Week 17 - Christian Warfare

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

3/6 - 1st Wednesday Prayer this week

3/23 - Holiday meal with Easter Egg hunt

3/10 - TIME CHANGE!!

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard and paper connect Card

Text keyword “prayer” to 217-583-1112 for prayer

Giving: box, web, app, mail

SANCTUARY seating capacity increase will give us room for about 87 people on a weekly basis, per Lifeway guidance.

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?… We’re in a war, and we’ve been in a war!

TODAY: Christian/Spiritual Warfare

Background on Paul’s response to the crisis:

2 Corinthians (II. Paul Responds to a New Crisis (10:1–13:14))

His opponents were Jewish Christians who put themselves forward as apostles of Christ. They highly prized eloquent speech, displays of authority, visions and revelations, and the performance of mighty works as the signs of a true apostle. They had earlier infiltrated the Corinthian church, and their criticisms of Paul prob. provided some of the “ammunition” used by the offender (i.e., the one who caused pain, 2:5; who did the wrong, 7:12) in his attack against Paul.

Opening Scripture:

2 Cor. 10:1-18

2 Corinthians 10:1–2 ESV

1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.

Rephrased:

2 Corinthians (1. Paul Responds to Criticisms (10:1–11))

“The gist of vv. 1b–2 may be stated as follows. ‘Some say I am timid and servile when present with you but full of courage and boldness in my letters when at a safe distance. Let me state my intent … I shall be bold and confident, when I see you shortly, against certain persons of your number—those who persist in thinking and claiming that my outlook and behavior lack the signs of the Spirit’s presence.”

Christian warfare…

1. Christian warfare is not waged in the flesh (v. 3)

2 Corinthians 10:3 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.”

Living in the world but not waging war by the standards of the world (v. 3)

2. Christian warfare is waged with weapons that are powerful through God (vv. 4-5)

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 “4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

“Weapons” for destroying “strongholds,” i.e., arguments against the knowledge of God (vv. 4–5a)

2 Corinthians 10:4 (CSB):

4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments

“through God” is possibly “an intensive use of God’s name to underline the great power of the weapons”

The weapons are not named here!

Possible Weapons:

Proclamation of the Gospel by which divine power is released (2 Cor. 4:1–6; 1 Cor 1:17–25; 2:1–5; cf. Rom 1:16; Eph 6:11–17).

Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Ephesians 6:17 “17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

Strongholds (used only here in NT.)

Proverbs 21:22 “22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.”

What stands in the way of the Gospel message being understood in our communities?

3. Christian warfare is taking every thought captive to Christ and dealing with disobedience (vv. 5b–6)

2 Corinthians 10:5–6 “5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

Obedience comes with detachment from the influence of the world/former ways.

4. Christian warfare is responding to criticism that prevents the Gospel from going forth (vv. 7-11)

2 Corinthians 10:8 “8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.”

5. Christian warfare is recognizing that growth is limited by weaknesses in the faith community (vv. 12-18)

2 Corinthians 10:15 “15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,”

Servant leadership influence is enlarged by the increase of faith in those they serve.

Ephesians 6:16 “16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

2 Corinthians 10:16 “16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.”

Ministry in 2 Cor. 10 is described as Christian warfare using imagery of Siege warfare.

*See picture of Roman Siegecraft and works*

Conclusion/Reflection:

In conclusion, the passage from 2 Corinthians 10 offers profound insights into the nature of Christian warfare and our role within it.

As believers, we are called to engage in spiritual battles not with the weapons of the world, but with the powerful tools provided by God.

Our warfare involves demolishing arguments and strongholds, taking every thought captive to Christ, and responding to criticism with humility and faith. Through obedience and reliance on God's authority, we can overcome obstacles and support the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

PRAY: May we stand firm in your strength, knowing that our ultimate victory is assured through what you accomplished at the Cross.

COMMUNION:

Revelation 12:11 “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.”

Talk It Over

How does the concept of spiritual warfare challenge our understanding of conflict resolution and engagement with the world around us?

In what ways do we see the influence of worldly standards and ideologies shaping our approach to spiritual battles? How can we discern and resist these influences?

Reflecting on the idea of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ," what practical steps can we take to align our thinking with God's truth and Word?

How can we navigate criticism in a way that honors God and furthers His Kingdom?

How can we maintain humility and reliance on God's power in the midst of spiritual battles and ministry endeavors?