Sermon Notes: July 05, 2009
Sermon Series: Spiritual Warfare
Sermon #07: The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Scripture Ref: Ephesians 6:10-18
V#17 ‘& take the helmet of salvation & the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD.’
Introduction:
A house church in a city of the Soviet Union had received just one copy of the gospel of Luke. It was the only Scripture they had in their hands & so they decided to tear it into small sections & then distribute it among the church. They would memorize the section they had received & then meet on the LORD’S DAY & redistribute the Scriptures & receive another section of Scripture to put to their memory.
On Sunday this group of believers began arriving in small groups throughout the day so as not to arouse the suspicion of the K G B informers. By dusk they had all gathered inside & the windows were closed & the doors shut. They began their service by singing a hymn very quietly but yet with emotion.
Suddenly the door was charged open & in walked 2 soldiers with automatic weapons in their arms. One of the soldiers shouted out, “All right, everyone line up against the wall. If you wish to renounce your faith to JESUS CHRIST then leave now.” Two or three left, then another, & then in a few more seconds two more bowed their head in shame & walked out. The soldier shouted to the small congregation, “This is your last chance. Either renounce your faith in JESUS CHRIST & leave here now or stay & face the consequences.’ Another left & then finally two more sadly slipped out in the night.
No one else moved. Parents with small children trembling beside them looked down on them in silent prayer. They fully expected to be gunned down or at least arrested & put into prison. After a few moments of complete silence one of the soldiers closed the door & looked back at those who were still lined up against the wall. He spoke, “Keep your hands raised, but this time in praise to our LORD JESUS, brothers & sisters. We too are Christians. We were sent to another house church a few weeks ago to arrest a group of Christians but while there we too became believers. The other soldier interrupted, “We have found out by experience that unless someone is willing to die for their faith they cannot be fully trusted so we let the others go.’
Today in our own world, where BIBLES are plentiful & CHURCHES are free from the worry of being arrested we find that FAITH can run pretty shallow can’t it? Real commitment & sincere loyalty can run pretty lukewarm. But TRUE SOLDIERS of the LORD JESUS CHRIST are serious about their FAITH. TRUE SOLDIERS of JESUS CHRIST would have stayed in the room regardless of the consequences when the opportunity was given for them to leave.
We at least for the present do not have to concern ourselves with being put before a firing squad or placed into a prison cell but we do have to face a certain degree of persecutions & tribulations & tests. & when those times of suffering come we are each one given the choice, stand firm regardless of the consequences or turn tail & run. TRUE SOLDIERS will not run. Amen?
Regardless of where we live, CHRISTIANS will face some level of suffering. We are in a REAL WAR & sadly one of the evidences of WARS is they always bring forth SUFFERINGS & we should NEVER be SURPRISED when we face them on a daily basis. We should not be SURPRISED that the DEVIL is DETERMINED to DESTROY the CHURCH of today & EVERYONE & EVERYTHING that is a part of it. SATAN has gathered all of his FORCES & they are filled with RAGE & with FURY & they are working OVERTIME in effort to STOP each of us from going to Heaven.
The DEVIL wants to DESTROY in every person he can, the genuine TESTIMONY of JESUS CHRIST. His MILITARY PLAN is to make it so HARD & so DIFFICULT that every SOLDIER of JESUS CHRIST will either become LUKEWARM & PASSIVE or just simply QUIT ENTIRELY. But yet we have been given the SPIRITUAL EQUIPMENT to DEFEAT the DEVIL & to WIN the SPIRITUAL BATTLES. Thus far we have looked at:
The Belt of Truth:
The Breastplate of God’s Righteousness:
The Shoes of Peace:
The Shield of Faith:
The Helmet of Salvation:
These are all DEFENSIVE WEAPONS which are given to us to help us WARD OFF the DEVIL.
This morning we take a look at another piece of SPIRITUAL ARMOR:
That weapon is found in Ephesians 6:18 & it is the SWORD of the SPIRIT which is the WORD of GOD.
