All the Sermons

Ephesians 6:17 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab Can I say something that might sound crazy when you first hear it? Every Christian is a heretic! That includes me. I say that because I am an imperfect human being that does not fully understand the mind of God, just like every other imperfect human being that ever lived. That doesn’t mean I don’t have anything right. I think I’ve got a lot of good Christian Biblical theology tucked away inside my helmet of salvation. But I am willing to admit that I don’t know everything. This goes along with that acceptable saying that says, “The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.” So, because of that, never be satisfied that you have all your theology right. Keep studying the Bible and learning and growing into who you are supposed to become in Christ. Don’t be afraid to explore new realms of thought and inquiry as you continue to get to know God and seek his face. It may be that new ideas will lead us ou...

Ephesians 6:17: “And take the helmet of salvation.” Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab We all know helmets are a good idea, and these days there are many forms of helmets for various purposes. I found a picture of a helmet after a crash. It’s rubbed flat in one spot from a long drag down the road. I also found a video demonstration about the value of a good helmet. That’s pretty dramatic! Stories about people whose lives were saved by their helmets make the news! The helmet of salvation is just as important in your spiritual armor. The Roman helmet was a heavy bronze or iron thing. They could be pretty fancy for a Roman Centurion. Or pretty plain, purely functional. The Roman helmet was usually lined with felt, or even sponge, to bear the weight. Nothing short of an axe or hammer could get through that. Decorations were often included for identification purposes. Showing your true color.   Similar to the breastplate of righteousness, your helmet prote...

Ephesians 6:10-16 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. I have a baggy here and I put a broken necklace in it. Don’t worry Kathy. It’s one of Maddie’s. She broke it and asked me to fix it. The beads and string are all in there together. I want to fix this necklace, string the beads in the right order and tie the clasps back on so Maddie can wear it again. What if I were to claim that all I have to do is shake the baggy? Would you believe it’s possible? If I shake it long enough, can’t I just have faith that as things bounce around in there the end of the string will eventually get caught in the holes of the first bead and thread through, and do it again with the next beads and all the rest and then knots will automatically bounce into the clasps and tie them on just because I’m shaking the bag? I mean, it could happen, could it? You don’t think so, do you? Not in a million years. Not in six billion years either. I couldn’t even get Maddie to believe that! Tha...

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-15 These Boots are Made for Walking. Of course, I picked that title because it has a reference to popular culture, and it connects with our text today about “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” I was tempted to play the video of that song, but it’s really not amenable to worship. If you remember that old song, it was quite confrontational. The singer had a righteous complaint against a boyfriend or spouse who was cheating on her. She’s not going to put up with that, and the song goes on to say, “One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!” And that “take a stand” bravado made her a hero! It was a #1 hit in 1966. I mention it because it has one interesting parallel and one major contrast with the message of grace and forgiveness. That parallel is this. God has a righteous complaint against the entire human race for cheating Him out of the loving relationship He desires with us. As the God who created us, he h...