{"id":598,"date":"2015-09-28T10:48:46","date_gmt":"2015-09-28T14:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.csbcva.org\/?p=598"},"modified":"2015-09-28T10:48:46","modified_gmt":"2015-09-28T14:48:46","slug":"doctrine-of-the-church-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.csbcva.org\/?p=598","title":{"rendered":"Doctrine of the Church"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service September 27, 2015:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>XIV. The Warfare of the Church<\/h3>\n<p>A. Our enemy\u2014the devil (Eph. 6).<\/p>\n<h4>1. His cohorts:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Principalities. A possible reference to Satan\u2019s \u201cgenerals\u201d who have the oversight of entire nations (see Dan. 10).<\/li>\n<li>Powers. May speak of his \u201cprivates\u201d who possess human beings (see Mt. 17; Mk. 5).<\/li>\n<li>World rulers. Those demons in charge of Satan\u2019s worldly business.<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual wickedness. Those demons in charge of worldly religion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>2. His tactics:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cThe wiles of the devil\u201d (Eph. 6:11).\n<ul>\n<li>Greek scholar K. Wuest writes: \u201cWiles is methodeia in the Greek, referring to \u2018cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery.\u2019 It means to follow up, or investigate by method and settled plan, to follow craftily, frame devices, deceive.\u201d (Ephesians and Colossians, p. 141) (See also 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Tim. 3:7.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u201cThe fiery darts of the wicked\u201d (6:16).\n<ul>\n<li>This has reference to arrows tipped with tar, pitch, or such material, then set on fire before they were discharged (see also 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>3. Our equipment\u2014the armor of God (Eph. 6:11, 13-17).<\/h4>\n<p>Let us carefully note each piece of armor mentioned here. Paul very obviously takes those pieces of armor worn by the Roman soldier and makes spiritual application to each one.<br \/>\nVs. 11 \u2013\u201cPut on the whole armor of God\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cPut on\u201d &#8211; This is something every believer needs to be intentional about.<\/p>\n<p>The whole armor of God consists of six units:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.Loins girt about with truth \u2013 14a (the belt of truth)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;A soldier\u2019s tunic was tucked into a heavy leather belt that girded the soldier\u2019s loins.<br \/>\nTruth (the content of that which is true) \u2013 The word of God and all its counsel<br \/>\n&#8211;Truth enables us to stand against the father of lies \u2013 John 8:44<br \/>\nTruth, as mentioned here, probably refers to truthfulness as found in a Christian. Thus a believer whose life is tainted with deceit and falsehood forfeits the very thing which holds other pieces of his armor together.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.Having on the breastplate of righteousness \u2013 14b<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;A tough sleeveless piece of armor made of leather on to which were sewn slices of animal hooves or horns or pieces of metal. The breastplate covered the soldier\u2019s full torso (heart, lungs, and other vital organs).<br \/>\nRighteousness \u2013<br \/>\nA.God\u2019s imputed righteousness to us -2 Corinthians 5:21 (clothed with the righteousness of Christ)<br \/>\n&#8211;Walk in dependence on Christ\u2019s righteousness and not our own goodness.<br \/>\nB.Practical righteousness lived in obedience to God\u2019s Word.<br \/>\nMoment by moment obedience to the Lord \u2013 holy living<br \/>\n&#8211;Imputed righteousness makes practical righteous possible, but only obedience to the Lord makes practical righteousness a reality.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace \u2013 Vs. 15<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;A soldier\u2019s shoes or boots were important to protect his feet. They also helped enable him to hold his ground and move quickly.<br \/>\nThe preparation &#8211; Has the general meaning of readiness<br \/>\nThe preparation of the gospel of peace \u2013<br \/>\nA readiness to share the only message that leads to peace with God (Romans 5:1)<br \/>\n&#8211;Peace \u2013 the gospel brings assurance, peace and life<br \/>\n&#8211;Believers are at peace with God (Romans 5:1)<br \/>\nThis may refer to the assurance and confidence which come from knowing the great doctrinal truths associated with the gospel. (See Eph. 4:14; 1 Pet. 3:15.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>4.Taking the shield of faith \u2013 vs.16<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;A soldier\u2019s shield was about two and a half feet wide and four feet high designed to protect the entire body.<br \/>\nThe Roman shield was made of wood covered with leather and sometimes metal. Shields were designed to be drenched with water, which allowed them to withstand the fiery arrows of an enemy. A soldier needed only to kneel low and hold his shield over him. And he would be protected.<br \/>\n\u201cAbove all\u201d<br \/>\nFaith \u2013 Basic trust in God<\/p>\n<p><strong>5.The helmet of salvation \u2013 vs.17a<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;A soldier\u2019s helmet was used to protect the head from injury; Helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal these helmets usually had cheek pieces to protect the face.