WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.200 You can open your Bibles to the book of Ephesians this morning. 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:07.120 We will begin today in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:23.120 For the bulk of our time so far in our series on spiritual warfare, we have focused on the concept of the believer's fight against sin. 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:32.719 And predominantly we have identified that when the Bible teaches on spiritual warfare, that this is what it's talking about. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:36.560 Your fight against sin. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:44.079 But there's another angle to spiritual warfare that we have not yet really touched on. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:55.039 There is another sense in which the Bible presents spiritual warfare as the fight to free others from sin. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:01:03.439 So, on one hand, spiritual warfare is your fight against sin yourself, fighting your sin. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:14.640 But on the other hand, there's also an angle the Bible speaks to that presents spiritual warfare as your fight to help others be freed from sin. 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:20.000 And it's that other angle that I'd like for us to take some time this morning exploring. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:33.599 In fact, Jesus himself presents the church as an offensive force that is advancing upon the very gates of hell with the message of the gospel. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:52.879 So this morning, we're going to examine how we as believers and we as the church are called to engage in spiritual warfare by fighting the enemy for the lost with the power of the gospel. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:55.840 Did you hear that clearly this morning? 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:01.920 Fighting the enemy for the lost with the power of the gospel. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:05.920 So we'll begin this morning in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:10.879 Before we dig into the text, let's pray, and then we'll get into it. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:12.800 Heavenly Father, thanks for today. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:32.400 Thanks now for this opportunity to open up your word and to take some time together studying what the text says, thinking carefully and seriously about the meaning of the passage, and then also thinking seriously about how we are called to live out and respond to what we hear from your word this morning. 00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:37.039 Father, we understand, we recognize that the Bible is your very word. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:40.400 And therefore, we approach it this morning with humility. 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:43.360 We approach it with open hearts and open minds. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:51.280 Lord, shape us and mold us more and more into the image of your Son through your word today. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:52.960 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:53.840 Amen. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:07.759 In Ephesians chapter 2, we notice that the enemy fights to keep the lost enslaved to sin and blinded to the gospel. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:15.120 So I want us to notice, first of all, this morning in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 through 3, how we see this in the text. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:23.280 So Paul writes, and he says, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:26.879 So notice right away who Paul is identifying here. 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:29.919 He is referring to those who are unsaved. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:34.560 These would be a this is a reference to unbelievers, those who don't know Jesus. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:40.560 This refers to our state before we are made alive by faith in Jesus. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:47.599 He says, before that takes place, you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:55.680 And notice how he elaborates on this condition, this state of a person before they are made alive by faith in Jesus. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:59.680 He says, you followed the course of this world. 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:05.520 We notice the first enemy of the Christian identified here, the world. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:08.159 We've spoken on the world as an enemy. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:14.960 We've understood the world is the set of values and beliefs that are organized in rebellion against God. 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:25.519 We recognize this morning that the lost adhere to these values and beliefs and are conformed into this mold of settled rebellion against God. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:26.720 And it's the world. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:31.920 It's the world that is at work conforming unbelievers into this mold. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:35.120 We see here in verse 2, we followed the course of the world. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:43.680 But not only the world, he goes on and says, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:49.600 This reference to the prince of the power of the air is a title that Paul assigns to the devil. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:51.439 This is a reference to Satan. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:59.040 What it communicates to us is that Satan has been given a measure of authority in this world to influence. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:07.839 And he utilizes that authority to utilizes that authority to shape and mold and influence the lost. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:18.079 And finally, in verse 3, he says, Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:22.959 So we notice here the three enemies of the Christian are all brought together into this single passage. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:37.920 The flesh here, of course, being a reference to the desires and the affections that are corrupted by the flesh, that natural inclination we all have towards sin in our fallen human nature. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:52.879 We notice here that these three enemies work in tandem, fashioning, shaping, influencing, and tempting the lost for the purpose of influencing unbelievers to oppose God and his truth. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:57.839 The enemy fights to keep the lost enslaved to sin. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:06.079 But notice, notice that this isn't the only activity the enemy is engaged in if you turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:18.240 In 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 4, Paul says this. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.519 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 4. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:28.959 This is again a reference to the lost, a reference to unbelievers. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:46.399 He says in verse 4, in their case, the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel, of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:51.600 We notice here, secondly, the devil keeps the lost blinded to the truth. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.240 He keeps them blinded to the truth. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:07:03.199 And then this reference here to the God of this world, notice in our English Bibles, God is translated with a lowercase G. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:07.439 This is because this is again, this is a title, this is a reference to the devil. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:09.279 This is a reference to Satan. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:16.240 And again, speaks to the influence and power that Satan wields in this world. 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:24.079 And it's with this influence that he strives to keep the gospel veiled from those who don't know Jesus. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:34.480 Several years ago, I'd say we reached the peak or the height of the Krispy Kreme Donut Craze. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:39.519 Remember when all those Krispy Kreme donut shops began popping up all over the place? 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:44.000 And there was a real craze for the Krispy Kreme Donut. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.319 Anyone here remember those days? 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:50.879 Anyone here remember eating many Krispy Kreme donuts? 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:52.240 I see that ant. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.480 There was something special about those donuts. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:59.519 You could get them, you could buy them, you know, old and they were fine. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:06.000 But do you remember when they would, and maybe they still do this, I don't know, but they would they would have that light in the window. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.040 Remember it would say, hot now. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:10.560 Hot now. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:15.920 And when that light was on, do you remember, if you went in the store, do you remember what you would get? 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.319 One free donut. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:19.519 That's right. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:21.519 Fresh off the vat. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.720 One free donut. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:33.360 And so what that had the effect of doing, that light that was on, that would draw the people in, like moth to light. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:41.679 That light would bring the hungry people in to go and to partake in the deliciousness of the Krispy Kreme donut. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.759 That light was effective. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:53.039 What we need to understand this morning is that the glory of Christ is an irresistible glory. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:58.799 The excellencies and the glory of Christ is irresistible. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:12.879 The gospel is an irresistible message that when confronted with the beauties and the splendor and the wonder of Jesus, that is something that we simply find irresistible. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:16.320 It's referred to as irresistible grace. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:21.360 When the Father draws us to his son, we say, we can't resist. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:24.320 We can't resist going to Jesus. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:27.440 And so the reality is the devil knows this. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:33.679 The devil understands the splendor and the glory of Christ is an irresistible glory. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.919 And so what does he have to do? 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:38.480 He's got to keep it blinded. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.240 He's got to keep it veiled. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:48.320 He's got to cover it up so that people can't see and hear and wonder at the glory of Christ. 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:54.320 And so the devil works very hard to keep people blinded to the gospel. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:10:00.399 He works very hard to keep people veiled to the glory of Christ. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:06.799 We notice that the devil is very active in this endeavor. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:12.000 If you turn to 1 John chapter 4, you'll notice one way in which the devil does this. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:13.919 1 John chapter 4. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.120 Look with me beginning in verse 1. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:39.039 1 John chapter 4, beginning in verse 1, John says, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:44.639 For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:47.600 By this you know the Spirit of God. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:53.600 Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:58.399 And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:07.279 This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:15.360 We notice first and foremost that the devil veils the gospel by perpetuating false teaching. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:19.440 The devil veils the gospel by perpetuating false teaching. 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:22.960 John warns the believers that he's writing to here in this epistle. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:32.000 He warns them that there are false prophets, there are false teachers who are out proclaiming a false gospel, a distortion of the truth. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:39.360 And what he says here, it's interesting, he correlates false prophet in verse 1 with spirits. 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:52.639 And what this indicates or what this communicates to us today is that a false teacher, someone who is proclaiming a false gospel, is ultimately driven by demonic teaching. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:12:05.600 Or as Paul refers to elsewhere, the doctrines of demons, meaning that Satan himself is the root of every error, of every distortion of the truth, of every false gospel and false teaching. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:09.840 It is Satan who's at the root of all false teaching in the world today. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:36.159 Every false religion, every false worldview, every false philosophy, every belief system that is arrayed against God and his truth and his gospel has its source in the devil and is perpetuated by him through false teachers today who are out proclaiming and teaching different ways to get to heaven, different ways to know God, different truth that contradicts the truth of his word. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:46.240 If the devil can get you to believe a false gospel, he has blinded you to the truth of the true gospel. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:55.440 If he can get you to believe a false truth, he has succeeded in drawing you away from the truth. