Living as Ambassadors: Victory in Spiritual Warfare
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound responsibility and privilege we have as followers of Christ to share the good news and transform lives. This calling is not just a weekly reminder but a daily mission that requires us to live in such a way that those who know us but don't know God will come to know Him through our lives. We are ambassadors of Christ, tasked with the most significant mission of all—proclaiming the gospel and living it out authentically.
We delved into the spiritual battle that rages around us, a battle not of flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Ephesians 6 provides a clear outline of this battle, reminding us of the importance of being prepared and equipped with the armor of God. The power of God's Word is our greatest weapon, as demonstrated by Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness. Knowing and living by the Word enables us to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith.
We also discussed the subtlety of Satan's tactics, as he often presents a counterfeit Christianity that can deceive even the faithful. This calls for discernment and a deep understanding of the true gospel, as well as a commitment to sound doctrine. The battle is real, and while we may lose some skirmishes, the war has already been won through Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection assure us of ultimate victory.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the power of Jesus' sacrifice. His blood cleanses us and empowers us to face each new day and each new battle. Despite our struggles and failures, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We are called to live victoriously, knowing that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any force in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Ambassadors of Christ: Our lives should reflect the gospel so that those who know us but don't know God will come to know Him. This is our daily mission, and it requires authenticity and intentionality in our relationships and interactions. [29:39]
2. The Spiritual Battle: We are engaged in a spiritual battle against forces not of flesh and blood. Ephesians 6 reminds us to be equipped with the armor of God, emphasizing the power of His Word as our greatest weapon against temptation and deception. [31:35]
3. Counterfeit Christianity: Satan often presents a version of Christianity that is close to the truth but ultimately deceptive. We must be discerning and committed to sound doctrine, recognizing the subtlety of his tactics and standing firm in the true gospel. [33:38]
4. Victory in Jesus: Despite the battles we face, the war has already been won through Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection assure us of ultimate victory, and His blood continually cleanses us, empowering us to live victoriously. [58:23]
5. Living Victoriously: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We are called to live victoriously, knowing that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any force in the world. This assurance gives us the strength to face each new day and each new battle. [01:01:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[16:06] - Opening Prayer
[29:39] - Ambassadors of Christ
[31:35] - The Spiritual Battle
[33:38] - Counterfeit Christianity
[35:22] - The Weight of Leadership
[40:10] - Angels and Spiritual Warfare
[41:08] - The Role of Angels
[42:13] - Victory in Jesus
[49:28] - The Lies of Satan
[53:55] - Consequences of Sin
[55:46] - Unity in Diversity
[56:36] - The Armor of God
[58:23] - Communion and Victory
[01:01:10] - Living Victoriously
[01:10:16] - Invitation to Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- 1 Peter 5:8-9
- Romans 8:1
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-18 say about the nature of the spiritual battle we face and the armor of God? How does this passage guide us in preparing for spiritual warfare?
2. According to 1 Peter 5:8-9, how is the devil described, and what are believers instructed to do in response to his tactics?
3. In Romans 8:1, what assurance is given to those who are in Christ Jesus, and how does this relate to the concept of living victoriously despite our struggles? [01:01:10]
4. The sermon mentioned the subtlety of Satan's tactics and the danger of counterfeit Christianity. What are some examples given in the sermon of how Satan might deceive believers? [33:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "ambassadors of Christ" challenge believers to live out their faith in daily interactions? What does this role entail according to the sermon? [29:39]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of God's Word as a weapon against temptation. How can believers practically use Scripture to resist the devil's schemes? [31:35]
3. What does it mean to live victoriously in Christ, and how does the assurance of no condemnation in Romans 8:1 empower believers in their spiritual journey? [01:01:10]
4. How can believers discern between true and counterfeit Christianity, and why is it important to be committed to sound doctrine? [33:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your role as an ambassador of Christ. How can you intentionally live in a way that reflects the gospel to those around you this week? [29:39]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually unprepared. What steps can you take to equip yourself with the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18?
3. Consider a recent situation where you faced temptation. How did you respond, and how might you use Scripture more effectively in similar situations in the future? [31:35]
4. Think about a time when you encountered a version of Christianity that seemed close to the truth but was ultimately misleading. How did you recognize it, and what did you learn from that experience? [33:38]
5. In what ways can you remind yourself of the victory you have in Jesus, especially during times of struggle or failure? How does this assurance impact your daily life? [01:01:10]
6. Reflect on a specific relationship or interaction where you can demonstrate the love and truth of Christ more authentically. What practical steps can you take to improve this relationship?
7. How can you create a habit of regularly partaking in communion with a focus on the power of Jesus' sacrifice and the victory it brings? What changes might this bring to your spiritual life? [58:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Living as Authentic Ambassadors
As followers of Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors, representing Him in our daily lives. This is not a task reserved for Sundays but a continuous mission that requires us to live authentically and intentionally. Our lives should reflect the gospel in such a way that those who know us but do not know God will come to know Him through our actions and words. This calling demands that we build genuine relationships and engage in meaningful interactions, always pointing others to Christ. [29:39]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the gospel lived out authentically? How can you intentionally reflect Christ to them today?
