Welcome to WAR!
Pastor Jamie Wright * Maranatha Fellowship Church
Current events: War on Terrorism, War on Iraq, and War on Drugs
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle (war) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.”
Christianity is not a life of comfort but of conflict. Anyone who chooses to become a Christian automatically enters God’s military and is immediately engaged in the longest war ever fought.
I. The Elements (Basics) of War
It’s a fight….I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith.
It has battles…I Samuel 17:47 but the battle is the Lord’s
We have a captain… Heb 2:10 …the captain of their salvation
There is a battlefield…the mind
II. The Enemy of War Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
It’s not flesh and blood…2 Corinthians 10:3 we do not war according to flesh
It is against rulers…Eph 6:12 Zeph. 3:3 rulers are like wolves
It is against powers…Eph. 6:12 ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth Eph 1:21
It is against worldly forces…Eph 6:12
It is against spiritual forces in heavenly places…Eph 6:12
III. The Arsenal (Weapons) of our War
They are not carnal… 2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
They are mighty… 2 Cor 10:4 they are mighty for the pulling down of strong holds
There are more defensive weapons than offensive…Eph 6:11-17
Girdle of truth… vs. 14
Breastplate of righteousness…vs. 14
Shield of faith…vs. 16
Helmet of salvation…vs. 17
Offensive weapon…Ephesians 6:17
Sword of the spirit…vs. 17 the Word of God
IV. The End of War I Corinthians 15:57
There is Victory… but thanks to God, who gives us the victory by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan is defeated…Romans 16:20 But the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly
More than Victory… Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
To Endure the War
1. Get rid of a complaining spirit
2. Obey the war plans
3. Hold nothing back
