Scripture:  Ephesians 6:17

Subject: Stand

Central Theme:  Standing against Satan

Objective Statement: We can be ready to go on the offensive and win the spiritual battles in our lives by believing the answers to four questions about the “sword of the Spirit”.

Keyword: Question
Question #1- Why is it called the “sword”? (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12)

Question #2- Why is it called the “sword of the Spirit”? (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Question #3- Why is it called the “Word of God”? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Question #4- How can I use the “Sword of the Spirit” in spiritual battle? (Matthew 4:1-11)

Introduction:

Connection

• Queen Elizabeth II broke with 600 years of British royal tradition by having the royal band play the “Star Spangled Banner” during a changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Sept. 12, 2001.
• As the U.S. mourned the loss of thousands of lives after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took nearly 3,000 American lives, Queen Elizabeth ordered the Bands of the Household Division to play the American national anthem in a special tribute. The Daily Express reported 5,000 people, including many Americans, gathered outside Buckingham Palace on the day after the attack to mourn together.
• The moment of mourning and solidarity with the U.S. broke with 600 years of tradition for the change of the guard ceremony. According to We Are The Mighty, until Sept. 12, 2001, the Bands of the Household Division had always played a mix of traditional British songs and popular music of the day while the national anthems of other countries were reserved for visits by foreign dignitaries.
• After the royal military band played the Star-Spangled Banner, the palace held a two-minute silence. Prince Andrew then led the troops in a formal salute.
• After playing the “Star Spangled Banner” the band also played a selection of somber American music including John Williams’ “Hymn to the Fallen,” which is from the final credits of the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan.”
• Queen Elizabeth once again honored the U.S. last year on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, having the royal band again play the “Star Spangled Banner” during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
• Clips of Queen Elizabeth’s tributes to the U.S. went viral on Thursday afternoon and Friday after she passed away at 96 years old. Queen Elizabeth’s death comes just three days before the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
• One of the things that was so jarring for so many people about the attacks on September 11, 2001 is that they came from an enemy that so many did not know we even had.
• For people who were paying attention to world affairs it was known that there was an Islamic terrorist threat. A threat that even today is difficult for people to say because they do not want to accuse an entire religion for the sins of some.
• We do know this- the battle is difficult if you cannot identify the enemy.

Tension

• We have a similar situation that happens in peoples lives all the time.
• People show up to church having been injured in a battle that they didn’t even know was being waged.
• People express sentiments to you about what is happening in their lives, and they do not even know that they are battle wounds or battle scars, because they do not even know that they are at battle and have an enemy.
• Some believers know that they have an enemy, and they may even have attempted to put on some of the armor, but they have no idea how to wield the weapon of warfare that has been given to them.
• We are at battle.

Ephesians 6:10-16

(10)  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.

(14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

(15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

• We have been told to put on and take up our armor.
• When we get to verse 17 we are told to take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

We can be ready to go on the offensive and win the spiritual battles in our lives by believing the answers to four questions about the “sword of the Spirit”.

Question #1- Why is it called “the sword”?

Ephesians 6:17

(17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Explanation:

• It is to be used as a weapon against the enemy.
  • As Paul finishes the listing of the armor, he refers to the sword of the Spirit. He tells us explicitly that he refers to the Word of God.
  • This is the only offensive weapon mentioned.  All the other pieces mentioned are only defensive in nature.
  • The fact that the sword is mentioned lets us know that we are not just on defense.
  • Being in this battle means that we are on the offense.  We put on our Gospel shoes and we advance toward the enemy with the Word of God.
• It is the believers only weapon. 
  • The Word of God is far more powerful than any weapon that Satan can bring against us.
  • Satan deals in lies.
  • When we know the Word of God and apply it to our lives we deal in truth.
  • Like the Roman soldier learned how to wield his sword, we must study to who ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, by rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
• Hebrews 4:12 gives some more indication of why the Word of God is like a sword.

(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.

Hebrews 4:12

• We learn a few things here:
  • The Word of God is alive.  How?  The author is still alive.  The truth hasn’t changed.  It still impacts.  It still works.  The author lives in those who have been made alive by believing its truth.
  • The Word of God discerns between the material and immaterial realms.
  • The Word of God discerns the thoughts and intents of our hearts.  In a sense the Bible is the only book that reads you back. It gives insight into who we are and why we do what we do.

