Sermon Tone Analysis

Welcome To The War \\ Ephesians 6:10-12 \\ \\ War is a fact of life -- the US has been involved in many different conflicts including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars 1 and 2, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars and literally hundreds of other conflicts throughout our history as a nation.

\\ But there is another battle being waged all around us in the spiritual realm.

Unfortunately, those engaged in spiritual warfare most often do not know who their enemies are, have no plan for victory, and have little, if any, training.

This morning I want to introduce spiritual warfare - just the basic stuff.

In the Men’s ministry, we are taking an advanced study.

Going so far as to identify the enemy and the different uniforms he wears.

Example, the spirit of Jealousy, which manifests it self as

\\ Cause divisions

Envy

Contention

Extreme competition

Strife

Cruelty

Hatred

Jealousy

Revenge-spite

Anger-rage

Murder

\\  

But today I just want to state some basics and hopefully open closed eyes to a war that rages around us.

I will cover

\\ ·     Where is the war?

·     How should we prepare?

·     Who are the spirit warriors?

·     We will answer the question: Did the war end at the cross?

·     And, What are we fighting for?

·     What does a spirit warrior look like?

·     And Warfare communication.

\\ Paul gives us this instruction about spiritual warfare that we need to take to heart.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (KJV)

/10//Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12For 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./

-- Prayer:

\\ *Where is the war?_________________________________________________* \\ *When soldiers get to the battlefield, *they know they are in a war zone.

They see the sandbagged bunkers, perimeters of barbed wire, guard stations, signs designating what is secure, what is not.

Signs designating mind fields.

Everyone is wearing uniforms.

You know who the good guys are.

Maybe you hear some fighter jets fly overhead; maybe you hear some guns fire.

Look around.

Do you see barbed wire?

Do you see guard stations?

Do you see signs telling you were not to step?  Can you tell the bad guys from the good guys by what they wear?

Do you hear the battle; smell the smoke or hear the gunfire?

How do you know you are in a battle?

*You are in a war zone*.

You landed in this war when you were born.

You came out screaming and kicking.

You did not want to be here.

Your spirit knew the consequences.

Your spirit knew you were in a war.

Then to top it off, some one hauls off and slaps you on the rear.

And ever since then, life has been kind of rough.

\\ *Where is the battlefield?*

In Vietnam or Iraq the battlefield is well defined, you can see it.

See the smoke, the battle.

See the wounded.

Where is the battlefield today?

You are the battlefield.

Every Christian is a walking battlefield.

The battlefield is here (mind).

But wait a minute.

You do not really believe all this stuff.

All this battle talk, spiritual warfare junk, is just a bunch of bunk; Right?

There is no evidence of war so you do not believe it; Vietnam that was war and Iraq - that is war.

There is no war here.

Illustration: God teaching me lesson

That is the danger of this war, there is no evidence so it is even more dangerous.

It is one big */mind/*-field.

If someone here was to suddenly blowup, loose a leg; or even die from a gunshot wound – then you would take notice.

And if that is not bad enough, you are not trained to defend yourself.

The US Armed forces are trained for battle before going to war; you were just plopped into the war with no training.

You have weapons but you were not trained to use them.

*How should we prepare?

______________________________________**____*

Too many Christians just trudge through life half-numb, not aware of the war raging around them.

They become casualties – shot to pieces in a war you do not take serious.

Pulled down by temptations; blown up by sin.

Let me tell you about Switzerland.

A snap shot of Switzerland could be characterized like this: In every home, stored in the closet or leaning in a corner, a military-issue assault rifle exists with a specified number of rounds of ammunition wait at the ready.

Every adult man in the country is provided with a weapon.

The Wall Street Journal states “more firepower exists in Switzerland than in any other place in the world, yet it is one of the safest places to be – how can that be true?

Switzerland is armed to the teeth but they are a Nation of peace lovers.

They are the most armed and ready nation in the world yet they are the most peaceful nation in the world.

That is a model for Bible Reading Christians.

We are a people of peace but we must be armed to the teeth and be ready to engage in battle at a moments notice.

The Swiss have adopted the position this world is a dangerous place and therefore stay prepared.

As Christians, we must realize there is a spiritual warfare and therefore we must remain prepared.

We can learn from the Swiss and stay prepared.

However, there is a major difference between the Swiss and Christians.

That is, the Swiss are neutral.

If you seen old war movies, Switzerland was the place to be, it was not for the Germans or Americans, they were always neutral.

However, we are not neutral; we are on the side of truth.

We are on the side of righteousness.

We are on the side of God and we are against the devil.

The problems with many Christians however is they are either a captive of satan or not a soldier for Christ.

They are bystanders; neutral.

But you cannot have a bystander attitude in this war.

The Bible says you are either for God or against Him.

There is no grey area here.

\\ *Who are the Soldiers, God’s spirit warriors?___________________________*