THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• (EPH. 610-18 2 TIM. 41-8)
• By Ron Halbrook

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IntroductionSpiritual Battle RagingEPH. 610-13

• 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
  and in the
• power of his might.
• 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may
  be able to
• stand against the wiles of the devil.
• 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
  but against
• principalities, against powers, against the
  rulers of the
• darkness of this world, against spiritual
  wickedness in high
• places.
• 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
  God, that
• ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
  having
• done all, to stand.

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EPH. 614-18

• 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt
  about with truth,
• and having on the breastplate of righteousness
• 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of
  the gospel of
• peace
• 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,
  wherewith ye shall
• be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
  wicked.
• 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
  sword of the
• Spirit, which is the word of God
• 18 Praying always with all prayer and
  supplication in the
• Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
  perseverance and
• Supplication for all saints

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Introduction Old Soldiers Pass, Battle
Continues2 TIM. 41-5

• 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the
  Lord Jesus
• Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at
  his
• appearing and his kingdom
• 2 Preach the word be instant in season, out of
  season
• reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
  and doctrine.
• 3 For the time will come when they will not
  endure sound
• doctrine but after their own lusts shall they
  heap to
• themselves teachers, having itching ears
• 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the
  truth, and
• shall be turned unto fables.
• 5 But watch thou in all things, endure
  afflictions, do the
• work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
  ministry.

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2 TIM. 46-8

• 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time
  of my
• departure is at hand.
• 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
  course,
• I have kept the faith
• 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
• righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
  judge,
• shall give me at that day and not to me only,
  but unto
• all them also that love his appearing.

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Introduction

• God VS. Satan Each Soul a Prize (Col. 28)
• Gods People VS. Satans People
  No Middle Ground (Matt. 1230)

Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.
He that is not with me is against me and he
that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
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Introduction

• Battle Til the End
  Great Separation on Judgment Day
  (Matt. 2531-46)

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat I
was thirsty, and ye gave me drink I was a
stranger, and ye took me in 37 Then shall the
righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we
thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and
gave thee drink?... 40 And the King shall answer
and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
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Introduction

• God Calls Us in Eph. 613-14
• Vs. 14 Take a Stand Stand therefore
• Vs. 13 Stand in Battle that ye may be able to
  withstand in the evil day
• Vs. 13 Stand in Victory and having done all,
  to stand
• Must Faithfully Fight to Receive Eternal Life

1 Tim. 612 Fight the good fight of faith, lay
hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also
called, and hast professed a good profession
before many witnesses.
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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• I. Must Obey the Gospel
• A. Leave Satans Army, Enroll in Gods Army
• Jn. 316 God Gave His Son to Save Us
• Jn. 35 Holy Spirit Gave Gospel to Save Us
• B. God Calling Every Soul to Salvation
• Mk. 1615-16 All the world,every creature
• Acts 238 Every one of you
• Acts 2216 And now why tarriest thou? arise,
  and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling
  on the name of the Lord.

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• II. Must Rise to Walk New Life
• A. Rom. 6 Rise to Walk New Life,
  As Christ Rose from Dead
• Vs. 3 Baptism Union with Christ, His Death
• Vv. 4-6 Baptism into death our old man is
  crucified, the body of sindestroyed
• Vv. 21-23 Free from sin,servants to God
• B. Denominational Baptism Not Biblical
• Buried with Him, Not Sprinkle or Pour
• If Saved Before Baptism, Bury a Live Man
• C. Obey from Heart, True Change of Life!

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• III. Must Draw Close to God Each Day
• A. Soul United with God or Satan
• Listen to God or Satan
• Pay Homage to God or Satan
• B. Two Different Directions
• Ps. 11-2 Way of Ungodly VS.
  Delight in God
• Ps. 5510-11, 16-18 Wicked Plans VS. Righteous
  Prayers

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• IV. Must Take Gods Word as Final Authority
• A. Gen. 614-16, 22 Gods Word Final to Noah
• B. Ex. 258-9 Gods Word Final to Moses
• C. 2 Kgs. 510-14 Gods Word Final to Naaman
• D. 2 Tim. 316-17 1 Pet. 411 2 Pet. 13
  Gods Word Final Today
• Speak Where Bible Speaks, Silent Where It Is
• Positive, Divine Authority
• Bible Things, Bible Names, Bible Ways
• E. Preacher, Family, Friend, Majority No
  Authority

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• V. Must Be Member of Church of Christ
• A. Church of Christ in the Bible
• Matt. 1618-19 Christs Promise Church, Kingdom
• Acts 247 Rom. 1616 Start in Jerusalem, Spread
• Eph. 523 Christ Only Head Savior
• B. New Testament Church Not Denomination
• Name, Doctrine, Practice Found in New Testament
• Names, Doctrines, Practices of Denominations NOT
  Found in New Testament
• C. Heb. 1023-25 Faithful, Active

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• VI. Must Resist Every Step of Apostasy
• A. Acts 2029-31 1 Tim. 41 Many Warnings!
• B. Many Small Steps in Ancient Apostasies
• Win Many Small Battles, Win Great Victory
• Result Catholicism, Denominations
• C. Many Small Steps in Modern Apostasies
• Missionary Society (1849), Instrumental Music
  (1851)
• Premillennialism (1915-40s)
• Church Donate to Human Institutions (1950-90s)
• Church Sponsor Social Meal, Gym (1950s-90s)
• Solo, Choir, Drama, Instruments, Expand Lords
  Supper
• Recent Trends New Cycle of Apostasy

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• VII. Must Keep Unspotted from World
• A. Ja. 127 44 Worldliness Enemy of God
  of Gods People
• B. Many Forms of Worldliness
• Materialism
• Lascivious, Revel, Sexual Immorality
• Sins of the Tongue Lie, Gossip, Curse
• Gambling
• Intoxication
• Pride in Family, Talent, Education, Possessions

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• VIII. Must Love God Fellowman
• A. Matt. 2237-40 Foundation of All God
  Teaches
• Total Love for God, Obey Him at All Costs
• True Love for Others Requires Gods Instruction
• All the Law the Prophets Essential
• B. Rom. 139-10 Love Neighbor, Seek His
  Welfare
• Do No Harm
• Mk. 1615-16 Seek His Highest Welfare
• 1 Tim. 416 Save Self Others

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THE GREAT BATTLE FOR SOULS

• Conclusion
• On Whose Side God or Satan?
• Take a Stand for Truth Right
• Desert Satans Army, Enroll in Gods Army!
• Christian in Sin Repent, Confess, Pray
• Sinner in World Believe, Repent,
  Confess Christ, Be Baptized
• 3. Put on Whole Armor of God, Fight to the End,
  Receive Eternal Life!