Preparing for War – WEEK 7
We begin with the seventh week of our 9 week basic training course on “Preparing for War”.
ONE - OBJECTIVE: utter destruction of enemy forces… and the will to take every thought captive to Christ.
TWO – Offense/Defense: Sometimes a good offense is a Stronger defense. The strength is our confession that Christ is the son of God.
THREE – Mass: Concentrate our forces to overwhelm our enemy. Open our eyes to see the Lord’s army around us. We cannot do it on our own.
FOUR – Economy of Force – ‘The sword of the LORD and me!’ we do that with wisdom.
FIVE – Maneuver – Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage in your going out and your coming in. Fight the Good Fight.
SIX – Unity of Command – One unified purpose creates one unified effort provided by one unified commander.
Security – Protection of ones immediate surrounding. taking care of your people. Never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage. Put on the whole armor.
Eph 6:10-18 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
a. Knowing your enemy is the first step in understanding how to prepare for Security. After all how can you have the right security system if you don’t know what is going to attack you.
a. Wiles of the Devil
i. Names of the Devil
1. accuser
2. adversary
3. Antichrist
4. author of all sin2
5. Beelzebub4
6. chief of the demons
7. deceiver
8. demon
9. destroyer
10. devil
11. devourer
12. dragon
13. enemy of righteousness
14. evil one
15. evil spirit
16. fallen angel5
17. father of all lies6
18. father of contention7
19. founder of murder8
20. Lucifer
21. prince of darkness
22. prince of devils
23. prince of the power of the air
24. prince of this world
25. Satan
26. serpent
27. slanderer
28. Son of Perdition
29. spoiler
30. tempter
31. wicked one
ii. The devil is described as a lion: fierce and predatory, always on the lookout for somebody to attack and bring down. 1 Peter 5:8
b. Not Wrestle with flesh and blood
i. Not human
ii. Not of this world, but lives in this world. Prince of this world.
c. Principalities
i. A territory ruled by a prince or from which a prince derives his title.
ii. The position, authority, or jurisdiction of a prince; sovereignty.
d. Powers
e. Rulers of the darkness (of this age)
f. Spiritual hosts of wickedness (in the heavenly places)
b. War
Daniel 10:10-21 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” 15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons[c] of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” 18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
c. Football
i. Armor. Our equipment that we would put on every game was a process. The first element was for obvious reasons….PROTECTION.
1. Helmet for our head
2. Shoulder pads for our upper body
3. Pants with pads for our lower body
4. Smaller items: Shoes, ankles, wrists
ii. Process. The second part of cladding ourselves in the armor was a PROCESS. The process became a common routine that was consistently the same. It had to be put on a certain way to achieve COMFORT. A familiarity with my immediate surroundings.
iii. Wrap my ankles a certain way, knee pads on lower knees, shirt underneath my pads….all needs to feel comfortable.
Eph 6:14-17 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
a. girded your waist with TRUTH
1. one of the best and first exercises I always taught my players was to strengthen the stomach. Leg lifts, set ups, crunches.
iii. John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
v. Colossians 1:4-6 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit,[a] as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
vi. 1 John 3:19
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
vii. 1 John 5:6
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1. Why waist and truth? The center of your body begins with the truth. Everything radiates outward from the center. This is part of a passage relating to the Christian standing against the clever tricks of the devil. Along with the other parts of the Christian's armor, truth is necessary and vital to 'draw things together' just as a girdle was used in ancient times to draw the clothing of the soldier in tightly, so that the soldier might have the freedom to use offensive and defensive equipment without anything getting in the way. Truth, along with the other parts of the Christian's armor is a non-negotiable item, since not to have the truth will greatly hinder the Christian, just as loose clothing would hinder the soldier.
b. breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. Shoulder pads have the ability to protect part of the chest. I had a cracked sternum.
ii. Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
iii. Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
iv. Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
vi. Romans 5:21
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1. Why breastplate and righteousness? It means using righteous thoughts and behaviour to protect one's heart from being ruined by evil which is another name for sin or unrighteousness.
c. shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE
1. Shoes, ankles shave my bottom of my calves for tape to provide strength when running. My shoes I always tied super tight and made sure they didn’t come untied.
ii. Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
1. Why feet and Gospel of Peace? The Gospel message is the undergirding strength that will keep our steps and path sure even while in enemy territory as many are hostile to its message.
d. taking the shield of FAITH
1. with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
2. This is a hard one because I don’t have a shield on the field that I wear….but I do have blockers. Linemen that open the hole for me in the defense. As I approach the line with the football….it is a wall. I have faith that the lineman will make me a hole.
ii. Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
iii. Matthew 21:21
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
v. 1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1. Shield and Faith? The shield protects us as we take refuge behind it. 1 Peter 5:9
2. The shield is our faith in the living God and His Word. Psalms 18:2-3
3. To take up this shield, we must actively trust in God.
a. looking at your circumstances and at God’s promises and deciding to rely on God. JOB
b. knowing your weakness and God’s strength and His promises.
c. obeying what God has commanded.
e. helmet of SALVATION
1. My helmet had to fit perfect. Not a little loose….not too tight. It sort molded to my head after a time. Can’t imagine helmet flying off. Was hit so hard once facemask cut my nose.
ii. Romans 10:10
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
iii. 1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
iv. Hebrews 5:9
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
1. Helmet and salvation? It’s not too difficult to see the spiritual implications of the helmet. We’ve consistently noted that Satan’s attacks primarily come against our mind. And it is the helmet of salvation that protects us from those attacks. And based on what we know about Satan’s attacks both from the Scriptures and our own personal experiences, we find that just like the broadsword had two sides, the attacks of Satan also have two main sides.
The two sides of Satan’s ‘broadsword”:
• Discouragement & Doubt
The two sides of Satan’s ‘broadsword”:
• Discouragement & Doubt
f. the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD;
1. No wielding metal objects on the football field. But I did have my quick thinking and recognition. Just as a sword slices through the air…..quickly, so must you make decisions when the opponent is attacking.
ii. Luke 4:4
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
iii. Luke 11:28
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
vi. Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1. Sword and word of God?
This is a great scripture that gives us a clear picture that just as the ancient warrior was faced with fighting a battle for his life. We also are fighting a battle for our lives…our eternal lives. All of this gear that we have to put on doesn’t do us any good…..if we don’t put it on. And not just part of it….But we are told to put on the whole armor of God.
And unlike the athlete, who puts on the gear for game day and a few practices during the week. We have to dawn this gear every single day and every single hour. For we do not know when our enemy will strike.
We must be ready to battle. I watched Karate Kid this weekend….bits and pieces….all three. In the beginning when Daniel Russo was learning from Mr. Miyagi, all the initial instruction was defense. You remember… wax on, wax off; sand the floor; paint the fence; paint the house. Daniel had to do it over and over and over to get the movements to become familiar, second nature. Even then, Daniel asked when do I get to learn how to hit…..Offense. Within our armor we have a sword. God didn’t leave this out of the description because we need this to defend ourselves. The Word of God. We use the armor to protect us against the attacks and temptations from Satan. We use the Word of God, our sword, to vanquish Satan from our lives. Use the sword daily, so we can become familiar with its power as well.
So I tell you, put on your whole of God and fight the good fight. If you have a need, wont you come forward as we stand and see the invitation song.
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