Introduction
To kill and eat, you must have a weapon – the sword. A sword is a weapon with a long blade for cutting or thrusting. It contains a) pommel; b) hilt; c) guard; d) blade. The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon and used to protect oneself from harm or to attack the enemy to overcome or kill him. In both cases it was necessary for a soldier to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. Do you as a Christian have a sword?
Main Points: Luke 22:35-36
Have you bought your sword? If not, you must buy one. You have to sell your cloak though. A cloak is a type of loose garment worn over clothing. This means you are already wearing an undercoat armour (clothing) like a Roman soldier, so the overcoat cloak is not a defensive or offensive weapon, so not enough against the enemy. You must sell it and buy a sword! Which sword, you may ask?
- The sword of the Spirit: The "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Ephesians 6:17 so that we can stand our ground against evil Ephesians 6:13 . The Word of God is the double-edged sword Hebrews 4:12 . The Roman sword was commonly made in this manner – two edges to penetrate and cut in every way. The Word of God must cut to the heart of the matter. It must demolish strongholds.
- Spiritual strength through the Word: The purpose of the sword of the Spirit—the Word—is to make us strong and able to withstand the evil onslaughts of our enemy Psalm 119:11,33-40,99-105 . The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Word to give spiritual strength. The word creates mature soldiers for the Lord in fighting. The more we know and understand the Word of God, the more useful in doing God's Will.
- The literal physical sword: The literal physical sword, we must be prepared to carry, in form of defensives measures so as to defend ourselves against the plunderers. Peter took up a sword to defend Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told him to put away his sword – it was not really the time for that: "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" Matthew 26:52 . We must be prepared one day to lay down our lives to protect our faith and defeat the enemy – those who invaded the church and massacred worshippers on that faithful Sunday must not be allowed to do so again!
Memory Verse
Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle— Psalm 144:1
You must be prepared for warfare. King David praised God for training his hands for war, his fingers for battle. Godly men must train themselves, for the thief can only subdue your house by first binding the strong man of the house. You are the strongman.