Prepared for Battle Eph 6

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I found myself at a formal college dinner sitting beside another Nobel Prize winner. I had never met a scientist of such distinction before and, in order to gain the most from the conversation, I tried to ask him some questions. For instance, how did his science shape his worldview—his big picture of the status and meaning of the universe? In particular, I was interested in whether his wide-ranging studies had led him to reflect on the existence of God.

He told me, "If you want a career in science, you must give up this childish faith in God."

It was clear that he was not comfortable with that question, and I immediately backed off. However, at the end of the meal, he invited me to come to his study. He had also invited two or three other senior academics but no other students. I was invited to sit, and, so far as I recall, they remained standing.

He said, “Lennox, do you want a career in science?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied.

“Then,” he said, “in front of witnesses, tonight, you must give up this childish faith in God. If you do not, then it will cripple you intellectually and you will suffer by comparison with your peers. You simply will not make it.”

Talk about pressure! I had never experienced anything like it before.

I sat in the chair paralysed and shocked by the effrontery and unexpectedness of the onslaught. I didn’t really know what to say, but eventually I managed to blurt out, “Sir, what have you got to offer me that is better than what I have got?” In response, he offered me the concept of “Creative Evolution” put forward in 1907 by French philosopher Henri Bergson.

In fact, thanks to C.S. Lewis, I knew a little about Bergson and replied that I could not see how Bergson’s philosophy was enough to base an entire worldview upon and provide a foundation for meaning, morality and life. With a shaking voice, and as respectfully as I could, I told the group standing around me that I found the biblical worldview vastly more enriching and the evidence for its truth compelling, and so, with all due respect, I would take the risk and stick with it.

It was a remarkable situation. Here was a brilliant scientist trying to bully me into giving up Christianity. I have thought many times since that, if it had been the other way around, and I had been an atheist in the chair surrounded by Christian academics pressuring me to give up my atheism, it would have caused reverberations around the university, and probably have ended with disciplinary proceedings against the professors involved.

But that rather scary incident put steel into my heart and mind. I resolved to do my best to be as good a scientist as I could and, if ever I had the opportunity, to encourage people to think about the big questions of God and science and make up their own minds without being bullied or pressured. It has been my privilege in the years that have followed to engage thoughtfully with many people, both young and old, in a spirit of friendship and open enquiry on these questions.

The idea that if you wish to be scientifically respectable you have to be an atheist is false

What do you do when your career gets attacked? Your value? Your marriage is under seige? Your kids go wayward? Your friends abandon you? The culture seeks to consume you?

Do you surrender your faith? Your conviction? Do you go along to get along or do you stand firm upon your faith.

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NET)

10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,16 and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

Main Point: As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual battle, but through Christ, we have been equipped to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

I. The Cosmic War (Ephesians 6:10-12) (v.10-12)

People are not the real enemy. (v.12)

We see spiritual corruption result in:

Oppressive Government.

Unethical business practices.

Prejudice and hate.

Selfishness.

We have victory in Christ. (Ephesians 1:22–23 ) “22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.”

II. The Means to Win Battles

A. Truth: Relying on God's truth as our foundation (Ephesians 6:14)

How do you choose to follow what God says in the Bible when you make decisions or go about your day?

- Illustration: Just as a soldier's armor protects vital organs, God's truth shields us from deception and doubt.

B. Faith: Trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem dire (Ephesians 6:16)

2 Corinthians 5:7“7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

- Illustration: Faith is not just a feeling but an active stance, like soldiers marching forward despite uncertainty.

C. Preparation: Being ready for battle by protecting our minds and supporting one another (Ephesians 6:17, Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

What thoughts and attitudes impact your heart negatively?

What verses could you replace those with?

Who can you depend to stand by you?

Who can depend on you to stand by them?

- Illustration: Soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder, reinforcing each other's defenses against the enemy's attacks. Look to left and right, I’ve got you covered.

D. The Word: Wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5)

- Illustration: Just as a sword is a soldier's primary weapon, the Word of God is our most powerful tool against spiritual adversaries. A Sheathed Sword doesn’t do any good.

Sharpening the axe.

Cultural Christians Richard Dawkins

III. The Role of Prayer

- Illustration: Similar to calling for reinforcements in battle, prayer taps into the power of Christ to strengthen and support us in our spiritual warfare.

Conclusion: Let us not face spiritual battles alone but stand firm in the armor of God, relying on His truth, exercising our faith, preparing ourselves for battle, wielding the Word of God, and calling upon the power of prayer.

The Church (You’all) has been given the means to win battles.

Christ equips the church for warfare.

Truth - Do you rely on God’s truth as final?

Faith - Faith is more than feelings. It has feet.

Many times people who say they struggle with faith really are struggling with living in christ’s righteousness. Many if not most times, it’s a sin issue. They’ve determined to live against God or not for God in all things. Thus their heart is unsteady with God

iii. Preparation - being battle ready.

INTEGRIS Illustration.

You have to put it on.

Protect your mind. The helmet. What do you need to keep out?

Shore up your brother and sister. The shield.

Do you understand your need to stand shoulder to shoulder?

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 CSB

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Christ is OVERALL but He has only GIVEN Himself to the Church.

Prayer! The Father has authorized the Church to call upon Christ’s Power!

How often do you go it alone?

Sermon Outline: Prepared for Battle - Ephesians 6

- Illustration: Similar to calling for reinforcements in battle, prayer taps into the power of Christ to strengthen and support us in our spiritual warfare.

Baseball team. You wear your uniform throughout the game, but you take up instruments as needed (glove, bat, helmet)

Steph Curry takes 500 shots a day! he’s 36 years old.

Drew Brees had been asked about how a team wins. He said, the game will be won off the field. It begins and ends with PREPARATION.