| This work was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Eastview Baptist Church, Kentucky. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. |
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(This sermon was preached at Eastview Baptist Church
on March 7, 2004. All Scripture 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ Introduction: Over the last several weeks we have come to realize that believers are in an battle with the demonic forces of Satan, and that God has given us the supernatural battle gear that we need to stand firm and hold the battle line until Christ returns to this earth as the conquering king. But there is another aspect that the soldier of the Lord needs to do battle. The Apostle Paul gives us an example of how a soldier of the Lord should think when confronted by the enemy . . . in this case, the source of his attack is from a group that were called the Judaizers. They built-up lofty strongholds of worldly philosophy and arguments that opposed to the true teachings of God's Word. They preached a different gospel of, faith + the works of the law = salvation. They falsely accused Paul of not being a true Apostle, and denied his authority over the church and other believers. If we could look with spiritual eyes, we would probably see that Paul's armor was battle worn from the many conflicts and battles that he had been through. The old warrior had also developed a battle-hardened mind set, he was a veteran of war who could not be scared off or frightened by the religious bullies who were trying to lead Paul's troops astray. While the bullets were flying through the air, and others were ducking for cover, Paul remained claim in the heat of the battle and could not be moved from the truth of God's Word. If we are going to be faithful solders of the Lord, then we need to develop the right mind set also. We need to become a battle hardened warrior who cannot be led astray or moved from the objective truth of God's Word for the false teachings of Satan. Transition: Let's begin by looking at why. . . I. We Are To Have A New Mind
Set (v.3). 3a For though we walk in the flesh. . .Application: The old mind set is at war with God and leads us away from Him on the wide road of destruction. All the while, the sinful mind is blinded from the disaster that lies ahead; Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (NIV). We will even create a god in our own image so that we don't have to acknowledge our true condition before the true and living God. But God answers us and says in Isaiah 55:8, ""For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD." The only thing that can change our old nature is to have a blood transfusion, we must receive the blood of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:18-19, "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." But even when we accept Christ's sacrifice for our sins and are enlisted into God's army, we will still struggle with our old mind sets until Christ returns and we are resurrected into our new and sinless bodies. This is why Paul wrote in Romans 7:18-20, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." So in the mean time, God has enabled us to see things in a new light, He has removed the blinders of Satan so that we can think clearly . . . so that we can begin to think differently. Transition: Now let's look at. . . 2. Our new mind set. 3b. . .we do not war according to the flesh.Transition: This is why when we accept Christ as our Savior, He gives us a new heart, a new desire and a new mind set to follow Him. B. We have been given a new nature and way of thinking (2Cor.5:17; Rom.8:5b, 6b; Gal.5:22-25).Illustration: When I first went into the Air Force they sent me to Lackland AFB, Texas, for 6 weeks of boot camp. The first thing that our Drill Instructors set to work on was to mentally break us down, by stripping away our individuality so that we would become a team who all had the same mind set. I went in to boot camp with an individual, undisciplined mind set and came out transformed and disciplined. This is vital, because if you were called upon to go to war your life and others depended upon you following orders, and if necessary taking charge with a clear mind in the midst of turmoil.- 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Application: Likewise, if you are going to be the best soldier in the Lord's army, you must put away the old undisciplined mind of me, my and mine. We can no longer think like the world and win the battle, nor hold our ground. The old way of thinking only rebels against God, and instead of joining His army it goes to war against Him; Romans 8:7-8, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." When we join the Lord's army we take on new responsibilities that require a different way of thinking, and if we fail then we will endanger our fellow soldiers and weaken the army. The soldier of the Lord's army has new priorities which puts the Lord first, others second, and themselves last. We now march to a different drum beat; Galatians 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (NIV). Transition: The soldier of the Lord's will also have a embattled mind set. . . II. We Are To Have A Embattled Mind Set (v.4a). 1. The definition of "embattled" is to be prepared for battle because we are surrounded by enemy forces. A. We do this when we do not rely upon our own strength and abilities to fight the war (Matt.26:41; Mark 13:37).Application: Until we understand that we are indeed in a lengthy military campaign, with Satan and his demonic forces, we will never have an embattled mind set. Paul was able to stand firm in the face of lies and opposition because he understood that he was at war with spiritual forces of darkness who's aim was to destroy those who served in the Lord's army. This is why he could be stoned, beat and thrown into prison and still say, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13).1) The word "carnal," ("sarkikos" {sar-kee-kos'), means fleshly or that which belongs to the earthly sphere of existence.B. We need to also note that our own strengths and abilities are not suitable for the long spiritual campaign that we are facing (Eph.6:12). Transition: Part of having the right mind set is based upon the fact that we have been equipped for the battle. . . 