take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6.17b) Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare Why Life is a Fight Plot line of the Bible 1) God created the world, 2) The world and humanity fell into sin and decay, 3) But God sends his Son to redeem the world and create a new humanity, and 4) Eventually the whole world will be renewed. Death, decay, injustice, and suffering will be all removed. Tim Keller Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare Why Life is a Fight We fight that story before we’re Christians. Romans 5 calls us ungodly and helpless (v 6), sinners (v 8) and enemies (v 10). Only through Jesus can we be in the story, reconciled to God and adopted as family. Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare Why Life is a Fight We fight against Satan after becoming a Christian. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe. (fr A Mighty Fortress is our God) Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare One offensive weapon We don’t fight using politics or armies, but using God’s Word as the truth. Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare One offensive weapon The list of armor starts and ends with God’s Word: the belt (girdle KJV) of truth and the sword of the Spirit. The Bible is your foundation, the truths (doctrines) you build your life on. You can’t be a victorious Christian without knowing and living out doctrine. Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare One offensive weapon Our culture now considers Christians to be intolerant, even unCanadian It used to be that Western culture was 1. people who believed the Bible as truth and followed it 2. people who respected the Bible but didn't follow it 3. people who dismissed it as legends and myths Now 1 is declining rapidly, and 2 and 3 are merging. [unknown] Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare One offensive weapon The Bible is your weapon against the evil one. In battles against the culture, the flesh and the evil, we use God’s Word like Jesus did in the temptation (Luke 4) You will either walk out of a period of temptation broken and incapable of service, or full of spiritual power [unknown] Spiritual Warfare

1 Give up on God and live for self 11 Sword of the Spirit 1 Give up on God and live for self Luke 4.3-4: Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone. [Deut. 8.3] Spiritual Warfare

1 Give up on God and live for self 11 Sword of the Spirit 1 Give up on God and live for self Luke 4.3-4: Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone. [Deut. 8.3] Spiritual Warfare

2 Reject awed adoration of God, get power without character: 11 Sword of the Spirit 2 Reject awed adoration of God, get power without character: Luke 4. 5-8: Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ [Deut 6.13] Spiritual Warfare

3 Take the easy road of glory, 11 Sword of the Spirit 3 Take the easy road of glory, not suffering Luke 4. 5-8: Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ [Deut 6.13] Spiritual Warfare

The Temptation of Jesus 11 Sword of the Spirit The Temptation of Jesus Jesus uses God’s Word to strengthen his faith and resist the attack. We must too: Listening, Reading, Studying, Memorizing, Meditating and Applying God’s Word. And Singing it. Spiritual Warfare

God’s Word rehabilitates and trains us for ministry 11 Sword of the Spirit God’s Word rehabilitates and trains us for ministry All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3.16-17) Spiritual Warfare

God’s Word cuts like a scalpel 11 Sword of the Spirit God’s Word cuts like a scalpel in order to heal us For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4.12) Spiritual Warfare

The supreme, living Word is Jesus 11 Sword of the Spirit The supreme, living Word is Jesus …the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. (John 1.14a) The Bible is to me the most precious thing in the world just because it tells me the story of Jesus.-- George MacDonald Spiritual Warfare

The supreme, living Word is Jesus 11 Sword of the Spirit The supreme, living Word is Jesus How do we know there’s a God? Jesus How do we know what God is like? Jesus How do we know we can relate to God as Father? Jesus How do we know there’s judgment ahead? Jesus Spiritual Warfare

The supreme, living Word is Jesus 11 Sword of the Spirit The supreme, living Word is Jesus How do we know there’s eternal life? Jesus How do we know it’s worthwhile to stay faithful to Jesus? Jesus How do we know Jesus will return? He did, for his disciples   Spiritual Warfare

in personal study, in group study 11 Sword of the Spirit Take time in the Word, in personal study, in group study Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. ... Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. (a hymn)   Spiritual Warfare

take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6.17b) Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare And you? Going rogue? Living in hope? Spiritual Warfare

11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare And ROOTS? Imagine a group of fellow travelers, encouraging one another, carrying each others’ burdens, looking ahead, living faithful lives for Jesus. Spiritual Warfare