A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Teaching, Training & Commissioning

Chapter  12   Episode  1

TRANSFORMATION

REMOVING THE OBSTACLE OF ANGER

We are told, in Romans 12:2, that as disciples of Jesus, you are not to be conformed to this world, but you are to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is:  that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let’s say that another way.  You are transformed (from the Greek word, “metamorphóō” or metamorphized, metá, “change after being with” and “morphóō”, “changing form in keeping with an inner reality), by the renewing of your mind, which PROVES WHAT THE WILL OF GOD IS:  (#1), That which is good, (#2), that which is acceptable, and, (#3), that which is perfect.

The result is a visible demonstration of God living within you.

There are obstacles to being transformed into a Child of God and becoming a disciple of Jesus and entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  Galatians 5:19-21 tells us of these obstacles and that those who practice these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The next ten chapters (episodes) will discuss these obstacles and their remedies.

For your convenience, I have color-coded

• The Obstacles to your transformation in green,
• The penalty of the obstacles in purple and
• The Remedy of the obstacles in Blue.

Episode 1:  Removing the Obstacle of anger requires Reconciliation

Matthew 5:21-22 says “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’

“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother

shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Verse 23 through 25 says, “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way,

Verses 25 and 26 say “so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

This anger, from the original Greek word, “orgizó”, means to provoke or enrage. It expresses a “fixed anger” and a settled opposition, which is positive when inspired by God, but, always a negative when arising from the flesh.  It is a seething, consuming anger and a wrath full of passion, directed at a person.  This anger intends punishment and vengeance as its objective.

It is a sinful and unnecessary anger which focuses on punishing the offender rather than focusing on the moral content of the offense.

This anger is both an obstacle and a trap. Once ensnared, your effectiveness as a disciple of Jesus is negated.  (In other words, your light is extinguished, and your salt has lost its savor and is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trod under foot of man.)

When this type of anger becomes your ‘mindset’ and is expressed toward another person, it is tantamount to murder. It will sentence you to a lifetime “mental prison” of your own making.

Romans 8:5–6 says, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

The remedy is both simple and difficult. It does not matter if you are innocent of the offense, you must assume full responsibility for both the offense and for reconciliation.  Nothing held back.  Complete forgiveness. This is the only way for the disciple of Jesus.

Remember:  This is a necessary step in your training and preparation in becoming Jesus’ disciple and to effectively engage in this Spiritual war.  You 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.  This is a big step in that direction.

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,

“Removing the Obstacle of Lust”

(The previous episode can be found at “The Standard of Righteousness”)

(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  11

THE STANDARD is HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matthew 5:17-20  “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The “Laws and the Prophets” were meant to teach and guide the Jewish people in all their thought and conduct in order to live a life pleasing to God to have success in their affairs.

Then, In one bold and sweeping statement Jesus announces that He is the fulfillment, the revealing and the completion of all the Law and the Prophets spanning their four thousand years of history.

Jesus is saying that His life, ministry and teachings not only explain Law and the Prophets but completes their meanings and requirements.

The significance of this announcement is that not only does it satisfy all the requirement of the Jewish Law, that is the Torah, but, it relegates the Law and the Prophets as being subject to Jesus and His teachings.

The requirements of the law said that in order to be in right standing with God, the Jew had to perfectly obey over 600 laws in order to atone for sin and gain the favor of God, which no one could do.

This is not dissimilar to the person who believes they can earn ‘saving favor’ with God, or can earn their way into heaven by way of their own set of rules or laws of good behaviors and good deeds.

The Jewish Law adequately points out our sinfulness and condemns us for our sin, just as the non-Jew is condemned by their own heart.  Just as the Law is inadequate when it comes to changing our sinful nature and canceling the curse of sin; so is the human heart since it is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.

We need something better than an external set of Laws or the imaginations of our heart to accomplish that, and that something better is Jesus.

