"Tied for Fourteenth" - A Guest Blog by Rev. Ken Freshour

This past Sunday, we were blessed to welcome Rev. Ken Freshour back home to Pleasant Grove Methodist Church for our Homecoming Service. Ken served as our associate pastor in 1986, and after nearly forty years of faithful ministry, he returned to share a powerful message titled “Tied for Fourteenth.” With his trademark humor, humility, and heartfelt storytelling, Ken reminded us of the cost of true discipleship and the transforming power of the cross. His words were both nostalgic and deeply challenging — a beautiful reflection on faith, commitment, and God’s grace through the years. I’m honored to share the full transcript of his message below.

Tied for Fourteenth

A Homecoming Sermon by Rev. Ken Freshour
Pleasant Grove Methodist Church - November 2, 2025

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Homecoming Reflections

Before I start my sermon this morning, I’ve been thinking about being here for some time. You all made a lasting impression on me, my wife, and our child. We came here on February 1st — Chris, Shannon, and I — to serve as associate pastor.

We walked in the door back near the office, and the first person we met was Sarah Brooker. Five minutes after we met Sarah, she had already taken Shannon to a Sunday school class. I turned to Chris and said, “I think I’m going to like it here.”

The love, support, and encouragement we received here jump-started forty years of ministry. I knew I loved the Lord — that was about all I knew about ministry when I came here. The three of us arrived, and now we have twelve children, thirty-four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

As I look out across the congregation today, I see some empty places — folks I loved dearly, who were so active in our church’s growth and in our spiritual growth.

There were also some funny memories along the way. I played on the church softball team — Eddie Marlow was the manager. One night, I was playing first base and chased a foul ball. I stepped in a hole, and instantly, my ankle swelled up about this big. Eddie sat me down on the bench, taped my ankle, and I finished the rest of the game.

When I got home — we were living in the house across the street — Eddie called Chris and said, “Chris, you probably ought to bring Ken to the doctor tomorrow. That ankle’s probably broken.” Chris said, “But Eddie, he played five more innings!” And Eddie said, “We would have had to forfeit.”

Anybody who knew Eddie knows I’m telling the truth.

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Reflections on Ministry

I retired twelve years ago. I was planning to be a full-time grandpa, but I had mentored a young pastor about twenty years earlier — back when I was serving at Trinity Methodist Church in Rome and he was at Lindale. We became close friends. We were both disabled veterans, and we stayed in touch through the years.

When he became sick, they asked me to fill in for a couple of months at his church. They didn’t have a leadership team or a budget, but I agreed to help for two months. Well, I’ve been there ten years now. Apparently, I’m a slow learner.

Right after I retired, I was also asked to fill in for about ten weeks during the summer at a church across from Chatsworth. They were transitioning from a full-time pastor to a student appointment.

The last thing I told that church before they received their new pastor was this:

“You have a great opportunity to do something amazing. You can help that person — who doesn’t yet know how to be a pastor — learn how to be one. You can love them, encourage them, support them, and create the beginning of a great ministry. Or you can nag, whine, gripe, and complain about what they don’t know how to do — and put a damper on what could have been a wonderful ministry.”

Thank you, Pleasant Grove, because you all loved us when I didn’t know what I was doing. You encouraged us when I made mistakes. You overlooked my errors and lifted up my successes.

For forty years, I’ve loved this place. On my last Sunday before retirement, I wore the same robe you gave me when I left here in 1987 — the same robe that had been with me for forty years.

Thank you, Pleasant Grove. You are a wonderful congregation.

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Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25–33

I studied long and hard about what I would preach this morning, and I believe I chose wisely. Please stand as I read from God’s holy Word.

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them, He said:
‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.’”

— Luke 14:25–33 (NIV)

The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

Please be seated.

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The Cost of Discipleship

You know, I’ve always struggled a bit with that word “hate” in this passage. When Jesus says, “If anyone does not hate his father and mother…” — that sounds harsh, doesn’t it?

I’ve graduated from two of the best seminaries in the country — I have both a master’s and a doctorate — and I even looked it up on Google! The word “hate” can indeed mean hate, but in this context, it really means “to love less.” It’s a matter of priority.

If a person does not love these less and love Christ more, he cannot be His disciple. I believe that’s what Jesus was trying to teach us here.

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Tied for Fourteenth

Years ago, Time Magazine ran an article asking a group of Americans to list the top 100 most significant events in the history of the world.

The results were fascinating. The number one event was the discovery of America by Columbus. But here’s what stood out to me: three events tied for fourteenth place — the discovery of X-rays, the Wright brothers’ first flight, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Tied for fourteenth.

What does that tell you? To me, it says that we’ve not done a very good job explaining what the crucifixion of Jesus really means.

The poll suggests we haven’t helped people understand what the cross does for us.

Tied for fourteenth.

Someone once said, “The heart of the Bible is the Gospel, the heart of the Gospel is the cross, and the heart of the cross is the very heart of God Himself.”

