Participants: Pr. Carlton Byrd
Series Code: AOT
Program Code: AOT000076
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00:01 Well, we're on the air and we're coming to you live
00:04 from Oakwood University. 00:06 And live television sometimes has a quirk here or there. 00:11 So if we have some tonight, that is right par for the course. 00:16 Anchors Of Truth is a series that we put together 00:21 several years ago that has been extremely popular on 3ABN. 00:26 And we have come up with something that Pastor Murray 00:31 refers to as Anchors Away. 00:33 Which means that we often take the truck 00:36 and travel to a location. 00:39 We've been out to California, we've been to Florida, 00:42 and we've been to some other places. 00:44 And now we are here in Huntsville, Alabama 00:48 at the beautiful campus of Oakwood University 00:52 with some of the most beautiful young people 00:55 you have ever seen. 00:57 If you take a look at this choir right back here, 01:02 I want to tell you, you will not find any young people 01:05 anywhere in the world who shine with the love of Jesus 01:09 like you will see with these young people. 01:12 And we're just so happy to be here. 01:15 Now this series, this particular one, 01:18 usually we have one speaker for the entire time. 01:21 But Dr. Leslie Pollard came up with a concept. 01:25 We had asked him to be the speaker, but he said, 01:28 "You know, I want to share this with others 01:32 that are here at Oakwood." 01:34 And so tonight, our first speaker will be the pastor 01:38 of this church, who is also the speaker for Breath Of Life. 01:42 And that is Dr. Carlton Byrd. 01:47 He will be our speaker tonight. 01:49 And his subject is going to be, Armed Forces. 01:54 Now Dr. Byrd... 01:56 I'll just tell you a little bit about him before we move on 01:59 to speak about the others. 02:00 His wife's name is Danielle, and they have two 02:04 beautiful pre-teenage daughters. 02:08 And so this is a man who loves the Lord. 02:12 As you know, he was pastor of Berean Church in Atlanta 02:16 before coming here. 02:18 And for several years now, has been the speaker 02:22 for Breath Of life. 02:24 Another speaker that we'll have is Pastor Debleaire Snell. 02:30 He's pastor of the Huntsville First 02:35 Seventh-day Adventist Church. 02:38 One who is known very well to me will be speaking 02:43 on Friday evening. 02:44 And that's Dr. James Doggette. 02:46 And we've known each other for a number of years. 02:50 He is a Professor of Religion here at Oakwood University, 02:55 and also is the founder of the Madison Mission, 03:00 which has become a real miracle around the world. 03:05 We recognize the great ministry of that congregation. 03:10 And you're going to appreciate getting to know 03:14 each of these pastors. 03:16 Sabbath morning, Dr. Leslie Pollard, 03:18 the president of Oakwood University, 03:21 is going to be our speaker. 03:23 And he was at our camp meeting a year ago. 03:27 And when he spoke at our camp meeting, people said, 03:30 "We have to hear him on 3ABN again." 03:33 And so we will be listening and watching as Dr. Pollard 03:37 speaks to us on Sabbath morning. 03:40 And then the one who closes the series is Dr. Jessie Wilson. 03:45 And he is also a professor here at Oakwood in the 03:50 religion department, and works with Dr. Doggette 03:54 out at Madison Mission. 03:56 So these are five highly qualified speakers 04:00 that are going to be bringing us the Word of God. 04:04 The series is entitled, The Battle Is The Lord's. 04:09 And that's the theme of the messages that we will be 04:14 hearing from these five individuals. 04:17 We're going to have Pastor Ronald Pollard come. 04:22 He is the Oakwood University chaplain, 04:24 and he's going to have prayer for us. 04:27 And then after that, we're going to hear from Dynamic Praise, 04:31 our music group. 04:33 And the next voice you will hear after Dynamic Praise 04:36 will be the voice of Dr. Carlton Byrd 04:40 with our message for tonight. 04:43 And Pastor Pollard, would you come. 04:47 Let us stand for opening prayer. 04:53 Let us bow our heads. 04:55 Father, we thank You so very much for this series, 04:59 Anchors Of Truth. 05:01 We also thank You, Lord, that the theme this week is, 05:04 The Battle Is The Lord's. 05:07 We praise You, because we need that reminder 05:11 that with everything we go through, everything that 05:14 takes place, You are fighting that battle for us. 05:19 And as long as You are fighting the battle for us, God, 05:22 we know that we'll win. 05:24 So, on tonight, we praise You that through this series, 05:29 You will revive our hearts one more time. 05:32 You will revive our spirits, Lord, You will revive 05:35 our courage, You will revive our willingness to hang in there. 05:41 And because of that, we will walk forward and stronger 05:46 and better, because the battle is Yours. 05:51 So tonight, Lord, bless our speaker, bless our choir, 05:56 bless our young people. 05:58 May they know, Father, may the parents know, 06:01 may everyone watching and listening know, 06:04 that every battle that comes in our lives is determined by You. 06:10 And because of that, we are more than victorious. 06:14 Thank You, oh God, for this anchor of truth. 06:16 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. 06:20 Now, Dynamic Praise is going to bring us, Joy To My Heart. 