MESSAGE BY PASTOR ROB INRIG
FROM BETHANY BAPTIST IN RICHMOND, BC.
I invite you to pray with me: O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servants for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy (Gaby P, Vicky O, Nancy R, Tere G, Liz N, Stevie A, Socrates D, Sara's mom H, Margarita G, Fega G, Rosy Ch, Patricia L. Lina J. Manuel D. C, Yuya N. Mercedes L. ) Comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the residue of their life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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God the Father, we thank you for your answer to our prayers with
The good news, with the recovery of health for some
Strengthen them so that they may regain their faith in you
And that they may be witnesses that you love them and
that you respond when we trust and believe in you
Thank you Father God in the name
of Jesus our Lord of Lords and King of Kings
Praise be to your name
always and forever, AMEN.
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This morning is our last look in the pages of Ephesians where we will once again be focusing on spiritual armour. This week just two verses, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit :17,18. These verses are look at two pieces of the Roman soldier’s equipment I want to end on – the sword of the Spirit and prayer - these two actually acting together as one.
If Paul were describing this in 21st century terms, the one component often missed in pictures depicting our spiritual armour, would be prayer - connecting to High Command. This communication in current dress is integrated into the soldiers’ helmets, vests and other gear to inform soldiers in real time how the battle is to be fought and where armaments for defence and attack, are best deployed.
Given the time in which Paul wrote and the picture of the soldier he gives, the best he could capture this, would be the Commander speaking to combatants prior to battle. We read this in :10-12, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The Commander instructing them why they were to fight, how they were to fight and where they were to fight. So ready up, gear up, and arm up. With instructions given, they would head into the fray. Here in :18 we are told that, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, we have everything needed to be victorious for whatever comes. Praying always which means, the stop and take time, devoted prayer and the on the go, in the moment, quickly breathed up prayer. In this constant awareness of walking with God, there is nothing missing in what we have been given, nothing insufficient in combatting what the enemy may bring. Even if the enemy should come at us in new ways, unexpected ways our safeguard is what we are told in verse 18, that we are to be praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
Praying as we do life. Praying in all things - that meeting you’re about to have, the conversation that just opened up, the purchase you’re about to make. Praying in the normal not just in the ‘needed’. Whispered up prayer - of thankfulness, of wonder, of joy, of need. Prayer that I so often forget to give. ‘In all things’ prayer doing battle with the spiritual applying the truth we are given in God’s Word. So two intertwined pieces of armour this morning, the sword of the Spirit – His Word and prayer, our communication with our Father.
We’ll come back to prayer but for now let’s look at :17 where we are told to, Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. So what is this telling me?
First that when I do life on my own, without the resources God has given me, I am not equipped to face an enemy that has far more power than I can deal with on my own. Which is to say, this sword which is the word of God is far more important to me than reading a few obligatory verses to get me through the day. A spiritual enemy can only be defeated with spiritual power. It’s why Paul does not leave what he has been saying without a strong emphasis to take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
First some understanding of what this Word of God is referencing.
The Bible uses 3 Greek words for ‘word’. The 1st is graphe which refers to the written word. It is what is stated in John when Jesus says, You search the Scriptures graphe because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life Jn 5:39,40 or in 2nd Peter, You must understand that no prophecy of Scripture graphe came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things 1:20 or Timothy, All Scripture graphe is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness 2 Tim 3:16.
These and similar uses of graphe refer to what God has given us in the Bible, His written word on which our faith rests. The Bible giving us God’s authoritative truth and guidance for our lives. We live in a time when many other ‘truths’ speak loud. When ‘my’ truth is different than your truth yet both truths accepted as equally legitimate. The defining criteria? that we are sincere in what we believe.
No doubt there can be times where my truth is different from yours based on what is experienced. For example, if I winter in Winnipeg in January, I will experience a 20º January day as a wonderful heat wave but that same 20º experienced very differently for the Nigerian who layers up, seeking protection from 20º cold. Same 20º standard, different 20º truth. But what is true is the absolute measure of 20º. In the same way, gravity is an absolute truth. There might be moments in some gravity free environment, when we can briefly escape its pull, but gravity’s power will bring us back to earth.
The reality is that there IS universal truth to which we all must bow. Over the years, many have attempted to disprove what the Bible states. Declarations are made that some king referenced did not exist or some person was not the ruler as the Bible stated, only to have archeology validate exactly what Scripture said – dependable, undeniable truth.
The 2nd word used for word is logos. In the Old Testament logos is used extensively to denote God’s activities and actions from the start, In the beginning. In the New Testament logos is seen in Jesus as the Living Word. John connects the two as he begins John 1.
Listen once more to John’s words, In the beginning was the Word Logos, and the Word Logos was with God and the Word Logos was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it 1:1-5.
Here, John unmistakably declaring that Jesus is the Logos - the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Wisdom, the very Word of God. The Creator from the very beginning of Whom it is said that, Without Him nothing was made that was made.
But here in Ephesians, The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, Paul uses the 3rd Greek word, rhema. This has about it a ‘spoken’ word, an applied word fit for the occasion.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word rhema of God/Christ Rom 10:7.
One writer observed that, Logos has to do with what God did and said in the past tense. Rhema has to do with what the Lord is doing and saying in present tense - NOW! That’s may be an interesting thing to say but it is simply not true. Rhema and Logos ae ofter used interchangeably rhema not a greater truth or a more here and now truth but an APPLIED truth. Applying the authority of the logos we’re told, Is swift and powerful Heb 4:12 into what we now face.
As is too often the case, theologies have wrongly arisen distinguishing between logos and rhema such as is referenced in the comment just read. In that theology rhema is elevated to a place it should not have. The truth is, rhema is the application of logos specific for the occasion.
