Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 4

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 4

Subject – A Life of Intentionality 

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
¹¹  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
¹²  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
¹³  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

--It is so interesting to me that verse 10 starts with the word “Finally”. Obviously, something important was said before this…he tells them that they must submit to their authorities.

Ephesians 6:1-9 (NIV)
¹  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
²  "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
³  "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
⁴  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
⁵  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
⁶  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
⁷  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
⁸  because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
⁹  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. 

--Children obey and honor your parents…Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up with discipline and instruction from the Lord.

--Slaves or employees, obey your masters or bosses with deep respect and fear (honor). Serve as though you are serving Christ. Masters or employers treat your people respectfully and with honor.

It is so interesting to me that God tells us that before we get ready for battle or before we put on the whole armor of God that we are to submit to our God given authorities and treat each other respectfully.

--It does make sense in the context of being in a war or preparation for battle that you submit to those over you and submit to one another…in the military (soldiers) that is how the victory is won. Rambo is not real!

Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

--Something to meditate on…if we do not submit to one another in the fear of the Lord do we forfeit our right to the armor of God and hence, become vulnerable to the enemy?

--An interesting note: Paul starts with parents and children (home…then servants and masters (work)…and then our text (spiritual warfare – our walk with God – church).

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

--We are exhorted (actually commanded) to put on God’s armor (it is our responsibility). Good news is this, we put on the armor but our strength and power comes from the Lord.

--It is something that has to be done intentionally…God will absolutely do His part but we must cooperate with Him and do ours…put on the whole armor of God…You put it on! It is a command!

--In my reading I came across something very interesting when it comes to our choices and how we live. Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro…a God send for me.

Cordeiro – There are four basic courses by which we can live. These may not be planned but they will be followed regardless. Every life follows a set of rules, a default of ideals that have been caught more than taught.

--He says that we will have to intentionally choose one of these courses for our lives because this choice will alter our future once and for all.

--Attempting to opt out will only default you to one of the first three. What do we want our future to be especially in light of this battle we are in?

1. In this spiritual warfare we can choose to live a life of reaction.

--With this paradigm we plod forward until something forces us to change…the loss of a job forces us to find another…the perceived acceptance or rejection of another will dictate our circle of friendships.

--Many times we only change when we are faced with the consequences of our bad decisions or course of action

…I spent 6 months thinking I was going to jail…every time I saw a police car my heart sank.

--How we are treated by someone determines our course of action when it comes to our circle of friends…treat me right, I am in…treat me wrong and I am out!

--Is that a friend? A friend is someone who will tell you what you need to hear not just what you want to hear.

--A life of reaction is a life that is lived somewhere between conservative and extremely active…between hope and dejection, between being passively indifferent and compulsively hyperactive! All over the place,

--Cordeiro says a life of reaction is disorienting, sometimes a dangerous way to live, but the majority of people have chosen this lifestyle, most of them, because they have chosen no other course. Apostle Peter.

2. In this spiritual warfare we can choose a life of conformity.

--In this course of life we live according to the view of the crowd. We float on the current of popular opinion.

This explains how the crowd in Jerusalem could go from Hosanna to Crucify with Jesus.

--We tend to gravitate toward trends for our sense of wellbeing. We allow how we look to trump what we believe, and we permit what others think drive what we do.

--This course of life usually enrolls those who feel best when they are needed and who thrive on being liked,,, they get their affirmation in the wrong places. Very dangerous way to live.

--It puts you at the mercy of opinion. Watch and study politicians who serve people this way. This year they are pro-life and next year they are pro-abortion.

Leo Buscalia – The easiest thing in the world to be is you. The most difficult thing in the world to be is what other people want you to be, Don’t let them put you in that position.

3. In this spiritual warfare we can choose a life of independence.

--Men and women who choose this course for life cherish the illusion of autonomy. Self-reliance, self-direction, 

and self-sufficiency. They are usually the smartest person in the room…just ask them.

Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV) ¹  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

--When they do find people to hang with, they find those who think like they do. They become clones of one another…whether it is going organic, sporting tattoos, or avoiding the organized church. 

--It could be what I have watched played out in the church for years…what education preference you have. Private verses public verses home schooling. This is what I think about that:

Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
¹²  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

--Whatever sets them apart and unto themselves is trendy so long as it distinguishes them from the herd of the former generation (they have a mutual cause). Dealing with millennials.

--It can be a self-delusional way to live not to mention divisive and destructive. Satan loves when one of God’s children separates himself from the herd.

1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)
⁵  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

4. In this spiritual warfare we must choose a life of intentionality. 

--A life of intentionality is the re-structured life that we must choose…as good soldiers of Jesus Christ we must discipline ourselves to fall in line and obey!

2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV) ³ Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

--When we were young, life happened as a matter of course. When we were hungry food appeared fully prepared by a parent or sibling…clothes were washed and appeared in our drawers…magic!

--School was just out there waiting for us to get plugged in and making friends was basically a slam dunk, all we needed was lunch or PE and we connected with people. 

--And for the most part, our weight remained stable. We could pretty much eat whatever we wanted and stay fit and slim…no more! I look at a snickers bar and gain five pounds. 

--Stay with me, somewhere along the line things shifted from automatic to manual, from natural to deliberate, from involuntary to intentional. 

--You are not told when the switch takes place, but if you do not make the transition, you will always be in the wrong place in your life…off course and vulnerable to the enemy.

--It happens at different times for different people, but it does happen…life changes! The evolution comes without warning and it happens without your permission. 

--Your marriage which early on seemed to take care of itself will no longer survive the way it used to. Healthy marriages require intentionality and planned investment. 

--So will your waistline, your ministry, your faith, your spiritual warfare, and your emotional health.

1 Corinth 9:24 (NCV) ²⁴ You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win!

--You run, you fight this spiritual warfare with intentionality…it takes discipline, training, tenacity…you make that choice every day! Intentionally put on the full armor of God.