Invisible War, Visible Work

Intro:

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

As we continue to study the topic of prayer, the title of my message is, [Invisible War, Visible Work].

In our text we read of an event that occured in the life of Elisha. I debated on preaching through this part of his life. Truthfully, I decided not to preach from this chapter.

However, something struck me this week that changed my mind. I thoroughly believe I have a message from God today.

I want us to focus on two words, invisible and visible.

Invisible is defined, unable to be seen, not visible to the eye

Visible is defined able to be seen

We live in a world where both the invisible and visible operate at the same time.

The invisible, what we cannot see, affects the visible, what we can see. For instance:

Oxygen is invisible. I have not seen oxygen. But when I breathe it in, it allows me to live. What I do that is visible to others, happens because an invisible substance fuels me.

Emotions, whether we realize it or not are invisible. It is how we react to our emotions that are visible.

Happiness begins as an invisible emotion, how I react through a smile or laughter, that is a visible manifestation of my invisible emotion.

Sadness. We do not see sadness, that is invisible. What we see are the visible effects of sadness, crying for instance.

Upset or anger. We cannot physically see anger, what we see is the reaction to anger— punching someone!

Our thoughts. They are invisible. You cannot SEE what I’m thinking. It is not until I act on my thoughts that we enter the realm of the visible.

I could go on, but the point is simple the what we cannot see, the invisible, affects what we can see, the visible.

In addition to feelings, emotions, or substances that are invisible, but have visible realities. There is a spiritual realm that is invisible, but it definitely have a visible reality.

Who has ever seen God? He is invisible.

Who has had God visible change their lives?

People on earth SAW Jesus 2,000 years ago, but to us, He is invisible. We believe in Him, but we have yet to see Him.

What about the Holy Spirit? Jesus described Him like the wind. We can feel the the Holy Spirit, we can see Him work on people, but we’ve never seen Him!

We serve an invisible God, but He works in and through us in a visible way!

Likewise, we are in the midst of an invisible war. There is a real spiritual battle that rages between angels of God and demons of hell.

This invisible war has its grip on our nation and our world. Though we’ve not seen angels and demons fighting, the effects are visible. We see:

division

confusion

fear

mistrust

problems unlike anything we’ve seen before

If we could look past the visible problems, we would find this invisible war is real, strategic, and satanic.

Let’s look at the Old Testament event in the life of the Prophet Elisha and see how the Invisible War has raged for years, but God works visibly through His people.

I have three points, [Invisible Assistance], [Invisible Actions], and [Invisible Armor]. I want to see the invisible force that worked behind the visible aspects of each passage of scripture!

Let’s begin

1. Invisible Assistance

2 Kings 6:14–15 NKJV

14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

The Old Testament was full of visible wars that occured. It seems that Israel was always in some sort of battle. More often than not, their enemies had the upper hand.

Their enemies often had larger armies, more allies, and a better strategic advantage. But that was the visible nature of the war.

Israel had what their enemies did not have. They possessed an unseen advantage— the only One true God worked on their behalf.

This was the case in this part of Elisha’s life. Israel was at war with the Syrians, but for some reason, the Syrians could not get the advantage.

Finally, the king of Syria wants to know the source of the leak. He assumed someone kept telling Israel their plans. But they explained to the king, we haven’t said a word.

Instead, Israel has a prophet named Elisha. The prophet tells Israel’s kings what the King of Syria speak in his bedroom.

How would Elisha have the ability to know the thoughts of the Syrian King? There was an invisible person that told the prophet. The Holy Spirit revealed everything to the prophet.

The Syrian king found out Elisha was in Dothan so he sent horses and chariots to surround Elish and his servant.

Early the next morning the prophet’s servant saw that they were surrounded on all sides. He wondered what could be done about their disadvantage?

The servant’s problem was he focused on the visible, not the invisible. The prophet could see what he could not.

2 Kings 6:16–17 NKJV

16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Elisha prayed and asked God to open the servant’s eyes. What did Elisha want him to see? The invisible advantage they had.

