Larne Elim Sermons

The Armour of God (Part 2/2)

In Ephesians 6:13-24 Paul paints the picture of a Roman soldier standing firm in battle. But here’s what makes this passage so powerful: Paul is not writing from a comfortable office or spiritual retreat or Christian worship event. He is writing from prison. He is imprisoned for the Gospel. So, this is not theory from a classroom. This is battlefield truth from a man on the front line. In the previous sermon we considered the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness and shoes of the gospel of peace. In this sermon we consider the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit as well as the power of prayer.

The Armour of God (Part 1/2)

The Bible teaches that there is an invisible enemy behind the present darkness and evil in our world. There is a scheming devil, there are rulers and authorities, there are cosmic powers over this present darkness and evil forces in the heavenlies. And all of this is affecting the world in more ways than we know. They are what is behind the present darkness in our world! They are what is behind the political unrest, the unjust systems, the wars and violence, the immorality and injustice, the confusion and deception! So, what are we to do at Christians? Are we to withdraw from the world? Are we to hide in fear? Are we to wait to be secretly lifted to safety? No, in Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul calls us to “stand against the schemes of the devil” (11), “to withstand in the evil day” (13), “to stand firm” by being strong in the Lord and by putting on the whole armour of God! God has given all we need to stand, withstand and stand firm!

The Christian at Work

In our culture today few see any system of slavery as good or humane, and rightly so. However, we must understand this is in large part due to the teaching of the New Testament and to the stand Christians like William Wilberforce took in history. However, there are still modern types of slavery like sex-trafficking and there is still exploitation of workers and unfair treatment in the workplace and therefore Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:5-9 are still relevant and challenge us in a number of ways.

Children and Parents in the Lord

In Ephesians 6:1-4 Paul addresses the relationship between children and parents in the Lord. Paul firstly addresses children by instructing them to obey and honour their parents. Then he addresses fathers to by instructing them not to provoke their children but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

The Secret Power of Christian Marriage

The vision for marriage in Ephesians 5:22-33 is challenging for several reasons and it is challenging to both wives and husbands. Yet when we seriously consider all that is said it is much more challenging for the husband. Think about it, the husband is instructed to love his wife in the way Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. It does not get any more challenging than that. Also, the kind of marriage described in these verses only works when Christ is at the centre. Christ is at the centre of the wife’s submission and Christ is at the centre of the husband’s love. What we have here is a Christ reflecting portrait for marriage that is rooted in who Christ is and what he has done for his church. This is the secret power of Christian marriage!