Sword Of The Spirit Series

Let us start by looking at 2 Peter 3:9-15………

Soon and very soon, Jesus Christ who is the Lord will return to earth and judge the living and the dead. God is not slow in His promise and He will judge you and me. But, because God is love, He doesn’t want anyone to perish!

Jesus Christ Himself said in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

If you are not a Believer of Jesus Christ, if you have doubts about going to heaven, today is the day to believe and receive Jesus Christ as your only Savior and God! Jesus Christ can return to earth today! Let us pause for a moment to pray. If you have never prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your only Savior and God, please do it right now. If you are already a Believer of Christ, pray to understand what God wants you to do as you wait for His return……….

May Jesus Christ be glorified in our lives! Amen.

While Christians are still here on earth, waiting for the return of Jesus Christ, what are we to do? God tells us what we are to do through the written Word from God, as indicated by Peter in 2 Peter 3:15. Open your Bibles now to Ephesians Chapter 6. Ephesians is a letter written by God through the Apostle Paul for all Believers of Jesus Christ.

Let us read Ephesians 6:10-18…

Till Jesus Christ returns to earth, God in His Holy wisdom is allowing the devil loose. This might not sound like a loving God, but look again at Ephesians 6:10; God wants every Christian to be strong in His mighty power! God loves and always provides! Every Christian has the power of God available with the full armor of God. The devil will attack every Christian but every Christian can be victorious!

Did you notice how the devil attacks? The devil attacks with his schemes! Have you ever seen a trick play in a football game? If a trick play works, it usually results in a big gain, doesn’t it? A trick play in a football game is a scheme set up by the coach and the team. Schemes are planned, tricky, subtle actions which can result in big damages! The devil and his demons are always scheming to hurt Christians. The Devil will attack directly but most of the time the devil will attack with his schemes.

Schemes are planned, tricky, subtle actions which can result in big damages! All Christians are in a spiritual battle and must always be alert and have on the full armor of God.

How are you doing with the first 4 pieces of the armor? Do you understand what they are and more importantly, are you putting them on everyday? What is the first piece of the armor we are to put on as Christians??

Buckle the Belt of Truth, which is Jesus Christ Himself!

After the Belt of Truth, what are we to have in place?? – The Breastplate of Righteousness! Is my heart cleansed of all sins?

And what are we to do with our feet??

Put on the Shoes of the Gospel! Always remember how and why you became a Christian and be ready to tell someone about it! And we are to defend ourselves from the lies of the devil by taking up what?? Take up the Shield of Faith!

If you have access to the Internet (www.sermoncentral.com), I encourage you to review the previous messages about the armor of God. If you would like printed copies of these messages, I would be happy to give them to you. Once we are finished with this series, I will put together a CD with all the messages.

Today, we are to learn about and take up The Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God! Next week we will talk about the Helmet of Salvation. God uses familiar things in the physical world which illustrate what happens in the spiritual world. And so, let us first talk about the sword in the physical realm.

In general, what does a sword do for a soldier??

A sword:

- provides protection

- can be used for defense

- is mainly used for offense

When does a soldier use a sword for offense??

A sword is used for offense by a soldier when told to do so!