“STAND…IN YOUR POSITION AS A CHRISTIAN”

LETS LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO WALK WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL… firstly  the people must STAND TOGETHER…. Otherwise they will DISINTEGRATE, DIVISIONS and Destruction will follow.  This is the Position and Stance they are to take up; Conscientiously, CO –COOPERATIVELY, Collectively and Committed…to promoting the Gospel, Practicing the Gospel.

They must CONDUCT THEMSELVES….CO-OPERATE…CHOOSE…COMMIT TO DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY… AND TO CONDUCT ourselves worthy of the Gospel….we have to STAND together for the GOSPEL.

THE TERM; STANDING FIRM. The word “Standing” COMES FROM A Greek word  meaning…”to STAND….ESTABLISH…HOLD UP…TO BE STATIONARY TO PERSEVERE.”

Lets look at how to  Co Operate, and Establish and Encourage one another in viewing ways that when we CHOOSE to stand the Body is Built up, God is Glorified, and the Gospel is Furthered when lives are lived out worthy of the ideals of the Gospel- where Love is King

In PHILIPPIANS verse 27 “STANDING FIRM-“ – we take up Paul’s words where he writes , SO THAT whether I come and see or remain absent, I will HEAR OF YOU  that you are STANDING Firm in One spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.”

“ you are STANDING FIRM.” –  4739- steko IT’S A  VERB- THIS IS TO BE THE CONTINUOUS ACTION OF THEIR LIVES…

the word comes from a Greek word that speaks to be “ESTABLISHED” or “HOLD” or “FIXED”…IT SPEAKS OF  “SPIRITUAL TENACITY”-

“YOU ARE STANDING FIRM” – It speaks of  FIRMNESS and STEADFASTNESS…..STATIONARY…. FIGURATIVELY TO….  PERSEVERE.

IT comes from a word which speaks of “TO REMAIN, ABIDE CONTINUE” as used in John8:44; It is used in Rom 14:4 “to make to stand, establish, confirm”

 

THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IS TO…

1. – STAND FIRM IN YOUR WITNESSING;

The word is used of Paul when he stood before King Agrippa testifying of the  Heavenly vision in Acts 26:19 where he says, “”But kept declaring BOTH TO THOSE OF DEMASCUS FIRST and then throughout all the region of Judea and even to the Gentiles, that they should REPENT and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance….. so having obtained HELP FROM GOD, I STAND TO THIS DAY Testifying to both to small and great….”

God will HELP you to Witness…. Know this as Paul testified

2. – STAND IN THE GRACE OF GOD

ROM 5:2 –“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by Faith INTO THIS GRACE IN which we STAND.” We stand in the Grace- the Unmerited Favor of God. His Kindness on our behalf enabling us to STAND BEFORE HIM in His Righteousness. His Son’s Holyness accredited to our account. We stand not in our own “works” but in the Finished work of the Lord Jesus, and the ability to follow Him. We are a people who have been Graced and can come before His Throne which is a Throne of Grace to receive GRACE and help in time of need. FAVOR and ABILITY to live for Him and to receive from Him solely based not on any merits of our own, be it our nationality, education or lack thereof, but solely on His Kindness and  the extension of His Grace towards us. We stand no longer in condemnation or as an enemy but we stand in a new position, new favor, new acceptance with God which is provided by Him through the work of His Son and is eternal! We stand lovingly ACCEPTED of every moment before Him. A New standing that is eternal. You do not fall in and out of your standing. It is not based on your performance but on the finished work of the Lord Jesus. You Stand in grace!

 

3. – STAND IN AWE OF THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION;

Rom 11:20 “Quiet right they were broken off for their unbelief, but you STAND by your FAITH.

The unbelieving Jewish people were broken off on account of their unbelief but the Gentiles were grafted into Christ through Faith in which they now STAND IN THE POWER AND PROMISES OF GOD, based solely on His Work of living a sinless life and His going to the cross to bear all our sin and be our Substitute. He took our place so we would never have to experience eternity in Hell, separated from God and without hope. His Resurrection the Father’s assurance that His sacrifice on our behalf was acceptable and worthy to satisfy His Justice. What amazing Grace this truly is gifted to us by God through dependence upon Jesus Christ alone!

