Sword of the Spirit

A Sword for Every Occasion

Most of the guys in this room this morning have seen the History Channel’s series, “Forged in Fire”. It is a contest where the contestants are asked to make swords, knives, and all other conceivable bladed weapons that have been used over time. At the end of each episode there is a test of the blades that have been forged. Throughout the tests, the phrase, “this blade will kill” is used to compliment the good work of the blacksmith.

As we turn to the primary weapon of the Roman soldier and the primary weapon of the Christian’s armor from God, we can hear the Spirit say, “It will kill”. It will kill the enemy.

Ephesians 6:17 NIV

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Romans used 5 different types of swords. Rick Renner describes them:

The first sword of the Roman soldier was called the gladius sword. It was an extremely heavy, broad-shouldered sword with a very long blade. Of all the swords used by the Romans, the gladius was the most aesthetically beautiful. However, because of its weight, it was also the most cumbersome and awkward to use.

This massive sword was referred to as a two-handed sword. In other words, it was so heavy that the soldier had to use both hands and swing it with all his might in order to wield it against the enemy.

Furthermore, this first sword was sharpened only on one side. The other side of the sword was blunt and dull. After suffering a terrible defeat at the hands of the Carthaginians, the Romans abandoned these large swords, adopting another version similar to the ones the Carthaginians had used to defeat them.

The second sword was shorter and narrower. It was approximately 17 inches long and about two and one half inches in width; hence, it was lighter than the swords Roman soldiers had previously used. This newer version rapidly grew in popularity throughout the empire because it was so much easier to carry and swing.

The third sword used by the Roman army was even shorter than the second sword. In fact, it was so short that it looked more like a dagger than a sword. This dagger-like sword was carried in a small, hidden scabbard beneath the soldier’s outer coat and was used to inflict a mortal wound into the heart of an enemy or an aggressor.

The fourth sword Roman soldiers used was a long and very slender sword. This sword was primarily used by the cavalry, as opposed to the more durable swords carried by the infantry. In addition, this long, slender sword was used in a sport that was similar to modern-day fencing. No soldier would have wanted to enter into combat with this sword, for it wasn’t an effective sword to use in battle.

The fifth sword was the type of sword that Paul had in mind when he wrote about this piece of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:17, “saying, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The word for “sword,” as used in this text, is taken from the Greek word machaira. This brutal weapon of murder was approximately 19 inches long. Both sides of its blade were razor sharp, making this sword much more dangerous than the other four. In addition, the tip of the sword turned upward, causing the point of the blade to be extremely sharp and deadly.

This two-edged blade inflicted a wound far worse than the other swords. Before a Roman soldier withdrew this particular sword from the gut of his enemy, he would hold his sword very tightly with both hands and give it a wrenching twist inside his enemy’s stomach. This would cause the opponent’s entrails to spill out as the soldier pulled the sword from his enemy’s body.

Of all the swords available, this machaira sword was the most dangerous of all. Although the other swords were deadly, this one was a terror to the imagination! This sword was not only intended to kill, but to completely rip an enemy’s insides to shreds. It was a weapon of murder!”[1]

Well, that was more graphic than maybe you were ready. On the other hand, maybe that is exactly what Paul was trying to create!

The Power of the Machaira

Have you ever considered the power of the Word of God?

The Bible is filled with the words of God. In the beginning God spoke the universe into existence. He spoke freely to the first man and woman. His words were life and comforting.

Genesis 3:8–11 NIV

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Sin entered the world, but God’s words did not stop. God spoke to the patriarchs – Adam, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, and Joseph. Moses heard God’s Word and communicated it to the Hebrews and God provided the Ten Commandments (a moral code). He provided a model for worship, a guide for healthy community, and plans for governing and providing justice. The prophets carried the words of God to kings, widows, shepherds, and nations.

God spoke the Word through histories, parables, poetry, and wise sayings. The Apostle Paul acknowledged the value of all the Word of God

Romans 15:4 NIV

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

As the Bible turns to the NT, Jesus embodies the Word of God.

John 1:1–2 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

His teachings are radically wonderful. His Sermon on the Mount establishes a spiritual lifestyle that exceeds the 10 Commandments. The example of His life, his teaching, and His miracles validate that He is really God and really man at the same time. Ultimately, the manner of His death and the authenticity of His Resurrection solidify Christianity and authenticate both the things of yesterday and the things still to come.

Luke 24:30–32 NIV

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

The disciples on the road to Emmaus felt the power of the Word. I’m trying to explain to you the power of the machaira – the Word of God. Can you feel it?