The Cross and What It Means for Us

Christian Century once published an article about a young man named Lou Marshall. He had been a divinity student at Harvard, but at the time of the story, he was living in New York City, working to bring peace between two rival teenage gangs — the Young Untouchables and the Playboys.

These gangs had been at war, and Lou was trying to mediate, to help them find peace. He managed to get them to stop the fighting. But one night, while traveling home, four gang members — who clearly didn’t appreciate what he was doing — attacked him. They beat and kicked him and left him lying in a pool of his own blood.

He was rushed to the hospital, but two days later, he died.

At his memorial service, both gangs attended — the very people he had been trying to help. The service was conducted by Rev. Howard Moody, pastor of Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village.

Rev. Moody said these words at Lou’s service:

“Lou’s death is a testimony to us as human beings and as a city of people — to build a place where we can dwell together in peace.
Some people say that the pavement on which he died wasn’t worth a life so full of promise and hope. Others might say he was foolish to get involved in something so dangerous.
Still, I believe that this place has been made holy because of the blood that was shed — the blood of a man whose courage to stand for what he believed was right has sanctified this ground.”

Every Christian believes that the blood Jesus shed for you and me was more than adequate. The cross is the greatest symbol not only of humanity’s cruelty, but also of God’s love.

It is the most complete act of affirmation we can find anywhere.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

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The Worth of the Cross

I want us to think for a moment about what the cross means for us.

First, the cross means that God sees us as people of vital worth.

We are worth something to God.

It’s easy to grow pessimistic if you watch the news. I quit watching the news about five years ago, and you know what? The world has managed to get by just fine without me paying attention to it. I’ve got enough strife in my own house! Even though I’ve got my kids out of the house, if I could just get them out of my billfold, I’d be okay — but that hasn’t happened yet.

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An Illustration of Sacrifice

There’s a story from World War II about a captain leading a group of soldiers. One day, he heard that one of his men had been shot and was lying out on the battlefield, crying for help.

The other soldiers warned him, “Don’t go out there! It’s too dangerous!”

But he went anyway. He ran out under fire and dragged the young man back to safety. In the process, the captain was shot between the shoulder blades. He later died from that wound, but the young man he rescued survived.

After the war, the captain’s family invited the soldier to their home for dinner. He arrived late, half intoxicated, ate the meal, and left without saying a word about the sacrifice that had been made for him.

The mother of the slain captain burst into tears and said to her husband, “To think our son died for someone like that.”

And I can imagine God looking down at us and saying, “Do you think My Son died for people like that?”

We squabble, we fight, we call each other names. We sin, we fail, we forget. And yet — He still calls us worth it.

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No Price Too High

There’s an old story about a woman vacationing in Florida who loved art. She found a beautiful piece she wanted to buy, but it was very expensive. She sent a telegram to her husband, describing it, and asking what to do.

He replied, “No price too high, buy it.”

She took him at his word, purchased the piece, and proudly brought it home to show him. He was furious. “I told you not to buy that!” he said.

She handed him the telegram: “See? You said no price too high, buy it.”

He read it and realized his mistake — punctuation matters. What he meant to send was: “No, price too high! Don’t buy it.”

Punctuation makes a difference.

And when it comes to our salvation, God says something different too. He doesn’t say, “No, price too high.” He says, “No price too high.”

It’s beyond our comprehension that God would look at us and say that — but He does.

I have twelve kids, and I wouldn’t want to lose any of them. I might lend you one or two for a weekend, but I wouldn’t give them up. Yet God looked at the world and said, “No price is too high.”

The cross means that God sees us as people of vital worth.

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Our Infinite Potential

Secondly, the cross means that God sees our infinite potential.

There’s a story about a young man who arrived too early for his date. The girl came to the door — her hair was a mess, half done, and she tried to make light of it. She said, “Well, what do you think of my hair?”

And the young man said, “It looks like it’s about to become something wonderful.”

Now that’s diplomacy!

But I think that’s how God looks at us. He looks at us and says, “You’re about to become something wonderful.”

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God Sees the Potential in You

There was once a young Polish girl named Maria Sklodowska. One day, her professor told the class, “Some of you have the stars at your fingertips.”

Maria went on to study at the Sorbonne in France, where she met and married one of her professors, Pierre Curie. Together, they pursued science — and failed again and again. But one evening, they came into their lab and saw something glowing faintly in a dish. They had discovered a new element — radium.

They truly had the stars at their fingertips.

We might never achieve greatness like that, but if we pick up our cross and follow Jesus, mighty things can happen.

A Mission Trip and a Miracle

I was on a mission trip to Tampico, Mexico, about twelve or fourteen years ago. We were building a church over the course of the summer. I was part of the first crew that went in — we poured the foundation and set the corner blocks. We also taught Vacation Bible School.

