Provisions For Victory in Battle
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 27 viewsGod has saved us to stand and in these verses Paul gives us the description of the tolls that will make us successful in this endevour
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Read Ephesians 6:10-20
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Introduction
Introduction
We will again turn our attention to a final plea given by the apostle Paul as he closes his letter to the Christians at Ephesus. Hi whole tone and sentiment seems as though he is leading to a climax of this battle scene.
Illustration: It seems like every great movie or story line involves some sort of battle scene. In theater it makes for dramatic entertainment and interesting plot lines, in like it is serious business. In the movies the hero almost always wins the battle, in the Christian life it seems that many do not experience the same level of victory.
Transition
Transition
This seemingly widespread defeat does not need to be the norm. We will not win every encounter with the enemy, at times our flesh will fail us and we will not lean on the power of the Spirit of God and for these moments we have the promise that God offers us forgiveness and mercy.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
To live in a constant state of defeat and lack of victory is not what God intended for us. He has equipped each of us with the armor necessary to win in battle and Paul refers to this victor as STANDING. So stand we must!
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The first piece of armour Paul points to is....
I. The Armour of Truth
I. The Armour of Truth
Protection for what we sow....we must sow the truth of Gods Word
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
What is Truth? - it seems so illusive and is in many respects presented as relative to each individual
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We must be saturated with TRUTH!
Satan's primary weapon against us is deception
Christians today are very ignorant when it comes to matters of truth and Bible doctrine
Not for a lack of resources
Maybe a lack of desire?
The armour of Truth but also the armor of....
II. The Armour of Righteousness
II. The Armour of Righteousness
Protection for what we show…the world needs to see the righteousness of Christ and we must reflect it!
vs 14 “....and having on the breastplate of righteousness”
What is Righteousness?
Paul is referring to the righteousness of God - God always does what is right!
The armour of Truth and the armour of righteousness and adding to this....
III. The Armour of Gospel-Shoes
III. The Armour of Gospel-Shoes
Protection for where we go…we are of course commanded to take the gospel to every creature
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The command is still to GO!!!!
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Truth…Righteousness…The Gospel in action....and now....
IV. The Armour of Faith
IV. The Armour of Faith
Protection for what we do...
“Above all taking the shield of faith,....quench the fiery darts”
Paul knew well the tactics of Roman Armies - large shields that would cover the whole body - could lock together to form a protective barrier
Satan is constantly throwing darts at us - he knows how to do it - he has been at it for thousands of years
lust of the eyes - pride of life - physiological warfare in our minds - lust of the flesh
There is no defense other than the shield of faith! In other words living a life of faith - living the faith!
What is faith?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is simply trusting God!
Consider what Satan did in the Garden....
A. He questioned the Goodness of God
A. He questioned the Goodness of God
“yea, hath God said”
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
What was he saying? - Why would God be so unkind to you and limit you?
B. He questioned the Government of God
B. He questioned the Government of God
“ye shall not surely die”
Disobeying God is not really that big of a deal - its not like your actually going to die!
C. He questioned the Goals of God
C. He questioned the Goals of God
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
What a terrible slander against God - Here Satan wants us to believe that God’s boundaries are in some way a restriction because if we really knew better we would understand that God does not want us to become gods ourselves.
this is exactly what Satan wants to do!
Truth…Righteousness…The Gospel in action....Faith in God..next Paul draws our attention to ....
V. The Armour of Salvation
V. The Armour of Salvation
Protection for what we know - the salvation of our souls must be ever present in the portals of our minds!
“the helmet of salvation”
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Why would a soldier wear a helmet? - because a blow to the head could easily be fatal!
The mind is very powerful and is what sets us apart from the animal kingdom
Satan is always after the mind
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Sin has ruined mankind and his ability to reason spiritual matters is completely absent without the gospel and salvation
To the unsaved mind:
Satan’s lies seem plausible and logical
The theory of evolution makes more sense than the creation account in the Bible
A creed demanding works seems more logical than the cross
Humanism is more attractive than holiness
Psychology seems more reasonable than salvation
God’s Protection of our mind involves the helmet of Salvation
Well I am saved - so that's it
No… Its about learning and exploring and meditating on the inexhaustible wonder of redemption
As we put on the helmet of salvation we learn to appreciate its value!!
Every day we should ask ourselves - do I have on my helmet - the protection of Salvation?
The Truth of the Word
The Righteousness of God covering our hearts
The Gospel as our mission
Faith as our shield
Salvation constantly on our minds - may we never forget what God has done for us and how he saved us
Now Paul transitions from defence to offence.....We have the weapon of the Word and the weapon of Prayer
VI. The Weapon of the Word of God
VI. The Weapon of the Word of God
Provision for success in battle - can you imagine going into battle without an offensive weapon?
“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
David had a sling
Joshua and the Israelites had trumpets as they marched around Jericho
Our weapon is the Word of God
Illustration: Swords are Essential weapons for Battle - Losing a Rifle during a field problem
Can you imagine a 1st century soldier going into battle without a weapon? When I was in the Army one thing they taught us was to never go anywhere without your weapon. In our case that was an M16 Assault rifle. I remember going to the field once and spending 7-10 days out there and being very ready to go home and take a hot shower. Some soldier in some other unit miles away from where we were lost his rifle. We were not allowed to leave the field until it was found. Hours later it finally turned up and they allowed us to return to base and put away our gear and get that hot shower. That weapon was essential! We weren't going anywhere without it!
God’s Word ought to be that essential to us as we wage spiritual war!
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word is Quick - this means that it is alive!
God’s Word spoke everything into existence
God’s Word rang from the lips of Jesus in magnificent authority as he cast out evil spirits, cleansed leapers, raised the dead
God’s Word is “God Breathed” Inspired - the same breath that made man a living soul
Downhearted?
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
Confused?
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
Tempted?
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Unsatisfied?
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
VII. The Weapon of the Prayer
VII. The Weapon of the Prayer
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Conclusion
Conclusion
Lets summarize what we have learned
We must stand and to accomplish it we must be prepared for battle!
1. Protection for what we Sow- Knowing the Word - “having your loins girt about with truth”
2. Protection for what we Show- Obeying the Word - “having on the breastplate of righteousness”
3. Protection for where we Go- Giving the Word - “and your feet shod with the gospel of peace”
4. Protection for What we Do - Living by Faith - “above all taking the shield of faith”
5. Protection for What we Know - The helmet of Salvation - “and take the helmet of salvation”
6. Provision for our Success in Battle - The Sword of the Spirit - “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”