06:55 Quench my heart, 07:02 quench my mind, 07:10 quench my spirit. 07:18 Quench my heart, 07:25 quench my mind, 07:31 oh quench my spirit, 07:39 with Your presence. 07:44 Let the atmosphere of heaven fill this place. 07:54 Let the atmosphere of heaven fill this place. 08:02 God fill this place. 08:11 Quench my heart, 08:18 quench my mind, 08:24 oh quench my spirit. 08:31 Oh quench my spirit. 08:38 Oh quench my spirit. 08:46 Oh quench my spirit. 08:53 Oh quench my spirit. 09:00 Oh quench my spirit. 09:07 Be now with us. 09:15 Be now with us. 09:22 Be now with us. 09:29 Be now with us. 09:37 Be now with us. 09:44 Be now with us. 09:51 Be now with us. 09:59 Be now with us. 10:06 Be now with us. 10:13 Be now with us. 10:21 Be now with us. 10:28 Be now with us. 10:35 Be now with us. 10:43 Be now with us. 10:50 Be now with us. 10:57 Be now with us. 11:05 Be now with us. 11:12 Be now with us. 11:19 Be now with us. 11:27 Be now with us. 11:56 Let's give Dynamic Praise another hearty amen. 12:01 If you're happy to be in the house of God tonight, 12:03 let me hear you say, "amen." 12:06 What about, "praise the Lord." 12:08 I don't know about you, but I was glad when they said unto me, 12:12 "Let us go into the house of the Lord." 12:14 Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 12:18 We are grateful to the Lord that we, at Oakwood University, 12:21 can partner with 3ABN. 12:23 Can you say amen. 12:25 And so to Pastor Jim Gilley, and then also to all the 12:29 team members of 3ABN, we are grateful to the Lord 12:34 that they are here with us and we can be here and 12:36 fellowship and praise the name of Jesus. 12:40 To Brother Danny Shelton, the founder of 3ABN, 12:43 praise God for his vision and following the voice of God. 12:46 Can you say amen. 12:48 This week, we are dealing with the theme, 12:50 The Battle Is The Lord's. 12:52 Everybody say, "The battle..." 12:54 Come on, say it like you mean it. 12:55 Say, "The battle is the Lord's." 12:58 And I don't know about you, but that motivates and 13:00 encourages me every time I say it. 13:03 That I recognize, this thing is not about me, 13:05 but it's all about Him. 13:07 But I don't have to worry too much, because 13:09 the battle is the Lord's. 13:10 Can you say amen. 13:11 With this theme, and in harmony with this theme, 13:14 we want to ask you, if you have remembered your 13:16 Bibles, to join us. 13:17 If you're watching us, take your Bibles to the book of Ephesians. 13:20 What book did I say, everybody? 13:22 Ephesians chapter 6. 13:24 And we're going to go to verse number 10. 13:27 Ephesians chapter 6, and we're going to verse number 10. 13:32 And the apostle Paul has something tonight 13:35 for us from God's Word. 13:37 Ephesians chapter 6 and verse number 10. 13:42 If you have it, let me hear you say amen. 13:46 Alright, we're reading. 13:48 The Word of God says in Ephesians chapter 6 13:51 verse number 10, "Finally, my brethren..." 13:54 And I'm reading from the King James Version. 13:57 "Finally, my brethren, be strong..." 14:00 Be what, everybody? 14:01 Come one. Be what, everybody? 14:03 "...be strong in the..." Whom? 14:06 "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His..." What? 14:10 "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand 14:15 against the wiles of the devil. 14:17 For we wrestle not against flesh and..." What? 14:20 Come on, "...but against principalities, against..." 14:22 What else, everybody? 14:24 "...powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 14:27 against spiritual wickedness in high places. 14:31 Wherefore," verse 13 says, "take unto you the whole 14:35 armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand 14:38 in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14:42 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 14:45 and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 14:47 and your feet shod with the preparation of the 14:49 gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, 14:54 wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the 14:57 fiery darts of the wicked. 14:58 And take the helmet of salvation, 15:00 and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of..." 15:02 Whom, everybody? 15:03 Come on. The word of whom, everybody? 15:05 "...God: praying always with all prayer 15:09 and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all 15:13 perseverance and supplication for all saints. 15:17 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, 15:20 that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known 15:24 the mystery of the gospel." 15:27 Tonight, as we begin our series, we begin with the message; 15:32 put your war clothes on. 15:36 Put your war clothes on. 15:38 Before we talk with you, let us talk with God. 15:42 Father God, we ask now that You would breathe 15:45 Your Holy Spirit in this place. 15:47 Oh God, we ask for the power of Your Holy Ghost to 15:49 touch each and every individual that is hearing 15:53 this, Your Word, tonight. 15:55 Hide me behind Your cross, forgive me of my sins. 15:58 And God, when we should have ended this sermon this day, 16:03 may You get all the praise, the honor, and the glory. 