Post by Les Brewer on Oct 24, 2014 9:40:20 GMT
Preface
Release the mighty weapons that are greater than I. This message is about Jesus and His love. He said we would never be alone and He has armed us with an array of weapons for victory. But remember we fight against spirit not flesh. Our enemy is not weak, but has been defeated. We must have a right perspective in the battle. Today we begin out weapons training in Part One. We must handle our weapon, the word of God rightly and make sure we are targeting the right enemy. (ROEs)
15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will. 2 Timothy 15 and 22-26 WEB
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3 NKJV
What are our weapons like? They are not like anything physical we have ever used before. For we do not wage war like any religion. Do we chop of heads? Do we insult or argue? Are we known in the world community as the drunkards or the belligerent? Not usually. We are soldiers of heaven’s army and we carry spiritually lethal weapons that are brandished by gentle love.
Our weapons are mighty and spiritual! They are effective for what God has given them for. Will we use them? This is the real question. Will we fight by faith or by flesh. Faith in Christ will win, but fighting in the flesh will not only fail we all will be destroyed also. The armor we wear in spiritual battle may not be physical, but it is more powerful. When God shelters you nothing will penetrate. Another question then is why are we always trying to fight in our own human measly power? Why? Today we will read just a small glimpse of this in Ephesians. You are now enlisted in the Army of God. I will be your weapons trainer. With the help of the Holy Spirit each of us will begin to use the weapons and armor He has given us. You will be empowered in you gifts and you will be victorious in Christ. Amen? Alright then take our you training manual, the Word of God and let us read together from Ephesians 6. We will quote the whole chapter because there is a reason, God’s word is continuous. There is no time that God stutters. His words is sharper than a two edged sword right? And as we learned last week, it never fails.
Our foundational scripture for this series is:
Ephesians Chapter 6 World English Bible
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” ✡4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word* of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: 19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
________________________________________
✡6:3: Deuteronomy 5:16
*6:17: from Greek rhema, which means spoken word
Introduction
The Apostle Paul spoke with words that related to his audience, as mentioned by apostle Jonas Clark:
Apostle Paul knew much about the spiritual opposition against him. “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). He continually uses warfare terms when teaching and training leaders.
There is never an accident when it comes to the word of God. He addresses obedience in the family and relationships before he talks about the spiritual weapons of warfare. Also, clearly Paul is differentiating between the written word or Logos and the Rhema to. The Word of God (Logos) enters into us and changes us and then when we speak the word it becomes a sword that the Holy Spirit uses. It changes us. Each person is in a battle. They need the sword to morph so to speak in them. We may read the same Logos, but when the Holy Spirit transforms us and the Word becomes a revealed word it becomes a mighty weapon in the hands or better said mouth of the believer. Without humility and obedience our faith is dangerous and can hurt people. Through humble prayer and speaking the Word and obedience the Word is no longer just words on paper. They are incredibly powerful. When we speak the Word, in Jesus name the earth moves, the weather changes, people are healed and delivered and saved, and like Joshua we can speak to the Sun and moon and keep them from moving. Walls come down in Jesus name.
The Word commands obedience from all of us. This is why Paul included the section here on the family and workers. Even the leaders are exhorted here to not treat people harshly, but to treat them the same way, with honor and respect. We are all equal in the battle. Even if one of us is commanding in the battle, each of us is doing an important task. We must value each other. The weapons we have are not for the destruction of others. We are called to save the lost, and love our enemies in the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 5 World English Bible
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’✡ 39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors* do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Love our enemies. Bless those who curse us. Do good to those who hate you. He said give acts of love. Hug? Here are some ways (weapons) we can use to love others:
Friends, notice Jesus never tells us to love the devil or demons. Paul reminds us of this in verse 12 of Ephesians 6. We do not battle against flesh and blood. The true enemy is evil spirits and not human. When we begin to realize this truth our battle becomes VICTORY. We realize that Jesus fights the fight as we humble ourselves before Him. Our authority is through Him, not on our own.
Conclusion
Your first lesson in basic spiritual warfare is coming to an end, now the real thing, APPLICATION or to FIGHT the Good FIGHT. We are to pray. V18 of Ephesian 6:
18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
We pray for our so-called enemy, who really isn’t an enemy at all. They are just being used by the true enemy “satan” and by praying for them, they are set free and becomes a brother or sister. Yes! We become victorious as our weapons are spiritual and effective.
CHALLENGE: LEARN YOUR PRIMARY WEAP0N WELL, THE WORD OF GOD! Then Pray for your enemy...
Next week in Release the Weapons Part 2, we will dig even deeper into this subject, your spiritual weapons need to be released. You need to go and use them. As your were! db
