WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.560 So we're back, just in Ephesians 6, we're not going to spend a great deal of time in this passage. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:11.259 Let me read to you where we've got to. 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:20.000 Verse 16, in all circumstances take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:29.699 Take the helmet of salvation, which we looked at two weeks ago, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 00:00:29.699 --> 00:00:31.559 So five pieces of armor so far. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:38.460 We've seen when Paul is in prison, it's possible there's a Roman soldier there. 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:45.159 But I think more likely to be in the mind is those descriptions of armor that we find in Isaiah. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:49.259 Paul is borrowing the imagery from the Old Testament. 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:53.120 So he begins by describing a belt of truth and a breastplate of righteousness. 00:00:54.620 --> 00:00:58.260 Shoes that would enable a soldier to stand firm but also to move. 00:00:59.700 --> 00:01:01.540 In gospel ways. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:06.420 And then the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. 00:01:06.600 --> 00:01:08.859 They are not bits of armor that you would wear all the time. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:13.379 They're the bits of armor that if you were off duty you would set them down. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:17.920 And items that would need to be taken up when you're on duty. 00:01:19.020 --> 00:01:21.480 And now the sixth one, the sword of the Spirit. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:25.300 I think this is probably where the armor of the Lord's theme finishes. 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:27.219 So we may carry on next week with one more. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:34.260 And this is a sword both defensive, it's a weapon like a shield. 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:36.120 But there's something here for the first time. 00:01:37.039 --> 00:01:39.180 It's the first description of an offensive weapon. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:44.719 And so Paul is out suggesting in this final piece, the sword of the Spirit. 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:46.719 That there is an offensive element. 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:50.960 That it's the responsibility on our part to go after the evil one. 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:54.879 And to use it as an offensive weapon. 00:01:55.939 --> 00:01:59.419 That verse, resist the devil and he will flee from you. 00:02:00.339 --> 00:02:04.139 And the devil's strategy as we've seen is constantly to frighten us. 00:02:04.639 --> 00:02:06.019 To terrify us. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:07.639 To paralyze us. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:11.579 To make us feel and think to be unhappy. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:14.060 And hopeless and despairing. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:17.120 And this weapon, the sword of the Spirit. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:21.120 The sword that the Holy Spirit employs. 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:23.659 The sword of the Spirit. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:25.460 And which the Spirit provides. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:27.080 Well of course you know this don't you? 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:28.180 It is the Word of God. 00:02:28.420 --> 00:02:29.340 It is the Bible. 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:31.480 He's talking about the Scriptures. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:34.580 And how we're to use the Scriptures. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:37.560 How we're to use the Word of God. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:39.420 And to resist the devil. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:40.120 To make him flee. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:41.060 To make him run away. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:43.580 And of course as you look through the Bible. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.000 There are some really vivid and extraordinary examples. 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:47.479 Of that. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:51.099 How people have done that in the Scripture. 00:02:52.199 --> 00:02:54.300 The one that comes to mind is the temptation narrative. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:54.640 Isn't it? 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:55.640 In Matthew chapter 4. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:57.140 Or Luke chapter 4. 00:02:58.300 --> 00:02:59.319 And so as I told you. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:00.259 Do you remember the context? 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.640 It comes immediately after the baptism of Jesus. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:06.060 Jesus is baptised. 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:10.199 He's baptised with John's baptism of repentance. 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:13.199 And people have gone into the water. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:16.840 It was a picture of their sins being washed away. 00:03:17.420 --> 00:03:25.599 And so why should the Son of God identify himself with a ritual. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:28.920 With a symbolic act of repentance. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:35.039 Why should Jesus be baptised for the repentance of sins? 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:36.719 He is sinless. 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:38.500 He has nothing to repent of. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:40.659 And the answer is. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:41.239 As you know. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:43.299 He is identifying himself with us. 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:44.959 He is becoming our substitute. 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:48.379 He's becoming the sin bearer. 00:03:48.619 --> 00:03:51.339 He's identifying himself with our plight and our need. 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:54.800 It was one of those occasions wasn't it? 00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:56.920 When the Father comes and he speaks. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:01.039 And the Holy Spirit comes in the form of a dove. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:03.740 And he descends upon the Lord Jesus. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:05.780 And the Father says. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:07.200 This is my Son. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:08.319 I love you. 00:04:09.640 --> 00:04:13.920 And those words were meant to be heard in the first instance. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:14.780 By Jesus. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.319 Rather than by John and the disciples. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:21.939 Jesus in his incarnation. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:27.099 In his taking on human flesh and blood. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:30.279 Requires to be comforted and encouraged and assured. 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:32.360 As you do in your flesh and blood. 00:04:34.539 --> 00:04:37.439 How did the Lord Jesus in his incarnate mind. 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:39.680 How did he know who he was. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:41.719 Or what his mission would be. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:45.000 And the answer is this. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:47.019 By the Holy Spirit. 00:04:48.219 --> 00:04:50.139 And by the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.019 And by the assurance of the Holy Spirit. 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:55.860 The Holy Spirit would give that to him. 00:04:56.839 --> 00:04:58.879 And here is a really vital moment. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:01.319 Here is an important moment in the life of Jesus. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:02.399 Because from here. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:04.560 He steps into the limelight. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:07.839 He will take a journey that in three years time. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:09.879 Will lead to crucifixion in Jerusalem. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:12.079 He's been preparing for 30 years. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:14.139 He's been reading and praying. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:16.339 And searching the will of his heavenly father. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:19.539 And as he takes on the role publicly. 00:05:19.539 --> 00:05:21.959 Of our mediator and our saviour. 00:05:22.419 --> 00:05:25.079 And that his baptism is the point of identification. 00:05:26.359 --> 00:05:28.399 This external stepping out. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:29.379 If we can put it like that. 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:34.860 That is that by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:37.379 He will accomplish the task the father has given to him. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.459 And the devil realises the importance of this moment. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:45.399 But it's not the devil who initiates the confrontation. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:45.819 Is it? 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:48.599 Do you remember from the Bible reading? 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:49.479 It's very clear. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:51.939 He was driven by the Spirit. 00:05:52.039 --> 00:05:52.699 Capital S. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:54.180 Into the wilderness. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:57.339 Into a wilderness. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:00.519 Not into a garden. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:03.419 Not into Eden. 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:06.240 And not into paradise. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:11.819 Because he has come into the fallen wilderness. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:13.540 That is our current existence. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:17.340 And the threefold temptation takes place. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:17.840 Do you remember? 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:21.100 Jesus has been fasting for 40 days. 00:06:21.200 --> 00:06:22.540 And for 40 nights. 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:25.939 I have no idea how he did that. 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:28.620 I'm grumpy if I miss lunch. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.040 By 5 o'clock I'm irritable. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:33.020 But we find that on those days of fasting. 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:35.720 Everything about me. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.939 Comes to a kind of grinding halt. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.980 About 3 in the afternoon. 00:06:39.140 --> 00:06:40.420 40 days and 40 nights. 00:06:42.460 --> 00:06:43.200 And we must think. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:43.580 Well Jesus. 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:44.939 Well he's the son of God. 00:06:45.200 --> 00:06:46.840 So it was okay for him. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.640 Obviously he had kind of superpowers. 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:50.860 That he had a divine nature. 00:06:51.080 --> 00:06:51.700 That somehow. 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:53.300 It meant that fasting. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:54.820 Well it was obviously much easier for Jesus. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.540 That is a real misunderstanding. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:06:59.920 Because he is fully God. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:01.939 And he is also fully man. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:03.640 He's a man who requires nutrition. 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:04.240 And oxygen. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:04.819 And water. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:05.400 And protein. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:07.759 And so at this point. 00:07:07.960 --> 00:07:08.920 In Matthew chapter 4. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.620 He is thin. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:12.520 And he is frail. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.140 He is emaciated. 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:16.240 He is weak. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.080 He has no energy. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:19.560 He is in a very temptable condition. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:22.860 I think we need to understand. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:23.959 It's a fasting of food. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.120 Not of liquid. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:29.040 He'd be dead if it was liquid. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.100 And so he's in this frail position. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.720 And the spirit drives him into the wilderness. 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.680 And he must meet the devil. 00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:39.040 Mustn't he? 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:41.279 He is driven because he must meet the devil. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.740 Because that is why he's come. 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:46.259 The reason the son of God appeared. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:47.079 Was why? 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:49.120 To destroy the works of the devil. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.360 And it's for this reason. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:52.600 That he's come into the world. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.220 We live in a supernatural world. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.120 We wrestle. 00:07:58.340 --> 00:07:58.780 The Bible says. 00:07:58.840 --> 00:07:59.620 Not against flesh. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:00.600 And blood. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.740 But against principalities. 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:02.319 And powers. 00:08:02.460 --> 00:08:03.240 And against the rulers. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:04.699 And the darkness of this world. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:08.800 There are unseen forces. 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:11.259 At work. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:11.979 Every moment. 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:12.740 And every day. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:14.759 Doing great acts of evil. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.339 And we need to open our eyes. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:19.219 To the fact that the devil. 00:08:19.339 --> 00:08:20.060 Hates the gospel. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.300 And he hates Jesus Christ. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:24.060 And he hates Jesus Christ's people. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:26.599 And his one intent. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:27.379 Is to bring us down. 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:28.459 And to cause us to fall. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:32.139 And so Jesus finds himself. 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:32.960 With Satan. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.720 Now I think for us. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:39.180 Most of the time. 00:08:40.060 --> 00:08:41.160 It is not Satan. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:42.220 Who tempts us. 00:08:43.540 --> 00:08:44.500 It's one of his. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:45.620 Interns. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:46.140 Or apprentices. 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:49.180 The devil doesn't need to come. 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:50.800 In person to us. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.920 The devil is not omnipresent. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:55.759 He cannot be. 00:08:56.780 --> 00:08:58.700 The devil can only be in one place. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.620 At one time. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:01.740 It's very important you understand that. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:03.879 And yet his power. 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:04.680 Is awesome. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:05.780 And it is great. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.440 And so what does he tempt Jesus with? 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:10.500 What is the first temptation? 00:09:10.640 --> 00:09:11.480 Well the first temptation is. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:12.360 He is hungry. 00:09:14.400 --> 00:09:15.240 And so he says. 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:16.060 These stones. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.300 That are here. 00:09:17.900 --> 00:09:20.120 Turn them into nice hot loaves of bread. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.960 There's nothing like bread. 00:09:23.060 --> 00:09:23.300 Is there? 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.180 When you get up. 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:27.540 In the night. 00:09:28.520 --> 00:09:29.500 What do you eat? 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:30.600 What do you eat? 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:31.820 When you get up in the middle of the night. 00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:32.160 What do you eat? 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.280 You eat something with bread. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:33.579 I. 00:09:34.079 --> 00:09:35.120 Poor Celiac. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.139 But there is. 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:38.460 There's nothing like bread. 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:38.860 Is there? 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:42.860 The devil isn't. 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:44.879 Trying to tempt Jesus. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.000 Through something illicit. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:49.060 The devil isn't here. 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:49.960 Trying to tempt the devil. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:50.899 Through something immoral. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:53.659 There's nothing immoral. 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.480 In turning stones into bread. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:58.759 He's hungry isn't he? 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:00.600 He's the son of God. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.980 Nothing would be impossible for him. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:03.980 He could perfectly well have done it. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:06.620 But do you remember how he responds. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.639 Well this is the moment. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:10.620 He takes the sword of the spirit. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.860 And he takes a verse from Deuteronomy. 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.899 He says man shall not live by bread alone. 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:21.000 Jesus had come to be a man. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:26.639 He hadn't come to be somebody who performs party tricks. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:31.659 To feed himself. 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:33.379 That is not why he had come. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:34.620 He had come to be our substitute. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.819 We know that from just the baptism. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:40.100 We can't turn stones into bread. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.519 And so it would have been had he done it. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.539 If you are the son of God. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.059 What says. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.480 Carlos Vos says. 00:10:45.819 --> 00:10:48.379 It should be rendered since you are the son of God. 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:53.200 The devil here is not querying Jesus' identity. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:56.639 It's not as if the devil is uncertain over who Jesus is. 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:58.720 He says since you are the son of God. 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.259 Use your son of Godness. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.600 To do a little party trick. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.799 And everybody will go ooh and ah. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.740 And the moment he had done that. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:07.340 He would no longer be our saviour. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:11.740 He would no longer have been our substitute. 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:15.340 Just like we need somebody who is fully divine. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.000 To save us. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.519 So also we need somebody who is fully human. 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:24.259 Who represents to us a second Adam. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.000 And he has come to be that last Adam. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:29.159 He uses the sword of the spirit. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.200 The word of God. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.600 And then you remember in the second temptation. 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:34.740 According to Matthew. 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:35.940 It's a different order in Luke. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:36.539 But in Matthew. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:40.159 The devil takes him to the pinnacle of the tabernacle. 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:41.039 In the temple. 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.799 So what the devil does. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.559 The devil quotes scripture. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:49.539 And the devil knows the bible. 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.659 He can quote it. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.559 And so that means that somebody who can quote scripture. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.039 Isn't necessarily a Christian. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:03.539 Isn't necessarily born again of the spirit of God. 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:05.600 The devil quotes scriptures. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:05.720 Jesus. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.720 And he quotes the psalms. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.940 About not dashing your feet. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.000 He quotes the psalms. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.080 About an angel coming and supporting him. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:20.100 And your foot won't be allowed to be dashed against a rock. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.659 And Jesus again. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.440 He holds. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:25.260 The sword of the spirit. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.280 And he says to see. 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:29.140 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.100 From Deuteronomy again. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.680 Because what would it accomplish. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.760 If Jesus had jumped down from the temple. 00:12:36.420 --> 00:12:37.380 Into the Kidron Valley. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.040 And angels came. 00:12:39.160 --> 00:12:40.080 And slowed him down. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.720 And so he came to a stop. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.880 One inch from the ground. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:46.200 What a glorious sight that would have been. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.900 But it would have been a little trick. 00:12:49.900 --> 00:12:51.360 Church is always looking for little tricks. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.639 Isn't it? 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.879 Temple jumpers. 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:55.940 People are able to do astonishing things. 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.580 It's all about the miraculous. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.379 And the incredulous. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.879 But that is not why Jesus had come. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.840 And we saw this morning. 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.159 Didn't we? 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.560 That Jesus uses his miracles. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:07.759 Efficiently. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.460 And sparingly. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:09.740 Actually. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.300 And they are always in the interest. 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.539 Of furthering his mission. 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:16.039 As the saviour and redeemer. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.200 And you notice. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.920 He uses the sword of the spirit. 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.460 And the same is true in the third temptation. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:23.139 Satan. 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.100 Takes him to a very high mountain. 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:26.759 And he says. 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:27.320 Look at this. 00:13:28.700 --> 00:13:29.440 Look at the sea. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.539 It's a gorgeous view. 00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:32.700 Kingdoms of this world. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.220 All of these will be yours. 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:36.899 If you bow down and worship me. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:40.440 Some commentators say. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.440 Well Satan is over. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.180 Reaching. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:43.940 His case here. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:46.399 The devil is claiming too much. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:48.919 And because. 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:49.699 Psalms tell us. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.480 The earth is the lords. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.399 And the fullness thereof. 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:52.779 But I think that's to misunderstand. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.720 What the Bible says. 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:55.179 The devil. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.539 Is called isn't he. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.100 The prince. 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:59.220 And the power of the air. 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.559 It's called Ephesians. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.600 The prince of this world. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.579 And there's much in this world. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.939 That is under the control of Satan. 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.000 Just read the newspapers. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:10.319 Listen to the headlines. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.720 The world is crazy. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:15.139 Satan is busy. 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.540 Everywhere. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.180 In education. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.200 In commerce. 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.100 In legislation. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.920 And not just in our country. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.700 But all over the world. 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:25.139 There's a great deal of evil. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.000 In the world. 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:31.600 Be gone. 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:33.840 Satan. 00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:34.800 Jesus says to him. 00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:38.360 You shall worship the Lord your God. 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.300 And him only. 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:41.539 You shall serve. 00:14:41.599 --> 00:14:41.839 And again. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.199 He's quoting from the book of Deuteronomy. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.079 Now what does that tell you? 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:49.399 It tells us Jesus has learned the book of Deuteronomy. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:53.079 Again. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:53.879 Don't make the mistake. 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.399 That because Jesus is the son of God. 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:57.219 He knows everything. 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:58.979 That he had a little switch. 00:14:59.059 --> 00:14:59.799 That he flicked on. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.339 And he became kind of son of God. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.819 Where he knows everything. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.059 And he knows the whole Bible. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.740 He just knows it. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.000 No. 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:09.860 He learned it. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.620 As a boy. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.440 And as a teenager. 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.340 And as a young man. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.320 He grew in wisdom. 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.360 And favor. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.440 With men and with God. 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.240 He studied the scriptures. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.919 He learned the scriptures. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.960 And he uses these texts from Deuteronomy. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.480 Not just vague details. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:30.620 But he uses the actual text. 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.720 Of scripture. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.740 Memory verses. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.560 If I keep a little like that. 00:15:35.559 --> 00:15:37.839 Like a sword. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.479 The sick fleas. 00:15:42.979 --> 00:15:45.479 Now I'm aware there are aspects of the temptation of Jesus. 00:15:45.619 --> 00:15:46.799 That are very unique. 00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:49.199 To the temptation of Jesus. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.079 I don't think it's a good practice. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:54.579 To say we must do exactly what Jesus did here. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.219 He was. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:58.039 In a very specific role. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.339 Wasn't he? 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:00.740 He was taking on the role as the mediator. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.200 The God man. 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.960 But I do think we can apply that principle. 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:09.120 Of using the text of scripture. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.860 As a sword. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:15.639 I don't want to be over mystical. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.800 And over experiential. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.980 But there are times out there. 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.019 In Christian experience. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:19.340 When. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:22.759 There is an unexplainable coldness. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.820 And a dryness. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.259 And. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.779 A fear. 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:32.840 That is unexplainable sometimes. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.700 In ourselves. 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:36.980 It feels. 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:37.900 Sometimes. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.460 Not. 00:16:38.780 --> 00:16:39.460 Not often. 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.800 But it feels like a cold shiver of terror. 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.580 Spiritually. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.820 Am I alone in that? 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:46.660 Am I the only one? 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.520 Do I need counselling? 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:49.840 Yes. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.100 But. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.300 Not for that. 00:16:53.160 --> 00:16:53.680 And I. 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:54.200 I want to say. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:54.400 That. 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.340 That is often. 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.620 Either the devil. 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:58.620 Or one of his interns. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.600 But what do we do at times like that? 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.080 Well. 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.400 We begin to recite the scripture. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:04.759 Don't we? 00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:05.920 We say to ourselves. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.880 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.620 I shall not want. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.540 He makes me lie down. 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.460 In green pastures. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.580 He restores my soul. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.980 Though I walk through the valley. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.220 Shadow of the valley of death. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.940 I will fear no evil. 00:17:18.040 --> 00:17:18.880 For you are with me. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.120 Your rod and your staff. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.680 They comfort me. 00:17:23.060 --> 00:17:23.880 What is that? 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.360 That is. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.460 Using the word of God. 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.800 As the sword of the spirit. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.280 The Bible. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.480 The Bible is God's word. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:36.460 All scripture. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.480 Is the product. 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.380 Of the out breathing. 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.840 Of God. 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:43.519 That is what Paul says. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.759 God breathes out. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.620 And what you have is scripture. 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.860 And it is profitable for doctrine. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.500 For reproof. 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.120 And for correction. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.840 And for instruction. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.240 In the way of righteousness. 00:17:53.540 --> 00:17:54.380 That the man of God. 00:17:55.540 --> 00:17:56.680 May be thoroughly equipped. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.660 For every good work. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:18:00.300 Peter. 00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:00.880 The Apostle Peter. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.680 Says something very similar. 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.259 He says that scripture. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:03.940 Is not a product. 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.340 Of man's intuition. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.640 Or the Bible. 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.340 Is not the product. 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.240 Of man's invention. 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:09.400 It's not the product. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:11.140 Of a human's interpretation. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.600 It doesn't originate. 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.620 With man. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.380 Men spoke. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.720 Yes. 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.180 Men like. 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:15.960 Moses. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:16.620 And David. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.120 And Isaiah. 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:17.840 And Ezekiel. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.940 And Amos. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.040 And others. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.900 They spoke. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.920 But they spoke. 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.600 Exactly. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.080 What God wanted them to speak. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:27.019 And so what you have. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.759 As a result. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.740 Is scripture. 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.899 No scripture. 00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:37.139 Is of a private. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:37.960 Invention. 00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:38.919 But men spoke. 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.579 From God. 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:39.859 So remember. 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.480 How Peter goes on. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:40.939 To say something. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.259 Absolutely astounding. 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.039 He speaks about. 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.759 That time of transfiguration. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.659 The mountain of transfiguration. 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.759 That other occasion. 00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:48.139 Where. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.079 Jesus heard. 00:18:49.179 --> 00:18:50.079 The audible voice. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:50.759 Of his father. 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.199 Saying. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:53.779 This is my beloved son. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.879 And whom I love. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.819 And Peter says. 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.539 Well I was there. 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.399 I was there. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.259 I was there. 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.440 On the mountain of transfiguration. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.579 And then he goes on. 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:03.940 To say. 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:05.019 We have a more sure word. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.519 Of prophecy. 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.539 He's talking about the bible. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.460 We have something more sure. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.519 Than what I saw. 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.720 With my own eyes. 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:14.000 On the mountain of transfiguration. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:14.740 That is astonishing. 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.539 I think. 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.259 If I was Peter. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.940 And I'd be on the mountain of transfiguration. 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.019 I'd be going on and on. 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.720 On about it. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.079 Isn't it? 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.460 And Peter is saying. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.399 I have something far more sure than that. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.379 I have a bible. 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.299 I have the word of God. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.139 Paul speaks to me. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.720 About taking up the sword. 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.599 Of the spirit. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.139 That's really important. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:40.960 The relationship. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.420 Between the word of God. 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.299 And the holy spirit. