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THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 6:10-20; 17
April 9, 2023, Sunday a.m. - MBC
Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Introduction:
This is the final and are climax paragraphs to which Paul had been building in the letter to the Ephesians Christians (Ephesians 6:10-20).
The letter of Paul’s letter has the theme that has to do with a restored amazing peace of God by means of the ministry of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 2:13-22; Ephesians 4:1-3; Ephesians 6:23.
Ephesians 1:2 “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:13-22 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 6:23 “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Personally or individually a true believer have been granted this peace through our Savior Jesus Christ by His work of redemption at the cross, but also corporately as one body in Christ we display this peace like when the Messiah restores shalom to all of creation in His kingdom reign (Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 3:10).
Ephesians 1:9-10 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”
Ephesians 3:10 “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”
Paul describes himself including us that were sent by God as ambassadors of this peace to speak boldly this “shalom” to those people who are still in darkness and enslaved by the power of the devil (Eph.6:20)
Ephesians 6:20 “For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Paul addressed the Ephesians believers that as ambassadors or representatives of Christ we are conquering kingdom to rescue those enslaved by sin and power of darkness, we will attack non-stop resistance and merciless opposition from the principalities, rulers, powers, wickedness of spiritual armies of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-13).
Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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.”
How will we find strength and courage to fight such a powerful wicked enemy armored with a dark weapons that that successfully destroy many? How are we to assault firmly into the very heart of this kingdom of darkness to rescue hopeless and deceived people from the wrath of God that is coming and the continuous destruction by Satan at the lives of many at this present?
Two realities to focus in resisting the powerful wicked armies of darkness:
1. God provides a divine weapon to every Christian as we are guaranteed success.
We used this armor to invade satanic kingdom and powers with unstoppable power of the gospel of peace to assure us of victory.
2. Christ the Victorious Savior wears this armor and we have a union with Him that cannot be dissolve.
This union signifies that whatever happens to Christ also happens to us. Christ’s strength and victory is our strength and victory. Christ wore the different pieces of armor that Paul mentioned in Ephesian 6 in our behalf to assure us of victory.
Christ wore different armor in our behalf:
1. Belt of Truth
Paul mentioned the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14 “having your loins girt about with truth”)– this signifies the faithful and perfect obedience of Christ to the will of God on our behalf. This is Christ’s active obedience and we should follow His example to practice His Word of truth faithfully to resist the false and spirit of errors of the evil forces.
2. Breastplate of righteousness
Paul mentioned the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14 “having on the breastplate of righteousness”) – this signifies that Christ’s faithful and perfect obedience fulfilled all the demand that the law expected that resulted in an imputed righteousness of God to us when Jesus Christ voluntarily and willingly become our substitute so He suffer the penalty of all our sins. Jesus died for our sins as a sacrificial atonement. This resulted to a peace that cannot be broken and secured relationship between God the believers of the gospel of Christ.
3. Shoes with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Paul mentioned the Shoes of eager readiness (Ephesians 6:15 “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”) - this signifies the readiness to share and declare this gospel of peace to people who are enslaved by the realm of darkness. To preach the gospel that Christ has risen and set the captive free from the penalty of sin and power of Satan.
4. Shield of faith
Paul mentioned the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16 “taking the shield of faith”) – this signifies our faith in the promise of God as our defender against all opposing attacks and weapons of fiery darts of our enemy. This is a great defensive weapon against the weapons of wickedness. (Mark 11:22 “have faith in God”; I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”)
5. Helmet of salvation
Paul mentioned the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17 “take the helmet of salvation”) – this signifies our wholehearted confidence that He will faithfully do what He promised us perform His covenants with us like, the same way God kept His promises to Jesus that He will raise Him from the dead. God never fails in His promises.
As we enumerated the armor of God mentioned by Paul, we therefore stand clothed from head to toe of this divine armor of God. Now, as we go forward and advance into the kingdom of wickedness and power of darkness in order for us to fulfill the Great commission that Christ had commanded us to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations, we need a weapon for our offense against darkness and we need a weapon for our defense from the enemy fiery attacks purposely aim to stop us in announcing the good news.
6. Sword of the Spirit
Paul mentioned a weapon in (Ephesians 6:17 “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”). God has given us such a weapon, a powerful sword given to us by none other than the Holy Spirit. What is the Sword of the Spirit? How do we use the Sword of the Spirit?
