Palm Sunday / Confirmation Sunday, 2018
St. John Lutheran Church, Beecher, IL
Ephesians 6:10-20
“Arm these Thy Soldiers”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20) Here ends our text.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, David, Jax, Aidan, Russell; we are at war. And you are the targets. You are targets because you are strong. You are targets because you are loved. You are targets because you belong to Christ. Saint Paul warns us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The Devil has been targeting the Lord’s Church from the very beginning. Satan has assaulted God’s Children since Adam and Eve. There are very real dangers ahead for each of you; for all of us in the days ahead.
Some sobering statistics in the LCMS (and all denominations): As of 2012 only 44% of those baptized in the LCMS were confirmed in an LCMS church. As of 2014 only 33% of Confirmands still attend and LCMS church. Young adults that confessed as these four young men are about to confess when asked: “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it? I do, by the grace of God.”
Of confirmands that were surveyed in 2017 the two biggest influences in their Spiritual lives were parents (29%) and home pastor (13%). Parents. Our children are watching us. They watch how we respond to problems both at home and at Church. They watch how we respond to conflicts, to struggles, to broken relationships, wounded hearts, sicknesses, and death. They watch how we respond to the problems of this world and all of the flaming darts Satan fires at us. And I pray they see that response in us seeking forgiveness and forgiving and in attending worship to receive God’s gifts: forgiveness and strength with one another as we support, cry, pray, and rejoice with one another.
Satan certainly attacks all of us. He misleads with lies and false doctrines. He tries to convince us that our sins aren’t really all that bad, that we can trust in ourselves, that we know what’s best for us. He causes division among God’s people and God’s Church. He convinces us that we are the only ones that are right. He encourages us to be prideful and hold grudges. Satan lies and draws out our sinful anger against others. He leads us to blame others when we don’t get what we want. He ruins relationships. He causes harm. He gets us to doubt. He does this in our homes and in our Church. Worst of all…there is nothing we can do on our own to stop Satan. In fact, on our own, we willingly join him. We fail often.
But with God there is forgiveness. With God there is restoration. With God there is life and salvation. God does not leave us on our own to deal with sin, death, and Satan. No. God gave us His Son to die on the cross that we would be saved. God has given us life and faith in Christ through the waters of Holy Baptism. God has given us faith to make our good confession…as we did when we were confirmed; as David, Jax, Aidan, and Russell are about to do. And God gives us more. He gives us the Sword of the Spirit: His very Word. He gives us the Helmet of Salvation, the shield of faith, the breastplate of Righteousness, the belt of truth, and covers our feet with the Gospel of Peace. God has clothed us with this armor in baptism that we may stand firm in the faith and withstand all that sin, death, and Satan throw at us.
Our Confirmands know this…even without knowing it. Just look at the Confirmation verses they chose for themselves. David: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) In that text we see the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation.
Jax: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) That bold confession of the truth of Christ is certainly the belt of truth described in our text.
Aidan: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”(John 14:15) Love seeks God’s righteousness; the breastplate and shares the good news of the Gospel; which cover our feet.
Russell: “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) The helmet of salvation is found on those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and hold also the shield of faith.
How wonderful it is to see the armor of God given to these men. The helmet, shield, breastplate, belt, and shoes. And armed with God’s very Word; the sword of the Spirit.
God has given you four and all of us gathered here with you these wonderful gifts. God has given them to us that we may remain faithful and receive the crown of life. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today we celebrate David, Jackson, Aidan, and Russell’s good confession even as many of us remember our own good confession. And we give thanks to God for His gifts; the gifts of armor, the gifts of family, the gifts of a Church family, and most importantly the gift of Jesus who is our life and salvation. Jesus continues to bless us with life this day through His very body and blood given and shed for you. Be strengthened in Him this day for every day. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