Application:

• If we do not know, understand, apply and obey the Word of God, then we are like a soldier at battle without a weapon.
• It’s not enough to have protection alone.  We are on a mission, and we have the ultimate weapon to accomplish the mission that we have been sent on.
• What is our mission?  To make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that God’s Word says.

We can be ready to make a stand by putting on the armor of God.  Here are three pieces of armor that we must put on.

Question #1- Why is it called “the sword”?

Question #2- Why is it called the “sword of the Spirit?”

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

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.

Explanation:

The Spirit wrote the word.

• Peter writes in his second epistle that the Word of God is a more sure word than the experience they had on the mount of transfiguration.
• We have God's Word that was written using men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit quite literally wrote a book, and now we have access to what he wrote.  "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

The Spirit seals us after we respond to the word.

• It is that same spirit that used the Word of God to save us and seal us unto the day of redemption.

(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,

(14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14

• When we hear the Gospel that was written down and declared unto us we are saved.
• When we are saved God gives us an earnest payment, an upfront payment of the inheritance that we will receive called the indwelling Holy Spirit.
• He gives it to us at salvation letting us know that more is on the way!  One day

The Spirit sanctifies us by the word.

(8)  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 5:8-10

• What a summary statement of the book of Ephesians!  This is who you were- Darkness.  This is who you now are in Christ- Light.  Live like children of the light. How do you do that?

(9)  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

• It's not the fruit of your good behavior by trying really hard.  It's the fruit of the Spirit as you let submit to Him and to his Word on a daily basis.
• If you put God's Word into your heart and mind, God's Word will come out of your mouth, hands, and feet.  When you live like that, you'll be able to discern what to do in life, as He says in verse 10.

(10)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

• The more you submit to the Spirit and let God's Word indwell you, the more you will be able to prove what is acceptable to the Lord.
• In Ephesians 5, God describes Christ's reason for saving us.  Why did he redeem a people for himself and put them in the assembly?  The answer is given in verse 26 and 27.

(25)  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

(26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

(27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27

• How does Christ sanctify and cleanse us?  By the "washing of water by the Word".
• This is the result of being "filled with the Spirit", and reading the "sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God.

Application:

• It is impossible to grow spiritually apart from the Word of God.
• It is impossible to have spiritual life apart from the Holy Spirit.
• It is impossible to have spiritual growth without the Spirit.
• The Sword of the Spirit in the hand, in the heart, and out of the mouth is God's plan for saving the World and winning in this spiritual battle.
• Your health spiritually is directly related to your relationship with the Word of God.

We can be ready to make a stand by putting on the armor of God.  Here are three pieces of armor that we must put on.

Question #1- Why is it called “the sword”?

Question #2- Why is it called the “sword of the Spirit?”

Question #3- Why is it called the “Word of God”?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
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.

Explanation:

• The Sword of the Spirit is named as the Word of God.
• We have already seen that it is called this because holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 give us more insight into how this happened.  There are three words that at are translated into "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God".  There english transliteration and definition are below:
  • pasa- all
  • graphe- writings, specifically sacred scripture
  • theopneustos- This is a compound word not found anywhere else in the Bible.  Most literally God (theo) and pneustos (air or breath).
• So, another way of translating this phrase would be "all scripture God-breathed" or "All scripture has been breathed out by God".
• This means that while holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, the very words that were spoken were the words that God wanted them to speak and write.
• They were and are His Words.
• The Bible is the Word of God because every word that was written was breathed out by Him.  Their source is Him.
• The words that were written down in the original texts were exactly the words breathed out by God.
• Why did God give scripture?  The Holy Spirit tells us that the scripture is useful for:
  • Doctrine- what to believe.
  • Reproof- correcting wrong belief.
  • Correction- changing wrong behavior that is wrong.
  • Instruction in Righteousness- teaching us right behavior.

Application:

• It is impossible to have win any kind of spiritual battle or grow in your relationship with God apart from the Word of God.
• You cannot win spiritual battles through human means.
• Our spiritual sword, the Word of God, is alive and active.  It changes minds and hearts.  This is what Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5.

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;

• The Holy Spirit doesn't mind that we fight.  In fact, He wants us to fight.  We just better use the right weapon against the right enemy.
• Because it is the word of God it contains no error.  This is what we call inerrancy.  The Bible is free from error.
• Because it comes from God it cannot have any error.  This is what we call infallibility.  The Bible, with God as its author, can contain no error.
• Because it is the complete word of God, it is sufficient.  All that we need for life and godliness is found in the pages of the Word of God.

