The Real Battle of 2024
Notes
Transcript
The Real Battle of 2024
Ephesians 6:10-20
INTRODUCTION
The battle at Yorktown in 1781 turned the tide of the American Revolution. Washington had plans to attack New York as he received reinforcements from France to help them fight. The French commander talked Washington into attacking Cornwallis in Yorktown instead. They left a few soldiers in New York and marched everyone else 200 miles in 15 days to launch a surprise attack on Yorktown where they overwhelmed the British army. Cornwallis was defeated and the Revolutionary War was on a new course. They received support from by France and Spain and soon received their independence from Britain, the most powerful nation in the world.
When the battle at Yorktown was won, Cornwallis claimed to be sick and sent his deputy, Charles O'Hara to surrender. O'Hara attempted to surrender to the French Commander. Rochambeau realized what they were trying to do who turned to Washington. Washington turned to his deputy, Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted the surrender.
Two Big Wars as we begin 2024. Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Hammas
Spiritual battle
Battle for our souls.
It's a battle that began when God gave man a choice and escalated when man made the wrong choice.
If we don’t fight the right battle in 2024 we will lose.
The answer for America is not found in an election.
The answer for America is spiritual. We need Jesus.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
4 Truths Propelling Us in 2024
4 Truths Propelling Us in 2024
1. We Have an Unmerciful Enemy (11-12)
1. We Have an Unmerciful Enemy (11-12)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Schemes= he has a plan.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. We Have Impenetrable Armor (13-17)
2. We Have Impenetrable Armor (13-17)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
“whole armor”= Greek word referring to all the equipment of a fully armed soldier.
This is how we resist evil.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Defense= stand firm (Be strong and courageous)
Our Defense
Our Defense
Truth
Truth
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Don’t be afraid of Truth. Look for Truth.
Stronger when we are confident in the truth.
Righteousness
Righteousness
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Be above reproach.
Philippians 2:15
Purpose
Purpose
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Purpose is the Gospel. For us and for the world.
Faith
Faith
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Faith is acting upon what we believe.
Faith can move mountains.
ILL- Iron Dome- in Israel - claims to be 90% effective.
October 7 they shot several thousand at the same time. It can be overwhelmed.
Faith is 100%.
Salvation
Salvation
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Notice that salvation is mentioned together.
Helmet is essential in hand to hand sword fighting.
Salvation is necessary to have the Holy Spirit.
If you have salvation you have the Holy Spirit.
Word of God
Word of God
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Sword of the Spirit
Sword= short, two-sided sword.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
3. We Have an All-Powerful Ally (18)
3. We Have an All-Powerful Ally (18)
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Prayer in the Spirit - God sent us the Spirit. Power of the Spirit.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Power to Persevere
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
4. We Have a Worthy Mission (19-20)
4. We Have a Worthy Mission (19-20)
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
We must fight. Be on the offensive.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
"Gates of hell" = gates are for defense.
Satan has no power over the church when we are on mission.
It is not our place to protect the church. It is our place to charge forward into darkness.
Day of Pentecost- they ran to the streets of the same people who crucified Christ. It could have been seen as suicide.
Peter and John were arrested for preaching and put on trial. Let go and told to stop preaching in name of Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Christianity is not safe and easy.
It involves risk and faithful obedience.
We must take on the gates of hell. OFFENSIVELY
God does not need us to protect him or his church. He needs us to obey.
ILL- Christians in Afghanistan.
Many have died and many more will.
They die as martyrs.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
CONCLUSION
Are you fighting the right battle?
Are you fighting the right battle?
Are you an overcomer?
Are you an overcomer?
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?