In the journey of faith, believers are often likened to soldiers engaged in spiritual warfare. This battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that seek to demoralize and distract. The reality of this warfare can be daunting, leading to feelings of discouragement and defeat. However, believers are called to stand firm, knowing that God is with them and will raise a standard against the enemy. This assurance is not based on human strength but on the divine promise that God will fight for His people. [06:18]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life that feels like a spiritual battle. How can you rely on God's strength rather than your own to stand firm in this situation today?
Day 2: Hope Rooted in God's Promises
Hope is a powerful force that sustains believers through trials and tribulations. Unlike fleeting human optimism, the hope that believers hold is deeply rooted in the promises of God. This living hope empowers them to persevere and continue fighting the good fight of faith. It is a hope that transcends circumstances, providing strength and encouragement in the face of adversity. By anchoring their hope in God's unchanging promises, believers can navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. [09:10]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that has been significant in your life. How can you let this promise renew your hope and perspective in a current trial?
Day 3: Faith and Obedience as Keys to Victory
The story of Israel in Numbers 21 illustrates the profound connection between faith, obedience, and spiritual victory. When the Israelites looked up in faith and walked in obedience, they experienced healing and triumph. This narrative serves as a reminder that spiritual victories are often contingent upon one's faithfulness and purity before God. By maintaining a posture of faith and obedience, believers can overcome the challenges they face and experience the fullness of God's blessings. [14:16]
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (ESV): "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you struggle with obedience. What steps can you take today to align your actions with God's will and experience His victory?
Day 4: Vigilance Against Complacency and Seduction
The Israelites' fall into sin serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and seduction. In the midst of spiritual warfare, believers must remain vigilant, guarding against the subtle influences of the world that can lead them away from God. Complacency can dull spiritual senses, making one susceptible to temptation and sin. By staying alert and focused on God, believers can resist the lures of the world and maintain their spiritual integrity. [42:25]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: Identify a worldly influence that has subtly crept into your life. How can you take practical steps to guard your heart and mind against this influence today?
Day 5: Living with Purpose and Passion
Believers are called to live with a singular focus on God, driven by a passion for Christ and His kingdom. This purpose-filled life is marked by zeal and dedication, much like the fervor of the young communist described in the sermon. By living with intentionality and passion, believers can glorify God and advance His kingdom on earth. This calling requires a commitment to align one's life with God's purposes, seeking to make a meaningful impact for His glory. [22:15]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your current pursuits and activities. How can you infuse them with greater purpose and passion for God's glory today?
Sermon Summary
In our time together, we explored the theme of being a spiritual soldier, drawing from 2 Timothy 2:4, which reminds us that no one engaged in warfare entangles themselves with the affairs of this life. This week, we will delve into what it means to be a spiritual soldier, examining the challenges and victories that come with this calling. We began by acknowledging the reality of spiritual warfare and the demoralization that can occur when we face trials and temptations. Just as soldiers on a battlefield can become disheartened, so too can we when we encounter spiritual battles. However, we are reminded that we have a living hope, a hope that is not just a human construct but is rooted in the promises of God, as seen in Isaiah 59:19-20.
We reflected on the story of Israel in Numbers 21, where they experienced both defeat and victory. Their journey teaches us the importance of faith and obedience. When they looked up in faith, they were healed, and when they walked in obedience, they were victorious. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our spiritual victories are tied to our faithfulness and purity before God. We also considered the dangers of seduction and complacency, as seen in the story of Balaam and the Israelites' eventual fall into sin. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant and to keep our focus on God.
Throughout this week, we will explore various aspects of spiritual warfare, including battle plans, the infiltration of worldly influences, and the weapons of our warfare. We will also discuss the importance of building God's kingdom and living with purpose. As we journey together, let us take inventory of our spiritual lives, seeking to align ourselves with God's will and to walk in the purity and power that He provides.
Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Just as soldiers face battles, we too face spiritual warfare. The demoralization that can occur is real, but we are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God is with us and will lift up a standard against the enemy. [06:18]
2. The Power of Hope: Our hope is not a mere human construct but is rooted in the promises of God. This living hope sustains us through trials and empowers us to continue fighting the good fight of faith. [09:10]
3. Faith and Obedience Lead to Victory: The story of Israel in Numbers 21 teaches us that when we look up in faith and walk in obedience, we experience spiritual victory. Our purity and faithfulness before God are crucial in our spiritual journey. [14:16]
4. The Danger of Complacency and Seduction: The Israelites' fall into sin serves as a warning to remain vigilant. We must guard against complacency and the subtle seductions of the world that can lead us away from God. [42:25]
5. Living with Purpose and Passion: We are called to live with a singular focus on God, much like the zeal of the young communist described. Our passion for Christ should drive us to live for His glory and to spread His kingdom. [22:15] ** [22:15]
2 Timothy 2:4 - "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
Isaiah 59:19-20 - "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord."
Numbers 21 - The story of Israel's journey, defeat, and victory.
