(This is the fourth in a sermon series on the armor of God. I forgot to bring the recorder this week so I can only give you notes.)
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
The Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the spiritual forces that are against God and His kingdom.
Paul was very familiar with Roman armor and swords since he was guarded by Roman soldiers 24-7. The Roman sword was called a gladius.
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
The Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the spiritual forces that are against God and His kingdom.
Paul was very familiar with Roman armor and swords since he was guarded by Roman soldiers 24-7. The Roman sword was called a gladius.
It was a typical weapon for a Roman infantry soldier. See picture on right. It was a two-edged sword, very sharp, cut both ways.
It had two roles:
To Parry= a deflection of the enemy's weapons.
To Thurst/Slash= offensive move -- used on the attack.
We are supposed to attack satan and his kingdom with the Word of God.
The Word of God Attributes:
It is Perfect.
"The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
It is Inerrant.
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5
It is complete.
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." Revelation 22:18-19
It is sufficient.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16
It is alive and active.
'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13
Jesus used the Word of God (If Jesus Himself who is the Word of God used it, how much more do we need to use it when we are attacked spiritually?)
In Matthew 4, Satan first attacks Jesus by telling Him to turn the stones into loaves of bread.
Jesus replies with a parry stroke (a deflection of the enemy's weapon).
"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” Matthew 4:4
Then, Satan tries to use the word against Jesus. Jesus again parries with the Sword of the Spirit.
"Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[a]”" Matthew 4:7
And finally, Satan tells him to serve satan and Satan will make it easy for Jesus. Jesus uses a thurst, an offensive move. He attacks Satan with the Word of God.
"Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” Matthew 4:10
Soldiers constantly train with their weapons to get better with them and to stay skilled with them. We too need to train in the specific use of the Word.
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17
Paul stayed to share the Word of Christ. He stayed till his job was done.
"He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”" Luke 11:28
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," 1 Peter 2:2
We have to be craving the Word.
How much time do you spend in the Word? The Word should be well-worn.
In addition to the joy and blessing of it, of God speaking directly to us through the Word, think about the planning and the intention it took for God to provide us with the Word of God; to give us the perfect sword; a creation we can hold (and read) in our hands.
It gets harder and sharper the more you work with it. Layers upon layers of wisdom.
The only problem is we don't spend enough time in it.
We're at war.
Why aren't we sharpening our swords? What aren't we training with it?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16
What are you doing with it?
It had two roles:
To Parry= a deflection of the enemy's weapons.
To Thurst/Slash= offensive move -- used on the attack.
We are supposed to attack satan and his kingdom with the Word of God.
The Word of God Attributes:
It is Perfect.
"The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
It is Inerrant.
“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5
It is complete.
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." Revelation 22:18-19
It is sufficient.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16
It is alive and active.
'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13
Jesus used the Word of God (If Jesus Himself who is the Word of God used it, how much more do we need to use it when we are attacked spiritually?)
In Matthew 4, Satan first attacks Jesus by telling Him to turn the stones into loaves of bread.
Jesus replies with a parry stroke (a deflection of the enemy's weapon).
"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” Matthew 4:4
Then, Satan tries to use the word against Jesus. Jesus again parries with the Sword of the Spirit.
"Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[a]”" Matthew 4:7
And finally, Satan tells him to serve satan and Satan will make it easy for Jesus. Jesus uses a thurst, an offensive move. He attacks Satan with the Word of God.
"Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” Matthew 4:10
Soldiers constantly train with their weapons to get better with them and to stay skilled with them. We too need to train in the specific use of the Word.
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17
Paul stayed to share the Word of Christ. He stayed till his job was done.
"He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”" Luke 11:28
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," 1 Peter 2:2
We have to be craving the Word.
How much time do you spend in the Word? The Word should be well-worn.
In addition to the joy and blessing of it, of God speaking directly to us through the Word, think about the planning and the intention it took for God to provide us with the Word of God; to give us the perfect sword; a creation we can hold (and read) in our hands.
It gets harder and sharper the more you work with it. Layers upon layers of wisdom.
The only problem is we don't spend enough time in it.
We're at war.
Why aren't we sharpening our swords? What aren't we training with it?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16
What are you doing with it?
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