Two Important context of the Background:
A. Context of the Ephesians
Like most other unbelievers, unsaved people, the Ephesians believed in the spirit realm. The Ephesians believed the people were rewarded or punished by the spiritual beings controlled by their gods. This leads to the entire Ephesus that accept idolatrous paganism and the dark magic has been practice by the Ephesians.
The Luke the writer of the book of Acts had written about the presence of a great demonic activity happening at Ephesians in Acts 19:11-20
Acts 19:11-20 “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
The magical charm has a power and trusted by the Ephesians as a protection against the evil spirits. This magical charm consists of a secret “word of power” that can be found in an amulet that would serve as a protection of anyone who wear it against evil. This magical word of power was known as Ephesian letters or Ephesian words and that magical amulets are very expensive because of its highly priced.
Now, in the book of Acts, Luke recorded that these Ephesians people were freed from the bondage of this magical charm practices and the Christians confessed and abandoned their involvement in practicing magical words through amulets. These Ephesians brought their amulets which they called Ephesians letters or words then they burned all of the amulets or books together in the sight of all. According to records the burned the Ephesians letters or words which values about 50,000 pieces of silver.
Acts 19:19 “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
Now, why these Ephesians abandoned their so-called Ephesians words or letters which once they considered has a power to protect them from evil spirit beings? These Ephesians people abandoned this highly expensive amulets which they believe have a magical power because God had given them a Word by the Spirit that was far more powerful than any magical words contained in the amulet which they burned.
Hebrews 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.”
The Word God gave to the Ephesians was far more precious than silver or gold which worth expensively with high value far exceeded 50,000 pieces of silver.
The Word of God is much precious than silver and gold:
1. God gave the Ephesians a Word that more to be desired. – Psalm 19:10 “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
2. Paul described this Word given to the Ephesians as a Sword of the Spirit that was so powerful and effective. – Ephesians 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.”
B. Context of the Messianic in the Old Testament
Four texts that Sword of the Spirit associated with the ministry of the Messiah.
1. Isaiah 11:4 “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”
2. Isaiah 49:2 “And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;”
Both Isaiah 11:4 and Isaiah 49:2 talks about the Spirit of God on the Messiah who will judge the enemies of God and even upon His people through the Word or the rod of the mouth of God and the breath of God’s lips. This was recorded that the Lord Jesus will come and destroy the Antichrist, the Wicked one, the man of sin with the breath of the mouth of God in II Thessalonians 2:8-9 “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” also the Lord Jesus Christ will cast the Beast, the False Prophet, and Satan into the Lake of Fire by the Word from the mouth of God, this was revealed in Revelation 19:19-21 “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”; Revelation 20:1-7 “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,”
3. Isaiah 59:19 “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”
4. Isaiah 59:21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.”
Both Isaiah 59:19 and Isaiah 59:21 talks about the wind of God this is referring the words put by the the Holy Spirit into the mouth of the Messiah by which God will save the people of God, Israel from their sins and release or freed them from the bondage or being slave of the kingdom of Satan.
Example: Jesus Christ is victorious when He defeated Satan by the power of the Spirit by the words of God according to Deuteronomy 6-8 when Jesus have a personal one on one encounter with Satan when the devil with all his strategies tempted the Son of God. Jesus victory is through the written Word s of God (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus in the flesh had a direct personal face to face encounter with the devil the ruler of darkness.
It is encouraging to know that Jesus sent His Spirit to put His Word in the mouth of His disciples and when Paul spoke the words of the power of the Gospel to the Thessalonians, and when they repent from their sins and believed the Gospel, these believers of Thessalonica turned from paganism practices and serve the only true God and wait eagerly and patiently for the coming of Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 1:9-10 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” The Word of God that Jesus declared and used is now working in our lives because according to Peter he preached the Word of the Lord that remains forever and that is the powerful gospel that has been preached unto us whereby we are saved and freed from the enslavement of wickedness of Satan’s kingdom. I Peter 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
This Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God is a powerful weapon by which we go forward and advance in the heart of the darkness kingdom using the powerful word of the Gospel, and by this Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God we defend ourselves from any fiery darts of Satan attacks tempting us in our flesh.
