What is the battle? Who is against us?
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
walk in the flesh - the physical
but our war isn’t physical - it is spiritual
but we have someone to help us in the battle
the enemy wants you to be rebellious
Revelation 12:7-17
waging war
how is the enemy defeated? the blood of the lamb and a testimony of Jesus
Ephesians 2:
Genesis 3:13
deceptive, accuser, make you feel bad about yourself - the battles are part of a bigger war - the war is won; the battles change based on circumstances and what’s happening in our lives
How does he “get us”?
Do not be ignorant of the enemy and his schemes and traps - wake up!
1 Peter 5:8
be watchful, be alert
not obvious unless we are alert
when we advance the kingdom by serving - we can expect attacks to come
makes us smarter, wiser, we fight differently as we learn how to battle spiritually
any battle has an outward expression but it’s really a war that isn’t physical
we aren’t creating anything new and evil - it has been around since Genesis - but the evil grows as it festers
the enemy can’t have your soul but he can have your mind and keep you from being effective as a believer
**we create a playground in our minds for the enemy - we must be sober minded
**we don’t rely on our own resources to defeat him - he has experience going back to the garden - he is an experienced warrior - he knows how to get you - he is stronger than you but you have the indwelling power of the Lord
he is an accuser but he has been conquered
William Bridge - “he will tell us a hundred true things to get you to listen to the 101st which is the lie by which he traps us”
Romans 8:1
no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus
Accusation vs Conviction
2 different outcomes, 2 different purposes
this is a foothold for the enemy - don’t allow him to condemn you but grow up and move on
Romans 8:37
but we are more than conquerors - in Jesus who loves you
even in the small areas - he’ll take the win and start somewhere and take you further than you intended
The Armor of God
more than the kid version
Ephesians 6:10-20
Shield of Faith
**their shields were the size of a door
protects like a wall when United
put their shields together
not an individual defense - united as believers
opportunity to protect each other
can we be for one another and recognize our responsibility for one another
- exercising faith, belief that God has something more/better for us
faith - refusing to believe the lies
don’t get lost in the metaphor
Belt of Truth:
used to uphold the consistency and integrity of the Word
-is what we uphold changing because of convenience and political correctness
-“the OT doesn’t apply”, it is still important
-we don’t make scripture fit our agenda
Breastplate of Righteousness
-the righteousness Christ provides is irrevocable
-you have been made righteous
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
-secure foothold, help you stand secure, some of you slip and fall and aren’t practiced in resisting the Devil
be ready...how can we be ready to help someone if we’re unprepared
**panic and guilt can overwhelm us - when we know have confidence in our own salvation we will be able to help others find their place in God’s kingdom
2 Timothy 4:2-4
preach the Word, be ready
Helmet of Salvation
-there is a starting point, minds settled on the hope of salvation, not wavering, look to the things the Lord has done for you and know he will do it again
Sword of the Spirit
offense - Jesus used the Word when tempted and we should to - we need to have prepared for the battle -
Psalm 119:11
Prayer
we recall the Word in prayer - always praying / recognizing the involvement and presence of the Lord - a lifestyle of communication / dialogue with God
do we have a spot for Jesus where we just have to talk to him
demonstrating a reliance - actively submitting our mind, thoughts to Him
Watch and pray in the battle
Battle
Ephesians 6:10-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Anne Marie
Parents!
I am so excited about our High School Winter Retreat to the mountains of North Georgia. This year, 45 of us are making the trip, and it is going to be a great chance for us to continue to connect as a community of believers. This weekend is about taking some time to cultivate the vital relationship we have with Jesus by looking into His Word. Jesus calls His people to follow Him, to live differently, and then to help other people follow Him. The theme this weekend is: NOCTURNAL - we want to be awake (alert, aware, ready) while the world around us sleeps (misses opportunities, deceived, lazy). It may seem dark now, but the Day is coming! We have 6 sessions of Bible Study planned to help us dive into these ideas. We will be leaving Friday, Feb 15 @ 3pm. Please eat something before you arrive; we’ll eat a light dinner in Helen once we get settled. We will provide all meals on trip but you may want to bring some money for snacks or souvenirs if we go into town. We will be back on Monday, Feb 18 @ 3pm. The cost is $75 and can be paid the day we leave. Please bring the attached Permission Form with you Friday as well. The responsible adult chaperones and teachers for this trip are me, Rodney Eslinger, Craig Tognarina, Jonathan Murphree, Anne Marie Andrey, and Lisa Meyer. We will be staying at cabins in Helen, GA. Guys and girls will be sleeping in separate headquarters. Here’s what we’ll be expecting from our students while we’re http://gone...these guidelines will help us as we strive to create and maintain an atmosphere that glorifies God by honoring Christ with our group witness. Maybe have a chat about these as a family before you send your kids my way! • Our youth will participate and contribute • They will show respect to all adults • They will respect the personal property of others • They will not possess or use controlled substances • We don’t want to be immature, impure, or negative Here is a quick ‘what-to-bring’ list: • Clothes: we will be both indoors and outdoors so be prepared as it could be cold. Make sure you have shoes for hiking. The cabins also have hot tubs so you may want a swim suit. • Personal Hygiene Items: shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste. • Life Items: Bible, notebook, pen, guitars, music, ocarinas, Eno, etc (but don’t bring inappropriate things that will get you hunted down by The Law). • Bring some of your own snacks if you are picky or are a bottomless pit of hunger. • Bring a towel and pillow just in case. I’m really looking forward to a great trip! Call me if you have any questions.
Schedule
Friday Arrive: 6p Dinner: 7p Session 1: 8p Roll out: 10p Saturday Be at the cabin: 10a Session 2: 10:30a Lunch: 12p Hiking: 12:30p Dinner: 6p Session 3: 7p Roll out: 9p Sun Be at the cabin: 10a Breakfast: 10:30a Session 4: 11p Lunch: 12:30p Helen/Golf: 1p Dinner: 6p Session 5: 7p Roll out: 9p Monday Clean / Pack: 8:30a Be at the cabin: 10a Session 6: 10:30a Lunch: 11:30a Load up / Roll out: 12:30p
the Day
Craig
Review: -being ready for Battle - know the Word 2 Kings 6:17 the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots to see and trust the promises of God -we aren’t alone in the battle and we must understand the spiritual nature of the battle Romans 12:2 - be renewed James 4:8 - no more sleepwalking, tolerating sin and laziness in our lives -equipped to be sent out -the Spirit helps us in our weakness Proverbs 25:2 - search it out! Perseverance -the ability to not give up - comes from Hope -Christian hope is more than a worldly “wish” - it is confidence in the promises of God - not a wish but a knowledge that He will do what he has said -perseverance is needed in the battle - not when things are easy / we fight the good fight -encouraging others to persevere is part of our Christian responsibility -prayer shows where our trust is, involves the Lord in the details of our lives 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 We are of the day: because we have been united by faith to Jesus who is the light references the armor of God (see session 2) we are destined for life, not wrath - there is a day coming when salvation will be fully known part of the ministry of the body of Christ to think of others and encourage them in the truth 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encouraging the Corinthian church to persevere as they are renewed day by day - with eyes fixed on Jesus Romans 13:11-14 these verses are pure power the armor of light! Dawn breakers he is using us and ministering through us as we wait for the Day to fully come salvation nearer - the reward of the presence of God fully known 1 Corinthians 13:12 - then I will be fully known Hebrews 13:14 - seek the lasting city Further up, further in / there is more of Him to know