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Unordinary in the Supernatural

by | Jul 3, 2022

Sermon Notes

Let’s Talk About Quantum Mechanics

  • Consider the weirdness of Wave/Particle Duality
  • These concepts are:
    • Operating in our current world
    • Hidden from plain sight
    • Often misunderstood
    • But none the less real and powerful.
  • So it is with the Spiritual World

Consider:

Don’t just dismiss the Spiritual world of angels and demons simply because you can’t see it or completely understand it.

The Spiritual World (Eph 6:12)

  • “. . . rulers and authorities. . .” = demonic spirits
  • “. . . world powers. . .” = an expression of how leaders become corrupt by their position
  • “. . . spiritual forces of evil. . .” = a comprehensive title for all evil agents

Paul’s Word Pictures:

  1. The “struggle” (Eph 6:12)

 πάλη (pálē), Wrestling, a contest between two in which each one endeavor to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck.

  • The Putting Off/On (Eph. 4:20-22)
    • Lies vs. Truth
    • Anger vs. Peace
    • Theft vs. Generosity
    • Gossip vs. Encourage
    • Revenge vs. Forgiveness
    • Promiscuity vs. Self-Control
    • Drunkenness vs. Being Filled with God’s Spirit
  • Putting on The Full Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17)
    • Strapping truth around your waist
      • Are you telling yourself the truth?
    • With the breastplate of righteousness
  • Righteousness from God in salvation (my Identity)
  • Righteousness from living well (my behavior)
    • Readiness with the Gospel of peace
    • Shield of faith

2. “… to avoid the multitude of the enemy’s missiles, they should bend down on their knees, and cover themselves with their shields…”

(Josephus, Antiquities 3.259)

  • Helmet of Salvation
    • Word of God
      • The Sword of the Spirit
  • Offensive (attacks against the lies of Satan that hold people in bondage)
  • Defensive (Protects the teachings of the faith against heresy)

Application:

  • Identify the battle going on inside of you.
  • Identify what piece(s) of God’s Armor might be lacking.
  • Then fight!

Discussion Questions

TALK IT OUT: 

  1. Pastor Rusty begins this message by talking about the fact that in both the physical and spiritual world, there are things that we can see and something that we cannot. He points out that while the spiritual cannot be seen, that doesn’t make it any less real. How have you experienced our “Unseen God?”  
  1. Ephesians 6:12 pictures the unseen spiritual world: A) rulers and authorities = demonic spirits, B) world power = an expression of how leaders become corrupt by their positions, C) spiritual forces of evil = a comprehensive title for all evil agents. What does the reality of these unseen spiritual forces teach us?  
  1. Verse 12 begins, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” The word “struggle” comes from the Greek πάλη (pálē), which has the idea of “Wrestling, a contest between two in which each one endeavor to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck.” It is overwhelming to think of who our battle is against. How can recognizing our unseen spiritual battle help us realize how desperately we need God?  
  1. In Ephesians 4:22, Paul writes we are to put off our “old self.” In verse 24, he challenges us to put on “the new self.” Pastor Rusty contrasts the old self with the new self in the following areas: A) Lies vs. Truth, B) Anger vs. Peace, C) Theft vs. Generosity, D) Gossip vs. Encouragement, E) Revenge vs. Forgiveness, F) Promiscuity vs. Self-Control, G) Drunkenness vs. Being Filled with God’s Spirit. Which of these acts of the “old self” do you most need God’s help to put off? Which challenges of the “new self” do you most need God’s help to put on?  
  1. Pastor Rusty reminds us that we are put on the full armor of God. We need each part: A) The belt of truth, B) The Breastplate of righteousness, C) Our feet encased in the Gospel of peace, D) The Shield of faith, E) The Helmet of salvation, F) The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Why did Paul list each of these?   

LIVE IT OUT 

  • Identify the battle going on inside of you.  
  • Identify which piece(s) of God’s Armor might be lacking.  
  • Ask God to help you take the piece of His Armor which is lacking and put it on.  
  • Take that piece of God’s Armor and fight the good fight as you put off the “old self” and put on the “new self” with God’s help.