Ephesians 6: 19-21

Matt Deaville

(also read from v10)

If you haven't already noticed yet I'm a big fan of making the most of this life we have. So far in these studies we've talked about running your race well (5 July) and faithfulness (2 Aug) and this week is no different we're going to talk about something else you can do to make sure you become a champion........

The other week I was asked who was one of your favourite heroes from the past.
The person I thought of was renowned for his sharp wit. On one occasion a lady approached him and said "Sir, if you were my husband I'd poison your tea," his instant reply was "Madam if you were my wife I'd drink it" On another occasion a different lady said of him "Sir, I perceive you're drunk" his reply was "Yes, and you're ugly and in the morning I'll be sober"

His wit wasn't his greatest asset in my opinion, he was also famous for his bulldog spirit. A man that was determined to succeed in his generation. Winston Churchill. It was that mans leadership that was key to Britains success in World War 2.

He once gave a speech to a London boys college. He got up before the packed room of boys, opened his notebook and began to speak saying, "Never," then he paused and said again, "Never," then again, "Never",and again and again "Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never, Never," until after a few minutes of saying it over and over had passed, he finished by saying " Never give up " Then he closed his notebook and sat down. It was that determined spirit that we need to resemble in our Christianity. Winston showed by his lifestyle that he was not prepared to put up with the tyrany of his time but to stand for what he believed in.

Every generation has to stand up for what is right, to put an end to injustice. You need to make a stand against the wiles of the devil by having an attitude of no compromise Christianity. Armour yourself with useful tools - truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, above all - faith, salvation and the word.

We're in a generation where these tools are not optional extras but essentials for effective Christian life !!!!