The Life of Paul - Spiritual Warfare

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The Life of Paul - Spiritual Warfare

June 4, 2023 • Matthew 4:1–11, Isaiah 14:13, Ephesians 6:10, John 10:10, James 4:7

Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

The normal Christian life

The Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare.

"There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan." - C.S. Lewis

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

People are a distraction of the real enemy.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood”

3. Satan has plans and strategies to carry out His plan.

June 4, 2023 // Pastor Jason King

Mathew 4:1-11 (NIV)

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty

days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God,

tell these stones to become bread.’

Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

‘

If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

‘

All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

James 4:7 (ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Isaiah 14:13,14 (NIV)

“You said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne

above the stars of God;

I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.

I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”

John 10:10 (NKJV)

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

4. You have everything you need for this battle.

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

The Life of Paul - Anchored

July 2, 2023 • Mark Davies • Philippians 3:7–9, 1 Corinthians 2:1–2, Colossians 3:1–4, 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, Ephesians 3:14–21

Anchored 1. Nothing Matters More Than Knowing Christ Philippians 3:7-9a (ESV) “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him...” Knowing: GREEK: gnōsis - A first-hand experiential knowledge of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV) “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Galatians 6:14 (ESV) “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Three Beliefs July 2, 2023 // Pastor Mark Davies It’s All Grace Philippians 3:9b-12 (ESV) “...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” 1 Corinthians 15:9-10a (ESV) “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” Eternity Is Home Philippians 3:13-16 (ESV) “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:17-21 (ESV) “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Lord: GREEK: kyrios (Coo Ri Os) the owner, the decision-maker 1 Corinthians 15:48-58 (ESV) “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written. ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV) “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 5:4-6a (ESV) “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage.” Remaining Anchored in Eternity Pray - Read - Fellowship Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

The Life of Paul - Victorious Weapons

June 25, 2023 • Romans 5:6, Romans 8:37, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Romans 8:35–39, Romans 8:14–17

Victorious Weapons I believe the Lord would have us consider two points today. First Point: Jesus’ victory at the cross over sin, sickness and death has ushered us into the family of God as adopted sons and daughters. Therefore, our lives one to be lived in victory not victimhood. Romans 8:37 (ESV) “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 5:6, 8-10 (NIV) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly...But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” In order to obtain the victory, Jesus secured for us at the cross He has given us weapons to combat our enemies. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” Mighty in God . They pull down strongholds. Casting down arguments [which may also be translated imaginations]. Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Second Point: June 25, 2023 // Pastor Jim Marsh Romans 12:2 (ESV) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” So, let us rehearse the truth our experience and standing with God. Romans 8:1 (NKJV) “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:11 (NKJV) “...if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...” Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:31 (NKJV) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Life of Paul - Knowing God as Father

June 18, 2023 • Luke 12:32, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:1, Matthew 20:25–28, John 15:1–2

Knowing God as Father What is the Father like? John 14:9 (ESV) John 14:9 (ESV) Knowing God as Father “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father’?” The Father wants to be known by you. Father God Loves, Always Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV) “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Father God Welcomes All Who Turn to Him Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV) “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” June 18, 2023 // Pastor Mark Davies Luke 12:32 (ESV) “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV) “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” 2 Corinthians 6:16b, 18 (ESV) “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Ephesians 2:18-19 (ESV) “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Father God Disciplines For Our Instruction John 15:1-2 (ESV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) “But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”