In my Daily Bible Reading Plan, I just read the book of Ephesians. It would take me all day to give you Johnny's Notes (better than Cliff's) on the book of Ephesians. It is packed full of theology and Christian instruction. You will have to read this one for yourself. It is only 6 chapters and you could probably read it on your lunch break.
Anyway, Ephesians 6:10-20 talks about spiritual warfare and putting on the armor of God to protect ourselves against the Devil's attacks. I mentioned spiritual warfare on Sunday (Mother's Day) at Graystone, and I think that I freaked some people out. I think that when I say things like...
- we are in a war
- we are strangers and aliens in this world
- our home is in heaven
- we want to be a roadblock in front of the gates of Hell
- we want to DOMINATE our community with the love of Jesus Christ
- we are in a battle against the spiritual forces of evil
- it's dangerous to be a follower of Jesus Christ
...these comments tend to freak people out. I think some people probably think that I'm crazy or an overboard pastor. And I'm not sure why I couldn't just give a "feel good" Mother's Day message. But I am preaching the word of God and what He is laying on my heart.
I read a quote yesterday from Erwin McManus' book, Unstoppable Force, that helps clarify what I was saying on Sunday about safety and the center of God's will. Erwin says in his book, "The center of God's will is not a safe place but the most dangerous place in the world." Then he makes a great distinction: "To live outside of God's will puts us in danger; to live in his will makes us dangerous."
Hopefully, each of us is overcoming fear and living dangerous lives for Jesus Christ.
PS Yesterday, I watched "Dangerous Calling" a movie produced by "Life is My Movie" (Nathan and Vincent). They gave me a copy to preview with the finished product to be available in stores in the near future. Let me just say that those guy are incredible filmmakers and the movie is "eerily uncomfortable to watch", especially for a church pastor. The movie is about a young pastor and his wife who are "called" to serve at a new church. And the "sugar momma" of the church, Miss Pat, and her strange 30 year old son, Elijah, decide that it is God's will to kill the pastor's wife, so the pastor can be married to the church. Click here to watch the "Dangerous Calling" trailer.
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3 comments:
John Eldredge states that one of Satan's most effective weapons against us is to blind us to the fact that we ARE at war. Read Revelation 12 13-17 and this is clear. Satan is thwarted in his efforts to persecute the mother of Jesus. In verse 17 we read: "And the dragon was enraged with the woman and he went to MAKE WAR with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ"
That would be us. Life will make more sense if we see it through our spiritual eyes. We are at war.
Hey Johnny,
I'm glad you liked Dangerous Calling. My brother and I wrote and directed it. We're pastor's kids and drew a lot from personal experience. We've shown it to several people in ministry.
It's sad how many churches are going through similar struggles. There may not be actual murder going on, but there are so many Miss Pats out there that are "killing" pastor's spirits as they try and do what God has called them to do.
Just wanted to let you know that the finished film will be playing at the Rome International Film Festival in Rome, GA on September 6th. Tickets will be available soon at http://www.riff.tv It'd be great if you could help spread the word.
Josh
Hey Johnny,
Dangerous Calling is now available on DVD and loaded with special features. Thanks for mentioning the film on your blog. The DVD can be purchased at www.dangerouscalling.com
Jeremiah Daws
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