P1 - Eight Awesome New Testament Generals

Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."

Introduction:

When I refer to "eight awesome New Testament generals", I am speaking of the eight letters or Epistles commonly referred to as the General Epistles. The goal is to not be detailed but very brief in order to increase interest in this somewhat neglected part of the New Testament. Now why are Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John and Jude deemed the "General Epistles"? Unlike Paul's Epistles, which are written to specific churches or unlike John's seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation, these 8 epistles are written to "general" groups of Christians spread over a wide area. Another pattern we can note about this collection of epistles or letters is that they are authored by all the headlining apostles (John, Peter and Paul (if we take him as author of Hebrews). A further interesting pattern about these 8 books of the Bible is that two of them (James and Jude) were composed by two of Jesus' half-brothers according to the flesh. We could mention more interesting tid-bits, but for sake of brevity we will move forward. Below we will list out the first two of the eight general epistles and their key points and verses.   

1. The Epistle to the Hebrews

This letter (written by Paul, maybe Apollos or someone else) aims to show how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The theme of "better" or "more excellent" weaves its way through the letter. Suggested key verse is Hebrews 10:19-22

2. Epistle of James

This letter, composed by Jesus' half-brother according to the flesh, was written to provide practical instruction in wisdom. Often nicknamed "The Proverbs of the New Testament", James was perhaps the earliest book written in the New Testament. James' Epistle is all about spelling out in detail the pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God. (James 1:26-27)

More next time.....

The Christian's need for fellowship in the local church

Romans 15:1 "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not justplease ourselves."

A person does not realize the value of a church family a lot of times until difficulties arise. In America the autonomy of self is held to a premium, which unfortunately affects the way many Christians view the Christian life. Christianity lived apart from the ministry of the local church is artificial and contrary to God's provision for growing believers in discipleship. In my own life, I have found as a person in the pew and as a pastor behind the pulpit the unequalled value of the fellowship of the local church for believers. Currently my family and I are processing the recent loss of my father. I can tell the reader first hand how invaluable my home church, my sister's home church and my mother's home church have been in providing the spiritual and moral support needed in difficult times. Truly the Spirit of God uses the fellowship of believers in the local church to be the hands and feet of Jesus to both His people and the world. 

To illustrate how much the New Testament speaks on the subject of the fellowship of the local church, we will consider verses from the New Testament Epistles. Why the Epistles? These were letters written by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to churches. As we understand how the early churches expressed their fellowship, we can apply first century truth to twenty-first century life. Notice the following six reasons why Christians need the fellowship of the local church... 

1. Fellowship is needed when one is weak. 
Romans 15:1 begins our brief survey of the New Testament Epistles in regards to the need for the fellowship of the local church. When a Christian is in a season where they are spiritually, emotionally or physically weak, the church membership comes alongside to support and uphold that saint of God. At the end of Romans 15 we read Paul's assessment of the Roman congregation in verse 32 - "so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company." James 5:14 gives another example of how the fellowship of the local church can aid in strengthening those who are weak: "Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." So the Christian's need for the fellowship of the Christian church is valuable in times of weakness. 

2. Fellowship is needed because of Jesus.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, their fellowship was fractured. He introduces his first epistle to them with a reminder of how God had called them to be in fellowship with one another. Notice 1 Corinthians 1:9-10  "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." Such a letter as 1 Corinthians ought to remind us that even in the first century, churches had troubles and could be at times difficult places to be. However difficult things may get, Christians should not just throw up their hands and give up. Paul was urging the Corinthians to get past their divisive ways and remember their calling by Christ to be His and each other's. 

The value of the fellowship of the local church for the Christian comes when we realize that the Holy Spirit connects each believer and each local body of regenerated saints to Jesus Christ. Inasmuch the local church is a fellowship of Christians, it is spiritually and supernaturally a fellowship of Jesus with His people and He with them.  

3. Fellowship is needed to reinforce individual Christian faith.
So we have seen that the Christian's need for fellowship in the local church is due to seasons of weakness and the fellowship of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:18 records the following prayer by the Apostle Paul for the Ephesians -  "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Ephesians 4:11-12 records how the fellowship of the local church in conjunction with the ministry of the Word is designed to equip God's people to attain unto the unity so desired and prayed for by Jesus until He returns. Here we see then the third need for fellowship in the local church - strenghtening of the faith. Such a need is repeated for example in another Epistle, Colossians 1:10-12 "so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in theknowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Without the local church, Christians who are able to gather together with God's people cannot hope to have the illumination and reinforcement of their faith. Willful isolation from Christ's body, the local church, stunts Christian growth and short-circuits Christian vitality.

