Certainly! Here are in-depth sermon notes on "You Are God's Battle-Ax" based on Jeremiah 51:20.\n\n---\n\n**Title: You Are God\u2019s Battle-Ax**\n\n**Introduction:**\n- Begin with a warm greeting and an opening prayer.\n- **Introduction to the Topic:**\n - Introduce Jeremiah 51:20 (NKJV): "You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms."\n - Explain the imagery of a battle-ax as a powerful and decisive tool used by a warrior. It symbolizes strength, precision, and purpose.\n - Emphasize the honor and responsibility of being chosen by God to be His instrument in spiritual warfare.\n\n**Scriptural Foundation:**\n- **Jeremiah 51:20:**\n - Context: God's message to Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah, indicating His power to use people to accomplish His will.\n - Interpretation: Believers are seen as tools in God's hand, used for His divine purposes.\n\n- **Ephesians 6:10-18 (The Armor of God):**\n - Context: Paul\u2019s letter to the Ephesians, instructing them on how to stand firm against spiritual forces of evil.\n - Interpretation: Equipping ourselves with spiritual armor prepares us for the battles God calls us to fight.\n\n- **2 Timothy 2:21 (Being a vessel for honorable use):**\n - Context: Paul\u2019s letter to Timothy, encouraging him to remain pure and prepared for God's work.\n - Interpretation: Believers must be ready and sanctified to be used effectively by God.\n\n**Main Points:**\n\n1. **Understanding the Role of a Battle-Ax:**\n - **Characteristics of a Battle-Ax:**\n - Strength: Made to endure and inflict damage.\n - Precision: Designed for specific tasks in battle.\n - Purpose: Used by the warrior to achieve victory.\n - **Believers as Battle-Axes:**\n - We are created with strength through Christ (Philippians 4:13).\n - We are given a precise purpose and calling by God (Jeremiah 29:11).\n - We are instruments to achieve God\u2019s victories on earth (2 Corinthians 10:4).\n\n2. **God's Purpose for His Battle-Ax:**\n - **Accomplishing His Will:**\n - God uses His people to bring about His plans, just as He used Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt and Esther to save her people.\n - **Jeremiah 1:5:** \u201cBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.\u201d\n - **Diverse Roles and Tasks:**\n - Each believer has unique gifts and a role to play (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).\n - **Ephesians 2:10:** \u201cFor we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.\u201d\n\n3. **Preparation and Equipping by God:**\n - **Process of Preparation:**\n - God shapes and molds us through experiences, trials, and spiritual disciplines (James 1:2-4).\n - **Jeremiah 18:1-6:** The potter and the clay; God\u2019s sovereignty in shaping our lives.\n - **Being Sharpened and Strengthened:**\n - Daily prayer, reading the Word, and seeking God\u2019s presence equip us for battle (Ephesians 6:18).\n - **2 Timothy 3:16-17:** All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.\n\n4. **Engaging in Spiritual Warfare:**\n - **Understanding Spiritual Warfare:**\n - The battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12).\n - Believers are called to stand firm and fight using spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).\n - **The Armor of God:**\n - Belt of Truth: Grounded in God\u2019s Word.\n - Breastplate of Righteousness: Living a holy life.\n - Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Ready to spread the good news.\n - Shield of Faith: Protects against doubt and fear.\n - Helmet of Salvation: Assurance of salvation.\n - Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God, our offensive weapon.\n - **Practical Steps:**\n - Engage in regular prayer and fasting.\n - Stay connected with a community of believers for support and accountability.\n - Continually renew you\n\n--- \n\nSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pastor-lucy-paynter/support