Now, we were staying in what they called a hotel. I’m not sure that’s what I would have called it, but that’s what they called it!

There was a maid who worked there, and as we were preparing to leave, the bus was ready to go. Everyone was loaded up and ready to head back to the United States when the translator came to me and said, “Dr. Freshour, the maid wants to talk to you.”

So I went back inside to speak with her. She asked, “Why are y’all here?” (that’s good Southern Spanish right there).

The translator repeated it, and I said, “We’re here because we’re Christians.”

She gave me a blank look. I asked, “Ma’am, are you a Christian?”

She said, “I’m a Catholic.”

I said, “I didn’t ask you that. I asked if you are a Christian.”

She said again, “I’m a Catholic.”

I repeated, “That’s not what I asked. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”

She looked confused. She didn’t understand what I was saying at first. But as I explained it — that being a Christian means personally believing in Jesus, receiving Him, and following Him — she began to listen closely.

Finally, there in the back hallway of that hotel, we knelt down together, and I led that maid to the Lord.

The stars were at my fingertips.

That moment may not have seemed like a big miracle to anyone else, but for that woman, it was the miracle of a lifetime. And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what it means to take up the cross.

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Taking Up the Cross

When we recognize our worth in the eyes of God, and understand the potential He has placed within us, there’s no telling what might be accomplished through our obedience.

Then we have the power to take up the cross — the cross of commitment, love, and service — and walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

There’s nothing more discouraging to me than to hear a congregation sing mournfully, like it’s a funeral dirge, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”

Have you ever heard a church sing like that? It’s pitiful — as if the cross were some terrible burden, something that robs us of joy.

But that’s not what the cross is.

The cross isn’t a chain that holds you down — it’s the wings that lift you up.

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Running from the Call

I’ll tell you something personal: I ran from the call to preach for twenty years. Jesus called me to ministry when I was sixteen, and I didn’t want to do it. I thought I’d never have another good time again if I said yes.

So I ran. I dragged Chris and Shannon all over the country, working various jobs, trying to hide from God.

But let me tell you something — if God can find you in Adairsville, Georgia, He can find you anywhere.

There’s no point in hiding. Eventually, I stopped running, went to seminary, and said yes to the call.

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The Birds and Their Wings

There’s a story — almost a parable — about how birds got their wings.

When God first created the birds, they had beautiful voices and bright plumage, but they didn’t have wings. God decided to give them wings, but when they saw them, they didn’t know what they were for.

They picked them up in their beaks and carried them on their backs like a burden. They walked around with these heavy wings, complaining about how cumbersome they were.

Finally, they learned how to attach them properly and fold them over their hearts. And when they began to move them, those burdens became what lifted them into the sky.

What they once thought were weights became wings.

And that’s exactly how it is with the cross.

What feels like a burden at first — the cost of discipleship, the sacrifice of following Jesus — becomes the very thing that allows us to soar.

The cross gives you wings.

Bearing the cross of Christ allows you to do things you never thought you could do.

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Talent Is Cheap, Dedication Is Costly

There was a sculptor named Bertoldo di Giovanni. You’ve probably never heard of him, but you’ve certainly heard of one of his students — a young man named Michelangelo.

Michelangelo came to work for him when he was fourteen years old. It was obvious he had enormous talent. But Giovanni also knew that people with great talent often like to take the easy way — to coast along without much effort.

One day, Giovanni walked into the studio and saw Michelangelo working on something far below his potential. He picked up a hammer, smashed the sculpture to pieces, and said,

“Michelangelo, talent is cheap — dedication is costly.”

And he was right.

Talent is cheap. Dedication costs everything.

It cost Matthew his life by the sword in Ethiopia.
It cost Mark his life at the hands of a mob in Alexandria.
Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
The once-doubting Thomas died from a spear in India.
James the Greater was beheaded in Jerusalem.
James the Lesser was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and beaten to death.
Bartholomew was flayed alive.
Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
Andrew preached the Gospel until his dying breath on a cross.
Jude was shot with arrows.

Make no mistake — the Gospel we treasure was paid for with blood.

Talent is cheap. Dedication is costly.

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The Cost of Following Christ

We need the message of the cross because sometimes we forget that real faith involves sacrifice.

Husbands and wives want strong marriages — but they don’t always want to do the hard work.
Parents want to raise good Christian children — but they don’t always want to pay the price by showing them how to live a Christian life.
Church members want a church that’s vibrant and growing — but they’d rather someone else do the serving.

Each of us wants to make a lasting difference in the world — but too often, we try to do it from the recliner, remote control in hand.

Let me tell you something, friends: it cannot be done.

You must take up your cross, and you must serve.

