Buckling on the Christian Armor | Ephesians 6:18–20
Strength in Spiritual Warfare • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Illustration: Catcher’s Shin Guards: (knowing equipment; knowing how to buckle on equipment…etc)
In the sport of Baseball, the catcher has a unique form of armor that he wears as he plays his position behind the plate. One of the parts of the gear are the shin guards. There are two things to know about the catcher’s shin guards that he must know. (1) He must know the equipment itself — that it is placed on the front of the shin. (2) The catcher must know how to buckle the equipment so that the shin guards do not come off when he crouches down into his position. The buckle typically needs to go in the eyelets in a certain direction so that they do not come out. If the catcher gets this wrong, the shin guards will continue to unbuckle from his leg and present a risk to him.
In like manner, there are two things that the Christian must know about his armor in warfare. (1) He must know the armor itself — the different components which we have discussed. (2) He or she must know how to buckle on this armor. How is he to fasten this armor on. The answer to this fastening is through prayer. Prayer is the means through which the Christian fastens on the armor of God for warfare. In as much as you are not given to prayer, you are not prepared for the battle.
Prayer:
The matter of prayer bookends this letter of Ephesians and it is found in the middle of the book. Notice the following passages.
Prayer was of apostolic importance: Ephesians 1:16, 3:14, 6:18.
What then is prayer?
Prayer is both corporate and personal communication with God.
It is not just prayer though that the apostle is emphasizing in Ephesians. Paul is emphasizing prayer that is together.
Prayer Together:
It was corporate prayer — prayer together as the people of God. This kind of prayer together can be traced back to the early gatherings of the people of God after Jesus ascended. Notice the following passage of scripture. Acts 1:12-14
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine 11. Praying with Others
Praying with others, then, is also right and often increases our faith and the effectiveness of our prayers.
So, it is not just prayer that Paul is speaking about, but it is prayer together. Yet, this does not fully reflect what Paul intends here. GBC has had what were called “Cottage Prayer Meetings” in the past. Today, there are home small groups where the word of God and prayer take place. Still, Paul is not just talking about a group of Christians praying together.
Prayer as a Church:
A group of Christians meeting for prayer is not the same as a church meeting to pray. It was prayer as a church — a local assembly of believers where membership is clear, eldership is clear, ordinances are clear…etc. Acts 2:42, 46 (note what is conspicuously missing here in 46). See Acts 3:1. Acts 4:23-24.
Thus, our passage is emphasis prayer; but it is not private prayer. Our passage is emphasis prayer together, but it is not just emphasis prayer as a gathering of Christians. Our passage is emphasis prayer as a church. Yet, this still does not capture fully what Paul is intending.
Prayer as Corporate Intercession:
It was not just any kind of prayer together as a church. It was intercessory prayer. The word intercession has to do with going before someone on behalf of someone else. Romans 8:34. While this is what Jesus does on our behalf, it is also a description of a particular kind of prayer that the church is to do together.
There is an example of this in the early church’s records of prayer:
Example: Peter in prison and the church gathered praying. Acts 12:5, 11-12.
What does intercessory prayer have to do with spiritual warfare?
Matthew Henry, "I love prayer. It is that which buckles on all the Christian's armour." [Beeke, 878]
You see, the way we buckle on the armor of God is not merely by individual prayer. We do not buckle on his armor merely by praying with other Christians randomly. We do not just buckle on the armor of God by prayer as a church; but we buckle on the armor of God as we gather together as a church and engage in intercessory prayer.
Text:
Text:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Fernandez: “Gathered, intercessory church prayer is how we buckle on the armor of God.”
Existential Question:
Existential Question:
Is it possible that the reason you are having difficulty standing...
For the gospel...
With forgiveness...
In righteousness...
For sexual purity...
As a loving husband...
As a reverent wife...
As an honest employee...
As an obedient child...
...simply because we are not buckling on the armor of God through intercessory prayer with the church?
Understanding Theology, Volume One 2. The Need for Intercessory Prayer
Part of spiritual warfare consists of intercessory prayer (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Understanding Theology, Volume One 2. The Need for Intercessory Prayer
3. The church under stress is best served by corporate intercessory prayer.
So, the question today that we should all consider is:
Am I buckling on the armor of God through intercessory prayer with the church?
Our passage will lead us in this examination showing us:
Preview:
Preview:
(1) How we are able to buckle on the armor by prayer
(2) How we do intercessory prayer
1. How are we able to buckle on the armor through prayer? (6:18)
1. How are we able to buckle on the armor through prayer? (6:18)
Statement of Idea:
We are able to buckle on the armor through prayer with willful genuine dependence upon the the Holy Spirit.