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:13:12.000 If you're believing in something, if you have something you're holding on to, a set of beliefs, a system of beliefs, a worldview that you're holding on to that is opposed and contrary to the gospel, then the devil has succeeded. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:14.960 This is one way in which he's very active today. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:26.320 But not only does the devil perpetuate false teaching, if you flip over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, we notice what else the devil is doing to veil the gospel. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.519 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.440 Look in verse 17. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:36.879 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 17. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:14:03.039 Paul writes, but since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person, not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:05.679 Because we wanted to come to you. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:09.039 I, Paul, again and again. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:12.960 But Satan hindered us. 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:15.120 Satan hindered us. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:28.639 Not only does the devil veil the gospel by perpetuating false teaching and false gospels today, we notice here that the devil is active in hindering the spread of the gospel. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:32.960 The devil is active in hindering the spread of the gospel. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:42.799 We notice here that Paul attributes the physical circumstances and roadblocks that hindered his travels to the very work of the enemy. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:45.759 We see this today, don't we? 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:51.440 We see it in the many nations today who have shut their doors to missionaries. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:57.840 We refer to these as closed countries, countries that are hostile to any kind of missionary effort or endeavor. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.440 Who's behind that? 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:11.200 Who's behind the leaders and influencing the people and those nations that make those decisions to be so hostile to any kind of gospel work? 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.480 We see it, the answer here. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:22.080 We see it in cultures today that have made sharing the gospel socially unacceptable. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:26.799 Don't we see that so active today in our own culture, many cultures in the West? 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:33.759 It is socially not acceptable for you to be vocal about proclaiming the truth of Jesus to people today. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:38.080 We're conditioned to believe that that's something we're not supposed to do. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.679 That's impolite. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:50.480 It's a culture that's trying to condition you to not tell people about Jesus. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:53.200 Where is that influence coming from? 00:15:53.759 --> 00:16:02.159 It's the enemy who's seeking to hinder the spread of the gospel so that people can remain enslaved in their sin. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:05.039 Dead in their sin. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:12.159 Let me ask you this morning, what method is the enemy using in your own life to keep you silent about the gospel? 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:17.120 What excuses do you find compelling in your own life? 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:23.600 That oftentimes are the reasons why perhaps you don't share the gospel when you could or when there's an opportunity. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:33.200 The influence of the enemy is at work seeking to keep the church silent, stopping the spread of the gospel. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:40.799 And if he can do that, he has succeeded in keeping the lost enslaved to sin and blinded to the gospel. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:43.279 This is our enemy. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:50.080 This is the activity and the work of the enemy that we the church are called to oppose. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:52.159 So how do we do that? 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.440 How do we do that? 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:56.879 We'll turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 10 this morning. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:02.639 2 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.720 We'll begin in verse 3. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.079 2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 3. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:24.559 The church fights for the lost with the truth of the gospel. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:29.039 The church fights for the lost with the truth of the gospel. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:32.079 2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 3. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:40.400 Paul writes, For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:46.559 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:51.279 Paul reminds us in this text this morning that we are in a war. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:55.200 There is a spiritual war that is going on around us. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:02.960 Whether we realize it or not, whether we want to accept it or not, is irrelevant. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.720 It's reality. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:13.359 There are forces at work that are seeking to keep people lost in their sin, that are seeking to keep the gospel veiled. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:17.039 And Paul describes this as a war that is going on right now. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:20.079 There's a spiritual war that is going on right now. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:27.359 And the reality is that the church is not called to take a passive posture. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:33.519 The church can't approach this war as an isolationist philosophy. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:36.160 We want to stay on the sidelines. 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.640 We don't want to get involved. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:47.440 We just want to come to our own church and we want to study the Bible together and we want to be around other people that we like and agree with us. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:58.640 And then when Sunday's done, we all go back to our own lives and we just try to kind of be quiet and make our way through the week till we get to the next Sunday and we keep keep all of this right in here. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:06.720 That's a passive church that is ignoring the reality of an active conflict. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.720 This is not our calling church. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:13.200 This is not our that's a that's comfortable. