The Art of War A True Literary Masterpiece

Sun Tzu Chinese Military Strategist General 13 Chapters Used to this day by military strategists worldwide Business World Applications Basic Theme: War is a necessary evil

The Art of War According to the Bible True Literary Masterpiece Prepares the Christian for war Prepares the Christian to win a war Like it or not…We are at War! War with Sin We are Soldiers in God’s army

1 Chronicles 12 At the brink of war with Saul David was needing some “helpers” Soldiers that were: Brave/fearless apt/skilled well trained/equipped united in purpose

1 Chronicles 12 1 Now a these were the men who came to David at b Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war, 2 armed with bows, using both the right hand and c the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow.

1 Chronicles 12 8 Some Gadites 2 joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were d as swift as gazelles on the mountains

1 Chronicles These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a e thousand. Leadership Numbers

1 Chronicles And they helped David against j the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. 22 For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, k like the army of God.

1 Chronicles Now these were the numbers of the 6 divisions that were equipped for war, and l came to David at m Hebron to n turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, o according to the word of the LORD Verses breakdown Great resumes

1 Chronicles All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of t one mind to make David king. Verse 40 “there was joy in Israel.” Good Morale

God’s Army An understanding that war is necessary 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses 1 Timothy 1:18 This 6 charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare

God’s Army An understanding that war is hard 2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must c endure 1 hardship d as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 e No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith

God’s Army Need well armed soldiers: Trained in the art of spiritual warfare. 2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons e of our warfare are not 1 carnal but f mighty in God g for pulling down strongholds 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God’s Army Needs Soldiers that are well equipped and prepared. Ephesians 6:11-13 l Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the 3 wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against m principalities, against powers, against n the rulers of 4 the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 o Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand p in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

God’s Army Needs Armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-17) 14 Stand therefore, q having girded your waist with truth, r having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 s and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking t the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And u take the helmet of salvation, and v the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

God’s Army Needs Brave, courageous, bold and fearless soldiers, full of valor. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 Therefore I remind you f to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For g God has not given us a spirit of fear, h but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

God’s Army Needs Soldiers united in cause/purpose Philippians 1:27 Only o let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, p with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

God’s Army Needs Soldiers that know their enemy Keep your friends close and your enemies closer Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness f which are by Jesus Christ, g to the glory and praise of God.

Conclusion For an Army to be great, the Soldiers must be great Soldiers that are true helpers As the ones depicted 1 Chronicles 12 Soldiers that know how to fight (Skillful) Soldiers that know what they are doing (Knowledgeable)

Conclusion Soldiers that are brave and courageous Fear not Soldiers United in purpose United in Christ Full of Hope and Joy Knowing the enemy

Sun Tzu Who? True Literary Masterpiece Inspired Word Bible Christian Soldier’s Handbook