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Spiritual Warfare and the Church: “Christian” Nationalism- What it looks like and how to counter it with the Gospel
What comes to mind when I say the words "Christian Nationalism”?
Christian Nationalism is not the same as Christian patriotism.
Jeremiah 29:4-7
Ironically, Christian nationalism is neither Christian or patriotic. It is a religious distortion which still wishes for Jesus to be a powerful political messiah.
Mark 12:14-17
Christian nationalism operates in a spirit of power, strength and force when Jesus has called us to humility, meekness and courageous love.
1 Peter 2:11-25 Romans 13:1-7
When should we openly oppose the government?
1. When we are forced to do something that is in direct opposition to the commands of Jesus.
Daniel 1-6
- When we are forced to not do something that Jesus has called us to do.
Acts 4:18-21 Acts 5:27-29
For the apostles, it was sometimes ok to try to avoid conflict with leadership because of their faith or defend themselves because of their faith.
Acts 16:37
Why is this an important form of warfare?
1 Peter 2:13- Submit to every human authority BECAUSE OF THE LORD. Signs of nationalism:
- Using fear to persuade
- Christian policy apart from Christian character
- Racism
- Christian policy as a cover up for individual security.
- A love for freedom and law as long as they align with my beliefs, preferences
- and opinions.
- An overwhelming and unhealthy consumption of conspiracy narratives.
- Having no desire to step out of the echo chambers.
- Inability to admit any specific wrongdoing of your party preference.
- Countering nationalism:
- Rest in the fact that this world has been conquered by Jesus.
- Confess when “your side” has been wrong.
- Look for ways to benefit all people.
- Be compassionate about how every policy affects every person.
- Have no expectations on the government to have the ability to do what only
- the church has been called to do.
- Care about how freedoms and laws affect others. Because we are free to do
- something doesn’t mean we should.
- Listen to people who are not like you without feeling like you have to answer
- them.
- Pray and prioritize the Gospel and Kingdom of Jesus over absolutely everything
- in this world.
- Understand politics have their place but they are not a place to put your hope.
Spiritual Warfare
The Real Fight for the Family
-Ephesians 5:15-21
-The enemy’s goal with our families is to turn our focus from what we can affect to what we cannot affect (or at least can only affect in a limited capacity.)
-What are some things the enemy can entangle our thoughts in to use as a distraction from attention on our families?
-Ephesians 5:22-24; 33
-Wives…
-This does not mean that women should always submit to men.
-One cultural lie that needs to be identified is when we live to undermine authority for the purpose of gaining control.
-The role of the wife is _helper which is also the role of the Holy Spirit.
-Patriarchal leadership that is abused is always undermined and ultimately condemned by the Gospel.
-Ephesians 5:25-33
-Husbands…
-The love of a husband should be sacrificial, sanctifying and satisfying.
-For men, marriage is a call to die.
-Husbands should love our wives in such a way that they become more like Jesus because of their relation to them.
-In what ways is your relationship to your wife causing her fulfillment?
-Ephesians 6:1-4
-Children and discipleship…
-Although discipling our children is always challenging, it is always easier than rehabilitating them as broken men and women.
-Ways of provoking your children:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
-Colossians 3:21
-Ways of training them in righteousness:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
-What does this have to do with spiritual warfare?
-What do we do if we have gotten it all wrong?
Spiritual Warfare- Introduction- Personal Warfare
- What is the most pressing thing that you want to learn about when it comes to spiritual warfare? What do you need help with?
- When it comes to spiritual battles, what or who are you fighting for?
1 John 3:7-10
Matthew 16:16-20
The purpose of this study is to know our King, ourselves, and our enemy better in relation to daily spiritual warfare.
Everything is not spiritual warfare.
Almost every person being used by the enemy is unaware that they are.
If we do not understand and live in light of the war around us, we are losing.
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable. When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. When far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared. Appear where you are not expected. These military devices leading to victory must not be divulged beforehand. Now the general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses the battle makes few calculations beforehand. Thus, the many calculations lead to victory and few calculations lead to defeat, how much more no calculations at all? It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.”- Sun Tzu Chinese Military General and Philosopher 500 BC art of war
If we do not know the enemy, we are already being conquered.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of 100 battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”- Sun Tzu
What causes warfare?
