Band of Brothers - Why We Fight

SIAFU Mens Conference, Band of Brothers: Why We Fight Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis, p. 40

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II. With Longsuffering Courage

How We Stay in the Fight for the Long Haul: Dependence on the Holy Spirit

Empowerment for spiritual battle comes only from the Holy Spirit. He alone can equip and empower believers to endure in the face of protracted, difficult, and harsh battles, through his indwelling strength.

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The power of the Holy Spirit is revealed in the OT, Isa. 11.2-3; see also Isa. 42.1

• The Spirit enables God’s warriors to serve with honor, Ezek. 36.26-27; See also Jer. 31.33 • The Holy Spirit supplies God’s people with prophecy and visions Joel 2.28-29; cf. Acts 2.17-18 • The Bible gives images of the Holy Spirit’s power: oil, 1 Sam. 10.1; 16.13; the arm of God, Isa. 63.11-12; the hand of God, Ezek. 3.14; 37.1; the breath of God, Ezek. 37 • The Holy Spirit’s power is clearly shown throughout the Bible: in creation, Gen. 1.2; Job 33.4; Ps. 104.30; in acts of battle and war, Judges 14.19; 3.10; 6.34; 11.29; 14.6; 15.14; 1 Sam.11.6; 16.13; and in the lives of his servants, Micah 3.8; See also Num. 11.17; 1 Sam. 10.6,10 • The Spirit’s power is seen in Jesus’ life and ministry: his conception, Luke 1.35; his teaching and ministry; Matt. 7.28-29; 12.28; Mark 1.22,27; Luke 4.14; 5.17; Acts 10.38; in his resurrection, Rom. 1.4, 8.11; 1 Tim. 3.16; 1 Peter 3.18 The Holy Spirit revealed his empowering presence in the lives of the apostles and early Christians, and helped them fulfil the church’s mission in their lifetime, especially in their witness and preaching, Acts 1.8 with Luke 24.49; Acts 6.10; 16.7; 1 Cor. 2.4; 1 Thess. 1.5.

A. W HAT ’ S UP ? Whoever joins this fight will be accompanied by constant, gnawing, and difficult challenges

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Temptation from the outside, 1 John 2.11-15

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Lust and distraction from the inside, Gal. 5.16-23

3. Deception and accusation all around, Rev. 12.9-11