Illustration:
[Baby versus Christian Adult Dependence].
Babies are such a treasure from the Lord, but as most of you know, they are completely dependent upon the parents to meet the needs of the baby. The baby needs someone to feed them, to bathe them, to clothe them, to change them…etc I think that we get a faint idea of dependence from this example, but many of us struggle with dependence upon the Holy Spirit, but why?
We are not babies, and the one key difference between we adults and babies is that our ability to care for ourselves as we have matured, has led us to an illusion — that we are self-dependent. This key difference really boils down to a matter of self-awareness.
The baby depends out of helplessness, but not necessarily because the baby is so aware that they are intentionally being dependent. We, on the other hand, need to consider ourselves regularly as people who are dependent upon the Holy Spirit. We are self-aware in a way that we must intentionally take time to consider our need and the only source of help for that need.
What then will help me to become self aware of being dependent upon the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to pray in the Spirit.
Explanation:
(1.a.) Praying in the Spirit means remembering the cost of this glorious access to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)
Matthew Henry states: "...we are invited to enjoy access to God given us by the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 2:18) Prayer is something we previously had no privilege to do, but now through Christ, there is an access which we have. [Puritan Theology by Beeke, p. 883]
Ill: the Price is Right [price revealed: the blood of Christ
(1.b.) Praying in the Spirit means persevering in this glorious access to the Father. (Ephesians 6:18 persevere in prayer)
Example:
When we gather on Wednesday nights to pray together as a church, we are enjoying access to God given to us by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this requires self-discipline/perseverance.
“No pain, no gain.” Persevere in prayer.
Application:
(i) We must have our hearts recalibrated by the truth that the blood of Jesus Christ is what is cost for this access.
Kings Island Platinum Pass can cross you upwards of $195.00.
Disney World Season Pass can cost you upwards of $1300.00.
Eternal access to the Father has cost Jesus his blood.
What do you value most?
It is not only that praying in the Spirit is about remembering and persevering, but we should consider that...
(1.c.) Praying in the Spirit means connecting spiritual leading with the precious Bible.
William Gurnall "The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer." [Beeke, 887]
Robert Murray MCheyne, "Turn the Bible into Prayer." [ibid]
Illustration:
Illustration:
"We feel the Lord is leading us...” is a common quote by Christians in our circles. This can be a very independent, personal statement that is used to justify a decision that is actually not consistent with the Bible. This is not new to our times. In 1654, two women Elizabeth Fletcher and Elizabeth Leavens entered the town of Oxford in England. They could be considered evangelists for the Quaker Movement. As part of the Quaker Movement they entered this university town in order to “warn students about the ungodly nature of academia and to convince them that their real need was not intellectual illumination but the inner light given by the Holy Spirit.”
Since hardly anyone would listen to their message publicly, Elizabeth Fletcher felt led by God to walk through the streets half-naked, showing her upper body as a dramatic testimony to the students. This practical of going naked was a common practice among the Quakers. In response to the Quakers, Puritan John Owen refuted their teachings. Among these refutations he noted that they would “Exalt the Spirit [of God] at the Expense of the Word [of God].”
Isaac Pennington affirms that the Quakers esteemed the scriptures as ‘sweet and precious’, but he was equally adamant that the indwelling Spirit was to be regarded as the supreme authority when it came to direction for Christian living and thinking.
Beeke says, “Quakerism thus tended to exalt the Spirit at the expense of the Word.” [Beeke, Puritan Theology, 433]
This should not be the case with us. If you want to know what the Holy Spirit of God is saying, we simply need to turn to the Word of God, and if you want to say what the Spirit of God is saying, we simply speak the word of God from our hearts.
Example:
Example:
We know that we are praying in the Spirit when we are praying God’s Word. Ephesians 5:18, Colossians 3:16.
Application:
Application:
Do you have trouble with saying words in prayer without thinking?
Do you have trouble with a mind that is wandering during prayer?
Do you wonder if you are praying in the Spirit?
"God's word must be the guide of your desires and the ground of your expectations in prayer." - MH [Beeke, 883]
Robert Murray M’Cheyne, "Turn the Bible into Prayer." [ibid]
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Recap:
Recap:
We are able to buckle on the armor through the Spirit, which means
remembering the cost of this glorious access to the Father.
persevering in this glorious access to the Father.
connecting spiritual leading with the precious Word of God.
Remember that it was not just prayer together as a church that buckles on the armor of God, but it is corporate intercessory prayer.
2. How do we do INTERCESSORY prayer? (6:18c-20) [emphasis on intercessory]
2. How do we do INTERCESSORY prayer? (6:18c-20) [emphasis on intercessory]
Statement of Idea:
We buckle on the armor of God through INTERCESSORY prayer.