16:07 In Jesus' name we pray. Let everyone say amen. 16:11 And amen. 16:13 Put your war clothes on. 16:18 All of us in this place can attest to the fact that since 16:22 you found Jesus, if you've known Jesus for 10 years, 16:27 10 months, 10 days, or for somebody, 10 minutes, 16:32 you know that the devil has picked you out to pick on you. 16:37 As a matter of fact, sometimes it's interesting because 16:40 it seems as if the devil doesn't have anyone else 16:44 to mess with but you. 16:46 But I say it all the time, and let me remind you, 16:48 that if the devil didn't bother you, perhaps you and the devil 16:52 are running in the same direction. 16:55 Because when you turn your back on the devil... 16:57 I'm a witness, and I believe I've got some more witnesses 17:00 in this place. 17:01 ...you have to realize that you become a threat 17:04 to the devil's kingdom. 17:05 You see, the devil is mad with you because you love God. 17:11 The devil is mad with you because you trust God. 17:15 The devil is mad with you because you obey God 17:18 and because you believe in God. 17:20 And when you love God, when you trust God, 17:23 when you obey God, and when you believe in God, 17:27 guess what you have. 17:29 A mad devil. 17:32 Peter says he's like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 17:39 Which means, you don't have to go searching for the devil. 17:44 You don't have to go looking for the devil. 17:47 If you're determined to do God's will, 17:50 if you're determined to be a worshipper, 17:52 if you're determined to be a witness for the Lord, 17:55 then believe me, you don't have to go looking for the devil. 17:58 The devil will look for you. 18:01 And so I've learned that any time God is trying to 18:04 take you to another level in Him, the enemy goes crazy. 18:08 The higher level, the higher devil. 18:12 But I refuse to let the devil scare me. 18:16 I refuse to let the devil run me. 18:19 I refuse to run around terrified, petrified, 18:23 and horrified of the devil. 18:25 I refuse to let the devil back me up in a corner. 18:28 No, the devil, you need to back up. 18:31 Because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 18:34 Do I have a witness in this place? 18:37 The spiritual life is not a playground, 18:41 but it's a battlefield. 18:43 And too few of God's people are armed, equipped, and dangerous. 18:49 It's time for the people of God to stand up 18:52 against the enemies of God. 18:54 It's time for the people of God not to be scared 18:58 of the enemies of God. 18:59 If the devil is going to do his thing, 19:01 then the people of God must do their thing. 19:04 So tonight, put your war clothes on. 19:07 We're at war. Put your war clothes on. 19:10 And the warfare that we're a part of is spiritual. 19:14 Everybody say, "spiritual." 19:16 In fact, we've been in warfare all of our lives. 19:19 If you don't know Jesus, you're in spiritual warfare. 19:24 And if you do know Jesus, you're in warfare with the devil. 19:29 But I don't know about you, but I'd rather be in warfare 19:32 with the devil than be in warfare with God. 19:36 Because you can't win with the devil. 19:39 But somebody knows that you can win with God. 19:42 Genesis 3:15 says, "And I will put enmity between thee 19:47 and the woman, between thy seed and her Seed. 19:50 It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." 19:54 In other words, there's been an ongoing great controversy 19:58 between God and Satan. 20:00 An ongoing battle between right and wrong. 20:04 And this battle will intensify until the coming of the Lord. 20:08 But the text says, here's the good news, 20:11 the text says that Satan would bruise the heel of Jesus. 20:16 Which means that Jesus would have to go to Calvary 20:19 to die for our sins. 20:21 But then the text also says, hallelujah somebody, 20:24 that one day Jesus is going to crush the head of Satan. 20:29 Hallelujah, somebody. 20:31 So then, you don't have to wait until the battle is over, 20:34 you can go on and shout now. 20:36 Because you know in the end, we are going to win. 20:40 Now, if you're going to be successful in this battle, 20:43 put on the right war clothes. 20:45 If you want to be successful in this fight, you've got to 20:48 be prepared for the fight. 20:51 And being prepared, part of it is having the right weapons, 20:56 and then having on the right uniform to 20:59 compliment the weapons. 21:01 Because if you don't have on the right uniform, 21:03 you won't maximize your use of the weapons 21:05 on your uniform. 21:07 Now most official fighting today is done through the military. 21:16 Yes, there are some people who, unfortunately, 21:20 fight each other with their fists. 21:23 Come on and say amen. 21:24 But most official fighting is done through 21:29 national militaries. 21:31 And it's going to get worse as it comes to the end. 21:35 Let me throw this snippet in. 21:36 The war will not cease in the Middle East. 21:41 The war will not cease in Syria. 21:44 The war will not cease in Afghanistan. 21:49 Iraq will always be at war. 21:52 Iran will always be at war. 21:54 The Bible told us this was going to happen. 21:57 Abraham, the father of many nations, because of his 22:02 lapse of faith, laid with his handmaid, Hagar, 22:06 who bore him a son, Ishmael. 22:09 And now for over 4000 years, there has been bloodshed and 22:13 fighting and strife between the son of the promise, Isaac, 22:17 and the son of Abraham's disobedience, Ishmael. 