A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter 8

THE WORKS

Matthew 4:23-25  “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

      The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.  Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.”

WHICH WORKS?

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

It is interesting that Jesus commands His disciples (Christians) to do the works that He has done and even greater works than these.  We are to continue in His mission, using His methods and His ways. (John 14:12, Matthew 10:1).

• • This is how we fight this Spiritual war.
  • This is how we overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb.
  • This is how we endure to the end.

Those following Jesus, misunderstood what He was saying about His Works, and not much has changed to this day.

For example, a large crowd that had stayed on the far shore, saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them.  Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. So, when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him.  They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

“Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”   John 6

It can be a bit confusing, but, take heart.  Jesus told us that He has prepared His Works ahead of time so that we, His disciples, would walk in them.  And, He promised us that He will be with us, in His authority, giving us direction and even giving us the words we should use.  (Matthew 28:16-19, Luke 21:15, Luke 12:12)

Many churches are teaching to do your own good works, in your own ways as if to say, “those were things they did THEN. But, these are the things we do NOW.

But, NO!  Man’s ways are failing.  They are failing to engage the enemy .  Our enemies are evil, fear, doubt, hatred, vengeance, lust, poverty, war, disease, sickness and more.

Here are Jesus’ methods and ways and here is exactly what He has told us to do:

• TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. John 18:37
• BRING A SWORD, Matthew 10:34
• FULFILL THE LAW, Matthew 5:17
• CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE, Mark 2:17
• SAVE THIS WORLD, John 12:47
• CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH, Luke 12:49-51
• PREACH, SAYING, ‘THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND’, Matthew 10:7
• HEAL THE SICK, Matthew 10:8
• RAISE THE DEAD, Matthew 10:8
• CLEANSE THE LEPERS, Matthew 10:8
• CAST OUT DEMONS, Matthew 10:8
• MAKE DISCIPLES, BAPTIZE THEM, TEACH THEM, Matthew 28:19-20

And, Jesus said, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: Imagine with me, if you will, that the world could witness these works being performed on a global scale. Don’t you think it would change how the world thinks and behaves?  It’s our job now.

Please remember to click the blue italicized links in each chapter, in order to get the important details on these Bible teachings)

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,

“The Blessings”

(The previous episode can be found at “Your Calling”)

(Please also notice, you can listen by podcast as you read along.  You can pause the audio in order to click the links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter 7

YOUR CALLING

      Matthew 4:18-22  “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

Jesus is setting the example for you and all of His disciples, present and future.  Jesus was “walking” by the sea of Galilee.  The word ‘walking’ from the Greek word ‘peripateo’, means to make one’s way and to make due use of opportunities; to tread down, to trample, to crush with the feet. This is reminiscent of Psalms 91:11-13, and “trampling down the serpent”. It is demonstrating Jesus’ Authority.

We must take notice, for by this He is teaching us to be His disciples.  We will walk in His Steps, doing His Works, engaging the battle, as we go.

Secondly, we see that Jesus is on mission.  He was watching for and “saw” (from the Greek word, ‘horao’, which means to see with the mind, to perceive and to know).  Jesus saw Peter and Andrew, with His eyes and with His Mind. In other words, Jesus knew them and knew their destiny, before he had met them.

So it shall be with us, we are being filled with His Holy Spirit, we shall be watching for, and we will “see” those to whom we must reach with the Gospel, as we are making our way, making use of our opportunities, treading down the enemy beneath our feet.

Read the text with me, again.  “Peter and Andrew were ‘casting’, (from the Greek word, ‘ballo’ which means ‘to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls, uncertain about the results’).  They were casting their ‘net’, (from the Greek word, ‘amphiblestron’, which means ‘anything thrown around one to impede one’s motions, such as chains or a net for fishing’).  This is a straight forward statement on the surface.  However, hidden in the language, we see that this word is a good description of how most people view their lives, in general.  “They feel trapped, casting about in their scattered lives without caring where it falls, uncertain about the results.”

