OceanSide church of Christ
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THE PROVISIONS OF WAR
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Sometimes war is not
something that is chosen. It is
thrust upon you due to the evil actions of the enemy (i.e., the actions of
Afganistan on 9-11).
B.
In like manner, the
child of God does not intentionally desire spiritual
warfare.
1.
We are commanded to
try to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph.
4:3).
2.
As much as lieth in
us, we are to “live peaceable with all men” (Rom.12:18).
3.
We to pray for our
leaders “that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
C.
We, however, have an
evil enemy called Satan who is constantly on the
offensive.
1.
In Genesis 3, he made
his presence known in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1).
2.
In the book of Job, he
said that he had been “going to and fro in the earth, and from walking upon and
down in it” (Job. 1:7).
3.
He was aware that
Jesus was on the earth, and did battle with him in the wilderness (Matt.
4:1-11).
4.
I Peter
5:8
Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour.
D.
Because of Satan’s
constant attacks, we must engage in the conflict.
1.
We must war a good
warfare (I Tim. 1:18).
2.
We must fight the good
fight of faith (I Tim. 6:12).
3.
We must resist the
devil steadfastly in the faith (I Pet. 5:9).
4.
We must contend
earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).
E.
The Christian has been
given ample provisions from God to help him fight this
war.
I.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A STERLING COMMANDER
A.
Our commander is Jesus
Christ.
1.
In Hebrews 2:10, He is
referred to as “the captain” of our salvation.
2.
In I Timothy 6:15, He
is called “the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
B.
In the book of
Revelation, we see our King positioned upon a white horse. Listen to John’s description of Him in
Revelation 19:11-16.
And I saw
heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on
his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he
himself. And he was clothed with a
vesture dipped in blood: and his
name is called the Word of God. And
the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean. And out of
his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of
iron: and he treadeth the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF
KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
C.
His names, His
description, and His mission encourage us in the war against
Satan.
1.
He is not a
novice.
2.
He is not a leader of
corrupt character.
3.
He is not a leader who
has no combat experience.
4.
He is not a leader
with little, or no, knowledge.
5.
He is not a leader
with no resources.
II.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A PERFECT FIELD MANUAL
A.
The field manual for
the Christian is the Word of God.
1.
Paul says that this
manual can make the soldier of Christ “perfect” and can “thoroughly furnish” him
“for all good works” (II Tim. 3:17).
2.
Peter declares that is
provides all that we need for “life and godliness” (II Pet.
1:3).
B.
Our manual tells us
many things about the tactics of the enemy.
1.
He will lie and
deceive (John 8:44).
2.
He will pretend he is
something he is not (II Cor. 11:13-15).
3.
He will pervert and
twist the teachings of our field manual against us (Gal. 1:8-9; II Pet.
3:16).
4.
He will entice us
through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and pride of life (I John
2:15-17).
C.
To overcome the enemy,
we must know the manual and properly use it against the
enemy.
1.
Peter tells us to
resist our adversary steadfastly in the faith (I Pet.
5:9).
2.
The psalmist used the
Word of God to overcome the enemy (Ps. 119:11).
Thy word
have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against
thee.
III. WE
HAVE BEEN GIVEN STRONG ARMOUR TO PROTECT US
A.
Two times in Ephesians
6, Paul declares that our armour can protect us.
1.
Ephesians
6:11
Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.
2.
Ephesians
6:13
Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all to stand.
B.
The armour itself is
composed of five pieces (Eph. 6:14-17a).
Stand
therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation.
1.
Our equipment is
designed to protect our vital organs and those members that keep us agile in the
fight.
2.
Every part of our
armour is centered upon the Word of God:
truth, righteous-ness, gospel, faith, and
salvation.
C.
Our armour is perfect
and impenetrable if we will take it with us, put it on, and stand before the
enemy with it.
IV. WE
HAVE BEEN GIVEN POWERFUL WEAPONRY TO USE AGAINST THE
ENEMY
A.
Our weapons are not
carnal, but they are mighty (II Cor. 10:4).
(For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong-holds).
B.
Our weapons are
two-fold:
1.
The sword of the
Spirit which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17).
a.
If we wield it properly, there is not an enemy who can stand before
us.
b.
Examples:
1)
Jesus devastated Satan (Matt. 4:1-11).
2)
Jesus subdued the Pharisees and scribes (Matt.
15:1-9).
3)
Paul overcame the Judaizing teachers (Galatians).
4)
John defeated the Gnostics of his day (I John).
5)
Brother Boles overcame the premillennialists.
6)
Brother Warren put to flight the atheists.
2.
Prayer (Eph. 6:18)
Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
a.
Prayer calls God to our side.
b.
What stronger weapon can we have in our arsenal than
God?
c.
