072 The Real Battle: Joining the Invasion

One of the strategies used by special forces teams is called H.A.L.O. – High Altitude, Low Opening. In order to minimize their exposure to enemy gunfire, these expert parachutists jump from a plane at a minimum altitude of 25,000 ft. They then free fall accelerating to up to 200 mph, opening their chutes only 2000 ft above the ground. Special forces from above, landing behind enemy lines, prepared to take back occupied territory.

That’s a great metaphor for what we’re called to as disciples of Jesus.  In a very real sense, we are His special forces and join His invasion to liberate His people.  

We live in a world at war. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, not only did they fall from their exalted position, but Satan, the Evil One, stepped into the power vacuum.  Since then, not only is everyone born broken, we’re born in bondage. 

Fortunately, God was not willing to give up on what He had created.  He came up with an amazing strategy to reverse the curse.  In the fullness of time, Jesus made the first HALO landing.  We celebrate it to this day, calling it “Christmas.”   

Jesus battled the Enemy for several years, til on a gray Friday afternoon, it appeared that He had been defeated.  In reality, Jesus’ death on the Cross and His resurrection three days later validated His victory.  

Now Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father, “far about all rule and authority, power and dominion” – terms describing the evil forces of darkness. (Eph. 1:20-21) God has declared Jesus to be Lord over all!  

Then a few verses later, we read that those who are in Christ are seated “with Christ in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 2:6). This position of authority means that we fight our battles, not FOR victory, but FROM victory!

Though the final outcome is assured, there is still a battle being waged all around us. Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-12 that we “wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

But 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us that God has given us weapons to fight with in this spiritual battle. Not guns or tanks, but spiritual weapons. Powerful weapons that can demolish the strategies of the enemy and help us overcome him. 

Over the coming weeks, we’re going to look at three of them: Prayer, Scripture, and Praise. 

Text: Ephesians 1:20-2:6; 6:10-12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Originally recorded October 2, 2011, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.