The Battel of the Beliver

Phil Pagliari

Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 3 months ago

Ephesians 6:10–24

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True communion with God will equip the believer for unseen battles of this world.

In Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, the main character, Christian, receives a suit of armor to put on as he prepares to continue his journey to the Celestial City. Bunyan writes, “The next day they took him and had him into the Armory, where they shewed him all manner of armor, which their Lord had provided for Pilgrims, as Sword, Shield, Helmet, Breastplate, All-prayer, and Shoes that would not wear out. And there was here enough of this to harness out as many men for the service of their Lord as there be stars in the Heaven for multitude.

Our Adversary

diabolos - Devil

satan - Adversary

koemokrator - World Ruler - Cosmic Powers

Ephesians 2:2 “2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.”

Ephesians 3:10 “10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.”

mehodeia - Scheming; craftiness; wiles

Twisting God’s Word, Driving Us To Pride, Hating Those Who God Blesses and Those who Love and Honor God, Twisting and Tempting

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 “10 Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

Can you say the Same Thing?

Are you alert to the wicked deceitful Schemes

Twisting and Tempting - Did God Really Say?

1 John 2:16 “16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

1.The Lust of the Flesh

2.The Lust of the Eyes

3. The Pride of Life

1.The Lust of the Flesh

Genesis 3:1–7 “1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. 3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

Matthew 4:1–11 “1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said,

2.The Lust of the Eyes

saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye”

Samson Was led into sin

Judges 14, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.

3. The Pride of Life

6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

1 Chronicles 21:1–8 “1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to count the people of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan and bring a report to me so I can know their number.” 3 Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply the number of his people a hundred times over! My lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” 4 Yet the king’s order prevailed over Joab. So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel and then returned to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave the total troop registration to David. In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand armed men and in Judah itself four hundred seventy thousand armed men. 6 But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count because the king’s command was detestable to him. 7 This command was also evil in God’s sight, so he afflicted Israel. 8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. N…”

Acts 5:3 “3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?”

Satan may tempt us through the lust of the flesh, but we “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Satan may tempt us through the lust of the eyes, but our prayer is “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:37). Satan may tempt us through the pride of life, but we humble ourselves continually before the Lord (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10).

Twisting and Tempting

2 Corinthians 11:!4

Ephesians 4:14 “14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.”

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”

James 4:7 “7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

1 Thessalonians 3:5 “5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.”

2 Corinthians 11:14 “14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

To Accomplish Gods Eternal Purpose

Hating Those Who God Blesses and Those who Love and Honor God

Job 1:6 “6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.”

Job 2:7 “7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.”

Luke 22:3 “3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve.”

2 Corinthians 12:7–8 “7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.”

Romans 8:28 “28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Take the Adversary Seriously

Themes: Satan; Spiritual Warfare

In his preface to The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis writes:

•“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence, the other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

•“Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar.”

C. S. Lewis

Our Armor - V 10

Our Armor is given to us By God

Be Strengthened by the LORD and His vast Strength

Philippians 4:13 “13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”

The Six pieces of Armor

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Sandals of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit

Armor (Panoplia)

This is not a ridge concept but a figurative illustration that Paul is using to clearly put forth the reality that we are in a battle.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.”

Isaiah 11:5 “5 Righteousness will be a belt around his hips; faithfulness will be a belt around his waist.”

Isaiah 59:17 “17 He put on righteousness as body armor, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and he wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”

Romans 13:12 “12 The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 “3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments” ‘

Be Strengthened by the LORD and His vast Strength

Paul has spent much time around the Roman guards who would have been dressed in this armor.

1. Belt of Truth

around your waist

This is the first thing to put on.

Gird up your loins

Be prepared to respond with the Truth of Gods Word.

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in you richly

You have to understand truth and what it is

You can function well without a belt You will stumble and lose focus

The Truth is Confidence of Scripture

You have to speak the truth- Yes about Gods Word but in your day to day activity.