Spiritual battles are initiated when God’s people rise up to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus and there is opposition from the enemy.
The weapons of warfare- We cannot use natural weapons to defeat spiritual enemies.
Ephesians 6:10-20
How we fight is just as important as the goals we fight for.
What are some ways you have seen people fighting for right goals with wrong tactics?
Truth-
Righteousness-
Peace-
Faith-
Salvation-
Holy Spirit-
Prayer-
The mystery and message of the Gospel-
Coming up:
June 12- Family warfare- The real fight for the family
June 26- Church warfare- Nationalism, Denominations, and Genuine Unity
July 10- Community Warfare- How does the church win in Wynne and Cross County
July 24- Global warfare- Free the captives
Your Story Is His Story
Every time you tell your story of how you became a follower of Jesus (your testimony), you give honor and glory to God, and He is pleased with that.
Your story — regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is — is a story about God’s character. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ and changed your life as a result.
When you share your story with others, you help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.
Be Ready
Whether you are in line at the grocery store, sitting with a family member or standing in front of a group of people, the Bible calls you to “always be ready” to explain your hope in Christ with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16, NLT).
You may think that because it’s your story, you don’t have to do anything to be ready to tell it. After all, you were there when it happened, and you’re living it now.
But you can get nervous, become side-tracked or forget things when you’re sharing your testimony, which can be confusing or distracting for those listening. This is why a little preparation and practice can be so valuable.
Put It Together
Let’s take a look at how to put your story together, piece by piece. There are five basic parts to telling your story: the opening, your life before Christ, how you came to Christ, your life after Christ and the closing.
- The Opening. Identify a theme you can use to frame your story. What did your life revolve around (e.g., relationships, your reputation, money) that God used to help bring you to Him? Briefly illustrate how that influenced your life.
- Your Life Before Christ. Paint a picture of what your life was like before you came to Christ. Don’t dwell too much on or brag about past sins or struggles. Share only the details that relate to your theme — just enough to show your need for Christ.
- How You Came to Christ. Give the details about why and how you became a Christian. Communicate in such a way that the person you are talking with, and anyone who overhears you, can understand how they can become a Christian too. Even if your listeners are not ready for that, God could use your story and explanation of the gospel to draw them to Himself in the future.
- Your Life After Coming to Christ. Share some of the changes that Christ has made in your life as they relate to your theme. Emphasize the changes in your character, attitude or perspective, not just the changes in behavior. Be realistic. We still struggle as Christians. Life is far from perfect. But what’s
- different about your life now?
- The Closing. End with a statement that summarizes your story and connects everything back to your theme. You may even want to close with a Bible verse that relates to your experience.
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HELPFUL HINTS
- Pray before you write out and share your story.
- Write the way you speak.
- Don’t be overly negative or positive. Be honest.
- Don’t criticize or name any church, denomination, organization, etc.
- Think about your listeners. Avoid overly religious terms.
- Keep it short. Aim to tell your story in three to five minutes.
- Practice telling your story until it becomes natural.
- Now that you know how, write out your story.
On May 15, 2022, Derek and Adriana Wood were introduced as the newest elders of The Bridge Church. This was recorded for our partners to know them and their stories better. Listen to what Jesus has done in their lives and be blessed.
Rex and Mary Jones share the story of Jesus in the midst of their pain. They also help with tools for those ministering to grieving brothers and sisters. Links to resources mentioned below.
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00PWOH3S6&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_M4HRG2ZJ8KE8K5SXV4PY
https://whilewerewaiting.org
Zac Minton shares his journey through anxiety. He presents helpful tools in addressing anxiety in our lives and ministering to those who struggle with it in theirs.
Today we began a new Wednesday night discipleship series called Simple Story. We discussed practical ways you can share your story. Part 1 of 2.
This is part 2 of 2 in a Wednesday night discipleship series on practical ways to disciple your children led by Kirk and Carly Owens.
This is part 1 of 2 in our Wednesday night discipleship series on practical ways to disciple your children led by Pastor Dustin Clegg.