War In The Camp

Text: Exodus 32:7-18

 

Contents:

 

Introduction

1. In the beginning

2. Nature of the war

3. Reason for the war:

4. Strategy

5. The Warriors

6. Armoury

7. Exercise

Responsibility

 

Introduction.

 

The Apostles when they got down to basics addressed believers as soldiers of Christ, to the extent of admonishing us to endure the hardship of soldiership: 'Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)'

As men fighting a serious war must not engage themselves in unsoldierly conduct. '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'

2 Timothy 2:4

 

WHY:

 

 

1. In The beginning…
   

 

The devil declared war on the creator by trying to usurp His position

Eze 28 11-19; Isa. 14:12-15.

Therefore God judged him and cast him out of heaven.

 

God being God (El-Elohim- the eternal creator who created all things) would not contend or struggle with the work of His hands. Therefore, He created man in His own image and gave him dominion over all things that He has created, formed or made, to subdue His enemies- to trample them under feet.

Gen. 1:26-28; Luke 10:19; Psalms 91:13

The devil seeing this attacked the whole earth with great wrath, to steal, to kill and o destroy

Rev 12:12; Isa 14:5-8; Jn. 10:10

 

The devil declared war on man, but thank God because He has made provisions for this: 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper… Isa 54:17'

 

Hence, the devil knowing he cannot win by frontal attack brought in wiles, tricks and deceptions to use against man.

Eph 6:11; 2Cor 2:11; Nu. 25:16-18

Unfortunately, man fell for the first trick: deception

Gen. 3:13

 

 

1. The Nature of the War
   

 

The war is a war of strategies not of frontal attacks at the side of the enemy. Knowing that he cannot stand against us in any such engagement (frontal attack) because we are blessed of God '…Behold I have received commandment to bless and He hath blessed and I cannot reverse it …surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel…'

    Nu. 23:18-24.

His main device against us is to make us sin, to anger or annoy God so that He can destroy us

    Nu. 23:21; 31:15-17.

The battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) therefore our weapons are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4) our equipment's for the war are not according to the flesh… For by the arm of the flesh shall no man prevail, it is not by power, nor by might but by the Spirit of the Lord.

1 Sam. 2:9; Zech. 4:6

 

1. The Reason for the war: Salvation.
   

 

The devil wants man in hell; but God wants to save us. He wants us in Heaven.

Unfortunately, man has already fallen (Rom. 3:23; 5:12).

For us therefore to make heaven, we need to be saved (Jn. 3:3-5). The purpose of the enemy therefore is to keep us away from salvation and if we by the grace of God defeats this purpose and get saved, he fights, tooth and claw -a very dirty fight, to make us loose our salvation.

Since he cannot take it by force, he tries to steal it (Jn. 10:10; 1 Pet. 5:8) and that is why Paul enjoins us to contend and do it in all earnest for our faith. (Jude 1:3).

 

 

1. The Strategy/ method of War: Evangelism.
   

 

The only way we can win the war is by preaching the gospel of Christ (Rom. 10:13-17) because salvation cometh by believing (having faith) in Christ and confessing Him. But how can we believe if we haven't heard of Him –faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This could just simply be taken to mean living the life of righteousness –obedience to God.

    Mk. 16:15-20; Act 1:6; 10:38; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:17-21.

 

1. The Warriors/ Soldiers of the war.
   

 

Who should fight this fight? God created man to fight the devil (Gen. 1:28; Jer 51:20). Besides this, because of the very nature of and creation of Man, the devil fights against him. Therefore 'MAN' all men –brother's sister's male or female are expected to be warriors, soldiers for the Lord. We are all engaged in the war, whether on the Lords side or on the side of the enemy. There is no in-between; you only decide which side you fight for.

For us to enlist on the side of the Lord, we must give our all, being ready to loose all

Rom. 12:1; Jn. 12:25; Mt 6:25; Rev 12:11

Angels and the hosts of heaven are also in the war –helpers of the war, the Holy Spirit plays the most important role in the war. (Josh 5:13-15).

 

1. Weapons of war/ Armour.
   

 

No nation, no man sends another to the war front without first equipping him for the war. God has also prepared us with the armour to fight the war:

    1. The Helmet of Salvation                    Eph. 6:17

    2. Breastplate of Righteousness:                Eph. 6:17

    3. The Girdle of Truth                        Eph. 6:17

    4. The Sandals of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace    Eph. 6:15

    5. The Shield of Faith                        Eph. 6:16

    6. The Sword of the Spirit                    Eph. 6:17

7. Strength is in the Lord, power and might are of Him.    Eph. 6:10

Ps 60:11-12; Ps 18:39-40; 62:11

1. Exercise:
   

 

Warriors, soldiers exercise themselves in preparation for the day of battle, to train themselves in the use of the weapons of war

1 Chr. 12:32-33; Eph. 6:18; 1Tim. 4:7-9                

We also should exercise ourselves –How

1. We should not neglect the gifts, the weapons already given to us
   

1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; Lk. 19:20

1. Prayer: Separation, spending quality time with God
   

Eph. 6:18; Heb 5:14

3. Study the Word    2 Tim. 2:15

Obey the Word    Jn. 10:4-5

Preach the Word     1 Cor. 1:18,21

 

Responsibility:

 

God has given us an inheritance, we must defend it, and we must not loose it.

God has given us a duty, we must fight on, and we must not relent.

It is a matter of blood, a matter of life or death.

Eze 3:17-18