Four Aspects of the Sword of the Spirit:
I – REAL NATURE OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Let us take a look of the nature of the amazing weapon of God given unto us.
Ephesians 6:17 “And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
A. The Sword comes from the Spirit
Two kinds of swords during the days of Paul:
1. Thracian sword – a long kind of sword that is wielded with both hands by a soldier.
2. Two-edged sword – a short thrusting kind of sword that is used in a hand-to-hand combat by a soldier.
In his letter, this two-edged sword type is the sword that was in the mind of Paul.
This thrusting two-edged sword comes from the Holy Spirit. It is described as the sword “machairan” of the Spirit. It is made, shaped, prepared by God and given to us by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps the believer to understand the Sword, receive the Sword, and energizes the Sword when we use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
B. The Specific term used for the Word
Two Terms for the idea of “word” in the New Testament
1. The term “Logos” – idea of the entirety of a concept or message. Example: Jesus is the Logos from God
2. The term “rema” – idea of specific statements that make up a larger message. When the declaration has been spoken the term Rema would often used most of the time.
The term used in this context is the term “rema” – which means the Spirit gave specific statements direct from God. The term is defined as the word “rema” of God. That specific statements or declaration from God has a power that is unstoppable to accomplish or perform things.
By specific statements or declaration of God we are redeemed and justified. And because we are redeemed and justified by faith on the blood of Jesus Christ we are cleansed, forgiven and redeemed from all our sins that is why we are capable to resist the demonic power of Satan.
C. The Service of the Sword of the Spirit
Let us talk about the value, usefulness, function of the Sword of the Spirit
1. Offensive function of the Sword of the Spirit:
a. It set the sinner free from the bondage of sin and death.
The Word is called the “word of truth” which is the Gospel of salvation” which saved the Ephesians and anyone who believed and trust after they heard the Word of truth. (Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Any unsaved sinner who heard the power of the Gospel then repent from sins and believed will be saved eternally and no one can stop the Gospel for saving us.
b. It Cleanses sinner from all sins.
c. It sanctifies or set us apart for God use by the washing of the Word
Ephesians 5:26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
2. Defensive function of the Sword of the Spirit:
a. It gives us strength when we engage in our battle against the power of sin and fleshly temptation
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
b. It makes us overcomer as we victoriously won the spiritual attacks of Satan and his demonic forces
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Paul is not giving us a picture of a Christian holding a bible daily in his hand, but Paul is pointing us an image of a Christian who is an expert and knows how to use effectively every declaration and statements of God to fight back Satan and his evil forces to free those unsaved sinners from slavery of spiritual kingdom of darkness and bring them to light through the glorious gospel of Christ.
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II – REALIBILITY OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Let us talk about the ability that Sword of the Spirit can do amazing things:
Four things that the Sword of the Spirit can do:
A. Sword of the Spirit, freed sinners from the Kingdom of Darkness.
By proclaiming this Word of God, we can rescue and release sinners from the Kingdom of Darkness.
Acts 26:15-18 “And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,”
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Ephesians 1:13 “ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
B. Sword of the Spirit, helps Believers won over Satan and overcome Temptation
By depending on the Word of God, will help us defeat Satan and overcome temptation.
When our heart is not satisfied with God, we sin. We do not sin whenever we obey God.
Sin offered some promises of happiness that enslaves us. When the time comes that we realized and believed that God is more to be desired than life itself, the thirsting soul was satisfied in God and that is what happened when David was in the wilderness of Judah when he said in Psalm 63:3 “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. “) then that very powerful promise of sin is defeated by the powerful promises of God. That is the reason why David testified as he said in Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” That is why both James and Peter want us first to submit to God and fight back the devil, and the devil will flee from you. Do not try to fight against the devil by your own power without submitting first to God.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 5:9 “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Do not think you have power to resist the devil and overcome temptation by just merely quoting the Scripture only, the Bible says, the power of God is upon us when we quote the Scripture and then submit to what the Word of God wants us to do.
C. Sword of the Spirit renew our Minds, strengthen our hearts and deliver our souls.
By receiving and submitting to the Word of God, there will be renewal of our minds, give our hearts a strength, and give victory to our souls.
