Full Gospel Mission
September 2, 2018
Ephesians 6:10–17 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;The Sword is the Word of GodOur authority is derived from another sourceThis is good because the authority or power does not rest upon your meritChristian authority, power, boldness, does not rest on youPhilippians 4:11–13 NKJV Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.I can do all things, through....my sparkling personalitymy up standing characterPaul face hard things, impossible things and he did not emerge victorious because he learned how to grin and bare itHe did not walk in victory by becoming strongerHe tapped into a reservoir that was deeper than personal strengthPsalm 61:1–3 NKJV Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.Who am I in Christ?There are 3 primary truths that you need to come grips with regarding your identity in ChristYou are forgiven - again not on the basis of your merit, your worth, or even how bad you feel about a thingYou know a person with a seared conscious can repent?John 8:31–32 NKJV Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”You were doing wrong, you were serving self, your life had a self centered, self glorifying, self defined lifeRepent, change your mind about who is going to run the showRepent, change your mind about what your life is going to be aboutRepentance is not primarily about a change in behavior it is a transformed purposeboth in your reckoning and heaven’sWhy is this an important truth and an important part of your identity?So you can stop moping around, pretending that all your, down on yourself stuff is pietyThe blood of Jesus either washes away sins or it does not (and Jesus does not need any help)2nd: You are loved by GodWe need to personalize the love of God, is big enough to love each and everyone individuallyWhy is this an important truth and an important part of your identity?You can rest assured that your faith in God is well foundedYou can respond to God without seeing the outcome, because you understand He will choose what is best3rd - You are a container of the Holy SpiritYou are not the star player in this dynamic duoyou are not the strong oneyou are not the smart onesuccess does not hinge on youWhy is this an important truth and important part of your identity?You need to berating yourself for failures and start learning how to tap into the strength that dwells withinYou need to stop evaluating the probability of success on the person in the mirrorMany fail to try for a fear of failure, the issue with these folks is they are striving for the wrong result.“Well done, good and faithful servant” in the highest and best rewardThat brings us the most important question:Who is Christ in you?There can only be one “I am” in your heartOur weapon and our only weapon is the Word of GodHebrews 4:12–13 NKJV 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. 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 of God is our ONLY Offensive WeaponIf you offend or wound it should only be for the sake of the GospelHow Do We Weld this Sword?MeditatePsalm 1:1–3 NKJV Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.Study2 Timothy 2:14–15 NKJV Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“Be diligent” or study or better yet diligently studySpeakJoshua 1:8 NKJV This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.John 6:63 NKJV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.Ephesians 6:10–17ESV
Philippians 4:11–13ESV
Psalm 61:1–3ESV
John 8:31–32ESV
Hebrews 4:12–13ESV
Psalm 1:1–3ESV
2 Timothy 2:14–15ESV
Joshua 1:8ESV
John 6:63ESV