Before & After. The Spirit Changes How We Relate

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2 Before & After The Spirit Changes How We Relate Illustration The Bismarck In the spring of 1940, war between England and Germany was beginning to wage in the Atlantic. The allied fleets of America and England were still abiding by a disarmament treaty that limited the size of warships. But the Germans were building ships of gigantic proportions. One such ship, the largest ever built up to that time, was the German battleship Bismarck. The Bismarck displaced 42,800 tons making it 22% larger than the most powerful ships of the allied fleets. It had eight 15 guns and some 80 smaller guns, most of which were antiaircraft. It could reach speeds of 31 knots. Its armor was so thick that no existing British torpedo could penetrate its hull. If the British did not hunt down the great battleship, she had the potential to single-handedly destroy the British fleet at the loss of countless lives. On May 21st, of 1940, two Spitfire reconnaissance planes stumbled upon the great warship as they searched a Norwegian fiord. Because of poor weather and other problems, it was several days before the British would have a crack at sinking the Bismarck. With some of the oldest biplanes still in service, and torpedoes that were, for all intents and purposes, obsolete, the British Navy attacked the Bismarck. One of the planes, with both men wounded and 175 holes in the plane from the Bismarck antiaircraft guns, made it back to the British aircraft carrier. Several of the other planes in the squadron were badly damaged. The pilots reported with excitement that they were sure at least one of the torpedoes found its mark. The mighty Bismarck had taken a torpedo in the rudder. She was dead in the water, only able to maneuver in circles like a wounded fish. Once the British neutralized the battlewagon s rudder, they had control of the entire ship. And on May 27th, the British navy converged on the Bismarck s position and sunk her. Hitler s plan was to use the Bismarck to create a wake of destruction across the Atlantic, to bring the European fleets to their knees in submission and humiliation.

3 Had the rudder not been damaged, it would have steered the great ship into battle after lopsided battle, destroying everything in its path. 1 In similar fashion, our enemy is alive and working against the purposes of God every day in our lives. But we ought not fret, because God has given us everything we need to stand up to the enemy with great confidence and claim victory in Jesus name. Read Ephesians 6:10-20 [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Over the past few weeks we ve discussed the effect the Holy Spirit has when the Kingdom of God invades a household. The purposes of God are detailed in the first five and one half chapters of Ephesians, but then Paul reminds us that we have an enemy who very much wants to thwart those purposes in our lives. John Stott writes, Is God s plan to create a new society? Then they [the hostile spiritual forces] will do their utmost to destroy it. Has God through Jesus broken down the walls dividing human beings of different races and cultures from each other? Then the devil through his emissaries will strive to rebuild them. Does God intend his reconciled and 1 Tony Miano, accessed at

4 redeemed people to live together in harmony and purity? Then the powers of hell will scatter among them the seeds of discord and sin. What is Paul s first instruction to those who face the reality of an enemy who wants to tear down what God has built in their lives? What do you think it means to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might? How can we remind ourselves in everyday conflict that there are both powers of good and evil at work? What difference would it make, if you were able to recall, in a moment of conflict, that the person before you isn t the real enemy? It may be that we take on a great sense of humility and compassion when we realize that the person we re fighting with is battling with the same hellish influences that we are. Be sure to notice that we are not simply instructed to allow God to fight for us, though I certainly believe He does. We are commanded to stand firm in verse 2, and that directive is mentioned 3 other times in this short passage. God is calling us to join the fight. What difference does it make for the Christian when they are called to stand firm, instead of being asked to stand by? Let us now move on to the armor God provides us against the devil and his schemes. What five pieces of armor does God give us?

5 What is the purpose of the Belt of Truth? The Belt of Truth describes the Roman soldiers means for gathering his garments and holding his sword. The Belt of Truth can refer to the truth of God, as in solid doctrine, but it can also mean truthfulness or sincerity of heart. Paul places this first as a reminder that spiritual warfare begins with a firm grasp on the great doctrines of our faith. Do you feel like you have a good grasp on the basic doctrines of the Christian faith? If not, what might you do to put on the Belt of Truth? The Breastplate of Righteousness refers to putting on personal holiness, practicing righteousness in thoughts and deeds. James Montgomery Boice writes, I have heard it said that although Satan could find no sin in Christ on which to take hold, he can latch onto plenty in us. That may be true. We are sinful. But what Paul is saying here is that this should not be. We should not give Satan handles to grasp easily. Instead, we must live righteously. The Sandals of the Gospel describe a Christian s readiness to share the good news of Jesus wherever our shoes may carry them. Do you feel equipped to share the good news of Jesus with those you meet along the way? If not, what do you need to do to put on the Sandals of the Gospel? A Roman soldier s shield was roughly four feet long by 2 feet wide. It covered their entire body and side by side these phalanxes of soldiers would march towards the enemy advancing in a solid wall of shields. They were a terror for opposing armies. The Shield of Faith is meant to accomplish a similar end. When we pick up the shield we are covered completely, not a part exposed to the enemy. In addition though, when we pick up the Shield of Faith alongside fellow Christians, we are an even greater force to be reckoned with, able to sustain and strike down whatever attacks the enemy sends our way.

6 What does the shield of faith teach us about the importance of the church? This Life Group? Finally, the Helmet of Salvation offers us hope in our greatest moments of struggle and strife. Our salvation is a guarantee that though we may struggle presently, suffering setback after setback, Christ has the final word. Paul calls on each of us to put on the full armor of God, but that s not all he calls us to. We are not simply seeking safety from the enemy s attacks. We ve been given an offensive weapon in order to gain ground and claim victories by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name. What is the offensive weapon Paul describes in verse 17? How might we use the Bible as a means to defeat the schemes of our great enemy, the devil? What is one idea that you can take with you this week and apply to your life? Pray God thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for equipping us to handle all the schemes of the devil. Help us to stand firm in the face of opposition and finally help us to see that the conflict we experience in this life is not with the person in front of us, but the enemy working against us.