'14 EPH 6:17B THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1

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1 1 I) V17 INTRO: And the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God a) Paul has been instructing the Ephesians concerning spiritual warfare AST TIME: We examined the Helmet of Salvation a) TODAY: We will look at the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God I THE SWORD: Paul refers to is a sword that a Roman soldier would carry called a machaira a) The machaira was a devastating weapon and quite capable of shearing a bronze helmet 1) It was like a large knife, from 6" to 18" in length and was carried in a sheath attached to the belt 2) KEY: This kind of sword was used for hand-to-hand combat IV) INTERESTINGLY: It was this kind of sword that the the apostle Peter himself carried a) Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane when Judas arrived to have Him arrested 1) When Judas kissed Jesus, the people with him began to arrest Jesus 2) Jn 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant s name was Malchus. V) IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE: We need spiritual weapons a) God has given us a spiritual sword to use in up close, personal combat with the enemy 1) This weapon is identified as the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God THIS IS A WEAPON: That Jesus was a Master at using a) Jesus quoted scripture to Satan 1) Stones into bread: Man does not live by bread alone 2) Cast Yourself down from this pinacle: Do not put the Lord your God to the test 3) Worship me: Away from Me Satan! For it is written Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only V JESUS ALSO: Quoted Scripture to His opponents who were being used by the enemy VI ON ONE OCCASION: His disciples were asked why Jesus associated with tax collectors and sinners a) THIS: Is an old tactic of the enemy which is simply divide and conquer 1) Jesus enemies did not approach Him directly but brought their question to His followers 2) If you want to undermine someone, bypass him and ask his students IX) KEY: When Jesus heard this, He responded by using the sword of the Spirit (Hosea 6:6) a) Mt 9:12-13 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. X) THIS GIVES US: Insight into the fact that for spiritual battles, we need spiritual weapons XI) I RECENTLY HEARD: Someone teaching in church that he likes to hear personal testimonies

2 2 a) Testimonies are powerful, and supplement and illustrate what God can do 1) STILL: The weapon that has an impact is going to be God s Word X FIRST: Paul says take the sword of the Spirit, which points to the fact that God s Word is spiritual a) Jn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. I) SECOND: it is called the sword of the Spirit because is not of human, but divine origin SOMEONE SAYS: But was not the bible written by people a) Does that not mean that it is of human origin, seeing that people wrote it? I FACT: We believe in what is called the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture a) Verbal speaks of the very words that the writers chose to use, allowing for their personalities b) Plenary speaks of that which is complete, which means that we believe God inspired the complete texts of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, including history and doctrine 1) This view recognizes and asserts both the human and divine element within Scripture IV) KEY: We need to remember that Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is the teacher of God's truth a) Jn 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. b) Jn 16:13 When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come V) THIS MEANS: The Spirit led and gave inspiration to the writers of Scripture, as they wrote a) Both the Old Testament and New Testament writers wrote under the leading of the Spirit 1) 2 Pe 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2) This helps us to understand why Paul refers to God's word as the Sword of the Spirit AS WE BEGIN: Obviously, this sword would be used for both Defense and Offense a) I would like to take the time to share on those two aspects 1) FIRST: The Word of God provides Defense against the attacks of the enemy V FACT: As Christians, we are under constant attack by various forces that unite in opposition to God a) We battle the World, the Flesh and the Devil 1) We need a means of defense and God has provided this for us: His Word, the sword of the Spirit VI FACT: Many Christians live beaten lives, because they do not trust in God's Word a) SADLY: They do not have a hunger for God's word and consequently are formed by the world

