C r u s a d e r s

Wanna know what it's really like to be a warrior of God?

                  Ever heard of spiritual warfare?

                                               How would you like to know that we're
commanded to wear armor every day?

                        Are you a guy, in grades 4-12?

Want to learn how to use a two-edged sword?

(Okay, not really, but the Bible does say God's Word is sharper than any two-edged sword.)

Then come every Wednesday night at 7 to learn what it really means to be a Crusader for Christ!

The Bible tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 that our battle isn't against flesh and blood but against the rulers and powers of darkness...against Satan and his fallen angels.

This is why we're supposed to put on the armor of God.

You wanna be a true Christian Warrior?

Then you gotta put on the armor:

Gird your loins with truth.

That means you have to be honest. Satan would rather you lied, but a true Christian Crusader would tell the truth, even when it's the tough thing to do.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness.

That means you should try your hardest to live a righteous life. What does righteous mean? It means being innocent of evil, being honorable and ethical, and abiding by the laws.

Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

This means you should be willing to take the gospel of peace (God's Word) with you wherever you go. Think of God's Word like shoes. You have to put them on before you leave the house, right? Well, you should always take the message of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, with you just like you would your shoes.

Take up the shield of faith.

That means that your best defense against the plots of the devil is your faith in God. If you believe in God, believe God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do, then your faith will keep you strong, even through tough times.

Take the helmet of salvation.

This means that once you are saved--once you are immersed (baptized) into Christ--you should carry this knowledge with you in your head. Knowing you're saved and there's nothing the devil can do about that, nothing his demons can do about that, and nothing the world can do about that will keep you from doubting God's love.

Take up the Sword of the Spirit.

Finally! We get to the Sword! Yes, as Christians we're supposed to carry a sword. The Sword is God's Word--the Bible. If you study the Bible, memorize it, and treasure it in your heart, then you will be able to stand against the devil and say, "No! That is not what God has commanded! Get away from me, Satan!"

Wearing armor

every day

is critical

if we want

to win.

And who doesn't want to carry a sword?

I mean, come on! How cool is that?

Totally cool.