[A] [PREACHING LESSON 7:] WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH?

(BAKIT ANG KRISTIYANO AY DAPAT MAKIPAGLABAN NANG MABUTING PAKIKIPAGLABAN NG PANANAMPALATAYA?)

1TIMOTHY 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

2TIMOTHY 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:”

Panimula:

a.     Ang araling ito ay seryosong hamon sa bawat Kristiyano na tayo’y makipagbaka nang mabuting pakikipaglaban sa pananampalataya.

b.    Posibleng magtagumpay ang bawat Kristiyano sa pagharap nila sa kanilang mga kakaharaping pagsubok at problema at lahat ng pangigipit ng ating kaaway na si Satanas.

EPHESIANS 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”

Mga Dahilan ng Pakikipaglaban sa Pananampalataya:

1. BECAUSE OUR FIGHT IS REAL AND OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMY IS REAL

(Sapagkat ang ating pakikipaglaban ay totoo at ang ating espritwal na kaaway ay totoo rin.)

EPHESIANS 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”

a.     Ang ating kaaway ay isang malakas at totoong masamang kaaway natin espiritwal.

Þ   Ang diyablo o si Satanas ang dumaya kay Adan at Eva kaya sila nahiwalay sa Dios. (GENESIS 3:3-13)

b.    Ang hamon ni Pablo sa bawat Kristiyano na ang diyablo’y labanan ninyong matatag sa inyong pananampalataya.

1PETER 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

2. BECAUSE OUR FIGHT IS A RIGHTEOUS AND SPIRITUAL FIGHT

 (Sapagkat ang ating pakikipaglaban ay matuwid at espiritwal)

EPHESIANS 6:12-18 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

a.     Hindi sa laman at dugo ang ating pakikipaglaban na katulad ng mga hindi ligtas. Subalit sa ating mga Kristiyano ay isang matuwid na pakikipaglaban.

b.    Hinahamon tayo ni Pablo na isuot ang buong kagayakan ng Diyos upang tayo’y makatagal at magtagumpay sa oras ng labanang espiritwal.

1.     Ang bigkis ng katotohanan ay ang Salita ng Diyos. (Eph 6:14)

2.     Ang sakbat ng baluti ng katuwiran ay ang matuwid na pamumuhay natin. (Eph 6:14)

3.     Ang paa na may panyapak ay ang pag-aakay natin ng kaluluwa. (Eph 6:15)

4.     Ang kalasag ng pananampalataya ay ang matatag na pananampalataya natin sa Diyos. (Eph 6:16)

3. BECAUSE OUR FIGHT IS A REASSURING ON THE WINNING SIDE

(Sapagkat ang ating pakikipaglaban ay nasa panig ng Diyos sa pagtatagumpay)

1JOHN 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

a.     Ang Diyos ang tumatahan sa ating mga Kristiyano kaya mas makapangyarihan Siya kaysa sa diyablo na kaaway natin.

b.    Si Kristo Hesus ang magbibigay sa atin ng pagtatagumpay.

1CORINTHIANS 15:57 “But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c.      Ang Diyos ay kakampi natin kaya sigurado na magtatagumpay tayo laban sa ating kaaway.

ROMANS 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?”

4. BECAUSE OUR FIGHT IS A REWARDING FIGHT

 (Sapagkat ang ating laban ay may nakalaan ng gantimpala)

2TIMOTHY 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
2Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

a.     Malakas ang loob ni Pablo na makipaglabang matatag hanggang matapos ang labanang espiritwal.

b.    May totoong gantimpalang nakalaan sa bawat nagtatagumpay hindi lamang sa ilang Kristiyano katulad ni Pablo kundi sa lahat ng Kristiyanong handang magtapat sa pagbabalik ng Panginoong Hesus.

c.       Ang pagkatakot sa Diyos ay pagpapakita natin ng paggalang natin sa Diyos. 

2TIMOTHY 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Pangwakas:

Ang labanang espiritwal ay totoong labanang espiritwal at dapat lamang tayong maging handa at humarap sa kaaway ng Diyos. Ang Diyos ay kakampi natin kaya magtatagumpay tayo sa labanang ito.

ROMANS 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?”