Jesus is calling His disciples, past, present and future, Jesus is calling you, to a life of freedom, to a life of eternal purpose, eternal meaning and eternal value.

Jesus called these men to Himself, and He is calling you, and me, to follow Him, today.  This is an urgent command.  Jesus is saying, “Come, Now!  It is IMPORTANT that we remember Jesus was speaking prophetically then and is a speaking prophetically to us, today!  He will make you, fashion you into fisher of men!

We are the clay in the Potter’s Hands; once He touches our lives, we are made new, into His image for His purpose.  This is IMPORTANT to grasp.

This word tells us, not only of the urgency of Jesus’ call, but of how the state of our lives is to be made well off.  We will fare well and prosper, by answering His call and following Him.

Jesus’ words are so descriptive that you must take each definition and consider the impact and importance.  Remember, you are entering His Kingdom. A Kingdom of “royal power, kingship, dominion, and rule. You are being given the right and the authority to serve in His Kingdom;  the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.”

This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

The definitions of this word are complimentary:  To serve, to worship, to heal, to cure, to restore to health.  Jesus heals the whole person, body, mind/will/emotions and spirit.  His healing is complete.  We are called to this ministry, we will learn as His disciples, to do His Works.

Again, Jesus heals the body, the mind, the soul and the spirit of all infirmities. There is nothing outside the reach of God, and we are on mission with Jesus.  We cannot stand idly by and watch.  To be His disciple means we join God is what He is already doing.

I encourage you to study the details of this teaching by clicking this link “In the Beginning”.

Study the definitions of the words used, and, apply them to yourself, as you journey into His Kingdom and prepare yourself to be on Mission with Jesus, engaging in this Spiritual War.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Please remember to click the blue italicized links in each chapter, in order to get the important details on these Bible teachings)

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,

“The Works”

(The previous episode can be found at “The Sermon”)

(Please also notice, you can listen by podcast as you read along.  You can pause the audio in order to click the links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  6

THE SERMON

Matthew 4:12-17  “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

      “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
            BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES—

      “THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,
            AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
            UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

This is, by far, the shortest sermon Jesus ever preached. This is not meant to be just a recapitulation of Scriptures, nor is it meant to be just a commentary. 

We, as Jesus’ disciples, find, contained within these words, the path Jesus carefully laid out for us ‘to walk therein’.   

This is the path of His Authority and of His Works.  

• The path of health and healing,
• The path of purpose and of Kingdom conquest.
• This is the path that leads us to the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
• This is the path leading to the healing of the nations where there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and we, His bond-servants, will serve Him, and we will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads and there will no longer be any night; and we will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine us; and we will reign forever and ever.

A quick study of a few of the words Jesus used in Matthew 4:17, will give us additional insight and understanding, when He said ”From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The word “Began”, from Strong’s Concordance #757, “archo”, means to rule over or to reign over; to be chief, to lead and to rule. This word tells us that Jesus time was at hand, to rule and reign over the physical and spiritual world.  This is vitally important, as you will see a little later.  We need to remember this.

The word “Preach”, from Strong’s Bible Concordance  #2784, “kerusso”, means to be a herald, to officiate as a herald; The word used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; this is something which has already been done, first in the Spiritual realm, then, to be manifest in the natural world.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is a prophetic command.

Jesus, in effect, is binding on earth what has already been bound in heaven.

Jesus then astounds his disciples when He says, in Matthew 6:18, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

He goes on to teach about “binding and loosing” in Matthew 16:19, saying, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

In these verses, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, (and subsequently, to future disciples).  Jesus’ words meant that Peter, and all of His future disciples, would have the right to enter the kingdom, and that through Jesus’, would have general authority symbolized by the possession of the keys, and that preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers.

The book of Acts shows us this process at work. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, found in Acts 2:14-40, Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time.

