On Guard – Part 1

The Need for Spiritual Discernment Today

1 Corinthians 16:13,14

 

Pastor Craig Ledbetter                                           

Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland

4 Oct, 2009  AM

www.biblebc.com

 

I.       Introduction (1 Corinthians 16:13,14)

 

A.      This month, we are learning about being Alert, Aware, On Guard, prepared for Attack

B.      We have a sneaky, deadly enemy! He’s the best at sneak attacks, and he lures people right into some of the most deadly and destructive traps – even Christians

C.      We need to learn to “see” him coming, and “sense” him at work around us, so that we can better defend ourselves

D.     Blind Boxers - A lot of Christians are like a blind boxer trying to defend themselves from their opponent, and they wonder why they are so beat up and defeated most of the time!

E.      This morning, let’s begin a two week training course on how to sharpen the 6th sense of the Believer. We all have 5 senses: touch, taste, hear, smell, and see. Mom’s have a sixth sense already built in, but there is a spiritual one we all need – a Spiritual Discernment (1Cor 2:14)

 

II.    Background

 

A.      There is more to this world than meets the eye

 

1.       2Kings 6:14-16 – two opposing forces

2.       Job 2:1-7 – spiritual conflicts going on even though we aren’t aware

3.       Ephesians 6:12 – we need to begin to sense and to wrestle the right enemies!

 

B.      God gave us FIVE commands here in 1Cor 16:13,14

 

1.       Watch – become aware of the spiritual and not just the physical

2.       Stand – dig our heels in and not back away from the victory Christ has promised His children

3.       Quit – oh what a great word; it means to Finish what we start!

4.       Resist – put up a good fight, in Christ’s strength

5.       Do it all with Charity

 

C.      All five help us in a fight, help us understand what is going on in our lives: whether it be health problems, depression, someone turning on us – they all are probably related to something in the spiritual realm

D.     This morning we are just going to look at the first three commands

 

III. Message

 

A.     Watch Ye

 

1.       This is a military term, describing the Christian as a soldier on duty, guarding his family, guarding his thought life, guarding his eyes, guarding his church family

 

a.       The Old Testament Concept – be aware of your physical enemies (Philistines, Amorites, Hittites, Goliaths, king Sauls)

b.      The New Testament Concept – be even MORE aware of your SPIRITUAL enemies

 

2.       Simply put, the Christian is to be SPIRITUALLY aware

 

a.       99% of all modern Christians are lethargic, careless, unwise about spiritual things, they have their 6th sense shut off

b.      They are only worried about what they can see, or feel.

 

1)       People are worried about losing their jobs, but not their joy

2)      They are worried about whether they get sufficient praise of men, instead of a future praise from God

3)      They are very worried about being lonely, and not worried about fellowshipping and walking with Jesus

4)      They are worried about how they have been hurt and treated unjustly, instead of worrying about forgiveness and mercy and grace!

5)      They see a pretty girl and don’t see a trap, or a time bomb

6)      They see a toy boy and don’t see a selfish brute who will turn on them one day

 

c.       Most modern Christians have NO understanding about the spiritual dimension around them that is JUST AS REAL, and often much more damaging than anything in this world!

 

3.       Jesus made it very clear just how much more important spiritual awareness is by commanding His followers, to not just be on the look-out, but to be watchful, AND PRAY (Mk 13:32,33)

4.       Peter did not understand this (Matthew 26:41), but later he does get it and commands us to grasp how important spiritual awareness really is (1Pet 4:7; and 1 Pet 5:8)!

5.       Five things to watch over in your life from a spiritual viewpoint:

 

a.       Your thoughts (Philp 4:8; 2Cor 10:5) – pay attention to what you allow your mind to think about, and worry about!

b.      Your words (Psalm 19:14) – think before you speak

c.       Your attitudes/heart (Prov 4:23) – watch your emotions, especially the ones that the devil can use to destroy you and those around you: anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, lust, envy

d.      Your actions (Rom 12:17-21) – make yourself do the right thing

e.       Your family (Job 1:5) – don’t just feed and clothe your family, but pray for them, and minister to them spiritually (drag them to church, read the Bible to them, talk about Jesus with them, show them how to live by faith, and not by sight)

 

6.       All of these areas are where the devil attacks – and the Christian has to be aware of HOW he attacks, and how we so easily become HIS vessel of wicked thoughts, ungodly words, bad attitudes, sinful actions, and lost family members! What a sad case!

7.       How to be more spiritually aware – how to enhance your awareness of spiritual things:

 

a.       Make sure you are spiritually alive – born again (John 3:5-7)

b.      Fast a lot – quit indulging yourself in over eating, in laziness, in channel-surfing for hours on end – live more temperately – pray instead of eating, or watching that filthy TV prog

c.       Read a lot – read a large amount of the Bible and test what you feel and experience by what you read in the Bible (1John 4:1-3)

d.      Repent a lot – become very soft towards the gentle Holy Spirit

e.       Obey a lot – the Holy Spirit does not work when he is not listened to and obeyed! The more you obey, the more he will be free to do more in your life and through your life!

 

8.      All of that will make you so that your FLESH (your old habits and lusts) is decreased, and the new man is increased in your life! Your 6th sense will be sharpened

 

IV.  Conclusion

 

A.      This month, we are learning about being Alert, On Guard, Prepared for Attack because  we have a sneaky, deadly enemy!

B.      We need to learn to “see” him coming, and “sense” him at work around us, so that we can better defend ourselves

C.      God gave us FIVE commands here in 1Cor 16:13,14

 

1.       Watch – become aware of the spiritual and not just the physical

2.       Stand – dig our heels in and not back away from the fight

3.       Quit – oh what a great word; it means to Finish what we start!

4.       Resist – put up a good fight, in Christ’s strength

5.       Do it all with Charity

 

D.     All five help us in a fight, help us understand what is going on in our lives: whether it be health problems, depression, someone turning on us – they all are probably related to something in the spiritual realm

E.      This morning we have looked at the first command:

 

1.       Watch Ye - to be SPIRITUALLY aware

 

a.       Five things to watch over in your life with a spiritual viewpoint:

 

1)       Your thoughts (Philp 4:8; 2Cor 10:5)

2)      Your words (Psalm 19:14) – think before you speak

3)      Your attitudes/heart (Prov 4:23)

4)      Your actions (Rom 12:17-21)

5)      Your family (Job 1:5)

 

b.      How to be more spiritually aware:

 

1)       Make sure you are spiritually alive – born again

2)      Fast a lot

3)      Read a lot

4)      Repent a lot

5)      Obey a lot