Treasure Hunt 3Намуна

Got Your Sword Sharp?

Hook

Have you ever been in a battle? No, not the kind where you're holding a game controller and sitting in front of a screen. Sure, virtual battles are great, but we're talking about a real battle—the real deal! 

Take a minute and imagine yourself right now as a warrior, with a gleaming sword. For thousands of years the land has been ruled by an evil monster. You narrow your eyes, and lift your sword and charge at the giant, fanged, dark enemy! Now we are talking!

But do you know, you actually, really are in a battle every day? That’s right, it’s a spiritual battle, and it’s very real—that is what the Bible says. Our battle is against the devil—he is real, and he hates you. That’s because you belong to God, and the devil hates God, so he wants to discourage, derail, and destroy you, any way he can. 

“Waaaaaait a minute! You mean the devil is out to get me?” --you may be thinking. I’m not gonna sugar coat it, the answer according to the Bible is “Yes!” 

But you need not fear. Instead, you need to stay alert and keep your sword close. Although you can’t see the devil, he is active. And he has a lot of old tricks up his sleeve. He has been duping people for thousands of years, and he is really good at it. But you don’t need to worry. Instead of worrying, you can be bold, because Jesus is with you, and the devil compared to Jesus, is like a snowflake compared to an avalanche.

Book

The Son is the exact likeness of God, who can’t be seen. The Son is first, and he is over all creation. All things were created in him. He created everything in heaven and on earth. He created everything that can be seen and everything that can’t be seen. He created kings, powers, rulers and authorities. All things have been created by him and for him. Before anything was created, he was already there. He holds everything together.

Colossians 1:15-17 (NIRV)

Look

What did Jesus make? 

Yes, basically He made everything there is, all of it. 

What was everything created for?

That’s right, they were all created for Him, Jesus.

What things are under Jesus’ control?

The word again is “everything”!

There is no question—Jesus is Almighty!

Now here’s something really cool: When you belong to Jesus, when He lives in you, you have His authority. What is authority? It is power to influence things. 

Did you know that there are levels of authority in the spirit world? Jesus is at the top, and you are there with Him. Demons are much lower down. Actually, much, much, lower down. Remember the difference between a snowflake and an avalanche? The avalanche doesn’t need to fear a snowflake!

Took

So, imagine that you have a sword. It’s strapped to your back. That sword is God’s Word, the truth. The devil doesn’t want you to know you have the sword. He doesn’t want you to realize Jesus is with you, and that Jesus is Master of Everything. 

So, pull out Colossians 1:15-17 (it's like pulling out a sword) and repeat the words to remember who Jesus is. Remember that Jesus controls absolutely everything. Jesus is the One. And Jesus is with you. 

You do not need to be afraid. You can run with God toward anything.

BTW, you ROCK!

Dr. Andy