Encounter Church
Sunday Morning 03.09.25
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  • Scripture

    Ephesians 6:10–17 NKJV
    10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

    I. Receive

    Strong’s Lexicon
    dechomai: To receive, accept, welcome
    Original Word: δέχομαι Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dechomai Pronunciation: DEKH-oh-my Phonetic Spelling: (dekh'-om-ahee) Definition: To receive, accept, welcome Meaning: I take, receive, accept, welcome.
    Word Origin: A primary verb
    Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H6901 (קָבַל, qabal): To receive, take
    - H3947 (לָקַח, laqach): To take, receive, accept
    Usage: The Greek verb "dechomai" primarily means to receive or accept something offered, whether it be a person, a message, or a gift. It conveys a sense of welcoming or embracing what is given. In the New Testament, it often implies a positive reception, such as accepting the word of God, welcoming a person into one's home, or receiving a blessing.
    During this instruction Paul chooses to use a different word where salvation is involved. This word does not describe an action that you initiate. The word means to receive or welcomely accept something that has been given. When you receive it by faith, Salvation will come to you. Salvation is a gift that has been given to us by the divine power of God. That devine power provides us with what is necessary to live a Godly life. We have the capability to live in the light among a dark world.
    2 Peter 1:3 NKJV
    3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
    Salvation is a gift of God’s mercy and divine power. It equips us to live in the new way God has called us to */As Peter will make clear, knowing God, the source of all life, is the only path to being fully equipped to live as God calls us to do.
    Ephesians 2:1–2 NKJV
    1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
    Helmet covers the plan where the mind resides. Salvation is the key to a renewed mind and a new reference point and worldview.
    Romans 12:2 NKJV
    2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
    A helmet protects the mind. The mind determines direction. Whenever we were playing sports, I was instructed to watch the waist of the opponent. It does not matter how many motions he makes with his shoulders or his footwork. He is not going anywhere that his waist does not. The mind is our spiritual “waist-line”. No matter how impressive our exterior, intentions or initial moves, we will go in no direction that our mind is not pointed toward. Therefore, it is vital that whatever is affecting our mind is the right. We must receive Salvation and submit to Christ only receiving the information that lines up with the word of God. (Romans3:3-4)
    2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
    5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
    Our choices are made based off the information we receive. If you have received the wrong information you will make the wrong choices. Submitting to and receiving Jesus as Lord means ultimately we will exchange our information for His. This will not end in perfect choices, But it will result in a better trajectory.
    How do we know the commands of Christ? His word!! Hallelujah!
    Psalm 119:105 NKJV
    105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
    Psalm 119:11–12 NKJV
    11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.
    II. Offense
    Paul waits until the end to give us the offensive weapon in our spiritual arsenal which is the word…. Of God. Although Paul uses a different term we will start What do we know about the word of God.
    Hebrews 4:12–13 NKJV
    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. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
    The word cuts through demonic and deceptive assignments. It goes deep to purges the ungodly mindsets and ideologies that seep into our lives. As we consume music, social media, conversations, podcasts ideologies and thought processes are being passed onto us. It is the word that illuminates darkness in some of the things we deem harmless. (2 Cor 3:5)
    Paul call this the sword of the SPIRIT
    Strong's Lexicon
    rhéma: Word, saying, utterance, matter
    Original Word: ῥῆμα Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: rhéma Pronunciation: HREH-mah Phonetic Spelling: (hray'-mah) Definition: Word, saying, utterance, matter Meaning: a thing spoken, (a) a word or saying of any kind, as command, report, promise, (b) a thing, matter, business.
    Word Origin: Derived from the verb ῥέω (rheo), meaning "to speak" or "to say."
    Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - דָּבָר (dabar) - Strong's Hebrew 1697, often translated as "word" or "matter," which similarly conveys the idea of a spoken word or command.
    Usage: In the New Testament, "rhéma" refers to that which is spoken, an utterance, or a specific word or saying. It often emphasizes the spoken word as opposed to the written word (logos). Rhéma can denote a particular statement or command, often with a focus on its immediate impact or relevance.
    Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the spoken word held significant power and authority. Oral tradition was a primary means of communication, and the spoken word was often seen as more dynamic and immediate than the written word. In the context of the New Testament, rhéma is used to convey the power and authority of God's spoken word, as well as the teachings and sayings of Jesus.
    This speaks to the power and relevance of the word of God. Even Jesus said in matthew 4:4
    4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
    2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
    16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
    The Word:
    Helps us live free from sin’s grasp
    Helps us to battle against temptation
    Helps us delineate right from wrong
    Gives us a clear view of life
    Gives spiritual sight to the blind
    Power Principle:
    We must consume, memorize, internalize and activate the word constantly in our lives.
    Conclusion:
    As we open our hearts and apply to word of God to our lives we will find the path to ultimate victory in our battles.
Encounter Church
http://www.encounter360.org
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