The Sword of the Spirit
Eph. 6:17
Introduction
In the olden times, the sword is one of the most dangerous weapon in the hands of the soldiers. There were many kinds of swords that people use. Some long some short, some double edged somesingle edge. In close combat, the most effective weapon is the sword. Paul uses the sword to illustrate the only offensive weapon we Christian have on our disposal.
I. The sword of the Spirit what is it?
A. Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is very clear when He said that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God.
B. The Word of God is written in a book which we call now the Bible.
C. The author of the Bible is God. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).
D. The Bible contains 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
E. The King James Bible has 31,173 verses, 774,746 words, and 3,566,480 letters. The longest chapter is Psalm 119. The shortest is Psalm 117. The longest verse is Est. 8:9; the shortest, Jn. 11:35. The middle verse in Scripture is Ps. 118:8-“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
II. Sufficiency of the Sword of the Spirit (Bible) (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
A. The Word of God is the only offensive weapon we have but it is more than enough.
1. It is sufficient for salvation,
2. It is sufficient for protection from error,
3. It is sufficient for teaching,
4. It is sufficient for Christian living,
5. It is sufficient for Christian maturity.
III. Uniqueness of the Bible
A. Unique in its continuity
1. Written over 1,500 years
2. Written over 40 generation
3. Written by more than 40 authors, from every walk of life – including kings, peasants, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars, etc. (Moses, a political leader, trained in the Universities of Egypt. Peter, a fisherman, Amos, a herdsman, Joshua, a military general, Nehemiah, a cupbearer, Daniel, a prime minister, Luke, a doctor, Matthew, a tax collector, Paul, a rabbi).
B. Written in different places
1. Moses in the wilderness
2. Jeremiah in a dungeon
3. Paul inside prison walls
4. John on the Isles of Patmos
C. Written at different times
1. David in times of war
2. Solomon in times of peace
D. Written during different moods
1. Some written from the heights of joy
2. Others from the depths of sorrow and despair
E. Written in 3 languages
1. Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. (in 2 Kings 18:26-28 Called the
language of Judah, In Isaiah 9:18, called the language of Canaan.
2. Aramaic, the common language of the near East, until the time of Alexander
3. Greek, the New Testament language (the international language at the time of Christ.
F. Its subject matter includes hundreds of controversial topics. Yet, there is one unfolding story “God’s redemption of man’.
G. The Bible is unique in its circulation
1. The Bible has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other books in history. Pickering says that 30 years ago for British and Foreign Bible to meet its demand, had to publish “one copy every 3 second dayand night, 22 copies every minute day and night, 1,369copies hour day and night, 32,876 copies every day in a year.
H. Unique in its survival
1. Survival through time –
2. Survival through persecution
3. Survival through criticism.
I. Unique in its teaching
1. Prophecy
2. History
3. Personalities (From: A Ready Defence by Josh McDowell)
IV. The Power of the Sword of the Spirit
1. By it we are born again (Jas 1:18; 1Pet. 1:23).
2. By it we grow (1Pet. 22).
3. By it we are cleansed (Jn. 15:3).
4. By it we are sanctified (Jn. 17:17).
5. By it we are built up (Acts 20:32).
6. By it we are defended against spiritual enemies (Eph. 6:17).
7. By it we are washed (Eph. 5:25-26).
8. By it we are kept from the paths of the destroyer (Ps. 17:4).
9. By it our path through life is lighted up (Ps. 119:105).
10. By it we are warned (Ps. 19:11).
11. By it the secrets of hearts are revealed (Heb. 4:12).
12. By it the seed is scattered (Lk. 8:11).
13. By it men are judged (Lk. 16:31; Jn. 12:48). “This is a mere glance at some of the things the Word of God is able to do. When we consider our relation to it and our dependence upon it at every step through life and into eternity, it is amazing that men, professing to be its friends, can rise up and propose to catalogue its errors” (F.H. Brookes).
Illustration: Transforming Ability
One of the most dramatic examples of the Bible’s divine ability to transform men and women involved the famous mutiny on the “Bounty.” Following their rebellion against the notorious Captain Bligh, nine mutineers, along with the Tahatian men and women who accompanied them, found their way to Pitcairn Island, a tiny dot in the South Pacific only two miles long and a mile wide. Ten yearslater, drink and fighting had left only one man alive—John Adams. Eleven women and 23 children made up the rest of the Island’s population.
So far this is the familiar story made famous in the book and motion picture. But the rest of the storyis even more remarkable. About this time, came across the “Bounty’s” Bible in the bottom ofan old chest. He began to it, and the divine power of God’s Word reached into the heart of that
hardened murderer on a tiny volcanic speck in the vast Pacific Ocean—and changed his life forever. The peace and love that Adams found in the Bible entirely replaced the old life of quarrelling, brawling, and liquor. He began to teach the children from the Bible until every person on the island
had experienced the same amazing change that he had found. Today, with a population of slightly less than 100, nearly every person on Pitcairn Island is a Christian.
V. Take the Sword of the Spirit
A. What it means
1. We take the Sword of the Spirit when we use it to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2), tell the truth about God and to teach about Salvation.
2. We take the Sword of the Spirit when we use it to refute false teachings, to avoid sins, to correct errors, and to use it as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
3. We take the Sword of the Spirit by reading the Bible. We must read the Bible every day. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
4. We take the Sword of the Spirit by memorizing the Bible. Psalms 119:11 Thy
word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
5. We take the Sword of the Spirit by studying it. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
6. We take the Sword of the Spirit by meditating it. Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Illustration: The Mind of God
An unknown writer said, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to
support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its
precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity. (Source unknown)
VI. Conclusion:
The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon we have but its powers are beyond our comprehension, it can change lives and can lead us to the place where we will be with the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever. Take the Sword of the Spirit, and be one of the “blessed”.
