Sunday PM Service - That You Might War A Good Warfare
4/10/2022
Text: 1 Timothy 1:18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Eph. 6:10-20
1 Tim. 1:18 This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on you that you by them might war a good warfare
A. The Fight
We are to FIGHT the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:10-12)
We WRESTLE against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high place
We face a STRUGGLE daily against the "wiles of the DEVIL"
The DEVIL literally means "slanderer"; Satan; Lucifer, Son of the morning
We are to be "STRONG" and "STRENGTHENED" in the POWER of His Might
Strong - means clothing ourselves with God's STRENGTH CONTINUALLY strengthened
This comes about STRICTLY by FAITH in the Cross and the Resurrection; What Jesus did at the cross broke the power of Satan!
The cross is the power of God - 1Cor. 1:18
The cross is also the wisdom of God - 1 Cor. 1:24
At the cross the believer can have constant victory in this fight!
Constant faith guarantees constant victory
Constant faith guarantees constant empowerment
The Christian's union with Christ guarantees this but it doesn't guarantee the lack of fight!
Satan's fight to remove one's faith from the Cross
A. Wants to rob a Christian of their joy, peace, and victory in their everyday life before God
B. He attacks the child of God as it relates to their work for God bringing obstacles and using other humans to cause great difficulty
C. Satan is son a leash; the Lord sets the parameters, not Satan!
D. We WRESTLE - Our Foes are not human even though Satan uses humans - the power behind this opposition is demon spirits or fallen angels
E. The Loser in a Greek Wrestling match had his eyes gouged out with resulting blindness the rest of his life
F. The Christians wrestling and warfare and fight is no less desperate and fateful.
B. The Enemy
The enemy is Satan, demon spirits and fallen angels; sometimes its our own flesh
This is a war for all eternity until we see Jesus
There are no formulas to see the end to these struggles.
Paul to the Ephesians - principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness"
Paul to the Corinthians - "Not against flesh and blood" A. Principalities, powers rulers - fallen angels B. Spiritual wickedness - Demon spirits C. Principalities - GREEK "archas" meaning powerful fallen angels D. Powers - "Exousais," - authorities who derive their power from and execute the will of the chief rulers E. Rulers of darkness - Kosmokrapots, - spirit world rulers F. Spiritual wickedness - pneumatika ponerias = that of the wicked spirits of Satan G. High Places - refers to the atmosphere surrounding this earth
Satan rules his kingdom of darkness ON THIS EARTH!
Humans have no contact with fallen angels, but they DO have contact with demon spirits
All Christians face these powers constantly
C. The Believer's Armor
The believer is commanded to STAND
Loins girt about with TRUTH - CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Breastplate of righteousness - CHRIST CRUCIFIED
Feet shod with the gospel of PEACE - CHRIST CRUCIFIED
The shield of FAITH - FAITH IN THE CROSS
The helmet of salvation - renew your mind to anchor ALL thoughts IN THE CROSS!
The sword of the spirit - THE WORD OF GOD (only offensive weapon in the armor!)
There is NOTHING for the back! We stand and LIVE or we run and DIE!
Ephesians 6:14-20 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirits, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
D. The Believers Battle Plan
War a Good Warfare - HOLD FAITH and A Good conscience (Repentance) - 1 Tim. 1:18
Fight the Good Fight of FAITH 1 Tim. 6:12
Overcome the world - 1 John 5:4 - EVEN OUR FAITH
Be STRONG in the POWER of God's MIGHT
Cast down imaginations - 2 Cor. 10:5 - philosophic strongholds outside the cross
Bring EVERY thought to the obedience of Christ - can be down through the Holy Spirit and Cross
Revenge all disobedience - look to the Cross and reject ANYTHING and ANYONE opposed to the Cross where all victory is found
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