Sound the Battle Cry”

the spiritual welfarethe spiritual ofJerusalem. men,” since theywere day andni to bealert Isaiah 62:6callstheprophets ofJerusalem “watch foolishly ignores thewatchman’s warning. Jeremiah thatIn 6:17,Israel isanexample ofacity his tower, to hearwhat theLord alert would say. 2:1speaksoftheprophet watchingHabakkuk from 33:1–9.) Ezekiel ifhedidnotwarnthem.(See citizens He would beheldresponsible for thelives ofthe sothat they couldwarn thecity prepare for battle. ing enemy and notice an advanc to had to bealert shoulders. He on thewatchman’s that restedsibility weight of respon man.” the Imagine enemy approaching the A manchosento climb a tower andwatch for an Picture ofAlertness • • • • • The Character ofGod then speaks thatthen speaks to us. to Theand whatspeaks God Holy Spirit is alert 12:13–17;Luke Mark 20:1–8.) (See ensnare words. inHis Him with wise, careful answers whenthey triedto to men’sJesus was alert motives andresponded 6:8.) Matthew (See andresponsive isobservant God to ourneeds. Proverbs(See 15:3.) isaware allthetime.God andalert 16:13.) Genesis (See God’s name Roi”“El means God “The Who Sees.” - - Alertness city was calledthe city “watch (See John16:13.) (See

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in Scripture • • • inMyLife Alertness and His Word.His and to defeat us bytrying c to subtle, little wayswill help us be alert he attacks, aware 3:1–8.)Being Genesis (See ofSatan’s tactics an ideathat was notinagreement withGod’s Word. failed to recognize Satan’s attack whenhepresented John 8:32.)Adam andEve andthey were notalert, overcome hisdeadly, debilitating deception. (See truth ifwe want to beableto notice, combat, and to destroy us.is trying We mustbesaturated inthe the devil sober and vigilant because our adversary Recognize thespiritual battle. Psalm(See 143:8–9.) guide you in the right response situation. to every that are happening. and Ask to God make you alert thingsroundings andcause us to miss important wrong time, theycanmakeusobliviousto oursur as cell phones, earbuds, etc., because, ifusedat the lot. We mustdiscern whento such useelectronics notice what ishappeningaround usinaparking ways when we approach a street or road and also place that heisin. bothWe by looking canbealert of place, andisconsciously aware ofthe ofthespirit notices if somethingdoesnotseemrightorisout I canhave person theright response to it. An alert aware of Know themeaningofAlertness. Key Concepts alert inprayer? alert Mark 14:38 to thisinstruction? to bealert: What isit, andhow canwe beobedient that there was aspecificthingaboutwhich we are Matthew 24:42andLuke 12:37 ness according to thisverse? Proverbs 22:3 that which is taking place aroundthat meso whichistaking —What dangerdowe avoid ifwe are —How canyou demonstrate alert onvincing usto doubtGod I Peter 5:8 says to be Alertness isbeing Alertness —Jesus taught - -

©2016 Institute in Basic Life Principles • iblp.org ______I didnotignore hisscream.” between the slide and a board on the swing set! I was soglad I checked on him and He didandsoIran to checkonmy brother. Ifound himhanging withhislegstuck remembered thisverse andprayed would that God helpmeeven thoughIfelt weak. probably checkonhim.Ireally wanted to keepdoingwhat Iwas doing, butthen tempted to ignore itbecausehewas probably justplaying andsomeoneelse would having agreatI was time. All ofasuddenIheard my brother scream outside. Iwas lives. For example: “I finallyhadachance to enjoy sometimealonein my room. Have the children write about a time they were able to apply this verse in their ofthe Doers Word have quoted theverse enoughthat theyhave often itmemorized. (warm).the object the verse when he is far softly away from the (cold)object and loudly when he is closer to toRead thechildren: orloudlydependingonwherethe verse softly “It” isinrelation to thehidden object. eyes and begins to search for the object. The other children give him hints by quoting agree such on as a an spot eraserto or a hide wateran object, bottle. “It” opens his Choose achildto be “It” first. Have himclosehiseyes whilethe rest of thechildren Memory Verse Game: Warm orCold Alertness Give different to be children theopportunity “It” until thechildren lest ye enter into temptation. As “It” looks for the object, we fortheobject, looks are goingto helphimby quoting “It” As The spirit trulyis ready, but the fleshis weak.” “Watch ye and pray, Mark 14:38 Mark

