The Battle prt 1
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Intro:
There is always a Spiritual battle raging all around us but very few of us ever view this battle. We definitely feel the results of the battle and the effects of that battle but never quiet see what’s going on. But that’s exactly what’s been going on the whole time in John and now we see the end game beginning to be played out here in John 18 beginning in verse 1, even though the disciples might not see it:
Read John 18:1-13
This battle rages on between two things, what are they? That’s right and that battle rages within us and all around us all the time, with each passing moment of each day. But the combatants are always the same, the flesh verses the spirit
The Flesh
The Flesh
A. Judas
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
1. Given to the fleshly things
a. Not necessarily beyond repair
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
b. Judas could have said any thing at this point but didn’t
c. Fully bought into the flesh
i. Having fully denied the Spirit
ii. The unforgivable sin
And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
2. Didn’t believe in Christ
a. Believed in men instead
b. Men seemed to have the right answers
c. Men seemed to be in power
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
B. Emboldened
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
1. The Crowd
a. Flesh always feels better with multiple
b. They feel safe in the group
2. Fear the Truth
a. Surround themselves with lies
b. Bolstered by their numbers
c. Feeling safe in the group of like minded people
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
d. The mob will bear out its fruit
C. Peter
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
1. Using the World
a. Cannot use the Worlds tactics
b. Its flawed and we have to fight different
i. On different footing
ii. On Solid ground
My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.
c. Hebrew word here is Mishor
i. Two meanings - first is level or plateau
ii. Second - Righteousness or even scales
iii. We fight in the Righteousness of the Spirit don’t need the flesh
2. Live by the Sword
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
a. Live by the flesh
i. Die by the flesh
ii. It has no righteous value
b. We have got to do it different
i. Live by the Spirit
ii. Don’t need the tools of the flesh
The Spirit
The Spirit
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
A. Takes the Battle Head On
1. Doesn’t play games
a. Get’s right to the point
b. Doesn’t mince words
2. Ready to tell the Truth
a. Doesn’t care for fleshly consequences
b. Only cares for obedience to God
“With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
3. Power of the Spirit
When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
a. Some weren’t even Jewish
b. The power of the proclamation of God
c. They may not have believed but they understood
B. Who do you Want
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
1. Jesus knew
a. God always gives a chance for repentance
b. For Judas first
c. But for anyone else
2. Jesus wanted clarity
a. Wanted them to be sure
b. Sure of who they were really asking for
C. Scripture Fulfilled Again
This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
1. Not a grain of salt
a. Serious in our faith
b. Understand that this is the Word fulfilled
c. God always does what He says
2. We can Trust that
a. Just as the disciples were able to
b. We can see God still moving like that today
D. Not a Battle of the Flesh
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
1. Jesus is All In
a. He could have let His disciples fight for Him
b. But the battle He was fighting wasn’t for the flesh
2. The Battle was for the Souls of Men
a. Not something that could be one with the Sword
b. Only something that could be won with the Blood of Christ
c. Dedicated to the sacrifice
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
3. Jesus went willingly
a. Caused no trouble
b. Knew His time had come
c. Knew the end
i. Knew the suffering
ii. But it was the joy He clung to
Conclusion:
Suffering is a part of the journey. Sometimes we are willing to fight with the flesh to avoid anything in our lives that might cause us to suffer. But the question is always, “Am I fighting the spiritual battle, or the fleshly battle?” That is only something God can guide us through the Scripture. But I can say this, stooping to fighting in the flesh has never won a spiritual battle, only caused division and hate. No, sometimes, we have to take up our cross and follow Christ instead, that way God wins the souls of men, not only their flesh.