22:21 And that's why we have Iran versus Iraq, 22:23 who fight each other all in the name of the Lord. 22:28 But it will not end. 22:30 Because I read somewhere in the book of Matthew chapter 24 22:33 where Jesus said, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. 22:39 See that ye be not troubled. 22:42 For all these things must come to pass. 22:45 But the end is not yet. 22:47 For nation shall rise against..." 22:49 What, everybody? 22:50 "...nation, and kingdom against..." 22:52 What, everybody? 22:53 "And there shall be famine and pestilence 22:54 and earthquakes in diverse places." 22:56 Jesus said, "All these are the beginning of sorrows." 23:02 We look at the United States military. 23:04 And there are approximately 1.5 million people actively serving 23:08 in the Unites States Armed Forces. 23:10 Better known to us as the Army, the Navy, 23:13 the Air Force, the Marines. 23:15 "Be all that you can be." 23:18 The Army is charged to protect us by ground. 23:22 The Navy is charged to protect us by sea. 23:26 The Air Force is charged to protect us by air. 23:30 The Marines are charged to protect us by providing 23:33 power projection from the sea, to deliver combined armed 23:38 task forces quickly. 23:41 And every day these soldiers wake up, they put on a uniform. 23:47 They put on a uniform that identifies them, 23:51 a uniform that distinguishes them, 23:54 a uniform that protects them. 23:57 Uniform colors identify military branches. 24:01 Uniform patches distinguish rank classifications. 24:06 And uniform accouterments protect military soldiers. 24:11 In order to properly fight, you have to have on 24:15 the right uniform. 24:16 You've got to have on the right clothes. 24:19 But tonight, we're not talking about physical battle. 24:22 Remember, we're talking about a spiritual battle. 24:25 And spiritual battles require spiritual strength. 24:29 Spiritual battles require spiritual uniforms. 24:33 Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. 24:38 Paul said, "Put on the whole armor of God..." 24:43 Not just part of it, but all of it. 24:45 "...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." 24:49 Without God's armor, we will not be able to stand. 24:54 "For we wrestle not," Paul says, "against flesh 24:57 and against blood, but against principalities, against powers, 25:02 against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 25:04 against spiritual wickedness in high places." 25:08 What is Paul telling us? 25:09 Don't get it twisted. 25:11 Your enemy is not your brother. 25:14 Your enemy is not your sister. 25:17 Your enemy is the devil. 25:19 And you have to understand that the devil will use people. 25:24 And if we are not spiritually mature enough, 25:27 we'll get in a fight with a person when we're really 25:30 at war with the devil. 25:33 Let me make this practical. 25:36 Have you ever had one of those weeks 25:40 where it seemed like everyone you spoke with, 25:44 or everyone you came in contact with, 25:48 there was some conflict with them? 25:52 Tell the truth, chain the devil. 25:54 Anytime they said something, or anytime you said something, 26:00 there was an argument, there was a verbal conflict. 26:04 I heard a preacher once say that to deal with this, 26:07 every now and then God would have to put him on a word fast. 26:13 What is a word fast? 26:14 A word fast means, in other words, God will say, 26:17 "Don't talk to anyone." 26:20 Now some of you will think that's being evasive. 26:23 That's being sadiddy. 26:24 That's being aloof. 26:26 But you're not being aloof. 26:27 You're just under assignment not to say anything to anybody. 26:31 Because if you say the wrong thing to them, 26:33 they just might go off on you. 26:34 Anybody know what I'm talking about? 26:36 So every now and then, God will put you on a word fast. 26:40 And God will say, "Don't say a thing. 26:45 Don't call him back. 26:47 Pray about it first and think about it second." 26:51 And then, somebody knows, after you've prayed about it, 26:54 after you've thought about it, you recognize that it's not even 26:58 worth it for you to come down to their level 27:01 to respond to what they're saying. 27:02 Do I have a witness in this place? 27:04 That's why I believe, hallelujah, that caller id 27:08 is God ordained. 27:12 I've gotten to the point in my life, I'm not answering that 27:16 because there's nothing good coming out of that. 27:19 God's not in that. 27:20 Are you hearing what I'm saying? 27:21 You'll look at the phone and say, "No, not today." 27:24 Because, somebody knows, what it took five seconds to 27:26 get in your spirit could take five weeks to get out. 27:32 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 27:35 but against principalities, against powers, 27:38 against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 27:40 against spiritual wickedness in high places." 27:42 This thing, friends of mine, is spiritual. 27:46 It's spiritual warfare. 27:50 So, I know whom I'm fighting. 27:53 The devil. 27:55 But what kind of uniform do I need on to fight? 27:59 Because a soldier is no better than his equipment. 28:05 We can't be on the battlefield with Versace. 28:13 I'm stepping on somebody's toes. 28:15 Hugo Boss, Donna Karan. 28:21 But we have to have on the right uniform. 28:24 In the text, Paul identifies seven uniform pieces. 