SPIRITUAL WARFARE: THE FINAL AUTHORITY

Sermon Notes, February 3, 2013

Pastor Jan Sinozich

 

Pastor Jan’s third sermon in the series on Spiritual Warfare, based on 2 Corinthians 10:1-8, was titled “The Final Authority.”  We know that we are in enemy territory, fighting a battle against an insurgent—Satan—that has already been spiritually defeated.  We know that we are not fighting with the weapons of this world, fear, guilt, and false power, but with the spiritual weapons of the Word of God and prayer.  They are supernatural weapons that defeat the world.  Who is authorizing the mission?  Who paid for the costly weapons?  Who is giving the command to fight?

In 2 Corinthians 10:6-8 we see that it is our mission to help.  Paul talks about his authority over the Corinthian church.  He says we live and fight as those under authority.

We struggle with authority.  Satan challenged God’s authority in the Garden of Eden when he asked “Has God said?”  God created us; therefore He has authority over us.  And He has placed others in authority over us. (Romans 13:1-6, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 2:13).  God has instituted authority, but the authority he’s put in place is not greater than his own.  As the theologian Calvin put it, whatever title that men may hold, they are to be listened to only on the condition that they do not lead us away from obeying God. 

Paul talks about spiritual authority in this passage.  Abraham, Moses, Samuel, the judges and prophets were all given spiritual authority.  Jesus gave this kind of authority to his disciples; he gave them authority over demons, authority to heal, authority to conduct the affairs of his church.  Paul models Jesus’ admonition not to lord their authority over people, but is ready to assert his authority if necessary.

We need to take the history of the church seriously.  Luther, Calvin and other theologians of the last five centuries definitely believed that we are in a battle.  They have affirmed and emphasized Christ’s victory over Satan.  His resurrection demonstrates his authority over any power that can possibly be imagined.  We do not fear Satan or anyone else while we are engaged in Christ’s service.

We are under the authority of Scripture.  Study on your own to assure that leaders are accountable.  Know what the scripture says and doesn’t say.  Know whose authority we are under and who we are answerable to.

In order to wage war against this insurgency, we need to accept the fact that the church is under the authority of Jesus Christ.  He is the head of the church, and he works through all of us.  We need to communicate with the Head—prayer—and follow his battle plan—God’s Word—to do the work of His kingdom.  We have the weapons: prayer (our air offensive) and God’s word.  The only way Satan has to defeat us is when we don’t use the weapons we have.