell them what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. Preaching or teaching the Word of God comes with great responsibility and with fear and trembling. My job:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV)
¹  I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
²  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
³  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
⁴  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
⁵  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

--Today I want us to talk about the cross of Jesus Christ…The Purpose…The Pain…The Power!

1. The Purpose of the Cross

John 3:14-16 (NKJV)
¹⁴  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
¹⁵  that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

--The absolute purpose of the cross…the reason Jesus was lifted up was so that all of us could be saved. We do not have to be lost or to spend eternity away from God because of the price Jesus paid. 

--The message of the cross may seem to be foolish to some…think about the pretty cross you wear around your neck as jewelry. The symbol of death for our Lord Jesus Christ!

--Celebrities wear crosses…athletes have crosses tattooed on their bodies…right next to momma…people have crosses on their walls or desks…oh, that we would remember what it stands for. Its message.

--So what’s my point?  We have so softened the purpose of the cross and we have so devalued the price Jesus paid to the point we can wear the symbol of His death and still live like Hell.

--Please don’t misunderstand me, you can wear your cross but please don’t forget what it was for. When people tell you your cross is pretty, you tell them about Jesus. The cost.

Matthew 27:41-43 (NKJV)
⁴¹  Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
⁴²  "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
⁴³  He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "  

--He saved others; Himself He cannot save…the chief priest, the scribes, and elders didn’t know how true their statement was…His purpose was not to save Himself but to save all of us.

--His purpose was not to get off the cross and save Himself but to bear our sins on that tree so that you and I can walk in freedom every day. 

Missionary Joseph Gordon – You hear people say the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will. Tell that to Jesus. God’s perfect will hung Him on the cross. 

2. The Pain of the Cross

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)
⁶  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
⁷  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
⁸  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

--You see Jesus did not endure the cross for a bunch of wonderful people…He did it for rotten sinners like you and me. Our veterans went to fight for those who loved our country and those who do not. Thank you!

--Oh, how we here in America want a painless Christianity…give me the assurance of Heaven, give me my children serving God, give me blessings (big house and fancy cars) but no suffering please. No pain.

1 Peter 4:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
¹⁴  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

--Only a century ago there were brave souls who became known as one-way missionaries. They purchased their tickets to the mission field without the return half. Today we have Live-Dead Missionaries. 

 --Instead of suitcases they packed their belongings in coffins. Most said their goodbyes to family knowing they would never see them again.

--A.W.Milne was one of those missionaries. He sailed to the New Hebrides in the South Pacific knowing that the missionaries before him were martyred by the headhunters there.

--Milne did not fear for his life because he had already died to himself. His coffin was packed. He had counted the cost and considered the pain. 

--He lived among the people there for 35 years and loved them. When he died they buried him in the middle of their village.

Milne’s Tombstone – When he came there was no light. When he left there was no darkness.

Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)
²⁴  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

3. The Power of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

--The cross is the power of God…the cross is the power of God to save us and to save those who are lost. The power of the cross was by Him (Jesus) Who hung on it. 

John 12:32-33 (NKJV)
³²  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
³³  This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

--To the carnal mind this does not make sense…how can a dead man on a cross draw people to Himself?

--Yes, He died on the cross and, yes, He was buried but that is not the end of the story…something happened three days later.  Jesus walked out of the tomb sealing the deal forever. He is alive!

--The power of the cross can take away all your sin. It was, no it is nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT2)
¹³  You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
¹⁴  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
¹⁵  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 10

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 10

Subject: The Sword of the Spirit

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in 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 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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, to stand.
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. 

Gordon Maxwell: The Roman solder would spend countless hours learning his sword and how to use it. He had to be better with it than the enemy or he would be defeated, taken as a slave, or killed. He would keep his sword sharp and shined up and ready for battle. The Roman solder knew it was far easier to keep a sword ready than to try to get a rusty sword ready for battle. The sword was never an afterthought it was always ready.

--This is not a time to let your sword get dull...keep it sharp for battle. The soldier had to be intentional about keeping his sword in fighting condition. 

J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible - All the parts of the armor mentioned so far have been for defense. Have you noticed that? Everything is for the front of the individual. There is no protection for his back; nothing is provided for retreat. Believe me, a retreating Christian is certainly open season for the enemy; the enemy can get through to him.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)
¹²  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
¹³  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

--Christ is the living Word of God. He used the Word of God to meet Satan in the hour of His temptation.

