Listen to Sermon
Pastor Tom Johnson, August 26, 2018
The daily news should be enough to convince us of the evidence of evil. I’m not talking about a demon behind every bush—or a red devil with horns and a pitchfork type of evil. I’m talking about an evil that is so deep, so insidious, so pervasive that we are often left speechless—and with more questions than answers. Perhaps this is the same chill that came up the Apostle Paul’s spine when he wrote, “For our struggle is not against enemies of 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.” Paul is speaking about evil—evil so pervasive that it is at work in the hearts of more than one person at a time—evil that causes both personal and corporate sin. This Scripture reminds us that evil is beyond our human control and power.
One of the greatest examples of this is from the life of Jesus himself. When Jesus stood before Herod and Pontius Pilate, Herod and Pontius Pilate are not the ultimate source of evil—they are only flesh and blood. Even they are held captive to the cosmic powers of darkness and spiritual forces in the heavenly places. Pilate says “I find no guilt in this man,” but because of the crowds, his wife’s dreams, and the Roman Empire he is powerless to do the right thing and let an innocent man go free. And so Paul reminds us that even those who we think have power and control are often subject and even victims of a more sinister power. Knowing this, it even makes loving our enemies and praying for our enemies possible—that even those who do the most wicked things are also victims of the same evil they are responsible for—not that they or we should not face the consequences of our actions but that all should be freed from the power evil—as our Lord taught us to pray—deliver us from evil. This is what Jesus came to do.
It’s why God’s Word today for us is not only good news but life-saving news: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles—the schemes of the devil.” Do not fight life’s battles in your own strength. Do not try to fight evil as if evil is only of human origin—mere flesh and blood. Do not take refuge in human and worldly resources—but take refuge in someone greater—the Lord Jesus himself. For God is not only greater and stronger than flesh and blood—he is greater than all things material and immaterial. Good and evil are not two equal forces contending in the universe. As Scripture says of Jesus, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” As Peter says in our Gospel, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One of God.” As John says in his letter, “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered [the evil one]; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
I cannot tell you why God still allows it to be so—but we live in a world where God has not yet fully conquered evil—he has not yet brought final justice to every land and every people—he has not yet brought perfect peace. But he has begun. Even though it appeared that even Jesus the promised Messiah was himself a victim of evil—crucified in his flesh and blood by the powers and principalities of the world—death could not hold Him. The grave did not conquer him. But he rose victorious. This is a foreshadowing and a pledge of our victory over the powers and principalities of evil.
And so Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God—to know we have every resource we need for the spiritual battle we find ourselves in—a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God, and prayer. God wants to clothe us with his power—to put on his armor so that we can stand firm. He dresses us up in the protective righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is his goodness that shields us from the powers of darkness. He give us all this defensive armor so that we may not be spiritually harmed. As Jesus tells us, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but after that have nothing more that they can do” (Luke 12:4). But God also gives us offensive weapons—the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God and prayer. And as Christ’s Church we should not forget to take up these weapons—to be in the Word of God and to pray without ceasing.
“For our struggle is not against enemies of 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.”
But our victory is through the flesh and blood of Jesus, through his perfect life, healing touch, his death on the Cross, his rising again from the dead, and ultimately his coming again when he finally rights every wrong and makes all things new.
Now have I found consolation,
Comfort in my tribulation,
Balm to heal the troubled soul.
God my shield from ev’ry terror,
Cleanses me from sin and error,
Makes my wounded spirit whole.
(“Jesus Comes Today with Healing” LSB 620 vv. 1 & 6)
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