This week we are starting a new series we are calling “Sword Sharpening” and we will be looking at how to make the most out of your time with the Bible. We just finished our series called “The Questions Jesus Asked“. There is an interesting question Jesus asks in Mark Chapter 12 that we didn’t look at but will serve as a great way to kick off this series.
Mark 12:24 (NIV)
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
At some point in this series, we will come back to why Jesus asked this question and look at it in context, but before we can do that, we need to look at a number of extremely important concepts about the Bible. The writer of Hebrews compares the Word of God to a sword.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Paul connects ‘the Word of God’ as ‘the sword of the Spirit’.
Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. The Word of God helps us in defending against the enemy as well as assaulting the enemy during battle. We defend against him by not listening to his lies. We assault him as we live by trying to do the next right thing, experiencing the full and abundant now and forever life in Jesus as we carry out the mission and purpose God has for us.
Spiritual Battle
This life as a follower of Jesus includes spiritual battle. Our adversary wants us to live in fear. Fear is crippling. Fear is life stealing. Our culture is fearful. We are being actively terrorized. We do not need to live in fear! I think some people might have trouble with the whole spiritual battle illustration and yet it is something that we have throughout the Bible. Standing by while the enemy leads countless numbers of people to destruction and constantly attempts to steal away the life that Jesus came to give us is not an option for a follower of Jesus. Like Joshua, we need to be courageous.
Joshua 1:4-9 (NIV)
4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates–all the Hittite country–to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Sword Sharpening Keeps us Ready for Battle
There is a fascinating story in 1 Samuel that connects with the importance of having your sword sharp and being ready for spiritual battle.
1 Samuel 13:19-22a (NIV)
19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plowshares, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. 21 The price was two thirds of a shekel for sharpening plowshares and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads. 22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand;
The Philistines had removed all the blacksmiths from Israel, which made blacksmithing services costly and required traveling so the people of God just got lax and didn’t do it. When the time for battle came, no one was ready. It will cost you something to keep your sword sharpened. Time. But it is one of the best uses of time. It is life giving not life stealing. Don’t get taken in by the life stealing lies of the enemy, focus your thoughts on the Kingdom of God and the things of the Lord. Stand ready to engage in the battle by keeping your sword sharp.
We will be talking about this and much more on the weekend at Keys Vineyard Church as we discuss how to read and how not to read the Bible. Make plans to attend in person or connect online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
