The Warfare Of The Church

TOPIC: THE WARFARE OF THE CHURCH

TEXT: EPHESIANS 6: 10-19, 2 COR. 10 3-6

MEMORY VERSE: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” 2 Corinthians 10”4

CENTRAL TRUTH: The life of a Christian requires being ever ready for warfare. Therefore, there is no dull moments or else you become a prey to the devil, God forbid! For whatever God seals, the devil cannot steal if the church is watchful.

INTRODUCTION: The world is a battle field and every Christian is expected to know it and equip himself or herself for daily battle against the kingdom of Satan.

Every problem we encounter begins in the spiritual before it manifests in the physical, the whole world lies in wickedness, 1 John 5: 19. David was also aware of this and he prayed, Psalm 90:12

LESSON OUTLINES:

(A) WARFARE AGAINST THE DEVIL: EPH 6:10-12, 2 COR.10:3-6

There are two fold problems facing the kingdom of God:-

i. Satanic kingdom: Satan has been trying to spoil God’s handwork. He succeeded in the era of Adam, so let us not give him a space at all. He has been trying to avert God’s divine purpose for mankind and steal God’s power by his magical acts. Man has never had rest since satan lost his position, Is 14: 12-17, Ezek 28:13-18.

ii. Man in rebellion: Man is a free moral agent, he can decide to do good or evil, whether by choice or evil manipulation. Paul drew our attention in Eph 6: 10-12 to the unseen world and the forces that operate within it. He encouraged us to work as a team in order to have a formidable force being strong in the Lord.

The enemies have their strategies and tactics. We are advised to put on the whole, not in part, armours of God for sure victory.

The forces of darkness are classified in Ephesians as follow:

 Principalities and powers, they are the ruling class of demons.

 The rulers of the darkness of this world.

 Then, spiritual wickedness in high places are forces known for their catastrophic and hazardous wicked acts.

The church should rise to their challenge and fight.

B. THE EQUIPMENT OF THE CHURCH: EPH 6:13-19, 2COR 10:3-6

Thank God who knows all things and a man of war, Exodus 15:3. He procured all equipment for war to fight. These equipment include:

i. Truth as our belt

ii. Righteousness as our breast plate of defence

iii. Preaching of the gospel as our shoe that is foot cover

iv. Faith as our shield, with which we put off (quench) every fire kindled by the enemy.

v. Salvation as our helmet that head cover.

vi. The word of God in us is our spiritual sword

vii. Prayers as the key to open and to close, watching with all carefulness and supplication for the saints to protect them at their unguided moments.

CONCLUSION: God thoroughly equipped us, his children for every battle that may face us. Let us be careful and know what to do at any given time. Are you fully equipped for this battle?