4. Fellowship is needed for loving compassion.
Philippians 2:1-2 gives us the fourth need for fellowship in the local church - compassionate love. We read in Philippians 2:1-2 "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." I am not sure where I would be without my local church family. As a pastor and member of that body at the same time, I find that when I have been in need of a collective shoulder of compassionate love, our church has been there for me. This world is full of coldness and betrayal. The best place to find the genuine love of God is the local church. Whenever a church has begun to grow cold in the area of compassionate love, worldliness has seeped in and the church has lost its first love. (See Revelation 2:1-7). Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by our love for one another. 

5. Fellowship is needed for a solid testimony
The fifth reason Christians need the fellowship of the local church is for a strong testimony. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 "For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only inMacedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything." Whenever a church body is functioning as it ought, the Christian who is a member of that church can share with others God's love both experienced and learned. A testimony is how a Christian personally adds flesh and bone onto their witness of their personal walk with Jesus. The truth of the Gospel is the nails and the power of a testimony is the hammer that can be used by the Spirit of God to drive in the Gospel nails to the sinner's heart. Isolation cannot supply a solid testimony like involvement with a local church can. 

6. Fellowship is necessary because it is commanded 
We have seen that Christian's need the fellowship of the local church for the following five beneficial reasons:

a. Fellowship is needed when one is weak
b. Fellowship is needed because of Jesus.
c. Fellowship is needed to reinforce faith
d. Fellowship is needed for loving compassion
e. Fellowship is needed for a solid testimony

Sadly some Christians will curtail regular commitment to their local church, claiming that the above benefits can be achieved by themselves. When such a claim is made, this final reason for needing fellowship in the local church needs to be cited - namely it is commanded by our Lord. Christian fellowship is not optional, but mandatory. The Lord commands things to benefit us, not to harm us. Both Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25 both command us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves nor to allow the decitfulness of sin to jade our thinking and our hearts. 1 John 3:10-11 gives us the perfect antidote for fighting the corruption of sin: "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Such connection to the fellowship of fellow believers is commanded and urged upon God's people not to hinder, but to help and benefit them in their Christian growth.

The only hope I find in my time of loss

Hebrews 12:22-24 "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel."

Introduction
As I write this post for today, I am beginning a new chapter in my life of living out the rest of my days on this earth without my dad being on it. My beloved dad passed away at 12:55 a.m on Tuesday (yesterday) January 13, 2015. Death's cold fingers and chilly waters had no sting as my dad breathed his last. He has traveled with angelic accompaniment the incalcuable distance from this world to the one beyond the stars and endless galaxies. (Luke 16:22; 2 Corinthians 5:6) Christ His Savior achieved the guarantee of death having no sting in the passing of the Christian from this life to the next. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). 

The above text brings much comfort to me in this hour of mourning and I hope today will equip readers with comfort or with the ability to comfort others with the hope of Jesus. We need hope in hours such as these. My daddy loved Jesus with all His heart (and still does, only moreso now!) More than ever, we must realize that the only hope found in eternal life, this life and the after-life is Jesus Christ. I dedicate this post in part to my dad and will refer to him quite a bit in developing the main thoughts I glean from the above text. May the Spirit give me strength to write and you the reader strength to read.

How the gift of eternal life brings the hope of Jesus Christ
When my father was 16 years of age, an evangelist came to do a series of revival meetings at the church where his father (my grand-daddy) pastored in Kentucky. As the evangelist preached and as my dad came under conviction, he gripped the back pew ever so tightly. For years my grand-daddy begged and pleaded with my dad to trust in Jesus as his Savior and Lord and told him that if he didn't do so, my dad would spend an eternity in torment. My dad as a young lad would ignore my grand-daddy's tearful pleadings. However the day my dad heard that evangelist make his appeal, the words of that preacher were attended by the Holy Spirit's inner working in his heart. It was not the preacher's voice that won my daddy to Christ; rather the Spirit Himself convincing him to trust in Jesus. According to what my daddy relayed to me, the day he trusted in Jesus, my grand-daddy literally lept the front pew where he was sitting. Finally! Prayer had been answered and a lost son was won to the faith!

