day no. 17,290: when surrounded by evil, remember, it's a target rich environment

"We’ve been looking for the enemy for some time now. We’ve finally found him. We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.” — Chesty Puller

The one benefit to being surrounded is that you don't have to waste time or resources finding the enemy. They have already done all that work for you. That frees you up to focus on firing away. Especially in the event of being surrounded, the decision of where to shoot it solved. Shoot anywhere and you are aiming at the enemy. Even a bad shot can hit the broad side of a barn and someone with bad aim can hit the enemy if the enemy is everywhere.

"All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us . . . they can’t get away this time.” — Chesty Puller

The enemy cannot escape your bullets when they positions themselves in every direction. Sure, you're surrounded, but at least its a target rich environment.

"The greater the diameter of light, the greater the circumference of darkness. Expanding this, if you are in a dark place, the more effective your light is, the greater the diameter of your light, the longer the boundary line between light and darkness grows. This means there is no way, in this fallen world, to solve problems without increasing them. Be encouraged therefore. This is not a sign that something has gone desperately, terribly wrong. No, it is sign of something else, much more exhilarating." — Douglas Wilson, The Circumference of Darkness

As the kingdom of Christ advances, the number of contact points with the darkness will increase. Do not lose heart. It only seems like the darkness is growing. But it is retreating to the corners and someday the light will fill the entire room.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven

So, don't stop shining as brightly as you can where you are. Do not be afraid of the dying night. It seems like sunset, but it is twilight. 

"Do not, I beseech you, be troubled about the increase of forces already in dissolution. You have mistaken the hour of the night; it is already morning.” — Hilaire Belloc

Do not forget how to tell time. Do not set your watch to world standard time, set it to Christ and the year of our Lord.

"So the brighter that light shines, the more opportunities the darkness has to say and do something about it. So as I said before, be encouraged therefore." — Douglas Wilson, The Circumference of Darkness

An increase in interaction is not a sign of their growing forces, but a sign of their imminent dissolution.

John 1:4-5 (ESV)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The darkness has not, will not, and never will overcome the light and life of God revealed in Jesus Christ, our Lord, by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Amen.

day no. 17,289: clearly standing for the truth (exhortation outline)

Christ Church Leavenworth

WLC 144: Clearly

February 22, 2026

Clearly Standing for the Truth

THE TEXT

Our text this morning is Colossians 4:3-4, these are the words of God,

“Pray for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ — that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

INTRODUCTION

This morning we are continuing our walk through Q144 of the WLC which asks, “What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?” The answer provided by the Westminster divines includes the duty “to appear and stand for the truth from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully.” The portion of this duty we will be focusing on this morning is, “clearly,” as in clearly standing for the truth.

As we saw in our text, we ought to speak clearly, especially when discussing the things of God. We owe this to others. As we’ve discussed before, this is what the word “ought” means. When you ought to do something for someone, it is because you owe it to them. So, if you are intentionally vague about what you clearly believe, you are not only robbing your neighbor, you are bearing false witness against yourself. But being clear in your communication is, ironically, not easier said than done. Paul, Himself, listed it as a prayer request in our text. He prayed for an open door for the Word and a careful tongue when speaking. He recognized his duty to speak the truth clearly and knew that he needed God’s help to do it.

The duty to be clear is generally understood by most and we testify to that fact in the way that we converse. For example, it is not uncommon, in the course of a conversation, to hear someone say something like, “Now, just to be clear,” or “Let me clarify.” We sometimes even go as far to say, “Not gonna lie.” Why do we feel the need to do that? Are we implying that everything else we said might be a lie? I shouldn’t need to reassure you that what I’m about to say isn’t a lie. But because we recognize our obligation to be clear in our communication, we feel the need to clarify what we mean, especially if we’re worried it might sound a bit mean.

Consider 1 Corinthians 14:7-9, “If lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said?” While the context of these verses is more about language in general than words in particular, the principle still applies. If you know what you would like to say if you had the courage, but instead you say something vague with a bit more wiggle room in it because you lose your nerve, then you are like a broken bugle. You are not making a distinct sound; you are just making noise. But there is a reason for that, right? A distinct bugle sound is a call to what? To battle. It alerts everyone to the urgency of the situation. But if you’d rather not get into a fight right now or if you’re scared of what the outcome would be if you did get into one, you might be tempted to make an indistinct sound in order to avoid an argument. So, you say something, but not what you mean, because you know that if you did, the bugle would blast and a battle would break out. So, you use unclear words as a kind of camouflage to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation. You’re still at war with your neighbor, they just don’t know it. Remember, deceit, subterfuge, misinformation, misdirection, and bald-faced lies are all acts of war. 

That being the case, you should be clear about what team you are on and you should want others to know too. Spiritual androgyny is bearing false witness. We have seen the physical manifestation of this kind of thing all around us with increasing frequency it seems. It is not unusual to see someone at the store or on your screen that makes you wonder, “Is that a boy or a girl? What am I looking at here” Some of our kids have even wondered aloud and made it more awkward for everyone. But remember, they aren’t the ones who need to be shushed. They are not the ones who made it weird. The dude in the dress did.

Androgyny and transgenderism are only possible in a society that tolerates bearing false witness. But we, not content merely to tolerate it, have actually taken it a step further, and celebrated it. We have invited it into our public libraries and thrown parades for it in our streets. The Scriptures clearly teach that men should dress and act in a way that clearly communicates that fact and that women should do likewise. (see 1 Cor 11:1-16). No one should have to guess. No one should have to wonder what you are. So, if your name is Pat, make sure we know if it’s short for Patrick or Patricia without having to ask.

Now, bring that idea back into the spiritual realm. No one should have to wonder if you are a Christian or not. No one should have to attend your funeral wondering what you believed. Your friends and family should not be forced to guess if you are in Heaven. They shouldn’t be reduced to hoping for some secret conversion that only the Lord saw. You owe your loved ones clear evidence of your common faith. Children, you owe your parents assurance. They should not have to lose sleep worrying about the sincerity of your belief. You should go to great lengths to make your calling and election sure. (2 Peter 1:10). Both for your own sake and for the sake of those who love you. If you are married, you owe your spouse clear evidence of an ongoing faith in the Lord. They should not have to bank on what you used to do. They should not have to wonder where you’re at right now.

  

Lastly, know that clarity is kindness. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say is a simple way to love your neighbor. Sometimes, however, it’s easier to settle for being nice. Kindness is a command, niceness is not. Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another.” Understand the difference. Nice is vague, but it feels good. Kindness is clear, but it hurts sometimes. Kindness forgives sins, but not without naming them first. Nice says there’s nothing to forgive, which sounds nice, but it’s not true. 

CALL TO CONFESSION

Well, since we often choose nice over kind and vague admissions over clear confessions, we are reminded of our need to regularly confess our sins, whether they be these or others. So, if you are able, please kneel with me and confess your sins, first privately and then corporately using the prayer found in your bulletin.

CORPORATE CONFESSION

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment. Cleanse me, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

DECLARATION OF PARDON

Arise and hear the Good News! 

The assurance of pardon today comes from Philippians 3:8-10 “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death.

Our Father in Heaven has not been vague or unclear: there is only one way, one truth, and one life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. He is the one and only Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is our King and He is kind. You have confessed your sins and placed them on Him, and so the Father has placed His righteousness on you. Therefore, it is my privilege to declare to you that by the grace of God and through your faith in Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven… THANKS BE TO GOD!

Now let us ascend to the presence of God in all worship and praise.

day no. 17,288: the head does not protect the helmet

"The apostle Paul teaches us that if we present our requests to God with thanksgiving, then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Notice that His peace protects us. Whenever we become sinfully anxious, we are somehow assuming that our hearts and minds are supposed to protect the peace of God. We think of the peace of God as this little guttering candle, and we have to guard it against all the drafts as we shield it with the firm resolve of our hearts and minds. But this is precisely backwards. It is not just a mistake, it is a drastic one. It like trying to protect your helmet with your head." — Douglas Wilson, Remarks at the Pentagon Prayer Meeting

The peace of God protects us. It is not a fragile thing precariously perched on the pedestal of our feelings. It is a hardy thing firmly fixed on the foundation of God's promises. The helmet protects the head. The head cannot protect the helmet. If it could, it would not need a helmet. 

