Make War

II Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds.

Ephesians 6:11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (and vs.13-18)

Our pastor just finished up a 4-part series on temptation. The gist was this: As Christians we are at war. The New Testament uses these terms many times. We are in a constant fight against our flesh, temptation, mediocrity, apathy, lack of growth, etc... Anything is possible with God - but our deepest struggles, our greatest temptations are most likely not going to disappear overnight. We have to fight, daily, hourly, even moment by moment to inch our way closer to Christ likeness. And it's not just a war within ourselves. We're to be on the offensive. We're bring light to the world to transform it. We're bringing the "fight" to the lost. We have to have the mind of a soldier - be willing to lay everything on the line to stand in the gap. "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (II Timothy 2:4) We have to be singularly focused. To fight the good fight - we have to make war.

This artist, Tedashii, was at our church tonight. He did two songs. This video is what he did at the end of the service. It was a perfect way to wrap up the ideas the pastor was trying to get across. And whether or not you like this type of music, you can't helped but be moved by the truth of the message. Listen to the lyrics. God has given us power to overcome. "As it is written, 'For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:36-37)

Oh, and you know that any song (especially in this genre) that begins with a recording of a John Piper message is going to be interesting. Damien said that if there was an award for "Best use of a John Piper sermon in a rap song" this one would definitely get it.