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The Spiritual Armor
By
Pastor Young Joon Park
3-14-10
I. Our Enemy
Ephesians 6:12
Eph
6:12 For we are not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers (master spirits) of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly
(supernatural) sphere. (KJV + AB)
One
example)
A
murderer – claimed that satan made him to kill the person
1. People is not our object to wrestle
For we are not wrestle against flesh and blood
1) People in church or among Christians
It does
not mean that we do not need to concern about man’s rebellion or sin issue, and
just blame all the responsibility to the devil, satan.
We need
to deal with the sin issue at our own personal level all the time, because we are
the one that choose to commit sin when the devil attempts us.
The
devil is not the one who makes you to commit sin, but he suggests and tempts us
to commit sin very aggressively relentlessly.
The old
serpent did not make Eve to commit sin by force, and he never used his force to
make her disobey the Lord, but she was deceived by him and chose to commit to
eat the fruit and Adam as well. The final responsibility of the sin was Adam’s
as a Man and Eve’s her own rebellious, but not satan’s. Our Father God will judge
satan and put him in eternal judgment because he is the original source of sin,
and he is the evil. But our Father God has Mercy, Grace and Love upon us,
because we are created as His Image, and we are not evil just as satan.
If
someone commits sin or has sin issue among our Christians, Jesus gave us the
clear instruction of the disciplinary action about sin issue at personal level
in Matthew
18:15-17.
Jesus gave the 3 steps to deal with the sin
issue
among the believers. Some people did not follow Jesus’ 3 steps instruction and
to judge and condemn people as a sinner without fear. We cannot judge or
condemn people at all, but we do only certain situation as leaders with full
authority from the Lord. – Ananias & Sapphira
Some
people use God’s Word to condemn people without any fear of the Lord. And on
the contrary, they condemn people from their anger even using the pretext of God’s
Word. Sadly, people use the God’s Word to prove their action is based on God’s
standard and believe it was from the Lord.
That is the Pharisees issue. The Pharisees who were
against Jesus played the major role in crucifying Jesus 2000 years ago. We need
to understand one thing when we are in anger whatever reasons may be. Our
spiritual eye, ear and heart will be shut down, and become spiritually blind,
deaf and no discernment. And they will start to judge not just one issue, but
all different issues and directions as well and make a decision all on their
own.
We have to understand the Word of God
correctly and hear from the Lord clearly when we use God’s Word to evaluate
people.
For the
word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and
piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,
and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
God’s
Word is to help us or to challenge to follow Jesus, not to condemn people.
Jesus came here for the sick, not for
the healthy people at all.
Jesus said, “But go and
learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION,
AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not
come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The typical reactions of the people
who judge others never accept the correction when they are challenged about
their mistake or sin from others. Furthermore, they usually go against the
person who challenged their issue and the correction with the same judgment
attitude. This judgment cycle will continually go on and on in their lives.
So we need to remember
Romans 2:1
Therefore you have no
excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge
another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
God
will take the responsibility from the person who judge and condemn people.
The
judgment is not one of our roles, but only the Lord’s.
Let’s
clear our heart in front of the Lord, our purpose to the person who has the sin
issue is bringing them to the Lord’s presence, let him or her align his/her
life to God’s Will and their lives to be restored in the Lord in dealing with
the personal sin issue. If he keeps rejecting the correction and the
disciplinary action and continues to be rebellious, then we treat him as a
non-believer.
2) People among Non-Christians
They
need Jesus Christ, because God loves them and gave His Son Jesus for their eternal
life. That is why God sent us onto earth to reach out to them. That is why we
cannot hate them no matter what kind of evil actions they did, but love them
with God’s Love.
We have
to reach the level of God’s Love for the people.
The
Greatest Commandments of God
Love
Your God and Love your neighbor.
Our
neighbor is all the people who do not know Jesus including all other religious origins
(Muslim, Buddhism …), non Christian Cultures, ideologies, the countries against
the Christianity…
3) People as our enemy
Whoever
hates us and tries to destroy our lives just like as satan, only because we
follow Jesus. Those are our enemy.
a) Yourself – so we have to die continually.
