The Arm of the Flesh
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NOT RELYING ON THE ARM OF FLESH
TLC #432
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
13 Feb 19
TEXT:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
INTRODUCTION
1. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, invaded Judah during the reign of Hezekiah.
Before their enemies could reach Jerusalem, King Hezekiah consulted with his military leaders and they took steps to prevent the destruction of Jerusalem.
When they had done all they could do, Hezekiah encouraged the people with the following words:
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
(KJV 1900)
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
Another translation
“There is a greater power with us than with him” ().
These words sound a lot like John’s words to the early church:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Further, Hezekiah reminded the people of Jerusalem:
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
“With him [the enemy] is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” ().
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” ().
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Pastors are limited in what they can physically do in the spiritual battle. But we are assured that the battle is not really ours.
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Pastors are limited in what they can physically do in the spiritual battle. But we are assured that the battle is not really ours.
Pastors are limited in what they can physically do in the spiritual battle. But we are assured that the battle is not really ours.
“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’” ().
Those who depend on the arm of flesh will be sadly lacking in this spiritual battle.
Those who depend on the arm of flesh will be sadly lacking in this spiritual battle.
Those who depend on the arm of flesh will be sadly lacking in this spiritual battle.
I. A SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. It would be a grave mistake to underestimate what each Apostolic faces in today’s modern society.
a. Nebraska thinking problem… everything is a coincidence - skeptical of spiritual conflict.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Satan is a master of taking advantage of circumstance!
2. From the Creation, Satan has marshaled his forces against the power of God.
3. Daily there are spiritual assaults against a person’s soul.
3. Daily there are spiritual assaults against a person’s soul.
I know it rains on the just and the unjust
But when we can’t recognize the attack of the enemy we loose!
4. It is God’s will that every individual in this spiritual battle be victorious.
4. It is God’s will that every individual in this spiritual battle be victorious.
5. It is essential to recognize the significance of this spiritual conflict.
6. Christians face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
6. Christians face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
6. Christians face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
6. Christians face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
6. Christians face three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
a. The world is the system that is contrary to God and that caters to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
a. The world is the system that is contrary to God and that caters to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
b. The flesh is the old nature that mankind inherited from Adam.
c. The devil is none other than Satan, a fallen angel.
7. Jesus overcame the world, the flesh, and the devil.
8. His Spirit enables you and me to experience victory.
A. Recognizing the Enemy
1. The believer likewise should know his enemy and should not be caught off guard.
2. When David faced Goliath, he not only faced a big man, but he faced the opposing forces of evil.
3. Goliath asked for a man to fight for Israel.
“This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” ().
10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
4. Satan wants to keep the battle at the level of man—the arm of flesh.
5. David responded, “But I have a God!”
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
6. David knew if he raised the battle to the realm of the spiritual, his God would not let him down.
6. David knew if he raised the battle to the realm of the spiritual, his God would not let him down.
B. Understanding the Enemy
1. Goliath wanted more than David’s life; he wanted to place the whole nation of Israel in a state of submission to him.
a. Satan wants our thought life in submission to him.
b. If he can keep you busy fighting the phantoms of your mind, there is nothing more that he needs to do.
c. The battle is never about you but those you have influence on!
2. In contrast, David wanted more than Goliath’s head; he wanted victory for the name of the Lord.
3. We should want the same.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (, KJV).
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (, KJV).
4. Ultimately, we must recognize that our battle is at a higher level than flesh.
“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” (, KJV).
12 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.
II. EQUIPPED BY GOD
A. Our Power Comes from God
1. We must let go of our fleshly weapons and pick up our spiritual weapons if we want victory.
NOT RELYING ON THE ARM OF FLESH
37
STARTING POINTS FOR REVIVAL
“A young man, who was struggling to let the Lord have His way in his life, knelt to pray. He had been advised to ‘Let God do the work for him.’ But as he was kneeling, he cried ‘I want to let God have His way, but I can’t.’
The day before he had cut out of pasteboard the letters ‘LET GOD’ and tacked them on the wall. He rose from his knees and with a feeling of defeat and despair, he left the room and slammed the door with a bang, saying, ‘I can’t LET GOD.’
On his return to his room, he was startled to note that the slam of the door had loosened the letter ‘D’ on the word GOD causing it to fall to the floor, and changing the motto to ‘LET GO.’
‘I will, I will, Lord Jesus,’ he cried and threw himself on his knees at the side of his bed. ‘I will Let go,’ and Let God, and he did”
1988, 79).
B. God Provides the Armor
1. Paul wrote about the importance of spiritual armor.
“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” (, KJV).
13 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.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
2. These are all defensive weapons.
3. This armor was not meant to be worn while cowering in a corner. This armor was given to protect us in battle.
4. Not only must we put on our defensive armor, but we must pick up our offensive weapons.
“Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (, KJV).
5. We are instructed to go forth with the sword of the Spirit and to pray in the Spirit.
(KJV 1900)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
6. Satan cannot stand up to the Word of God or the Spirit of God.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
6. Satan cannot stand up to the Word of God or the Spirit of God.
III. PRACTICING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. God provides His army with the tools necessary to engage in this warfare.
2. Now it is up to us to put them into action.
A. The Power of Faith
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” ().
B. The Power of Prayer
1. Three steps in gaining God’s attention:
“O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” ().
18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
2. Be like Jacob and stay until you receive.
2. Be like Jacob and stay until you receive.
“But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” ().
“But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” ().
3. Jesus taught us to be like the persistent neighbor knocking on the door at midnight:
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
“But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need” (, MSG).
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
C. The Power of Fasting
1. When the disciples could not drive out a demon, Jesus explained why.
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (, KJV).
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
2. The Lord, through Isaiah, explained the purpose of a true fast.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” ().
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, And to let the oppressed go free, And that ye break every yoke?
3. Listen to the results of a proper fast.
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am II.f you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” ().
am II.f you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” ().
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, And thine health shall spring forth speedily: And thy righteousness shall go before thee; The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, The putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, And satisfy the afflicted soul; Then shall thy light rise in obscurity, And thy darkness be as the noonday:
11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, And satisfy thy soul in drought, And make fat thy bones: And thou shalt be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
CONCLUSION
1. It might be time to do something bizarre—like trust God.
Make God the solution to your problems.
Worrying will not solve them.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
In addition to the offensive weapons mentioned above, there’s one more—praise.
When the enemy surrounded Jehoshaphat, he turned his military warriors into singers.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.