Illustration: The story of the golden calf and Moses, Exodus 32:7-14.
You may find a story of particular interest in this matter of intercessory prayer. Moses had been upon the Mt. of God for 40 days. During this time away, the nation of Israel chose to make a golden calf to worship — in place of the Jehovah that had brought them out of Egypt. Though they had seen the miraculous plagues, they made this golden calf. Though they has seen the parting of the Red Sea, they made this idol. Though they had seen the destruction of the great Egyptian army, they worshipped this false god. If anyone deserved to be judged, it was the nation of Israel.
Judgment is exactly what God was going to pour out upon the nation of Israel. Listen to the words of Exodus 32. In short [paraphrase], the Lord tells Moses, “Leave me alone, that my wrath against them may increased and that I may consumed them!”
In response to this notice what Moses says and does: “And Moses besought †the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?”
This is INTERCESSORY PRAYER. There are a couple of things to note about the intercessory prayer.
Explanation:
(2.a) Intercessory prayer is about the “we” rather than the “me” (Ephesians 6:18c)
(2.a) Intercessory prayer is about the “we” rather than the “me” (Ephesians 6:18c)
While intercessory prayer can be done by yourself at home or in a small group at someone’s house, this particular context is about the kind of prayer that should take place at the gathered church.
(i) The context is corporate. Ephesians 1:1
(i) The context is corporate. Ephesians 1:1
“we” are the habitation of God through the Spirit - Ephesians 2:22
Application: There are practical benefits to understanding this.
When “we” gather as a church and pray together, we learn about each other and God’s work in each other’s lives. We can have a relationship where accountability is not merely stated, but where accountability is practices.
When “we” gather as a church and pray together, we can begin to form expectations about our gathering and about one another’s needs.
When “we” gather as a church and pray together, we recognize who is committed to this covenant family. Formal membership is not only stated on paper, but it is practiced in life.
There is accountability, expectation, and formal membership.
Not only is the context “corporate” but...
(ii) The prayer is for “all the saints”. Ephesians 6:18
(ii) The prayer is for “all the saints”. Ephesians 6:18
This word “saints” remind us of God’s sanctifying work. It is a work begun by God and continued by God. He works to save and progressively change people in the likeness of His own Son Jesus Christ.
In addition, this word reminds us that “saints” includes those who are both Jew and Gentile, meaning that the prayer is for those who you are ethnically like or racially unlike because the work of God is greater than your nationality, ethnicity, or race.
The fact that this prayer is for “all” the saints shows the expanse of God’s work. The Lord is marching forward bringing people to Jesus Christ, and we are to pray for each and every one of those individuals by name.
Application: Pray the word of God for all the saints!
Each day that you read the word of God, the Lord should be shaping your life, but in particular, the Lord should be shaping your prayer life for “all the saints.” For example, today, we can pray that the Lord would help Max Fernandez see the value of intercessory prayer together with the church.
Yes, intercessory prayer is about the “we” rather than the “me” but also...
(2.b) Intercessory prayer is about the “them” rather than the “us”. Ephesians 6:19-20
(2.b) Intercessory prayer is about the “them” rather than the “us”. Ephesians 6:19-20
(i) Intercessory prayer is for boldness in evangelism. Ephesians 6:19
(i) Intercessory prayer is for boldness in evangelism. Ephesians 6:19
Paul’s request is clear. He is asking that the church pray for him to be bold in preaching the mystery of the gospel. There are various reasons why this is needed, not least of which is the hostility that existed between the Jews and the Gentiles. To preach a gospel that unifies enemies to God and people to one another might seem foolish. Preaching this kind of gospel might seem irreverent to culture. Preaching this kind of gospel might appear to be dividing homes and families. Whatever the push back may be, Paul needed boldness and the key was that the church needed to engaged in intercessory prayer for this boldness in evangelism.
"Praying the Scriptures back to God will lead us to pray for missions" [PT, Beeke, 886]
(ii) Intercessory prayer is about what matters most. Ephesians 6:20
(ii) Intercessory prayer is about what matters most. Ephesians 6:20
There seems to be a paradox in this verse. Ambassadors in various countries are usually given rights of passage, but here Paul is identifying as an ambassador in bonds. He has no diplomatic immunity, and he is NOT asking to be released from his bonds.
Careful prayer for what matters most "ambassador in bonds" (did not ask to be released)
Allowing for Christian Paradox (ambassador and in bonds - no diplomatic immunity)
Honest self-expectation (ought to...)
"Let not self, carnal self, be the spring and centre of your prayers but God..." - MH [Beeke, 879]
Application:
So, in light of the evidence, how do we do intercessory prayer?