 

4. – STAND IN THE REALIZATION GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU STAND

Rom 14:4- “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, For the LORD IS ABLE TO MAKE him STAND,”

Paul is writing in this passage of why every Christian is to accept another and that is because the Lord SUSTAINS Them all. A Believers view of another believer does not affect that believers STANDING BEFORE GOD. We often judge another based on preferences and issues that are not SCRIPTURAL or Moral… but simply preferences we ourselves have elevated  above the Word of God. But God is able to Keep His own and Present His Own faultless before The Throne with exceeding great Joy and Blameless. God who has given us salvation “ He who began a good work in you is able to keep you… and no one can separate you from the love of Christ. Romans 8 .  Peter wrote we are PROTECTED by the POWER of God through FAITH”- 1 peter 1:5. So whether a person is strong or weak in the faith- What do we have that we have not received. ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER- and stop passing critical judgment on another brother or sister.

 

5. STAND IN THE TRUSTWORTHINESS  OF THE GOSPEL

1 COR 15:1 –“  For I make known to you, brethren the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you RECEIVED, in which you also STAND, by which you are also SAVED…The Corinthians had received the Gospel and were STANDING in the TRUTH of it…and were saved as a result of the Gospel. The Gospel is Trustworthy.

 

6. – STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH,

1 Cor 16:13- “BE on the ALERT, STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in Love.”

Paul gives several commands to the Corinthians to be on the alert and they must STAND FIRM. If we are to be STANDING FIRM in the faith- we must be in Gods Word, and Know it well looking through the things of life through the lens of God’s Word. Able to Discern through Scripture. In the Book of the Corinthians the  congregation were being corrupted by their unbelieving friends and neighbors in 1 Cor 1:18-21- Human wisdom and philosophy had undermined the authority of the Word of God. They had relegated the Word of God and had a lower view of Jesus Christ- and there was DIVISION among them – they were not standing together but STRIFE was rampant. Paul wants them to do away with the Divisiveness and GIVES FIVE COMMANDS that will deal with the  Dethroning of God’s Word and divisiveness and Show them HOW TO LIVE and STAND FIRM  

             

7. – STAND KNOWING YOU HAVE AN ENEMY

Eph 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM AGAINST THE Schemes of the devil”

In order to apply the strength of Gods might, believers have to put on the provision God supplies, namely the armor of God. It is to be put on permanently and supplies the believers with spiritual power , “TO STAND FIRM” WAS USED IN A MILITARY sense-

It had the idea of HOLDING A CRITICAL POSITION while UNDER ATTACK.

 The word “SCHEMES”

IS where we get our English word “Method “ from. It carries the idea of craftiness, cunning, and deception. It was often used of a wild animal who cunningly stalked and unexpectedly pounced on its prey. Such are satans attacks…cunning, deceptive ways…he appeared as an angel of light in 2Cor 11:14 ; 

What “schemes,” does he use in that instance

A. -DECEPTION; These “schemes” include DECEPTIVE  lifestyles

like TV programs that promote sex outside of marriage as though it is safe or right ; or young good looking people who are drinking alcohol, and will not show the damage of homes, or bodies mangled being pulled out by fire men at the scene of a crash; Philosophies which profess wisdom but leave out God for who He is. Advertizements  that appeal to your covetousness and insecurities and desires and lusts…all to trick you into thinking life is there and not in Christ.

B. – DOUBTS

“One of the most effectual tools satan uses is to INSTILL DOUBT about GODS GOODNESS. This was his greatest tool against Martin Luther.

Luther’s biographer writes, “The Content of his depressions was always the same, the loss of faith that God is good and that He is good to me.”

 satan is powerful, intimidating and evil beyond our comprehension,”our struggle is not against flesh and blood…tan hates the Lord Jesus, he hates God’s People, he hates God’s church.

The hymn writer well puts it “For still our ancient foe, Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great and armed with CRUEL HATE, on earth is not his equal”-….what a picture, what a picture of hopelessness if it were not for GOD AND HE BEING GOD and the victory of Jesus Christ. But make no mistake you have to KNOW You have an enemy

C. – DEFIANCE.  

A thief, …he hardens peoples hearts to the Word of God.

The story is told back in the days when horses would draw the cannons up to the front line… And as the shells were loaded into the cannon- the noise of the cannon being fired would cause such a great noise that the horses would be startled and bolted… but eventually with the repetition and becoming familiar they became used to the sound of the cannons and no longer were moved- they had become use to and DULL  of what they heard. SO too many a Sunday soul becomes DULL to the Word of God as satan uses  his schemes of the “worries of this world,” the potential riches and cares to snatch the seed away with frivolous conversations afterwards….