Over the years, He has put to flight the enemies of His people. He can do the same to our
enemies.
CONCLUSION
A.
The provisions God has
given are designed to ensure victory:
a sterling commander, a perfect field manual, strong armour, and powerful
weapons.
B.
The rest depends on
us. We must muster the desire,
commitment, courage, and stamina to engage the enemy until the end (Mark
13:13).
And ye
shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
THE PROVISIONS OF
WAR
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Sometimes war is not something that is chosen. It is thrust upon you due to the evil
actions of the enemy (i.e., the actions of Afganistan on
9-11).
B.
In like manner, the child of God does not intentionally desire spiritual
warfare.
1.
We are commanded to try to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace (Eph. 4:3).
2.
As much as lieth in us, we are to “live peaceable with all men”
(Rom.12:18).
3.
We to pray for our leaders “that we may live a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
C.
We, however, have an evil enemy called Satan who is constantly on the
offensive.
1.
In Genesis 3, he made his presence known in the Garden of Eden (Gen.
3:1).
2.
In the book of Job, he said that he had been “going to and fro in the
earth, and from walking upon and down in it” (Job. 1:7).
3.
He was
aware that Jesus was on the earth, and did battle with him in the wilderness
(Matt. 4:1-11).
4.
I Peter
5:8
D.
Because of Satan’s constant attacks, we must engage in the
conflict.
1.
We must war a good warfare (I Tim. 1:18).
2.
We must fight the good fight of faith (I Tim.
6:12).
3.
We must resist the devil steadfastly in the faith (I Pet.
5:9).
4.
We must contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).
E.
The Christian has been given ample provisions from God to help him fight
this war.
I.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A STERLING COMMANDER
A.
Our commander is Jesus Christ.
1.
In Hebrews 2:10, He is referred to as “the captain” of our
salvation.
2.
In I Timothy 6:15, He is called “the King of kings and Lord of
lords.”
B.
In the book of Revelation, we see our King positioned upon a white
horse. Listen to John’s description
of Him in Revelation 19:11-16.
C.
His names, His description, and His mission encourage us in the war
against Satan.
1.
He is not a novice.
2.
He is not a leader of corrupt character.
3.
He is not a leader who has no combat experience.
4.
He is not a leader with little, or no, knowledge.
5.
He is not a leader without resources.
II.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A PERFECT FIELD MANUAL
A.
The field manual for the Christian is the Word of
God.
1.
Paul says that this manual can make the soldier of Christ “perfect” and
can “thoroughly furnish” him “for all good works” (II Tim.
3:17).
2.
Peter declares that is provides all that we need for “life and godliness”
(II Pet. 1:3).
B.
Our manual tells us many things about the tactics of the
enemy.
1.
He will lie and deceive (John 8:44).
2.
He will pretend he is something he is not (II Cor.
11:13-15).
3.
He will perfect and twist the teachings of our field manual against us
(Gal. 1:8-9; II Pet. 3:16).
4.
He will entice us through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and
pride of life (I John 2:15-17).
C.
To overcome the enemy, we must know the manual and properly use it
against the enemy.
1.
Peter tells us to resist our adversary steadfastly in the faith (I Pet.
5:9).
2.
The psalmist used the Word of God to overcome the enemy (Ps.
119:11).
III.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN STRONG ARMOUR TO PROTECT US
A.
Two times in Ephesians 6, Paul declares that our armour can protect us
(vs. 11, 13).
B.
The armour itself is composed of five pieces (Eph.
6:14-17a).
1.
Our equipment protects our vital organs and those members that keep us
agile in the fight.
2.
Our armour
is centered upon the Word of God:
truth, righteous-ness, gospel, faith, and
salvation.
C.
Our armour is perfect and impenetrable if we will take it with us, put it
on, and stand before the enemy.
IV.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN POWERFUL WEAPONRY TO USE AGAINST THE
ENEMY
A.
Our weapons are not carnal, but they are mighty (II Cor.
10:4).
B.
Our weapons are two-fold:
1.
The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Eph.
6:17).
a.
If we wield it properly, there is not an enemy who can stand before
us.
b.
Examples: 1) Jesus
devastated Satan (Matt. 4:1-11); 2) Jesus subdued the Pharisees and scribes
(Matt. 15:1-9); 3) Paul overcame the Judaizing teachers (Galatians); 4) John
defeated the Gnostics of his day (I John); 5) Brother Boles overcame the
premillennialists; 6) Brother Warren put to flight the
atheists.
2.
Prayer (Eph. 6:18)
CONCLUSION
A.
The provisions God has given are designed to ensure victory: a sterling commander, a perfect field
manual, strong armour, and powerful weapons.
B.
The rest depends on us. We
must muster the desire, commitment, courage, and stamina to engage the enemy
until the end (Mark 13:13).