Luke 4:4,8,12,13 (NIV)
⁴  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" 

⁸  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" 

¹²  Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 

¹³  When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. 

--He gains the victory with that sword. What is it? It is the Word of God. We need that same power to do spiritual warfare. The Word of God is a powerful and will not return void.

Isaiah 55:11 (NCV)
¹¹  The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do. 

Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT) - There is the sword; and the sword is the word of God. The word of God is at once our weapon of defense against sin and our weapon of attack against the sins of the world. Cromwell's Ironsides fought with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other. We can never win God's battles without God's book. 

Barnes Notes on the New Testament -- The sword was an essential part of the armor of an ancient soldier. His other weapons were the bow, the spear, or the battle-axe. But, without a sword, no soldier would have regarded himself as well armed. The ancient sword was short, and usually two-edged, and resembled very much a dagger.

1. The five kinds of swords used in that day.

A. The Roman soldier used a gladius sword...it was an extremely heavy, broad shouldered sword with a very long blade.

--It was the most beautiful of the swords but because of its size and weight...it was quite cumbersome and awkward to use. It was called a two handed sword.

—The gladius sword was only sharpened on one side and the other side was blunt and dull. The Romans did away with this sword after at major defeat by Carthage. Bible on the coffee table…beautiful but never used.

B. The Carthage sword was shorter and more narrow. It was about 17 inches long and about 21/2 inches in width.

—It was lighter than the larger sword and grew in popularity among the Roman soldiers because it was so much easier to carry and swing. Copied from the swords of Carthage who defeated them.

C. This sword was even shorter than the 2^nd sword and it looked more like a dagger than a sword. 

--The dagger sword was carried in a small hidden scabbard beneath the soldier's outer coat and was used to inflict a mortal wound into the heart of the enemy. 

D. This cavalry sword was long and very slender...it was primarily used by the cavalry...easier to hold while riding and fighting. It was also used in a sport similar to fencing.

—No foot soldier would have ever wanted to enter into combat with this sword because it would not have been effective against the stronger more durable swords. This sword was mostly for show or sport. 

--This reminds me when Bibles went slim and stylish! God doesn’t mind if we have a slim Bible or even an electronic Bible as long as we are reading it and hiding it in our hearts. 

E. This sword (Greek word “machara”) was the one Paul and the Holy Spirit had in mind in our text.

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
¹⁷  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

--This sword was about 19 inches long and was a brutal weapon of war. Both sides of the blades were razor sharp making this sword much more dangerous than the others mentioned.

--Also, the tip of the sword was turned upward, causing the point of the blade to be extremely sharp and deadly.

 This two edged blade inflicted a wound far worse than other swords. The damage unimaginable.

2. The sword of the Spirit was the Word (Rhema) of God.

Renner - Paul goes on to give us more info about this sword: He says, ...the sword of the Spirit, which is the 

Word of God. The term "word" is taken from the Greek "Rhema" which is one of the most familiar words used in the New Testament.

--It describes something that is clearly spoken; spoken vividly; spoken in undeniable language; or spoken in unmistakable, certain, and definite terms…a quickened word. 

—The Rhema word is powerful...when the Holy Spirit gives a verse or a word to the believer...he will know that he knows that he has heard from the Lord...Jeremy ...Everything will be alright! 

—A Rhema is a specific word or message that the Holy Spirit quickens to our hearts and minds at a specific time and for a specific purpose. Caution: Not equal with the Word of God.

--Thus when Paul says...the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God...he is referring to the Holy Spirit's 

ability to make a word come vividly alive in our hearts and minds at a time of need. 

--The sword hung from a clip on the left side of the belt of truth. The belt of truth thus served as a support for the shield and a resting place for the soldier's sword. 

Renner - A genuine Rhema—a word or verse that the Holy Spirit quickens in your heart at a specific time and for a specific purpose in your life—is so strong and powerful that it is as if God has put a supernatural sword in your hand. With that sword in hand, you have a powerful weapon to defeat Satan.

Have you ever had the Spirit place in your mouth a verse that you had hidden in your heart at just the absolute perfect time to overcome a situation or to receive direction? Man at the Paper Mill.

3. The sword of the Spirit is a two edged sword…a two mouthed sword.

—Remember the sword here was the “Machara” the sharp two edged sword...this sword is mentioned many times in the NT. Listen to John in Revelations again:

Revelation 1:16 (NKJV)
¹⁶  …out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Stay with me here... a two-edged sword came out of Jesus’ mouth.

