Rock of Ages Evangelical Church

A sermon taken from Ephesians 6:18

The Armour of God

Essential Prayer

A sermon taken from John 12:27-36

Speaker: Russ Clarke

A sermon taken from Ephesians 6:15

The Armour of God

Speaker: Russ Clarke

A sermon taken from John 12:1-8 - The sacrificial and joyful worship of Martha and Mary.

Speaker: Russ Clarke

A sermon taken from Ephesians 6:14 - The Armour of God

Speaker: Russ Clarke

A sermon taken from John 11:45-57

Speaker: Russ Clarke

A sermon by Russ Clarke taken from Ephesians 6:14

A sermon by Russ Clarke taken from John 11:28-44

A sermon by Dr Nathan Paylor taken from Psalm 107

A sermon by Dr Nathan Paylor taken from Psalm 51

A sermon by Frank Holmes taken from Philippians 3:7-16

A sermon by Russ Clarke taken from John 11:1-16

A sermon by Russ Clarke taken from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

A sermon by Ben Holmes, Pastor of Holbrooks Evangelical Church, Coventry, taken from Matthew 1:18-25

Ephesians 6:13 David was given Saul's armour to fight the mighty Goliath, but it was the wrong armour, man's armour! It wouldn't work. David went out in the the armour of God and returned victorious.

John 10:22-33 Jesus speaks of 'the sheep', 'My sheep' throughout this chapter. But who are they? In the current war in Israel many Christians stand with them, declaring Israel to be 'God's People.' Is this true? Is the modern nation of Israel God's chosen nation to represent God on earth?

Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches His disciples about persisting in prayer.

Preaching by Pastor Austin Walker, taken from Romans 12:1-2

Pastor Austin Walker preaching from Hebrews 4:14-16

John 10:1-5

John 4:35-36 This text in John 4 comes after Jesus had spoken to the Samaritan woman who had then gone to tell of the Man she met, this prophet who told her everything she ever did. Many people were saved at this time and so Jesus makes it clear that the fields are white unto harvest. When grain has ripened the colour turns from green to a lighter colour which gives the indication that it is time to reap it. When an interest is shown such as these men of the village where this woman spoke of Jesus, it shows that the gospel has been effectual and so a harvest is ready to be gathered in.

Harvest thanksgiving service taken from Philippians 4:19-20

Ephesians 6:12 Do you think that Satan with every last one of his diabolical servants behind him has one iota of power against God? Is there a battle raging between God and Satan that God is struggling to win? Can that which was created by God ever become greater and more mighty than He?

John 10:1-6 Jesus continues His discourse with the blind scribes and Pharisees from Chapter 9. He speaks specifically here to these men when He explains that anyone who climbs up the wall to enter the sheepfold are thieves and robbers. There is only one entrance into the household of God and that entrance is the Door, namely Jesus Christ. This warning however is not only for scribes and Pharisees, but for any and all who try to get to God in 'some other way' than the one prescribed.

Ephesians 6:10-12 In John 14:30, Jesus refers to Satan as ‘The ruler of this world.’ This is the position he has. To deny it is to deny God and the Authority of His written word. Paul first speaks of ‘principalities’ to his readers. He again makes reference to Satan as being ‘the prince of the power of the air.’ Principalities are to do with rank. Satan takes the high place. As Gurnall noted, Satan was denied rule in the heavens and so he has set himself up beneath them.

John 9:35-41 Upon reading the context of this remarkable account, we see there is so much more being revealed here than a physical healing alone. Jesus see the man. Approaches him, gives him his sight, and when he was cast out of the synagogue Jesus searches him out again. Jesus is the author of our salvation from start to finish. Not only does He physically remove the blindness of this man born blind, but even more marvelous, gives him his spiritual sight.

Ephesians 6:10-12 We wrestle our whole lives through until we reach glory where we shall rest in peace at last. No sin. No sickness. No worldly flesh. No satan to contend with. This will be blissful in a way we yet cannot fathom. But until then we are called to battle. We are in a war but we are not alone. Our High Commander goes ever before us, behind us and by our side and it is in His strength and in the power of His might with which we run headlong, sword in hand towards the enemy. Christians are not back seaters. We are on the frontline and our common enemy will not cease to advance and neither must we.

John 8:48-59 I AM, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When Jesus said this to the Jews before Him He was telling them that He, Jesus the Nazarene was the I AM who spoke and commanded Moses to release Israel from their bondage. He revealed Himself to be the God who spoke out of the burning bush to their forefathers whose heritage they relied on and whose disciples they claimed they were. Jesus was telling the Jews that He is the God they say they know!!

Ephesians 6:10-12 In war there are many strings to the bow. There are men on the ground fighting on the frontlines. Pilots in the sky dropping bombs. There are fleets of ships and submarines under the ocean. In bygone years perhaps lines of men with muskets and bayonets. Cavalry on horseback. Cannons and swords. Fighting and clashing in great groups of numbers like swarms of ants everywhere. There are also those in of superior rank who strategize and plan, sending soldiers everywhere but who rarely come face to face with the enemy. This is what war is like but Paul meant something different when he wrote to the churches regarding wrestling.

John 8:24 What was the reason these people would die in their sins? They did not believe that Jesus of Nazareth was their long awaited Messiah. They refused to accept all the proof He spoke and showed, that He was the one whom the scriptures they poured over foretold. Their Saviour. The One true God in the Flesh. Unbelief kills. Those who refuse to believe upon Christ are deluded.