28:31 Because seven signifies completion. 28:34 In the first five, he talks about uniform pieces 28:38 designed to defend. 28:41 Everybody say, "defend." 28:43 Now, Paul describes the armor of the Roman soldier. 28:48 And he uses the image of their armor to teach us how we 28:51 need to dress up for the battlefield. 28:54 Because if we're going to win the war, 28:56 we've got to be dressed right. 28:58 We've got to put our war clothes on. 29:01 He starts out with number one in verse number 14. 29:04 He says, "Stand therefore, having your loins 29:08 girt about with truth." 29:10 So number one, the girdle of truth. 29:12 The girdle of what, everybody? 29:13 Come on. The girdle of what, everybody? 29:15 Truth. 29:16 Now you may know, or you may not know, 29:21 particularly the brothers, but girdles are tight. 29:28 Girdles tighten things up. 29:36 Everybody on the count of three say amen. 29:38 One, two, three. Amen. 29:42 Back in the day, the girdle encircled the waist. 29:47 And the girdle served to stabilize the body. 29:51 The girdle was designed to protect the midsection 29:55 and provide the soldier with a place to restrain his garments, 30:00 so that his movement in the heat of the battle 30:02 would be unaltered. 30:04 Now, if you're a football fan, and if you watch sports 30:09 and if you watch football, running backs and wide receivers 30:13 when they put on their uniforms, their uniforms are tight. 30:19 Because you don't want to give the opponent 30:21 anything to grab. 30:24 I wish somebody knew what I was talking about. 30:26 I want God's truth to be so tight on me 30:31 that my opponent can't grab me... 30:34 I wish I had a witness in this place. 30:36 ...and mess with me with vain false doctrine. 30:40 Having your loins gird about with truth 30:43 means knowing the truth of the Word of God. 30:46 "Sanctify them through Thy truth; 30:48 Thy Word is truth." 30:50 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth 30:52 shall set you free." 30:53 "To the law and to the testimony, if they 30:56 speak not according to this word, it is because 30:58 there is no light in them." 31:00 The truth will prevent us from being tripped up 31:03 in the battles of life. 31:06 The truth will protect us. 31:08 Truth needs no defense. 31:10 The truth will keep us, the truth will save us. 31:14 Jesus said, "I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life." 31:18 So when you put on truth, you put on Jesus. 31:22 Verse 14 continues with number two. 31:25 The breastplate of righteousness. 31:27 Everybody say, "The breastplate of righteousness." 31:31 Now, the breastplate refers to the part of the body, 31:35 body armor that was worn to protect 31:38 the vital areas of the body. 31:41 Specifically, the breastplate covered and protected 31:46 the heart of the soldier. 31:49 You see, the devil is after your heart. 31:53 In the Bible, the heart speaks of that hidden part of the body 31:57 that nobody sees but you and God. 32:01 The Bible says, "Man looketh at the outward appearance, 32:05 but God looks at the heart." 32:08 The Bible says, "Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart." 32:12 The Bible says, "Blessed are the pure in heart." 32:16 The Bible says, "God will give you the desires of your heart." 32:20 The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." 32:23 When the devil attacks, he's coming after your heart. 32:28 He's trying to get that hidden person, 32:30 the hidden part of you that nobody sees. 32:32 Because he knows if he can disrupt your heart, he has you. 32:35 But God, hallelujah, wants to protect our hearts. 32:40 Because God wants our hearts. 32:43 The breastplate was to protect the heart. 32:46 But notice, Paul doesn't just say, "the breastplate." 32:49 But Paul says, "the breastplate of righteousness." 32:54 Before we found Jesus, we were not right with God. 32:59 Before I found Jesus, I was messed up. 33:03 Before I got to know Jesus, I didn't know 33:07 which way I was going. 33:08 Because to know Him is to love Him. 33:11 I wish somebody knew what I was talking about. 33:13 But understand, praise God for Jesus. 33:17 Praise God for Calvary. 33:19 Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For God hath made Jesus 33:22 to be sin for us, who knew," hallelujah, "no sin; 33:27 that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 33:30 The righteousness of God covers the child of God. 33:35 Our righteousness in the sight of God is but as filthy rags. 33:38 But Romans 1:17 teaches that the righteousness 33:42 that God approves us is righteousness which comes 33:44 by faith in Jesus Christ. 33:47 Number 3, verse 15 says, talking about uniform, 33:52 clothes, war clothes; the shoes of the gospel. 33:57 Everybody say, "the gospel." 33:59 The Bible specifically says, "Your feet shod with the 34:01 preparation of the gospel of peace." 34:03 Roman soldiers wore sandals that had nails driven 34:09 through the bottom to provide the soldier 34:12 with sure footing on the battlefield. 34:15 The soldier did not have to worry about his feet slipping 34:19 in the heat of battle. 34:21 Because the soldier was always well grounded. 34:26 As followers of Christ, we have to be well grounded 34:31 in the things of God. 34:33 We have to know what we believe, why we believe what we believe, 34:39 and where it's found. 