We see this most clearly in a well-known account in Matthew 4 where Jesus is led into the wilderness by Satan. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “IF you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, it is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Mtt 4:4
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “IF you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him, “it is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Let’s take a closer look. First what seems to be framed as a challenge of identity – If you are the Son of God, is actually a challenge of authority. Satan already knows who Jesus is – that’s not in question, what he wants to bring in to question, ultimately in our lives is Jesus’ authority.
In short, Jesus responds to Satan’s challenge with God’s words from Deuteronomy Deut 8:3;6:16; 6:13. In the expression, It is written both Jesus and Satan use the word graphe, the written Scriptures. But when Jesus responds, Every word rhema coming from the mouth of God Mtt 4:4. Jesus reaffirms that God’s written Word is God’s spoken word. That the written comes directly from Him. That we haven’t followed cunningly devised fables 2 Pet 1:16 but that, All Scripture is God breathed 2 Tim 3:16. God breathed words of truth that are to destroy Satan’s lies.
Lies we so often miss because often his lies aren’t large, instead they’re just small enough to be missed. For example when Satan tests Jesus, he rightly quotes Psalm 92:12, His angels would bear Him up. That part is true. What wasn’t, was Satan’s use of Scripture, he trying to exert authority over Jesus by setting the terms of what’s to happen.
Satan has never stopped his quest for authority, his lies and his deceit used to get us to choose what he offers rather than believe what God says about where that offer will take us.
And God’s analysis of where those offers will take us?There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Tim 3:1-5
All this to say what? That the battle we are in can only be fought by what we are told in Ephesians 6:17 is to, Take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. There were several types of swords the Roman soldier could use. The one we often think of was the gladius think gladiator. This was the larger sword used as an army marched forward behind their shield linked walls. But in close up, one-on-one battle, the fight required a weapon that could be used quickly. For that, the soldier used the sword referenced in :17, the máchaira, an 18” long double-edged dagger. Razor sharp, this sword was deadly. Here we are told the word of God is that sword, His rhema spoken into a specific situation, to disarm, disable and bring death. That sword of God’s truth, spoken into the places you feel most helpless, spoken into places danger is most great. This sword arming us with God’s Spirit who has, Disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them Col 2:15.
God’s rhema, applying His spoken Word, His mighty truth, the logos of His redeeming love, His transforming power, His healing touch that has made us new in the saving blood of Christ. His logos taken out of our sheaths, speaking it as His rhema in the spiritual combat we face. When God’s Spirit prompts us to come alongside someone. God’s rhema – speaking His word specific to the battle we fight – Scripture used against the lies. God’s word strategically spoken against the temptation. Speaking God’s truth into what we face. A right ‘naming and claiming’ of truth where our sword is plunged into the lies Satan continually tries to plant.
In 2 Corinthians we are again reminded, Although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Cor 10:3-5
So how do we wage war against Satan’s lies?
By taking up the other weapon we began with :18, Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests ... be alert, always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people
Tony Evans says, Prayer is giving God permission to enter into what we are facing. James 5:16 tells us, the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Jeremiah tells us, Call to Me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things you have not known Jer 33:3.
But let’s be honest, though we know we need to pray, praying is hard. Other things get in the way. Answers looked for, often not coming as asked. Yet God’s instruction, pray – for all things. God hearing every prayer that is prayed. God never ignoring prayer that isn’t selfish or wrongly motivated Jam 4:3. He acting to these in ways He knows are best. In :18 Paul uses ‘be alert’ as a military term to get his point across. It’s the image of a sentry not unlike a guard in Israel standing watch not far from a Hezbollah stronghold. Now shift that image to a security guard at Save On. Both commissioned to be on duty ‘alert’. The one on guard to protect against the loss of goods, the other on guard to protect against the loss of life.
Carry the metaphor further. The Save On sentry is working on his own, his investment in what is at stake rather minimal – the loss of goods problematic but not worthy of putting himself at personal risk. Further, if something should go wrong he has no back up strength or support from the company he represents. But the Israeli guard is entirely different. He is invested in what he defends both for his safety and for the safety of those he safeguards. Further, this guard knows he can call on the resources of the entire Israeli military who are primed and ready should the need arise. Those resources dispatched immediately upon request.
This in a far greater way is what the Christian has in prayer. Immediate access, immediate power, immediate presence, immediate support. Only this support has no limits.
Support with sword and prayer for the one who needs hope, for the one who needs courage, for the one who needs strength, for the one who needs embracing love. Coming alongside the weak, the weary, the defeated.
Because for the one who stands alone? - wonder unless you pray, deceived unless you pray, unarmed unless you pray, on the verge of going AWOL unless you pray. Your prayers even though you don’t think they offer much.
You standing firm, dressed in God’s armour, holding up prayer and a sword, inviting God to do the mighty. Dressed like 29-year-old pastor, Dudley Tyng was many years ago, he prominent in a revival that swept across Philadelphia, he encouraging many to stand strong in the Lord.
While visiting a farm during that time, he suffered an accident, his arm getting caught in a corn-threshing machine. Badly mangled, his arm had to be amputated. An infection set in that would take his life. Knowing he was dying, he called for his family and a few close friends, exhorting them to “stand up for Jesus.” When those words were repeated at his funeral, they made an enormous impact on fellow pastor, George Duffield. The following Sunday he preached a message in honor of his fallen colleague. At the end of his sermon, he recited a poem he had written based on Tyng’s final words. The poem was later put to music:
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead, till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
But it’s a line in the third verse that catches our attention.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you - ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armour, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
Then the triumphant final verse: Stand up! Stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.
SO finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might. Put on
the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
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