Ephesians 6:10-11

William Gurnall notes: “To put on the armour of God is to appropriate His power in a most personal way. It involves first and foremost a change of heart. The person who boasts that he has confidence in God but does not truly believe with his heart will never be safe in the war zone that separates earth and heaven. If by negligence or choice he fails to put on God’s armour and rushes naked into battle, he signs his own death certificate.” That the book of Ephesians was a written as a floating letter and that Paul here speaks to his ‘brethren’ we should have no qualms in trusting that all believers are being instructed here. All believers need this armour. But what is this armour?

John 8:12 Without light there is only darkness such as the chaos and void of the earth in the beginning, and such as the chaos and void of the darkened heart of stone in the unbeliever. Darkness is blindness. The state in which every man, woman and child is naturally in. We all as Matthew tells us have sat enveloped in darkness. Like Charles Wesley so eminently wrote: ‘Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night.’ But Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.”

Ephesians 6:10

We have no power or authority over the devil in and of ourselves. All power and authority has been given to Christ. So how are we then to walk in this confidence, this boldness, this lion hearted courage that a blood bought believer should? What are our sources?

John 8:1-12

The woman is caught in the act of adultery. This Jesus doesn't condone nor deny. However these men use this situation to try to trap Jesus into saying or doing something which they can use to condemn Him. His profound response deals both with the real conscience of the accusers whilst showing wonderful compassion towards one who has greatly sinned. He, and He alone could have righteously condemned this woman but such is His love towards sinners, He didn't condemn her. He sent her away with one startling and vital condition for all who are truly penitent...Go and sin no more.

Matthew 28:16-20

This great commission to preach the gospel is a command of Christ which is to be continually obeyed until He returns. Generations live and die. Many more are born and live who need to hear the gospel message. This was not only a commission to the disciples living at that time, but for all who come after.

Ephesians 6:10

Knowing that in the flesh we are weak against the enemy, Paul reminds us to 'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.' Paul also exhorts Timothy that believers have not been given a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind. The Lord commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. The Christian in our generation, though the details differ in the persecution we face, is called to be courageous!!

Ephesians 1:3-14

A powerful message from Ephesians 1:3-14 by Nick Davis, discovering how each person of the trinity has worked in the salvation of believers.

Isaiah 53:10-12 These few verses of scripture ore full of sorrow, grief, sadness, distress and pain, and yet as we end we see that this Servant of God is greatly honoured, He is glorified in His saints, He is glorified by the Father. He has the highest name, the only name by which man can be saved, the name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. By His obedience He has justified many. Because He bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 7:32-52 On the last great day of the feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stands and cries out to the thousands milling around Him, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Why did He do this? What was He telling them?

Ephesians 6:10

Paul ends this letter with some vital teaching. although this is a circular letter, we are reminded of Acts 20 when seeing the Ephesians for the last time, Paul warns them of wolves entering the flock and here in chapter 6 goes on to speak of the need to put on the whole armour of God. He warns them of perilous times ahead but before he does he encourages his readers to be strong in the the Lord, and in the power of His might. We are weak and have no power against the the enemy, but we are to be strong 'in the Lord and in the power of 'His' might.

A sermon from 1 Kings 17:18-24 & 1 Kings 19:1-21

Isaiah 53:8-10 Behold My Servant!! The Lord Jesus Christ The One taken, imprisoned, speedily judged in an unorthodox, underhanded manner. Stricken in His treatment and death as well as by the weight of sin He carried. He went to the grave alongside wicked men and was by most people numbered as one Himself, though He was honoured in being laid in the new tomb of a rich man. Named Joseph of Arimathea. HIs life was lived perfectly before God. He was tempted in all ways like us and yet was without sin. He Himself stated that He is meek and lowly in heart. Gentle and full of compassion. He did no violence to anyone. He spoke the truth in love. He is Truth and Love. And yet….

It pleased the Lord to bruise Him!

Jesus went around doing good to all. He healed the sick, raised the dead and drove unclean spirits out of many poor souls. He was a man of unparalleled integrity, He taught the absolute truth. He was meek and humble and loved like no other who ever lived. He amazed even the most learned scribes with His knowledge of scripture and the authority with which He spoke. The world however will always seek to kill Christ....

Those who went up to the feast sought after Jesus. They wanted to know where He was. But they could not make their minds up about who Jesus called 'the Christ' was. Was He a good man? Or was He a deceiver? The world we live in is no different. Everyone is searching to fill the void in their soul and try to fill it with all sorts of garbage. Only the bread from Heaven can satisfy!!

A look at three portions of scripture where the devil tries to move in. Adam and Eve, job, and Jesus and how God is in complete control. We must resist him with God's help.

Isaiah 53:7 He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. He was a lamb who was led to the slaughter by the hands of wicked men and yet He laid His life down willingly and set His face toward Jerusalem like flint. amidst the accusations, persecution, beatings, rebukes, and reproach He kept silent. He was the Silent Servant. For who? And for What?

John 7:1-9 Jesus returns to Galilee after feeding the 5000 and engaging with them in a strong discourse regarding Him being the true and living bread which came from heaven. Back home amongst His own family members, they begin to encourage Him to go upto Judea and Jerusalem if He insists on doing the things He does. His own brethren reject Him and desire Him to depart from them. How does Jesus respond? And how are we to respond to our own unbelieving family members?

Isaiah 53:5-6 All we like sheep have gone astray. Gone our own way. A way that seems right to a man but which leads to death. We are by nature vagabonds, wanderers from the presence and glory of God....But Christ is a Mighty God!!