As James writing to the brethren, he said in James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
D. Sword of the Spirit makes our heart and mind acceptable to God.
By meditating on the Word of God or taste the sweetness of the Word, God accepts the thoughts of our heart and accepts the words of our mouth.
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 1:2-3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
III – READINESS OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Let us talk about the availability of the Sword of the Spirit.
A. The Proclamation of the Word is available because it is near to our mouth and our heart.
The sword of the Spirit is accessible to us because it is near to us.
Paul describes the nearness or closeness of the Sword of the Spirit in our heart. Paul is saying we must proclaim the word of faith.
Romans 10:8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;”
B. The Penetration of the Word is available because it works in our inner heart.
The sword of the Spirit is inescapable because it powerfully penetrates to the inner of our heart. It is unavoidable how effectively works in our heart.
Hebrews 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.”
C. The Profitability of the Word is available because it is beneficial in our life.
The sword of the Spirit is profitable, beneficial or useful for our lives and even in godly living.
Paul is saying to Timothy that childhood he has been acquainted with the sacred writings and that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
II Timothy 3:15-16 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
D. The Productivity of the Word is available because its result is full.
The sword of the Spirit is invincible because when it penetrates in our inner heart that will not return empty.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 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.”
God has provided us an amazing weapon with many different parts to help us advance the Gospel, to stand our ground and made us grown in the grace of God. It is unstoppable to continue giving us complete advantageous results.
IV – RESULT OF THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Let us take a look at two biblical examples.
Two effective ways on how to use this sword of the Spirit.
A. Offensive use of the Sword of the Spirit
The sword of the Spirit must be used offensively to deliver people from the realm of darkness.
I Thessalonians 1:2- 10 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
In this passage we see the causes of the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God when Paul and his co-missionaries preached the gospel of salvation that came into the lives of the Thessalonians not only in word but in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. The Sword of the Spirit offense results:
1. They have their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. They imitate Paul and other missionaries and even imitate the Lord Jesus.
3. They became example to all believers as they received the Word in much affliction with the joy of God.
4. They sounded for the Word the Lord Jesus in other places.
5. Their faith in God has gone to everywhere.
6. They turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
7. They are patiently waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven.
8. The divine armor of the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God worked quickly, powerfully and effectively to produce an amazing and wonderful testimony of the people in Thessalonians with a powerful transformation happened that is well known in this city who were before a city practicing idolatrous paganism.
This Sword of the Spirit which is the Word powerfully and effectively work in these Thessalonians like in the people of Ephesians that they were convinced of the message of the Word of God that leads them to turn away from idols and serve the only One and True Living God, and to wait the return of the Lord Jesus whom they never known and met. That is the offensive result of the Shield of faith.
It is the power of the Holy spirit that powerfully performs. The Holy Spirit of God took the Sword, and used the Sword, the Word of God then attack the kingdom of darkness to rescue the blind from the bondage of Satan.
B. Defensive use of the Sword of the Spirit
The Sword of the Spirit can be used defensively to resist Satan. Jesus Himself wore the armor of Sword of the Spirit and it used defensively against the temptation of the Devil.
The Old Testament background of Jesus’ temptations is Israel’s experience in the wilderness. A new nation had been born, which God called his “son” (Exodus 4:22). After being miraculously delivered out of Egypt, the people were tested by God in the wilderness to see what was in their heart (Deuteronomy 8:2). Often, they failed. They grumbled and would not submit willingly to God’s testing (Exodus 16:2; 17:3; Numbers 14:2; 16:11, 41). They presumed to test God by demanding water and food (Exodus 15:22 – 17:7). And they worshiped the golden calf while Moses was on the mountain receiving the law (Exodus 32:1-35). Finally, they refused to enter the land of Canaan that God had promised them because of fear of its inhabitants. For treating Him with contempt, God made them wander in the desert for 40 years until the generation of people that were adults when they left Egypt had died (Numbers 13:1–14:45). In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounted the wilderness experience to the second generation of Israelites as they were at last about to enter the land. From that book of Deuteronomy, came every answer of Jesus to the temptations He would face from the devil.
Matthew 4:1-11 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 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. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 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. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 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. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Mark 1:12-13 “And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”
Luke 4:1-14 “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
Messiah, the King had come to set those captive souls of the devil and break the power of sin that enslaved sin, but this would require that the Messiah the Savior must defeat and overcome Satan through face to face. That was a divine actual assault, personal attack by the Lord Jesus on the Kingdom of Satan.
