C of C - Lesson 11h Spiritual Warfare (2)
Commands of Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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June 23, 2021 Following Jesus into Battle-2
Open:
Children and our responsibility
Thank God for the children He has given us — ALL of us
For children coming to church
For our own children
For our grands
For nieces and nephews
Our “spiritual” children
Last week we discussed the Battle for our children and our responsibility in that battle.
I think the scripture Sister Diane read last week is important:
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 “So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Couple that with another verse later:
10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
Look down: despise, think against
10 “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?
If you were to synthesize these passages together can we hear an overarching command from Jesus concerning children?
Be very careful how you treat children. Do not do anything that will cause them to stumble. Do everything in your power to help them serve God.
It is spiritual warfare to protect and encourage our children — the devil doesn’t like it.
Was Jesus involved in spiritual warfare? If so, it what ways was He involved?
Exorcisms
Not only did He perform them:
32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
He sent out His disciples to that:
1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
He sends US:
17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Combating lies/preaching/teaching
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth from God and am here; for I have not even come on My own, but He sent Me. 43 “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot listen to My word. 44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 “But because I say the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 “The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
Teaching the truth puts you in the cross-hairs of satan — it is spiritual warfare.
Healing?
Physical
Marriage
Prayer
Receiving the ministry/anointing of the Holy Spirit?
So, the followers of Jesus are at war
Imagine yourself preparing for battle. What three things would you most want to take with you?
Recap:
Commands of Christ
Series Foundational Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 esp. vs.20 … teaching them [the disciples of all nations] to observe all that I commanded you…
We continue to cover the commands that relate to Christ is Lord:
Deny Yourself | Take Up My Yoke and Learn from Me | Follow Me | You Have Heard It Said … but I Say to You | Pray This Way | Do This in Remembrance of Me | Remember What I Said
The Bible makes it clear that the Christian experience can be like a war (battle?). Powerful spiritual forces are set against us and are determined to defeat or discourage us from following the Lord. We can’t avoid the war but we can take advantage of the spiritual protection God supplies.
Dig:
Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
Summarize: what this passage tells you about the reality and nature of evil forces outside the realm of our sight or touch.
They are mighty and elevated in the order of things.
They ARE outside our sight and touch.
As I said Sunday before last about the blind and mute man, we cannot defeat evil forces of the enemy in our own ability.
We need a supernatural anointing
We need supernatural strength
We need supernatural discernment (physical, spiritual, consequences?)
We need supernatural wisdom
And we must war against them in humility, depending on Jesus, depending on the Holy Spirit.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
How have you as a believer experienced this ongoing struggle against “the spiritual forces of evil” in your own life?
If we are active in the Kingdom of God we will encounter them more often.
So, should we back off so we are not a target?
38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
I don’t think the Lord will bless those who refuse to engage the enemy, who try to hide to avoid the enmies fire. Thoughts?
Based on this passage, how strong are Satan and his demons?
Stronger than humans.
What words and phrases reveal this?
Rulers, world forces, heavenly places
How confident do you feel personally about facing Satan and his demons and why?
Four times in verses 10-14 Paul challenges us to stand our ground against Satan’s attacks. What might make a believer vulnerable to the enemy and in danger of falling when attacked?
If the battle is a “spiritual” one, what does that tell you about the nature of the armor God provides?
What is our responsibility in regard to that armor?
What area of life might each piece of God’s armor protect or be used for?
Belt of truth:
Breastplate of righteousness:
Footwear of peace:
Shield of faith:
Helmet of salvation:
Sword of the Spirit:
In what way is prayer a resource in the spiritual battle (v. 18)?
Reflect:
Personal Reflection. Do you ever sense that you are struggling against forces that are not physical? What is the source of that opposition in your life?
Which piece of armor do you need to “put on” more consistently in your life and why?
Ask God to help you be more aware of the spiritual forces standing against you—and more prepared to meet the enemy’s attack.
Think of a friend, Christian leader or missionary who may be under spiritual attack. Pray for God’s protection for that person. If possible, contact them and tell them you are praying specifically for strength against the enemy.
LifeGuide Topical Bible Studies - Following Jesus: 8 Studies for Individuals or Groups.