Speaking the Truth is what our Fathers Loves. We want to do things that are pleasing to Him.

Satan is the Father of Lies John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”

2. Breastplate of Righteousness (thorax)

We need Rightness

God Provides this

God Imputes of Credits to us Christs Perfect Rightness is perfect and absolute - It makes us acceptable to God Forever.

God Imparted the Holy Spirt making us more like Jesus It is Gods work within us- It doesn't make us perfect in theis life but more like Christ

The Vital Organs are there

Gaurds are heart agians the attacks of the advisary

Protect our heat and all that flows from it-

Matthew 12:34 “34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”

3. Sandals of Peace

Romans wore sandals

Stability and Mobility - Peace

Land Mines

Think like you are in enemy teritory traps and nares are everywhere you have to go in peacfuly and we have to bring in peace.

Isaiah 52:7 “7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

Romans 10:15 “15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”

4. Shield of Faith

Leather that was soaked in Water to extinguish the darts

The heaviest part of the armor was the shield

It is the application of the battle

Keep in your faith saturated in the water of the word.

Applying what we know

Faith Points away form self and toward the Love of God

Hebrews 11:1 “1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”

Psalm 7:13 “13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he tips his arrows with fire.”

Roman Shield Locked together- Stronger Together.

Living By Faith and seeing God work Living By Faith.

If we begin by doubting, our prayer will limp. Faith is the tendon of Achilles and if that is cut, it is not possible for us to wrestle with God. The Singing Army!, Volume 51, Sermon #2923 - 2 Chronicles 20:4

Charles Spurgeon

5. Helmet of Salvation

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.”

Our head are kept secure because we have a Hope We are protected by the Lords Salvation -

The assurance of God’s salvation protects the believer just as a helmet protects a soldier in battle. See note on 1 Thess 5:8.

John D. Barry; Douglas Mangum; Derek R. Brown; Michael S. Heiser; Miles Custis; Elliot Ritzema; Matthew M. Whitehead; Michael Grigoni; David Bomar

We have a hope that we are saved not by what wee have done but what christ has done.

6. Sword of the Spirit The Word of God (rhema) Through Prayer

This is Offensive and Defensive

This is the only Weapon of Attach we have-

We are not attacking people but the spiritual forces.

2 Corinthians 10:4 “4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments”

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Isaiah 49:2 “2 He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 pray constantly,”

Romans 8:26 “26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.”

Pray in Battle

Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Josua, Samuel, David, Solomon, Judges, Ezra, Nehamaa , Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elisha Danel,

What are you batteling? What are you fighting for or against.?

PRAY AND DO!

Eight Types of Prayer

1 The prayer of faith. This is a prayer for something that is in God’s will, but is yet to come to pass.

2. The prayer of agreement or corporate prayer.

3. The prayer of request. When Paul used the word “supplication”,

4. The prayer of thanksgiving. This is a prayer of gratitude to God for what He has done for you.

5. The prayer of worship. This is a prayer of praise to God where you aren’t asking or thanking Him for anything specifically, but you are just worshipping Him because of who He is.

6. The prayer of consecration. When something or someone is consecrated, it means that they are set aside to do God’s will and be used for God’s purposes.

7. The prayer of intercession. This is when we pray for the needs of others.

8. The prayer of imprecation. These are prayers that invoke God’s judgment on the wicked.

John MacArthur writes, “All the while that we are fighting in the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be in prayer. Prayer is the very spiritual air that the soldier of Christ breathes. It is the all-pervasive strategy in which warfare is fought.”

Our Commands

Be Strong

Put On

Take you Sand

Put on Stand

Pray Always

Victory in Christ Thank GOD

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

3 For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, 4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS WE ARE IN IT BECAUSE WE ARE IN CHRIST BUT HE FIGHTS AND HAS WON

The Battle has been Won!

1 John 4:4 “4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15–17 “15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.”

True communion with God will equip the believer for unseen battles of this world.

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