Armor All: Sword of the Spirit
Armor All • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
to be a christian is to be a warrior engaged in a battle.
We sing about this even in our worship services:
484 The Battle Belongs to the Lord
486 Faith is the Victory
481 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
482 Am I a Soldier of the Cross?
Last but not least? # 479 Onward Christian Soldier
What is a solider? We have so many images?
A Knight
Marine
He-Man
GI-Joe
Paul is reminding us that we are in a battle each and everyone of us.
as the Hymn writer says “Onward Christian soldier Marching as to war,”
Paul begins writes to the church in Ephesus building them up with powerful doctrinal truths about their relationship with Christ.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Connecting Verse: the foundation in the church
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Foundational Chapters 1-3
Now in Chapter 4-6 are Functional Chapters
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Ephesians 4:1
The word walk is peripateo meaning to walk (behavior)-to live in a specific manner. and the next word qualifies the word worthily- a manner befittingly or deservedly.
Not any room for being neutral.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Same walk used in 4:1. our walk reveals what we believe about something or someone.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
All of this is functional understood because of the foundational principles learned in Chapter 1-3.
chapter 6 is about the Armor forged by God for you to put on each day for your protection. All of the Armor spoken of until this point has been defensive
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Shoes shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Breastplate of righteousness
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
All of them are defensive pieces to be worn for protection.
Now the offensive and defensive weapon.
Sword of the Spirit.
Today we are going to focus on two aspect of God’s Sword.
When dealing with people it’s important to decide what type of conversation you are going to have. Greg Koukl in his book Tactics describe the choices as either Diplomacy or D-Day
I. Sword of Defense vs 17
I. Sword of Defense vs 17
A. The Sword is used for Defense we would call it Apologetic. Defend yourself.
1. Apologetic is the defense of what we believe as Christians. We get what we believe from the Bible.
In the old days we would call these the fundamentals!
Today in society everything is questioned. There seems to be no authority. Even people arguing agianst the simplist addition in Math 1+1=4???
Facts and statistics are irrelevant in the Colosseum where people cheer to the Anthem of “that was the Stupidest thing I have ever heard”. Civil discourse has de-evolved into a shouting match that rivals the Battle Royals in wrestlings WWF I watch as a child.
We must become as Jesus said in
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Have you seen the fangs on some of these wolves. They use bullying phrases such as
You are old fashion / Intolerant / phobic (take your pick)/ racist / anything no holds bard
2. Apologitics- a defense of what you believe?
3. Where do you turn when you have questions?
B. The Source of the Sword is the Scriptures and the Spirit.
1. The Scriptures is what believers must turn to in time of confusion or uncertainty. Homosexuality, lies, gluttony, pornography, anger I mean take your pick in this world today.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Two many people go into into battle without a sword because they are told to use their mind. I am using my mind when I go to the Word of God. Makes sense to go to the source of all knowledge. The Word of God.
You can be the smartest person in the world and still be dumb when it comes to God.
I went to several years of public school never had an teacher that pulled down my faith never tried to discourage me in the things of God.
We have fallen into the same trap a people thinking well as long as they don’t teach me anything bad.
What are they teaching me that is good. Everything we believe one way or the other is coming from somewhere.
Where did they go in Berea to see if those things were so? “the Scriptures.”
How often did they Go? “Daily”
Why did they go to the Scriptures daily? “Whether these things were so.”
Paul also admonished Timothy STAY HEALTHY by studying the scripture.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
“study” means to be eager to “shew” means to present in a formal way “approved” means accepted unto who “God”
The Scriptures are special not made by man in origion but by the Spirit of God.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Men were used, but it was Holy Spirit leading and guiding them what they should write.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Bible is written over a period of time 1400 years by 40 different authors without conflict or error.
The Bible is the greatest sold book of all time.
2. The Spirit of God illuminates our minds to the truth of God’s word. The Spirit helps us to understand the Scripture.
Wisdom not in the World but God
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2 Corinthians
I Corinthians
Paul didn’t seek the wisdom of man but of God. That his why after his salvation he separated himself to learn by reading the scriptures.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians
A person must have the Holy Spirit to understand the Word of God.
The Problem: have you ever heard a politician or rock star receive an award and say a verse and it just seems out of place.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Don’t be what Proverbs says of a young man or woman -----> Actions, direction choices, habits
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding,
Jesus set a pattern for us in answer with Scripture.
Proverbs
II. Sword of Offense vs. 17
II. Sword of Offense vs. 17
A. A sword is offensive and we would call it Evangelism. One side of the sword is defense the other offense.
1. Share the gospel which means Good News.
2. The Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and we see the Historical written record of Jesus’s life on this earth.
3. We see the impact of the Gospel visually recorded in pentacost when Peter an unlearned fisher man used to speak and the Spirit of God brought 3,000
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:41
The Gospel is powerful and will change lives when spoken “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
The Gospel will transforms peoples lives.
Name it … Zaccheus, Paul, Timothy, Silas, Caesars household, Lydia seller of purple, Philippians Jailor, Cornelius, Apollos.
“If it is the power of God unto salvation...” good enough for Luther, you and me.
The “Whosoever” of
Take a trip down The Romans Road
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
to Quote a famous Admiral Akbar “It’s a Trap” sometime you will get into a conversation and it is anything but friendly. How should you Answer?
Bully: Your one of those Christians
You: silence (let it go)
Bully: Well are you one of those mean people
You: What do you mean by Christian (let them explain what they mean, find our what they know)
Bully: Well you know uh you believe that book and hate everyone.
You: not everyone just you. lol nah when you understand the Bible it talks about a great God with a lot of love. I really like science, but you can ‘t really create the most important thing in a test tube or in a lab.
Bully: What’s that
YOu: Love, Joy, Peace.