All he could see was the Syrian horses, chariots, army, and weapons.

God opened his eyes, and suddenly he could see in the Spirit. They were not alone, but the army of God surrounded them. He learned a valuable lesson, in the invisible war, we cannot look at our surroundings.

Instead, we have to do some visible work. People SAW Elisha pray. They SAW his faith and confidence in God. When everyone else was worried, the prophet was not.

Why?

Because in the war he fought was not physical, but spiritual. And he knew that he had invisible assistance from heaven!

Let’s look further at this invisible war.

2. Invisible Action

Ephesians 6:10–12 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

There is an important connection I want us to notice this morning. How does Elisha’s account in the Old Testament connect to Paul’s writings in the New Testament.

In studying scripture we MUST remember:

The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament Revealed. (repeat slowly).

When we read the Old Testament, we read it in light of what we know from the New Testament.

The Old Testament dealt with types and symbols. It foreshadowed what was to come. It gave hints about the future. But it was not until Jesus came that what THEY went through makes sense to US.

So Elisha was in a PHYSICAL war, but there was a SPIRITUAL side to the war. They were surrounded by enemies, but God sent an army of angels that only a person of the Spirit could see.

Now, Paul saves important information for the church in Ephesus. They were in a war. At the time the reader might have thought, war, we’re living in relative peace.

The Romans had yet to persecute the church to severely. The body of Christ continued to grow. People were being saved, filled with the Spirit, healed, and delivered.

On the outside looking in, everything was okay. They weren’t like Elisha. There were not any chariots, horses, or weapons surrounding the Ephesian church.

But Paul wanted them to know, there is a war, and you MUST STAND STRONG!

Who was at war? Who were the opposing armies?

The war was not between nations or people. In fact the war could not be fought through hand-to-hand combat. The war was not between human beings.

No, this war was invisible and it had to deal with the highest of demonic principalities. The war was between spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places.

Now we know on one side of the war are demons, who is on the other side?

Are the demons warring against God. I say no. The war is not between Satan and God. It is between Satan and God’s PEOPLE. At any moment, God could eradicate evil and lock Satan away forever.

No, this war is between the enemy and us. All the time there is invisible action taking place.

While we’re going about living ours, there is one who wants to steal, kill, and destroy.

The invisible action has gone on since Satan was cast down from heaven. He has had an angst against God since, and he deceives people to warring against one another.

Paul’s point is this— THE CULPRIT IS SATAN. Do not war with your neighbor. Do not war with your fellow man. Do not war with the other party. Do not war with those of a different class or race.

We do NOT wrestle against flesh and blood. Therefore, what we see happening in our country is nothing short of a Satanic attack to release the antichrist spirit.

We MUST remember:

2 Corinthians 10:3 NKJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

There is so much invisible spiritual action taking place. While many have allowed division to enter into their hearts, people of prayer identify the invisible nature of this war.

We have invisible assistance. There is invisible action. And now we must put on our...

3. Invisible Armor

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

13 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.

Paul gave good news in light of the invisible war, God provides armor. But remember, if the war is invisible, the action is invisible, and the assistance is invisible, then the armor is invisible.

Because we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, there is no physical protection that can help us. Instead, we have to wear the armor God has given us!

Let’s look at this armor:

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit

Before we look at the specifics of this armor, I want to share a dream my mom had not to longer after she was saved. In the dream there were parts of her body that were uncovered. She was in public and felt vulnerable, embarrassed, and afraid.

When she awoke, she asked God what He wanted her to know. She felt the Lord spoke to her, the places that were uncovered are the pieces of the armor of God you’re not wearing.

God wants us to take up the WHOLE armor of God. Without the WHOLE armor we are vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.

Without the belt of truth, we will fall prey to Satan’s lies.

Without the breastplate of righteousness, we will have a low opinion of the consequences of sin and will habitually give into temptation.

Without shoes on our feet we will remain unprepared to share God’s blessings with others

Without the shield of faith we will NEVER quench the fiery darts of the enemy

Without the helmet of salvation we will not have the mind of Christ

Without the sword of the Spirit, we will not know God’s word and struggle knowing God’s direction!

But when we put on the WHOLE armor of God, He will protect

our mind

our heart

our emotions

our spirit

and our lives

The armor is invisible. We do not go around wearing clunky metal protective material on every part of our body. But He clothes us in His armor of protection.

Close:

There is an invisible war taking place. But thank God we have invisible assistance in the face of invisible action, and now we have the invisible armor!

My title is invisible war, visible work. We’ve looked at the invisible part, what about the visible nature of this war?

What can we do in the face of this unseen battle?

Ephesians 6:18–20 NKJV

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Though the war is invisible, the agent of this war that is visible is the CHURCH! God has a work for His church to accomplish.

Prayer is visible, but it helps us in invisible ways.

Praise and worship are visible, but it builds an invisible throne for Jesus.

Church attendance is a visible activity, but it is built on an invisible foundation of supernatural power.

I want to emphasize this truth today— THERE IS AN INVISIBLE WAR taking place right now. Therefore, the Church has to be VISIBLE in these last days.

We cannot hide out in fear of the future. No, we must take our place in this end-time battle, stand with authority, declare truth, and hold onto the promises of God.

Elisha looked did something visible HE PRAYED FOR GOD TO OPEN THE EYES OF HIS SERVANT!

Now Paul he called on people to PRAY IN THE SPIRIT. Persevere in prayer. Pray passionately and never give up or give into defeat!

Pray the blessings of God upon other believers.

Pray for revelation as we declare the mystery of the Gospel

Pray for authority to speak boldly for God.

Paul faced a visible casualty in the invisible war. He was in prison. But Paul was not discouraged because he looked at the invisible force of the Almighty that warred on his behalf.

YES there is an invisible war, a war in the Spirit. But we have visible work to do, for there are:

no invisible Christians

no invisible prayer warriors

no invisible intercessors

no invisible songs

no invisible building of the Kingdom

We have to work the work God has given to us!

So I come with a word from God this morning, THE WAR IS REAL THOUGH WE MAY NOT SEE IT WITH OUR EYES.

But EVERY TIME we start to fight the war with natural methods, we give the enemy the advantage.

Every time we think:

It will never get better, the enemy gains ground

It is the other party’s fault, the enemy gains ground

It is too far gone, God probably could come through, but people don’t want that, the enemy gains ground

I will always be sick, I can’t get better, the enemy gains ground

EVERY TIME we start to get in the flesh, picking up offences, and allowing division to come, the enemy gains ground in this invisible war.

But when we speak faith, declare truth, pray in the Spirit, fast a few meals, come to church, stand on God’s word, or having hope in spite of seeming hopelessness, we start pushing back the kingdom of darkness.

Remember, we are not a weak church that is barely making it by. No, no, no. Jesus promised:

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

He is still building His church

He is still equipping His saints

He is still extending His Kingdom

So we must remain spiritual vigilant and remember, the day is coming very soon when this invisible war will end!

Revelation 12:7–11 NKJV

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Satan wars the way he does because he knows his time is short.

So I declare today to everyone under the sound of my voice— we have work to do.

We have people to win.

We have ground to gain

We have prayers to pray

We have meals to fast

WE have scriptures to read

We have promises to declare

Because we have the Savior, the victor, the captain of our salvation, the contender of our faith who will return very soon!

The war is real. But greater is HE that is in us, than HE that is in this world!

So in this invisible war, we have visible work to do.

Therefore, I declare today:

Exodus 14:13 NKJV

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

2 Chronicles 20:15 NKJV

15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

For one day very soon:

Revelation 20:10 NKJV

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

And when the war is over:

Revelation 21:3–7 NKJV

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

In this invisible war, let’s be visible doing the work of God until He comes! For Go d is fighting for, pushing back the darkness, lighting up the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and in the name of Jesus, the enemy is defeated!