The Sword Of God Series

GEARING UP FOR WAR - The Sword of God

October 16, 2022

Ephesians 6:10-17

Introduction:

My Aunt Mae was a special adult…she was born with some unique challenges in life that kept her very child-like…the oldest of 4 sisters, my mom Mary Ann was second oldest…

Aunt Mae was one of my best friends growing up…she took me to see every Walt Disney movie made before and during my childhood. Mom would take us down to The Strand or The Kentucky downtown and we would witness…Mary Poppins, Old Yeller, The Song of the South, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, with child-like wonder.

But my favorite Disney movie by a mile was “The Sword in the Stone.” Aunt Mae and I must have gone to see it 5 times…

Here’s how it was promoted by the studio…

Humor, spectacle and magic rule in Walt Disney’s legendary classic tale The Sword in the Stone!

SHOW PIC (The Sword in the Stone)

Embark on an adventure-filled quest for an unlikely hero! According to legend, only someone with honor, decency and inner strength can claim the throne of England - by pulling out the enchanted sword that lies locked in a massive stone. Many brave knights have tried, so it seems impossible that a young apprentice known as Wart could succeed. But with the guidance of the wizard Merlin, help from some hilarious friends and true strength of character, Wart just might become England’s greatest king.

Wart became King Arthur…The Legendary king of England who withdrew “Excalibur” from the sacred stone.

SHOW PIC (Excalibur sword)

This weapon brought extraordinary power to the one who wielded it.

I always wondered if Sir Thomas Mallory who first wrote about this sacred sword in 1469, thought about the “Sword of God” when he put quill to paper.

The Roman Soldiers’ sword was called “The Gladius.”

SHOW PIC (Gladius sword)

It was a medium short length sword, and it was sharp on both sides. It was designed for close combat to slice and cut. The Gladius worked in union with the soldier’s shield…The shield protected…the sword was an offensive weapon.

It’s no wonder that the Apostle Paul links the sword with the Spirit of God…and God’s Word.

He boldly says, “Take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” (v. 17)

The writer to the Hebrews gives us a very clear understanding of this weapon’s purpose in Spiritual warfare…

HEBREWS 4:12-13

I. WHEN THIS SWORD IS UNSHEATHED IT CUTS DEEPLY

“The Word of God is alive and active.”

Satan’s not very afraid of a Bible left unopened on our coffee table, or only unsheathed on Sunday mornings.

A sword left in its sheath in the midst of battle does no good at all.

And once again I’d remind you that we are talking about spiritual warfare…not a physical or earthly flesh and blood battle. “This struggle isn’t against (flesh & blood) people…it’s against the authorities, the rulers, against the powers of this dark world…It’s a war against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (v. 12)

That’s exactly why it’s important for us to know where the power of this sword comes from…it’s not a sword of iron or steel…It’s the sword of the spirit…It’s the Word of God…it doesn’t cut open the flesh…it cuts open the heart.

[As I was writing this sermon I looked in front of me on my desk and this is what I saw…

SHOW PIC OF GRENADE

It’s a hand grenade…I got it at Fort Knox’s PX when we took Tyler to Basic…It says, “Complaint Dept…take a number.” It has the No. 1 attached to the pin. And this thought dawned on me…“What good is a grenade if you don’t pull the pin before you throw it at the enemy?” It becomes a metal rock…the power is on the inside. If you want a “dynamite” explosion to kill the enemy you’d better prepare…pull the pin and throw it. The power is on the inside of the weapon…not the soldier who throws it…although he’s trained to throw it correctly.]

It’s exactly why the Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.”

The word Paul uses for “Power” here is dunamis.” We get the word “dynamite” from this Greek Word.

“All of scripture is God breathed.” Paul tells Timothy (2 Tim. 3:16), and it’s useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

But never ever forget…All God breathed scripture points to Jesus…He is the scarlet thread that connects the Word of God…The Holy Spirit has been left here on earth by Jesus to point people to Him. The pin is to be pulled by faith…the Holy Spirit lights the fuse…and the Gospel can explode with good news in people’s heart…