Rome 8:7
Our mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;
b) Your family members
Matthew 10:36
A man’s enemies will be
the members of his household
I had heartache and anger two times
last year and this year. I was challenged in
both occasions.
Todd Bentley’s marriage problem in
2009 and in this year there is Benny Hinn’s marriage problem. I cannot make any
conclusions in any of these cases, but one thing I know is that these problems were
caused by their wives. I do not know what the real issue behind of them. But it
feels like the ego issue that Jesus spoke to us very clearly the requirement to
be His Disciple in Luke 9:23-24. Whatever they did against each
other destroyed the ministry and brought the disgrace in the Lord’s Name to the
world. Both of them brought the problem by their spouses, not by other people.
Yes, it surely was the enemy that came from their household members.
We are going to destroy God’s work if
we do not die.
We have to do my right to die first,
instead of pointing fingers to other people making claims that they need to
die.
c)
People who are against Christians among Non-believers
Not all
of non-believers are our enemy, but whoever hates us because our faith in
Jesus.
They
are our enemy.
But
Jesus commanded us to love your enemy whoever they are in Luke 6:27.
God
wants us to love ourselves. – love your neighbor as yourself
God
wants us to love our enemy – love your enemy
But He
never commanded us to love our enemy, satan. There is a huge difference between
man and satan.
God
sent His Son, sacrificed Him on the Cross and raised Him from the dead, and now
He is with Father God and He sits on His throne now.
Jesus
did not do anything for satan, but He did everything only for you and me.
So our
real enemy is satan himself and his ugly fallen evil angels.
2. Our Real enemy
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
(master spirits) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Our
enemies are at all different levels of authority and power, and our real
enemies are at very high level of the evil spirits, because they have the
control over the area.
So many
cases we fight with people instead of the real enemy who is behind of them.
In
naturally our reaction toward the people who are against you, We are angry
toward the people and fight against what they did wrong.
But the
real enemy is behind of the person, society, cultures, political situation…
Some
people get upset about the political leader’s action. Yes, through the media
several things that they did make us wonder as Christian view, but we need to
remember what the enemy is doing behind of them. That is our real enemy.
James shared
the important issue with me last Friday; the very significant movement is going
on in this USA right now.
They
are talking about the chip to embed under the skins of every Americans and this
was prophesied through Apostle John as the beast Mark “666” at the Island Patmos 2000 years ago.
The
spirit of Anti-Christ is really moving and speeding up continually around the
world now.
Our
real enemy, satan, released all his dark forces everywhere, especially into the
church and the ministry to destroy Kingdom of God.
There are 3 major theories for the Second Coming.
The
post millennium, the millennium, the pre-millennium
It
might be possible that all of them are wrong, or one of them is correct and
accurate.
I do
not rely on what the theories are, because even the bible scholars could not
see or to understand correctly.
According
to the Word of God, I believe that our Christians will be going through a part
of the tribulation we might not have a chance to face the mark 666, although
there are some possibilities. During the tribulation, the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ and the rapture also will be taking place.
The
great tribulation is very close to our time; and the Second Coming also is very
close as well.
The ending time prophecy is not horrible
things for Christians,
but the great news for us, because our redemption will take place and we will
be with our Father God, Jesus Christ, our Lord and the Holy Spirit forever and
ever.
For the
non-believer it will be horrible and horrible news, and they will face all of
the judgments in Revelation and they will go through every single of them, and
after that the eternal judgment is poured out to them and then they will live in
hell eternally.
If we
face the beast mark 666 system, guard your heart and faith in Jesus, refuse to
receive the mark on your forehead or right hand. There might be possibilities
for US government to start requiring a new ID on you driver license and
passport. This card might have a smart micro chip embedded to get close to the system
of 666. You can have it on card, (we might need to refuse from this step if
possible), but not under your skin especially on your forehead or on your right
hand, (absolutely No! No! No!).
Whatever things are going around is related
with the spiritual matter.