Renner - The Phrase "two edged" is taken from the Greek word distomos...one of the oldest words in the NT. Why is the phrase two edged so odd? Because it is a compound of the word ‘di’, meaning 2, and the word ‘stomos’, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. The Word of God is a two mouthed sword?

—I understand the thinking of the two edges dividing good and evil in us and also in the world but I believe and Renner believes there is more!

Renner - One sharpened edge of this sword came into being when the Word of God initially proceeded out of the mouth of God. The second edge of this sword is added when the Word of God proceeds out of your mouth! This is the reason that the original text calls the Word of God a 'two mouthed sword".

What is the message for us? Take up the whole armor of God...the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith...and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

It was sharp and powerful coming out of Jesus' mouth and as the Spirit comes on us (it is the sword of the Spirit) it will be powerful and effective coming out of our mouths.

—Too much is coming out of our mouths and most of it is anything but God's Word...negative, critical, breaking instead of building, we must stop it and speak God's Word over our church and each other! 

—Brothers and sisters take up your sword which is the Word of God and let us together put the enemy to flight! 

Who We Welcome and Why – 2

                                                 Who We Welcome and Why – Obedience

Subject – Welcoming People to be Obedient to God’s Calling

By Rick Welborne

Romans 11:29 (KJV) ²⁹  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (NKJV) ²⁹  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (NIV) ²⁹  for God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. (NLT2) ²⁹  For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.(NCV) ²⁹  God never changes His mind about the people He calls and the things He gives them.

--The church leaders were gathered together:

Acts 13:2-4 (NLT2)
²  One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
³  So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
⁴  So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. 

--Obviously, by the Scriptures I have read today, God’s calling or His call (which we will concentrate on in this sermon) is a serious thing.

--Although it goes against the norms of Christian tradition or, at least, what I have been taught by those who mentored me, we choose to bless those who tell us God is calling them elsewhere.

--An unwritten rule in the AOG has been, for years, that if any associate pastor mentions anything about leaving or about hearing from God for transition, you let him go immediately.

--I personally believe that is ridiculous, not to mention, that it is un-Christ like and obviously, not biblical. I have chosen to give the benefit of the doubt to those I have labored with that they have heard from God.

--According to the Scriptures that I have just read to you, the people who are called by God really don’t have a choice except to be obedient. Such is the case with Pastor Bob and Jo Ann.

--By what Acts 13 says, it appears to me that the church should welcome people or pastors to hear God’s calling and to respond in direct obedience.

--Not only that, but the church and its leadership should willfully bless and send out God’s called ones to do what His will is. We not only support Missions, we give God called servants our blessings to go…to obey.

--Just a funny note with people (not necessarily pastors) who have come to me and told me God called or told them to leave Life Church and then, got angry I did not try to talk them out of it. Say what?

--I cannot and will not ever try to usurp authority over God. If God calls you or tells you to leave, who am I to try to convince you otherwise. It would be bad for both of us.

--Here’s the key, just make sure the call is from God and it will be good for all the parties involved. It may break our hearts but the will of God takes pre-imminence over our emotions. Amen!

--Let me share just two examples from our journey here at Life Church. Pastor Zach Rix and Pastor Juan Rodriguez. 

--Pastor Zach came to us from the Mission’s field and served faithfully with us as our Youth Pastor but I knew when he came to us his heart was in Missions. That was one of the reasons we brought him on.

--I was sad but not surprised when he came to me and told me he had a call from God to go back to Honduras to be a missionary. I encouraged him to be obedient. We blessed him in the transition.

--He has been back several times to Life Church because he is a spiritual son and a missionary who was sent out from us to do the work of God. We continue blessing him. $10,000 our last gift. A beautiful and godly thing.

--Pastor Juan (saved and discipled under Pastor Zach – another beautiful thread) also became our youth pastor and our Spanish pastor. He started feeling God calling him elsewhere so he shared with me.

--Instead of firing him or letting him go, we decided to guide him, give him wisdom, and bless him during his transition. Question: which way do you believe God was more pleased with?

--Ministers or parishioners should never take the luxury of how does this situation affect us personally but how does it affect the health of the church and of God’s Kingdom. Think about this in that context:

Matthew 6:33 (NLT2) ³³  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NKJV) ³³  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

--When we seek first what is good for God’s Kingdom, and for the Church Jesus is building, we will always choose to bless people instead of curse them. It is a healthier model. 