<br \/>\n&#8211;The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan\u2019s blows are directed at the believer\u2019s security, assurance in Christ and thought life.<br \/>\nSalvation &#8211;<br \/>\n&#8211;The helmet is called \u201cthe hope of salvation\u201d (1 Thessalonians 5:8)<br \/>\nPast acceptance<br \/>\nPresent assurance \u2013 The work that is done the moment of acceptance of Christ is an eternal work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit immediately seals that decision and indwells the believer.<br \/>\nEternal future salvation<br \/>\nThe helmet protects the head \u2013 the brain, the mind<br \/>\n&#8211;The mind is the real spiritual battleground on which the enemy fights his strongest, dirtiest, bloodiest and most important battles.<br \/>\n&#8211;We need to monitor our thought life and avoid environments and things that would distort our thinking or tempt us to do evil.<br \/>\nMay refer to the intake of Bible doctrine, lest one\u2019s eyes be blinded, his ears deafened, and his mind confused with the attacks from the world, the flesh, and the devil.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6.The sword of the Spirit \u2013 vs.17b (See Hebrews 4:12, 13)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;The sword varied in length from six the eighteen inches. It was the principle weapon used in hand to hand combat. It was carried in a sheath attached to the soldier\u2019s belt, it was always at hand ready to use.<br \/>\n&#8211;The only offensive weapon in the believer\u2019s armor<br \/>\nThe Word of God \u2013 the individual text or sayings of the Word of God<br \/>\n(A timely word of God applied to a particular situation by the Holy Spirit).<br \/>\nKnowledge and understanding of specific truths<br \/>\n&#8211;A sword does little good if we are unskilled in its use<br \/>\n&#8211;We put on the mind of Christ as we memorize and meditate upon God\u2019s Word<\/p>\n<h4>God\u2019s Word &#8211;<\/h4>\n<p>A.Gives direction \u2013 Psalm 119:105<br \/>\nB.Purifying agent \u2013 Psalm 119:11<br \/>\nC.Source of spiritual food (Nourishment) \u2013 Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:<br \/>\nD.Discerner of truth and error \u2013 1 John 4:6<br \/>\nE.Weapon to combat the adversary \u2013 Matthew 4:1-13<\/p>\n<p>K. Wuest writes concerning the command in Ephesians 6:13; \u201cWherefore take unto you the whole armour of God\u201d: \u201cTake unto you is analambano, meaning, \u2018to take up in order to use\u2019<\/p>\n<h4>The Place of Prayer: Praying Always \u2013 vs.18<\/h4>\n<p>Persevering prayer<br \/>\n&#8211;Intercede as prayer warriors on behalf of others \u2013 vs.18b<br \/>\nA.Prayer is what we do as we put on the armor of God<br \/>\n&#8211;Laying hold of our position \u201cin Christ\u201d and God\u2019s promises<\/p>\n<p>Consciously, intentionally put on the whole Armor of God:<br \/>\n\u201cLord, please help the truth of your Word to dwell in me richly today. \u00a0I claim the righteousness that is mine only through Christ and\u00a0ask that you help me live today in obedience to your Word and will. \u00a0Help me be sensitive to your Spirit this day and ready to share the gospel\u00a0which has given me peace with you. \u00a0I choose as an act of my will to trust you and rely on you to accomplish much<br \/>\nthis day. Please protect my heart and mind moment by moment as I know that you will complete the good work you have begun in me. \u00a0Use the Scriptures today in my life and in the life of others through me\u00a0for your glory!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>B.Prayer is what we continue to do once we are clothed in the armor<br \/>\n&#8211;One of the main reasons believers are so we when the enemy attacks is they do not pray<br \/>\n&#8211;It is by prayer that the believer lays hold of strength from the Lord<\/p>\n<h4>C.Our exhortation\u2014the trio of success.<\/h4>\n<p><strong>1.We are to stand.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No less than four times does Paul exhort us to do this (vs. 11, 13, 14). The believer is never told to attack the devil, but to withstand and resist him (see 1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Thus, when tempted to do wrong, we should flee as did Joseph (Gen. 39:12), but when attacked by Satan for doing right, we should stand firm as did Daniel\u2019s three friends (Dan. 3).<\/p>\n<p><strong>2.We are to pray. (See Mt. 17:21; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8;\u00a0Jude 20.)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3.We are to watch.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Watch: To keep awake, watch, be vigilant, wake, watchful<br \/>\n&#8211;Greek word gregoreo (Strongs # 1127)<br \/>\n&#8211;Term is used some 22 times in the NT<\/p>\n<p>A. Alert against Satan<br \/>\n\u201cVigilant\u201d (same Greek word as used for \u201cwatch\u201d)<br \/>\n1 Peter 5:8, 9 &#8211; Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Evil spirits &#8211; demons<\/p>\n<p>B. For temptation<br \/>\nMark 14:38 &#8211; Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak<br \/>\n&#8211;When our spiritual eyes are shut or sleepy, we can fall more easily into sin<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington\u2019s notes on the church<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service September 27, 2015: XIV. The Warfare of the Church A. Our enemy\u2014the devil (Eph. 6). 1. His cohorts: Principalities. 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