Satan’s fiery darts to the mind are to tempt to convince That God cannot be trusted nor His Promises…to doubt what God has said…like in the Garden where in Gen 3 he tempted Eve to believe a lie and she did that, God is not good- God is holding out  good from you… Get her to question what God said and Does God really mean what He says. That is why the Believer must learn from Jesus when tempted in Matthew to response with the Word of God; “It is Written…It is Written…It is Written.” He refers to the authority of God’s Word because it is GOD’S WORD!

 Col 3:15 tells us to “LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY….”

D. – DISUNITY. 

The evil one uses schemes to separate brothers and tempt them to choose not to stand in unity- to Disobey God is his aim.

E. – DEMONIC.

We read in Luke 8:12 “the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved”-

 

8. – STAND FIRM IN GOD’S PROVISION

EPH 6:13 – “THEREFORE TAKE UP THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD, so that you will be able  to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, TO STAND FIRM.

The faithful Christian life is a battle! The more faithful the more intense the attack is!  

Paul had written “A wide effectual door has opened for me but with it are many adversaries.” Faithfulness brings with it an onslaught from the evil one. It does not get easier. It is possible to be lethargic and indifferent and experience little conflict but not for the committed whose life is to honor God and are concerned about souls that are damned to Hell and about brethren who need to be equipped and matured.. God gives us His Word, Prayer and Obedience as means to fight but we must PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD FOR THE EVIL DAY. Each day there is evil some subtle, some not so. Put on the armor , don’t quit, don’t give up but RESIST in the evil day and STAND FIRM in Who He is , His Promises and your Position in Him and Power

But what about satan and his fiery darts to our minds, darts of confusion, disillusionment. Fear, and anxiety to mention but a few- attacks on the promises of God, the fears of the future and the failures of our past. Listen again to Gods Word- AS A CHILD OF God- a follower of Christ you have the supernatural ability to stand firm, and be established in your faith.

A. FULL ARMOR OF GOD

It is a command and a promise Verses 11-13. A Roman soldier would wear six essentials pieces of armor when going into army; his belt, breastplate, sandals, shield, helmet and sword,….Paul adds PRAYER , emphasizing the armor for spiritual battle

B. RESIST in the evil day

In v 13 In this great spiritual battle we are called to RESIST and STAND FIRM.

James 4:7 – says “RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.” 1 Peter 5:8=9 tells us to “be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your Adversary the devil, prowls about a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But RESIST him , FIRM IN YOUR FAITH.” Only through the ARMOUR OF GOD CAN we fight such a powerful and wicked and scheming foe. STAND FIRM IN GODS PROVISION AND PROTECTION FOR YOUR LIFE- YOUR MIND…

 

9. – STAND FIRM  IN THE TRUTH / THROUGH PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

EPH 6:14 “ STAND FIRM, therefore HAVING GIRDED your loins with TRUTH, and having put on the breastplate of Righteousness “

   A. HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH

The Girding of the loins WAS WHAT SOLDIERS DID IN THAT DAY…IT WAS A WAY OF PREPARATION AND THE SOLDIER WOULD MAKE SURE TO SECURE HIS TUNIC WITH HIS BELT. The Belt for the Believer is …TRUTH…John 17:17;… and not only knowing and applying the truth in discerning but being TRUTHFUL ourselves. To be girded shows an ATTITUDE of READYNESS and being PREPARED – to be genuinely Committed to the cause…No half -heartedness but TOTAL COMMITMENT TO CHRIST AND HIS CAUSE- WITH HIS TRUTH…which is able to set people FREE..

      B. PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Satan attacks our minds with lies, deceptions, doubts to deceive and seduce us . The breastplate of Righteousness is a LIFE BEING LIVED OUT IN SUBMISSION TO GODS WORD…TO LIVE MOMENT BY MOMENT IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL. Not, “how do we feel,” but WHAT DOES GOD SAY? An imputed righteousness through Christ- yes- But a working out of a life of Inward righteousness- Matt 6:333

Our responsibility is to resist the devil. When Martin Luther stood before the diet of Worms he was accused of heresy. He was condemned to death for declaring that men, women, boys and girls were saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. He declared, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.here I STAND, I cannot do Otherwise.”