--That being said, Pastor Bob came to me weeks ago and shared with me that Holy Spirit was leading him to offer his resignation. He assured me that he had heard from God.

--Please know this, Church, when Pastor Bob and Jo Ann came back to us from Wyoming we were definitely excited and thankful. They are dear friends.

--But know this, I told them at that time to never be afraid to come to me and let me know if God is leading them elsewhere. I believe we should be open and honest in God’s work.

--I knew they had been through a tough time in Wyoming (ministry can be difficult) so when we brought them on staff I told them the first two weeks to just rest and recover and we would pay them.

--I don’t say that to put a feather in our hat but to let you know we attempt, as much as possible to take care of those God sends to us. 

--People are more important than what they can do for us. Hopefully that time gave them an opportunity to relax, to find the rest only God can give, and to prepare them to labor with us.

Hebrews 4:9-11 (NLT2)
⁹  So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
¹⁰  For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.
¹¹  So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

--So here we are again at a place of transition, and even though I have learned to hate that word so much, we welcome Pastor Bob and Jo Ann, we invite them, we welcome them to follow the call of God.

1. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Irrevocable – binding, irreversible, final, unalterable, unchangeable, permanent, and irretrievable. 

--I trust and believe that Pastor Bob can hear from God and based on what he has told me; he has heard from God so he is answering that call.

--As in our text today we understand the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable or permanent. This leaves us in a place of whether we obey or not.

Hebrews 11:1&6 (NKJV)
¹  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
⁶  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

--I definitely admire people who, by faith, can step out into the unknown and trust God even though they cannot see exactly what lies before them. We definitely want God to bless them as they seek Him.

--Pastor Rick, what should we be praying over Pastor Bob and Jo Ann as they walk through this time of obedience. These are Scriptures I am praying over people now and will be praying over them.

Isaiah 45:1-5 (NKJV)
¹  "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
²  'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
³  I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.
⁴  For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
⁵  I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me…

2. Pastor Choco – General Council Treasurer – Obedience comes first and understanding comes later.

--I am sure that Paul (Saul) and Barnabas had no idea what was ahead of them when Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 

--Literally when Pastor Bob came to my office he quoted Pastor Choco, “Obedience comes first and understanding comes later.”

--Since Pastor Bob shared with me his resignation, a ministry opportunity has presented itself, and they are still working on the details associated with that. Obedience should always be the first step.

John 15:10-11 (NLT2)
¹⁰  When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
¹¹  I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

3. We welcome or invite Pastor Bob and Jo Ann to follow God’s calling.

--Again, when someone I trust tells me God is calling them elsewhere, I only have one response. That is to believe they have heard from God and bless them in the process.

--Are we sad and broken hearted, of course, but if we believe what Jesus said, obedience is so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

--Today we are blessing them with an offering and with a severance package to help them fulfill what God has lead them to do. In situations like this God always gives us a choice:

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NLT2)
¹⁹  “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
²⁰  You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

--We choose life, blessings, and obedience for Pastor Bob and Jo Ann. As with Paul and Barnabas they laid hands on them, prayed for them, and sent them out with Holy Spirit. We will do the same.

 

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 9

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 9

Subject – The Helmet of Salvation

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in 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 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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, to stand.
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…

--So far we have looked at the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, and the shield of faith. Tonight we will look at the helmet of salvation.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary - The head of the soldier was among the principal parts to be defended, as on it the deadliest strokes might fall, and it is the head that commands the whole body. The head is the seat of the mind, which lays hold of the sure Gospel "hope" of eternal life. God, by this hope, "lifts up the head". 

Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)
³  But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 

—Christ is the salvation of the sinner. He is the One to receive the glory in it all. That plume on the top of the helmet represents Christ. He has been made unto us salvation, marked out as the Savior.

Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)
²¹  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

1. The beauty of our salvation.

--Paul mentions this helmet in connection with salvation again in another epistle.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) ⁸  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Rick Renner - Dressed to Kill says "The Roman soldiers helmet was a fascinating and beautiful part of His armor. It was a flamboyant piece of weaponry, very ornate and intricate.

—He said that the Roman soldier's helmet was highly decorated with all kinds of etchings and engravings. There would even be helmets to look like the head of animals.

—The helmet was made of bronze and equipped with pieces of armor that were specifically designed to protect the cheeks and jaws. 

