The battleground for the faith

I’m what you might call a “war buff.” That is to say, I like learning about the history of various wars. I’m especially drawn to the two world wars. It was an incredible privilege on my recent sabbatical to be able to travel to Europe and visit Vimy Ridge, Beaumont Hamel, and the Somme battlefields (World War I) and the D-Day beaches in Normandy (World War II). Now, that’s my set up to say that this week’s outline of Colossians 3:1-11 reflects battlefield imagery. My outline does but not the passage. Yet, when I read, “put to death what is earthly in you” in 3:5, I thought about other New Testament passages with warfare imagery, and considered how hard it is to do what Paul is exhorting us to do here, and all I could think of was, “This is war!” And it is. Come, ready on Sunday to enlist in this spiritual warfare over evil and sin. It is a battle that rages not only in the world around us but in each of our hearts. Series: Invisible God; Visible Faith (Colossians) Todd Dugard Message: 6 – The battleground for the faith Harvest Bible Chapel Text: Colossians 3:1-11 August 6, 2023 I engage in the battle for the faith knowing... ...there is a clear objective (v. 1-2) ...it is a just cause (v. 3) Thomistic Philosophy https://aquinasonline.com/ ...it is a guaranteed win (v. 4) Matthew 25:31-33 ...there is a clear plan of attack (v. 5, 7-10) ...the stakes are high for those not yet won over (v. 6) ...I am following a proven commander into battle (v. 20a)