Memory Verse 2

©2016 Institute in Basic Life Principles • iblp.org 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. row into the counsel, asthough they would that thouwouldest down bring Paul tomor he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee remember to tell thechiefcaptain? What detailsoftheplandidPaul’s nephew gerous situation? work you after rightly responded to adan him” (Acts 23:17). thingtocaptain: for tell hehath acertain said, thisyoung Bring manunto thechief called one of the centurions unto him, and what heoverheard?reported What Paul’s after happened nephew wisely whatabout they seegoingon? forgood young to people talkto adults castle, andtold Paul” (Acts 23:16). lying in wait, he went and entered into the “And when Paul’s sister’s sonheard oftheir to overhearWho was alert theevil plan? made aware plan? ofanungodly (Acts 23:14). we willeat nothinguntil we have slainPaul” bound ourselves underagreat curse, that andelders,chief priests andsaid, We have these wicked men? theplot of about theauthorities know Did one else? who wanted to doharmto you orsome 23:12). Paul” tilltheyhadkilled nor drink (Acts curse, saying that theywould neithereat together, and bound themselves under a when itwas day, oftheJews banded certain What were theJews planningto do? Read Acts 23:12–24asafamilyand Read Acts in theLifeofPaul'sNephew answer thefollowing questions: Have you ever ofsomeone known Alertness What shouldyou do if you are How have you seenGod “And theycameto the “Then Paul “Then

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3 7. 6. be alert to what around ishappening you? alert be the governor” (Acts 23:23–24). may setPaul himsafe on,andbring unto Felix the night; And provide them beasts, that they two hundred,spearmen at thethird hourof ea, andhorsementhreescore andten, and ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesar called unto himtwo centurions, saying, Make right response ofPaul’s nephew? What and was theresult ofthealertness ly parents, avoid helppeople danger? workers,emergency pastors, andespecial things to me” (Acts 23:22). thou tell nomanthat thouhastshewed these andcharged him,See young mandepart, nephew? What say didthechiefcaptain to Paul’s help authoritiestake proper action? 23:20–21). ready, for apromise looking from thee” (Acts till theyhave him:andnow are killed they an oath, that theywillneithereat nordrink men, whichhave boundthemselves with lie inwait for himofthemmore thanforty But donotthouyieldunto them:for there enquire somewhat ofhimmore perfectly. “So the chief captain then let the the chief captain then let the “So When could sharingdetails How dopolice, How you can “And he - -

is beingawareofthatwhichtakingplacearoundmesoIcanhavetherightresponsetoit into thecastle, and told Paul” (Acts 23:16). Paul’s Nephew Warns ofDanger 4

©2016 Institute in Basic Life Principles • iblp.org you how Hewould like you to respond.” to whatisgoingonaround you to show andaskGod stay alert toRead the children: Tape tower. edgesofthepapertogether to makeacylindrical theshort Give eachchildtwo googlyeyes to glueonthepaperandwrite thewords “Keep Watch” to them. next wood, orstone. paper andcutalongtheline. Allow themto decorate thepaperto looklikeatower madeofbricks, thechildren to drawInstruct thetop ofatower across thelongedgeofapiece ofbrown construction Craft Instructions: Brown paper, construction markers, scissors, googlyeyes, glue, andtape. Supplies: into ourlives.”alertness coming andavoid andaswe isthesource temptation. God listen forHisvoice, ofalertness, Hewillbuild watch towersto whatisgoingonaround us. asareminder This helpsusprepare to alert be forwhatis to respond to thework He isdoingtoToday changeusinto the image of His Son! we are going to make toRead thechildren: Introduction: “This monthwe theLord are asking inourlives. “This aprivilege to develop What alertness “When you seeyour tower,“When remember to Alertness “KeepWatch” Tower 5