The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common to Jewish legal phraseology, meaning to declare something forbidden or to declare it, allowed.

This is IMPORTANT as we are seeing what Jesus says about the Authority of the Kingdom and who may enter and what we, as his disciples, are commanded to do in His Name.

As we move forward in our preparation and training, let’s please remember:  It is Jesus who grants His Authority to whom He chooses;  It is Jesus who does His Works through His yielded servants;  it is nothing we do of ourselves.  And, that with such a great authority granted to His disciples, there comes even greater responsibility for our obedience to Him and His Words.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Please remember to click the blue italicized links in each chapter, in order to get the important details on these Bible teachings)

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter, “Your Calling”

(The previous episode can be found at “The Testing of the Baptism of Fire”)

(Please also notice, you can listen by podcast as you read along.  You can pause the audio in order to click the links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  5

THE TESTING BY THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

(First came the Baptism of Water, now of Fire)

Matthew 4:1-11 says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

   “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
            ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and
            ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
            SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

“Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

 “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”

This is a demonstration of “the process of sanctification”, a necessary step in our preparation to follow Jesus, in order to do His works and to engage in the inevitable Spiritual warfare, which awaits us.  We will hear more about this in Matthew chapter 5.

Here, we see “the temptation of Jesus”.   The word “Temptation”, as it is used here, comes from the Greek word, “peirazó”, which means “a test or a trial”.

This is a testing, and a proving trial.

• It is the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy;  the enticement to sin, arising from personal desires or from the outward circumstances;  In this case, it is to reveal and to remove the obstacles to righteousness in fidelity, integrity, virtue and constancy.
• In this case it is the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand;  Beware, because the devil seeks to divert and devour you, as well.
• It also shows the condition of a person, their mental state and the way which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness;  This testing will be your training ground for endurance to holiness.
• This testing comes by the way of adversity, affliction and trouble, sent by God, serving first, to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness; secondly for training and preparation of one’s character, faith and holiness in order to follow Jesus in completion of His Mission.
• WARNING:  This type of temptation can culminate in rebellion against God, by which His power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves.  Scriptures warn us that we are not to tempt nor to test God in this way.  We are to trust and obey Him.

Jesus has shown us the way through His own testing.  He is reminding us that He is faithful, and that He is with us, wherever He leads.  Be certain to follow Him closely!

(As a reminder, please click the blue italicized links above, and in each chapter, in order to get important details on these Bible teachings)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,  “The Sermon”

(The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare – Water Baptism & The Holy Spirit)

(Please also notice, you can listen by podcast as you read along.  You can pause the audio in order to click the links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  4

WATER BAPTISM & THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Salvation Covenant

      Matthew 3:13 “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.”

This is the record God has preserved for us to read, understand and follow.  Once again, Jesus is leading by example.

   Many, if not most Christian churches consider baptism as “an outward sign of an inward decision”;  a reenactment;  a sacrament, a religious ceremony or ritual.  But, it is so much more than that and should be considered for what it really means.

Let’s break this down and think on it.  First, the Apostle Peter says,

• “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ,
• for the forgiveness of your sins;and,
• you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ, is for

• the forgiveness of your sins, and for,
• the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

   Secondly, baptism in the Name of Jesus, is an act of obedience to Jesus and for the Cause of Jesus, resulting in a supernatural event.

Baptism is a Covenant with God.  It is a contract, a compact, a treaty and an agreement;  it communicates an understanding, a pledge, and a promise.  It is  a bond, an indenture, and a guarantee between you and God.

Baptism is a commitment of your body, mind and spirit with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  This is serious business.

   Thirdly, baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is a natural reenactment of supreme importance, with deep significance.  Baptism is Contract in Blood which ignites a series of supernatural events culminating in God the Holy Spirit enveloping and inhabiting the believer. One means little without the other.

   Finally, baptism both signifies and seals your covenant with God.  You covenant with God that you willingly die to your old life, as with Christ, on the cross of crucifixion. Your old life and your old ways are buried in His empty tomb, as you are being plunged into the waters of baptism.