The story is told  of some men in Ireland over forty years ago who held evangelistic campaigns together and saw much spiritual fruit produced. Years later a man who had been converted during that time  became a pastor and set out to find out what happened those three men. He was told one was still following the Lord, another had become apostate and another a drunkard who had died.

Noted pastor and author, John Mac Arthur puts it this way, “Some believers have done everything well in the Lords work, But they do not CONTINUE TO STAND FIRM. The issue is not in what a believer has done, But when the battle is over and the smoke clears, whether he is found STANDING True to the Savior”- end quote. THE BELIEVER is responsible  to STAND IN TRUTH AND  consistently live a  LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS- as defined by God’s Word.

 

10 – STAND FIRM IN your PRAYING

Col 4:12 “ Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bond- slave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always Laboring earnestly for you in his PRAYERS, that you may STAND MATURE and FULLY ASSURED in All the Will of GOD.

He PRAYED- He LABORED EARNESTLY – WHICH IS WHERE WE WE GET OUR ENGLISH WORD – “AGONIZE”. It is used in 1 Cor 9:25 to speak of  the grueling endured by the athletes in the games. It is translated “FIGHT” in Rom 15:30 of “FIGHTING IN PRAYER” and  Luke 22:44. It refers to the AGONY JESUS endured in Gethsemane, where we read “ And being in AGONY He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”

 

Ephaphras prayed { Col 4:12 } that they would  STAND, “PERFECT.” The word means “COMPLETE”, “MATURE” This was his Goal for the church at Colossee- Spiritual Maturity- Christ-likeness…. The word speaks of “FULLY DEVELOPED”. He prays that they also would be “FULLY ASSURED”  and can be translated “SATISFIED FULLY” or “PERSUADED”.

He wants them to be fully matured and satisfied in all the will of God. And those who choose to live in Obedience will GROW AND KNOW AND SHOW SUCH A LIFE and know Gods Will- which is found in Gods Word- Stand firm- Hold your position for your fellow believers- hold the vital position of PRAYER so that they will mature and know Gods WILL as revealed in His Word.

 

11. – STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD ENCOURAGES OTHER BELIEVERS

 1 Thess 3:5- Paul send Timothy to the believers at Thessalonica so that they would  be “Strengthened and encourage them in the faith and in verse 3 he writes” So that no one would be Disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we KEPT telling you in advance that we were going to SUFFER AFFLICTION, and so it came to pass, as you know. For this reason when I could endure it no longer I also send to find out about your FAITH, for fear the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. But now that Timothy has come too us from you, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you. For this reason brethren in our distress and affliction we were COMFORTED about you though your FAITH; V8  For now we REALLY LIVE, IF you STAND FIRM IN THE LORD.”

THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES THAT THE FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS IS TO STAND…

  1. STAND FIRM IN YOUR WITNESSING;
  2. STAND IN THE GRACE OF GOD
  3. STAND IN AWE OF THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION;
  4. STAND IN THE REALIZATION GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU STAND
  5. STAND IN THE TRUSTWORTHINESS  OF THE GOSPEL
  6. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH
  7. STAND KNOWING YOU HAVE AN ENEMY
  8. STAND FIRM IN GODS PROVISION
  9. STAND FIRM THROUGH PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
  10. STAND FIRM IN your PRAYING
  11. STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD ENCOURAGES OTHER BELIEVERS
  12. STANDING FIRM IN UNITY TO EVANGELIZE- PHIL 1:27

 

TO STAND –  IS TO BE THE CONTINUOUS ACTION OF THEIR LIVES.. the word comes from a Greek word that speaks to be “ESTABLISHED” or “hold” or “fixed”…

IT SPEAKS OF  “SPIRITUAL TENACITY”-“YOU ARE STANDING FIRM” – It speaks of  FIRMNESS and STEADFASTNESS. STATIONARY…. FIGURATIVELY TO  PERSEVERE.

And if we are to CONDUCT ourselves WORTHY of the Gospel we must FIRST OF ALL STAND… but look- God does not call us to stand lone… nor with out instruction but he calls us to STAND TOGETHER “YOU ALL- IT’S  PLURAL “I HEAR OF ALL OF YOU STANDING FIRM “…IS THE WAY IT READS….The Body of Christ is not to act Independent or Isolation but  Participation…. “YOU ALL”

STAND not alone but with God and His people….STAND IN YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST- STAND TOGETHER…