34:40 That's why we've got to come to church. 34:42 That's why we've got to study the Word of God. 34:45 Because we need sure footing against the wiles of the devil. 34:48 Let me tell you something. 34:50 You can't fight the devil slipping. 34:56 You've got to be able to grip the ground you walk on. 34:59 Are you hearing what I'm saying? 35:00 And I'm finding that there are too many folks slipping. 35:07 Number four, the shield of faith. 35:10 The shield of what, everybody? 35:12 Verse 16, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, 35:14 wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the 35:18 fiery darts of the wicked." 35:20 Now understand, this was not a little round shield 35:26 that we've come to know of today. 35:28 But this was a large rectangular shield 35:32 behind which a soldier could be safe from all the fiery darts 35:37 of the enemy. 35:38 The child of God must know that before he or she goes in battle, 35:44 they must have in their possession the shield of faith. 35:48 Our shield is not leather. 35:51 Our shield is not brass. 35:54 Our shield is not iron. 35:57 But our shield is our faith. 36:01 This shield will never fail because faith honors God, 36:05 and God honors faith. 36:07 God rewards those... I'm a living witness. 36:11 God rewards those who are faithful. 36:15 If you have faith in God, God will protect you. 36:19 God won't let your enemies expose you. 36:23 God won't let your enemies embarrass you. 36:26 Faith allows us to stand in battle and receive victory 36:32 regardless of what we face. 36:34 Somebody knows, "Faith cometh by hearing; 36:37 hearing by the Word of God." 36:39 "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, 36:42 the evidence of things not seen." 36:44 "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." 36:47 "God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." 36:50 Friends of mine, things may get rough. 36:55 But somebody knows, keep on trusting in God. 36:59 You may feel like giving up sometimes, 37:02 but keep on trusting in God. 37:04 There may be sickness in your body, 37:07 but keep on trusting in God. 37:10 Your bills may be due, your money may be low, 37:13 you may not have a penny to your name, 37:16 but keep on trusting God. 37:18 I once was young, but now I'm old. 37:22 And I've never seen the righteous forsaken. 37:25 Your marriage may be in shambles, but keep trusting God. 37:29 Your children may be wild and out of control, 37:34 but keep trusting God. 37:36 Have faith in God. 37:41 Number five, verse 17, the helmet of salvation. 37:44 The helmet of what, everybody? 37:46 Now, the helmet is given to the Roman soldier 37:50 to protect the soldiers head. 37:54 Regardless of how well the rest of the soldier was protected, 37:58 a blow to the head of the soldier rendered 38:02 the soldier ineffective. 38:06 You can have everything else on, but if you don't have anything 38:12 to protect your head, you're in trouble. 38:16 That's why they tell you in football that whatever you do, 38:21 don't take your helmet off. 38:24 If you get in a fight or get in a skirmish, 38:26 don't take your helmet off. 38:29 Protect your head. 38:31 One blow by the enemy across your head; 38:34 you'll fall with your girdle on, 38:37 you'll fall with your breastplate on, 38:39 you'll fall with your shield in your hand, 38:41 and you'll fall to the ground with shoes on your feet, 38:45 you will be knocked out. 38:47 Dressed well, looking good, in uniform, but knocked out. 38:53 Because there's nothing to protect your head. 38:58 Salvation provides the helmet that is necessary 39:02 to protect you from the attacks of the enemy. 39:05 My Bible tells me that there's only one name 39:08 under heaven whereby we can be saved. 39:12 And that's the name of Jesus. 39:15 There is salvation in Jesus. 39:19 When we're pursuing salvation in Jesus, we are transformed. 39:24 And it is this transformation that allows us to think right, 39:28 walk right, act right, talk right, do right. 39:34 Let me tell you something. 39:36 When we stand firm for the truths of God, 39:39 let me tell you, Satan is going to attack us from every angle. 39:43 It could be family members, church members, class members, 39:50 co-workers, anything, anybody. 39:53 Satan will attack us. 39:55 And our shield against these attacks is faith in God, 39:59 the truth of God, and the belief in God, 40:01 and His ability to protect us. 40:03 The helmet of salvation protects us. 40:06 The mind must be protected. 40:09 That's why, as the old folks use to sing, 40:11 "I'm walking and talking with my mind stayed on Jesus." 40:15 The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, 40:20 the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, 40:25 the helmet of salvation. 40:27 They were all weapons, all a part of the uniform, 40:32 that was designed to defend. 40:36 But God has some more weapons. 40:40 God has some more uniform accessories. 41:12 But if he strikes, you better strike back. 41:18 How do I strike back? 41:20 Verse 17 says, "And take the helmet of salvation." 41:22 And number six, "The sword of the Spirit, 41:27 which is the word of God." 42:14 The B-I-B-L-E. 42:16 Yes, that's the book for me. 42:18 I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. 42:22 But I've got some more offense. 