No Wardrobe Malfunctions here! The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (09/01/2024) - Video

THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
September 1, 2024


Wardrobe malfunctions are both uncomfortable and unfortunate. There is always something deeply disconcerting about something intended to be covered suddenly being exposed. Imagine Adam and Eve before the Fall, naked as jaybirds and as a breezy as a Nor'easter without a concern in the world over it. Can't have a wardrobe malfunction without a wardrobe, right? After that first act of rebellion though everything changes, no more naked, and hello fig leaves! Before God turns them loose in the now broken world, He first crafts "garments of skin" for them as hey are exiled from Eden. God clothes Adam and Eve. And today in Paul's letter to the Ephesian church, he reminds them of how God has clothed them once more. God covers Adam and Eve with garments to protect them from the elements of THIS world, yet, as we are clothed in Christ through Holy Baptism, Paul tells the Ephesians (and us) of how God gives us new garments to protect from a different sort of elements. In our struggle against these elements, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) And with this wardrobe, there are no malfunctions. No accidents. No mistakes. God gives exactly what we need to stand firm in our struggles against sin and Satan. "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (vs 13) Our intimate parts stay covered, and our hearts and minds guarded, so that we have no excuse for standing on the sidelines and avoiding the battle over our neighbor's eternity because we're afraid of getting hurt. No more wardrobe malfunctions, because there's nothing wrong with God's armor.We are given this armor of God to be about HIS work, proclaiming the hope we have in the forgiveness of sins and resurrection of the dead. Where have you neglected going? Whom have you avoided going to? With God's armor on, what is left to be afraid of?

God’s blessings on your worship this week!

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