I’m In The Lord’s Army

Rom 8:35-39

America is in the midst of a war today. It’s a war we don’t fully understand and people can argue the merits of fighting this war or not. However you feel about it, we have our young men and women there in harm’s way. That has really been brought home to us with the death of Jeff McLochlin.

It’s a war that is hard to fight. We don’t really know or understand our enemy. There isn’t a clear front line. Engagements are rarely face to face. It’s a war that saps the spirit of Americans because we can’t see the wins well enough.

In some ways that war mirrors the spiritual war that also rages around us and IN us. We don’t know our enemy anymore. Engagements are rarely face to face. It saps the spirit of Christians because we aren’t sure if we are winning the war.

Paul gives us some advice to help us know just what this war is all about. Who are enemies and allies are, and how we can tell if we are winning. It’s a very important passage for all Christians.

PRAYER

I. The War For Your Soul

A. The fight for our souls

1. There is a battle for our souls that goes on every day of our lives.

2. Every day we are faced with the battle of who will rule in our hearts. God or Satan.

3. The outcome of this war is an important one to each and every one of us. If we win, an eternity in Heaven, if we lose, an eternity in Hell.

4. But it isn’t just our personal souls where this war wages. It is a worldwide war for the heart and soul of mankind.

5. We are the battleground where two great armies fight for control.

B. Psychological warfare

1. In Romans the battle is narrowed down a bit. It’s specific battles for the soul of Christians.

2. In war each side uses psychological warfare to undermine the morale of the opposing army.

a) Our enemies use car bombs and beheading to break our morale.

b) We use other tactics to break their morale.

c) Each side tries to think of things that will weaken the resolve of the other side.

d) That’s what psychological warfare is all about.

e) Undermining the determination of the enemy.

f) Sowing seeds of doubt in their ability to win.

3. Satan does the same thing to people.

a) He spends time putting doubt about God’s strength into our minds.

b) He gets us to wonder about our salvation.

c) He promotes the lure of sin.

d) He even tries to convince us that he doesn’t really exist.

e) And Satan is winning the psychological warfare in many Christians lives.

C. The Enemy

1. Ever since sin was introduced to mankind, Satan has really taken it to us.

2. When he was cast from Heaven, he has made it only goal to spite God by taking as many of us as he can to Hell with him.

3. He has used every trick in his considerable arsenal to keep people from following God and to pull those who do follow God away.

4. Satan is powerful, resourceful, determined and deadly

5. If you think you can stand up against him all on your own, you are very sadly mistaken.

6. You’ll pay the price for that kind of arrogance.

D. The Ally

1. but we have an ally in our war.

2. We don’t have to depend on our resources alone, we can depend on God’s.

3. I absolutely love verse 31. READ

a) When God is on your side, the other side ceases to matter.

b) Oh, they will still attack, but they aren’t going to win.

c) With God on your side, the battles may be tough, but you are guaranteed you are going to win the war.

d) Satan doesn’t stand a chance against God.

e) He never has and never will.

f) That’s why he goes after us instead of God.

4. God will do whatever it takes to protect us from Satan.

a) He even gave up his own son for us.

b) But in Giving up his son, he guaranteed our win.

c) He also guaranteed Christ’s win as well.

d) Death couldn’t defeat Jesus, Satan can’t defeat God.

II. More Than Conquerors

A. The Conqueror

1. When you think of conquerors, you think of great and powerful men.

a) Attila the Hun in Asia

b) Julius Caesar in Africa and Europe

c) Alexander the Great in Greece and most of the known world.

2. Conquerors bring fear to their enemies and pride their own people.

B. More than Conquerors

1. Paul say we are MORE than conquerors.

2. Most scholars believe that phrase means Super Conquerors.

3. It’s the idea that the conquest is so complete that there is no opposition to the conqueror.