Out of The Box: Part 2 - 'No Surrender' 

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available via live stream at 10.00am on Sunday 13th November, on our YouTube channel.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

1 Peter chapter 5 verse 8 (New Living Translation)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.


Romans chapter 12 verses 17-21 (New Living Translation)

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”
    says the Lord.
   Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.


1 Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4-8 (New International Translation)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, we thank you for the steadfast valour and the sacrifice of those who have fought against evil to defend our freedoms in this country. Holy Father, we pray against the devil and the forces of evil in our world. We pray especially for Ukraine, that you would deliver its people from evil. We pray for an end to war and bloodshed around the world. Arm us with the weapons of love Father, and guide us into action by Your Holy Spirit. Help us not to go missing from the fight against evil in our own day-to-day lives but to be strong and courageous. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.



Questions to Consider:

1. Have you ever experienced war, or heard a first hand account of it? What are your impressions of war?
2. What do make of the tension between pacifism and the concept of a ‘just war’? For example, was it right to go to war against the Nazis?
3. What do you make of the idea that we are in the middle of an ongoing war of good vs. evil?
4. In a battle, it would be normal to play to your strengths and to attack an enemy’s weaknesses. That being the case, what are your own strengths and weaknesses?
5. Based on your answers, how can you use your strengths to fight for good, and what do you need to be in guard against, given your weaknesses?
6. How are you doing against the list of what love looks like in 1 Corinthians 13, above?
7.  How can you stay alert against enemy attack? What protective measures might you put in place to protect yourself and others?