The Sword of the Spirit

Intro

In keeping with the same these of using funny childhood stories to illustrate my point, growing up, Blaine and I used to play pretend quite often.

From little towns we built for our Hot Wheels to sword fighting pirates.

Now, as children, we had very different ideas as to what playing pretend sword fighting would be. For me, I wanted to be Captain Jack Sparrow and have a real looking sword fight, for Blaine … well, he just wanted to win. And his techniques would prove it.

As I gracefully danced around the parking lot taking my pirate stance, he came at me full throttle swinging his sword as fast as he could to implement as much damage as possible! It hurt!

But, we learned valuable lessons together: how to wield a fake sword.

As Christ followers, we must be willing to do something similar, not wield a fake sword, but take up a very real one, one ordained and written by God Himself, and we must use it.

Last week, I asked you to help me with an illustration today. If you brought your Bible this morning, would you hold it up? No, not like that, like a soldier taking his sword our in battle. Hold your sword high! Look at your sword, look at your neighbors sword. Wield your sword!

Ephesians 6:10–17 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

What is the Sword?

As we have done in the past, let’s spend some time learning exactly what the sword it.

Paul is pretty blunt in this passage in telling us that the Sword of the Spirit is the very word of God.

So, let’s talk about that.

When we think of the word of God, there are some things we have to believe and decide to do. We have to believe that the Word of God is just that, God’s word to mankind. And, we have to decide to make it a part of our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

This is a foundational verse given to mankind to understand that the Bible is the very Word of God spoken through mankind, and written down for our benefit.

The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years, by over 40 authors, in 3 languages, across 3 continents, yet it is totally cohesive and has no flaws or contradictions whatsoever. There is no way mankind can accomplish this. This is God’s work!

So, as God has given us His very word, the Sword of the Spirit, there are a few things we have to understand about it.

The Word to be Read

First, the Sword is the Word of God designed to be read!

Knowing the Word of God is imperative to salvation, but also sanctification. In order to know Christ as Savior, you must be in the Word, or at least have heard it read. And, in order to grow in His likeness, you must be a reader of the word.

It is important to know, as you read the Bible, that nothing we do as Christians should be to “check off a box” this is not what faith in Christ is. It is not obligation. Rather, there needs to be a desire to know more about God. Even if you don’t like reading, or don’t think you have the time for it, if you have a desire to know God better, then you need to sacrifice your time and feelings in order to read the fully inspired word of the Living God!

If you don’t, you will not grow in Christ, you will not mature in your faith, you will feel far far far from the presence of the Savior.

If you want to know more about Jesus, read His Word.

The Word to be Loved

And as you do, the read Word will transform into the loved Word! The Sword of the Spirit will become the Word to be Loved!

It is inevitable that once you start reading the life transforming Word of God, you will be begin to love it.

Once you begin to love it, then you will decide to make it the rule of your life. You will allow it to lead you in everything from your thoughts to your behaviors.

The Word of God was designed to be loved by you, the recipient.

And, you cannot love something if you don’t spend significant amounts of quality time with it.

As you read it, as you begin to love it, you will be reminded of the great work that it accomplished in your life, and you will love it so much that, you will share it.

The Word to be Shared

The Sword of the Spirit is designed to be shared with those around you.

It was written for you and I so that we could understand the redemptive story of Jesus and allow it to transform our lives and change us.

If that has taken place, why would we want to gate-keep it? Share it!

A lack of evangelism makes no sense in the life of a Christian, and even more so, it is sinful! The gospel of Jesus Christ and the truths found in His word are not designed for you and you only, stop being selfish with the Word and go share it!

We have been given a great responsibility, a great Sword, with which to do much.

But, in order to do anything with the Word of God, you must know it, then you must love, and then share it.

In high school, I loved physics class. I always thought it was so cool to learn how things work. That is a subject I would have loved to read more on, fall in love with, and teach. However, english … was a no go for me. There is no way I loved english enough to share it with others. But, my teachers did! So, they taught it, with passion and love for the subject and the recipient.

In order to do this, we must know it.

In battle, a soldier would know his sword best of all other pieces. He would know how it was made, with what, and by whom. He would practice with it, study it, and take care of it.

Know your sword. Know your recipients. Know your enemy

How Do We Use It?

Once you know your sword, you have to know how to swing it, how to use it.

And, it varies.

We must know the enemy, but we also must understand the the Word of God is also delicate enough to gently pierce the hearts of unbelievers and show them the truth.

