Mountain Springs Fellowship Baptist Church

Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

REVIEW

Our theme for 2017 is “Carry the Light.” We must "carry the light" while engaged in spiritual warfare.

The conduct of a true Christian, one who is genuinely “born again,” is the outcome of a doctrinal foundation. We are “living out our faith,” and our testimony indicates the quality of it, be it good or bad.

As I believe, therefore I live.

We need to believe that spiritual warfare is real, face it, fight it, and live victoriously!

I. THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

II. THE REASON FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

III. THE RUSE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

IV. THE RESPONSE TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE

A. A Word of Encouragement, 6:10

Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

B. A Word of Enlightenment, 6:11

Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

C. A Word of Enablement, 6:12-17

Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1. The Arena, 6:12

a. The Opportunity – 12a “For we wrestle…”

b. The Opposition – 12b-e “…against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

2. The Armor, 6:13-17

a. The Demand, 6:13

Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

b. The Description, 6:14-17

(1) What we sow, 6:14a, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..."

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

(2) What we show, 6:14b "...having on the breastplate of righteousness;"

http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-breasplate-of-righteousness.htm

(3) Where we go, 6:15 "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"

http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shoes-of-preparation-gospel-of-peace.htm

(4) What we do, 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all fiery darts of the wicked."

http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shield-of-faith.htm

http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-helmet-of-salvation.htm

Every piece of the spiritual armor is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

* Loins girt about with TRUTH = Jn. 14:6 “…I am the way, the truth, the life…”

* Feet shod with…PEACE = Eph. 2:14 “…he is our peace…”

* The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS = Jer 23:6 "...he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

* The shield of FAITH = Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

* The helmet of SALVATION = Psa. 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

* The SWORD OF THE SPIRIT/WORD OF GOD = The Lord Jesus Christ

Jn. 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...

(5) What we know, 6:17a "And take the helmet of salvation..."

* We know that we have a precept - "...take..."

Precept = (noun) a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct.
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/precept

** The Lord offers the helmet of salvation to us, and He commands us to take it!

INTRODUCTION

http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-sword-of-spirit-word.htm

http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw_wm.nsf/vw-sublinks/CCEF210351798E58882578CA0076F6F6

Original Word: μάχαιρα
Transliteration: machaira
Definition: a sword.

máχaira – properly, a slaughter-knife; a short sword or dagger mainly used for stabbing; (figuratively) an instrument for exacting retribution.
http://biblehub.com/greek/3162.htm

http://www.swordhistory.info/?p=120

The Roman sword that really conquered all was the short sword. The short sword had a 20″ double edged blade with a diamond tip and became known as “the sword that conquered the world”. This shorter length allowed a soldier to step inside an enemies guard and thrust the sword in any direction at a deadly pace, this would not be possible with a longer sword and that is where it held the upper hand.

Roman gladius was the primary sword of Ancient Roman foot soldiers. The gladius was shorter than cavalry spatha. Gladius was a stabbing sword.
http://www.swordhistory.info/?p=120

3. The Attack, 6:17b "...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

a. The Identification of Spirituality

* The sword is identified with the Holy Spirit = "...the sword of the SPIRIT..."

2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Pet. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

* The "Word of God" is identified with the Lord Jesus Christ:

Jn. 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ...
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Jn. 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

* The sword is identified as His weapon of choice - "...the sword OF THE SPIRIT..."

Jn. 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

* The sword is identified as THE WORD OF GOD! - "...WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD;"

Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jn. 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ Heb. 4:12

ὅἐστιν ῥῆμα θεοῦ Eph. 6:17

Original Word: ῥῆμα
Transliteration: rhéma
Phonetic Spelling: (hray'-mah)
Definition: a thing spoken, (a) a word or saying of any kind, as command, report, promise, (b) a thing, matter, business.

Rhema = The sayings of God, an armory of weapons.

rhḗma (from rhéō, "to speak") – a spoken word, made "by the living voice" (J. Thayer).
http://biblehub.com/greek/4487.htm

The significance of rhema is to use individual Scripture for use in the time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.
W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 1242.

1 Pet. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

* The perfect example of using the Sword of the Spirit is in Mt. 4:4:

Mt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. ...
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. ...
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

* When we must battle the world, the flesh, and the devil, we need this weapon!

2 Cor. 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

* We are in a spiritual battle and need spiritual weaponry, a verse for every battle!

Mt. 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Jn. 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

b. The Indispensability for the Soldier

* A soldier may have on all the whole armor of God, but if he does not have a weapon, he is vulnerable to defeat!

Isa. 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Heb. 4:12 For the word of Godis quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

* The Word of God is our source of spiritual power and perspective victory!

Zech. 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jn. 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Psa. 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

* The Word of God is our source for spiritual growth.

Psa. 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. ...
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

1 Pet. 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2 Pet. 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Jn. 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

CONCLUSION

Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

* THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT CONVICTS

Jn. 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

* THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT CONVERTS

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

1 Pet. 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

* THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT COMFORTS

** The Comfort of Protection

1 Sam. 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

* The Comfort of Provision

The Sword of the Spirit – Must be used with GREAT PRECISION!

Ignorance = vulnerability to defeat

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Jn. 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

* The Comfort of Promise

Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The Anvil

Last eve I paused before a blacksmith’s door and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime. And looking in, I saw old hammers on the floor,
Worn by the beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he, then with a twinkle in his eyes,
“The anvil wears the hammers out you know.”

And so I thought, the anvil of God’s word, For ages skeptic blows have beat upon. Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard The anvil is unharmed—the hammers gone!

Source unknown
https://bible.org/illustration/anvil

Col. 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.