"God,
who gives us
richly
all things to enjoy."
1 Timothy 6:17
___________________________________________________________
Dear Saints Who Pray For Revival,
We are continuing our study on the armor of God. If you have not read the previous lesson, please scroll down and read before continuing.
THE ARMOR OF GOD
“Who told you to drop your sword?”
The Gift of Grace
Someone defined grace as God’s abundant willingness for His children to experience Himself in the fullness and unending supply of His favor through the wholeness (holiness) of redemption. It is what Jesus died to give us.
Grace was not given to us as a license for inactivity or non-engagement.
“Yeah, but Jesus did it all!”
Jesus accomplished our redemption so that through faith in Him we would be empowered to do the impossible…the way He did!
The mighty Word of God in our heart must exit through our mouth in words!
That’s the SWORD!
And it must not be cast to the ground.
This is how Jesus cast out devils, healed the sick, and raised the dead in His earthly ministry! And this is how He continues to do His Father’s will, working through the Glorious Church as Mediator of the New Covenant.
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20
Let’s go back to the original plan in the garden.
THE BLESSING
God made man in His image, according to His likeness and said, “…let them have dominion…over all the earth….” Genesis 1:26
“Then God blessed them,
and God said to them,
‘Be fruitful and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it;
have dominion over the fish of the sea,
over the birds of the air,
and over every living thing
that moves on the earth.’” Genesis 1:28
THE THIEF
In the garden, Adam and Eve listened to the voice of God’s enemy. They transferred their faith in God to put their trust in what a thief and a liar said to them. Like a ship that was turned upside down, the curse was released…the opposite of The Blessing.
Adam and Eve and all their seed after them were bound in a contract of evil influence as satan became the god of this world. Yet, he is always dependent on a man to work through. We can see his influence on Adam’s son Cain when he murdered his brother Abel.
THE VICTOR: JESUS CHRIST--
The Return of the Blessing!
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,
having become a curse for us
(for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’),
that the blessing of Abraham
might come upon the Gentiles
in Christ Jesus,
that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit
through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
If you are not familiar with the Blessing of Abraham and the curse of the law, stop right here and read Deuteronomy Chapter 28. Here is something to remember when reading the verses on the curse. The translators wrote those verses in the causative sense, i.e., “The LORD will strike you…” rather than the permissive will of God. In other words, The Blessing, (protection,) was removed as a consequence of disobedience. As a result this opened the door for the devil to act.
Jesus had read Deuteronomy Chapter 28. Much of His horrific anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane came as a result of knowing that all of the curse would be transferred to Him. See Deuteronomy 28:15-68. But the joy He was laying hold of was on the other side of His crucifixion: His overwhelming desire to join with man as one so that mankind could get The Blessing back.
There is no greater love than what Jesus did for us.
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” Galatians 3:8-9
What is the Blessing?
Well, it is NOT a sweet saying to someone who has just sneezed.
It is the empowerment to prosper! Genesis 1:28
The Blessing given to Adam and Eve was God releasing His might and authority to them to rule and dominate this planet earth. It is like the owner of a multi-billion-dollar corporation transferring his keys to his son and saying, “Son, you’re in charge now.”
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16
What is the blessing?
The gospel of Jesus Christ! Mark 1:1
It was preached to Abraham, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
THE GOOD NEWS
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
See 1 John 3:8.
THE CALL OF THE END DAYS GENERATION
“…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” Acts 1:8
How does Jesus destroy the works of the devil?
Through His Church, “…which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1:23
How to Deal with the Opposition
“Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord
and in the power
of His might.”
HOW?
“Put on
the whole armor of God,
that you may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
SUBMIT TO GOD—RESIST THE DEVIL—HE WILL FLEE! James 3:7
When being attacked by the devil, the Apostle Paul pleaded with the LORD for it to depart from him. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:8-9) The LORD’S power, working through the New Creation Man, is more than capable of defeating the enemy. Read Luke 10:17-20. But without Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5
Who told you to drop your sword?