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Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Our gracious God,
Thank You, Father, for all the blessings You’ve given us — for the joy of being Your children.
Help us, Lord, to take up the cross, even when it feels heavy.
Give us courage, strength, and faith to follow You wherever You lead.
Bless us, Father, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

The Communion of Saints | A Sermon on Heb 12:1-2 & Rev 7:9-12

Introduction
Last week, I reminded you to put on the whole armor of God because there is a spiritual war happening beyond the veil of the physical world that we can see.  So much is happening beyond what we can see.  But today I also want to remind you that part of what we cannot see is a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on.

Imagine standing in a great stadium filled with a roaring crowd.
Now, I know we have a lot of football fans here at Pleasant Grove — you’ve been to those stadiums packed with thousands of people. But picture something far greater — ten, twenty, a hundred times larger. And this crowd isn’t cheering for a football team. They’re cheering for you — for us — brothers and sisters in Christ who are striving to do the will of our Father.

Abraham from Genesis is there. Moses from Exodus. Mary, the mother of Jesus. The twelve apostles — they’re all there, cheering for us. Isn’t that incredible? We’ve spent our lives looking up to them, admiring their faith and courage — yet now they are the ones cheering us on!

Martin Luther of the Reformation, Martin Luther King Jr. of the Civil Rights movement, John and Charles Wesley, Billy Graham — they’re all in that heavenly grandstand, lifting their voices for us. And among them are the saints of Pleasant Grove — people whose names you may never have heard, who worshiped in this church 150 years ago, dreaming of the ministry you’re living out today. They are in the glory of heaven, cheering for you now.

And then there are the saints we do remember — Sarah Brooker, T.W.W. Soby, Bonnie Sloan, Eddie Marlow, Sue McKenna, and so many others. I couldn’t possibly name them all; we’d be here forever. But they’re all part of that great cloud of witnesses, watching, hoping, and cheering for you.

Among them are former pastors of this church — Jack Gillespie, Dean Milford, Jack Summers — and even those early circuit riders who came on horseback, preaching in this very place, pouring their hearts into this congregation, loving you just as I have loved you. Now, they’re in heaven, still cheering for you. They haven’t forgotten.

This is the Communion of Saints.  It is the living, eternal fellowship of all believers in Christ–both those living in this life and those living in the afterlife.  Whenever we worship, they worship with us.  They care about us.   The Bible says they are cheering for us.

Hebrews 12:1
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

Revelation repeats the vision of the Communion of Saints in even greater detail: 

Revelation 7:9-12
⁹ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
    and from the Lamb!”

¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. ¹² They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
    and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
    forever and ever! Amen.”

The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is so much bigger than we can see or even imagine.  It is a multitude from every nation, worshiping the Lamb — a vision of ultimate unity and joy. 

For fifteen years, we have been on this journey together.  We have loved each other, challenged each other, encouraged one another, helped each other, and learned together.  We have worshiped side by side, and through it all, we’ve seen God’s hand at work among us.

No matter where I am—whether on earth or one day in heaven—I will always be cheering for you. Always.  I will continue serving as the pastor of Pleasant Grove Methodist in Dalton until December 31st. But even after that, though I may no longer be their pastor, I will always be their friend, their brother in Christ, and their biggest supporter.

And thanks to the gift of technology, I will still be able to keep up with them and even worship with them online from time to time.

Most importantly, I will always be their brother in Christ; and in Him, that bond is eternal.
In the meantime, we still have a race to run.  We still have a kingdom to build.

 

Hebrews 12:1-2
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.^[a] Because of the joy^[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Strip Off...
Hebrews says, “Strip off every weight that slows you down.”

When I first came to my church in Dalton, we had a program called Run for God.  For many people, it was the first time they had ever tried to run, and I was so proud of how everyone gave it their all. I went back and looked through some of the old Facebook posts from that time, and it was so encouraging to see the comments like:  “I’m out here trying to run for God… it’s a good thing I’m running for God, because otherwise I’d have quit already!”

You could hear the struggle, but also the determination and joy behind it. Running is hard work—and so is walking in faith. Some people couldn’t run, but they got out there and walked. They were walking for God. And you know what? If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. Whatever it takes—just keep moving forward for God.

But the writer of Hebrews says, “Strip off every weight that slows you down.”  Imagine trying to run a race with a 50-pound bag on your back, your arms full of boxes, maybe a few grocery bags too. How far do you think you’d get? Probably not very. It would be exhausting—maybe even impossible.

That’s what happens when we try to run the spiritual race while carrying things that weigh us down. The passage says especially sin, because of course, there are things in our lives we know we need to let go of—things we ought not to do, things we know aren’t right. We’ve got to lay them down, like the old hymn says, so we can run freely and effectively.

But notice—it doesn’t just say sin. It says, “Every weight.” There are things that aren’t sinful, but they still slow us down. They still keep us from running the race effectively. It’s like dragging an anchor while you’re trying to run a marathon.

