Invisible War Pt. 4 Series

Video Transition: Chosen – Let me tell you about my Jesus!

Series: Spiritual Warfare

Summary: The Invisible War – Spiritual warfare 101-201

Three points to remember from Spiritual Warfare 101:

1. We are in an Invisible War whether we believe it or not. So, we need to know we are in the fight and acknowledge it!

2. We need to know who our enemy is and learn his strategies and tactics.

3. We need to know we have the victory – the war was won on the cross!

a. Chip states, “Satan continues to fight even after Jesus has won the victory. Satan was defeated at the cross. Sin’s penalty was paid for all people for all time. Sin’s power was broken. Yet Satan and his host of fallen angels continue to engage in guerrilla warfare to discourage, deceive, divide, and destroy God’s people and God’s program. Believers are commanded to equip and prepare themselves in the strength of the Lord and in his mighty power to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes, repel his multifaceted attacks, and engage and defeat him in specific battles.” Ingram, Chip. The Invisible War (p. 67). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Lessons from Spiritual Warfare 201:

1. Put on the armor of God everyday – be like the Roman Soldiers always dressed for battle!

a. The armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-20:

i. “The Belt of Truth” - This is the support system that holds your pants up in battle.

ii. The second protective gear is the “Breast plate of righteousness.” This is like the flak jackets and bullet proof vests that the soldiers/policemen use to protect their vital organs.

iii. The third element needed in warfare is that your feet are “Fit with the readiness.” In other word’s it reflects back to a Scripture that speaks that Christ will come back like a thief in the night and that the soldiers need to always be ready to go with Him into battle.

iv. The next item we need for battle is the “shield of faith.” Faith is your shield in the mist of war. When your superior officer tells you to do something you have to trust - have faith that what he says to do will make the difference between life and death for someone in your outfit and for your life. In the movie there is a quote: “Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.” It’s highlighted over and over in the movie!

v. When we are in spiritual combat, we must have the “helmet of salvation” on our heads and minds. The helmet is part of a uniform, in the wars of the Middle East, it designated whose side you were on. It’s the uniform and helmet that allows you the ability to be in the war fighting. The helmet is also there to protect your head and mind. To survive in this battle, you must have the mind of Christ and that is the mind of salvation.

vi. The “sword of the spirit” is the next weapon in the arsenal of God for us. We are to use the sword of the spirit against the enemy. We are to use God’s Rhema Word.

vii. The next weapon is “prayer” I call it the stealth bomber/fighter. You cannot see it coming but when it hits you know it.

1. Jim Cymbala quote: “I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way.”

2. Jim Cymbala quote, “If we prevail in prayer, God will do only what he can do.”

3. Jim Cymbala, “No matter what I preach or what we claim to believe in our heads, the future will depend upon our times of prayer.”

T.S. - Today I want to talk about the name of Jesus! I want you to know it’s part of the armor of God – I think the most important part to win victories in this Invisible War. Would that be okay with you to talk about Jesus this morning – Jesus – Savior - His name – the power that comes with Jesus’ name – the lives which have been changed by His name – the name above all other names.

Sermon: Spiritual Warfare pt. 4 (Spiritual Warfare 301)

Thesis: To be able to drive back the Devil and his demons will require us to know the name of Jesus, be connected to Jesus and learn how to use the name of Jesus in spiritual warfare and prayer.

Introduction:

If you read through the Bible especially the Gospels – you see repeatedly, "In my name," "In Jesus' name," or "In His name." Jesus’ name – Jesus himself is front and center throughout the Bible (see handout on how every book of the Bible refers -references or connects with the name of Jesus)