Certainly not the Teacher of The Church! The Holy Spirit will never lead The Church away from teaching about our authority through faith in the name of Jesus.
Watch out for religious tradition and erroneous teaching.
God’s favor (grace) will not do what He tells you to do. God’s favor will not speak to the mountain for you. That’s your part. See Mark 11:22-26.
If you do not doubt in your heart but have confidence (believe) that what YOU SAY will be done…then THE WORD will bring it to pass.
Have faith in God!
Have faith that what you say shall be done for you.
That’s God’s part!
Faith’s Requirements:
Faith works through love…forgive! Galatians 5:6
Through faith and patience we inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12
Hold fast your confession without wavering. Hebrews 10:23
Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12
Use your sword against faith thieves! Matthew 4:1-11
FAITH’S ENEMY: UNBELIEF
Israel could not take the land because of unbelief.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest…” Hebrews 4:2-3
Engagement is necessary in war!
A passive soldier on the battlefield endangers not only his own life, but the lives of others in his regiment. Soldiers move out as a unit to accomplish the same goal.
THE UNCOMPROMISED WORD OF FAITH
So what do all seven pieces; belt, breastplate, boots, shield, helmet, sword, and prayer have in common?
Each is activated by faith in God’s Word—the armor of light!
“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.” Hebrews 4:12-13
Keep your armor on and use The Mighty Sword of the Spirit continually! PRAY!
Remember your identity in Christ: Who You Are Scriptures and Overcomer Scriptures. Speak to the mountain. Call things that be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)
What is the purpose of all this?
Authority to take the land for God’s goodness—The Blessing—to be poured out on all flesh!
Prayer is the mighty banner The Church lifts high as soldiers of intercession lead the way for the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to be preached in all the world!
Then the end shall come…
Matthew 24:14
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
Preparing the way of the LORD in our counties!
Praying for: The Glorious Church
Praying for: The Lost
Praying for: Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2016 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
We are continuing our study on the armor of God. If you have not read the previous lesson, please scroll down and read before continuing.
THE ARMOR OF GOD
“Who told you to drop your sword?”
The Gift of Grace
Someone defined grace as God’s abundant willingness for His children to experience Himself in the fullness and unending supply of His favor through the wholeness (holiness) of redemption. It is what Jesus died to give us.
Grace was not given to us as a license for inactivity or non-engagement.
“Yeah, but Jesus did it all!”
Jesus accomplished our redemption so that through faith in Him we would be empowered to do the impossible…the way He did!
The mighty Word of God in our heart must exit through our mouth in words!
That’s the SWORD!
And it must not be cast to the ground.
This is how Jesus cast out devils, healed the sick, and raised the dead in His earthly ministry! And this is how He continues to do His Father’s will, working through the Glorious Church as Mediator of the New Covenant.
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20
Let’s go back to the original plan in the garden.
THE BLESSING
God made man in His image, according to His likeness and said, “…let them have dominion…over all the earth….” Genesis 1:26
“Then God blessed them,
and God said to them,
‘Be fruitful and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it;
have dominion over the fish of the sea,
over the birds of the air,
and over every living thing
that moves on the earth.’” Genesis 1:28
THE THIEF
In the garden, Adam and Eve listened to the voice of God’s enemy. They transferred their faith in God to put their trust in what a thief and a liar said to them. Like a ship that was turned upside down, the curse was released…the opposite of The Blessing.
Adam and Eve and all their seed after them were bound in a contract of evil influence as satan became the god of this world. Yet, he is always dependent on a man to work through. We can see his influence on Adam’s son Cain when he murdered his brother Abel.
THE VICTOR: JESUS CHRIST--
The Return of the Blessing!
