Christian Inventory                                                                 12/27/42

 

Scripture:  Ephesians 6: 12-20

 

“We wrestle.”  Clearly, Paul regarded good living as a struggle.  Each day sent him forth, as it sends us forth today, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  So long as there is right, it must be set against evil - work against sloth, service against selfishness, generosity against greed, health against sickness, hope against despair, love against hate.

 

Life, left to itself, tends to stagnate.  When efforts cease, when alertness is worn down, evils creep in like the jungle roots over the abandoned city of Ankor.  To live is to forge ahead, to struggle, and resisting evil, to love good and do what is right.

(Spiritual dangers in resisting Hitler.)

 

Paul was listing to the Ephesians some of the evils with which, as a Christian group of people, they must wrestle - not so much evil people as evil principles, evil powers, spiritual wickedness.  Borrowing the soldier’s language, Paul urged the people at Ephesus to “make war” against these evils.  And he makes a sort of inventory of the equipment of a Christian soldier for such a struggle.  In a word, the Christian soldier must take the whole armor of God as his only adequate equipment.  And what are some of the pieces of this armor?

 

Here they are, listed for us:  Truth, to be worn like a belt for support and strength.  Before it can be worn, it must be found.

Righteousness, to be put on like a protecting breastplate; right thinking, right attitude, right action.  The good word of peace, like trustworthy shoes (not so common in the soldier’s vocabulary).  Very important is faith for a shield against the darts of that doubt and uncertainty which can nullify good intentions.  Salvation is the helmet and God’s spirit the sword.  Prayer is this good soldier’s constant practice.

 

In the evil that is modern warfare, some of the equipment is changed.  Breastplate and shields are useless against most modern weapons.  But Paul’s inventory of the spiritual equipment for the good soldier of Christ is still up-to-date.  Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, prayer, God’s spirit - these are all necessary in the battle of positive right living, in our day, as in Paul’s.

 

This is the season when business firms must complete their inventory of stock on hand, and resources with which to meet the future.  Many of us here this morning are busy at it or have relatives of friends who will be struggling with inventory figures during the week.  Annual reports will shortly be prepared.  All of this is part of the human process of taking an annual bearing on how we stand in the work of the world’s commerce.

 

While we are at the task, we may well list some of the resources which we have over and above any material inventory.  I have already called attention to a counting of the personal resources of the individual Christian man.  May these resources for Christian living be found in the reserve stores of every soul here today at the end of one year, and the beginning of a new year!

 

And then, what of the resources that we count as a group of Christian people?  Well, there is the strength of Christ’s Church.  Despite its apparent weaknesses and evident lacks (its divisions and it individualities) the Church of Jesus Christ is still a mighty force in the group and personal life of troubled today.  Men and women are learning noble truth, saving grace, personal and social salvation in the church of Christ today.  They are giving themselves, through the church, in sacrificial service and deep devotion.  Many succeed in losing their troublesome selves in exalting Christ and God’s Kingdom.  We should count, with deep thanksgiving, our membership and participation in this great enterprise which is not ours, but Christ’s.  Him we follow, Him we serve, His name we glorify!

 

We are glad on this day of inventory to count ourselves, in this church, a part of the great continuing church.  There are definite signs of the continued loyalty of many faithful people to the Master through this church, and of the renewed interest and help of others.  Oh that we may continue to grow not alone in numbers, but in wisdom, in spiritual strength, and in favor with God and man!

 

The loyalty to this church is expressed in numerous ways.  Loyalty of attendance at worship is one way.  Loyalty in giving of money is another.   God’s work on earth depends partly on substance.  Stewardship is a definite part of Christian living.  At this time we bring our gifts to enable this church to close the year with bills paid.  And at the same time decisions have been made as to what we can expect to give to our Lord’s work in the coming year.  Let our loyalty be genuine.  Let Christ’s spirit rule us in our giving, as in the receiving of his spirit.  Our gifts are the hands and feet of our spiritual impulses.

 

It would be interesting to count up the number of people who serve in special capacity in our church in addition to their membership in the church or attendance at service or contributions of money.  Probably we should be startled at the numbers of people serving as officers, committee chairmen, teachers in church school, scout leaders, chair members and music leaders, organization officers or other special capacity.

 

We count all of this loyalty one of the finest assets which as a church we carry over from year to year.  Let our resolve of the new year be to use our talents as effectively as possible for Christ’s work in and through the church!

 

How shall we put down the greatest assets of all - those spiritual values so intangible, yet so solidly real!?

 

1)  The love of God - so patient, so precious, so appealing to the best that we can be.  If we love Him even in small measure as He loves us, perhaps we shall let Him give the commands - the directions for the year.  (Prayer and Meditation)  (He does command!)

 

2)  The grace of Jesus Christ - impossible to “value” but so all-important on our inventory list.

 

3)  The presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

We may have some debits, some needs.  But with these assets we should face the New Year unafraid, trusting in Him whose we are.

 

For nothing that He wills is impossible!

 

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dates and places delivered:

 

            Pilgrim Church, Honolulu, December 31, 1939  AM

            Wisconsin Rapids, December 27, 1942