Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God.

Most people don’t even remember this little war; it isn’t on most Americans top five of lists of conflicts we have ever fought. It is the Spanish American War. From April to August of 1898 we were at war with Spain. This war’s battle cry was “Remember the Maine!” This was the war of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders and their charge up San Juan Hill. Almost before it started it was over. Spain surrendered. The fact is Spain was several centuries past her prime. I think we like wars like that: short wars, few casualties, and over before they inconvenience us.

We are engaged in another war, one many people may not realize is going on because the enemy is largely unseen. I am not talking about the war on terrorism that began five years ago on 9/11. Today, I am talking about a different war- one where the enemy is lurking and working from the shadows all around us, and the enemy I am describing is far, far more dangerous and deadly, than a follower of Ben Laden with a bomb.

Of this enemy St Paul writes: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s scheme. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It is no collapsing Spanish empire that we are fighting. We are at war with none other than the evil one, Satan. Satan is elusive and shadowy and the war he wages is the same but don’t be fooled it is a war none-the-less. He makes use of allies and even those who claim to be neutral and indifferent. He uses all manner of deception and trickery to wage this very real and deadly war.

Some of his allies make use of the occult, voodoo, witchcraft, and the like. Others are doing his bidding whether they realize it or not. We see this in the religion of Islam which preaches a message different than the Christ taught and many of its radical followers have sworn to overrun Christianity. Some people have unwittingly become allies of Satan by teaching the near truths of Christ but denying or twisting the critical doctrines: the trinity and the deity of Christ. Others substitute the forgiveness of the cross with manmade doctrines of works and worthiness, and still others pervert the Gospel whispering “all roads must lead to heaven.”

We look at them and wonder how they can do this, fighting and or giving encouragement to the enemy, but did you know that some of us have given aid to aid the enemy by rationalizing our sins as “not all that bad” or “at least I’m not as bad as that person.” Some of us give aid to the enemy by what we do and fail to do: loving our things and thinking more than God, being neglectful of God’s Word or adding to it. Some of us have neglected the needs of others. It is our sin that gives aid and comfort to the enemy. Lord, forgive us.

In this struggle there are those would seek to remain neutral: some rationalizing there is no devil, this is after all the 21st century we’ve grown beyond that; others claiming it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as one is sincere, or life and the gods are about doing more good than bad- tipping the scales in one’s favor; still others claim to follow a path of inner peace and try to remain aloof to the struggle. In this war there is no neutrality- one is either for this Jesus or not. Of all this neutrality Jesus has asked, Who do you say that I am. (Mark 8.28) The prophet Joshua asked, Decide for yourselves this day whom you will serve. (Joshua 24.15)

Of this war St. Peter writes to us: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him! (1st Peter 5.8) Again hear the words St. Paul adds our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil (Eph 6.12)

This past week there have been a number of shows on TV and articles in newspapers and magazines taking us back to September 11th. It is probably good for us to return to another ground zero to a place where the battle was fought for the souls of all men. We need to return to the cross. We need to stand in the shadow of the cross- ragged, splintered and blood-soaked. Here a great battle was fought. He who knew no sin became sin for us. In heroic fashion Jesus took on the forces of sin and death for us- He fought the battle and won, but in doing so He died- laying down His life to save ours. By and through the hearing of God’s Word we need to stand on that battle ground and see the great price paid to set mankind free- the price paid to set us free. We need to stand at the empty tomb where His Deity was attested to by His rising again to life. (Rms 1.4)

Although Satan was defeated and the ultimate out come of the war decided, Satan refuses to surrender. He remains a determined enemy determined to take as many people down with him as possible. It is still a real war and there are still real causalities.

But, even in the aftermath of the battle Jesus didn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. He has given us real weapons of protection and a weapon with which to fight with. Stand with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Every soldier of every age needs to know that the cause for which he is fighting is true. By the Spirit poured out upon us we can come to know the cause for which we fight is right and true. (Put on) the breast plate of righteousness. We know that our righteousness would never do against Satan, because our righteousness, which is our works, is but filthy rags. But God has fitted us with the righteousness of Christ. Stand with your feet fitted with a readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In the midst of this terrible struggle comes the word “peace.” God is at peace with us. We can go forth confidently. We have the shield of faith with which to deflect the stones of Satan’s accusations and Satan’s flaming arrows of doubt. We have the helmet of salvation. Salvation was won for us at the cross and the empty tomb.

Into our hands God has placed the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It is good for the close quarters where Satan will most likely attacks us. It is by God’s Word that the tide of our battles can be turned. James declares: Resist the Devil and he will flee. (4.7) By, at and because the name of Jesus the dark forces will be routed.

Yet, let us not grow fat, lazy, and over-confident if once we were victorious over great temptations. Being the world’s first and greatest terrorist Satan will wait until we least expect it; he will lull us into a sense of false security and then he will attack. We maintain our readiness by being in the Word, prayer, and fellowship.

Now this might be a good place to end this sermon. But I believe there may one or two of you out there that feel you may be too weak to put up much of a fight because you have been too wounded by life, disease, or previous and perilous battles. Know that Jesus comes to you by binding our wounds and nursing you back to health by His enduring and life giving Word. He gives you real and lasting nourishment in His Supper. The sacrament of His Supper is real nourishment. And let us close ranks around those who are wounded and hurting and lift them up as we were once lifted up. Let us encourage them as we were first encouraged. As Christ would have us do, let us care for his wounded and let those who were once wounded serve as examples that we can be made fit for service in this noble fight.

And there are those who may be disoriented or confused by Satan’s alluring voices and false promises. There are those who have wandered off and others have gone missing. Let us go in small groups and search for them and finding them let us lead them by the light of God’s Word back to safety. Understand that some of them may be shell shocked and very disoriented. It may take time and compassion for them to see that we are not the enemy.

This was driven home for me in a story I read about the rescue of some hostages by some Navy Seals. It seems they had mounted a rescue of a number of hostages. When the Seals burst into the room where the captives were the captives were so stunned, afraid, and disoriented that they didn’t move, refused to move. It wasn’t until on the rescuers sat down next to one of the hostages and gently put his arm around him that hostages knew this was a rescue and these rescuers were for real.

All around are those in need of rescue. Some once believed and others have never heard. Either way they need to hear the rescuing Words of Jesus. They may also need the compassionate hands of flesh and blood followers of Christ to reach out to them, lift them up, and lead them to safety.

Amen