42:25 After the word of God, I strike with number seven. 42:30 Number seven is prayer. 42:32 Everybody say, "prayer." 42:34 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication 42:37 in the Spirit," verse 18 says, "and watching thereunto 42:41 with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." 42:45 God's Word says, "Anything you ask, 42:50 anything you ask in My name, if you just believe, 42:55 you shall receive." 42:57 "Anything you ask, ask and it shall be give you." 43:00 "Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be 43:05 opened unto you." 43:06 This is the confidence we have in approaching God, 43:09 that whatever we ask, we know we have. 43:12 I found the answer. 43:15 I said, I found the answer. 43:17 I've learned how to pray. 43:20 We use to sing, "Jesus on the mainline. 43:23 Tell Him what you want. 43:25 Call Him up and tell Him what you want." 43:27 You can even call collect. 43:29 He'll accept. 43:31 Tell Him what you want. 43:33 Yes, church of the living God, I have some defense. 43:36 But I have some offense too. 43:38 The girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, 43:41 the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, 43:44 the helmet of salvation. 43:45 Yes, they're all weapons. 43:47 Yes, they're all uniform armaments that are 43:49 designed to defend. 43:51 But I have some offense. 43:54 The sword; the Word of God. 43:57 I have prayer. 43:59 And let me tell you this; prayer time is high time. 44:05 I said, prayer time is high time. 44:09 When you fall on your knees, you'll feel your heart ease. 44:14 Because Jesus is near and He will hear 44:17 when you pray. 44:18 Sooner than right now, faster than immediately, 44:22 the Lord answers prayer. 44:25 I can fall on my knees and pray. 44:27 I serve a prayer answering God. 44:30 Anybody else serve a prayer answering God? 44:33 Let me tell you, the enemy can't stand prayer. 44:39 The enemy can't stand prayer. 44:41 So because I'm in the business of making the enemy mad, 44:45 you've got to pray without ceasing. 44:49 You've got to pray in the Spirit. 44:52 I'm grateful to know that in this army, 44:55 I have direct communication with the Commander in Chief. 45:00 I don't have to go through any sergeants. 45:02 I don't have to go through any captains. 45:05 I don't have to go through any lieutenants. 45:07 I don't have to go through any generals or private officers. 45:10 I don't have to go through a room and confess my 45:12 sins to another man. 45:45 Prayer unleashes the power of God in your life. 45:49 Let me tell you something. 45:50 There's a lot of things the devil can try to do to you. 45:52 But one thing the devil can't do; the devil can't 45:53 stop you from praying. 45:56 And the devil can't stop God from answering prayer either. 45:59 Whatever you want, God's got it. 46:03 Whatever you need, He will supply. 46:06 Whatever you want, God's got it. 46:08 My friend, right now it's yours. 46:10 Put your war clothes on. 46:16 Put your war clothes on. 46:21 Because I'm a soldier in the army of the Lord. 46:27 I said, I'm a soldier in the army of the Lord. 46:33 I've got my war clothes on, 46:37 in the army of the Lord. 46:39 If I die, let me die in the army of the Lord. 46:45 God wants soldiers, not scaredy cats. 46:48 God wants warriors, not wimps. 46:50 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, 46:55 a spirit of power, and a sound mind. 46:58 No weapon formed against you is going to prosper. 47:02 "If God be for us, who can be against us." 47:05 "The kingdom suffereth violence, but the violent 47:09 take it by force." 47:10 "Be strong in the Lord, in the power of His might." 47:14 "Fret not thyself because of evil doers, 47:17 neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." 47:20 God is going to cut them down, 47:24 like the grass. 47:26 "The Lord is my light, my salvation. 47:32 Whom shall I fear? 47:33 The Lord is the strength of my life. 47:36 Of whom shall I be afraid?" 47:38 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates." 47:41 I said, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates. 47:44 And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors. 47:48 And the King of glory, the King of glory, 47:52 shall come in." 47:54 Somebody asks, "Who is the King of glory? 47:57 The Lord strong and mighty. 47:59 Who is the King of glory? 48:01 The Lord mighty in battle." 48:04 Get your war clothes ready. 48:06 Get your fighting shoes ready. 48:09 I'm ready. 48:11 I said, I'm ready. 48:13 Are you ready? 48:15 But don't worry. 48:17 The fight is fixed. 48:27 The battle is already won. 48:29 Do I have a witness in this place? 48:31 The battle is not yours. 48:34 It's the Lord's. 48:35 The fight is already fixed. 48:41 Because, "Jesus went to Calvary 48:46 to save a wretch 48:48 like you and me. 48:50 That's love. That's love. 48:53 They hung Him high, 48:55 they stretched Him wide. 48:58 He hung His head; 49:01 for me He died. 49:04 That's love. That's love." 49:06 Then I like this part, "And that's not how 49:10 the story ends. 49:13 In three days He rose again. 49:19 That's love. That's love." 49:21 And because he lives, I live. 49:24 Because He got up, one day the dead in Christ 49:27 are going to get up. 49:29 "And then we which are alive and remain are going to be 49:31 caught up to meet the Lord in the air. 49:34 And so shall we ever be with the Lord." 49:43 We close this way. 49:47 A Roman conquistador was different than a 49:54 Roman centurion soldier. 