What
you see around is something already happened in the spiritual realm.
That is
why the spiritual realm changing effect to the natural realm.
The
natural realm will be affected right away when the spiritual heavenly realm
changed.
That is
why we have to watch the current environment carefully.
In the
world right now there are very significant signs for the timing of the Lord.
We know the magi related with Jesus’ born in
Matthew 2:
This
magi was not Bible prophecy scholars or Jews neither, but they found special
star 2 year ago before Jesus was born and they knew it instantly understood the
sign of the Messiah of the world. We do not have any supporting history source
how they knew it even they are not the descendant of Abraham. Only I know is
that they followed the star and met Jesus who is the real Messiah and their
prophetic sense was correct and accurate.
After
they met Jesus, the great battle happened in the spiritual realm, and it was
affected on the earth against Jesus’ life
Whether you realized or not we are already in
the battle ground every day.
Whether you like it or not you fight in the
battle ground every day.
You are
in the battle ground if you are dealing with some unusual situation in your
life or something going on. Sometimes it makes you upset, uneasy feeling,
hardship or wrestling something continually when you are in the battle ground,
and it is not pleasurable experience. However, when we found out that it is the
battle ground, you will be in the different level. This battle ground is
absolutely necessary in our life for coming months and years.
It is
not easy to discern what kind of battle ground and what kind of enemy you are
dealing with right now if you are caught up with emotional situation, but we
need to see the enemy behind of the warfare with no exception.
Every
war, there is always the enemy who is controlling behind the battle.
During the battle, we could take over the battle
ground to overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit or we could fail and be used
us as his tool against the Kingdom of God.
We can
be used by satan if we are not careful about our faith life.
One
time Peter was so upset when Jesus
prophesied about His Passion and Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Peter
believed that he has a right to speak to Jesus directly as Jesus’ Disciple.
He put Jesus aside and started to
rebuke (it was not an opinion, suggestion or ask the reasoning) Jesus.
Matthew 16:23
But He turned and said to
Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not
setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
Jesus
spoke to satan directly – get behind Me, satan, you are stumbling block to Me.
Jesus
spoke to Peter directly – for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests,
but man’s.
But
Jesus knew that it was satan who used Peter’s heart and his mouth against
Jesus’ Redemption Plan.
Moses & Pharaoh – spiritual warfare
against the demons of Egypt
Joshua & the Promised Land – spiritual warfare
against the 7 strong principalities
Jesus Cross and the Resurrection – spiritual warfare
between Jesus and satan
Church – spiritual warfare between Church and devil
II. Our preparation for the war
Ephesians 6:10-11
Eph
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the Power
of His Might.
Eph
6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
Another one of our callings is to
stand against the devil, whether you like it or not.
1. Be strong in the Lord
Our Lord is always with us and He
never leaves us.
Jesus promised, “I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Our God will supply all our needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
He is our Rock, our Refugee, our
Resting Place, our Provider, our Protector, our Banner (victory), our Lover,
our Joy and our fortress.
If God is for us, who is against
us? (Romans 8:31)
We need to know our Lord deeply.
Our
Church mottos: To Know Jesus Christ and To Live Like Jesus Christ
2. Be strong in the power of His Might
We do
not have any power, but God gives us the power.
And the
Lord gave us His Power and the Authority.
Our
obligation is to use it and use it against the devil.
We can
do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
There
is no limitation for us with His Boldness through Him.
We are
living under His Power everyday.
3. Put on the whole armor of God
We
cannot go into the battle ground without armor. In the battle ground, we have
to put the whole armor to fight.
Battle
ground is not only the offense, but the defense as well.
I
will continually to share the spiritual armor as a series sermon.
Conclusion
for
the Victory
The battle ground is for the victory
only, and this is life or death matter.
Are you really taking this battle
ground as your life of death matter?
The battle ground is not a game, but
serious warfare to possess or to be possessed.
This battle ground is required as your
commitment and as a payment for the cost of your life.
You have to fight in this battle
ground.
You have to know who your enemy is
and what the enemy is doing right now.
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