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.720 Look, that's comfortable. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.400 That's easy. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:20.640 That's an easy life for a Christian. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.960 That's not the life we're called to. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:25.440 Paul says there's a war. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.200 There's a war. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:31.359 But notice he clarifies the nature of the war. 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:35.839 Notice he clarifies the nature of the war, the conflicts. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.480 Paul says we have weapons. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:42.480 We have weapons with which to fight in this war. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:56.480 But the weapons themselves inform us as to the nature of the war, because Paul clarifies, he says, this is not a flesh and blood war in which we use flesh and blood weapons. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:14.240 Paul's point is that this war that the church is in is not like a typical man-made war today, a man-made conflict in which two peoples are in conflict with one another and use physical man-made weapons to destroy physical flesh. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:17.279 Paul says that's not the kind of war we're in. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:24.319 The church isn't called to engage in warfare by picking up physical weapons to destroy physical people. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:39.519 Paul's point here is to clarify that the weapons that we have are used to fight in a different way. 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:45.519 The weapons we have are not physical weapons meant for the destruction of human flesh. 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:55.680 But notice very carefully in the text, this doesn't mean that these weapons we have are not extraordinarily powerful, potent weapons. 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:58.559 In fact, quite the opposite. 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:11.680 Notice he says in verse 4, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:15.920 Notice Paul states here the kind of power. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:18.960 How powerful are all these powerful are these weapons? 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:27.359 They may not be bazookas, they may not be tanks, they may not be atomic bombs, the powerful weapons of the flesh. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:31.920 But notice the kind of power we have at our disposal and the weapons that we use. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.400 He says it's divine power. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:39.519 The word there, theo, comes from the Greek themos, literally God, power. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:50.960 Power that is in its origin from God Himself, the creator of the universe, the one who spoke, and the universe burst into existence. 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:53.599 Church, does that sound powerful to you? 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:56.400 He says, this is the weapon of our warfare. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.000 We have divine power. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.759 And notice he says, we utilize. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:04.720 These weapons of divine power, utilize them to do what? 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.200 At the end of the verse, to destroy strongholds. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:11.599 Now, what does he mean by this? 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:20.559 I think this elaborate this helps us to clarify even further the power, the power we have at our disposal. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:31.200 It's interesting when Liz and I went to Israel a few years ago now, we got to go to a mountain fortress called Masada. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:35.839 And if you know anything about Masada, you know it's in an amazing story. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.720 It's an amazing story. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:44.640 Masada was a mountain fortress, and you can see there's like a carved statue of what it looked like. 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:49.519 You see it's got this huge mountain, and then up here is the fortress itself. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:57.759 This was built by Herod, and it was considered an impenetrable fortress. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:04.799 No one, no one could conquer this fortress, and Herod built it as kind of his like escape. 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:10.720 If you ever got in trouble with Rome, the idea was I can go to this fortress and they'll never get me. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:14.720 Because I'll I'll you'll there's no way to get into this fortress. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:25.039 You can see some pictures there of the uncovered remains of the top, some of the different fortifications that were built there at the top of the mountain. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:32.400 We had to take a gondola all the way up to the top of this massive fortress, which was a little terrifying. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:38.240 Wasn't there like some duct tape or something there that somebody was like, man, is this thing functioning? 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.599 Is this thing working? 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:45.200 This is from the top of the fortress. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:48.160 If you look down, see that square there? 00:23:49.279 --> 00:24:06.079 When Rome came, this is uh when they were when they were finally trying to wipe out the rest of the Jewish resistance in 70 AD, uh Titus and his and the Roman military came out and they built seven of these Roman forts all surrounding the fortress. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:08.000 That's all the way from the top of the mountain. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.759 That gives you an idea of how high up we were. 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.599 This is way up there. 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.039 You can see another view. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:16.319 This is down the front of the mountain. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:26.480 Okay, so Rome came and there was a group of Jewish zealots and warriors that went to Masada and like tried to make a last stand. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:29.039 This was like where the last stand was. 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:40.799 And they would have held out for essentially forever, um, except for what ended up happening was they saw the Romans were trying to build this like um path. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:43.759 This is called this, I think it's the snake path. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.880 And they built this. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.000 You can see the remains of this. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:54.640 They basically just hauled in dirt and sand and rock, and they tried to build this like path to get up to the fortress to breach it. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:25:04.640 But what what the way the way they were building this entryway into the fortress was they were taking Jews that they had taken captive and using them as slaves. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.960 So the Romans weren't actually doing any of this work. 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:11.599 They were using Jewish slaves in Jewish labor, and they pushed them so hard that the Jews kept on dying. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:16.720 And so they were working them so hard, then they just they bring in a fresh batch of Jews and have them keep on building. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:30.880 And so the defenders in the fortress saw that this was happening and ultimately decided that they couldn't keep on holding out anymore because of the toll it was taking on their own Jewish people that were being brought in as slaves and just being killed in labor to build this thing. 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.720 So eventually, it's a crazy story. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:36.559 Eventually, they all committed uh suicide essentially within the fort. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:41.279 Um, and the Romans, they they have the only way they got in is because there were no more defenders. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:46.480 So they finally finished this thing and then realized that the door was open and nobody was left alive when they came up there. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:49.279 But otherwise, it was an impenetrable fortress. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.759 Okay, so why do I bring all this up? 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:57.519 Because when you think fortress, this this would be, in Bible times, this would be the idea. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:03.519 This kind of fort that no one could could get into. 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:14.480 I mean, a picture of might and power and strength, that it doesn't matter what weapon you have, you can't tear that down. 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:16.240 You can't destroy it. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.640 This is the idea of fortress. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:28.640 And Paul says that you as a Christian, you have divine power to actually assault this kind of a fortress and tear it down. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.319 This is incredible. 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:34.880 This is incredible, the image that should be in our minds right now of this kind of power. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:41.200 So then the question then becomes what is the stronghold? 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:45.119 What's the stronghold we're called to assault with the power of God? 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:48.319 Notice what he says in verse 5. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:27:02.880 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:07.359 What is the enemy stronghold that Paul is talking about here? 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:25.519 He is talking about beliefs, opinions, philosophies, worldviews that are array in opposition to God, the gospel, and the truth. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:37.039 This is the stronghold that the enemy is seeking to build, and this is the stronghold that you, a Christian, you are equipped to destroy. 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:40.079 To destroy, to dismantle. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.400 So how do we do it? 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.839 How do we do it? 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:47.920 Well, if you turn to 1 Timothy chapter 3, verse 15, you'll notice. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:59.039 The first way in which we engage in the fight. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:14.000 1 Timothy chapter 3, verse 15, Paul says, If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave, and the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:20.480 Notice the believer's weapons for assaulting the enemy, one, the church upholding the truth. 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:23.599 We assault the very gates of hell. 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:39.599 We assault the stronghold of the enemy by standing for the truth, by standing for and proclaiming and spreading and teaching and explaining the truth, the truth of God's word. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:49.119 Paul uses this imagery to describe the church as a pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:51.839 These are architecture type terms. 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:57.039 One of my boys' favorite activities is to build forts. 00:28:57.599 --> 00:29:02.480 They love to build different forts with blankets and pillows and other items. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:09.359 And within that fort, there is always a load-bearing pillar of some kind. 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:22.880 And without a doubt, as the fort is being built and as the kids begin to play in the fort, without a doubt, every time somebody's not careful and bumps into the load-bearing pillar. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:28.000 And what happens, do you imagine, when the load-bearing pillar is bumped over? 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.200 What happens? 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:40.240 The fort collapsed amidst much yelling and arguing and accusing. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:42.640 Dad, you're too big. 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.880 You knocked over the fort. 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.559 I've tried to build it. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:56.319 The idea here is that the church serves as a load-bearing pillar supporting what? 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.240 The truth. 00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.279 The truth. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:04.480 We as a church, we are called to uphold and stand for the truth. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.960 The truth, church. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.880 We can't be silent. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:13.839 We can't be silent in a culture, in a society that desperately needs the truth. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:18.960 What happens to a culture or a society in which the church goes silent about the truth? 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:22.240 What do you think happens to that kind of a culture in society? 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:24.240 You're seeing it right now. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:32.720 The absolute fabric of reality itself begins to unravel as a culture detaches itself from the truth. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:35.680 We have the power to destroy strongholds. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.400 How do we do it? 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:40.000 By using the truth, by telling people the truth, by explaining the truth. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:43.680 And that doesn't necessarily mean shouting people down with the truth. