C of C - Lesson 11h Spiritual Warfare (3)
Commands of Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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June 30, 2021 Following Jesus into Battle-2
Open:
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.
We synthesized a few of Jesus’ commands about children to understand that:
We must be very careful how we treat children. We must not do anything that will cause them to stumble. Do everything in your power to help them serve God.
As I said last week: It is spiritual warfare to protect and encourage our children — the devil doesn’t like it.
All this discussion about children happened apart from remembering that Adrian Thomason had prophesied on June 13: “Children, children, children!”
I admit that I had forgotten about that until I was in a counseling session and the Lord brought it back to me.
If we are going to see that prophecy fulfilled it will be when we as a church have a passion to see children and youth saved and discipled.
I’m not sure we are ready, yet.
Which is a terrible shame.
Can we pray about that right now?
Prayer for new life to have a burden for children and youth.
In this final lesson on following Jesus into Battle, let’s start by remembering what Jesus said about our enemy:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.
What are some things the thief wants to steal kill or destroy in our lives?
Peace
Joy
Hope
Love
Health
Marriages
So, the followers of Jesus are at war
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
25 And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Doesn’t it sound like Jesus calls His followers to be on the offensive against satan?
So, let’s follow Jesus’ leading into Battle.
We talked about it last week.
Jesus battled the devil in all the passages that tell of His exploits.
As I read Sunday night:
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
So, in obedience to His command, we follow Jesus into battle.
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 (is?) 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 the forces of evil.
Agree/Disagree: We cannot obediently follow Jesus without engaging in spiritual warfare.
Engaging the enemy
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 enemy’s 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?
Confident, because I’ve seen the enemy defeated time and time again.
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?
Pride
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall.
Stagnation
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Fear
5 No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Doesn’t everyone who is commissioned (that is everyone!) need to follow Jesus like Joshua?
Misunderstanding of Our Identity in Christ
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Anger/Unforgiveness
15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
If the battle is a “spiritual” one, what does that tell you about the nature of the armor and weapons God provides?
They are spiritual
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
What is our responsibility in regard to that armor?
Put it on.
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?
The devil
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.