The Sword Of The Spirit
Prison Epistles: Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
Together as we have traveled through the book of Ephesians we have journeyed with God in examining the “Glorious Church Of Christ.”
We have seen that the “glorious church of Christ” was in the eternal plans of the Father.
We have studied of the great dangers of being outside of His church and dire need of being in it and apart of it.
We have come to know the importance of not only the eternally planned blood bought church but the Law that was created to govern it and the beautiful unity it created.
We have witnessed in our studies how proper leadership will guide those that are “new in Christ” to walk “not in futility of mind” but “according to truth and love, sacrifice and submission.”
Paul then, in his letter, begins to explain how one stays strong and firm in such endeavors.
How husbands, wives, children, masters, slaves, and everyone else can walk according to truth and love, sacrifice and submission.
It’s with the special armor God made just for us.
Over the last several weeks we have looked at five special pieces of armor, the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes Prepared for the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation.
Today we will be looking at the sixth and final armor piece which is “The Sword of the Spirit.”
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The Roman Soldier’s Sword
The Roman Soldier’s Sword
The Roman soldiers sword was called a gladius.
The Roman soldiers sword was called a gladius.
During the time of our text here in Ephesus Roman soldiers used shorter swords that were about 25 inches in length.
They were double edged swords with a very sharp point at the tip.
Polybius a 2nd century B.C. Greek & Roman historian wrote concerning this Roman sword...
“It has an excellent point and strong cutting edge on both sides, as its blade is firm and reliable.” 1
The blade was typically made of iron and the short handle was made of wood while often covered in bronze or silver.
These swords were carried on the right side and hung from a belt or leather strap that was over the shoulder.
Rome did not provide these weapons for their soldiers they had to buy them for their own protection and by the 3rd century B.C. this was what most Roman soldiers used and continued to use until around the 3rd century A.D.
Why did the soldier pick this weapon, because in close combat it was most effective and most powerful.
It was nimble enough to move quickly in close combat but powerful enough to sever body parts.
Livy, circa 64 BC - 17 AD, was a Roman historian who wrote concerning the Macedonian soldiers thoughts as they fought their first Roman soldier in 200 B.C. and their new swords.
“[Macedonian soldiers] being accustomed to fighting with the Greeks and Illyrians, had seen the wounds which were made by spears and arrows, and, on rare occasions, by lance; but now they saw bodies mutilated by the…gladius…and there was general panic as they began to see what sort of weapon and what sort of men they had to fight.” 2
“The gladius, a short iron sword was carried on the right side and hung from the belt or a leather strap over the shoulder. This was a powerful offensive weapon in the hand of a skilled soldier. Waving it served as a word of warning to the enemy.”
BTSOP Lectureship: Prison Epistles (10-20) Soldier Officer Relationship
The Roman soldier’s sword, gladius, was a very powerful weapon in the hands of a skilled soldier. It was anywhere in size from dagger to short sword and it was two edged and sharp. During battle is was very effective at slashing and piercing the enemy.
“
Summery
Summery
This sword helped the Roman soldier to quickly and effectively take out his enemy.
The Sword Of The Spirit
The Sword Of The Spirit
The sword of the spirit is the Bible.
The sword of the spirit is the Bible.
The Christian’s sword is the “inspired, the infallible, the inerrant, the all-sufficient word of God.” 3
It is the sword of the Spirit because He is the one that gave it to man.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Pt 1
2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Sam
It’s the soldier of Christ that wields the sword.
It is that which the Holy Spirit inspired men to write (; ; ).
Some have tried to suggest humans are not the ones that wield the sword, however, “if we do not wield it, then it will not be wielded.” 4
In fact a Bible left on a shelf to gather dust is no more valuable to its owner than the knickknack next to it.
The sword of the Spirit is unique in our spiritual armor because it is different in its intent and use.
That’s because...
The sword is for offense not defense.
The sword is for offense not defense.
Up to this point Paul has written how the Christian can defend themselves against the schemes and darts of Satan.
Each armor piece has been to withstand this onslaught from our spiritual enemy.
Belt of truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of the Preparation of the gospel.
Shield of Faith.
Helmet of salvation.
These are meant to protect us from the attacks of Satan, in other words they are defensive pieces of armor.
With the “sword of the Spirit” this changes.
Now that Satan has closed the gap between us God urges us to take out our sword and attack…to go on the offensive.
How does the “sword of the Spirit” help us attack Satan?
It allows us to boldly proclaim the gospel and push Satan and his lies back.
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
It allows us to teach “everyone” even the seemly unreachable whom Satan has worked so hard to keep.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It allows us to kill or destroy the lies of Satan that so many get entangled in.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Now, Paul reminds our brethren in Ephesus that they don’t just have to just “withstand” they are also to take the fight to Satan and sin.
The sword’s purpose is to boldly proclaim the gospel (; ).
The sword’s purpose is to cut to the heart ().
The sword’s purpose is to tear down false teaching (
The sword’s purpose is to kill not compromise ().
Summery
Summery
The “sword of the Spirit” allows you and I, who have obeyed the gospel, the destroy the adversary and shut the mouth of the lion.
Conclusion
Conclusion
When we go to battle in this spiritual war we are in unprepared we will be slaughtered by Satan without mercy.
But when we go in with the especially made spiritual armor of God we cannot loose the battle nor the war.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Website: https://www.ancient.eu/Gladius_Hispaniensis/
Ibid
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BTSOP Lectureship: Prison Epistles
Ibid