MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Mayor Matthew Starr and the Association of Police Chaplains brought out Knox County’s finest for the annual Prayer Breakfast event on Wednesday.
Civic leaders, elected officials and first responders with their respective chaplains gathered at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. However, for a moment, one humble man stood above the rest.
Lucian Baker, a pastor for 47 years, a preacher for 51 and a chaplain for Mount Vernon’s Association of Police Chaplains, was that man
Baker’s humility was apparent as the Chapel of Four Chaplains awarded him with the Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award.
“To recognize and encourage acts of heroism, volunteerism, brotherhood and sacrifice among Americans of every age and every station of life, the Chapel of Four Chaplains has established the Legion of Honor program,” said CEO of the Muskingum Valley Council for Scouting America, Jared Smith.
“Among those awards is the Humanitarian Award, which is given for a lifetime or career of outstanding humanitarian service which has profoundly affected the quality of life in one’s community, state and nation. This award is very rarely given.”
Surprised about the award, Baker kept it short and introduced Mayor Starr for his keynote speech.
“I’m not going to make very many remarks,” Baker said. “I am flabbergasted. I didn’t know what all this was about.”
Our mayor has made every one of the chaplains feel like they were somebody special. He’s always gone out of his way to ensure that we knew he was behind us.
Pastor and chaplain, Lucian Baker
Putting on the full armor of God
Building off of Ephesians 6:10-18, a Bible chapter, Starr explained a spiritual suit of armor.
“I want to take each piece of the armor piece by piece because it represents a truth, a discipline or a gift that God has given us so that we can stand firm,” Starr said.
Here is, briefly, each piece that Starr referenced and how he connected it to what people face today.
The Belt of Truth
“Roman armor belts were not decorative; they held everything together. The breastplate was fastened to it, the sword hung from it. Without the belt, the armor would be clumsy and loose,” Starr said.
Starr connected this by saying that without truth in our lives, we are vulnerable to the lies of the world.
“The belt of truth means clinging to what God has said, not what the enemy whispers.”
The Breastplate of Righteousness
“[The breastplate] represents guarding the heart, the core of who we are, Christ has given us righteousness as a gift,” Starr said.
The Apostle Paul calls believers to live righteously and make choices that reflect Christ. Starr compared this to how a police officer’s bulletproof vest doesn’t prevent attacks but instead absorbs potentially fatal blows.
“So, when we live in righteousness, the enemy’s accusations cannot penetrate as deeply.”
The Gospel of Peace
“Roman sandals were not flimsy flip-flops or Hey Dudes, they were heavy duty with studs in the soles that gave traction,” Starr said. “Soldiers could march long distances and stand firm in battle because their feet were secured.”
Starr explained that the gospel provides both peace with God, through Jesus, and the peace of God, which comes from knowing God is present even in tough times.
The Shield of Faith
“Roman shields were huge; they were 4 feet tall, 2 feet wide, made out of wood and wrapped in leather,” Starr said. “Soldiers would often soak them in water before they went into battle.”
“The reason for that is because the enemy would oftentimes fire up fiery arrows, and so the wet shield would extinguish it.”
Starr explained that people often face persistent doubts, fears and temptations about whether God truly means what he says. Thus, taking up the shield of faith combats this.
The Helmet of Salvation
Starr noted how salvation from God protects our perceptions and thoughts.
“One of the enemy’s favorite playgrounds is the mind. If your enemies can discourage you, confuse you or make you doubt your salvation, they can paralyze you,” Starr said.
If people perceive the world and their lives well, good thoughts prevail. Starr said if people can remember they are saved by God, their perceptions can change.