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:49.359 It's not the loudest person that gets their point across. 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:51.200 We don't need to be loud. 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.279 We don't need to scream and yell at people. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:55.119 We don't need to be angry. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:58.240 We just need to tell people the truth. 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:03.200 With joy, with peace, with the fruit of the Spirit. 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:17.200 But unabashedly, with great clarity, without giving an inch, explaining, teaching, proclaiming, sharing the truth. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:19.519 We as the church must do this. 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.960 We must do it. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.599 This is how we fight the enemy. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:32.640 The truth has the power to penetrate the darkness of the enemy and bring people into the light of the gospel. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:39.680 The church can only reach the culture and community with the gospel if it is upholding the truth. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:41.440 We must uphold the truth. 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:50.319 But secondly, this morning, we understand that the church is composed of individual believers. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.880 We together make up the church. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:59.279 And we as individual believers are also tasked with the responsibility of engaging in this warfare. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:03.039 If you go to Romans chapter 10, we'll end with this verse this morning. 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:06.720 Romans chapter 10, verses 14 and 15. 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:27.680 Romans chapter 10, verses 14 and 15, we read, How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:33.279 And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:38.000 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:41.519 Notice here in the text. 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:47.680 How is it that a person believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins? 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.920 They have to hear. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:46.079 This is what we're talking about. 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:55.599 You go to destroy a stronghold by going out and sharing the gospel with that neighbor, by going out and starting a Bible study with that friend or family member. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:34:03.839 By going to someone that is in the church, maybe someone new, and saying, Hey, do you know Jesus? 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:06.400 Just because you're here doesn't mean you know him. 00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:12.480 It starts with believers being willing to go out and proclaim the gospel. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:14.880 And it's why Paul says, the gospel is what? 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.760 It is the power of God for salvation. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:28.079 The gospel itself is the power that penetrates the darkness, that destroys the stronghold of the enemy, and brings people into the light. 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:30.320 This is the war, church. 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.920 This is the fight. 00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.960 Are you fighting? 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:37.119 Are you fighting? 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:39.360 We need you. 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.599 This world needs you. 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:44.159 This community needs you. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:53.360 It needs believers who are willing to pick up pick up their sword and begin the fight. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:35:05.280 How reassuring for us to know this morning that the weapons our warfare are energized by the power of God Himself. 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:14.079 Bring the gospel, bring the truth into your relationships, reach people with the truth of Scripture and the truth of the gospel. 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:16.400 Rip the veil away. 00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:25.519 Let them see the glories and the excellencies of the crucified and now risen Savior. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:34.000 And believe this church, not even the most powerful enemy stronghold can stop the gospel. 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.840 It can't. 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:40.239 The enemy doesn't stand a chance against the power of the gospel. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:43.199 Your own life can testify to that, by the way. 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.639 Father, thanks for today. 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:56.320 Thankful for the opportunity to be here this morning and to once again open up your word to once again think through our current series topic on spiritual warfare. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:36:00.880 We understand this morning that there is a war going on. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:13.840 Not only does the enemy want us to turn to sin, but he also jealously guards those who are currently dead in sin. 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:27.360 We notice from the text this morning that we as a church are not called to be passive in this fight, but we're called to pick up our weapon and go to war. 00:36:28.719 --> 00:36:37.199 We understand this morning the clarity of Scripture that we aren't called to fight people necessarily. 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:40.639 That's not the nature of this conflict. 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:43.599 We're called to fight the enemy for people. 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:48.480 We're called to fight the enemy for lost souls. 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:51.360 And help us to keep that into perspective. 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:57.360 Help us to speak with boldness, with clarity, with love, the truth. 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:01.280 To not be ashamed of the gospel. 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:04.480 But with great energy. 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:14.559 May we be faithful to go out seeking opportunities to tell people about Jesus, to invite them to learn more about Jesus. 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:28.079 We pray that as we're faithful to do that, you would open up doors and opportunities for the gospel, that you, Father, would remove that veil and draw people to yourself with the glories and the excellencies of the risen Christ. 00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:31.519 We're thankful for the life we have in him. 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:33.760 And it's his in in his name we pray. 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.039 Amen.