Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare | Ephesians 6:10-24

John Bourgeois, Lead Pastor

Key Takeaways

• Conversion to Christianity is enlistment into spiritual warfare, not an exit from battle

• The devil is real, powerful but not equal to God, wicked and destructive, and sly and crafty in his schemes

• Satan's two primary strategies are temptation and accusation, both involving lies about God and ourselves

• The enemy aggravates evil already present in human hearts rather than creating it

• The armor of God includes: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit

• Victory is already secured through Christ's death and resurrection

Study Questions

• Question 1

  How does viewing conversion as enlistment rather than an exit from battle change your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus?

• Question 2

  In what ways have you experienced the devil's two main strategies of temptation (inflating your view of yourself) and accusation (diminishing your view of yourself) in your own life?

• Question 3

  What specific 'strings on your piano' does the enemy most frequently play, and how can you become more aware of his voice versus your own thoughts?

• Question 4

  How well-worn are your 'shoes of the gospel of peace,' and who in your life needs to hear the gospel from your lips?

• Question 5

  Ben Sasse asks his children to tell him three true things after successes or failures. How might regularly rehearsing truths about God's love, your identity, and your calling protect you from spiritual attack?

• Question 6

  What does it mean practically to fight from victory rather than for victory, and how should this reality affect your daily spiritual battles?

Interview with Ben Sasse

Seeking God’s Face Devotional

This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship. Also, please join us for our Sunday Morning Class, “Whole-Life Discipleship,” every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. following the 9 a.m. worship service.

This Week’s Liturgy

Call to worship

Psalm 91:1-2

Leader: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

All: I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Confession of FAITH

New City Catechism Q & A #24

Q: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?

A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.

Confession of sin

Gracious Father, we confess that we have believed the enemy's lies.
When he tempted us, we believed the lie that you are not holy, and we sinned.
When he accused us, we agreed with his verdict, and we despaired.
We have tried fighting in our own strength, and we have failed.
Cause the name of Jesus to resound in our hearts, to strengthen us for the fight that you have already won.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

This Week’s Playlist

Looking Ahead

Invite a friend, bring the kids, and join us next week as we begin our Summer in Psalm 23!