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law,
having become a curse for us
(for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’),
that the blessing of Abraham
might come upon the Gentiles
in Christ Jesus,
that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit
through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
If you are not familiar with the Blessing of Abraham and the curse of the law, stop right here and read Deuteronomy Chapter 28. Here is something to remember when reading the verses on the curse. The translators wrote those verses in the causative sense, i.e., “The LORD will strike you…” rather than the permissive will of God. In other words, The Blessing, (protection,) was removed as a consequence of disobedience. As a result this opened the door for the devil to act.
Jesus had read Deuteronomy Chapter 28. Much of His horrific anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane came as a result of knowing that all of the curse would be transferred to Him. See Deuteronomy 28:15-68. But the joy He was laying hold of was on the other side of His crucifixion: His overwhelming desire to join with man as one so that mankind could get The Blessing back.
There is no greater love than what Jesus did for us.
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” Galatians 3:8-9
What is the Blessing?
Well, it is NOT a sweet saying to someone who has just sneezed.
It is the empowerment to prosper! Genesis 1:28
The Blessing given to Adam and Eve was God releasing His might and authority to them to rule and dominate this planet earth. It is like the owner of a multi-billion-dollar corporation transferring his keys to his son and saying, “Son, you’re in charge now.”
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16
What is the blessing?
The gospel of Jesus Christ! Mark 1:1
It was preached to Abraham, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
THE GOOD NEWS
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
See 1 John 3:8.
THE CALL OF THE END DAYS GENERATION
“…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…” Acts 1:8
How does Jesus destroy the works of the devil?
Through His Church, “…which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1:23
How to Deal with the Opposition
“Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord
and in the power
of His might.”
HOW?
“Put on
the whole armor of God,
that you may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
SUBMIT TO GOD—RESIST THE DEVIL—HE WILL FLEE! James 3:7
When being attacked by the devil, the Apostle Paul pleaded with the LORD for it to depart from him. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:8-9) The LORD’S power, working through the New Creation Man, is more than capable of defeating the enemy. Read Luke 10:17-20. But without Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5
Who told you to drop your sword?
Certainly not the Teacher of The Church! The Holy Spirit will never lead The Church away from teaching about our authority through faith in the name of Jesus.
Watch out for religious tradition and erroneous teaching.
God’s favor (grace) will not do what He tells you to do. God’s favor will not speak to the mountain for you. That’s your part. See Mark 11:22-26.
If you do not doubt in your heart but have confidence (believe) that what YOU SAY will be done…then THE WORD will bring it to pass.
Have faith in God!
Have faith that what you say shall be done for you.
That’s God’s part!
Faith’s Requirements:
Faith works through love…forgive! Galatians 5:6
Through faith and patience we inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12
Hold fast your confession without wavering. Hebrews 10:23
Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12
Use your sword against faith thieves! Matthew 4:1-11
FAITH’S ENEMY: UNBELIEF
Israel could not take the land because of unbelief.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest…” Hebrews 4:2-3
Engagement is necessary in war!
A passive soldier on the battlefield endangers not only his own life, but the lives of others in his regiment. Soldiers move out as a unit to accomplish the same goal.
THE UNCOMPROMISED WORD OF FAITH
So what do all seven pieces; belt, breastplate, boots, shield, helmet, sword, and prayer have in common?
Each is activated by faith in God’s Word—the armor of light!
“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.” Hebrews 4:12-13
Keep your armor on and use The Mighty Sword of the Spirit continually! PRAY!
Remember your identity in Christ: Who You Are Scriptures and Overcomer Scriptures. Speak to the mountain. Call things that be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)
What is the purpose of all this?
Authority to take the land for God’s goodness—The Blessing—to be poured out on all flesh!
Prayer is the mighty banner The Church lifts high as soldiers of intercession lead the way for the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to be preached in all the world!
Then the end shall come…
Matthew 24:14
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE
Preparing the way of the LORD in our counties!
Praying for: The Glorious Church
Praying for: The Lost
Praying for: Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2016 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org