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.660 The bible is authored. 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.819 By the holy spirit. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.039 He is the principal author. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.559 Of scripture. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:52.319 From one point of view. 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:52.639 You can say. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:54.240 Well there are 40 different authors. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.079 For scripture. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.720 There are three different languages. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.240 There's Greek. 00:19:59.419 --> 00:19:59.720 Hebrew. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.399 And Aramaic. 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.379 Silver of Span. 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:04.240 Of about 1500 years. 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.980 There's all different kinds of literature. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:06.899 Poetry. 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:07.539 History. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.419 Apocalyptic. 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.299 Gospel. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.339 Letters. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.599 There's architect drawings. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.000 Different types of literature. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.599 But the principal architect. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.700 Of scripture. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.819 Is the holy spirit. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.839 There is one mind. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.660 Behind the scriptures. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.880 And because the principal author. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.420 Is God. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.180 The holy spirit. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.599 And God cannot lie. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.119 Therefore scripture cannot lie. 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.019 And that's why we believe. 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.259 In the infallibility. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.180 Of scripture. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.880 That all scripture is true. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.519 That there isn't one falsehood. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.839 There isn't one lie. 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.059 In the bible. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.019 I think it's Charles Wesley said. 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.180 If there's one falsehood. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.599 In the bible. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.220 There might as well. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.879 Have been a thousand. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:52.220 And Jesus is using. 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.400 The sword of the spirit. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.319 In a manner. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:54.839 Which says. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.599 I trust. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.480 The very. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.579 Words of God. 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.579 Just a verse. 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.359 From Deuteronomy. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.059 And I trust it. 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.700 And I trust it. 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.379 Implicitly. 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.539 And by the power. 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.279 Of the holy spirit. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.259 It has the power. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.019 To send the devil. 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.379 Packing. 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.059 To send him away. 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:12.980 And I want to emphasize to you. 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.579 The connection. 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.359 Between the word. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.879 And the spirit. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.980 It's not the spirit. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.619 Without the word. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.879 That happens. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.259 Doesn't it? 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.599 Churches go in that direction. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.399 They become all. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.559 Mystical. 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.500 And have certain feelings. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.579 You think of the quakers. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.980 Always waiting for the spirit. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.460 To move them. 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.619 Waiting for some inner light. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.119 To occur. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.960 You think of endless singing. 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:32.480 In meetings. 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.519 Where the bible is shut. 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.259 And now let's get on. 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:34.759 With the worship. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:37.259 But you can go. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.099 To the other direction. 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.539 Can't you? 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.400 And you can go. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.039 To the direction. 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.059 Of being all about the bible. 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:42.240 And nothing about the holy spirit. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.819 You can have an orthodoxy. 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:47.980 Which is like the pharisees. 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.400 That's always quoting the bible. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.599 Always studying the bible. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.799 But no illumination. 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.859 No understanding. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.500 And Satan will try to get you. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.539 He'll try to get at our children. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.740 And try to get at our church. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:03.839 It may be the lies. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.460 That the science. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.640 Has all the answers. 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.400 It'll throw an awful lot of knowledge. 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:11.980 At this. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.220 High school. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.680 And university students. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.400 Overwhelmed. 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.980 By just the amount of knowledge. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.599 That there is. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.740 Sounds highfalutin. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.680 And actually. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.120 It's why we need to know our bibles. 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:26.299 It is a sword. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.420 And so when you lose. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.140 Confidence. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.500 In the word of the spirit. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.500 And the truthfulness. 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.340 Of scripture. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.519 And the infallibility. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.160 Of the scripture. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.960 What you're left with. 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:40.300 Is he who shouts loudest. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.140 Wins the argument. 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:44.080 And gets the most attention. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.519 Isn't that? 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:45.039 That's what's happened. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.640 And so we live in a culture. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.920 Which is really. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.840 All at sea. 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.420 Isn't it? 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:54.300 That's really confusing. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.019 Where people don't know. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.740 Right from wrong. 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.859 People don't know. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.160 Male from female. 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.900 And here is the sword of the spirit. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.079 And when you find yourself. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.960 All at sea. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.099 And you find yourself. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.099 Getting angry. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.839 Righteously angry. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.819 At the stupidity. 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.500 Of the world. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.900 And the stupidity. 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.779 Of the thought. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.799 Of our culture. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.400 We need to find refuge. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.480 In the sword of the spirit. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:25.140 The word of God. 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.299 And we take. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.220 The sword of the spirit. 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.980 Just notice. 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.759 We finish up. 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.339 The emphasis. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.559 Is there's something for you. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.039 To do. 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.539 Isn't there? 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.860 That it's not going to happen. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.620 For you. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.279 There are times. 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.599 I think. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.059 When we're so weak. 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.339 And we're in such a desperate place. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.900 That God brings to our mind. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.299 Doesn't he? 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.559 Some verse of the Bible. 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:49.700 Well. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.099 We've forgotten about it. 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.399 And yet. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.759 Suddenly. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.039 This. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.859 It's such. 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.259 Gives us such great strength. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.259 It almost takes over. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.779 As it were. 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:58.599 And we believe. 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.099 That's possible. 00:23:59.159 --> 00:23:59.839 And sometimes. 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:01.319 That God is very kind. 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:01.980 And he does that. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.859 But not always. 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.419 The responsibility. 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.799 Is entirely yours. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.720 So learn. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.440 The scriptures. 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:13.819 And you can't use. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.019 The sword of the spirit. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.019 If you don't know. 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.519 The scriptures. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.159 So therefore. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.759 We need to be. 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:21.740 In our Bibles. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.980 And reading our Bibles. 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:28.879 And enjoying our Bibles. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.639 And memorizing our Bibles. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.079 Let me encourage you. 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.220 This summer time. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.799 Why don't you. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.200 Sometimes. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.980 Pick up your Bible. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.079 And read it. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:40.799 For fun. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.779 Just read it. 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.240 For fun. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.339 We live in extraordinary days. 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:47.579 Don't we? 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.379 Where our access. 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:48.920 To the Bible. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.700 Is so immediate. 00:24:51.280 --> 00:24:52.000 Imagine you lived. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.980 In medieval times. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.860 In the 12th century. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.640 You wouldn't have a copy. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.300 Of the Bible at home. 00:24:56.760 --> 00:24:57.940 You'd have to go to church. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.700 And even then. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.960 It would be in a foreign language. 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:01.960 In Latin. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:02.980 And the chances of you. 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.200 Having good enough Latin. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.900 To understand. 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:05.700 Jerome's Volgate. 00:25:05.780 --> 00:25:06.900 Would be very minimal. 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.040 And we're not in those days. 00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.360 Thank God. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.060 For the Reformation. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.640 Thank God. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.340 For translators. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.980 Like Tim Dale. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.199 Who were burned at the stake. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.939 Because they translated the Bible. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.059 Into a common language. 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.539 And so learn the Bible. 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.980 Study the Bible. 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.639 Love the Bible. 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.439 And enjoy the Bible. 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.179 And use it. 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.279 Like a sword. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.279 By the help. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.019 Of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.299 And the devil. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.939 Will flee from you. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.419 Every time. 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.000 Every time. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.759 Let's pray.