Pick up your sword and use it

Pastor Dave 01/26/02

I. What is the sword? The Holy Bible, The Word of God

A. Inspired Word of God

1. “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” - 2 Peter 1:21

A. Is the inspired Word of God

B. The Word of God is our instruction manual (day-today)

C. Foretells the future in detail (what to expect, be prepared)

D. A gift from God that never stops giving/end of time

E. A library of 66 books:2 sections: 39old/27new

2. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2Timothy 3:16

A. Training instrument, used to teach us Gods ways

B. Offers us correction/discipline for disobeying God

C. Offers us Salvation/Forgiveness/Hope eternity

D. Offers us Power through the Holy Spirit

B. Gods Armor – Protection

1. Ephesians 6:

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

A. A weapon of protection available to us “Armor God”

B. When we stand on the Word, we are unshakable

C. Scripture spoken-Truth sets us free from situations

D. Knowledge is knowing the Bible and its contents

E. Wisdom is understanding what you know-applying

F. Wisdom/Knowledge give us strength/protection

2. Spiritual Weapon

Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

A. One of the functions of the word of God when it comes into us is that it penetrates very deep -- like a sword through tough, hard layers -- and makes judgments about what is there within us.

1. Dividing the Spirit from the soul deals with the Power in the Word. It can save you and I forever if we choose to obey the laws within it. Our soul is our flesh, our free will. When saved through salvation (Blood of Jesus) we then are born in the Spirit. That part of us will go to be with Him in heaven forever.

B. You can quote a scripture to someone that brings conviction, deep inside them. A form of correction that is far more powerful then physical punishment. The Word of God is able to correct, rebuke and heal us with its words in day-to-day living as well as eternally.

C. The Bible not only tells us what God is doing to but what the devil is trying to accomplish also.

3. The directions and instruction:

A. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105

1. The word leads us to righteousness (live like Jesus)

2. The Word leads us to Jesus

3. The Words leads us to repentance, forgivesness

4. The Word teaches us how to be obedient/ His ways

5. The Word teaches us about His Holy Spirit

(teacher, comforter, power of God)

4. Powerful:

1. ““Is not my word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” - Jeremiah 23:29

A. The word can break our addictions, sinful nature.

B. The Word offers us strength through God’s Grace.

C. The Word offers us Power through prayer.

2. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5

5. How do we use the Bible?

A. Pray and ask for Jesus to give you understanding of the Word through His Holy Spirit.

1. Start by reading the book of Mark.
A. Learn who Jesus was, is today and going to be

forever!
B. Next go to the book of Acts and learn what we are to do as Christians. Teaches us how to walk with our Lord.

C. Read it daily. (Spiritual Food) : Audiobible.com

D. Use it for reference by the index or concordance. When you are suffering find the answer in the Word then Pray.

6. The more you know, the stronger you will become.

A. When you have knowledge and understanding of the Word, you can be used by Jesus to teach and help others.

B. When you read the Bible the devil stays away.

C. The Bible is a life long compass coupled with the Holy Spirit.

D. Love the Bible because it is the Word of God who loves you!

7. Study Aids:

A. Study Bible-study outlines, provides a preface to each book.

B. Concordance- search by Topic

C. Bible Dictionary- To better understand difficult words

D. Know your translation-Kjv-NkJ-Niv-Nas-(to your reading ability)

E. Write notes in your Bible/Highlight; It is your life-long resource!

F. On-line Bible search engines: Bible Gateway.

F. Don’t leave home without it.

You see, Jesus didn’t come to the world to condemn it but too save it.

In order for you to receive the benefits of living in Jesus Christ, you have to read, know, understand and become obedient to His ways.

On the day of judgement, stating that you didn’t know the Bible and weren’t aware of your sinful ways will not excuse you. We are held accountable for what we know is available to us. The Instruction manual on Christian living is available to all who will choose it and use it.

By knowing the Bible (Sword) you receive God’s love, God’s protection, God’s Son (Jesus Christ), Salvation, God’s forgiveness and God’s Grace according to His riches and Glory.

Isn’t it time that you began spending time in the Word by learning how to live in peace, love and joy. Pick up your sword and start arming yourself against the enemy. You will become more sure of yourself and your Salvation. You will be stronger in times of trials and testing.

Stand on the Word and you will not be shaken!

Let’s Pray!