Matthew 3:16 says  “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

You rise up, out of the waters of baptism, you are born again, to walk in a new life of freedom, forgiveness and servant-hood to Jesus and His Cause.  You agree to follow and serve God the rest of your life, now, and, into eternity and God seals the deal with His Holy Spirit of promise.

   Having completed your Baptismal Covenant with God, you are now possessed by the Holy Spirit and considered to have taken your first step into His Kingdom.  What comes next is the trying, and often terrifying, process of being purged, purified and refined – the beginning of the process of your sanctification.

Jesus is leading the way by His own willingness to be tested.  It is by His example, you will see the process unfold, and you will gain the necessary confidence as you enter your own testing.  God is with us!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,

“The Baptism of the Holy Spirit”.

(The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare – Water Baptism & The Holy Spirit)

(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  3

THE WINNOWING

     Matthew 3:11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals;

     He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

     His winnowing fork in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor ; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but, He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

John the Baptist is pronouncing God’s preparations for His  final judgment and assault upon the rulers and against the powers of the world forces of darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness, has begun.

These few condensed verses from Matthew outline the fulfillment of prophecy from the book of Daniel chapter 12 and the books of The Revelation.

Daniel chapter 12, says, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.  Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel replies, and says, “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?”  Michael the great Prince said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.  Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”

Chapter One, verses 1 through 3, of the Book of the Revelation says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Matthew is the first book of the New Testament synoptic Gospels.  The word gospel means “good news,” which is the message of forgiveness for sin through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God. The essential content of this saving message is clearly laid out for us in the Bible.  But, the “message” doesn’t end there.  Jesus is giving His disciples, then and now, instructions to carry on and complete His work until He returns to culminate the age.

Chapter three of Matthew gives the context of Jesus’ teachings for the next seven chapters of the book of Matthew.

The Context is that you are being called, saved, sanctified, taught, trained and sent into this world as ambassadors of Jesus in order to find and lead the lost to Him; to testify to the Truth; and to make disciples in His Name.

It is through this CONTEXT, Jesus will teach you on attitude, behavior, rituals and practices.  You will also learn much from the Apostle’s writings.  But the core message is THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS MISSION.  This is the Message and Mission above all else.

Here is an outline of the episodes to come, to help us with the CONTEXT of His teachings and ministry:

GOD IS PREPARING YOU FOR KINGDOM SERVICE AND FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE, through the teachings and by the processes of:

1.  Repentance & Possessing the Kingdom of Heaven.   Matthew chapter 3, verses 1 through 6.
2.  The Coming Judgment and your Separation as Wheat from the chaff.  Matthew Chapter 3, verses 7 through 10.
3.  The Winnowing Fork & The Threshing Floor;  this will be your process of Sanctification, explained and the tribulation period, being pictured). Matthew Chapter 3, verses 11 through 12
4.  The Water Baptism and The Salvation Covenant. Matthew Chapter 3, verses 14 through 15.
5.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew Chapter 3, verses 16 through 17.
6.  The Testing of Jesus by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Fire. (This is the process of Sanctification demonstrated by Jesus’ own testing). Matthew Chapter 4, verses 1 through 11.
7.  Jesus’ First Sermon, “Repent for the Kingdom is at Hand”.  Matthew Chapter 4, verses 12 through 17.
8.  “Jesus is Calling”.  Matthew Chapter 4, verses 18 through 22.
9.  “The Works of Jesus”.  Matthew Chapter 4, verses 23 though 25.
10. “Blessings of loss & persecution”;  this is a picture of Salvation and a description of your completed Sanctification.  Matthew Chapter 5, verses 1 through 11.
11. Your completed transformation from a follower of Jesus into a Disciple of Jesus.  Matthew Chapter 5, verses 13 through 16.
12. His Standards of Righteousness for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Matthew Chapter 5, verses 17 through 20.
13. “Removing Obstacles” for entrance to His Kingdom.  Matthew Chapter 5, verses 21 through Chapter 7, verse 6.