So what are those things?
Maybe it’s worry—carrying anxiety that God never meant for you to bear.
Maybe it’s fear—hesitating to follow God’s call because you’re afraid.
Maybe it’s busyness—being pulled in so many directions that you can’t focus on what really matters. Not everything you do is bad; it just may not be what God wants you to do.
Maybe it’s comparison—constantly looking at what someone else has, how they look, or how they serve, instead of running your own race.

Like Amy said earlier, it’s easy to want someone else’s “nose”—or their talents, their gifts, their circumstances. But God made you to run your race, not theirs.

So let’s strip away anything that slows us down—sin, fear, distraction, comparison—and fix our eyes on Jesus. He’s the one who set the course before us, and He’s waiting at the finish line with open arms.

Eyes on Jesus
Verse 2 says:  "Keep your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."
Jesus is the reason “Love Lives at Pleasant Grove”. 
Jesus is the reason so many saints have come from our pews.
Jesus is the reason Pleasant Grove has endured through so many trials over the years ans continued to be a vital part of our community.
Jesus is the reason this church will continue to be a beacon of love and hope for years to come.

I will be leaving at the end of this year to go serve where Jesus is leading me.
But the mission of God continues here at Pleasant Grove.
The same Spirit who brought us together will continue to lead you.
And my sincerest hope for you is that you will continue to follow Him with your whole heart. 

Closing Ceremony
[Invite everyone to take the hand of the person next to them until we are all holding someone’s hand…]

Pastor:  We stand as one body — saints together, past, present, and future.
As I prepare to go where God is sending me,
and as you prepare to receive what God will do here next,
let’s bless one another.

Congregation:  Lord, we thank You for every saint who has run the race before us.
Thank You for the love we have shared, the prayers we have lifted,
and the lives You’ve changed here.

Pastor:  Bless this congregation as they continue their ministry.
Strengthen them in faith, guide them in hope, and unite them in love.

Congregation:
And bless Pastor Chris as he prepares to go serve another part of Your body in January,
that together we may keep running the race You’ve set before us —
so we all gather together at Your throne in eternity.  

All:  Amen.

 

Courage in the Face of Evil | A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-18

Introduction
Last week, we were reminded we who follow Christ as Lord are Saints in the Kingdom of God.  We are not saints because we are perfect.  We are saints because the HS of God lives in us.  We are His holy Temple and we represent God to the world.  Yet, we live as saints in a troubled world.  And so today, I want to share God’s Word about suiting up in the whole armor of God so we can have courage in the face of evil.

Ephesians 6:10-18
¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]

We are at War
The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians living in Ephesus on the western coast of modern-day Turkey, a wealthy city famous for being the site of the great Temple of Artemis.  These Christians were on the frontline of a spiritual war between God’s Kingdom and the forces of darkness. 

Paul reminded them, and us, in verse 12:  “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies…”  Don’t ever forget we are at war.  But also, don’t ever forget, we are not at war against our neighbors.  We're not at war with Democrats.  We're not at war against Republicans.  We're not at war against immigrants or criminals.  We're not at war against people who practice other religions or those who think differently from us.  

We are at War With:
Then who are we at war with?  Paul tells us in verse 12:

·  “Evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world” – This described demonic forces that have influence beyond what we can see. These are spiritual beings that oppose God’s purposes.

·  “Mighty powers in this dark world” – This points to the pervasive influence of evil in human society—systems, ideologies, and forces that promote darkness, sin, and oppression.

·  “Evil spirits in the heavenly places” – This highlights the reality of spiritual warfare in the unseen, spiritual realm. The “heavenly places” doesn’t mean heaven itself, but the spiritual dimension where both God’s angels and demonic powers operate.

The Whole Armor of God
And so Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God.  Thankfully, most today are not very familiar with the use of armor in hand-to-hand combat.  I can't imagine how awful it was in ancient times to fight face to face with someone using a sword--to strike them so closely you could hear them cry out be sprayed with their blood.  Aren't you thankful we don't have to face that kind of trauma?

Let's take a look at the each piece of armor Paul mentions.

The Belt of Truth
First, Paul speaks of the belt of truth. At first glance, that might seem like an odd piece of armor. I mean, when we think of a belt, we think of something that just keeps our pants up. But for a Roman soldier, the belt was much more than that. It was a sturdy piece of leather that hung down from the waist to protected the lower body—an area vital to survival—and it allowed freedom of movement while also offering some defense against glancing blows.

So what does it mean for us to put on the belt of truth? For Christians, truth represents personal integrity, sincerity, and the genuineness of our faith. It means we are not pretending to be something we’re not. We live honestly, authentically, and with transparency. Pretending only leaves us vulnerable, because eventually the false image will crumble.

When we put on the belt of truth, we commit to walking in honesty—with one another, and with the world around us. We interact with integrity and present ourselves genuinely, not hiding behind masks. Truth holds everything together and gives us the strength to stand firm.

The Body Armor of God’s Righteousness (AKA Breast Plate of Righteousness)
Next, Paul says to put on the body armor of God’s righteousness. Some translations call it the breastplate of righteousness, the piece of armor that covers and protects the vital organs of the body’s core.