What happened to my dad on that day? The Lord brought to him the gift of eternal life in saving faith. What is eternal life? John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." How is this miracle working of God in salvation received? John 3:16 answers: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The Spirit of God brought home to him the reality of Hebrews 12:22-24, which I would classify as the clearest explanation of the miraculous truth summarized by John 3:16.

Hebrews 12:22 begins: "But you have come to Mount Zion". Now order to "come to some place", there first had to been a place from whence one derived. If you read the verses prior in Hebrews 12:18-21, the scene is that of Mount Sinai, historically signifying the giving of the law of God and symbolically picturing the place of God's judgment. All the descendants of fallen Adam stand around the base of the Mount of judgment - thinking that they can get to the Judge on their own merit. No one can ever be reconciled to God by the law - since the law can only demand and not supply rightousness. The sinner has to be sentenced and pronounced spiritually dead at the judgment bar of God by the law of God. Furthermore, the sinner must be brought to see the awfulness of his sin by the Spirit of God and agree with the sentence by faith and repentance.

My daddy had this occur in his life some 56 years ago. He was "brought from" that place of well-deserved judgment (which all of us deserve) by the Spirit of God moving in his heart. The moment my daddy forsook his own merit and trusted in what was earned and acheived by Jesus by faith alone, he "came to" the gates of paradise in salvation" or "Mount Zion". God intervened in his human timeline and used an old evangelist preaching the only book that can convert the sinner to a saint to win my dad to Jesus. (Psalm 19:7; Romans 10:17) My dad was credited with Jesus' achievement and began walking as a new creation, a child of God by faith.

How the gift of eternal life gives hope for the remainder of life in this world

For 56 years my daddy walked and talked with Jesus. He poured over his Bible every morning and gradually developed into a man of prayer. Literally my daddy had the reality of Heaven-sent, God-called salvation brought to him and he was as-it-were brought into contact with the glories of heaven in his soul. A Christian who walks this earth walks with a growing home-sickness. When a person is converted in saving faith, the drama and reality of the Spirit of God bringing Jesus and that person into contact with one another at saving a faith is a miracle. The remainder of one's Christian walk is spent understanding and living out what took place at that moment in time. Such a verse as Hebrews 12:22 tells us that the Christian is made a heavenly citizen and participant in the Heavenly kingdom populated by myriads of angels. (Also see Philippians 3:20)

How the hope of Jesus Christ gives hope about the after-life
Now notice Hebrews 12:23 "to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect." When I read that last clause in verse 23, I marvel at the fact that those Christians who have passed on in Jesus are perfected in their immaterial spirit and soul. My daddy is among that company! What is the writer of Hebrews talking about here? We can think of the hope of salvation as a series of four stages: regeneration, sanctification, glorification and resurrection.

First, at saving faith in regeneration or the new birth, the spirit or innermost being of a person is set free from the penalty of sin. (Romans 5:1; 8:1).

Secondly, for the remainder of time here on earth, the process of sanctification sets the soul of the Christian (made up of the mind, emotions, will) free from sin's power. That is to say, though Christians retain the residual effects of sin's corruption in their soul in this life and will choose to sin, the point is they don't have to. Romans 7:14-25 captures the Christian's wrestling match with inner sin on the one hand and the desire to live for Jesus on the other hand.

So at salvation the Christ is set free from sin's penalty and in sanctification the Christian is set free from sin's power. With that understanding, we see thirdly that at death the Christian is set free from sin's presence - and event called glorification. Believers who die in the Lord go on ahead to be with Jesus and await the time He returns and they are re-united with a gloriously, resurrected, transformed version of their physical body. (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The fourth and final stage will be the resurrection at Christ's return, wherein Jesus will rapture and resurrect those believers who died in Him, followed by the saints still alive here on the earth. Thus at resurrection, the putrification of the body caused by death will be reversed and annulled, rendering Christians with a glorified resurrected body likened unto Jesus' own. (1 Thesslonians 4:13-18)

My daddy is now in that company of glorified saints. His journey on this earth ended yesterday, however the next leg of his journey with Jesus is only beginning. He is among that company of saints who being perfected in their spirits await resurrection. He is rejoicing in who he is with and is experiencing the dimensions of Christ's glorious presence that no preacher nor any pen can hope to capture. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Hebrews 12:24 gives the greatest hope: "and to Jesus...". The same one Whom my dad was brought to in salvation is the one with Whom he is with right now. I find such hope in these verses because at salvation - heaven is tasted and glimpsed by faith and at death is enjoyed and experienced. Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there. My question to you dear reader: do you have this hope in Jesus? Unless you receive such hope by faith, you will not get to have eternal life. Nor will yoy have any remianing hope in this life. Nor can you expect to have hope in the after-life. Only in Jesus by faith can we have the hope of eternal life, have remaining hope in this life and have hope for the after-life. It is in this hope I cling and it is because of Jesus that I know I will see my daddy once again.