Day 2: Equipped for the Spiritual Battle
We are engaged in a spiritual battle that is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Ephesians 6 provides a clear outline of this battle, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and equipped with the armor of God. The power of God's Word is our greatest weapon, as demonstrated by Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness. By knowing and living by the Word, we can resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. This requires daily commitment to scripture and prayer, ensuring we are ready to face the challenges that come our way. [31:35]
Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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."
Reflection: What specific piece of the armor of God do you need to focus on today? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine?
Day 3: Discernment Against Counterfeit Christianity
Satan often presents a version of Christianity that is close to the truth but ultimately deceptive. This calls for discernment and a deep understanding of the true gospel. We must be committed to sound doctrine, recognizing the subtlety of his tactics and standing firm in the true gospel. This requires us to be vigilant, constantly testing what we hear and see against the Word of God, and seeking wisdom through prayer and study. [33:38]
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV): "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."
Reflection: Are there teachings or beliefs you hold that need to be examined in light of Scripture? How can you seek God's truth in these areas today?
Day 4: Assurance of Victory in Jesus
Despite the battles we face, the war has already been won through Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection assure us of ultimate victory. His blood continually cleanses us, empowering us to live victoriously. This assurance gives us the strength to face each new day and each new battle, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We are called to live in this victory, embracing the freedom and power that comes from being in Christ. [58:23]
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Reflection: What battle are you currently facing that you need to surrender to Jesus? How can you live in the victory He has already won for you?
Day 5: Living Victoriously Through the Spirit
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We are called to live victoriously, knowing that the Spirit of God within us is greater than any force in the world. This assurance gives us the strength to face each new day and each new battle. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our struggles and failures, living in the freedom and power that comes from being in Christ. This requires us to be attuned to the Spirit's leading, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. [01:01:10]
1 John 4:4 (ESV): "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power? How can you invite Him to lead you today?
Quotes
We have this quote in our house, live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you, because we're his ambassadors. There's nothing more powerful, nothing more important than what we do in this life than being the ambassadors of God on behalf of his son Jesus to say, there's something more than what you have here. [00:29:39] (22 seconds)
I've said several times since I've been here over and over, one of the things that we need to get back to is a true reverence and awe and understanding the power of the word of God. We sometimes miss that. We don't think about the power. It really is in the word. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness after he was baptized, how did he refute everything that Satan brought to him? It is written. [00:31:35] (29 seconds)
And so if you pull out specifically verses 10 through 12, and you look at those, it kind of lays out the battle for us and the reality of what that battle is and that it's not a battle of flesh and blood. It's a battle against the powers. And the principalities and the things above us and around us, those things that are in the heavenly realms. [00:32:38] (22 seconds)
He's producing a counterfeit Christianity so much like the real one that good Christians are afraid to speak out against it. That was the quote I put. And I asked people, well, what do you think about that? I got some responses back, but this is the rest of the quote. He says, we are plainly told in the scriptures that in the. In the last days, men will not endure sound doctrine and will depart from the faith and heap to themselves teachers who tickle their ears. [00:34:04] (28 seconds)
The battle ahead, is it real? Absolutely. Is it hard? Absolutely. Will you lose some battles along the way? Absolutely. But you never forget that you have a band of angels that are fighting on your behalf because you are a child of God. We cannot miss that. We can't underplay that. In fact, we need to play that up more and more to realize the power that's within us because of the spirit of God that lives in us. [00:40:02] (28 seconds)
Scripture calls us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. Now, granted, don't mishear me. I'm not saying that we're going to be perfect as God was perfect, but we can be better. Because God says, God's Spirit lives in us. And if God's Spirit lives in us, do you not believe that that Spirit will lead us to the good things we need to go to? [00:41:08] (21 seconds)
And if you've ever studied in the book of Revelation, which is the book of Revelation, I don't know, when was the last time you read it and didn't walk away saying, what in the world did I just read? When I was at, we were at Harding, Joe Jones was a professor in the Bible department. He wrote a book about Revelation called Victory in Jesus. [00:42:13] (20 seconds)
The lies that Satan throws at us continue to get worse and worse and worse. And we've got to be prepared to stand up against it. I mean, think about all the things that you see around you. And how much of it would you attribute to Satan? [00:49:28] (21 seconds)
I'm convinced that one of the greatest weapons that we have, I love Ephesians 6 and how it breaks it down, the armor of God, the breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit. I love all of those images and the beauty of what that means for us because the reality is when we have those things, we know we're protected. We know we're protected. But the one thing that protects us more than anything else is the blood of Jesus. [00:56:36] (35 seconds)
And I want to transition us into our communion this morning and our celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to realize that no matter what the battle is that's going on around us, we know without a shadow of a doubt that God sent his son Jesus as a way to overcome the evil one. And if you read the book of Revelation, you know good and well, the war has already been won. The war is won. [00:58:23] (31 seconds)
But then in Romans chapter eight, he says, therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So even if we lose a few battles. Yeah. Because we know the war is won in Jesus and any battle that you fight, you can stake your ground, you can read your Bible. You can fill yourself with all good things. But in the end, the only thing that matters is, did you clothe yourself with the blood of Jesus? [01:01:10] (29 seconds)
As we partake of these emblems. Today, no, that this is the nourishment that is needed for us to stay strong in the battle. This is the feast we need to continually come back to. This is the feast that makes the most sense for us to have strength, to go forward and to fight and to not give up. [01:01:17] (29 seconds)
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