Eph 6.17 (Sword)

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! Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God Part IIX | The Sword of the Spirit | Ephesians 6:17 What is the Sword of the Spirit?

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The metaphor: The Roman short sword (defensive and offensive)

The Word of God (When we speak it and when we read it)

“Of the Spirit” = Supplied by the Spirit and made effective by Spirit

Outline: Defense; Offense; Keeping it Sharp

The Sword of the Spirit is used for our defense against Satan and his schemes and temptations: •

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Matthew 3:16-4:11a (success)

Jesus was able to resist, stand firm against and overcome Satan because He knew, applied and spoke forth the Word of o God

Example of rhema (used as an instrument of precision)

o Lesson: We need to apply the specifics of God’s word to the specifics of Satan’s schemes and temptations

o Can you do this? Can you quote Scripture? (Do not need address)

o Genesis 3:1-6 (Failure)

Eve would have been able to resist if she had carefully and faithfully heeded God’s Word

o With full commitment and without compromise

o Psalm 19:7-11 and Psalm 119:97-98

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Psalm 119:11 (NASB)

Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

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Hebrews 5:13-14 (NASB)

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Cnt. Eve)

“Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 11:14, Satan masquerades as an angel of light.” -Kyle Snodgrass1

We can be hardened (made less sensitive) by the deceitfulness of sin and seduced by its pleasure

Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)

o Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 11:26 (NASB)

o … choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin...

• Need help from the Word to be like Jesus—not like Eve

Psalm 119:104-105 & 130 (NASB)

From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:92-95 (NASB)

If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

• Do you do this? Jesus did—Eve did not!

Psalm 119:45 (NLT)

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

• Freedom = Lit. a broad place (Out of the trenches because of armor)

Defense = Knowing; learning; committing to; not compromising; diligently consiodering; hiding in heart + speaking with mouth

The Sword of the Spirit is used for going on the offensive against the enemy: • •

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Rhema (reading; proclaiming; speaking; singing; preaching; etc)

= Raiding the enemy’s camp!

Kyle Snodgrass, The NIV Application Commentary—Ephesians (Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan,1996), 338.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NASB)

If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NASB)

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach (rhema), patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting (rhema) those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Acts 26:17b-18 (NASB) (Jesus to Paul and us!)

I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.

Romans 1:15-16 (NASB)

I am eager to preach the gospel… For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…

A powerful act of aggression against the kingdom of darkness to free the hearts of men and women •

two-edged = we cut with it (evangelism) and it cuts us (our own hearts)

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) [us]

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.

Acts 2:37-38 (NASB) [others]

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Colossians 1:13 (NASB) [enemy]

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son

Rhema (Speaking the Word in helping others) • •

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The right word for the right person at the right moment (encouragement; rebuke; reminder; proclamation; prayer)

Ephesians 4:29

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Zoe’s Text to us

Isaiah 41:10

o Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Praying Scripture

Call with the pastor the other day

Worship is warfare (= my frustration sometimes Sunday) • •

“Let us praise the Lord and spite the devil!” –Martin Luther

“Music is a fair and lovely gift of God which has often wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching… Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay… Next after theology I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor. I would not change what little I know of music for something great. Experience proves that next to the Word of God only music deserves to be extolled as the mistress and governess of the feelings of the human heart. We know that to the devil music is distasteful and insufferable. My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so often refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues.” – Martin Luther2

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An act of aggression against the enemy

Learn to wield the Sword of the Spirit and keep it sharp •

A physical sword grows dull with use—but the Sword of the Spirit gets sharper the more you use it!

• Read + Study (Class and Book)

• Meditate + Memorize

• Obey + Apply

Psalm 1 and Colossians 3:17

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The Word causes you to grow (some Christians never really do) • Sunday not enough—you need to be a student of the Word (class and book)

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From John Piper’s sermon Ambushing Satan with Song

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Parable of the Sower = Satan is out to snatch the Word from our hearts and lives (get you off the offense)

The power to penetrate for a physical sword has to due with the strength of the soldier—but the power to penetrate for the Sword of the Spirit is the power of the Holy Spirit and the strength of the Lord

• The Full Armor that you may be able to stand!