The temptation recorded in the gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke was initiated by the Holy Spirit and the temptation was not initiated by Satan coming to tempt Jesus. This was Jesus who come to Satan by the power of the Spirit to defeat the old enemy.
The purpose of the test is like how God tests Israel in 40 years in the wilderness is to know what was in their heart whether they would obey the Word of God when they were under pressure or would they rely on their own capability and understanding. This passage stress that the man could not live by physical food only but by the Word of God man would live.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”
Jesus Christ used the Sword of the Spirit defensively:
1. Jesus was tempted to use His power to get bread for his own satisfaction.
Jesus illustrate that obeying God was more important than by being alive by eating. Jesus did not use his power to get bread by his word. Many people prefer to get bread to stay alive by their own word not by God’s word. Example: Israel rebelled against the leadership of Moses and in reality, they rebelled against God because they were hungry in the wilderness. Israel wants to get their daily needs by their disobedience to the God’s Word.
Jesus did not rebel against the will of His Father but He submit to the will of His Father and wait for God to provide Him the food daily. Jesus used the Word of God for His daily life.
Jesus’ response to first temptation of Satan (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3)
Matthew 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.”
Deuteronomy 8:3 “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”
2. Jesus was tempted to use His power to control and demand God to act in His name.
Jesus trusts and quietly wait on God to protect Him and make known His real identity as the Son of Man. Jesus did not use His power to force God to fulfill His promise by casting Himself down from the high pinnacle of the temple (Psalm 91:11-12 “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”). Jesus did not demand that God should act on His behalf unlike the Israelites who demanded God to act for they have no water to drink (Exodus 17:1-3 “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? 3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”)
Jesus’ response to second temptation of Satan (Matthew 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:16).
Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Deuteronomy 6:16 “Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.”
3. Jesus was tempted to use His power to usurp authority in this earth and avoid the cross.
Jesus’ trusted and submissively wait on God to give Him these kingdoms after His suffering on the cross. Jesus did not grab and did not take hold of all His authority in this world and to avoid the cross. Jesus Christ personally seeks first the kingdom of God before putting His earthly kingdom when time comes that He will reign on this earth. Jesus only worship God and no one else and Jesus never give up to the temptation to worship the Devil who was the author behind Israel worshipping the golden calf in the desert. Jesus never worshipped Satan the creature but Israel worship idols as an instrument by the devil.
Jesus’ response to third temptation of Satan (Matthew 4:10;
Matthew 4:10 “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.”
Deuteronomy 6:13 “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him,”
Deuteronomy 10:20 “You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him.”
Jesus is saying “Be gone, Satan, for it is written “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”
We notice that when Jesus’ confronts face to face Satan, the question is not if Jesus would use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, but it is how Jesus would use the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus’ refuses any dart of temptation thrown by Satan before Him. Jesus did not use the powerful sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God just for His own benefit with a motive to get whatever He desired.
It is a matter of how we use the Sword makes all the difference in our lives full of temptation, trials, distraction, discouragement pulling us to stay out of the will of God caused by strong pressures of the opposing evil power and rulers of darkness.
We must use the sword not to do our own will in our own ways but to follow the example of what Jesus has done when he used the Sword the Word of God as He testified in John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
Ending exhortation:
James discerned the value of the Sword of the Spirit the Word that is able to save and deliver our souls from evil when he made an statement in James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Christians must not be complacent reading the bible every day, it is not enough listening to the bible preaching every worship service or faithfully attending bible believing church. The Word of God must dwell in our hearts, must subdue our human will in order for us to submit to the demand of God’s Word. If we done it so, only then the Sword of the Spirit, the Word will have the power to deliver us from Satan’s temptation and freed us from the power of sin.
Why so many Christians find it hard to stay in the will of God, follow the will of God and obey the will of God? Because many Christians are too weak and very worldly, so they could not grasp, discern or understand the Word of God that they have received, therefore they could not resist and refuse the evils that are destroying their Christian lives. The incapability, incompetency, ineffectiveness of Christian against individual evil, social evil, intellectual evil or moral evil, heretical evil, sensual evil is caused when Christian is too weak in grasping the Sword of the Spirit.
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