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Boom! A few of the fighting men froze, staring upward as another charge-filled cannonball soared across the battlefield. The deafening explosion as the bomb landed bewildered, wounded, or killed those in the targeted vicinity. The accuracy of the enemy cannoneers was improving with each shot. They had successfully pinpointed their opponent’s position. The alert commander, following each movement of the enemy while simultaneously tracking the positions of friendly regiments, knew the time to attack was now. “Forward, men!” he shouted above the din. Held high for his men to see, his silver sword gleamed in the blinding sunlight, leading them on toward the enemy. His men bravely surged forward in a line formation, rifles at the ready, all eyes on their leader. Onward pressed the standard-bearer; onward pressed the ragged line of soldiers. Yet despite the soldiers’ bravery, the outcome of the battle still hung precariously in the balance. Suddenly, the balance tipped! The enemy was scrambling, retreating, abandoning their fortifications. Excited, inspirited cries burst forth from the weary attackers! With renewed vigor the prevailing offensive force furiously plowed forward, fully convinced that victory was theirs! In 1869, a few short years after the end of the American Civil War, William F. Sherwin penned a hymn which, with its military tone, undoubtedly stirred the spirits and memories of many former soldiers. Sherwin was born in 1826 in Massachusetts. As a young man he studied under the famous prolific composer, Lowell Mason. Sherwin worked at the New England Conservatory of Music and was also a voice instructor and large-group music director. He was known for his hymn writing. “Sound the Battle Cry” is one of his works. This particular hymn, however, went beyond appealing to those with military ties. In “Sound the Battle Cry,” Sherwin focused on the spiritual battle every Christian faces and the need to be “on the offensive” for Christ, not shrinking back into comfortable, cozy spiritual lethargy. Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh; Raise the standard high for the Lord; Gird your armor on, Stand firm every one; Rest your cause upon His holy Word. Sherwin used the Apostle Paul’s description of the Christian’s spiritual combat in Ephesians 6 as he penned this hymn. Notice the parallels between the words of the hymn and Paul’s exhortation: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall

7 ©2016 Institute in Basic Life Principles • iblp.org Principles ©2016 Institute in Basic Life Hymn Historyof“SoundtheBattleCry” “Fight thegoodfight offaith,lay holdoneternal life, alsocalled, whereunto andhastprofessed thouart “fight for the Lord” by thissimple hymn. Will you takeupitschallenge anddothesame? Jamestown, New York. talent inorganizing andleadingamateur extraordinary choruses paved His Thousands uponthousandsofpeople’s since theCivil hearts War have been stirred andinspired to These ofalertness: verses emphasize theimportance Are we standingagainstthewilesofdevil?Orare • • • • Bibliography: Sherwin’s life illustrates Hecould have alertness. chosen so that Ican have the right response. Are we strong in Chautauqua Movement as part ofhis Chautauqua Movement aspart “fighting thegood fight” responded andSherwin forChrist, this movement throughout andlectures alsosponsored theUnited concerts States, and Theodore thousands whoattended. People gathered to hearthefinestspeakersandmusicians were the way asthefirstmusicdirector for at theChautauqua toAssembly camp serve hisbeing selected we spiritually iteasy,”“taking unaware ofthespiritual the Lord? Are we ofGod? puttingonthewholearmor which istheword ofGod” (Ephesians6:10–17). take thehelmetofsalvation, andthesword oftheSpirit, Roosevelt calledit thinginAmerica.” mostAmerican “the hadplaced God inthe William Sherwin out-reaching movement that metyearly at thebeautifulLakeChautauqua(shuh-TAW-kwuh) near inspired to andlive seekChrist for Him. These popularmeetingshadagreat influence for many years, dangers that are lurking on every side? If you side? If were on every dangers that in a are lurking and thoughmuchsmallernow, stilllives theChautauquaInstitution onat itsNew York site. At itspeak, an easylife, blending inandignoring thespiritual a goodprofession before many witnesses” (I Timothy 6:12). appropriately since hewas well-aware battle ofthespiritual ofthetime. meetings. adroit brought His conducting beautifulmusicoutoftheenthusiastic butuntrained battle ofhisday. However, chosedifferently. Sherwin His musicaltraining was utilized inavibrant, battle would you ignore theadvancing army? being aware place around ofthat me whichistaking ofthewicked. And darts be ableto quenchallthefiery Shiver, Emmett W., Reynolds, William J., KennethOsbeck, W., Morgan, J., Robert Then Sings Soul,My 104 of My Favorite Hymn Stories, 101 More Hymn Stories, Hymns of Our Faith, Rouse, then,soldiers, rally round thebanner, Onward, forward, shoutaloud, “Hosanna!” While ourcausewe know, mustprevail; Christ isCaptain throng.Christ ofthemighty Battling for therightwe ne’er canfail. Ready, steady, passtheword along; Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003, p. 273. Broadman Press, Nashville, 1964,p. 404. Shield andbannerbright, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982,pp. 61–62. Strong to meetthefoe, Gleaming inthelight, Marching onwe go, Springmaid Press, Biscoe, NC, 2008,p. 49. 8

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