What this leads to is that the disciple of Jesus is not to be bound by and must not adhere to any external Law, social norm, familial, political or national allegiance over their loyalty, allegiance and obedience to Jesus, our Christ.  Doing so is tantamount to the annulment of these commandments, and the teaching others to do the same; that person shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. This is also the annulment of your effectiveness as a disciple of Christ.  In Jesus’ own words, “Your salt will have lost its savor”.

Secondly, generation after generation of people have been condemned to perish because of their ignorance of God or their rejection of Jesus; and we as “The Called of Christ, are charged with the mission to preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

This is not a metaphor.  

It is every Christian’s charge and mission.

The time has come when even those who “attend church” do not endure sound doctrine; but they want to have their own way.  So, they seek teachers according to their own self-centered desires.  They turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

We must be sober in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist and fulfill our mission and ministry as His disciples.

Finally, know that Jesus is our righteousness which surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, and only by His Righteousness do we enter the kingdom of heaven.

We have been conditioned and taught to “attend church”, (which, by the way, is a nonsensical term).  We sit, watch, listen, participate in a few good deeds and then go to the relative safety of our homes, having never engaged the enemy of Christ or reached a lost person in Jesus’ Name.

Please, dear loved ones, let’s not be like the son who said he would obey his father, but did not.  Let’s be the son who does what his father asks of him.

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,

“Removing the Obstacles”

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

(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  10

THE TRANSFORMATION – A DISCIPLE IS MADE

Matthew 5:13-15.  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how  can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

      “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

You, as a disciple of Jesus, are sitting with Him as He talks to you and teaches you about the difficulties, and the blessings, of becoming His disciple and entering the Kingdom of God.

He has just called you, “The Light of the World”.  Now, He calls you “salt of the earth”.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The most common and important seasoning in Israel was salt, demonstrated by how it is referenced throughout the Bible, and by how its use was mandated with most sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13).

You would have been referred to as a person who, like salt, is precious.  In Jesus’ day, salt was a valued commodity. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid with salt, giving rise to the phrase “worth his salt.”

Jesus is saying that, like salt, you, His disciple, would have a preserving influence. Salt was used to preserve and to slow decay. Likewise, Christians should have a preserving influence on their culture.

Disciples, like salt, should add flavor to their community, making the earth a purer and more palatable place to live.

This is one of the tactical maneuvers of our Spiritual warfare.

Then, without pausing, He looks directly at you and says, “But, if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?”

The word “tasteless” was a familiar word to the Jewish audience of that day as to mean “to be foolish, to turn to foolishness, tainted, and thus: tasteless, made useless.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

So, the question with which you are faced is:

“If you, as a disciple of Jesus, who should be a preserving influence and a purifying influence on those around you, have lost those qualities and thus, have become useless as a disciple of Jesus, how you can be made useful again?”

This borders on shocking; almost an indictment. The question Jesus is asking is a direct interrogatory. In other words, “if you know of another way, tell me, because there is no other way.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Then, as if to hammer the point home, Jesus bluntly says, ”It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”

Staying with the metaphor of salt, at that time, garbage would have been disposed by throwing it out, into the street. This explains why once the salt is cast out it will be trodden under the foot of men as useless garbage. A stark warning to the disciples as to the commitment required to follow Jesus as His disciple and the consequence of failure.

Jesus is saying that, if you are going to enter into a covenant agreement to follow Him as His disciple, the standards are impossibly high, the disciplines are impossibly strict, and the commitment is for life.

We should be reminded of another time Jesus was talking to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

And looking at them, Jesus said, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The Disciples’ Reward

Somehow, you would expect it would be Peter to respond to Jesus and boldly ask, “We have left everything and followed You; what is in this for us?”

Jesus answered Peter and said, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, now in this life, and in the age to come, will inherit eternal life.”

The good news is that God is eternally faithful to finish the work He has begun in you. He is rich in grace and abounding in mercy and loving kindness. Jesus reminds you that His burden is light, and His yoke is easy and that all who come to Him will find rest for their soul, and He will in no way cast you out.  Jesus saves!

