Sermon Tone Analysis

The Sword: On the Attack

The Sword: On the Attack

But, what if all the people and the British soldiers did was to build bomb shelters?

What if all they did in the wartime factories was to build armored vehicles – so that the people in England could drive around London, while bombs were falling from the sky?

In any type of warfare – defense means so much more than waiting for another blow to come, so you can deflect it and try to stand against it.

Defense means more than that – so much more.

In sports – in many circles it’s a maxim that, “Defense wins championships”.

It’s true.

I have seen it time and time again.

But defense is more than just standing back and waiting for the attack of your enemy to come.

We’ve spoken in this series already about the Second World War.

The Blitz of London and how the Nazi planes were dropping bombs in wave after wave of attack on the beleaguered city.

It was so magnificent that the people, forced to run and hunker down underground, didn’t cave in to the attacks and surrender.

We have been studying the armour that God provides to you, as a Christian, for your joy.

Let’s never lose sight of that purpose – the armour of God is for your joy – ever piece is a love-gift from the Sovereign God of the universe, who knows the world that you are living in right now.

But, what if all the people and the British soldiers did was to build bomb shelters?

What if all they did in the wartime factories was to build armored vehicles – so that the people in England could drive around London, while bombs were falling from the sky?

In any type of warfare – defense means so much more than waiting for another blow to come, so you can deflect it and try to stand against it.

Defense means more than that – so much more.

Today we come to the last piece of armour that is specifically named.

We aren’t done with the armour of God – we still have a couple of more weeks here –but this is the last NAMED piece of armour.

We have seen God’s gift of a belt (truth); a breastplate (righteousness); a shield (faith); shoes (gospel of peace); and a helmet (salvation).

Today’s piece is distinct – it’s different from all the others.

Look at all the pieces we’ve looked at so far – what do they all have in common?

They’re all DEFENSIVE.

Period.

They’re all intended to protect you from the enemy’s offensive attacks.

That’s critical.

So many pieces devoted to that one purpose – shows how important that is.

But if ALL you have is defensive armour – you aren’t going to fare very well – how are you going to push forward?

Football analogy – If your opponent is on offense and knows that you are never going to rush the quarterback – that you’re only going to drop back into coverage and maybe try to hold the line and keep the running back from carrying the ball across the line of scrimmage … well, that may work for a little while.

But you will never win a game that way.

We have been studying the armour that God provides to you, as a Christian, for your joy.

Let’s never lose sight of that purpose – the armour of God is for your joy – ever piece is a love-gift from the Sovereign God of the universe, who knows the world that you are living in right now.

Your opponent will get the idea quickly that you aren’t coming with any threat – then he’s going to stand in your face and pound and whack away without fear … and the time will come when your protection breaks down.

Today we come to the last piece of armour that is specifically named.

We aren’t done with the armour of God – we still have a couple of more weeks here –but this is the last NAMED piece of armour.

We have seen God’s gift of a belt (truth); a breastplate (righteousness); a shield (faith); shoes (gospel of peace); and a helmet (salvation).

Today’s piece is distinct – it’s different from all the others.

Look at all the pieces we’ve looked at so far – what do they all have in common?

They’re all DEFENSIVE.

Period.

They’re all intended to protect you from the enemy’s offensive attacks.

That’s critical.

So many pieces devoted to that one purpose – shows how important that is.

But if ALL you have is defensive armour – you aren’t going to fare very well – how are you going to push forward?

Football analogy – If your opponent is on offense and knows that you are never going to rush the quarterback – that you’re only going to drop back into coverage and maybe try to hold the line and keep the running back from carrying the ball across the line of scrimmage … well, that may work for a little while.

But you will never win a game that way.

Our text this morning makes it clear that you will not win the battle for joy by standing still and enduring a beating.

You NEED TO ATTACK.

That’s part of defense, too.

And It’s not enough to try and NOT be conquered … you are called TO CONQUER.

Paul is saying here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “You need something more than protective armour!

You HAVE MORE!

You need a weapon of attack … and you have it!

….

SO TAKE THE SWORD!!”

Your opponent will get the idea quickly that you aren’t coming with any threat – then he’s going to stand in your face and pound and whack away without fear … and the time will come when your protection breaks down.

Our text this morning makes it clear that you will not win the battle for joy by standing still and enduring a beating.

You NEED TO ATTACK.

That’s part of defense, too.

And It’s not enough to try and NOT be conquered … you are called TO CONQUER.

Now, the type of sword Paul is referring to is a specific one.

Last week, I told you about the broad sword - - it’s 2-4 feet long, you need 2 hands to hold it … and you use it for big, heavy blows – like when you’re taking a home-run swing in baseball.

This is NOT that sword.

Paul is saying here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “You need something more than protective armour!

You HAVE MORE!

You need a weapon of attack … and you have it!

….

SO TAKE THE SWORD!!”

The sword that Paul is talking about here, is the normal sword that a soldier would carry.

It’s somewhere between 6-18 inches long and the soldier has this sword in a sheath, strapped to his side.

And when an enemy wsa close enough for hand to hand combat … and, when an enemy is close enough for hand to hand combat – this is the sword you reach for.

With that in mind, I’m here this morning to urge you: TAKE THE SWORD!

DON’T BE CONTENT to always play defense.

In your spiritual battle for joy - - go on the offensive ….

And TAKE THE SWORD!

Now, the type of sword Paul is referring to is a specific one.

Last week, I told you about the broad sword - - it’s 2-4 feet long, you need 2 hands to hold it … and you use it for big, heavy blows – like when you’re taking a home-run swing in baseball.

This is NOT that sword.

1. WHAT IS THE SWORD?

The sword that Paul is talking about here, is the normal sword that a soldier would carry.

It’s somewhere between 6-18 inches long and the soldier has this sword in a sheath, strapped to his side.

And when an enemy wsa close enough for hand to hand combat … and, when an enemy is close enough for hand to hand combat – this is the sword you reach for.

With that in mind, I’m here this morning to urge you: TAKE THE SWORD!

DON’T BE CONTENT to always play defense.

In your spiritual battle for joy - - go on the offensive ….

And TAKE THE SWORD!

We are obviously talking about weapons that are spiritual – not physical here.