Concerning the Spiritual Warfare
George Fox calls believers to spiritual warfare, equipping them with the power of God to stand against deceit and bring forth fruit to His glory.
The preacher delves into the concept of 'possession' (peripoiesis) in the Bible, emphasizing the idea of acquiring, preserving, and securing something, particularly salvation and glory. The term signifies God's people as His own possession, acquired through the precious blood of Jesus, and set apart to proclaim His excellencies. Through various verses in the New Testament and the Septuagint, the sermon highlights how Christians are a treasured possession of God, called to live in His marvelous light and declare His praises to the world.
Text
Concerning the Spiritual Warfare (1653)
The world of the Lord God to all my brethren, babes, and soldiers, that are in the spiritual warfare of our Lord Jesus Christ. Arm yourselves, like men of war, that ye may know, what to stand against. Spare not, pity not that which is for the sword (of the spirit,) plague, and famine, and set up truth, and confound the deceit, which stains the earth, and cumbers the ground. The dead stinks upon the earth, and with the the earth is stained, therefore bury it. And wait in the light which comes from jesus, to be clothed with his zeal, to stand against all them who act contrary to the light which comes from Jesus, and yet profess the words declared from the light; which are sayers, but not doers. All such are to be trodden with the city under foot; and woe proceeds from the Lord against all such, and the stone is falling upon such, and fallen, to grind them to powder. Arm yourselves like men of war; the mighty power of God goes along with you, to enable you to stand over all the world, and (spiritually) to chain, to fetter, to bind, and to imprison, and to lead out of prison; to famish, to feed, and to make fat, and to bring into green pastures.
So the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you! And go on in the work of the Lord, that ye may trample upon all deceit within and without, and their minds turned towards Christ Jesus, who doth enlighten them, that they may all see the Lord Jesus among them, their head, and they his branches; in the light waiting, and growing up in Christ Jesus, from whence it comes, that they may bring forth fruit to the glory of his name. And all waiting and walking in the light, with it ye will see the Lord Jesus amongst you. And ye will see with the light all that hate it, who profess Christ Jesus' words declared from his light, and walk not in it; by his light are they, and all their profession, condemned. And to you this is the word of the Lord.
G.F.
Sermon Outline
- The Call to Spiritual Warfare
- The Nature of Spiritual Warfare
- The Power of God in Spiritual Warfare
- The mighty power of God goes along with you
- Enable you to stand over all the world
Key Quotes
“Arm yourselves like men of war, that ye may know, what to stand against.” — George Fox
“The mighty power of God goes along with you, to enable you to stand over all the world, and (spiritually) to chain, to fetter, to bind, and to imprison, and to lead out of prison;” — George Fox
“And all waiting and walking in the light, with it ye will see the Lord Jesus amongst you.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Recognize the spiritual warfare that is taking place within you and around you, and arm yourself with the power of God to stand against deceit.
- Seek the light of God to guide you in your spiritual journey and to bring forth fruit to His glory.
- Be mindful of those who profess Christ but do not walk in the light, and avoid being deceived by their words and actions.