49:59 There's a difference between a Roman conquistador 50:03 and a Roman soldier. 50:06 A Roman conquistador wore a breastplate... 50:12 Look it up. 50:14 ...that covered and protected the entire body. 50:20 A Roman conquistador wore a breastplate 50:25 that protected the back, the front. 50:31 The entire body was protected. 50:37 But a Roman centurion wore a breastplate 50:44 that protected only the chest. 50:49 The back wasn't protected. 50:52 So once you started in battle, if you were a 50:56 Roman centurion soldier, you had to move forward. 51:03 You couldn't go backward. 51:06 You couldn't turn around. 51:09 You couldn't retreat. 51:12 There was no option of turning back, 51:16 because your back was not protected. 51:21 Tonight, I just stopped by to tell somebody 51:28 that I'm not a Roman conquistador. 51:31 But I'm a Roman centurion servant. 51:36 Which means, I'm not going back. 51:41 I'm not retreating. 51:44 I'm not turning around. 51:46 The Lord has brought me too far for me to turn back now. 51:50 I wish I had a witness in this place. 51:52 I'm going forward. 51:55 I press toward the mark of the high calling of God. 52:01 In Jesus Christ, I won't go back. 52:05 I can't go back. 52:07 I've come too far. 52:10 The Lord has been mighty good to me. 52:12 And I've got to tell it everywhere I go. 52:16 He loosed my shackles and He set me free. 52:19 I've got to tell it 52:25 everywhere I go. 52:26 I won't go back. 52:32 Tonight, are you going to be a Roman conquistador 52:40 or a Roman centurion servant? 52:49 I'm going to be a Roman centurion servant. 52:53 Because this one thing I do know, 52:55 when I put my war clothes on; 52:59 helmet, shield, sword, girdle, 53:06 I've got the Word of God, I'm praying, 53:08 when I put my Roman centurion servants uniform on, 53:15 I'm not so much worried about my back. 53:20 Because I know God has got my back. 53:28 Tonight, I don't care what you did back in the day. 53:36 I don't care what you did back last week, back last... 53:39 For somebody, what you did back last night. 53:44 If you want to be a Roman centurion servant, 53:47 walk in the knowledge of God, walk in the will of God, 53:55 walk in the way of God... 53:58 You're willing to put your uniform and your war clothes on, 54:03 knowing that it's not going to be easy. 54:06 But you also know you may lose some battles, 54:09 but we're going to win the war because the war is already won. 54:13 The battle is not yours. 54:17 The battle is the Lord's. 54:21 If that's you tonight, I just want you to 54:23 stand with me as we pray. 54:27 That, "God, I want to be a soldier." 54:30 That, "God, I won't go back. God, I can't go back. 54:34 God, You've just been too good to me." 54:40 Tonight if that's you, stand with me. 54:41 You're not standing because someone else is standing, 54:43 but you're standing because the Holy Spirit 54:45 has spoken to you to stand. 54:47 "Having done all, to stand." 54:50 Stand; even those watching by television today. 54:54 You might be in your home, you might be in your living room, 54:56 you might be in your bedroom, you might be around your 54:58 kitchen table; God's calling you to be a Roman centurion soldier, 55:04 to put your war clothes on. 55:07 Yea, we're going to have some battles till the end. 55:09 There's a great controversy going on. 55:12 But fully and clearly understand, 55:16 the war has already been won. 55:19 God, thank You. 55:21 God, we praise You tonight. 55:24 God, we lift You up and we magnify Your name. 55:28 Tonight, we put our war clothes on. 55:32 We put our war clothes on tonight, Lord. 55:36 So God, give us our uniforms. 55:38 Give us our uniforms that we might be able to stand. 55:42 Stand as mighty men, stand as mighty women, 55:45 stand as mighty young people, stand as mighty boys and girls. 55:48 That we might stand as a people for Thee, 55:52 our Lord God. 55:55 I pray in the name of Jesus that, Lord, through this series, 55:57 that You will do something special and specific 56:00 for everyone who's on their feet right now, 56:02 for everyone who's in their home watching right now 56:04 that, oh Lord, is going through a battle right now. 56:08 God, through these messages this week, through our 56:10 worship this week, do something for us. 56:15 And God, we'll be careful to give You all the praise, 56:19 all the honor, and every single bit of the glory. 56:22 We thank You for the ministry of 3ABN. 56:25 We ask that you'll be with its leaders, its production. 56:28 As it goes across the airwaves, may people see Jesus, 56:31 and never be the same again. 56:33 Lord, we pray for Oakwood University; 56:35 our leadership, students, our faculty, 56:38 our staff, our community. 56:39 God, bless us. 56:42 And like a mighty army, move Your people, we pray. 56:47 And we'll be careful, oh God, to give You all the praise, 56:50 the honor, and every single bit of the glory. 56:54 It's in the name of Jesus, our Commander in Chief, we pray. 57:00 Let everyone say amen. Amen. 57:03 If you want to put your war clothes on, 57:05 come on and give God some praise, all of us together. 57:09 God bless you. 57:11 You may be seated. |
Revised 2014-12-17