This piece of ARMOR is DIFFERENT:
This piece of ARMOR is an OFFENSIVE WEAPON. The ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON the SOLDIER has. To WIN we have to be ABLE to SCORE OFFENSIVELY.
HOW DO WE BATTLE THE DEVIL? WHAT WEAPONS DO WE USE? Are we REALLY SURE they are SPIRITUAL WEAPONS & NOT CARNAL WEAPONS?
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DEFINTION of the SWORD of the SPIRIT:
I want us to note this morning that the SWORD is NOT the SPIRIT but rather it is the WORD which has been SPOKEN by the SPIRIT which is found within the BIBLE.
Now I don’t want us to leave here this morning THINKING that the BIBLE is the SWORD of the SPIRIT for it is not. It is what is FOUND inside the BIBLE that is the SWORD of the SPIRIT.
I want us to look at TWO GREEK WORDS which are TRANSLATED as “WORD” in the Bible.
The 1st WORD is the most common word. It is “LOGOS.”
That’s the word we find in John 1:1 ‘In the beginning was the WORD [LOGOS] & the WORD [LOGOS] was with GOD & the WORD was GOD.’
The word LOGOS was a reference to JESUS CHRIST.
The word LOGOS is also used to refer to the BIBLE the BOOK that contains the WORD of GOD. The BIBLE from the beginning of GENESIS in the O T to the ending of REVELATION in the N T is the VOICE of GOD & without it we would not know anything about GOD. The PURPOSE of the WORD is to REVEAL GOD to man.
However that is NOT the WORD which PAUL used here in Ephesians 6:17. Not the word LOGOS.
The word used in Ephesians 6:17 is the word RHEMA.
The word RHEMA means the SAYINGS of GOD.
We could read it this read: ‘Take the SWORD of the SPIRIT which are the SAYINGS of GOD.’
Look at this way:
The BIBLE is the ARSENAL of GOD & INSIDE the ARESNAL are the SWORDS of the SPIRIT.
The RHEMA is found within the LOGOS.
From the BIBLE we find the precious PROMISES of GOD & they become our SWORDS in SPIRITUAL BATTLE. When we’re in a BATTLE with the DEVIL the HOLY SPIRIT brings back certain SCRIPTURES which we have STUDIED before time & they become this MIGHTY & POWERFUL SWORD we need to DEFEAT SATAN. They become the RHEMA WORD of GOD to us.
Romans 10 where the word RHEMA is used once again,
Romans 10: 17 ‘So then FAITH comes by HEARING & HEARING by the [RHEMA] WORD of GOD.’
I have always thought that you keep READING the BIBLE & READING the BIBLE & along the way you get FAITH. But that’s NOT HOW FAITH COMES in time of SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
When we’re in BATTLE with the DEVIL 2 things can happen:
1} We can turn to the BIBLE & the HOLY SPIRIT can DIRECT US to certain SCRIPTURES which BUILD or STREGTHEN our FAITH.
2:} We may not have a BIBLE with us at that particular time but the HOLY SPIRIT brings back to our REMEMBERANCE some SCRIPTURES we have already STUDIED & they BUILD or STRENGTHEN our FAITH in GOD.
There is some particular SAYING of GOD [RHEMA] found within the WORD [LOGOS] & it becomes the HOPE & the STRENGTH & the ENCOURAGEMENT & the ASSURANCE we need. RHEMA WORD of GOD:
How many of you have had a PROMISE of GOD come ALIVE in your SITUATION or CIRCUMSTANCE & it built your FAITH in GOD or gave you certain DIRECTION from the LORD?`
The EFFECT of the SWORD of the SPIRIT:
Hebrews 4:12 ‘For the WORD of GOD is QUICK & POWERFUL & SHARPER than any two edged SWORD piercing even to the dividing asunder of SOUL & SPIRIT & of the JOINTS & MARROW & is a DISCENRER of the THOUGHTS & INTENTS of the HEART.’