2. By relying upon God's provision and training for battle. A. We must put our trust in the weapons that God provides (Eph.6:11, 13-20).Application: A successful campaign can be waged in the spiritual realm only as worldly weapons are abandoned and total reliance is placed upon our spiritual weaponry (EBCNT). Paul's strength was mighty through God, not through any method of man. Paul was able to do all to stand, because he relied upon the power of God to keep him energized to fight the battle. When we find ourselves working in our flesh, then that is when we become weak and tried, and find ourselves giving up and quitting. This is why Christ said in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (NASB). And that is exactly what we accomplish, "nothing" when we fail to have the right mind set and use the right equipment to fight the Lord's battles.1) The belt of truth which binds all our armor together with the truth of God's Word (Eph.6:14a).B. We must put our trust in the strength and power that God provides (Eph.6:10; 1Jo.4:4; Rom.8:31; Psa.18:2-3; 20:7; 37:40; 147:5; Jam.4:10). Do you want to know how to be mighty in God? The Apostle James gives us some insight into this; James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." When you truly recognize what your true condition and position is before the Lord, then you will be able to bow down before the Lord and make Him the Captain of your own life. When you do this, He will lift you up, that is, empower you to stand firm and fight the good fight. If your relationship with Christ isn't what it needs to be, then you need to come down off your mountain top of pride, to the valley of humility and the Lord will be able to use you once again; James 4:6-8a, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. . ." If you are tired and feel burned out in serving the Lord, then give it to the Lord with a bent knee and a humble heart and He will give you MORE GRACE, that is, more of His divine influence upon your heart which empowers you to keep faithfully serving Him . . . and on top of that, you'll have a closer walk with the God. Transition: Not only do we have a new mind set, and the right mind set, but. . . III. We Are To Have A Disciplined
Mind Set (vv.4b-5). Illustration: I was once stationed at Scott AFB, Illinois, at one of the Head Quarters. I took me a while to learn not to use the word, "Can't." It was a stronghold, a fortress based upon regulations, but I found out that even the fortresses of regulations can be torn down in order to accomplish the mission. Application: We need to learn this lesson in the church also, and get rid of the word "Can't" from our vocabularies, because we have the promise from Christ in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If you are struggling with a physical dependency, like tobacco, alcohol, or drugs then you need to pull down the fortress of "I Can't" and replace it with "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If you are struggling with the fortress of some sin that has got you in its grip, then don't say that you "Can't" beat it, but confess it and acknowledge that you can beat it because you "can do all things through Christ who strengthens " you. Not only that, but you have another promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." We can allow the worldly views and thoughts of this world to infiltrate and build strongholds in our lives if we are not careful. Doing so will entangle our lives so that we become inefficient soldiers of the Lord; 2 Timothy 2:3-4, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." Don't become a prisoner of a fortress of Satan. Don't cling to thoughts that do not conform to the life and teachings of Christ (NIBC). Remove, tear down, and dynamite those thoughts and things that are preventing you from being a faithful solder of the Lord. Transition: A disciplined mind set not only pulls down those strongholds of the mind, but it keeps it free. . . 2. By bringing all our thoughts and desires into obedience with Christ (v.5b; 9:13; 1Cor.9:24-27; Col.3:1-2; James 4:8). 5b . . .bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of ChristApplication: In short, when we bring all our thoughts and desires into obedience with Christ, we will have a surrendered life. It is a life that puts Christ first-and-foremost. It is a disciples life, that takes up the cross daily. It is the life of a good soldier, who can be counted on to stand firm when the battle heats up. It is the type of soldier that you would want standing next to you in your time of need. Would you want someone like you standing next to you in your hour of need? It takes a disciplined mind to bring one's thoughts and desires into obedience with Christ. This is why Paul could say, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" in Philippians 1:21. This is why John the Baptist could say, "He[Christ] must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This is why Jesus could pray in the garden, ". . .nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42b). Have you armed yourself with the same mind set as Christ? A disciplined mind keeps it focus upon the task at hand, and for the soldier of the Lord that means we need to put God's will before our own desires if we want to succeed for Christ. Invitation: A. Are you ready to stand firm for the Lord, or have you allowed the enemy to scare you off by yelling BOO!2. Do you have a mind for heaven or hell? A. Christ said in Luke 11:23, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters."1) You can never be with Christ, unless you are in Christ.B. Joshua said, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15), either the gods of this world, or the true and living God.
BEC - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. GREEK WORD STUDIES V.3. V.4. V.5. |