Sword of the Spirit & Feet Fitted with the Readiness That Comes from the Gospel of Peace

The Battles Is The Lord’s: Part 4
Sword of the Spirit & Feet Fitted with the Readiness That Comes from the Gospel of Peace
2 Timothy 3

I. The Power of the Word of God
a. The word of God is our tool for training in righteousness
i. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
ii. The Word of God shows us OUR sin and HIS grace which is THE hope.
1. Romans 7:7- Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law.
2. Romans 8- 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[d] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
iii. The Word of God shows us how to live life at its best!
1. Joshua 1: 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
b. The word of God is our weapon against the enemy
i. The word of God increases our faith/makes us stronger- Romans 10-17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
ii. The word of God allows us to see the Devil’s lies- John 8- 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1. Jesus when tempted countered every deception with God’s truth
c. The word of God is the instrument to breakdown strongholds and advance God’s Kingdom
i. 2 Corinthians 10- 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
ii. We demolish strongholds by preaching Christ crucified- 1 Corinthians 1:23
II. Unlocking the Power of the Word of God: Love!
a. Matthew 22- 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
b. Love prevents the abuse of the word of God!
i. 1 Corinthians 13- 1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
c. Love allows us to correctly apply the word of God!- Marriage Illustration
i. Ephesians 4:15- 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
III. Advancing the Word of God- Ready to spread the Gospel
a. If you love me, feed my sheep
i. 2 Corinthians 5:14- For Christ's love compels us
ii. 1 Peter 3:15- 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
b. Preach always, and when necessary use words