The WORD of GOD is QUICK – that means it is ALIVE LIVING
The WORD of GOD is POWERFUL --- filled with DIVINE ENERGY
& it PIERCES the HEART & it causes men to RETREAT
The WORD of GOD is QUICK & SHARP to DIVIDE & to DISCERN
For you see the WORD of GOD is the MOST DREADED thing we can use AGAINST the DEVIL.
A METAL SWORD pierces into the BODY but the WORD of GOD pierces into the HEART.
& a PHYSICAL SWORD it becomes DULLER as we use it.
But the WORD of GOD which is the SWORD of the SPIRIT becomes SHARPER
The PHYSICAL SWORD wounds to HURT but often times the SPIRITUAL SWORD wounds to HEAL.
There is a DIFFERENCE.
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An EXAMPLE of its EFFECTIVENESS:
The sermon PETER PREACHED on the day of PENTECOST. One of the MOST POWERFUL SERMONS ever preached. Notice HOW the SWORD WORKED that day.
Acts 2: 37 ‘Now when they [those listening to Peter preach] heard this they were cut in their hearts & said unto Peter & unto the rest of the apostles, ‘Men & brethren, what shall we do?
When Brother Peter took the SWORD that day & he PREACHED concerning SIN & the JUDGMENT of GOD & the RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST ------ their HEARTS were PIERCED in such a way they gave the INVITATION to PETER instead of PETER giving the INVITATION to them.
Acts chapter 5 for another illustration: Peter & the apostles had been talking to those of the council
Acts 5:33 ‘& when they heard that they were CUT to the HEART & they took counsel to slay them.’
When the WORD of GOD which is the SWORD of GOD is WEILDED in the HOLY SPIRIT with ANOINTING & INSPIRATION it has the POWER to CUT right into the HEART of a person.
There are TIMES when someone may leave church & say something like:
‘That message was EXACTLY what I needed.’ Or
‘That message was JUST for me.’
At times absolutely NOTHING may be said but GOD has PROMISED that HIS WORD would NOT RETURN VOID.
HOW THE SWORD is USED:
The MASTER SWORDSMAN JESUS & HOW HE used the RHAMA WORD
In Matthew 4:1-11 gives us the account of JESUS being TEMPTED by SATAN in the WILDERNESS
In chapter 3 we find JESUS being BAPTIZED. & GOD CONFIRMED JESUS as HIS SON
GOD’S VOICE came down & said, “This is MY beloved SON in whom I am well pleased.”
In chapter 4 SATAN is TEMPTING JESUS about being the SON of GOD.
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There are 3 TEMPTATIONS put to CHRIST:
& really they are the SAME TEMPTATIONS that the DEVIL has used since the very BEGINNING.
The DEVIL only has 3 MAJOR TEMPTATIONS he hasn’t had a NEW THOUGHT in years.
He TEMPTS us in 3 WAYS:
1: The LUST of the FLESH:
2: The LUST of the EYES:
3: The PRIDE of LIFE:
I John 2:16 ‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, & the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life, is not of the FATHER, but is of the world’
The DEVIL did that to ADAM & to EVE in the GARDEN of EDEN:
He did that to EVE, as he was TEMPTING EVE he TEMPTED her in the SAME WAY.
He caused the FRUIT to LOOK GOOD for FOOD: The LUST of the FLESH:
He caused it to LOOK GOOD to the EYES: The LUST of the EYES:
He CONVINCED them it would make them WISE: The PRIDE of LIFE:
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Matthew chapter 4:
JESUS’ TEMPTATIONS:
& the DEVIL did the EXACT THING to JESUS in the 4th chapter of Matthew.
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JESUS’ 1st TEMPTATION:
The DEVIL’S 1st TEMPTATION to JESUS was one to the LUST of the FLESH.
Matthew 4:3 “& when the tempter came to HIM, he said, IF THOU be the SON of GOD, then COMMAND these STONES to be turned into BREAD.’
The PROBLEM with this TEMPTATION is OBVIOUS to us when we STUDY it.
IF you really are the SON of GOD then go ahead & SATISFY YOUR FLESH by TURNING these STONES into BREAD.
Just do a little MIRACLE. Make a little BREAD LORD.
In other words, JESUS if YOU really are the SON then use your SUPERNATUAL POWER to fulfill your HUMAN needs. If YOU are the SON of GOD then YOU should not be HUNGRY.
If CHRIST has YEILDED to that TEMPTATION then the INCARNATION would have been OVER with. JESUS could have NEVER gone to the CROSS for HE would have CEASED at that MOMENT to FUNCTION as a PERFECT MAN. He would have used HIS POWER as GOD to SATISY HIS NEED as a HUMAN & HIS INCARNATION as GOD in the FLESH would have been ABORTED.
We don’t ever find JESUS using HIS POWER as GOD to SATISFY HIS HUMAN NEEDS.
Luke 9:58 ‘Foxes have holes, Birds have nests, but the SON of MAN has nowhere to lay HIS head.’
Mark 10:45 ‘The SON of MAN came not to be ministered unto but to minister & to give HIS life as a ransom for many.’
The DEVIL was trying to DESTROY the MISSION for which CHRIST came to EARTH for.
He was TRYING to PLAY upon the HUMAN HUNGER of JESUS. & get JESUS to use HIS POWER to SATISFY HIS OWN NEED. To do a MIRACLE for HIMSELF
But NOTICE here in HIS HOUR of TEMPTATION JESUS reaches into HIS SHEATH of SWORDS & takes out a SWORD, a RHEMA WORD from GOD.
‘But HE answered & said, It is WRITTEN, {here is the SWORD} Deuteronomy 8:3
Man shall not live by BREAD alone, but by every WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD.’
What JESUS said to SATAN was this:
‘Listen SATAN, it is GOD that keeps people alive; not BREAD.’
How do you think BREAD came about in the 1st place? GOD is the ONE that is RESPONSIBLE for that. HE can BRING NOURISHMENT to ME & HE doesn’t need BREAD to do it.
& then NOTICE the KEY WORD from the SCRIPTURE is “ALONE” ‘Man shall not live by BREAD ALONE’
Or “only” or in other words:
Man shall NOT LIVE APART from the WILL of GOD he is to WALK being DEPENDENT upon GOD. & what JESUS was saying to SATAN was: “I will NOT ACT INDEPENDENTLY of MY FATHER. I WILL NOT DO what you have told me to do BECAUSE the BIBLE says I am TO WALK ACCORDING to the WILL of GOD & it is NOT the WILL of GOD for ME to DO what you just wanted ME to do.”
So JESUS ZAPPED the DEVIL with the SWORD. ‘It is written…..”
& we need to be ABLE to do the same when the DEVIL comes to us wanting us to DO SOMETHING that is OUTSIDE of GOD’S WILL for our lives. AMEN?
There is MORE to this LIFE than BREAD, MATERIAL THINGS we think we NEED.
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JESUS’ 2nd TEMPTATION:
JESUS’ 2nd TEMPTATION was the LUST of the EYES:
Matthew 4: 5-7 ‘Then the devil takes HIM up into the holy city (Jerusalem) & sets HIM on a pinnacle of the temple, & said unto HIM, ‘IF THOU BE the SON of GOD, cast THYSELF down, for it is written, HE shall give HIS angels charge concerning THEE: & in their hands they shall bear THEE up, lest at any time THOU dash THY foot against a stone.’
This 2nd TEMPTATION took place 450 feet above the KIDRON VALLEY – or 450 feet above the temple floor. JESUS has been carried up to the top of the temple {sort of like a church steeple we would see today.}
JOSEPHUS the HISTORIAN of the N T era said it was SO HIGH one would get DIZZY.
Now the references to the TEMPLE & to the HOLY CITY, JERUSALEM are IMPORTANT to this 2nd TEMPTATION of JESUS’.
According to JEWISH TRADITION the COMING of the MESSIAH was to be MARKED by HIS APPEARANCE on the TEMPLE ROOF. They BELIEVED that when HE would come to DELIVER them out of their BONDAGE HE would land of the TEMPLE ROOF.
There were many UNBELIEVERS in JESUS & JESUS knew that.