So, how do we start using the sword?

With Boldness

The first way that we use the Word of God is with boldness.

Acts 4:29–31 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Here Paul and John were speaking the Word to Jewish leaders who wanted to kill them, yet they prayed for boldness and spoke with boldness.

If we really believe that the Word of God is God’s Words to mankind, then we can face any and every situation with full confidence that God has our back if we are following the Word of God.

Stephen did this in the book of Acts.

Stephen was a follower of Jesus who boldly proclaimed the gospel to Jewish leaders, they did not like it. They decided that they would stone and kill Stephen. But, even as he was dying, he was proclaiming the word of God to lost people.

One of those people was Paul. Paul was a Jewish leader turned follower of Christ who heard the gospel through people like Stephen. Paul was bold. To the point that he got thrown in jail and eventually killed for his faith.

Paul and Stephen were unapologetic about the Word of God. They knew the truth and they knew how valuable that it was. Therefore, they wanted everyone they came in contact with to know it as well, no matter what may happen to them. That is boldness.

When I think of who else shared God’s divine Word with a lost world with full and complete boldness, I think of one more.

Jesus!

Jesus left the splendor of heaven to come to this sinful world, live amongst sin while never sinning, then gave his life on the cross for ours. He paid our penalty. He bore our sin and pain. And he still does. He proclaimed God’s word so boldly that they nailed him to a cross where he died for our forgiveness.

If our God can be that bold for us, why can’t we be that bold for Him?

We must take our sword, the Word of God, and attack sin, boldly. In our lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters. We must be like Stephen, Paul, and Jesus and boldly attack sin for God’s glory and our good.

With Love

But we must also do so, with love. we must swing our sword at sin, not sinners.

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

We have to remember that as we wield the sword of the Spirit of God, it is just that God’s sword.

God despises sin, but loves the sinner so much that He died for you and I … and the person you want to swing your sword at!

So, swing your Sword at sin. Use the Bible to attack sin. But never forget, the sinner is to be loved throughout the process. To hate the sin and the sinner is to act in opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ!

As you swing your sword at the sins of those you love, remember, that was you at one point. Do all you can to help people know God, but remember, the Holy Spirit is active and we must trust His work as well!

To Lead Souls to Jesus

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, is active. It is alive! And, its truths are sharp enough to pierce the heard of an unbeliever.

We use the sword by leading souls to Jesus.

The only way to lead a soul to God is by presenting them the Word of God, praying that the Holy Spirit will use it, and trust!

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

When we speak the Word of God in a way that attempts to lead souls to Jesus, He will use it somehow! It will not return void.

The sword attacks sin, it pierces the heart of the unbeliever, and finally, swing your sword in defense.

To Defend!

Not only will we need defense at times, but more than anything the faith on which our eternity rests will need defending.

I am not saying every Christian must take to the street corners and become a street preacher, but I am saying that, the beliefs that we share are under attack, and will be under attack until the Lord returns.

Use the Word of God to defend the Word of God.

Stand. Don’t back down.

Note that as we have talked about the Armor of God, we didnt talk about any piece to cover the back, it isn’t in Scripture. Why?

Because Paul challenges us to stand, not retreat.

So, stand in the gap, defend the word, the church, your faith, and your God.

Ephesians 6:10–17 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Stand up. Armor up. Take the truth of God and allow it to hold you up and remove snares. Put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart. Walk in peace while you spread the gospel. Grab your shield which will guard you from the fiery darts of the enemy, put on your helmet to protect your mind, heart, and life, and finally. Stand, stand with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Read, love, and spread the Word. Do so with Boldness and love, ready to defend the faith you love so well.

Take up your sword, dust it off, and use it!

SONG

Conclusion

Maybe this morning your sword is like a museum piece. Dusty, laid up for people to admire, but never taken down. Grab your sword today, dust it off, and allow the Lord to use it!

Maybe your sword is like a museum piece in that you don’t think it is good for anything but looks anymore, may you repent and see the value of God’s word in your life.

I invite you this morning to come make a commitment to the Lord. Come pray that the Lord will invigorate a desire in your heart to read the Word, to love the Word, and to make it a complete and total part of your life.

Stand this morning, being covered with the Armor of God, and allow Him to work.

*salvation plea*

This morning I want all who can and will to join me at the front here. To pray with me. To pray for each other. To pray for yourself and your brothers and sisters in Christ. To pray for strength. To pray for courage and boldness. To pray that the Lord will help us to take up our armor and stand!

Would you join me?