WAR, WHAT IS IT GOD FOR? 2

War, What is it God for?

A Biblical take on reconciling temporal gory to eternal glory, and the part that war plays in the good news of the gospel story. 

Prayerfare – the weapons of our warfare 

What are our weapons, what are they for, and how do we use them are the three key questions here, all of which relate to our prayer-fare lifestyle (or lack thereof) 

All the following scriptures and thoughts touch on to various degrees each question, so let’s work through these scriptures and see what we can glean. 

1 Tim 1:18-20 

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

  • Pulling down strongholds

  • Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God

  • Bringing Every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

  • Punishing all disobedience when obedience fulfilled

Ephesians 6:10-20 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak

Romans 13 - Whole chapter  - Handy Link

Also James 3:11-12

1 Samuel 17 - whole chapter - Handy Link

1 Samuel 18:5-9 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward

Reconciliation is a state of being from which we wage warfare 

As Christians, Not so much that we are trying to get reconciled, in Jesus it’s already done, rather we are now trying to live reconciled.  nUnity is what will show the world that the Father sent his son, it proves the gospel to a fallen world. 

Babel is trying to attain unity for man’s glory  / Acts 2 is unity for God’s glory 

Psalm 133 - God commands blessing 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.

BID

ARE YOU READY TO WAGE WARFARE

Megamorphic Church