Victory In Battle
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Laden with weapons and gear, Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell grasped the rope dangling from the rear of the Chinook transport helicopter and descended into the moonless night. Twenty feet down, his boots touched ground in the remote mountains of northeastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border. As the roar of the helicopter faded to silence, Luttrell and three other Navy SEALs—Lieutenant Michael Murphy and Petty Officers Danny Dietz and Matt Axelson—found themselves alone in the pitch darkness of a desolate warzone.
The elite four-man team was searching for Ahmad Shah, a militia leader aligned with the Taliban, as part of a mission dubbed Operation Red Wings. Soaked by a cold rain, the quartet hiked for hours through the darkness as they struggled to keep their footings on the steep mountain ridges. After the sun dawned on June 28, 2005, nearly four years into the war in Afghanistan, the mud-caked SEALs burrowed themselves behind rocks, logs and tree stumps on an outcrop overlooking Shah’s suspected location. The 29-year-old Luttrell, a sniper and team medic, concealed himself under a fallen tree when he suddenly heard soft footsteps. Looking up, he saw a turbaned man carrying an axe.
The SEALs had been discovered. Not by enemy forces, however, but by a local goat herder. Within moments, nearly 100 goats with bells around their necks came jingling over the mountainside with another herder and a teenage boy. The surprise presented the SEALs with several options—none of them good. Killing unarmed noncombatants would violate acceptable rules of engagement and also likely result in a court-martial. If the SEALs tied up the three and left them behind, they still faced the problem of what to do with the bleating herd without raising suspicions. Dietz, who was in charge of communications, tried to radio headquarters for instructions but could not connect.
Left to make their own decision, the unit released the unarmed men, knowing it was very possible that the herders would inform the Taliban forces. It was a decision Luttrell “knew could sign our death warrant.”
With their mission compromised, the SEALs tried to move to a defensive position, but barely an hour later, dozens of Shah’s forces emerged over a ridgeline. An avalanche of AK-47 fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars cascaded down the mountain. The terrain proved just as vicious as the enemy. As the Taliban fighters advanced, the SEALs scrambled, fell and jumped hundreds of feet down the mountain.
In the course of time, the onslaught of this day’s events would prove to be too much for seal team 10 =. They we’re outnumber, injured and unable to take down the enemy in these moments. This fight was so intense that out of 20 men tasked with the mission, one lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell, would survive to tell the story of what took place that summer day nearly 17 years ago.
In time, Marcus Lutrell would go on to form a non-profit organization which supports military troops and their families. Lutrell, would eventually marry and in time have a son and daughter, his son being named axe after his friend and fallen comrade Matthew Axelson. And yet, despite although his life returned to somewhat of a state of being normal. Marcus Lutrell when later interviewed by NBC would go on to say, “I died on that mountain, too… I left a part of myself up there.”
You see friends, this story that we read this morning accounts of a horrific event which took place nearly 20 years ago. We recall these men and their heroic sacrifice this morning, and while we can’t reverse the course of what happened to their lives, we would be wise to learn from the battle they faced that day. Massive crack in Dam.
You see, each day a battle spiritual battle is unfolded. A battle ultimately of good and evil. A battle of God and his heavenly forces against the powers of Satan and the rulers of this world. And the reality is, the moment that we accepted Christ as our savior, we too joined the ranks where we are ultimately part of God’s army. (rework)
With this in mind, our focus this morning will be on victory in Battle. You see, two weeks ago we looked at Victory in Jesus, then last week we discussed Victory in Marriage, but this week, we’re going to transition to victory in battle.
You see as Christians; we still have thoughts that battle within our minds… Sometimes, these thoughts can try to take us down and knock us out… As Christians, we still struggle with sin, and we face temptation… there’s an inward battle that’s taking place…. And ultimately, we know there’s a larger battle taking place beyond ourselves, a spiritual battle. One in which God calls us as part of his army to take up our sword and shield and fight the good fight.
This morning, our goal is to discuss the battle that we’re in so that we can identify . 1. (Where it takes place) or the battleground 2. the tactics of the enemy. 3. Define how we fight defend ourselves.
Turn with me first to 1 Peter 2:11 as we discuss the battleground. The battleground. Battle inside.
1 peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
If we stop for a moment, we see that peter addresses us as foreigners and exiles of this world. The King James version refers to us as strangers and pilgrims. In other words, we’re just passing through. And then Peter goes on to explain that we are to abstain from the sinful desires which wage war against your soul.
What is our soul? Our soul is our mind, our will and our emotions. In other words, the battle takes place within.
So, there is a battle taking place between good and evil. But on an individual level, the battle that we face is one of sinful desires (on one hand) against your soul. In other words, the battle that we so often face takes place within. Peter says to abstain or to flee from these desires and instead, to live a Godly life.
Romans 7:15-20 says: 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
If we notice in verse 17 it says: “as it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.” And so, the point is, although there’s a spiritual taking place… the battle we face often occurs on an inward basis.
And then it goes on to say: “21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[d] a slave to the law of sin. You see, 17 years ago, a crywent out for rescue…
Friends, this morning, the same Battle that Paul describes is the very same battle that we face on a daily basis… but notice that God is the one who delivers us through Jesus Christ.
You see the first truth that we really should take away this morning, is that although a battle is taking place… Our victory comes from Jesus Christ.
Our 2ndpoint is: The tactics of the enemy
and what I want us to see is that the same tricks that Satan used even in the garden, he used with Jesus in the wilderness, and he uses the same tactics against us to this day.
