UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLICAL BATTLEGROUNDS; MY FRIEND; “THIS IS WAR”

“BATTLEGROUNDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS”

Intro.

1.  2 Tim. 4:7 – “The good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12). Every Christian a soldier!

2.  Every fight is fought somewhere – BATTLEGROUND.

  a.  Battlegrounds are the places we must “fight” to build the kingdom of God – 2 Cor. 10:3-6 (battlegrounds the subject of this lesson).

3.  Conflict not contrary to life of Christian – It is a part of his life!

  a.  Life of Jesus was constant “warfare!” (Jno. 2:13-16; 8:59; 10:31)

  b.  Paul was militant, used much military terminology.

  c.  Nehemiah – Wanted to rebuild walls of Jerusalem. Under his leadership the Jews had to fight on some of the same battlegrounds which we must make our stand today!

 

I.  BATTLEGROUND # 1: RIDICULE & CRITICISM - Neh. 4:1-3, 6 (2:19-20).

  A.  Intended To Cause Us To Doubt Our Cause, Our God & Ourselves – 4:1-3; cf. Matt. 5:11-12; 1 Pet. 4:4, 14.

  B.  Jews’ Response – v. 4-6:

    1.  Prayer (v. 4-5).

    2.  A mind to work – So they did! (v. 6)

  C.  Common Battleground Today!

    1.  Acts 14:2 – Paul faced this problem.

    2.  Even those who should be helping in the work prefer to criticize / minimize the work others are doing!

    3.  We must pray – Phil. 4:6-7.

    4.  We must have a mind to work – 1 Pet. 3:13-17; Gal. 6:9.

  -If allow R/C to keep us from doing God’s will-Satan winning battle!

II.  BATTLEGROUND # 2: OPEN WARFARE – Neh. 4:7-23.

  A.  Physical Threats – 4:8, 11—Jews’ Attitude: We Are Ready!

    1.  v. 13-14 – Armed – Trusting in God.

    2.  v. 15-16 – Worked – Constantly prepared to meet any challenge.

  B.  As They Stood Prepared, So Must We!

    1.  Man are declaring open warfare on the church today:

-Challenge our name (church of Christ, Rom. 16:16); our worship (innovations, Jno. 4:24); baptism for r of s (Acts 2:38); our moral standards (modesty, honesty, purity, Tit. 2:11-12; 1 Jno. 2:15); the Bible as inspired/authoritative (2 Tim. 3:16-17); creation & God Himself (evolution, humanism).

    2.  By open warfare mean honest, sincere, gentlemanly defense of truth! (Phil. 1:16)

III.  BATTLEGROUND # 3: INTERNAL TROUBLE – Neh. 5:1-13.

  A.  Mistreatment Of Brethren Complained Against & Corrected.

    1.  Oppression to obtain food to live – 5:1-5.

    2.  Rebuke & resolution – 5:6-13.

    3.  Nehemiah dealt w/ problem in a direct, straightforward way – v. 6ff.

  B.  Factiousness / Strife Will Destroy A Good Work – Gal. 5:13-15, 20, 25-26.

    1.  Illus.: In any marriage “little problems” arise–Must be dealt with.  How they’re handled determines how successful the marriage is.

    2.  Same true w/ local church – How handled & settled could determine whether or not we win the battle! (Acts 6:1-6; 20:29- 30).

 

IV. BATTLEGROUND # 4: COMPROMISE – Neh. 6:1-3 (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

  A.  Compromise Occurs When We Doubt Our Work – cf. v. 3.

    1.  Nehemiah knew his work was great & right!

    2.  cf. 2 Tim. 1:12 – Paul was fully persuaded! Are we?!

    3.  Those who doubt the truth are vulnerable to compromise.

  B.  Compromise Occurs When We Are Afraid – 6:4-9.

    1.  Effort to blackmail Nehemiah with lies.

    2.  Mk. 8:38; Matt. 10:28; Heb. 13:6 – Men can do nothing to us that robs us of our salvation — Only we can do that (by fearing man rather than God!).

  C.  Compromise Occurs When We Trust In Our Own Strength – Neh. 6:15-16; cf. Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:31, 35-37 (God is our strength!)

Conclusion

Prov. 24:10: In the day of adversity will we be strong in the Lord & the strength of His might?! (Eph. 6:10)

 

HOW ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION? WHAT DO YOU GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO?

“ENLIGHTENED EYES”
Ephesians 1:18-19

Intro.
1. Spiritual perception is crucial to successful Christian living!
a. For conversion & discipleship – Matt. 13:14-16
b. Chose right things, avoid sin & be approved – Phil. 1:9-11
c. Live worthy & please God, being fruitful & strong – Col. 1:9-12
d. Test ourselves to see if we are acceptable to God – 2 Cor. 13:5
2. Eph. 1:15-19 (v. 18) – That you may know (eidw eido: perceive, discern, discover, and give attention to)

• THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING- Eph. 1:18
  • Saved in hope – Rom. 8:24
  • Laid up for you in heaven – Col. 1:5
    • Heard of it through the gospel – Col. 1:5
    • Hope promotes living by faith & love – Col. 1:4
  • A living hope – 1 Pet. 1:3 (Christ’s resurrection – cf. Acts 24:15)
  • Rejoice in our hope, without disappointment (shame) – Rom. 5:1-2, 3-5
    • Drives our faith – Rom. 4:18
    • Anchors our soul – Heb. 6:18-19
  • Eagerly wait for our hope to be obtained – Rom. 8:24-25; Tit. 2:13

• THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS - Eph. 1:18
  • His inheritance: In Christ – Eph. 1:11 (His blood – Heb. 9:14-15)
  • In the saints: The sanctified – Col. 1:12; Acts 20:32
    • Not in the world – Eph. 5:5
    • Among the saved – We share heavenly riches together – Acts 26:18
  • Heirs: Privilege of childhood – Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-7; 3:26-29
  • Its Glory: Heavenly splendor – 1 Pet. 1:3-5:
    • Incorruptible – not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable
    • Undefiled – Unsoiled, free of contaminants, not deformed, debased
    • Does not fade away – Immortal, enduring in its original state
    • Reserved in heaven – Preserved & prepared for the faithful (1:5)

• THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE - Eph. 1:19
  • His power which saved us – Col. 2:11-13 (His operative power)
  • His power to complete His purposes & work in us – Phil. 1:6; Eph. 3:20-21
    • By the power which raised & exalted Christ – Eph. 1:20-21
    • By the power of Christ who now reigns – Eph. 1:22-23
    • By the power of faith & truth – Eph. 3:20, 16-17
  • His power to supply our needs – Phil. 4:19
  • His power to keep us safe from – Jno. 10:27-29

Conclusion

• When we understand & perceive our hope, the glory of our inheritance & the power God uses on our behalf, we are equipped through our faith to:
  1. Hear & heed the word of Christ (Matt. 13:14-15)
  2. Make the right moral choices in our lives (Phil. 1:9-10)
  3. Live worthy of Christ & His gospel (Eph. 4:1)
  4. Be fruitful and strong in His service (Col. 1:9-10)
  5. Be vigilant to test ourselves & remain in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)