We are invited to embrace the love that God has for us we are his - PDF document

8/15/2017 • We are invited to embrace the love that God has for us – we are his bride whom he passionately loves • There is an aspect of ourselves that resists his love – our ‘shadow side’ – demonstrated in an internal spiritual battle • “the cosmic powers of this present darkness” • “the spiritual forces of evil” • Jesus calls Satan “the prince of this world” (John 12: 31) • “the world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5: 19) • “the wiles (strategies) of the • “spiritual forces of evil” devil” – crafty not stupid • Power is used to destroy • Rulers, authorities, cosmic • Not cute cartoon character powers, war, injustice, • Read Scott Peck, People of the sexual exploitation, pollution Lie 1

8/15/2017 • The battle is fought on planet earth & in the human heart/ soul • Our addictions, choices, bondage, oppression, deception • C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters Once when Joshua was near And Joshua fell on his face to Jericho, he looked up and the earth and worshipped, saw a man standing before and he said to him, ‘What do him with a drawn sword in his you command your servant, hand. Joshua went to him my lord?’ The commander of and said to him, ‘Are you one the army of the L ORD said to of us, or one of our Joshua, ‘Remove the sandals adversaries?’ He replied, from your feet, for the place ‘Neither; but as commander where you stand is holy.’ And of the army of the L ORD I Joshua did so. have now come.’ Joshua 5: 13-15 • We stand by putting on the armour of God (v11) • We stand in the strength of God (v10) • This armour enables us to stand • His power in us enables us to resist evil (v10) • Stand – v11 (1x), v13 (2x), v14 (1x) • There is victory in Christ over evil 2

8/15/2017 2 . Breastplate of righteousness/ justice ‘ Put on Christ’ (v13) (v14) – stand for justice/ purity / protection 1 . Belt of truth (v14) – - Frodo protected from allow the truth to go deep in death by his Elven your life – memorize the Chainmail truth, read/ study the truth 4 . Shield of Faith (v16) 3 . Shoes of Peace (v15) - body length shield of - shoes of reconciliation Roman soldier working for peace with - protects us from doubt, others / in despair, temptation, neighbourhoods adversity 5 . Helm et of Salvation • We stand by putting on the (v17) armour of God (v11) – wear your helmet • This armour enables us to – know your destiny/ hope stand 6 . Sw ord of God (v17 ) • Stand – v11 (1x), v13 (2x), - the sword of the Spirit v14 (1x) - our offensive weapon • There is victory in Christ over evil 3

8/15/2017 Put the armour on and you will stand. • Be diligent, persevere, be alert … the night is far gone, the • Pray in the Spirit at all day is near. Let us then lay times aside the works of darkness • Live your life in and put on the armour of dependence on the Spirit light; – as we do so we will gain the victory Romans 13: 12 The attacks will come i. ii. Put on the armour iii. You will stand 4