Now, we know that none of us are righteous on our own. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But because of Christ, we can put on His righteousness. Our sins are washed away, and we are covered and protected by what He has done for us.

At the same time, as Christians we don’t stop there. We also seek to grow in righteousness—to live with good behavior, godly attitudes, and the virtues the Holy Spirit shapes in us. Living a righteous life brings great protection. When you carry yourself with integrity and walk in righteousness day by day, people notice. Even those who disagree with your beliefs may still say, “I don’t agree with what you believe, but I know you’re a good person who means well.”

That kind of respect and witness is like armor—it shields your witness, deflects unnecessary attacks, and demonstrates the reality of Christ’s work in you. That’s why we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. 

The Shoes of the Good News
And then Paul tells us to put on the shoes of the Good News so that we are ready to go quickly and share the gospel. When we picture an army, we often think of soldiers standing in formation, locked in battle. But most of the time, soldiers aren’t fighting—they’re moving. They’re marching.

One of the reasons the Roman army was so effective is that they could march long distances quickly and arrive at the battlefield organized and ready. They had strong shoes that protected their feet, so they could cover hundreds of miles and meet the enemy wherever the threat arose.

In the same way, Christians are not called to stay in one place. We’re not called to simply sit in pews week after week. We’re called to go—to move where God sends us, to answer His call whenever and wherever it comes. And when we go, we carry with us the Good News of Jesus Christ—what He has done for us, what He is doing now, and the offer of salvation, peace, and love that He freely gives.

So we lace up the gospel shoes of peace, ready to bring Christ’s hope into the world. Wherever God leads, we go—and when we arrive, we share the Good News.

The Shield of Faith
As we live as saints in a troubled world, the Devil will shoot flaming arrows to try and destroy us.  Some of those fiery darts may come as doubts, temptations, fear, reminding us of our past failures, trying to convince us that our efforts for God are useless, stirring up conflict and disunity within the church, and tempting us to rely on our own strength rather than God’s.  But we can defeat these by lifting up the shield of faith to deflect the Devil’s attacks.  Faith shields us when we trust God and believe in Him more than our doubts, fears, failures, the things that discourage us, or even ourselves.  We believe in God because we’ve seen the evidence of His love and truth and we choose to trust Him more than anything else.  It is a powerful shield.

Roman Tortoise Formation
I've been reading a book describing Roman battle tactics. One of their most famous strategies was called the tortoise formation—the testudo in Latin. In this formation, soldiers stood tightly together, shields locked in every direction. The front line held their shields forward, the sides locked theirs along the flanks, and others raised shields overhead until the entire unit was covered, like a giant shell.

From a distance, it resembled a tortoise—protected on every side. And it was nearly impenetrable. When enemies launched thousands of arrows from hundreds of yards away, the soldiers could advance safely in this formation. Imagine the sound as they marched across the battlefield—clink, clink, clink—as arrow after arrow bounced harmlessly off their shields. Protected and united, they moved forward until they were close enough to overcome their enemy.

That’s a powerful picture for us as believers. We are not called to be lone warriors for Christ. We are part of a body, a formation, a family. We stand side by side, shields of faith joined together. We protect and encourage one another. When one falters, others lift them up. Together, we advance as a powerful force for God’s Kingdom.  

Not alone. Never alone. We fight together.

The Helmet of Salvation
In battle, a blow to the head is often a death blow.  And so, we protect our head with the sure and certain knowledge that Christ is our salvation.  He died on the cross for our sins.  They have been washed away.  It is not by our own good deeds that we are saved, but by the blood of Christ.  And nothing in this world or even in heaven or hell can take that away.  And even if this dark, troubled world destroys our body, we will live forever in the Kingdom of God, so we have nothing to lose.  Put on that helmet of salvation and you can boldly face anything this world throws at you.

The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Paul tells us to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is our only offensive weapon. But notice—it’s not a physical sword. It is the Word of God, a spiritual weapon.

We must be careful here: as Christians, we are not called to conquer the world by force. We are not here to coerce people into following Christ. Jesus Himself never did that. He could have summoned thousands of angels to subdue His enemies, but He didn’t—because hearts can’t be won at the point of a sword.

The sword we carry is God’s Word. We engage not with violence, but with the gospel, with truth, and with love. We speak God’s Word into people’s lives, sharing the hope of salvation and the peace of Christ. We extend the invitation—but we do not force it. Faith must be freely chosen.

Power can control people for a time, but only God’s Word can transform a heart forever. That is why we take up the sword of the Spirit.

Increase Your Armor’s Strength
Paul ends his illustration with a call to prayer:  “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]”

Prayer is the power source that strengthens every piece of our armor. When we pray, our faith grows stronger, our helmet of salvation is secured, our feet move with greater readiness, our belt of truth holds firm, and our breastplate of righteousness becomes a shielded defense.

