Spiritual Warfare and the Sufficiency of Christ

Introduction

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Is anyone here tired?

Does anyone feel exhausted today?

At times in my life i have felt like church and my faith was not a life GIVING part of my life but that it was a drain on me emotionally and physically. I think that the discussion we have been having over the past several months has the danger of becoming a life draining conversation.

PUT ON THE ARMOR!

FIIIIIIGHT!

DO! DO! DO!

Ok! so ADD “Put on the armor of God” to the to do list. GREAT.

I have to get the kids to soccer practice on time AND fight against the powers of darkness “Cool”

I have to wake up early and come home late so i can work 40 hours plus over time AND stand firm against the demonic hoards intent on getting me to fail “Nice”

Calvin and I have both tried out best to present this message in a different way, we do NOT want to add burdens to you

Jesus said:

English Standard Version (Matthew 11:28–30)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

If you are feeling burdened it is because of sin and its effects on your life and the lives of those around you.

Following Jesus is the easy path but it’s not always and an easy path

not all sunshine and roses

When we talk about putting on the armor of God, it brings to mind another phrase from the New Testament

Put On Jesus

Rom13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. 

We Don’t Put on God’s Armor, God IS the Armor

The Belt of Truth - Jesus Refutes the Lies of Satan. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Remember Jesus.

The Breastplate of Righteousness - Jesus is Righteousness in my Place “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Remember Jesus.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - Peace is Possible Only Through Jesus “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). AND as we take that message, he is with us always Remember Jesus.

The Shield of Faith - Jesus is the Foundation and Completion of our Faith and GRANTS us faith to believe “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Remember Jesus.

The Helmet of Salvation - Jesus Secures our Salvation for Eternity “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Remember Jesus.

The Sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God - Jesus is the Word of God, every word of scripture is breathed out by the Holy Spirt “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth… (John 1:1-2,14,18). Remember Jesus.

In Jesus You Are Complete

Col 2:10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 

The Promises of God Find Their Yes in Jesus

my kids promising to help me with something vs my wife

capability and dependability

2 cor. 1:17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.

What does this mean?

Our needs to be met,

our joy can be full,

our life can be abundant,

our relationships can be deep and meaningful,

he will forgive,

he will give strength in difficulty,

he will give escape in temptation,

he has established good works for us to do,

he will give us strength to obey,

he will be with us always, he will never leave us or forsake us,

Because of Jesus all that is not only possible it is divinely promised

God’s Plan For Freedom is Complete in Jesus

Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Colossians 2:13-15. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Satan is overcome

Jesus testifies for us

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us (Romans 8:33-34).

We testify of him

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death

Love wins out 

We will been talking about this on Thursday nights over the next few weeks

Do we love? Church of ephesus (rev 2), first john 

So What?

Have You Found Rest in a Personal Relationship With Jesus?

Now That You Have Jesus Are You Resting in Him?

Is our relationship with Jesus about him our about us?

Gal. 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Is it about Our obedience/works, our blessing, our victory

OR resting in his righteousness on our behalf, pursuing joy found in living for him and doing his work, advancing His kingdom