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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 : 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

12. 3 Take the easy road of glory,
11 Sword of the Spirit
3 Take the easy road of glory,
not suffering
Luke : 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

13. 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

14. 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 )
Spiritual Warfare

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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
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19. 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

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

21. 11 Sword of the Spirit Spiritual Warfare And you? Going rogue?
Living in hope?
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22. 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