But here’s the remarkable thing: prayer not only strengthens our own armor—it strengthens the armor of others. Your prayers can cover and protect your brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s why Paul tells us to pray for all believers everywhere.

I was reminded of this truth when I discovered dozens of failed attempts from around the world to hack into my email account. Page after page of people trying to impersonate me, break in, and cause harm. Yet, every attempt failed. I truly believe that was not just because of security settings—it was because of the prayers lifted on my behalf. Prayer is a shield that stops attacks we can see and even more we cannot.

That’s why we must never forget: though this sanctuary feels safe, comfortable, and quiet, we are in the middle of a spiritual battlefield. Prayer keeps us and one another strong, alert, and able to stand together against the enemy.

We Go Out As Saints Into A Troubled World
We are not helpless in the face of evil. God has given us His armor—the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word—so that we can stand firm and unshaken in a world full of darkness. Remember, our battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces, and with Christ on our side, victory is already assured. As saints in a troubled world, let us walk with courage, strength, and determination, knowing that the Holy Spirit within us makes us more than conquerors.

Praying for Strength and Courage
Almighty God,
We come before You as Your saints in a troubled world, not in our own strength, but clothed in Your armor. I pray now for each person in this room. Strengthen their hearts with courage.

Protect their minds with the helmet of salvation.
Guard their lives with the shield of faith. Surround them with Your righteousness and truth.
May their steps carry the peace of the gospel wherever they go,
and may the sword of Your Spirit—the living Word—be ever ready on their lips.

Lord, when the enemy attacks with fear, doubt, or temptation,
let Your light shine brighter than the darkness.
Unite us together in love and in power, that we may stand firm,
shoulder to shoulder, as Your holy people.
Send us out now with boldness to live as saints,
carrying the hope of Christ into a world that desperately needs it.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray,
Amen.

 

Called out of Darkness | A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-10

Introduction
I’m starting a new series as we lead up to Homecoming on All-Saints Sunday.  What does it mean to live as saints in a troubled world.  And our first sermon is “Called Out of Darkness”. 

We are the Church, God’s chosen and holy people, called from darkness into light.  And today, I want to encourage you to embrace your unique identity as God’s people and to live differently from the world.

1 Peter 2:9-10
⁹ But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

¹⁰ “Once you had no identity as a people;
    now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
    now you have received God’s mercy.”^[b]

“But You are Not Like That…”
I want to dive right into the meat of this Scripture, but I must first address this initial clause.  Peter says, “But you are not like that…”  Originally, Peter was talking directly to Christians scattered across Asia Minor who were facing social marginalization and suffering for their faith.  But today, he’s talking directly to us.  And he says, “But you are not like that…” 

Not like what?

If you look back a few verses you find the answer.  You are not like the people of Israel who rejected Jesus. Israel was called to be a Holy Nation of Priests.  They had the honor of hosting the Holy Temple in Jerusalem where people from all over the world could come and worship God.  But they never lived up to their calling.  And when God’s own Son came to them, they rejected Him.  And verse 8 says:  “So they meet the fate that was planned for them.”  And verse 9, speaking to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord, says: “But you are not like that…”  So what are we like?

Who Are We in Christ?
“…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.”  These were the words originally used for Israel in the Old Testament.  But now they apply to the followers of Christ.  Christians don’t replace Israel.  We are the fulfillment of what Israel was always meant to be.  We are chosen by God.  We are royal priests.  We are a holy nation.  We are God’s people.  Let that sink in…

What an honor!  What a privilege!  What a blessing!
But don’t forget that as God’s Chosen People, we have a great responsibility.

Set Apart for Holiness
“You are royal priests, a holy nation…”
Priests are set apart for the special purpose of representing God to the people.  In ancient times, priests stood out as holy.  Special clothes that mark them as different from ordinary people.  Special rituals sanctified them.  And they were known to have special access to God.  People would come to them when they needed healing or forgiveness or a word from God.  They came to the priest for help because they believed the priest were closer to God and had a special connection with Him.  The priest could go to God on behalf of the person in need and interceded for them and God was more likely to listen.

Today, people will often joke that I (as a pastor), have a direct line to God in a similar way.  But according to what the New Testament says, we all do!  I'm no closer to God than you.  You can go boldly before Him and present your prayers and He will listen.  The Holy Spirit lives inside you and intercedes for you in groanings too deep for words.  God hears you and listens!

We are all set apart to serve as God’s royal priests!  We who follow Christ are holier than the Jewish High Priest of the Old Testament!  It's incredible!    

And you are supposed to stand out as different, not b/c you wear fancy clothes or do certain rituals like in the Old Testament.  You stand out because:

• Christ lives in you
• You’re leaving behind the darkness of ignorance, sin, and despair
• You’re walking in the light of salvation, truth, joy, hope.
• You proclaim God’s goodness, mercy, and salvation in word and deed.

