Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 98 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; Eph 6:10-18.

Title: Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 98 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; EPH 6:10-18.

 

Announcementsopening prayer:  

 

 

Armor of God review:

 

In review, the armor is the person of Christ in operation through the believer in time as he battles Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Its application is:

 

EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.

 

EPH 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

 

Satan seeks to frustrate the will of God in the believer's soul; (we must be filled with the Spirit).

 

a. By deceit: EPH 4:14.

 

b. By using his minions to frustrate the believer's work: 1TH 2:18.

 

c. By projecting thoughts to produce mental attitude sins such as worry, anxiety, and fear:

 

1PE 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

 

1PE 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

 

1PE 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

1PE 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

 

God allows the devil to attack us so that we will learn to rely upon God’s grace provisions, promises, and ability to deliver us. In so doing, God is strengthening our faith and reliance upon Him. God is teaching us to see His will and way as the only way for us. Satan is more than happy to oblige God in this. Never look at the attacks that come against you as anything else than this, and you will find joy in all things.

 

1PE 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

 

1PE 5:11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Fear and God's response to our fears:

 

HEB 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

 

HEB 2:12 saying,

"I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren,

In the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise."

 

Significantly, this is quoted from PSA 22:22, which is the first line in the break in that Psalm, which begins with the agony of the cross (My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me) and turns here to resurrection and victory over sin and death. This was God's response to our fears.

 

As Christ read Psa 22 throughout His life, He knew what was in store for Him on Calvary, and He also knew that verse 22 would be a reality in resurrection and victory. We have the same promise made sure to us. No matter what we face there is no cause for fear.

 

HEB 2:13 And again,

"I will put My trust in Him."

 

ISA 8:17 - as Isaiah trusted the Lord to deliver Israel, even as the complete destruction of the northern kingdom was imminent; so Christ trusted the Father, and so must we.

 

And again,

"Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me."

 

ISA 8:18 - Isaiah's sons will be delivered and so will those whom Christ claims as His own.

 

HEB 2:14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;

 

Until Jesus died, Satan's weapon was physical death, but Jesus took that away from him rendering the weapon inoperative. The Lord's counter weapon was eternal life.

 

HEB 2:15 and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

 

HEB 2:16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.

 

HEB 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

 

HEB 2:18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

“aid” is a compound word made of the words run and shout. It literally means the grace of timely help.