--It was extremely heavy; therefore, the interior was lined with a spongy material in order to soften its weight on the soldier's head…nothing could pierce it—not even a hammer or a battle axe.

—It would be very hard to walk past one of these soldiers without noticing him. You would definitely notice a man with a piece of sculpture on his head and a brightly colored plume waving in the air!

Renner - Why would the Holy Spirit compare a piece of weaponry like this to salvation. Because your salvation is the most gorgeous, most intricate, most elaborate, and most ornate gift God ever gave you!

--What Paul was trying to convey to us was that when a person is confident in their salvation and he is walking in the powerful truth of the gospel…that person is noticeable! He has influence for Christ!

2. Don’t lose your head!

—Not only was the helmet beautiful but it was designed to save a man's head. It is imperative that we put on the helmet of salvation so we will not lose our head. Not allow the enemy to attack our minds.

—If you have ever been addicted to something...you can relate to the hammer going off in your head trying to get you to take off your helmet and to become vulnerable. Crack Cocaine. 

--If you will be useful to the Kingdom of God and be noticeable to the world...you must wear your helmet of salvation every day! Put on the whole armor of God.

--As God sends us into the battle it is so important that we have on our helmet of salvation so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil!

—The word "wiles" is taken from the word "methodos"...meta which means with and odos where we get our word for odometer...ln other words Satan wiles are His attempt to get us on the wrong road.

—Our helmet of salvation is to protect us from the wiles, the devices, the schemes of the devil...notice how Paul relates forgiveness to not being outwitted by the devil!

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NLT)
¹⁰  When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
¹¹  so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

--Un-forgiveness is simply Satan out smarting us! Don't let him do that...forgive! The essence we get from the Greek about this verse is this: We are not ignorant of the mind games that the devil tries to pull on us.

—God help the church to stop being deceived by Satan and led down the wrong road by these attacks of the enemy on our minds! The wrong road...then the wrong thoughts! The final blow is deception. Division!

Renner - ln the most literal sense, the word dolios means to bait someone, as in setting a bait in front of a fish.

--The enemy gets us going on the wrong road, we begin to have the wrong thoughts...He keeps baiting us along until we find ourselves walking in deception not even knowing it!

Renner - Once the mind games are in full motion, Satan then baits the believer with lying accusations and slanderous allegations. If the believer perceives these lies to be true and bites the bait, the process of "deception" is then fully implemented in his or her life.

—Without our helmet we get caught up by only hearing one side of a matter. So sad and dangerous.

Proverbs 18:13 (NLT)
¹³  Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. 

Matthew Henry Unabridged - It is folly for a man to go about to speak to a thing which he does not understand, or to pass sentence upon a matter which he is not truly and fully informed of, and has not patience to make a strict enquiry into; and, if it be folly, it is and will be shame.

—How many people have been judged, convicted, and sentenced before both sides were heard or revealed. Without our helmet we easily take up others offenses:

Luke 17:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!                                                                                                                                                           ²  It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
³  Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 

3. We must put on our helmet of salvation every day!

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
³  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
⁴  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
⁵  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,
⁶  and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

—What is a stronghold? Greek - ochuroma - oldest word in the NT...fortress...later came to mean a prison. —Accurate rendering : Our weapons...our armor is mighty in God to pulling down prisons.

Renner-  The word stronghold was later translated as the word prison. What do prisons do? It serves the opposite purpose of a fortress. Whereas a fortress keeps outsiders from getting in, a prison keeps insiders from getting out.

—What are we trying to say: when a person has a stronghold like a fortress around him... The walls are so thick that no one can break thru the barrier to help him. These invisible walls keep outsiders from getting in.

—These are walls that are built over a period of time...the Holy Spirit attempts to help us not go down those roads...but un-forgiveness and bitterness continues to build the walls.

—Unrealistic fears are developed that bring damage to your family, friends, and church. If this fortress is not dealt with by the mighty power of God...the fortress becomes a prison.                                                                 

--This spirit of self-preservation becomes a spirit of self-isolation and destruction. You are trapped in your prison and you cannot get out. God can help us break out and break free. 

Isaiah 45:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
²  'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
³  I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. 

Who We Welcome and Why - 1

                                                         Who We Welcome and Why - 1

Subject – Welcoming Jesus into Life Church and Our Lives

By Rick Welborne

John 2:1-11 (NLT2)
¹  The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
²  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
³  The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
⁴  “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
⁵  But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
⁶  Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.
⁷  Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled,
⁸  he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
⁹  When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.
¹⁰  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
¹¹  This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 

--Today we begin a new series that has been stirring in my heart for a long time. If you have been coming to Life Church for any time at all you know we welcome Holy Spirit.