(a) Removing the Obstacle of Anger

(b) Removing the Obstacle of Lust

(c) Removing the Obstacle of Divorce

(d) Removing the Obstacle of Secrecy & Lies

(e) Removing the Obstacle of Revenge

(f) Removing the Obstacle of Hate

(g) Removing the Obstacle of Pride & Hypocrisy

(h) Removing the Obstacle of Worry & Anxiety

(i) Removing the Obstacle of Being Judgmental

14. Instruction on “Praying, Asking, Seeking and Knocking” for guidance in the Kingdom of God.  Matthew Chapter 7, verses 7 through 12.
15. “The Two Gates” which lead to life or to destruction.  Matthew Chapter 7, verses 13 through 14.
16. Discernment & about bearing the Righteous Fruit which lead you into the Kingdom and to Life.  Matthew Chapter 7, verses 15 through 23.
17. The Foundations of God’s Word. Matthew Chapter 7, verses 24 through 27.
18. Jesus’ absolute Authority over heaven and the earth.  Matthew Chapter 7, verse 28 through 29.
19. Jesus’ Authority as demonstrated through miracles and focus of ministry.  Matthew Chapters 8, verse 1 through Chapter 9, verse 38.
20. Jesus’ Final Instructions as His disciple.  Matthew Chapter 10, verse 1 through Chapter 11 verse 1.
21. Commissioned to “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you”.  Matthew Chapter 28, verses 16 through 20.

These chapters give us the lens of the CONTEXT through which we must see the meaning and application of Jesus’ teaching of His Gospel Message.

These Teachings are revolutionary,  and we are participants, revolutionaries on Mission with Jesus, engaged in a Spiritual War.

We are not saved by God for ourselves or for worldly pleasures.  We are saved by God to be in relationship with Him; to be in service to Him; for His purposes and for His Glory – all to our benefit.  One day, when this war concludes, we will walk with Him in person, again, in the coolness of the evening.

Please, read, pray, study and let’s be “doers of His Word”, just as Jesus is instructing.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,

“WATER BAPTISM, The Salvation Covenant”.

(The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare – The Judgment)

(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

(You can listen while you read along)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  2

THE JUDGMENT

It is important to note that, the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 says, “The Bible is inspired by God”.  The word ‘inspired’ comes from the Greek word,  ‘theopneustos’, which means ‘God-breathed’.  This verse explains that “the Bible is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; so that the man (or woman) of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

God, speaking through the Bible, is telling us that we are to join Him in this cosmic battle, of these Last Days.  He is telling us how He prepares us for what is already upon us (as explained by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24), and for the coming Judgment known as “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”, also known as “The Day of the Lord”.

This narrative is about preparation, instruction and ‘marching orders’, in Spiritual warfare.  It started in Matthew chapter 3 and will continue through Matthew chapter 10 and will conclude in Matthew chapter 28.

Know this:  No one will survive these days unless they have come to God by faith in Christ.  And, all who have come to Him by faith and, are known by Him as His Own, will, and must, participate in this battle.  There is no escaping this truth.

     Matthew, chapter 3, verses 7 through 10 say,  “But when John the Baptist  saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;  and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.  “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.“

John the Baptist plainly states that a “wrath in coming”.  This is God’s coming Judgment on the unrighteous which will follow the ongoing war of tribulation and the days of distress.  Ushered in by the culmination of this age, a greater war, will rage in the realm of The Heavens and upon the earth.  Christians, in these Last Days, have been appointed to participate in the ongoing Battle.

The second step of your preparation for this Spiritual war is a process known as “Sanctification”.  Through sanctification, God will strip away your old life and make you new – new in your mind, body and spirit – made ready for this warfare and for service to Him.  This is what you can expect to experience when you fully surrender your life to God, His Purposes and Ways.

