Wrestling In A Dark World

1. By David Turner www.BibleStudies-Online.com Wrestling In A Dark World John 15:18–16:4, Eph. 6:12-13

5. Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

6. Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

7. Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

8. Are We Wrestling or Resting? • Have I adopted a Cultural Christianity or a Cross-Centered Christianity?  • Has the world become more Christian, or have I become more worldly? • Do I attempt to use the world to wrestle against the world?

9. John 15:18–16:4 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

10. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

11. 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. 16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

12. Why Do We Wrestle The World? Because the World Hates Us. • Because it hates Jesus (5:18). • Because we’re not one of them (5:19). • Because we’re identified with Christ (5:20). • Because they don’t know God (5:21).

13. The World Hates Us because It hates Jesus 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. How do we know who the world is? Who hated (Hates) Jesus? • Paul defines the head as “Rulers over this Present Darkness” (political, religious, philosophical, etc.). • Sometimes they redefine Jesus, worshiping a Messiah made up by man, while hating the Jesus of the Bible.

14. The World hates us because we’re not one of them (5:19). 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

15. The World hates us because we’re identified with Christ (5:20). 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. • Persecute – means to chase down. • Why are we persecuted? • We are his servant. • Are you hated because you’re Christ’s servant, or because your jerk?

16. The World hates us because they don’t God (5:21). 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

17. How do we know they Don’t know God? Because they have rejected Jesus’ words. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. • Excuse – Lit. a “cloak”. Jesus’ words takes their sin out from behind the cloak. Can’t hide sin behind ignorance.

18. How do we know they Don’t know God? Because they have rejected Jesus’ works. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. John 3:1–2 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

19. How do we know they Don’t know God? Because they did not know and esteem the Scriptures. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ Psalm 69:4 More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?

20. If the World rejects: • The Scriptures • Jesus’ Works • Jesus’ Words • Jesus • The Father Why should you be surprised if the world rejects you?

21. If The Wrestling Match With the World Seems Overwhelming: Don’t be alarmed. The Helper will testify of me. 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

22. If The Wrestling Match With the World Seems Overwhelming: The Helper will help you will testify of me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Keep Wrestling by: • Telling the world what I’ve told you. • Telling the world what you’ve seen me do. • Telling the world what the Scripture says. • Telling the world who I am.

23. Why Are We Warned? 16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. Eph 6 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

24. Who Is the World? Don’t be surprised to learn that the world isn’t just atheists, agnostics, humanists, or liberals. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. Those who are seeking to persecute and kill Christ’s followers may perceive themselves as doing God’s will.

25. There will come a time to stand. They will have “Their hour”, “the evil day” 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. Eph. 10:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

26. Jesus’ Day Came and He Stood His Ground and Won the War against the World. John 16:33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

27. The time is coming for Us to take a stand. Eph 6:12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

28. Are you prepared for battle?