Observation Questions:
What does 2 Timothy 2:4 suggest about the priorities of a spiritual soldier? How does this relate to the sermon’s theme of not entangling with worldly affairs? [04:29]
In Isaiah 59:19-20, what promise does God give when the enemy comes in like a flood? How does this relate to the concept of hope discussed in the sermon? [09:36]
How did the Israelites experience both defeat and victory in Numbers 21, and what role did faith and obedience play in their journey? [12:23]
What was the significance of the Israelites' fall into sin in Numbers 25, and how does it serve as a warning against complacency and seduction? [42:25]
Interpretation Questions:
How does the concept of a "living hope" in Isaiah 59:19-20 differ from the human hope described in Greek mythology, and why is this distinction important for believers? [09:10]
What lessons can be drawn from the Israelites' journey in Numbers 21 about the relationship between faith, obedience, and spiritual victory? [14:16]
How does the story of Balaam and the Israelites illustrate the dangers of complacency and seduction, and what can modern believers learn from this narrative? [42:25]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that worldly influences can infiltrate the church, and how can believers remain vigilant against these threats? [11:07]
Application Questions:
Reflect on your own life: Are there any "affairs of this life" that are entangling you and hindering your spiritual journey? How can you begin to disentangle from them this week? [04:29]
The sermon emphasizes the power of hope rooted in God's promises. How can you cultivate this living hope in your daily life, especially during trials? [09:10]
Consider a recent challenge you faced. How did faith and obedience play a role in your response, and what might you do differently next time to ensure spiritual victory? [14:16]
The Israelites' fall into sin serves as a warning. Are there areas in your life where you might be complacent or susceptible to seduction? What steps can you take to guard against these dangers? [42:25]
The sermon calls for living with purpose and passion for God's kingdom. What specific actions can you take this week to align your life more closely with this calling? [22:15]
How can you actively participate in building God's kingdom in your community, and what resources or support do you need to do so effectively? [50:57]
Reflect on the concept of spiritual warfare. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your spiritual defenses and stand firm in your faith? [06:18]
Sermon Clips
"Throughout this week, we will explore various aspects of spiritual warfare, including battle plans, the infiltration of worldly influences, and the weapons of our warfare. We will also discuss the importance of building God's kingdom and living with purpose. As we journey together, let us take inventory of our spiritual lives, seeking to align ourselves with God's will and to walk in the purity and power that He provides." [00:10:56]
"Discouragement is one of the things that kill us every time. Remember John the Baptist, he was in prison... John the Baptist was setting in jail getting discouraged and he sent his disciples to Jesus and saying are you really really the Christ? And remember Jesus said blessed is he who has not offended in me. Discouraging when we get discouraged we can tend to lose faith." [00:12:34]
"And so we know then what happens is that the God after that happens the punishment happens and then he gives this cure and this cure is incredible because it goes all the way into the New Testament of Jesus and there's something about that idea that just by looking up in faith, they were healed." [00:14:01]
"Listen to How to to why these curses did not work numbers 23 8 so he says, how shall I curse whom God has not cursed, and how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? But from the tops of the rock I see him and from the hills I Behold Him and there a people dwelling alone, and not Reckoning itself among the Nations." [00:16:25]
"Does this describe you, this idea they're not involved with the politics, they're not involved with the entertainment the different tribes that are around they're the pagans that are there but they are on the move they have a purpose and they're going forth as a people of God and he says like and then he even says I want a life like that let me die death of a righteous." [00:18:06]
"Now Ponder this passage for a second you remember the you know the people all the different things they were just getting cursed a minute ago and lots of people died by fiery serpents and all this there was a complaining before that and and all the things that happened and yet at this moment in their journey and I don't want you to miss this point it's incredibly important that in this moment in their Journey when they came to Christ by faith when they're following them and their hands are clean and their hearts are pure and they're walking in the faith." [00:31:55]
"Are you having spiritual victory in your life? If you're having spiritual defeat in your life doesn't mean just bad bad things happen to All Saints, but you know what I mean a Christian can discern when this is a spiritual attack and if you would allowed yourself to have a defiled conscience or you're walking without that pure there seems to be not this kind of protection but when they're walking with faith, separated unto God walking with a clear purpose with a clean hand and a pure heart he's saying there's no sorcery that can touch them that's powerful stuff isn't it." [00:40:17]
"An invincible Army of God, invisible people, clear with God no no curse can get them all that you can see Satan just trying every one of these battles and their Shield which is bouncing off until they seduce them, and I just find it I don't even know what to do with this, the bail it taught the government how to do it, something in that I don't know, but this is how they failed, slow seduction staying put no longer they're on the Move no longer they're fighting anymore they're just hanging out in the acacia they're taking a good time and now they're giving up." [00:44:59]
"Consider and hear me O Lord Psalm 13 3, consider and hear me O Lord my God, Enlighten my eyes in other words wake me up lest I sleep the sleep of death, that's what happens to me, just give up." [00:47:29]
"Spiritual Soldier remember these things and I would give a summary and we will end, the spiritual soldiers that we saw in the book of numbers were a people dwelling alone, not Reckoning itself among the Nations, is that you if it's not ask this week in which ways you are fraternizing with the Enemy." [00:47:53]
"The Lord God is with him you want that indwelling presence of God and the shout of a king is among them, I want you to also to get a purpose this week to be revived in your purpose for the church and for the people of God and for to give glory to God to to to to to spread his name and across the the world and to give glory to the Son of God Jesus Christ get that shout within you." [00:48:56]
"Finally on Thursday night so again but tonight even tonight if God has convicted you of your of of this, remember that serpent that was put Into the Wilderness and it was Jesus that brought that up in John chapter 3. looking up in faith, God can rescue you and save you and if you want to talk about that you can see me afterwards and we can pray but I pray that every one of us will take this week of inventory and look to God and see what he has for us." [00:51:59]