Jesus demonstrates this process in the book of Matthew, chapter four.  Most of us may work hard to avoid this most difficult, painful and bewildering process. But, actually, it is the amazing, supernatural work of God transforming us into His Own, children of Light.

The phrase, “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees”  is found in verse 10, and, is saying that God’s judgment is now at hand.  The prophesied Messiah is here.  It also says, your salvation is at hand, and that, you cannot depend on your traditions, rituals, good works, heritage or lineage to be saved from the coming wrath.  It is time to repent and bear fruit of Righteousness which is in Jesus the Christ, for your salvation – or you will perish.

John is pointing the way to Jesus.  He baptizes with water for repentance which requires that you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so you will be saved and escape the coming wrath; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Footnote: “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees” is a metaphor for the beginning of the tribulation period.  This is an urgent message, necessary for understanding and wisdom.

Now, you must decide, are you going the way of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, being wise in your own eyes, only “to be cut down and thrown into the fire”?  Or, are you willing to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance“, and live?

We are on our way, now.  Prepare yourselves for His Sanctifying of your life.  Read, study, pray and BE DOERS OF THE WORD:  Go, today, and tell others this exceedingly Good News.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter, “THE  WINNOWING.”

(The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare)

(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

THE OUTLINE

 Jesus teaches in this order:

1.  Jesus speaks Words of instruction
2.  Jesus shows the Works
3.  Jesus sends the Workers

YOUR PREPARATION

You should prepare by praying for understanding and wisdom; read and study and apply what you are learning as you go.  And above all, endure the training to its completion.  This is the method all his disciples must use.  Lead by example.

We will use the following rules for study:

1.  What is the CONTEXT of the teaching?
2.  What does it say?
3.  What does it mean?
4.  What does it mean to me / you?
5.  How can I do it?

We will start our study and training in Matthew chapter three, in order to get the full instruction and the CONTEXT of the teaching.  (NOTE: This is not a Bible study. It is “a calling, training and a commissioning”.)

–  Chapter  1  –

REPENTANCE & THE KINGDOM

(Please note: The green text is hyper-linked to teaching details and/or scripture references.)

Matthew 3:1  says“Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

This is a practical truth, a spiritual truth and a mystery.

The greatest pronouncement and call to readiness for all Christians: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The hour has arrived. Final preparations are being made. You must ready yourself for the Heaven’s final assault upon the earth. Satan is to be defeated and you and I are part of God’s invading force.

This is not a metaphor. It is not hyperbole. It is the literal call from God through His Son, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent, in the Biblical sense, literally means, “To change one’s mind; to change one’s mind for the better” and it comes from two root words which mean, “Hereafter, have this understanding or perception”.

Repenting is the act of changing your mind which means your mindset, your values, and your worldview is changed. Some would say you then live by new standards. But it is much greater than just living by new standards.

A person of sound mind cannot simultaneously think one thing and do another, repentance results in a complete change of mind and direction of one’s life.

This is a mystery, an oracle of God.  Jesus is saying His Kingdom is at hand – as close to you as your hand is at the end of your arm.  Jesus is telling you, “The Kingdom of God is within you“.  This cannot and must not be minimized.  You are standing at the threshold of “doing the Works of Jesus and even greater works because He is with The Father”.

Like Joshua and the Israelites, you are in the process of “crossing over into the land He has promised you, and everywhere the sole of your foot treads is yours, declares the Lord, and no man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.”

Matthew3:2 says“For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’”

It is our calling to make ready the way of the Lord and to announce it to the world.  We are commissioned to tell everyone to make straight the paths, in their lives, for His arrival.

Matthew 3:3-6 “Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.”

Jesus told all His disciples, then and now, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.” These are our instructions to be followed carefully and exactly.

