July 17, 2016
Ephesians
Chapter 6, Part 2
The Armor of God and the Final Greetings
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Christianity is not just love, joy, peace, faith, and sacrifice where we pretend that everything is perfect. It is an all out, life or death war, that is fought with love, joy, peace, faith and sacrifice
A lot of times,when we think about the “enemy”we wrongly put that title on people around us, but they’re just as much victims to the lies of the enemy as we used to be before knowing Jesus. Our enemy is Satan, and demonic powers around us.
1. Our enemy wants us to think he’s on our side
2. Our enemy wants to destroy us from within.
3. Our enemy wants us to think he’s more powerful than he is
Ephesians 6:13-20
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
That phrase, “put on the full armor of God” is said just like Ephesians 4:24:
put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 6:18-20
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Don’t ever stop praying. The power in the armor, and the power in our identities in Christ come from Christ, and we can’t disconnect those things.
Ephesians 6:21-24
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
1. If you have given your life to Jesus, here is your identity in Christ:
Through the blood of Jesus,
you are holy and blameless in his sight,
you have redemption through His blood,
you were chosen,
you were marked in Him with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
2. You were created to be a part of the living, breathing, Bride of Christ: the Church.
What are you doing to be a constructive, giving, loving, part of the church?
Communication Card
- I realize that my enemy is spiritual, not the people around me.
- I will commit myself to the service that God has called ME to.
- I will read through Ephesians once this week.