In other words, we’ve identified that there is a battle taking place within us… But now let’s look at how the fighting plays out so that we know how to not only defend this fight
I want us to see for a moment, and we’ll look at the scripture to show exactly this point… But the same tactics that the enemy used in the garden are the same tactics that he tried to use but failed against Christ. And they are the exact same tactics that he tries to use against us to this day.
Turn with me to 1 John 2:16 for a moment. We’re going to look at the tactics which the enemy wants to tempt us with. And then we’ll look at additional scripture. But it says:
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16
The New Living Translation says: 1 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world
So, we see that what the world offers us centers around physical pleasure, a craving for what we see and our pride. They’re not from God, instead they’re ultimately from the enemy.
Turn over to Genesis 3:1-6
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (physical pleasure) and pleasing to the eye (everything we see) , and also desirable for gaining wisdom (pride in our achievements and possessions), she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
What’s interesting is if you fast forward to Matthew Chapter 4. Satan tries to use the same exact temptation on Jesus.
3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Physical Pleasure)
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down… “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ (Pride in our achievements and possessions)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Craving for everything we see.)
You see 3 times; Satan appears before Jesus, and he appeals to him on 3 different levels. He appeals to his Physical pleasure, he appeals to his pride, and he appeals to the craving of everything Jesus would see… and 3 times, Satan fails…
But friends, here’s the point… Satan’s tactics haven’t changed. Satan’s schemes are the same today as they were some 2,000 years ago in the wilderness. But here’s where it gets good… Listen, I want to show us this morning how we fight back.
3. Defense in Battle.
So, we see that the battle begins first of all, within us… and the temptations always comes as either: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life…
I’m going to give us 3 ways this morning. 1) We fight back with scripture. 2) We fight making our thoughts submissive to Christ. And finally, 3) we fight through prayer and making our battle his battle.
But let’s first look at Jesus for a moment as he’s in the wilderness as we see the need to fight back with scripture.
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” Deuteronomy 8:3
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]” Psalm 91:11-12
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” Deuteronomy 6:16
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]” Deuteronomy 6:13
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
I want to ask us a question this morning, When Jesus was fighting what was he fighting with? Yes, he’s fighting back with the Word of God.
You see friends, we have to get to a point where we are using the bible to fight our fights.
Your dealing with questions about your image and what you look like…
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
You worry about everything:
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You’re at the beach with your family and a woman is dressed provocatively: Ephesians 4:29 “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
Friends, the point is… we fight our battles with scripture.
Ephesians 6:14-17 is talking about the full armor of God, and it says: 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
You see, in verse 17 it says we are to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Friends can I tell you something, all the other pieces of Armor are for protection. And each piece makes the soldier complete for the battle… But the sword is both a form of protection, and it’s also our weapon.
Here’s what I found in my studies, John MacArthur explains that the sword is first of all a defensive weapon, capable of deflecting the blows of an opponent. It is the believer’s supreme weapon of defense again the onslaughts of Satan’s. Macarthur explains that unlike the shield, however, which gives broad and general protection, the sword can deflect an attack only if it is handled precisely and skillfully. It must meet the enemy weapon exactly where the attack is made.
You’ll remember from a few weeks back week look at the words rhema and logos… well here in this scripture, it says the word, the Rhema specific word of God.
What does all of this mean? Friends, we must fight our battles, unique as they are… with the specific word of God for each attack…
Psalm 119:11: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
2. Fight back by taking the thought captive
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Proverbs 4:23Above all else, guard your hearts for everything you do flows from it.
And so, there is a responsibility… where in our minds, we must take action to guard our hearts. To take thoughts captive as they come in…. and then to renew our minds.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So there comes a point where we not only take the thought captive… but then we transition to renewing our minds as we study the Bible and allow to work within us.
3. Fight back in prayer.
Bible tells us: to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
In every circumstance, no matter what we’re going through we fight back with prayer.
And what’s interesting is even when we don’t know what to pray for God is interceding on our behalf. In other words, the battle that’s coming up that’s not even on your radar, God is already interceding for you… 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Call Lisa Forward at this time
You see church, we will enter battle. We will go through difficulty and yet, God is there fighting for us… Friend, God is on your side this morning. Your fight that you’re in… when you feel like you’re the lone survivor. God is there fighting for you. When you feel like you’re in the trenches by yourself, he’s there. When you’re in the hospital bed all by yourself, God is there. When you get the divorce papers in the mail, God is there. When the boss tells you that your being let Go, God is there…
Friends God is for you, he is on your side, he fights your battles, and you have victory in Jesus this morning because of Him…
But he extends an invitation this morning. He says, take the thoughts captive. Get ride of them. He says run from sin, flee from the devil and he will flee from you. And he encourages you to get to know him better this year then ever before… Spend time in his word, spend time in prayer, draw close to God.
You see friend, I don’t know what battle you find yourself in this morning. Or what your week might look like going forward… but I do know this. We serve an incredible God. A God that has already defeated sin, that lives within us and is fighting for us each day .
1. There are those of us who are fighting battles in here… and friend I simply want to encourage you that God is on your side this morning. 2. There are those that have been dealing with sin for some time, and we’ve tried to solve our problems are way… and this morning God is asking us to fight our problems His way. We fight back using scripture and the knowledge of God. 3. There those of us who maybe it’s not sin, but there’s a circumstance we’re facing, and we need a breakthrough this morning.