The Good Fight
Notes
Transcript
vv. 12-13:
Scripture often refers to Christian service in athletic or military terms.
Believers have publicly professed their faith. We are; therefore, urged to carry the banner and fight the fight for which we have enlisted.
When we think about it, reason should compel Christians to enter into the race and fight.
First, our Commander is worth following.
The Lord leads us into battle, stands with us on the front lines, and fights for us.
The Lord leads us into battle, stands with us on the front lines, and fights for us.
Deuteronomy 20:4
Deuteronomy 20:4
for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
Revelation 19:11-14
Revelation 19:11-14
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Second, we are well-armed and protected.
We have the “whole armor of God”.
It includes:
the girdle of “truth,”
the “breastplate of righteousness,”
shoes of “the preparation of the gospel of peace,”
“the shield of faith,”
“the helmet of salvation,”
and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
The armor of God
The armor of God
Ephesians 6:13-17
Ephesians 6:13-17
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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
The warrior’s mouth is filled with prayers and bold speech.
The warrior’s mouth is filled with prayers and bold speech.
Ephesians 6:18-20
Ephesians 6:18-20
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Notice that there is no scabbard for the sword, because it is to be always at the ready.
There is no mention of armor for one’s back, because retreat is not an option.
When victory is assured, there is no reason to turn back.
We are to be on the offensive.
We are to be on the offensive.
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Gates don’t attack anyone, they are defensive.
The picture is not one of Christians huddled in their castle as Satan tries to destroy them, but one of Christians on the attack.
God did not establish His church, based on His power, made of people created in His image, so that we could cower from the enemy.
It is Satan who fears the power of Christ, which is manifest in the “Body of Christ” (the church).
The forces of evil are the desperate ones.
The goal of righteousness should motivate us.
Assurance of victory should encourage us as we strive to fill the kingdom of darkness with light.
We must continue the battle to exalt our Lord and to spread His Word.
To the victor belongs the spoils.
To the victor belongs the spoils.
Revelation 3:21
Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
In the end, we will trade our armor of war for white robes.
In the end, we will trade our armor of war for white robes.
Revelation 7:14
Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Our helmet will be replaced by an “incorruptible” crown of righteousness.
Our helmet will be replaced by an “incorruptible” crown of righteousness.
1 Corinthians 9:25
1 Corinthians 9:25
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
2 Timothy 4:8
2 Timothy 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
v. 14:
We are to continue this fight and work until Jesus returns.
We fight for the souls of men, we fight so that we may have a good harvest to present to the Lord.
While Jesus is away, the fields still need tending.
The time to harvest is now, it is waiting to be reaped, else it will wither away.
It is ripe for the picking, we simply need to open our eyes to see it.
The harvest is all around us and ripe for the picking, but workers are needed.
The harvest is all around us and ripe for the picking, but workers are needed.
Luke 10:2
Luke 10:2
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
John 4:35-36
John 4:35-36
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
v. 15:
While we are to continue our work until the Lord returns, only He knows the time.
We should treat every day as if is return is imminent and our work is incomplete (because it is).
When Paul speaks of the Lord, he praises Him and speaks of His greatness.
When you speak of the Lord, are you compelled to speak of His greatness?
He is all powerful, and above all.
v. 16:
Our Lord is immortal, and His glory is beyond comprehension.
None of us, in our earthly form can look upon the Lord.
None of us, in our earthly form can look upon the Lord.
Exodus 33:19-20
Exodus 33:19-20
Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”
One day, all of our work will be rewarded, and we shall see Him as He is.
One day, all of our work will be rewarded, and we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3:2
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
One day all of our crowns will be presented to the one who truly deserves them.
One day all of our crowns will be presented to the one who truly deserves them.
Revelation 4:10-11
Revelation 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Have you given your life to the one who gave His life for you?
