INTRODUCTION
Explain the concept of the playground verses the battleground.
How intently would we listen to a person if our life depended on doing what they said. (Soldier preparing for war.)
SERMON
THE ENEMY WE BATTLE. 10-12
If you are going to fight a battle , it is important to know your enemy. (Custer at Little Big Horn)
A. The leader- Satan
Deceiver (2 Cor 11:3)
The Destroyer
Access to heaven (Job 1-3)
The thief. John 10:10
Roaring Lion. ( 1 Peter 5:8-9)
Angel of Light ( 2 Cor 11:13-15)
B. The world forces. 6:12. Society apart from God.
C. The abilities of the enemy.
Resist and he will flee.. James 4:7
He only has as much power over us as we give him.
THE EQUIPMENT USED IN THE BATTLE. 13-17
Take up and stand firm. Military term to hold on to a position
(Rom 8:31 NASB) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
A. Belt of truth. 14a.
Holds other parts of the Armor together.
The Belt or girdle also held the sword.
No truth is the problem with society today. IT’S YOUR INTERPRETATION
B. Breastplate of righteousness. 14b.
The life we live either fortifies us against Satan’s attacks or makes it easier for him to defeat us (2 Cor. 6:1-10).
C. Shoes of the gospel. 15.
Good foot wear could mean the difference between winning and losing!
ROM 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!"
D. Shield of faith. 16.
E. Helmet of salvation. 17.
Satan wants to attack the mind, the way he defeated Eve (Gen. 3; 2 Cor. 11:1-3). The helmet refers to the mind controlled by God. It is too bad that many Christians have the idea that the intellect is not important, when in reality it plays a vital role in Christian growth, service, and victory. When God controls the mind, Satan cannot lead the believer astray. The Christian who studies his Bible and learns the meaning of Bible doctrines is not going to be led astray too easily.
F. Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God 17b.
The only offensive part of the armor.
(Heb 4:12 NASB) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Having a sword is not good enough, we must be able to use it in battle. ( Talk about Politically Incorrect)
THE ENERGY FOR BATTLE. 18
Prayer is the energy that enables the Christian soldier to wear the armor and wield the sword. We cannot fight the battle in our own power, no matter how strong or talented we may think we are. When Amalek attacked Israel, Moses went to the mountaintop to pray, while Joshua used the sword down in the valley (Ex. 17:8-16). It took both to defeat Amalek—Moses’ intercession on the mountain, and Joshua’s use of the sword in the valley. Prayer is the power for victory, (Warren Wiersbe)
A. PRAYER.
Prayer and petition 18a.
Pray at all times. 18b. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray in the Spirit.
Be on alert with persistence.
CONCLUSION
As Christians, we must realize that we are living in a battleground, not a playground. If we know that we are in a battle for our lives, then we will take our faith seriously. PHI 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