A,B,C's of spiritual warfare - Confidence in spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

Introduction and review

The last couple of days have served to unpack the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare. In this short series we have noted that when approaching spiritual warfare, we need to be Spirit filled and word filled, per what we looked at in Ephesians 6:11. Carnal weapons of the flesh have no place in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), and thus God's supplied word and He in the Person of the Holy Spirit is the only way we can approach our daily warfare as Christians. Then we noted yesterday the "B" of the A,B,C's - Believer's three common enemies. In considering 1 John 2:14-17 and Ephesians 6:12, we saw that the Devil (via his demonic network), the world and the flesh are the three main enemies we deal with in spiritual conflict. Today's post aims to show the confidence we have in spiritual warfare.

The Confidence in Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:13 states - "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." A brief unfolding of this verse, one phrase at a time, will show why it is we as Christians can have confidence in spiritual warfare.

Divine provision of spiritual armor

Paul writes first of all: "Therefore take up the full armor of God...". In the days that Paul wrote this letter, he was chained to a Roman soldier who was likely a member of the elite Roman unite called the "Italian band". When a Roman soldier went into battle, they had behind them the entire Roman Senate and authority of the Emperor. Furthermore, the possessed what was then the finest armor of any army in the world. The word translated "full armor" could just as easily be translated "full array". The Roman soldier had everything he needed, and then some, to defeat his enemy. Christians have at their disposal the entirety of God's provision of the spiritual armor. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit Himself indwells the Christian. No demon, no desire the the flesh and no influence in the world is great than the Spirit of God. (1 John 4:4). We also have the authority of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ Himself, behind and in us. (Colossians 1:27). We have the Father's favor watching over us. (James 1:17) Indeed the Christian as the provision of God when it comes to fighting the good fight of faith. So there is the Divine provision, but notice secondly....

Divine power to fight

Ephesians 6:13 says next - ..."so that you will be able to resist in the evil day...". To know that we as Christians have God's very power available to resist temptations, overcome fear and resist the Devil ought to increase our confidence. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us - "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." Oftentimes I will hear Christians worry about whether or not they would be able to take a stand for Jesus if the situation demanded it. My answer to them is a resounding yes! These texts, and many others (Hebrews 12:3; James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11) speak to the fact that we have the Divine power to win spiritual battles and Divine provision, but notice lastly...

Divine guarantee of victory

Ephesians 6:13 says once more - ..."and having done everything, to stand firm." The verb translated "having done everything" is the same exact verb found in Philippians 2:12 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Will the fight of faith be immune from troubles and pain? No. We must literally "work it out" in the exercise of our faith in prayer (Jude 1:20); the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) and church attendance (Hebrews 10:24-25). We must "work it out" by ways of loving our enemies (Matthew 22:39); watching our speech (James 1:26-27) and enduring hardship (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet we know that God is the One working forth in us His perfect and pleasing will and a glory that cannot compare. (2 Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 2:13). The victory has already been won by Jesus, we are as it were running our victory lap for the King of Kings. (Hebrews 12:1-3) 

Thus Divine provision, power and guarantee comprises the confidence Christians have in spiritual warfare.

Closing thoughts

We have explored the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare these last few days. We have seen that our approach must be as Spirit-filled and word-filled people. Believers have three enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. Then the confidence we have in spiritual warfare is the Divine provision of the spiritual armor, Divine power to fight and Divine power to win. 

A,B,C's of spiritual warfare - Believers 3 enemies

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

1 John 2:16-17 "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

Introduction:

Today's post is all about identifying the three common enemies every Christian faces in the daily spiritual warfare talked about in scripture. In the opening passage above we see them underlined: "the Devil", "the world" and "the flesh". The contexts of both scriptures indicate the following:

1. Common Enemy in spiritual warfare is The Devil.

2. Cravings that contribute to our spiritual warfare is the flesh.

3. Context in which our warfare occurs is the world. 

Enemy #1: The Devil
Ephesians 6:11 warns the reader of the "schemes" or "methodologies" of the Devil. Who is the Devil? A brief sketch of his resume reveals the following:

