1. A Mighty Fortress is Our God Ron Williams © 2007 Ron Williams

2. Biblical Truth We need to realize that we: We need to realize that we: –Are in a battle –Need to find shelter and security –Face a dangerous, powerful foe

3. Background Martin Luther wrote the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God in 1529. It was translated into English by Frederic Hedge in 1853. Martin Luther wrote the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God in 1529. It was translated into English by Frederic Hedge in 1853. The 46 th Psalm is the inspiration for the hymn The 46 th Psalm is the inspiration for the hymn It has been called the Battle hymn of the Reformation It has been called the Battle hymn of the Reformation

4. What Scripture Teaches Us 1 st stanza 1 st stanza What are the characteristics of a dependable fortress? What are the characteristics of a dependable fortress? –Highly visible and approachable –Defended against intruders –Solid, well built –Focal point for the citizens of the kingdom Psalm 31:2. … a strong fortress to save me Psalm 31:2. … a strong fortress to save me –Need to know you are under attack

5. What Scripture Teaches Us 1 st stanza 1 st stanza A bulwark prevents A bulwark prevents –Lifes woes from crashing over us –Sin from eroding our spiritual shoreline –Satan from flooding us out of Gods hand John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble Ezekiel 33:10 Our offenses and sin weigh us down Ezekiel 33:10 Our offenses and sin weigh us down

6. What Scripture Teaches Us 1 st stanza 1 st stanza Satan is described as Satan is described as –Our foe –Out to harm us –On earth having no equal 1 Peter 5:8 your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Peter 5:8 your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour

7. What Scripture Teaches Us 1 st stanza 1 st stanza Satan is described as having Satan is described as having –Craftiness and power –Hate for Gods chosen –John 8:44 for he is liar and the father of lies First seen in Gen 3:1 First seen in Gen 3:1

8. What Scripture Teaches Us 2 nd Stanza 2 nd Stanza In the battle we must: In the battle we must: –Not rely upon our own strength –Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to His people.

9. What Scripture Teaches Us 2 nd Stanza 2 nd Stanza God has supplied us a victor God has supplied us a victor –The right Man –At the right time, and –In the right manner He is the Christ, the Annointed One from God He is the Christ, the Annointed One from God Col 2:9 in Christ all of the fullness of the Deity lives, and Acts 18:28.. the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ Col 2:9 in Christ all of the fullness of the Deity lives, and Acts 18:28.. the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ

10. What Scripture Teaches Us 2 nd Stanza 2 nd Stanza Christ is called the Lord Sabaoth (Isaiah 1:9) Christ is called the Lord Sabaoth (Isaiah 1:9) An Old Testament name meaning Lord of the Heavenly Hosts. It is a military title. An Old Testament name meaning Lord of the Heavenly Hosts. It is a military title. In this capacity Christ: In this capacity Christ: –Commands of the heavenly host –Is the only fully righteous leader of a kingdom –Triumphs over Satan and his forces as seen in Chapters 18-22 in Revelation. Rev 19:11.. whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war

11. What Scripture Teaches Us 3 rd stanza 3 rd stanza We fight not against flesh and blood but against: We fight not against flesh and blood but against: –Principalities –Evil powers –Rulers of the darkness –Spiritual wickedness –(Satan, fallen angels and demonic beings) –Ephesians 6:12

12. What Scripture Teaches Us 3 rd stanza 3 rd stanza We are to be fearless because: We are to be fearless because: –Gods will through us will prevail –Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil –Isaiah 35:4 be strong do not fear

13. What Scripture Teaches Us 3 rd stanza 3 rd stanza Satans efforts are doomed because: Satans efforts are doomed because: –We can be fearless through Christ –We can endure his rage against God –Of the results of Calvary –Revelation tells us how the conflict ends! –John 19:30 …it is finished –1 John 4:4..greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world

14. What Scripture Teaches Us 4 th Stanza 4 th Stanza It is Gods kingdom that will prevail because: It is Gods kingdom that will prevail because: –He is above all other names –His word is powerful (Phil 2:10 at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue confess) and he supplies us with: -Spiritual gifts -Presence of the Holy Spirit to those who are His (Acts 2:4 they were filled with the Holy Spirit)

15. What Scripture Teaches Us 4 th Stanza 4 th Stanza To be effective in battle you must be willing to lose your: To be effective in battle you must be willing to lose your: –Relatives –Property –Own life Mark 8:35 who evers loses his life for me and the gospel will save it Mark 8:35 who evers loses his life for me and the gospel will save it Mark 10:29 no one who has left home or brothers or sisters… for me..will fail to receive a hundred fold Mark 10:29 no one who has left home or brothers or sisters… for me..will fail to receive a hundred fold Luke 21:16 you will be betrayed even by parents, brothes, relatives and friends Luke 21:16 you will be betrayed even by parents, brothes, relatives and friends