Download Lesson # 16 The Church – God`s Army

THE CHURCH – GOD’S ARMY
Lesson 16
1.) A) In our last lesson, we ended with SS 1:4a where we noticed that the singular turned to the
plural. “Draw me” [singular] and “We will” [plural] run together. Is this a principle between
Jesus and Me only, or is it also true within the church? _________________________________
Song of Songs 1:4a (NASB) 4 Draw me after you and let us run together
B) Will we be stronger together? Y ___ N ___
C) When we run together will we both build muscles, and are strong muscles a requisite for
the test of endurance? Y ___ N ___
D) Would a soldier in an army need strong muscles and stamina to endure till the end? Y N
2. A) According to Ephesians 6:10-13 is the church in a battle? Y ___ N ___
Ephesians 6:10-13 (AMP) 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your
union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might
provide]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies],
that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the
devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical
opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who
are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the
heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be
able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis
demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
B) Would the church then need an army? Y ___ N ___
C) Here is a guarantee. Believers will most certainly face warfare. Does that imply we should
also be ready for battle, in fact a soldier in the Army of God? Y ___ N ___
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D) According to Eph. 6:10-13, who is supposed to put on the armor? ___________________
Ephesians 6:10-13 (AMP) 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your
union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might
provide]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies],
that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the
devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical
opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who
are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the
heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be
able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis
demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
E) The armor, we are to put on is closely based on the battle gear of the Roman Army. The
Roman legion was the most effective military unit of the ancient world, one that actually
conquered most of the known world for the Roman Empire. Is the church also commissioned
to go out into and conquer the known world for Christ?
Y ___ N ___
F) Whereas the gear of the Roman soldier was physical gear, would we need physical gear
for a spiritual war, or would we need spiritual weapons? _______________________________
G) Are these spiritual weapons capable, through the power of God, of destroying Satan’s
forces? Y ___ N ___
3. A) True or False There has been a war between the forces of God and the forces of Satan
throughout human history. True
False
B) Why would the coming of Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and Deliverer bring this conflict out
into the open? _________________________________________________________________
C) Jesus came healing and casting out demons. By doing so why would that be a
demonstration that the Kingdom of God had come? ___________________________________
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D) Why would this clash of the kingdoms, the visible manifested clash of good vs. evil, be
between Jesus and His church and the kingdom of Satan and his demons? _________________
E) Jesus procured the victory for us on the cross, but why do you suppose He allows the
battle to continue and for us to learn spiritual warfare? ________________________________
4. A) Read 2 Cor. 10:3-5 [especially verse 5]. Where is this battlefield? ____________________
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (AMP) 3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our
warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our
warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the
overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories
and reasoning and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge
of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the
Messiah, the Anointed One).
B) What are the three things we are destroying in verse 5? ____________________________
C) How can Satan deceive us through our minds? ___________________________________
D) Did such things as deceiving us, building fortresses of unbelief and prejudice top your list?
Y ___ N ___
E) Are we only to go to war to protect our own minds or also the minds of others? ________
F) According to Corinthians we are to take every thought captive and bring them to the
obedience of God. How do we do that? ____________________________________________
G) But isn’t that our military assignment? Y ___ N ___
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5. A) Do you think God’s purpose in presenting this picture of the church as His army is to
manifest His [God’s] victory over Satan? Y ___ N ___
B) If we are to be in the image and likeness of God, would this include that the Lord is a
military commander and a man of war [See Exodus 15:3; Psalm 24:8-10], and if so WE as we
reflect Him is also in the tole of commander over Satan and his satanic hosts, and we should not
go through life as impotent cowards, but mighty men/women of valor?
Y ___ N ___
Exodus 15:3 (AMP) 3 The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.
Psalm 24:8-10 (AMP) 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in
battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King
of glory may come in. 10 Who is [He then] this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of
glory. Selah [pause, and think of that]!
C) Personal
Is that a picture you see of yourself? Is it even a picture you have of Jesus?
D) Personal
When is the last time you heard a sermon about Jesus the man of war?
6. A) Is Jesus a commander to be trusted? Y ___ N ___
B) Why is a comfort to know that Jesus knows His job? ______________________________
C) If we are comforted that Jesus knows His job, why do we fall to pieces when
circumstances take us by surprise and tries to frighten us? _____________________________
7. A) According to Col. 2:15. What has Jesus done? ____________________________________
Colossians 2:15 (AMP) 15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against
us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in
it [the cross].