We must not watch, envy or imitate the postmodern church as it defies the Word of God, acquiring their gold, entertaining their guests, telling their stories about the Bible – “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

Once we “repent”, new desires move us to a new way of living, new actions, which are the direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance means it is no longer you or me who lives, but it is Christ, literally, living in us.

Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”

If you are living in the sin of doubt or fear,  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

If you are living under the oppression of poverty, sickness, lack or want, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Joshua 1:2 tells us, like the sons of Israel before us, to rise up and cross over!   Matthew 4:24 tells us to “Proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, help all who are ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics”.

We are on our way, now.  Read, study, pray and BE DOERS OF THE WORD:  Go, today, and tell others this exceedingly Good News.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter, “The teaching, training & commissioning”:  THE JUDGMENT .

(Previous episode = Following Jesus – What You Need to Know )

(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)

A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

FOLLOWING JESUS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Luke 9:57 – “As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  To another, he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We need to know why Jesus came, so we are not distracted to go astray or to follow false teachers.  We need to know what He is teaching and that we are to be the method, ambassadors if you wish, by which He delivers His message, so we remember to remain yielded to Him, His purposes and His ways.

Jesus tells us that He came to earth for three primary reasons:

1. “The Son of man came to save that which was lost.  ”Matthew 18:11

2. “I have come into this world to testify to the Truth”.   John 18:37

3. “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples, gave them authority, told them to go and preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you”.  Matthew 10, Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus’ teachings are always the revelation of Truth and are meant to be demonstrated in and through our lives.  This is a primary objective when becoming a disciple of Jesus and in preparing for Spiritual Warfare.

Jesus’ method of teaching is, first He teaches with words, then He demonstrates His teaching by example, and completes His teachings by sending His disciples to apply His Teachings.  This is His method, and it is our pattern, also.

This process, this cycle of ministry, includes (1) “Being Called by God, (2) Being Saved by God, (3) Being Sanctified by God, (4) Being Taught by God and (5) Being Sent into the world by God”.

Said another way, we are (1) called by Jesus to become His disciples and when we respond (2) we will hear His Word, (3) we go with Him, and we will watch His methods and ways, (4) we will learn and apply His teachings, and then (5) we will go and make disciples of Jesus.

You will see that this training is systematic, rigorous and difficult and, in one sense, can be life-threatening.  In another sense, however, His yoke is easy and, His burden is light, as you submit yourself to Jesus, He does the work through you.  Either way, it is life changing.

THIS IS THE WAY

By way of His Words, you will begin to literally “Walk by the Spirit of God”. You will effectively engage in “The struggle against the rulers, powers, and world forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”.  And, you will overcome!

 This will take time, dedication and personal discipline, but, the results will astound you.  You will scarcely recognize the person you have become, and the world won’t know what to do with you, at times.  (A word of caution and encouragement:  most who start, will not ‘endure to the end’ of this process.  But, I encourage you to endure.  I encourage you to take your lifetime, if that is what is required.  It will be worth your investment, and the rewards are beyond anything, you can imagine.)

The time is now – His return is near.  We are about to begin the greatest journey of our lifetime, and in a way you may have never experienced.  Let’s place our trust in Him as we join together and do His Works and greater works as He promised.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter, “THE TEACHING, TRAINING & COMMISSIONING”

previous page at: A Tutorial on Effective Spiritual Warfare

PREFACE

I toured the Revolutionary Museum and some American Revolutionary War battlefield sites in Yorktown, Virginia.  The tour guides and docents were well-informed and helpful.  The postings and literature at the various sites which was written by experts on the Revolutionary war, was also helpful and informative.  This information was written by highly educated and informed people.  But, as expert as these sources seemed to be, none of them could actually wage a war.  They could not implement the tactics of Revolutionary warfare nor could they establish an effective government in the aftermath of such a war – despite their extensive knowledge.  (And, if you knew anything about the American Revolution, you could spot areas where American history is being revised by these same people.)

