THE SWORD OF THE LORD

SERMON STARTER

        Years ago there was an inspirational fundamentalist bi-weekly newspaper that was published by John R. Rice, a Baptist pastor. He called his publication, "The Sword of the Lord." Dr. Rice's sharp, straight-edged opinions cut through every publication. He was an ardent evangelist and soul-winner, leading thousands to know Jesus as personal Savior. Dr. Rice was a prolific writer, writing more than 200 books and pamphlets in his lifetime.

        The Bible itself is filled with warfare terms and mentions of war. The book of Joshua runs red with blood as God's people take back their rightful inheritance in the Land of Promise. The New Testament is actually written in Koine Greek, the battlefield language of Alexander the Great. Koine Greek is said to be the most precise way to express clear human thought that has even been devised.

        The actual Biblical Sword of the Lord is like that as it cuts through the ordinariness of our lives and separates what is of this world from what is of the world to come. Initially, people feel that knowing Jesus personally exempts them from the holy war of struggle that exists as long as we are clothed with human flesh.

It doesn't take much time, however, to realize that the invitation to accept Jesus is a conscription into a war waged by the Holy Spirit against the mortal enemies of our souls: the world, the flesh and the devil.

        This sermon explores God's awesome Sword and how we are to respond to it.

Pastor Phil  <><<

 

August 12, 2012 - Pastor Phil Roland

Sheepfold Ministries

THE SWORD OF THE LORD

MATTHEW 10:34-42

"It is difficult to grasp the tension between turning the other cheek as commanded by Jesus, and the strong warfare images of the Bible. Jesus' references to 'the Sword' can cause us to ponder it's meaning." Pastor Phil

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."

Every Roman soldier had a sword, the "gladius." It was a double-edged blade of a length between 12 and 20 inches long. That is was not a long sword tells us that it was designed for close combat. The gladius was not the only Roman soldier’s weapon, but it was the weapon of choice. Using it effectively was a matter of life or death.

THREE BIBLICAL SWORDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

I.  THE SWORD OF THE LORD - Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

A. The Sword of a Judge that Brings Destruction - Rev. 1:16

            "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-

           edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."

            Revelation 2:12
            12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He                           who has the sharp two-edged sword:

            Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)
            11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on                           him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and               makes war.
            12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He                          had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
            13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The    Word of God.
            14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed             Him on white horses.
            15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike    the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself      treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
            16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

               KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!"

                        1. No man or woman will escape his Destructive Judgments

                        2. He came 1st on a donkey's colt - Soon, He comes w/a sword

B. The Surgeon's Sword that Brings Healing - Amplified, Heb. 4:12      

            "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active,

             operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged

THE SWORD OF THE LORD, cont., p.2

             sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the

             immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our

             nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts

             and purposes of the heart."

1. Surgeon must make skillful decisions when operating

                        2. Must judge between what is healthy and what is diseased

                        3. God's Logos Sword searches the dark crevices of the heart

                        4. His righteousness Sword must cut away Doubt and Unbelief

                        5. He must cut away all that does not profit God's Kingdom

 

II.  THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - Ephesians 6:11a; 17                     

"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." 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the

word of God;

A. Warrior's Primary Offensive Weapon is his Sword

                        1. Other parts of Warrior's Armament are Defensive

                                    a. Loins girded with Truth

                                    b. Breastplate of Righteousness

                                    c. Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

                                    d. Shield of Faith

                                    e. Helmet of Salvation

                                    f. All DEFEND the Warrior

                        2. Warrior's Sword as the Word of God is SPECIFIC - John 6:63

                        "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words

                         (RAY-MA) that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

a. RAY-MA - Specific Word, Situation, Person

                                    b. God will give us His words to speak

                        3. The Sword of the Spirit will help in times of Persecution

                        "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you                           should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you                           should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your                                     Father who speaks in you." Matthew 10:19-20

4. Richard Wombrand Illustrations

B. The Sword of the Spirit is the Internalized Word of God

                        1. Memorized and Utilized

                        2. When Preached Effectively it will CONVICT the Sinner

                        3. The Sword of the Spirit can "cut to the heart"

 

III.  THE SWORD OF JESUS - Matthew 10:34

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."

            A. The Sword of Jesus pierced His mother's Heart - Luke 2:35

            "Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this

             Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign

             which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own

             soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

THE SWORD OF THE LORD, cont., p.3

                        1. Simeon's Prophesy was a continuation of Nathan's Curse

"Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!"      2 Samuel 12:7a

2. The Sword will not leave your generations - 2 Sam. 12:10

"Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house,

                         because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah

                         the Hittite to be your wife.'"

3. Nathan and Simeon's curse was completed at the Cross

                        "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother. . ."  John 19:25

                        "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and

                         immediately blood and water came out."   John 19:34
            B. The Sword of Jesus Pierces our own Hearts as well

                        1. We think that Coming to Jesus will bring Peace

                        2. We often find a war waiting for us - Text vs. 35, 36

"For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against

                         her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';

                        36 and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'"
                        3. Christianity is not a pacifistic religion

                        4. Can't play "Let's make a deal with our enemies"

5. Kingdom of God is not a Playground, but a Battleground

            C. Have you been conscripted into the Lord's Army?

                        1. Experienced the Wounds of Battle?

                        2. Still carrying those wounds?

                        3. Have Courage!  Do not be Afraid!

                        4. God's Rewards are "Out-of-this-World"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Scar?

 

Hast thou no scar?

No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?

I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,

I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,

Hast thou no scar?

 

Hast thou no wound?

Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent,

Leaned me against a tree to die; and rent

By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:

Hast thou no wound?

 

No wound, no scar?

Yet as the Master shall the servant be,

And, pierced are the feet that follow me;

But thine are whole: can he have followed far

Who hast no wound, nor scar?

Amy Carmichael

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Knows What He’s About

When God wants to drill a man

And thrill a man

And skill a man,

When God wants to mold a man

To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all his heart

To create so great a man

That all the world will be amazed,

Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects

Whom He royally elects!

How He hammers him and hurts him

And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial lumps of clay which only God understands;

While his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands!

How He bends, but never breaks

When his good He undertakes;

How He uses whom He chooses

And with every purpose fuses him;

By every act induces him

To try His splendor out . . .

God knows what He’s about!

 

Author Unknown