Church in the Peak
Church in the Peak
06/04/25 // Intimacy With God Through The Bible - Part 3 // Neal Garratt
Neal continued his preaching series on increasing our intimacy with God through the Bible.
For Neal's full notes and the passage from "The Book Of Mysteries", click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qwxzf5E3y34uq2XucOP64xknxCqDLedv/view?usp=drive_link
Intimacy with God through The Bible (Part 3)
The first timeI spoke – I spoke about three things the word of God gives us when we read it and they were
1. The word of God brings truth
2. The word of God transforms our thinking
3. The word of God brings direction
The second time I spoke I looked at
4. The word of God brings conviction of sin.
And today I want to look at:
5. The word of God is a weapon for us to use against the enemy and our wrong thinking.
So In Ephesians 6 vs 13-17 Paul introduces us to the armour of God and encourages us to put on the whole armour of God so we can stand firm against the enemy and all his schemes – The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
The sword stands out as an offensive weapon, it enables us to engage, defend and advance against the enemy. The sword is a weapon of truth – the truth of God’s word – In our spiritual lives the enemy continually tries to lie to us and deceive us – we need the truth of God’s word to come against all he throws at us – We need to know our enemy -
John 8 vs 44 “ He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character for he is a liar and the father of lies”
It is important that we know our enemy and who he is and his character so that we can attack him with truth which is exactly what Jesus did when he was tempted in the wilderness, responding to each temptation with the word of God. This is what we need to learn to do – when he attacks us with lies we need to have our verses ready with TRUTH!!!
Hebrews 4 vs 12 reminds us “The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between joint and marrow”
The enemy is alive and powerful and will use anything to make us doubt and question our faith – including lies, deception and false teaching BUT the word of God is more than a match for him!
Colossians 2 vs 12 -15 “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
When the enemy attacks – quote these verses back at him – WHY – Because they are Gods word and they are TRUE – Go on the attack!
Psalm 1 vs 1-3 “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Isnt that where we want to be? That’s why we have cards printed that you can put on your fridge or wall – examples of God’s promises!
To be really practical I want us to be intentional in our bible reading rather than taking a random approach – explain about reading the minor prophets and the bible in a year etc –
So a good practice is to ask some questions when we need help
For Example:
1. What does the bible say about this issue?
2. What does Jesus say about this issue?
3. Where else can I find help?
Let’s look at three random examples- but this can be used for almost anything?
When the enemy attacks and says we are not good enough and God doesn’t love us – which he does all the time by the way!
What does the bible say?
Colossians 1 vs 20 “He has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault”
What does Jesus say?
John 3 vs 17 “ God sent his son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him”
Where else can I find help?
Romans 8 vs 2, Ephesians 2 vs 5,1 John 4 vs 4, Romans 5 vs 17, 1 Peter 2 vs 9 and the list goes on!!
What about when I am feeling anxious and worried and overcome?
What does the bible say?
Philippians 4 vs 6 “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
What does Jesus say?
Matthew 6 vs 25-27 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life”
Where else can I Find help?
Matthew 6 vs 34 John 14 vs 27, 1 Peter 5 vs 7, Psalm 55 vs 22, Isaiah 41 vs 10.
What about when I am struggling with temptation?
What does the bible say?
1 Corinthians 10 vs 12-13 “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
What does Jesus say?
Matthew 6 vs 13 – The Lord prayer – This is how to pray
“and don’t let us yield (give in) to temptation but rescue us from the evil one”
Where else can I find help?
James 1 vs 13-14, Hebrews 4 vs 15, James 4 vs 1-4,1 Peter 4 vs 12, 2 peter 2 vs 9
We can use these tools to help us in everyday situations and whatever situation we find ourselves in – the Bible is GODS WORD and is TRUTH-we need to apply it to our lives
The Bible Says this
James 1 vs 22 – “But don’t just listen to God’s word – you must do what it says – otherwise you are only fooling yourselves”
Jesus said this
Luke 11 vs28 “ Even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice”
All God’s promises are yes and amen – where does that come from?
2 Corinthians 1 vs 20 “ For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “YES” and through Christ our “AMEN” which means YES ascends to God for his glory!”
Let’s sing the song
Father of Kindness you have poured out grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing
Faithful you are, faithful forever you will be, faithful you are
All your promises are yes and amen!!