Fighting Back: Fit to Fight
Sermon Notes
Fighting Back!
- “Fighting” identifies a specific mindset & posture required for conflict. The active tense of the word calls attention to the ongoing necessity to keep at it.
- “Back” describes a “right now offensive response” not a sit back, take it on the chin, defensive posture.
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
To win a fight you first have to recognize that you are in one.
Fight the Right Fight.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
You aren’t your own worst enemy.
Satan will always hold that title.
2 Kings 6:13-23
13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. 21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” 22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
You are wearing yourself out and you aren’t getting anywhere fighting the wrong enemy in the wrong way in the wrong places.
Our current call is not to endure this fight waiting for heaven but to bring heaven down on earth through Christ the King!
Punch with Power
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:20
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
Ephesians 2:6
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Get Fit for the Fight
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
3 Modes of Spiritual Conditioning
- Prioritize Strengthening Prayer
We are quick to pray for strength but slow in praying to become strong. - Flood Truth Flush False
- Build Back Up
The first law of community is show up.
Show up builds the back up.
Fighting Back
- Fight the Right Fight
- Punch with Power
- Get Fit for the Fight
Getting Fit for the Fight
- Prioritize Strengthening Prayer
- Flood Truth Flush False
- Build Back Up