3 3 1) Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge IX) AS CHRISTIANS: We need to put the full weight of our trust on the foundation of God s Word X) THE BIBLE: Is a complete witness with no need for new revelation or additions a) Pr 30:5-6 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. b) 2 Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 1) Doctrine: Informing us of God 2) Reproof: Correcting error in understanding or way of life 3) Correction: Restoration to right relationship with God 4) Instruction: By putting it into practice, you systematically develop understanding I) KEY: Holding fast to God's Word keeps you from Satan's deceptive snares a) As such, God's truth is to be contended for by believers who are equipped to do so 1) Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. write I INTERESTINGLY: Jude loved these readers and it was his love for them that compelled him to a) Beloved: My dear ones, I greatly desired to write you concerning the salvation we share 1) THE FACT IS: I was compelled to write to you: There is an urgency, a need to write 2) False teachers who are in reality agents of Satan have infiltrated the church I AM COMPELLED TO WRITE: To exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith a) CONTEND: Strenuous, exhaustive effort (like a wrestling match) 1) You are to agonize for the truth of the gospel; the body of truth delivered to us IV) THIS SHOULD GIVE US SOME INSIGHT: We are to agonize for the truth a) We cannot have an apathetic feeling towards Biblical truth 1) WHY: Because we have been entrusted with God's Word, and His Word sets us free 2) 1 Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts. V) TO CONTEND EARNESTLY: As Christians, requires that we believe that God's word is true a) We believe that there is such a thing as authoritative truth that transforms hearts, minds, and lives 1) Is 11:2 Listen O heavens and hear O earth; for the Lord speaks V THE ENEMY: Desires to remove the weapon that God has given to us from our hands a) His earliest and most effective tactic has been to bring it into question INTERESTINGLY: When tempting Eve he did not question the existence of God a) What he did question was whether God had said a certain thing

4 4 VI OBVIOUSLY: To this day His Word is maligned and rejected a) QUOTE: If you say you believe God's word provides you with all the Spiritual insight necessary for a healthy and satisfied life, even Christians will consider you unenlightened and simplistic IX) STILL: The enemy wants to keep you from God s word because it contains so many benefits a) There is Life: Jn 5:24 Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shalll not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life b) There is Freedom: Jn 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. c) There is Understanding: Ps 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation d) There is Purity: Ps 119:9, 11 How can a young man cleanse his ways e) There is Light in darkness Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path f) There is Faith: Ro 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. g) There is spiritual Healing: Ps. 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them h) There is spiritual growth: 1 Pe 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby I) FINALLY: As we have seen, it is the source of our victory over our enemy a) Which is why the enemy does his best to dilute its message, or to undermine it 1) Col. 2:8-10 Don t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritiual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. SECOND: God s Word is also an offensive weapon a) It is through the preaching and teaching of God s word that we defeat the kingdom of the enemy I INTERESTINGLY: Word in Greek is Rhema: A particular word; an individual statement a) POINT: The Sword is to be wielded skillfully and precisely for individual battles 1) FACT: We deflect the attacks of the enemy, and inflict harm to his purposes IV) KEY: When we proclaim the Word of God we are using it as an offensive weapon a) OBVIOUSLY: Jesus' combat with Satan reveals this to us, both defensively and offensively 1) 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple V) V7 FIRST: The law of the Lord is Perfect (lacks nothing; it is a complete revelation; absolutely true) a) THOUGHT: Scripture is capable of ministering to every facet of our spiritual life

5 5 V V7 SECOND: Converting (restoring, refreshing, reviving) the soul a) THOUGHT: Scripture is so powerful it can completely transform you from the inside out 1) Any broken life can be transformed by God's Word 2) This provides reason why Satan would try to add to it or to take from it V7 THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD IS SURE: Making wise the simple a) Testimony: This reveals that scripture is a divine witness b) Sure: It is unwavering, immovable, unmistakable, reliable, and worthy to be trusted. 1) POINT: It reveals God's ways to us, and can be trusted VI NOTICE: It makes the simple (naïve; open minded; lacking discernement) wise a) Pr 14:15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going. b) WISE: Experienced in godly living 1) 2 Ti. 3:15 And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. IX) APPLICATION: How can we be prepared to do this? a) READ HIS WORD REGULARLY: b) READ CAREFULLY: Concentrating on words and meanings c) READ SYSTEMATICALLY: Do not jump around d) READ OBEDIENTLY: Read with the intention of doing e) READ PATIENTLY: Fruit takes time to grow 1) This prepares you to be able to use the Sword of the Spirit