If HE had LEAPED & then LANDED on the TEMPLE FLOOR UNHARMED then surely MOST of the JEWISH PEOPLE would have RECOGNIZED HIM as their MESSIAH.
What a TEMPTATION for JESUS.
In other words the DEVIL was saying: ‘If YOU won’t WORK a MIRACLE for YOUSELF then let GOD WORK one for YOU.’ JUMP & let GOD PROTECT YOU.
The DEVIL wanted JESUS to PUT ON A SHOW to WIN many people. ENTERTAINMENT:
But JESUS had a SWORD:
Matthew 4: 7 ‘JESUS said unto him, ‘It is WRITTEN again {Deuteronomy 6:16} ‘Thou shall not TEMPT the LORD thy GOD.’
“Do NOT be PERSUMPTIOUS with GOD.”
& that is SOMETHING we need to LEARN today, isn’t it?
“PERSUMPTIOUS with GOD”
‘LORD you’ve got 2 weeks or I’m going to…..
“I know it is SIN, but I’ll do it anyway & then ASK GOD to FORGIVE me.”
There was a man in the time of JESUS, SIMON MAGAS, who tried to PROVE that he was the MESSIAH. He took a SWAN DIVE off of the PINNACLE & he did it. Reports say he had a PERFECT DIVE. His only TROUBLE was in his LANDING.
JESUS’ SWORD said: ‘DO NOT TEMPT GOD.’
Church, the SPIRIT will NOT ALWAYS STRIVE with us.
We need to BE CAREFUL for we’ll be BROUGHT into the JUDGMENT of GOD for everything we do. AMEN?
What JESUS said to SATAN was “Don’t try to SET TRAPS for GOD. Don’t try to FORCE GOD to be OUR SERVANT. AMEN?
PRESUMPTION:
I heard someone say this past week:
‘It is alright to BELIEVE in MIRACLES but it is WRONG to TRY to SCHEDULE them. GOD works in HIS own time.’
JESUS’ 3rd TEMPTATION:
JESUS’ 3rd TEMPTATION was The PRIDE of LIFE:
Matthew 4: 8-9 ‘Again, the devil takes HIM up into an exceeding high mountain, & shows HIM all the kingdoms of the world, & the glory of them, & said unto HIM, All these things will I give THEE, if thou will fall down & worship me.’
The DEVIL is the PRINCE of this WORLD. Here he was using his POWER to appeal to JESUS.
‘It will be ok to fall down & worship me for the END RESULT will be ALL will the WORLD I will SURRENDER unto YOU.’
The DEVIL had a PHYSICAL KINGDOM he could hand over to JESUS. The DEVIL is a LIAR also.
But JESUS wasn’t here for a PHYSICAL KINGDOM but for a SPIRITUAL KINGDOM.
There would be NO CROSS & NO SUFFERINGS & NO SACRIFICES & NO DEATH.
Must been APPEALING to JESUS or it would not have been a TEMPTATION.
But JESUS came to DO the WILL of HIS FATHER & NOT HIS OWN WILL.
HE LOVED HUMANITY MORE than HIMSELF.
How many KNOW this morning that you CANNOT SERVE 2 MASTERS at the same time?
JESUS reaches for another SWORD & says to the DEVIL.
Matthew 4: 10 ‘Then said JESUS unto him, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, {Deuteronomy 6:13} Thou shall worship the LORD thy GOD, & HIM only shall thou serve.’
Matthew 4: 11 ‘Then the devil leaves HIM, & behold, angels came & ministered unto HIM.’
Every day we have to make SPIRITUAL CHOICES.
‘Choose you this day whom you will serve…’ JOSHUA
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Conclusion:
There is STRENGTH to RESIST the DEVIL within the WORD of GOD.
I challenge us today to READ the WORD more than ever. SWORD after SWORD after SWORD:
Store up some SWORDS in our MINDS.
Most TEMPTATIONS do not come while we have a BIBLE in our hands.
POWER in the HOLY SCRIPTURES:
Colossians 3:16 “let the WORD of CHRIST dwell in you in all wisdom……’
