Fight For Your Life | Winning Spiritual Battles

Uniforms have two purposes 1: Identity Emergency situations professional situations 2: Practicality Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose Series: FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE Week 1… We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle Week 2… We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark Today we are talking about… The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life   Background: Paul in Ephesus Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers know for its practice of “dark arts”   Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.   Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here… Armor – Something they were very familiar with Don’t get lost in the analogy Armor is what you actively choose to use it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God Don’t have to Pray “today i put on…”   The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM   “Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship Learning to follow Jesus   Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…   1: Fight for your life with TRUTH (Belt) What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling? Each piece of armor we’ll break into 2 parts… Foundation – What we think Direction – What we do Foundation: Believing in the TRUTH We are all building our lives on a truth You wear a truth, whether you realize it or not It surrounds and envelopes you It is what will allow you to walk trip or run Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin” There is always a counterfeit The Enemy’s “TRUTH” Culture’s “truth” Direction: Walking in the TRUTH We speak the truth as we live in the truth Partner with truth It guides us We choose to be guided by it Declaration of Truth I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life   2: Fight for your life in RIGHTEOUSNESS (Breastplate) What does he mean by righteousness? Foundation: I am made righteous through Jesus Christ My old self is GONE New Creation Not who I was Guard your heart… (proverbs)   We are made righteous, so now act righteously   Direction: My actions reflect my new status My behavior Righteousness guards us Your actions from your heart Rightness leads to rightness Righteousness leads to Righteousness Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack Seasons of doubt connected to sin Living a right life protects us (doubt, shame) What does it look like to live righteously? To live for righteousness means we wholeheartedly realize that sin does not please God we pursue holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and actions We submit even our thought life to what is righteous Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. To Fight For My Life… I choose to make the right choices in alignment with God’s word and will. I can trust that the righteousness of Christ guards my heart.   3: Fight for your life by carrying THE GOSPEL PEACE (Shoes) What is the gospel of Peace in the context of the story the Bible is telling? Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus is Peace to the world Rebellion against God = Chaos Sin = Separation, violence, loss, etc Gospel = Jesus is king We are no longer separated from our father We have been made right We have access to God Our sins are forgiven PEACE CAN NOW BE HAD   Direction: I carry the best news the world must hear   It’s not whether you will go or not But whether you will carry the PEACE OF THE GOSPEL or BROKENNESS Taking the gospel where there is chaos Isaiah 52:7 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”   To fight for my life… I choose to be a peacemaker and a peace bringer by carrying the good news of grace and salvation. I can bring peace to chaos through the light of the gospel of Jesus   4: Fight for your life in FAITH (Shield) What is faith? Why a shield Faith is TRUST and HOPE in someone or something Foundation: My faith in God protects me Protection from circumstances and lies Trials Protects us in hard times Doubt and internal turmoil Shields us and stops the darts of doubt and temptation Sounds like… What God has for me is better than this temptation. Direction: I keep the faith no matter what 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. We don’t panic when things get tough God is FAITHFUL to we can TRUST HIM HOPE IN HIM Our trust in the Lord is stronger than our struggle To fight for my life… I choose to trust God and not lies, deceit, or circumstances. I can hold strong in any storm because my God is with me.   5: Fight for your life through SALVATION (Helmet) What does he mean by “Salvation?” Foundation: I am secure in Christ through His salvation Get a head blow, and you are dead satan attacks the mind Knowing what you believe Who you belong to Who you are in Jesus Christianity 101 – simple gospel “I am not who I was” I am Saved by GRACE Direction: I live with confidence because I know who I am and WHO’S I am When the enemy attacks your mind, you remind yourself who saved you You are not Who you were Philippians 4:6-7 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. To fight for my life… I choose to rest in the knowledge that I am loved, redeemed, and called by God. I can understand my place in God’s family and plan for the world.   6: Fight for your life with THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT (Sword/Word of God) Study about reading the Bible https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf 3 days or less per week = No significant effect 4 or more per week: Getting drunk = 57% lower odds Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds Pornography = 61% lower odds Gambling = 74% lower odds Any of these habits = 57% lower odds Also increased… Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds Discipling others = 231% higher odds Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds Foundation: God’s word is my weapon against evil and temptation God’s word is how we fight One offensive tool The gospel and all of scripture Jesus fought this way In the desert temptation How is it effective? Gives discernment Promises we can claim We need the word of God   Direction: I fight the enemy with the Truth of God’s Word   2 Timothy 3:15-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.   To fight for my life… I choose to rebuke evil through the word of God’s truth. I can fight with a victory mindset because nothing overcomes my God and his revealed word.