Do “intercessory prayer” by recognizing and taking advantage of present opportunities for it:
Do “intercessory prayer” by recognizing and taking advantage of present opportunities for it:
Sunday AM
This morning we have had at least three opportunities to engage in corporate, intercessory prayer as the church of Jesus Christ. Did you recognize your opportunity? Did you seize upon the opportunity to buckle on the armor of God through this time of prayer?
Wednesday PM
Each Wednesday evening we gather as a church to pray together. We do not gather to preach. We do not gather to read. We do not gather to study. We do not gather to merely talk. We gather to pray together in behalf of saints and on behalf of gospel expansion.
I suppose that it may be easy to say that we cannot gather with you on Wednesdays because our children are too busy or my job is too busy, but we should not be so dishonest about the matter. For many, it is the desire to relax over the desire to recognize our need to buckle on the armor together. For many, it is not that we are so much busy by demand as it is we are busy by our own doing.
Before we say that we have providential hindrances from intercessory prayer, we might want to rethink our arguments. Are you saying that God providentially kept you from joining together with the church for intercessory prayer to Him?
We should “do” intercessory prayer by recognizing and taking advantage of present opportunities, and we should...
Do “intercessory prayer” by preparing for it.
Do “intercessory prayer” by preparing for it.
You can prepare for corporate intercessory prayer in a couple of ways:
Family prayer in preparation for not in replacement of...
"He [Matthew Henry] promoted such devotions [Family Devotions] not to withdraw from the local church but to strengthen the church by promoting godliness in the home." [Beeke, p. 881]
Personal prayer in preparation for not in replacement of...
We buckle on the armor of God for spiritual warfare through INTERCESSORY prayer!
Bridge to Conclusion:
Bridge to Conclusion:
Am I buckling on the armor of God through intercessory prayer with the church?
(1) We are ABLE to buckle on the armor through the Spirit, which means
remembering the cost of this glorious access to the Father.
persevering in this glorious access to the Father.
connecting spiritual leading with the precious Word of God.
(2) We buckle on the armor of God for spiritual warfare through INTERCESSORY prayer!
About the “we” rather than the “me”
About the “them” rather than the “us”
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Bumper Sticker: Buckle on the armor of God through corporate, gathered church, intercessory prayer.
Illustration: Mark 14:32-38 Jesus in Gethsemane
Where did we explicitly see this kind of privilege and practice early in the New Testament? We observe this privilege and practice in Jesus and Christ and the disciples. If you notice in our text(6:18), Paul says, “…watching thereunto with all perseverance...” Where did Paul pick up this kind of terminology that the people of God should watchfully persevere in prayer? Paul picks this up from the instruction of Jesus to his three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Listen to the words of Jesus to those who have come with him, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation...” It is here where we observe the fledgling body of Christ gathered with their Leader...
This brings us back full circle. In Jesus Christ, we see the early reality of gathered, intercessory prayer. Amazingly, this same Jesus had given to his disciples the promise that upon his ascension, the Father would send One who would bind them together, teach them, empower them, and intercede for them — that One is the Holy Spirit. Through the historically-finished work of Jesus “corporate, intercessory prayer” is not only modeled but it is made possible.
Salvation history - Ephesians 4:7-8 When Jesus Christ ascended the Spirit was sent, thus the Ephesians passage confirms that Jesus is ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father (by virtue that the Spirit is here)
What are evidences of the Spirit today? (that we have the word of God, that we have a congregation of professing believers, that we are gathered around the Person of Jesus Christ, that we are praying together...etc)
Non-Christian - Who are you depending upon?
If you say that you depend upon you, then that will fail at some point (physically, emotionally, psychologically...etc) Who then? Does who you are depending upon have a track record of having lived a perfectly righteous life, dying for the sins of others, and rising from the dead? If not, why not turn and rely upon the only Person who has this track record?
Unity - What keeps you from prayer together with your church?
This passage reflects the unity that we have in Christ through corporate prayer and the diversity of the body through "all the saints" who are interceded for.
Work - Who, in the gathered body is praying for your boldness with the gospel?
To the Christian employee this passage says that we should share our requests within the church, and seek prayer for boldness to proclaim the gospel.
Family - When is the last time you did more than pre-bedtime prayer with your family, dad?
Corporate intercessory prayer should be strengthened through personal family prayer. Unity in the home strengthens unity in the church.
Individual Christian - Do you really believe the expectation of scripture here?
Repent of neglecting corporate prayer in heart though you are there in body. Believe that we must persevere in prayer.
Corporate, church-gathered, intercessory prayer is how the church buckles on the armor of God for strength in spiritual warfare.