Response:

• Lord God, please help me to...
  • read Your Word,
  • know Your Word,
  • memorize Your Word,
  • write Your Word,
  • listen Your Word,
  • Proclaim Your Word,
  • Sing Your Word,
  • exemplify Your Word,
  • and most importantly to obey Your Word.

We can be ready to make a stand by putting on the armor of God.  Here are three pieces of armor that we must put on.

Question #1- Why is it called “the sword”?

Question #2- Why is it called the “sword of the Spirit?”

Question #3- Why is it called the “Word of God”?

Question #4- How Can I use the “Sword of the Spirit” in spiritual battle?

(17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:17

Explanation:

• As we think about the armor that we've talked about so far, there is some that we were told to "put on":
  • The Belt of Truth
  • Breastplate of righteousness
  • Gospel fitted feet
• Then there was armor we were told to take up:
  • The shield of faith
  • The helmet of salvation.
• The Word of God is a spiritual sword.  It is a weapon to be wielded, not armor to be worn.    When he says to take up the sword of the Spirit he calls it the "word of God".  I want you to know something important about the word translated "word of God".
• There are a couple of greek words translated into english as "word" found in the new testament.
• There is the word transliterated "Apangello"- an announcement or message.
• There is the word transliterated "Logos".
  • Logos does mean something said or revealed.  By implication it is a topic.  It also has the idea of reasoning or Divine expression as in Christ.
  • In John 1 we understand that the logos was not just a revelation from God.  The Logos is a person.   "In the beginning was the logos, and the logos was with God, and the logos was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."
  • Who is this person?  We find out in verse in verse 14 "and the logos became 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."  The Logos is Jesus.
• There is another term translated "word", and it is the term found here in verse 17.  It is the term "rhema".
  • This word is more specific in nature.  It has the idea of "an utterance".  It has the idea of a specific word.
• You see, we must not think that we are taking up the "sword of the Spirit" just by owning the object we know as our Bibles.
• We must not think that we are equipped for battle by merely owning the text itself.
• I believe the Holy Spirit had in mind that there is a specific "rhema" from God that deals with every kind of situation we face.
  • Are you dealing with doubt?  Do you know what the Bible says about doubt?
  • Are you dealing with disciplining your children?  Or are you dealing with undisciplined children?  Do you know that the Bible says something about that?
  • What about sexual temptation?  Do you know what the Bible says about that?
  • If someone were to come up to you and ask you how they can be right with God, could you take them to the scripture and show them what God has said?
• To win at spiritual battle, you must know what the Bible says specifically, and must be able to use it in the moment of doubt, temptation, or ministry opportunity.  We use it both defensively and offensively.
• When we put the Bible, God's written Word in our own hearts and minds, when the Bible gets into us, then we give ourselves the opportunity to be controlled by the  living Word, the Holy Spirit inside of us.  He brings the truth of God's Word to mind to help us in that moment of battle.
• Do you remember in Genesis 1 what it says about the Spirit of God and the Word of God?

(1)  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(2)  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

(3)  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:1-3

• Do you remember in Matthew 3 when Jesus came to be baptized of John?  John told Jesus, I don't need to baptize you.  You need to baptize me!
• Jesus told him...

(15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

(16)  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

(17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:15-17

• Jesus was obedient to Father.
• The Father wanted those there, and for us to know, that Jesus wasn't just another sinner in line to be baptized.
• He is the Son of God.
• God was pleased with Him.
• The Spirit descended on him like a dove, and look what happened next.

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:1-11

• Three times Satan tried to tempt Jesus, and three times Jesus had the same kind of reply.

(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.

Matthew 4:4

(7 ) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Matthew 4:7

(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.
Matthew 4:10

Application:

• If Jesus chose to fight Satan after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness with three verses out of Deuteronomy, don't you think we ought to figure out where in the 66 books of the Bible has to say about what our temptation is.
• If Jesus was filled with and moved by the Spirit, don't you think we ought to get into the Logos of God until the rhema of God gets into us so that it is what comes out of us when it's time to stand in the evil day.
• When he did, look at what Satan did!

(11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 4:11

• Isn't that what we are told to do?

(7)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

(8)  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(9)  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

(10)  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:7-10

Response:

• How are we going to make a stand against the devil in the evil day if we do wield the sword of the Spirit which is the rhema of God?