The books of Acts and the letters of the Apostles all demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working in the current Church age. We have the Word, the Spirit reveals the Word and bears witness to the Word. As the Bible closes, an angel speaks to John,

Revelation 22:7 NIV

“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

Revelation 22:10 NIV

Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.

Revelation 22:18–20 NIV

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

And so, the Bible ends. Can you feel the power of the machaira?

9 out of 10 homes have an average of 3 Bibles. 53% have read little to none of it. Among worship attendees less than half read it daily. Only 20% of Christians have read the Bible from cover to cover.[2]

Don’t Be Caught Without Your Sword!

It is Powerful Because it Reveals God and God’s Ways

The Bible provides a way for us to know God and how to please him. In the Book of Nehemiah the nation of Israel is coming out of captivity. Nehemiah and Ezra called all the people together to reestablish the Law.

Nehemiah 8:1 NIV

all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

Ezra read and taught the Law from sunrise until noon.

Nehemiah 8:8 NIV

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

As they read, the people wept initially but were encouraged by the priests to celebrate instead of weeping.

Nehemiah 8:9–10 NIV

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Why? Within the past 70 years the Israelite people had seen themselves saved through the miraculous events during Queen Esther. They had seen the great Nebuchadnezzar humbled when he became like a wild animal in the pasture. They had seen Daniel survive the night in the lion’s den. Fire never touched their friends in the fire and God Himself showed up in the flames. The Lord was their God. They had seen His miracles and the words of the Law revealed it.

It is still revealing Him today.

It is Powerful Because it Speaks Personally

Many times, when we talk about the impact of the Word of God in our lives, we use the description of Logos and Rhema. Logos refers to the entire Bible but Paul uses the word rhema here. It describes something that is spoken clearly; spoken vividly; spoken in undeniable language; or spoken in unmistakable, unquestionable, certain, and definite terms.[3]

I believe I could go down each of the rows this morning and ask, “Have you ever had a rhema word that you know came directly from the Lord?” I believe we would hear one encouraging thing after another. Certainly, there have been times when you needed encouragement and God spoke a rhemaword to you. You have needed direction and God spoke a rhema word to you. You have needed hope and God spoke a rhema word to you. You have needed wisdom or help, and God spoke a rhema word to you.

It is hard to discourage a Christian who knows he/she has a personal word from God. They build faith and confidence. They take us through trials and storms.

It is Powerful Because it Destroys the Work of the Enemy

A couple of weeks ago we looked at the way that Jesus fended off the temptations of the devil while they were in the wilderness. The Word reveals light into dark places:

· It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

· It teaches us right from wrong

· It works to renovate the areas of our minds, will, and emotions that are off base and wrong (1 Cor 13).

Warning: Bible Study can be habit-forming. Putting the principles into practice can cause loss of anxiety, decreased appetite for lying, cheating, stealing, hating and "symptoms" of growing sensations of love, peace, joy, compassion.

· Embracing the Word of God allows new patterns of thinking and freedom from our past. Renner writes,

When we willfully take the Word of God into our lives and allow it to do its supernatural work in us, that Word acts like a divine blade, slicing right to the heart of the matter. It does what no spouse, friend, pastor, teacher, psychologist, or psychiatrist could ever do — dividing asunder the soul and the spirit and correctly discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.[4]

· It builds faith

Romans 10:17 NIV

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

These are just a few of the ways that the Sword of the Spirit works in our lives.

The Sword of the Spirit is Too Valuable to Leave Behind

Charles (Chuck) Colston went to prison in 1974 for obstruction of justice. He was a new Christian during his 8-month stint in Maxwell Prison. In 1976 he founded Prison Fellowship which is now the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners and their families.

He wrote this about his beloved Bible,

The Bible—banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it; dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints.

I don’t expect a huge response in the altar today – maybe I should. I feel that I will have done my best if someone that is here this morning or watching online makes a commitment to begin a new habit of reading the Word of God. It will change you. Maybe someone else has neglected reading the Word of God. For you it is time to begin again. Maybe others need a fresh rhema. I am confident that the Holy Spirit will illuminate a passage for you – but all of us need to pick it up.

[1] Excerpt From: Rick Renner. “Dressed to Kill.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/dressed-to-kill/id595411385 [2] https://influencemagazine.com/Theory/Americans-Love-the-Bible---But-Are-They-Reading-It [3] Excerpt From: Rick Renner. “Dressed to Kill.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/dressed-to-kill/id595411385 [4] Excerpt From: Rick Renner. “Dressed to Kill.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/dressed-to-kill/id595411385