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B) True or False
defeat.
True
C) Personal
The cross was the place where Christ once and for all sealed Satan’s
False
If you answered true to the above – do you believe it? If so, how do you stand
up under trial?
8. A) What is the great thanksgiving to be found in 2 Cor. 2:14? __________________________
2 Corinthians 2:14 (AMP) 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as
trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the
knowledge of God everywhere,
B) He always leads us in triumph in Christ. In every place. Does that suggest that we
ALWAYS are led in triumph in Christ? And is that triumph found in every place [we may go]? __
C) Read syllabus 16 and comment on our triumph looks like. __________________________
D) Are we chained in the back of the chariot, or are we IN the chariot? _________________
E) Comment on the three reference to a chariot in Song of Songs 1:9; 3:9; 6:12. __________
Song of Songs 1:9 (KJV) 9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's
chariots.
Song of Songs 3:9 (KJV) 9 King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
Song of Songs 6:12 (NASB77) 12 “Before I was aware, my soul set me Over the chariots of my
noble people."
9. A) What are we told in Eph. 6:10-11, 13? __________________________________________
Ephesians 6:10-11, 13 (AMP) 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through
your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might
provide]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies],
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that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the
devil.
13 Therefore
put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your
ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in
your place].
B) As we continue reading in verses 14-18 we find six pieces of armor and the weapon of all
prayer. Would you say from all these pieces of armor we are completely protected? Y __ N __
Ephesians 6:14-18 (AMP) 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of
truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude
and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy
with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news]
of the Gospel of peace. 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you
can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and
the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every
occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end
keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the
saints (God's consecrated people).
C) What is the only part that is not? ______________________________________________
D) What protection do you think the soldier has for his back? _____________________ HINT
What does it mean “I got your back”? _______________________________________________
E) Is it up to our fellow soldiers to watch our back? Y ___ N ___
F) Is it up to me to watch the back of the soldier in front of me? Y ___ N ___
G) Does this just go to show, we cannot turn our backs and that we had better have
somebody behind us who can protect us? ___________________________________________
H) Would this one have to be reliable? Y ___ N ___
I) Would I have to be reliable for my fellow soldier up front? Y ___ N ___
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J) Is the crux of the matter, first loyalty to Christ, then loyalty to our fellow soldiers? Y N
TRIUMPH
SYLLABUS 16
The word triumph is a very distinct, official word in the context of the Roman Empire. If a
Roman general had been particularly successful in overseas wars and had added territories to
the Roman Empire or defeated dangerous enemies, the senate would vote him a triumph when
he came back to Rome. This was the highest honor that could be afforded to a Roman general.
The triumph consisted basically of this: The general was placed in a chariot drawn by two white
horses. He was led through the streets of Rome while all the people of Rome stood on the
sides of the street and applauded him.
Behind the chariot, they would parade all the general’s emblems of his conquests. For
instance, if he had been in a land where there were wild animals that were not familiar in
Rome, they would bring specimens of these animals – maybe tigers or elephants – and parade
them behind the chariot. After the animals would come all the kings and generals whom that
general had defeated and taken captive. They would be led in chains in humiliation. Finally,
there would follow rank after rank of prisoners who had been captured in the war. And these
would be the emblems and the demonstration to the people of Rome of what the general had
achieved by his victory.
When Paul spoke about Christ triumphing, that was the picture he had in mind. Christ is in
the chariot, and behind Him, on display, are all the forces of evil that He has defeated. The
principalities and power of Satan and all the things that oppose God and us are being led in
captivity behind the chariot.
Paul said, “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. Where are we in the
scene? Some Christians would picture themselves being led in chains behind the chariot, but
that is the place for the enemies. No, we are in the chariot. Do you know how to get there? I
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can tell you this great secret in one simple word; by faith. You just have to believe. You can’t
work for it: you can’t pray for it: you must just believe it. Thanks, be to God, who always causes
us to share in Christ’s triumph. Wherever we go, we are part of the spectacle, and the whole
universe lines up and applauds what He has done.
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Article by Derek Prince