Christ Lives in You
When you repent of your sin and decide to follow Jesus, Christ comes to live inside you as the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament, the Temple represented God’s dwelling place on earth.  But now, because of Christ, the New Testament  says we are His Temple.  
1 Peter 2:5 – “you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.”
2 Corinthians 6:16 – “ For we are the temple of the living God.”

Have you ever heard of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? It’s a very special place. The Temple in Jerusalem isn’t there anymore—it was torn down in 70 AD. The only part that remains is the western wall of the Temple.

For centuries, people—both Jewish and Christian—have made pilgrimages to the Western Wall. They write out their prayers on little slips of paper, roll them up, and tuck them into the cracks of the stones. It’s a sacred act in a sacred place, because this is where the Temple once stood—the very Temple we read about in the Bible. I’ve been there myself. I wrote a prayer and placed it in the wall. If you’re standing at the Western Wall, that’s what you do.

But let me tell you something amazing: that wall is not where God dwells. God is everywhere, of course, but that place is no more sacred than any other. The true dwelling place of God is not in the stones of Jerusalem—it’s in you.  There is no holier ground than the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside you right now. Christ lives in us—that’s what makes us different. That’s what sets us apart.

Turn on the Light
Secondly, we need to we need to live in the light.  We need to come out of the darkness.  We stand out when we come out of the darkness.  

This morning I woke up early. I wake up early almost every day, but especially on Sundays. Today I was up a little before 4:00. Now, I don’t mind getting up early—but my wife does. She values her rest, and I want her to have it. So when I get up, I move quietly and I don’t turn on the lights.

Our bathroom is on the opposite side of the bed, so I have to carefully make my way around in the dark. After living in our house for 15 years, I know the layout, but still—you never know what might be on the floor. So I walk slowly, carefully, feeling my way until I close the bathroom door. Then I turn on the light so I don’t disturb her—because I love her, and because, frankly, she’s a lot nicer when she’s slept well!

But it’s hard to walk in the dark, isn’t it? Even when you know where you’re going, you have to move cautiously. And sometimes, as Christians, we try to live our lives like that—as if we’re walking in the dark. Yet Scripture says: “God has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

When Kelly is away visiting her mom, I don’t have to tiptoe around in the dark. I can flip on the light and move quickly, freely. I can see where I’m going. Life is so much easier in the light.

That’s what God wants for us. Life is better, freer, and safer when we walk in the light of Christ. So let me challenge you: where in your life are you still walking in darkness? Where do you need to turn on the light—stop conforming to the world, and instead live in God’s light as His holy people?

As Christians, we need to turn on the light!  We are called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light.  I challenge you to examine areas where you are conforming to the world instead of living in the Light as God’s holy people.

Darkness can represent many things in our lives.  First, darkness can represent ignorance.
As people of the light, we are called to be informed. That means studying God’s Word, seeking to understand it, and asking Him to make us aware of what we don’t yet see. Often we simply “don’t know what we don’t know.” So our prayer becomes: “Lord, show me what I need to know. Make me conscious. Help me be intentional as I follow You.”

Second, darkness can represent sin.
As God’s people of light, we must leave behind sinful behavior—the things we already know are wrong. That means repenting and turning away from them. But it also means asking God to shine His light on the areas we can’t yet see. “Lord, show me the hidden sins, the blind spots, the places I need to change. Bring me out of the darkness and into Your light.”

Finally, darkness can represent despair.
The world constantly tells us reasons to be fearful, anxious, angry, or hopeless. But as people of the light, we are called to lay down despair and embrace hope. No matter how bad things look, we know that Christ has already overcome the brokenness of this world. In Him we have eternal hope. We don’t have to live in despair anymore—we can step out of the darkness and walk in the light.

Living As Royal Priests
Our identity is not just about what God has done for us, but what we are to do for Him.  We are His royal priests who represent God to the world.  Let me ask you some questions:

When was the last time you reminded someone that they are loved and valued by the Lord?

When was the last time you stood in the gap for someone who was far from God?

When was the last time you brought someone else’s needs before God in prayer as a priest would?

When was the last time you prayed with someone?

When was the last time you carried God’s presence into a place of darkness or despair?

When was the last time you served someone in a way that revealed God’s love?

When was the last time you lived in such a way that someone asked about your faith?

When was the last time you told your story of how God changed your life?

Closing
Our closing song today isn’t just a fun song.  It’s a closing reminder to all of us.  Listen to the words of the chorus:
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us

We are God’s royal priests, a holy nation.  We are the Temple of the Living God. He lives in us.
This is an incredible honor and privilege.  But it’s also a responsibility.  We are called to serve,
to represent God to the world.  To be His powerful agents of grace—calling the world repent, inviting more and more people in God’s Kingdom and ushering His Kingdom into our world.

We have the power to do it, because the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us.
But are we willing to live as God’s royal priests?