1. He was originally a powerful, angelic being named Lucifer (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14). Lucifer may had been one of the Cherubim or "bearers of the throne of God". He occupied a seat of influence among a group of high ranking created, spiritual beings called "the divine council" (Psalm 82) and elsewhere called "the sons of God" (Psalm 104; Job 38). Whatever exactly Lucifer was, he was a high-ranking created being that who got his eyes off of God and focused on his own beauty. Shortly after the creation week, scripture records how Lucifer, now Satan or the Devil, led 1/3 of the angelic hosts astray. Although the details are few, the indication is that Satan influence both high ranking and normal ranking angelic beings alike. This cosmic fall in heaven resulted in the myriads of demons occupying the various orders of the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 6; Revelation 12). 

2. The Devil or Satan is a creature who is a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver and prince of the power of the air who blinds the hearts of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:1-4). As a creature, the Devil communicates his malevolent intentions through the vast network of demonic hosts we see mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.

3. We know the Devil tempted Jesus on three occasions in Matthew 4, and the Devil's aim is to do all he can to discourage and divide the church (Matthew 16:18).

4. According to 1 Peter 5:8, The Devil is a roaring lion prowling about seeking whom he may devour. 

This sketch lays out for us why it is the Devil is the believer's common enemy in spiritual warfare. Now notice the second enemy...

Enemy #2 - The World

1 John 2:16 warns us about not loving "the world". The Greek word behind this word (kosmos) is the word from whence we get our terms "cosmetics" and "cosmology" and "cosmopolitan".  A "kosmos" or "world" refers to a certain orderly arrangement or system. For example, cosmetics are products designed to help someone arrange the colors and appearance of their face. If someone were to take up the study of "cosmology", they would be concerned about studying the arrangement of things in our universe. When reference is made to a "cosmopolitan person", that person is typically a traveler, a "person of the world", who dresses in the finest clothes and keeps up with the trends of things worldwide. 

Whenever the Apostle John refers to the term "world", he is talking about the organized system of thought that is under the authority of Satan. We have seen in this study that The Devil is the common enemy of the believer. Other than Adam, Job, King David and Jesus, no other person has ever had to deal with Satan directly, but moreso indirectly. Satan wields his influence through his vast network of demonic hosts (Ephesians 6:12) and through the network system known as the world.

The physical body gathers its understanding of reality through the five senses. It is by the five senses that the influence of the world imposes itself upon the Christ follower. This is why John warns his readers to "not love the world". Elsewhere in the New Testament, we read about the influence of the world and the need to be cautious of it. Romans 12:2 states -  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." James 1:27 gives this insight - "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Jesus gave this simultaneous warning and encouragement in John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Now notice the third enemy...

Enemy #3 - The flesh
Notice what the Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." What is meant by the term "flesh"? The term "flesh" can have one of two meanings in the New Testament. 

The first meaning of "flesh" refers to the physical body of a person, whereas the second meaning describes the expression of our soul's drives in cooperation with the remnants of sin in the soul. Galatians 5:19-21 gives the fullest definition of the flesh in the New Testament: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The flesh is an "expression", a "reaction" to certain conditions whereby the inborn drives of a person are set aflame and decisions are made to feed the hunger. The indwelling Holy Spirit aims to teach the child of God to "put on Jesus Christ, make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:14) 

Therefore, when we are dealing with spiritual warfare, the flesh and the inward desires that go unchecked are among the most damaging of the three enemies. Unlike the Devil and the World, which attacks from the outside, the flesh works inward to outward. 

Closing thoughts for today
We considered in the last post the approach one needs to spiritual warfare: namely the filling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the word. Today's post served to unfold the believer's three common enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. In the next post, we will consider the confidence the Christ has in spiritual warfare as we conclude this study on the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare.

A,B'C's of spiritual warfare - Approach to spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Introduction:

The subject of spiritual warfare is of perennial interest among Christians. Understanding Christian spiritual warfare is vital in breaking Christian people out of a spiritual "civilian" mindset to their true identity as "soldiers of the cross". Spiritual warfare explains the tensions we feel between living for God in this world and the opposition from the world in which we live. Ephesians 6:10-13 spells out what I call: "The A,B,C's of spiritual warfare". Today's post will deal with the first of these, namely the approach to spiritual warfare.

