SPIRITUAL WARFARE 1.4

LAYING THE FOUNDATION – SECTION 1-4:

*** When Christians Respond To Warfare Correctly, ***
***    The Kingdom Of God Advances In Some Way.   ***

Question:
How is God’s kingdom advanced?
    – Conversion. On the most basic level, His kingdom advances
      when someone is saved. Salvation means accepting the rule of God.
      It means:
          recognizing sin (rebellion against God’s rule),
          repenting (turning from self rule),
          and believing (trusting God and His Word).

    – The influence of salt and light
       (when God’s people lead others to accept God’s moral standard).
       Our culture is affected whenever Christians perform the
       function Jesus intended for the salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16).

    – The increase of love and unity among Christians.
       Love and unity among Christians has an influence
       on the world and the conversion of others.
       As believers walk closer with the Lord, He replaces
       a desire to gratify self, with a desire to put others first.
       Jesus said others would recognize believers by their love
       (John 13:34-35).

Advancing the kingdom (ref. Acts 16).
    – Be on mission with God; put His desires ahead of our own interests.
          – Paul’s second missionary journey had been delayed by
             the Spirit Himself, but Paul was not discouraged.
          – He had a vision of a man
             asking for help in Macedonia, a Roman province.
          – He went eagerly, assuming that the Lord had finally
             opened a door for him to preach the gospel.
          – When he arrived,
             he found a place where women regularly gathered to pray.
          – He spoke to them and a woman named Lydia
             and her household were converted.
          – This invasion of Satan’s kingdom resulted in conflict.
          Note:
              If Paul had not been on mission with God (through his obedience),
              he would have been discouraged and disobedient to
              the Great Commission of preaching God’s Word.
          Note:
              Just as Paul had certain gifts, God has given
              every believer special gifts that He expects
              us to use in the same way Paul used his gifts.

    – Conflict and testing always occur.
      Question:
      Why?
          – Because two opposing kingdoms clash.
             Satan and those under his control will always resist the gospel.
             When Satan’s kingdom and theology of “self rule”
             are threatened, he will fight back.

(Acts 16:16-24)
    – Look at the problems the slave girl
       (under the influence of Satan) was causing for Paul and Silas.
       Note:
          Even though Satan lost control of the slave girl’s mind,
          he still had control of her masters.
       Note:
          Other examples of those on mission for God
          running into problems: Moses, the prophets,
          all the apostles, the early church.

Question:
How does Satan fight Christians on a national scale?
    – He can use government structures to persecute,
       put a stop to the message, or dissuade people from having faith.

Question:
How does Satan oppose believers on an individual basis?
    – He can use peer pressure, antagonism,
       or attack us at our most vulnerable point.
       Question:
       What are some areas where people might be vulnerable?

Question:
Where is God when conflict begins?
    – He is the One who leads us into the battle in the first place.
    – He doesn’t need to be suddenly called into the situation.
    – He’s not shocked and scrambling for a plan.
    – He led us there because He knows
       how He will advance the kingdom through us.
       Our job is to focus on Him and seek His perspective.

*** Obey God And Do His Work, His Way ***

Question:
How did Paul and Silas resist Satan?
(Acts 16:22-34)
    – They were praying and singing hymns to God.
    – They were focused on God and their confident in Him.
    – They weren’t throwing a pity party, or threatening the jailers.
    – When the earthquake jarred the prison doors open,
       they didn’t try to retaliate, but showed concern for others
       (which is an indication they had forgiven their enemies).
    – Their victory included the salvation of others.

Note:
    God advanced His kingdom in three ways as a result
    of the prison experience of Paul and Silas
    (an incident that initially appeared to be won by Satan).
    1. Advancement came through conversion.
           – The jailer and his family were saved
              because Paul and Silas cooperated with God.

    2. A door opened for Christians to proclaim the gospel.
           – (Acts 16:37-39)
              Paul made the magistrates escort them out publicly.
           – This publicly legitimized Christianity and discouraged
              the persecution of new converts (since Paul and Silas
              had been beaten, and they were Roman citizens).

    3. As Christians experienced trials together,
        their love for one another was strengthened.
        Note:
            (Philippians 4:15-18)
                – Shows how strong the relationship was
                   between Paul and these believers.

Questions we should ask ourselves:
    – What is my spiritual warfare readiness?
    – Am I on mission “with” God?
    – Am I looking for ways to advance the kingdom?
    – Do I use the gifts God has given me to reach out to the lost?
    – Am I prepared for opposition?
    – Am I willing to do God’s work His way?
    – Where is my focus: on God and His desires, or on me and my desires?