THE INVISIBLE WAR
Part 7 – Using Our Authority In Christ
Ephesians 6:17-18
November 18, 2018
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
INTRODUCTION
Our authority is always rooted in a higher power.
Matthew 28:18-19a Then the resurrected Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore…” (NIV)
1 Peter 3:22 …Jesus has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him. (NIV)
1. OUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST.
A. When God created mankind, the Bible says that He created us lower in authority than the angels.
Psalm 8:4-5 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels… (NKJV)
B. When Christ rose again from the grave, He took back His authority again over everything including Satan.
Ephesians 1:19-21 God’s power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Christ at His right hand in the heavenlyrealms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (NIV)
C. Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus… (NIV)
Christ has now given us authority through His Name.
D. Satan is a roaring lion, but at the resurrection, Jesus put him in a cage and knocked his teeth out.
E. Ephesians 6:17-18 Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)
2. THE SWORD – RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD’S SPIRIT THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD. (Ephesians 6:17)
A. Ephesians 6:17 Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (NASB)
B. Hebrews 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.
C. The Bible is a powerful weapon against your spiritual enemy but only if three things are true:
1. You must have the conviction that the Bible is truly the authoritative Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT)
Proverbs 30:5 Every Word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (NIV)
2. Begin to read the Bible, study it and memorize it on a regular basis.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, (God’s Word) and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (NIV)
3. Get into a mentoring relationship with someone who will teach you the Word of God and then you mentor others.
D. Matthew 4:1-11 After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (NIV)
3. PRAYER – RELEASE THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH ENGAGING GOD. (Ephesians 6:18)
A. Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)
B. To pray in the Spirit is a yielding kind of prayer. It is a prayer that empties us of our “self will” and surrenders to the will of God. It is the kind of prayer that gets in touch with God.
Action Steps …
- This week I will spend some time going back through my notes and better understanding my authority in Christ.
- This week I will spend time in the Bible every day letting God teach me more about Him and His power in my life.
- This week I will spend time in prayer every day yielding my heart deeper into His Heart.