The war is raging, people are perishing, and Jesus is calling you and me to join Him in “His Great Rescue”.  So, now that you know a little more, will you still follow Him and join Him on this Mission?

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

CAUTION:  “Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62

Let’s endure to the End!

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 Standard”

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

(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  9

THE BLESSINGS

Matthew 5:1-11.  “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

       “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

       “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

       “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

       “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

       “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

       “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

       “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

       “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

It sounds odd that being poor in spirit, mourning, being insulted and persecuted could be considered a blessing.  But, this is the Process of Sanctification which brings the blessing, which is the fruit of righteousness in one’s life.  “Righteousness” as defined by the Bible, is right standing with God and with man.  It produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

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

• You will, literally, begin to “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!

SANCTIFICATION is the process you experience after you fully surrender your life to God, His Purposes and His Ways. God will, through the work of the Holy Spirit and through circumstances, strip away your old life and make you into a new creation.  New in your mind, body and spirit.

Sanctify:  Is the Greek word, “hagiazo” (hag-ee-ad’-zo), To make holy, consecrate, sanctify; to dedicate, separate, set apart for God; To purify, make conformable in character to such dedication; Forensically, to free from guilt.

Holy: (“Sanctify” comes from the word Hagios which means holy; it is a characteristic of God, to be separated to God, to be worthy of veneration.  In the moral sense of sharing God’s purity: Of pure, clean sacrifices and offerings.

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.

By the Hand of God and by way of this process, you will become:

Poor in Spirit:  Literally, to be crushed in your spirit; to be pinched by toil, hopelessness and extreme poverty; A beggar with no hope of rescue, on the verge of death and perishing.

 One Who Mourns:  “Mourning”.  An understandable response upon finding yourself severely pinched by poverty, reduced to begging; destitute with no influence, no position; lowly, afflicted and helpless; powerless to change your circumstances for the better; lacking in anything and terrified.

 Gentle in Spirit:  You may have now had enough time to reflect on what has happened, and you lapse into a time of quiet, gentle appearing reflection. Your emotions and spirit are quieted for a time.

 Hungering & Thirsting for Righteousness:  The ‘calm the followed the storm’ in your soul.  The storm of your life behind you, you were actually hungry, in need of nourishment.  It is the same in our spirit.  It is usually at this point that we begin to make life-decisions.  

For those being redeemed by the mercies of God, the process is to ‘hunger and thirst for right-thinking and right living’:  which is the very definition of Righteousness.

It is through this process that we gain new insights and understanding.

Merciful:  The word ‘mercy’ in this verse literally means “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one’s self merciful

 Pure in Heart:  Showing mercy is a sign that our hearts are changing and become pure in the sight of God.  We are being transformed in what we see and in how we see.  We are beginning to see matters as God sees them.

 A Peacemaker:  A peace will begin to settle over the heart and mind of the redeemed and sanctified Believer.  We, not only begin to experience ‘a peace that passes understanding’ from our deepening relationship with God, but we begin to demonstrate and practice that peace of God which earns us the title “sons (and daughters) of God”.  We are being made into His image.

 Persecuted for Righteousness: 

The bible tells us, it is at this time, we inherit and possess the Kingdom of Heaven with all the rights, responsibilities and authority of a son of God, a joint heir with Jesus.

This statement is staggering, even for the fully devoted and fully surrendered follower of Jesus.  And, it is too rich and too profound for the “casual Christian” or “casual Believer” to begin to understand.

 The Light of the World:  This is what “Entire Sanctification” looks like.  These verses should leave the child of God breathless. Jesus tells us in John 8:12  that He calls Himself, “The Light of the World”, and, again in John 9:5 Jesus says, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

Jesus is now calling you by that name!  Truly, in His Image.

Your training is now, well under way.  You are being made ready for the Teachings of The Master.  It is now beginning.

“I pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened, so that we will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

A Note Of Caution:  You can resist the sanctifying work of God, and if you do, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:13 that, “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

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 Transformation”

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

(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 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)