Introduction:
May Christians do not want to believe that we are in war against the powers of darkness.  There are also those that do believe it but, they do not take into account just how difficult a battle it is.
 

A. We are in Spiritual Warfare

1. We are to wear armor Ephesians 6:10-18
2. Our weapons are not fleshly II Corinthians 10:4 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
3. We are to be good soldiers II Timothy 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

B. We are fighting to defend the faith

1. This should be done earnestly [zealously or instantly] Jude verse 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
2. Defending the blood bought church (Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 5:25).

C. We should be out to seek and save not seek and destroy

1. The Lord was on earth to seek and save the lost Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

I. To be prepared for battle we must be truly dedicated to God

A. Christians must count the cost of being a disciple of the Lord Luke 14:25-33

1. We cannot be like the young rich man here Matthew 19:16-24

a. We must put our treasures in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 “19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

2. Christians should seek those things above Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
3. Christians must not love the things of the world I John 2:15-17 “15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

a. Christians are to come out and be separate II Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
b. Christians are supposed to be transformed (Romans 12:2) and delivered from the powers of the worldly darkness (Colossians 1:13).

B. Christians must truly love God John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
C. We should be as the Psalmist Psalms 100:1-5
D. True followers of the Lord do the things he says Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

A. All that live Godly will suffer II Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

1. There are blessings that come with persecution Matthew 5:10-12 “10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

B. Must not be afraid to be hated Luke 6:26 “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
C. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God Romans 8:35-39
D. We must feel as did Paul Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

1. Notice the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel Chapter 3

a. Notice Daniel 3:17-18  This is unmoveable faith!
b. Christians must be this strong I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

A. Speak boldly as we ought to Ephesians 6:19-20 "19. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." 
B. Not fearing physical harm Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." 

1. Stephen is a great example of this Acts 7:51-60

a. Notice what the word did Acts 7:54 "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."

C. Boldness to the truthful hearer produces obedience. Example - Peter calls those present in Acts 2 murders, what happens Acts 2:36-41. 
D. Boldness shows we are unashamed of our Lord Philippians 1:20-21 "20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 
E. We ought to be bold enough not to change our preaching because of man's desires Galatians 1:10-12 "10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Copyright 2001 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.