--During this series we will look at welcoming Jesus, welcoming God the Father, welcoming Holy Spirit, welcoming the lost and hurting, and welcoming other believers. May add others.

--Who we welcome and why in our church and in our lives will greatly define who we are and where we are going. It will help define our vision and purpose for the Lord.

--Today we are looking at welcoming Jesus to Life Church and into our lives. Since there is no other Name whereby we can be saved, welcoming Him is vitally important.

Acts 4:10-12 (NLT2)
¹⁰  Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
¹¹  For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
¹²  There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 

1. Welcome Jesus to a Wedding

John 2:1-2 (NLT2)
¹  The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
²  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 

--Think about this…there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee. Not a church service, not a conference, not a prayer meeting, a wedding celebration.

--Do you just suppose that this is simply saying to us that Jesus should be welcomed or invited to whatever we are doing with our lives.

--If Jesus is Lord and Savior shouldn’t He be included into every aspect of our lives whether it is a wedding, a family gathering, a picnic, a ball game? I think you get my point. Everything!

--If you can’t take Jesus with you to whatever event you are participating in; it may be an indication you shouldn’t be doing the event. These verses kept coming to my mind:

Hebrews 13:5-6&8 (NIV)
⁵  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
⁶  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
⁸  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

--When we have received Jesus as Lord and Savior we have a promise from Him…He says, “I promise you… I promise you I will never leave you and I will never forsake you.” He is our helper.

--Interesting that the writer of Hebrews throws in here that Jesus has not changed…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

--We welcome Jesus because He is the One constant in our lives in whom we can depend on all the time. You can’t say that about anyone else.

--No matter how much we love someone and no matter how good our intentions are, we will always disappoint people at some point and on some level. Jesus is always the same.

2. A Miracle in the House

John 2:1-5 (NLT2)
¹  The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
²  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.
³  The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
⁴  “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
⁵  But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

--They have no more wine. Does not seem like a big deal but what an embarrassing dilemma for the couple, the host, and the planners of the wedding celebration.

--Think about this, the first miracle that happened in the life of Jesus and at the beginning of His ministry was simply because He was invited to the event.

--Could it be that one of the reasons we do not see more miracles is because we do not invite Jesus, we do not welcome Jesus into whatever we are doing.

--Now wait a minute, Preacher, you just said Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. Is that true? Of course, but there is a difference between having someone in the house and them being welcomed.

--When we welcome (acknowledge) Jesus into the party, all bets are off because when Jesus is present and acknowledged there is a miracle in the house. 

--Watch this, when someone is invited and welcomed into the house, the event, or whatever, you truly want to get to know them better.

Philippians 3:8-10 (NKJV)
⁸  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
⁹  and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
¹⁰  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

--When Jesus is welcomed in all sincerity, nothing is more important than Him being there. Paul was saying getting to know Jesus makes everything else insignificant.

--I can experience not only His presence but I can also experience His resurrection power…His miracles. Thus, the water being turned into wine. Power of His resurrection!

--A wedding that was potentially going to crash was totally transformed simply because Jesus was invited, He was welcomed into their lives and their party and everything changed.

--Meditate on this, the miracle you need in your family, your life, your finances, your job, your health may just be an invitation away. Welcome Jesus and let the water be changed into wine.

3. I Stand at the Door

Revelation 3:14-20 (NKJV)
¹⁴  "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
¹⁵  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
¹⁶  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
¹⁷  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
¹⁸  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
¹⁹  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
²⁰  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

--Revelations 2 and 3 are directed to seven churches which I believe are representatives of the churches that are in the world. He gave commendations but also correction. He says much in verses 15-19 correcting them.

--We often use verse 20 for someone to receive Christ and that’s ok but keep it in context. Jesus is standing at the door of the church, He gave His life for, waiting for a welcome or invitation to come in. How sad.

--Shouldn’t Jesus always be welcomed in His Church. Sadly, He is not. Our programs, platforms, and prejudices keep Him out. He’s knocking! Let Him in! Welcome Him!

--We need Him in our lives and in our church because He is our life and our salvation. We need Him here because He saves and because miracles happen when He shows up.

--Stand with me and let’s welcome Jesus into His house!