The approach to spiritual warfare - Spirit and the Word

Ephesians 6:10 gives us two ways in which one can approach spiritual warfare in the Christian life. The first is by being filled with the Holy Spirit and the second is maintaining one's exposure to the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:10a states - "Finally, be strong in the Lord...". The underlined words indicate an imperative command that is coined in the passive sense of dependency upon someone. To "be strong in the Lord" refers to depending upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. With the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot exercise discernment. Discernment is necessary when fighting the good fight of faith. (Ephesians 1:17) Ephesians 3:16 proves that the source of such strength comes from the Spirit: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." This strengthening of the Spirit comes insofar as we are filled or influence by Him (Ephesians 5:18) and are giving ourselves to Him in prayer (Ephesians 6:18). 

But now we notice the second phrase of Ephesians 6:10 that gives us the second and final way of approaching spiritual warfare, the Word of God - "and in the strength of His might." How do we know that "the strength of his might" is most likely referencing the scriptures? 

1. First, the word of God itself is the offensive weapon of the otherwise defensive armaments in the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6:14-18. 

2. Second, Hebrews 4:12 ties together this concept of God's might and spiritual warfare - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

3. Then thirdly, 2 Corinthians 6:7 alludes to carrying forth spiritual weaponry in the right hand and the left, which in context includes the word of God.  

This then is the two-fold approach to spiritual warfare: namely being filled with the Holy Spirit and being in His Word. 

More next time....

P2 - Envisioning a more awesome church that is saturated with scripture

Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Introduction:
What is it about the Bible that sets it apart from all other books? For one thing, it was the source of the Apostle's doctrine that so captivated those early Christians. The word of God saturated the thinking of the early church because it saturated Jesus Himself Who had came to fulfill every word recorded in the Old Testament. Inasmuch as Acts 2 is about the coming and the arrival of the Holy Spirit to birth forth the church, it can be equally said that the Word of God was at the center of everyone's heart and mind. The events of Acts 2 and following demanded explanation. The events could only be explained by one source - the scriptures; and the only method deemed acceptable - preaching. The church was birthed by and centered around the Word of God. Their devotion to the Apostle's doctrine came as a result of their devotion to the Word of God. We began focusing yesterday on why should churches and Christians be characterized as those who know the Bible? We gave two answers: the Bible's contents and its power to change lives are reasons why it is a more awesome book. When scripture saturates the hearts and minds of God's people in the church - the result will be a more awesome church. Today we want to consider a third reason and some final thoughts and applications. The third reason a more awesome church must be saturated with scripture is because....

The Bible creates unity in the church
How can a book literally transform a body of different people into one, unified church? First and foremost, is such a reality possible? Consider Acts 2:44-46 "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." Not only in this key text, but other passages throughout the New Testament link the activity of the Holy Spirit through the Word as the reason for the unity of the church. (Acts 4:30-31; 17:11-12; Eph 4:12-13; Col 3:15-16; 1 Thess 1:6-7; Jude 1:3)

One of those scriptures, Ephesians 4:11-12 states - "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." God has given to the church a five-fold ministry connected to the Word of God that, when actively working, produces unity. Apostles for instance are those who lay the foundation for the Gospel wherever they go, corresponding today to missionaries who carry with themselves the Apostolic Gospel. These said apostles are not the specific Apostles of Christ that had accompanying signs and wonders, but are more so the "apostles of the church" sent and commissioned in the name of Jesus to spread the frontiers of the Kingdom. (see 2 Corinthians 8:23 KJV) Prophets are those who speak the Word of God to the church at large and have the ability to communicate God's big picture from the standpoint of God's Word bearing on a given situation. There are undoubtedly various preachers today who have been given an unusual anointing by God to have a platform that addresses and influences large segments of Christ's body and at times speak to the culture.

The remaining three offices: evangelist, pastor and teacher, have to do with the ministry of the Word on a more local level. Evangelists are awakeners of God sent to stir the sleeping church. Pastors serve local congregations to feed the church. Teachers within the churches serve to inspire and stretch the minds and hearts of God's people. All five of these offices are connected to the scriptures and when they are working - unity comes. The scripture of course is the catalyst used by the Holy Spirit. Such unity cannot be worked up in the flesh, programmed or manipulated. Such unity is the outcome of both preachers and members surrendering themselves under the yoke of Christ's Lordship as expressed by the Spirit through the Word of God. 

Closing thoughts:
So why does a more awesome church need to be saturated with the scriptures? The Bible's contents, changing power and ability to create unity comprise the reasons behind why any church, aspiring to be more awesome for Jesus' sake, needs to be saturated with the scriptures.