10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

So when we put on the whole armor of God we are challenged to represent God’s word to the world. We are guarded by God’s righteousness, soaked in his grace, supported by God’s word, and protected by shield and helmet. God’s takes the brunt of the blows sent against us when we speak about God and the eternal kingdom. If this is true, why do we shrink from that task and feel unqualified? Moses certainly didn’t feel qualified, yet God equipped him to lead the people from Israel into the land God had promised. I frankly can’t think of a person in the Bible who felt qualified when God called except Jesus, who is God with us.

It is a real challenge in our society to speak the truth. In fact, there are some who would tell us they don’t want to hear the truth. Truth is, though, that God is real and working for our best interest, even when we are not. The breastplate of righteousness is not our own righteousness, but that of God. When we put on the armor of God, not only is God protecting us but God is encasing us in his grace, further separating us from the world so we can be part of his kingdom. Isn’t that what we want? The disciples understood this as we can tell from their response – where else would they and who else could they follow because they knew that Jesus was the Son of God?

So how do you use the belt of truth? Do you use God’s word in your conversations or thoughts throughout the week? Can you withstand the stuff the world throws at you behind your shield of faith? How do you represent God throughout the week?

John 6:56-69
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Our look at what it means to be purified continues with this passage and our reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In this passage from John’s gospel we read Jesus’ words as he continues talking about the Communion experience at the Last Supper and about eating of his flesh and drinking his blood of the new covenant. Notice how Jesus is aware that many are struggling with his words. It is difficult for many of us to consider accepting Christ into our lives and surrendering our very personhood to God, yet that is what is asked. However, we don’t grasp that we are being offered something even better than what we have already. This is one of the reasons the gospel message appeals to impoverished people and is harder to proclaim in prosperous lands. People who think they have it made already often don’t feel they need a god to set them right, while people who lack material wealth are hopeful of the promises this passage makes.

Notice also that some followers (verse 66 uses the word disciple, but this should not be confused with the twelve) left Jesus because they did not believe earnestly that Jesus was offering eternal life through his flesh and blood. Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question should be our reply too: If we were to leave Jesus, whom would we follow? Perhaps, if we look closely at our lives and consider that we might be following the path to prosperity or some other earthly goal, then we are not following God. This does not mean that we should abandon prosperity, but we should be working so that we are able to help others more as well as ourselves. That’s what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. Along with helping others is the proclamation of God’s word. Again, Jesus is proclaiming the Kingdom of God through his flesh and blood as well as his teaching and healing. We are made holy by God of Heaven for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel message, which might be different in different contexts. Each person needs to know that God is for them in every situation.

Purification is justification – being made right by God and restored to the image of God in our spirit so we reflect God’s Spirit in our words and actions. God equips us with tools, knowledge, and words to proclaim the simple message that the eternal kingdom is open for us through Jesus Christ. People can experience that taste of Heaven through us if we just let God work through us, and that means surrendering to God’s purifying touch.

John 6:51-58

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." (NRS)

We have just completed a lengthy look at Holy Communion and this passage is often associated with some views about Communion. But, if we separate the idea from Communion, this passage still holds a lot of significance. It’s about receiving Christ into one’s life. It’s about digesting God’s wisdom. It’s about being changed or transformed into the likeness of Christ and being completely dependent upon the strength of the Holy Spirit for our sustenance.

I hear people criticize Christianity by suggesting that Jesus is some kind of psychological crutch for people that are too weak to take responsibility for their own actions. I think that cannot be further from the truth. In fact, those who surrender themselves and permit the Holy Spirit to guide demonstrate greater courage and strength than those who give in to the ways of the world.

Our sermon series entitled “Purified” looks at how God changes and purifies our lives. It does not mean that Christians can’t have any fun, but it means instead that we are moved by the Spirit and made clean by God’s holiness, not our own. When we receive Christ we receive the entirety of who and what God is, so we should submit to letting God do what he would with our lives. God will not force himself upon us, but we can surrender, be made pure by the cleansing of the Spirit, and live a fuller, happier life in the Spirit than we could have ever achieved without God’s presence in us.