The BUZZING Church: Tools of the Trade

Ephesians 6:10-18

Last Sunday we started our journey together learning about what it means to be “The Buzzing Church”.  We explored what it takes to be a buzzing church.  It requires us to practice four things: instruction in God’s Word, fellowship with one another and the world, worship of God and a devotion to prayer.  When a church is firing on every one of these cylinders, they are a church buzzing with excitement, enthusiasm and joy for the Lord.  They are the Buzzing Church.

These four practices are the required tools to be a disciple of Christ.  They are the tools of the trade.  It is the necessary gear and equipment each Christian needs to get the job done; to be buzzing with exhilaration, hope and love to live the life of faith.  Tools are good for that.  They help us accomplish and achieve so much.  Where would be without fire, the bow, language, and the wheel?  What would we do without hammers, screwdrivers, saws and paint brushes?  How would we ever make it through the day without electric lights, the ball point pen and microwave ovens?

I have been surrounded by tools my whole life.  My dad had a bunch of old hand tools that he inherited from my Pop-Pop’s business.  I received a bunch of old tools from my Aunt Helen and Uncle Vinnie some time ago.  When I moved into my first apartment, my dad gave me my first tool box with my name on it.    

Since then I have accumulated more tools than I know what to do with.  From a table saw, a cross cut saw, a circular saw, a nail gun, pliers, wire cutters, wrenches, a lawn mower, a trimmer, a hedger, shovels, a drill and drill bits of all sizes, a rechargeable drill and screwdriver, clamps of all sizes, socket wrench sets: and this is just in the garage!

There are tools in the kitchen, such as knives, appliances and pots & pans that help us eat and prepare meals.  We have sinks, toilets, and furniture to make our homes more hospitable and sanitary. 

Each tool performs a specific task.  Each is made for certain types of work.  In order to be effective and efficient, it’s important to have the right tool for the right job. 

We have all inherited the tools of the trade from the living God.  And we need all the tools we can get!  We must use every tool that God has given us for what it is designed to do.  We must be ready at all times with our box of tools so we are prepared for whatever challenges come our way.  The Bible describes our tools as the full armor of God.  Paul writes that the armor of God is “the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit”. 

When I think of armor, I don’t think of saws or blenders or table lamps.  The first thing I think of is the literal suits of armor worn by knights in medieval times; made of metal covering the knight from head to toe.  The suit was designed to protect the knight from sharp arrows, swords, jousts and other weapons of war.  In our world today, we have tools such as armored cars to move money and valuables safely and securely from one place to the next.  These cars are literally gigantic steel safes on wheels with alarms, sensors and locks to prevent burglary and theft.  Of course, we have the armed forces of our country charged with protecting our nation from harm when deployed around the world.  And there are armored bulldozers to clear land in hostile territory.  For the Ephesians hearing these words for the first time, they easily identify this armor of God as not just weapons of war, but as tools to make and build things. 

Do we really need all these things?  Breastplates?  Belts?  Shields, helmets and swords?  Yes, to become a Buzzing Church, to build the kingdom of God on earth we need the full set of tools.

There are evil forces at work in our world.  They are strong and powerful and seductive.  They work to persuade us to turn away from the will and the love of God.  They convince us to reject the grace of God and follow our selfish motives; put greed above generosity, pride above humility, envy above trust, anger above peace; to forsake those around us, and most of all, God.

So if we are to become a Buzzing Church, we must put on the full armor of God, not just a few pieces, but the full outfit.  We must learn to use all these tools: Truth, Righteousness, Faith, Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God.  These are the tools God gives us to stand against justice & evil in the world, to serve those in need, to love the unloved, so that the peace and justice of God may prevail.

We must also put to good use the tool of hospitality, the tool of forgiveness, the tool of reconciliation, the tool of grace and love and let us never forget the tool of prayer.  Prayer is real and substantial.  But this power can only be unleashed if we are willing to use it correctly.  Paul instructs you and me to pray at all times.  It must be constant.  We can’t just pray to God when life has dealt us a bad hand or we’re caught in a desperate situation.  We must pray in all times and all situations: joyful times and difficult, challenging times.  Prayer must be intense.  We must be alert to the world around us and the injustice and evil that is systemic in our world.  We must pray with intensity, with our whole selves, with every ounce of energy we have because the evil one does not let up. 

Prayer is to be geared toward the welfare of others.  Prayer must be unselfish.  Paul specifically asks the Ephesians for prayer that “a message may be given to me (Paul) to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel…” (Ephesians 6:19)  When we pray for one another, we are indirectly praying for ourselves.  The author of Ecclesiastes writes, “While one might prevail against another, two will withstand one.  A three-fold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)  When we pray for each other, we form spiritual connections with one another that are not easily cut, shattered or destroyed. 

With the armor of God, we have the powerful advantage of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the gift of prayer to help us become “more than conquerors” in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).  We are equipped with the armor of God: the truth, the righteousness, the faith, the salvation, the Spirit, the Word and prayer.  They are the tools of the trade to frustrate the schemes and temptations of evil.  The armor of God empowers us to pray, forgive, reconcile and love; to stand boldly and courageously face opposition, to struggle against the spiritual forces of injustice and evil around us.

So whether it’s in social situations or the classroom, put on the full armor of God.  Whether it’s in the workplace or in the church, put on the full armor of God. Whether it’s walking down the street, or serving the poor and needy with our neighbors, put on the full armor of God.

Stand firm and be bold.  We know our God has given us the right tools to be a buzzing church to take on the challenges we face each day.  Stand firm!  Carry them with you wherever you go and give all the love you have in your soul.  Because with the whole armor of God, you will be equipped and ready for anything!  Amen.