Interesting and disturbing as the tour was, it still reminded me of a funny commercial where a bank is being robbed and a fellow appearing to be a bank guard is asked “aren’t you going to do something?”  The bank guard answers, saying, “Oh, no. I’m not a bank GUARD.  I’m just a bank MONITOR. I don’t stop bank robberies, I just report on them.”  Much like the experts on the American Revolution, they don’t fight wars or establish governments, they just report on them.

INTRODUCTION

I sat in on a Church Bible study class and listened, hoping to participate in a study on “The Beatitudes”.  I want to know more about and discuss matters in the Bible.  The problem for me, as it turned out, was that this was a lecture instead of a discussion or a study.  And, it was so far out of context of what Jesus had said, according to the verses reviewed, that it made little contextual sense.

The second problem for me was that this lecture was also an example of an *EISEGESIS of scriptures.  (*The process of interpreting text in such a way as to introduce one’s own presuppositions, agendas or biases. It is commonly referred to as “reading into the text”.  It is often done to “prove” a preconceived point of concern, and to provide confirmation bias corresponding with the preconceived interpretation and any agendas supported by it.”)

The class leader was sincere, but, he taught from a book other than the Bible and only used the Bible in support of the preconceived ideas from the book he was using as his source material.  It was ‘logical sounding lecture’ using some good Biblical principles, but, it had little to do with what Jesus was teaching in Matthew chapter five.

Unfortunately, this is not unusual in this postmodern church era.  Jesus’ teachings, all-to-often, have been reduced to little more than lessons on proper Christian etiquette and cultural norms framed in Biblical terms.  The postmodern church, all-to-often, views Jesus’ teachings with human logic inculcated upon us by our present world.

Here is a message from Senior Pastor Trent Casto, of Covenant Church, Naples, Florida.  (I have cued the video to start at 13:00 minutes, at a relevant point. If it does not start at the 13:00 minute mark, fast-forward to that point)

(I consider Covenant Naples Church, Pastor Trent Casto and the entire staff as presenting and “doing” the Gospel of Christ, accurately and effectively.  I strongly recommend this church as a solid Bible based and Bible teaching church)

However, many church leaders and pastors are not capable of actually implementing or doing what the Bible says, they are just reporting.  Oh, they can come close.  But, they are blending a secular worldview with language of the Bible in order to sound religious,   The application of these revised types of religious teachings may be informative at times, but, they have no Spiritual or practical power to transform individual lives nor to reform cultures, societies and nations.  They are presenting a type of “religious humanism”.

The Teachings of Jesus, on the other hand, are antithetical to worldly standards, practices and norms.  Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins.  But, as far as the unbelieving world was concerned, it was for His controversial and counter cultural teachings.

Jesus made it clear that if you choose to follow Him, you will have to pay the price of a disciple, and that cost is high.  Both the religious and secular worlds persecuted Jesus and His followers because of His teachings.  And, they will persecute you, too, if you choose to be His disciple.

Jesus came to show us the way to Life, and He warned that the gate is small and the way that leads to life is both narrow and difficult, and there are few who find it.

I am making this meager effort, writing an outline of Jesus’ teachings about (1) what it means to be His disciple, (2) what it takes to be a disciple – a true follower of Jesus and, (3) about the rewards.  I pray God will use this plain and simple language to make it clear for all who would follow Him, regarding:

• God’s Salvation of humankind, The Cost
• God’s Redemptive purpose, The Course
• The Baptism Covenant, The Commitment
• The Sanctification process which every follower of Christ will experience and have to endure to the end, The Cause.

This is the process by which a person is transformed into a Disciple of Jesus.

This teaching can be found in the Gospels of the New Testament.  I will use chapter 3 of the book of Matthew and continue through chapter 10.  Our final instructions will be found in chapter twenty-eight of Matthew.

Please bookmark this page for future updates, and pray with me that we don’t become “hearers only” but that we remain “doers of the Word”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Go to the next Episode here:  FOLLOWING  JESUS –WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW