Scripture Text - Ephesians 6:16-17 - The Armor of God
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Scripture Text - 2 Timothy 1:1-7 - Encouragement to Be Faithful
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Scripture Text - Ephesians 6:14-15 - The Armor of God
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Scripture Text - Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Scripture Text - Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

The online sermon is not available for April 22nd due to malfunction of the recording device.

Rev. Ralph Trainer is the executive director at Beulah Beach camp and Retreat Center in Vermilion, Ohio

Ralph served as the assistant vice president for Missions Mobilization at The Christian and Missionary National Office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the past seven years.  He gave oversight to the offices of Missions Mobilization, Ministry Partnerships, and Short-term Missions.

Prior to this appointment, Ralph and his family were missionaries to Gabon, Africa, working primarily in church planting among unreached people groups.  During Ralph’s last term in Gabon, he served as field director and led the field in a bold initiative to “see a church for every people, the gospel for every person.”  Today, there are Christians and churches in all of the 67 people groups!

Jesus sent out His disciples with these words: “Preach the good news, heal the sick, and cast out demons!’  Ralph has seen the power of God turn thousands from fetishes to faith in Christ, heal the sick and afflicted, and set free many from Satan’s hold.  He has traveled to more than 50 countries and loves seeing the Power of God at work.

“There is nothing more fulfilling in all my life than to be used of the Lord to reach an unreached people group with the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Ralph is married to Kathy, and they have three children: Joel, David, and Megan.

Scripture Text - Mark 16:1-8
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Scripture Text - Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.