Peace in the Battle
Power Encounter • Sermon • Submitted
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· 120 viewsSpiritual warfare is a reality for every human being--including believers in Christ. One power encounter is dependence on the Gospel which gives peace.
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Introduction
Bookstore Book: “I visited a bookstore.
In the entrance way, there was a new series of books addressing a variety of topics, such as Roman history, philosophy, and physics. d
In the entrance way, there was a new series of books addressing a variety of topics, such as Roman history, philosophy, and physics.
The one that caught my attention was the volume on religion. As I thumbed through the Table of Contents, I noticed a chapter on Pentecostalism.
In the chapter on Pentecostalism, there were three observations the author made that I want to share with you:
First, the author stated that Pentecostalism is the fastest growing part of Christianity.
Second, that Pentecostals make up more than 25% of all Christians.
And third, the Pentecostals take very serious that matter of spiritual warfare.
Spiritual Warfare
Even though we are a Pentecostal church, it does not mean that all of us have the same view of this subject of spiritual warfare.
Some may minimize it and others may be consumed by it.
There are those who believe that spiritual warfare is — spiritual —meaning that it has minimal relevance for today post-modern Christian.
But, the Scripture give us a clear view of its’ reality:
There are those who believe that spiritual warfare
Eph 6:
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.
The Christian cannot afford to ignore or minimize this reality.
But, life happens, we get busy and distracted—and we forget that there is a enemy, and that there is a life or death battle.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
So, the Scripture gives us a way through this battle, which will help us stay strong and give God the glory.
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.
Eph 6:
John 10:10
It is critical that we take this seriously, understand this accurately, and implement this as God intends.
Previously we looked at verse 14:
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Here we learned the importance of embracing a life of integrity (belt of truth) and a life of holiness (breastplate of righteousness).
Integrity and holiness holds your life together and safeguard your soul.
Transition
But, striving for integrity and holiness does not mean that you will not face hardship in life.
The enemy will attempt to persuade you that truth and righteousness is overrated, impractical, or prudish. He will especially encourage you to compromise—to justify sinful behavior—to change the meaning of Scripture—to even depart from the faith.
So, what must we do to “withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”?
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
Eph 6:
The Roman soldier’s armor included the shoe—a boot that protected his feet and lower leg—a boot that included nails that served to grip the ground in combat.
It is this imagery that the Scripture uses to illustrate another part of the Christian’s armor to help the believer face the battle.
It begins with:
The Good News
The Good News
The Good News of Christ is our Foundation
The Good News of Christ is our Foundation
Jesus—His work, His teaching, His authority, His death, and His resurrection—impacts our lives. This is the Good News—this is the foundation of our life as a Christian.
To face spiritual warfare requires a firm grip on the Good News of Jesus Christ.
What must we do to have this “firm grip”?
There is no shortcut to studying the Scriptures—this must be the priority of the Christian—especially the intense, serious, detailed examination of the Gospel record of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Knowing Christ is essential to withstanding the attack of the enemy and his cohorts.
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
But, if this is not our priority, what may happen?
The Apostle Paul confronted the Christians in Galatia who were not diligent in their grasp of the Gospel of Christ.
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
Without Christ as the center and foundation of our lives, we will drift away—or run away from the truth. And, as a result, we will loose our footing and expose ourselves to spiritual defeat.
Application
We need to take serious inventory of our spiritual pursuits. Do these activities lead us toward Christ or away from Christ?
Are we regularly engaged in the study of Jesus, making it our life priority to know Christ as revealed in the Scripture?
As a pastor, one of my great concerns is how little we talk and share about Jesus—His life, work, and teaching.
The Good News about Christ is our Instruction.
The Good News about Christ is our Instruction.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
We can successfully navigate through life by becoming imitators of Jesus Christ.
As we engage in spiritual warfare, we can learn much by looking at how Jesus faced and won battles.
I have identified at least four types of battles Jesus faced:
Temptation by the enemy (Satan)—which Jesus confronted by the proper use of Scripture.
Opposition from from religious leaders—which Jesus confronted by teaching the true meaning of Scripture.
Opposition from friends (Peter)—which Jesus confronted by recognizing the true source of opposition—Satan.
Pain of the human condition (lost people, people’s sin, the cross)—which Jesus confronted with prayer.
By learning about Jesus and knowing Him, we can implement His approaches to spiritual warfare and experience the victory.
The Good News about Jesus is our Peace
The Good News about Jesus is our Peace
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
The Scripture tells us that through the Gospel we have peace.
How does the Gospel give us peace?
The Gospel of peace pertains to the good news that, through Christ, believers are a peace with God and He is on our side.
Peace gives confidence—confidence gives courage—and courage enables us to fight the good fight and not quit.
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Conclusion
When we know Christ we have peace—and we are prepared for life.
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.