"What was David’s breastplate? What was his helmet? 'I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts' (1 Sam. 17:45). He stood firm in the name of Jehovah. He conquered the giant Goliath in the name of someone else. If you bear the name of Jesus Christ, there is no armor greater than that. Not only so, but all the devil’s R&D teams have not come up with armor-piercing anything." 

— Douglas Wilson, Remarks at the Pentagon Prayer Meeting

The armor of God protects us. The devil does not have anything that can punch through it. If you are suited up, you are set. Hell can fire away, but you will walk away.

day no. 17,287: sit still and know

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” —  Blaise Pascal

Because men will not be left alone to their thoughts, they force other men to listen. 

Because men cannot talk back to the voice in the head, they find others who will hear them.

Revelation 8:1

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

In Heaven there are those who can sit quietly and contentedly knowing their God and being known by Him. They can do this in Heaven because they made a habit of doing it on earth. They were able to sit still and know that the Lord is God.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God

All the problems in the world are caused by people who cannot be still knowing Who is in control. So, they fuss and fidget and mess with things not realizing that they are messing them up. They cannot sit still, because real thoughts may creep in and convict. They cannot be busy with good works, so they are busybodies going about talking about others who are working.

day no. 17,286: these boots were made for walkin'

“If we have put on the whole armor of God, our feet are shod with the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:14). What do feet shod with peace do? They crush accusations, that’s what they do. They crush devils; they walk on snakes.” ― Douglas Wilson, All the Condemnation

The God of peace crushes rebellion. Peaceful feet are not those dangling in a slow-moving stream of clear water. No, peaceful feet are covered in the blood of serpents. These boots were made for walkin', and that's just what they'll do. And one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.

Romans 16:20 

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Wage peace.

day no. 17,285: leviathan and the land of the free

“The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it.” ― Robert E. Lee

The United States of America were a group of states bound together by covenant. They created a federal government to facilitate their arrangement. They conceded particular powers to this federal government in order to form a union. 

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” — The Tenth Amendment to United States Constitution 

The War of Northern Aggression was fought over that arrangement. Along with the victor of the North was created a new government. After that, it was no longer a group of independent governments, or states, willfully joined by a shared federal government. It was now one federal government.

“Basil Gildersleeve pointed out, the Civil War was fought over a point of grammar. Shall we say ‘the United States is’ or ‘the United States are’? That is a point worth revisiting.” — Douglas Wilson

As General Lee pointed out, the dissolution of the "the United States are" led to an aggressive disposition towards other nations and a despotic disposition towards its own citizens. In short, the only hope for America was the South. Since the North won, America, as we knew it, is no more. Leviathan consumed the land of the free.

day no. 17,284: the outside of the cup isn't irrelevant

"True worship is what occurs when we come to worship God, with all the externals established in true obedience, and all the internals lined up to match. Clean the inside of the cup, the Lord said, but He did not say that the outside was irrelevant. He said that then the outside would be clean also." — Douglas Wilson, No Jesus, No Way (Amos 5:1-17)

Because we tend to put more emphasis on what others can see than on what only God can see, we focus more on the outside of the cup than on the inside. We can get people off our backs if we keep the outside of our cups clean. And so, this is why Jesus placed an emphasis on the inside of the cup.

Matthew 23:25-26

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

The Pharisees were notorious for being overly scrupulous when it came to the outside of their cups and under interested when it came to the inside. So, man-pleasers should take note: it isn't merely what you look like, but what you are that counts. 

That said, Jesus did not dismiss the outside of the cup. Too many in their zeal to apply this passage make it say more than it does. Jesus did not make the outside of the cup irrelevant. The inside and the outside of the cup are not pitted against each other. They should both be cleaned. You should live your life in such a way that men who see you praise your God and God who sees your inner man delights in why you are doing what you are doing.