Sermon Central
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Part 9 - The Sword Of The Spirit Series
Contributed by Pastor Bruce A. Shields on Nov 12, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 9 in the series of Spiritual warfare and the whole armor of God.
Spiritual Warfare – The Whole Armor of God
The Sword of the Spirit (Part 9)
† Scripture Reading
“Take the Helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
PRAYER
† Over past few weeks we have discussed the different parts of the Armor of God and how Paul had related them to pieces of a 1st century Roman Soldiers armor.
All the pieces up to now have been defensive only, enabling the wearer to be not only protected, but “to withstand attacks from our enemy”.
If you were to have every piece we have talked about up to this point, you would be capable of withstanding the devils attacks in your life.
But God gives us more!
He wants us to be able to send the devil running, not just be able to withstand his attacks!
So the scriptures say that we have “The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
We have talked over the past few weeks about the importance of Biblical Study, the importance of reading the word and placing in your heart and mind, the importance of MEDITATING on God’s word.
Each piece of the whole armor of God is a result of God’s word.
It is true that the armor comes to us through the Holy Spirit, but we receive and equip it because of the word of God.
† 1st The Belt of Truth
What Truth?
The truth of Jesus Christ that is taught to us through the scriptures, the word brings us to the truth and acceptance of Christ, if not directly from you reading the scriptures, then indirectly by someone else reading the scriptures and being called to evangelize.
† 2nd The Breastplate of Righteousness
Not our righteousness but God’s
If it were not for the Word of God, many of us would be living in condemnation and guilt not knowing that when we accept Christ, we put on God’s righteousness. The Word brings us to that righteousness through reading the scriptures.
† 3rd The Shoes of Readiness to Share the Gospel
How can you share the Gospel of peace or of Christ if you don’t know Christ’s story?
The Word of God gives us accounts of Christ and the centuries of preparation it took for Him to come and fulfill the Father’s will. We wouldn’t know of the trials and glorious works of God from our history without the word of God.
† 4th The Shield of Faith
The scriptures tell us that Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. You cannot hear the word of God and increase your faith without the word of God. As your faith increases, your shield becomes stronger and you can extinguish the flaming darts of the devil!
† 5th The Helmet of Salvation
You take the helmet and wear it by filling your mind with the word of God.
Without the Holy Scriptures, it would be nearly impossible to fill your mind the word of God daily!
It would be easy to remember a handful of scriptures if asked, but how many could remember the book of Psalms, or Revelation? We rely on the Word of God in print to read, study and meditate on so as to fill our minds with God’s Holy Word in turn, placing the Helmet of salvation and hope of things to come on our heads.
Take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
A sword is for defending against attacks, but it is also for attacking.
† In SCA there was a man I knew who fought with 2 swords instead of using a shield.
Now I wouldn’t suggest not using a shield when it comes to the whole armor of God, but he fought Florentine.
Florentine is the art of wielding two weapons at once, one in each hand. It is a style developed by the Italians in the city of Florence, hence the name.
This is also a type of cooking, named for the same reason.
So a sword can be defensive, but God has more than that planned for us. We have a weapon that can defeat our enemy. A weapon that the devil has NO defense against!
Satan MUST obey the word of God. He has no CHOICE in the matter.
“25. and Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26. and when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27. and they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”
