What is the Bible? (Part 2)

The Bible is a SWORD.
• God has armed you for battle!
o Ephesians 6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
o You are amidst a global conflict – spiritual warfare. Whether you like it or not, you are a soldier in this conflict. You are the watchmen (Ezekial 3), but at the same time you are also the soldier (Ephesians 6).

o The ENEMY
 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.
o An enemy that comes in many packages. Some of which are pretty packages - Satan is a master of covert operations.
 Yoga
 Transcendental meditation
 Pop culture
 Disney
 Social obligations
• Political correctness
• Not offending others
 From “Man vs. World - Biblical Worldview”
• http://wordsfromhisword.blogspot.com/2010/06/man-vs-world-biblical-worldview-mt.html
• Flesh and blood (people) are not our enemies.
• Rather our enemies are unseen – Satan and his demons.
• People themselves don’t hurt us, but Satan acting through them does – through sin.
• Therefore, we are called to love all people. Specifically, we love all sinners, but we hate their sins.
• Principalities – Sins that the world tries to convince us are “OK”.
o Abortion, Euthanasia
o Homosexuality
o Adulterous relationships/Cohabitation, sex before marriage
• Powers – Witchcraft, fortune telling, psychics
• Rulers and Spiritual Wickedness in High Places – world leaders who stand for ungodly things, false prophets and teachers.
Paul tells his disciple Timothy that false prophets and teachers will arise. Therefore Paul says that Timothy must know the word of God well enough not only to teach it, but to also identify and expose false teachers.
o Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Other World Religions and their leaders
Also, DISTRACTIONS
It's not good to be lazy, but it's not good to be so active that God no longer has your greatest affection. Use this as a reminder.
Being
Under
Satan's
Yoke
• An enemy that’s not always easy to recognize - Satan is a master of clandestine operations.
Satan is not always the enemy that blows your front door down and starts firing away. He can also be the enemy that slips in the back door and slits your throat.
o Remember our discussion on tolerance
 Tolerance is not love – it’s “love grown cold”.
 True love is shown by speaking truth.
 You do not love a sinner by being “tolerant” of their sins.

• Is MODERATION always a Christian virtue?
o Is it OK to sin as long as you don’t get too wrapped up in it?
 Jesus Christ is pure, and He calls us to purity. He never says, “Practice evil in moderation.”

o The WEAPON
o Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
o The Bible is the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the word of God.
o A person must train to properly wield a weapon.
 Are you “practicing” with the Bible?
Pray the word.
Meditate on the word.
Live the word.
Share the word.
 Are you reading it?
Memorize scripure. Know your APOLOGETICS!
Apologetics - the branch of theology that is concerned with the defense of Christian doctrines.
Know what you believe and why you believe it!
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Do you know your enemy? How well do you know your enemy? Do you know his tendencies? His ways?
 Are you having your quiet time?
Spend time with God every day! If you come to me saying, "I've been really down about a lot of things, and I'm depressed and angry about my life and people in my life and relationships, etc", I'm going to ask you, "How's your quiet time?"
Are you spending time with God the Father? Or are you going through the motions?
Are you using Him as your crisis hotline?
 Are you preparing yourself for combat?
How about this? Are you training others to use the word?
Remember our statistic from Barna. 0.5% of kids ages 18-23 have a Biblical worldview. Are you a watchman?
On the campus of Christian Brothers, that percentage equates to about 5 out of 1000 people having a Biblical worldview. Remember, you are on the winning side with faithfulness and obedience. But we need to be the watchmen and soldiers that God wants us to be.

The Four Types of Soldiers (Adapted from www.warfaresaint.com, by Sherry Shriner)
1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365 days a year. Prepared for combat, ready to uncover and bind the enemy.
2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon,
or twice a year: Christmas and Easter. Going through the motions.
3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group. Prefers to sit on the sidelines and watch.
4. AWOL! Absent Without the Lord.

What type of soldier are you?

Here's what it means to be a soldier of God

I am a Soldier in the Army of God
Author Unknown

I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience,
tried by adversity, and tested by fire.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs, me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
No one has to call me, remind me,
write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me,
and hell cannot handle me!


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.


I am a soldier in the army of my God.
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand!