Armor of Opportunity (Eph 6:19-20)

Introduction

We saw in our very first time together that in order to stand in the midst of conflict, we must first obey the commands given to us by our commanding officer through His orders, the Word of God. These commands as we saw were first, “to be strong in the Lord”, which means our strength is not within us, but comes from Him. Then secondly, we were commanded to “put on the whole armor of God”, which, by its very description is supernatural and not of this world.

But why do we need the Armor of God? We saw that it is because of our enemy Satan who is supernatural, seeking to destroy us at every turn of our lives, and that in order to stand, we must have a supernatural armor given to us by the one one who can destroy to power of Satan. As a result, we have the assurance that we will be able to stand and win the battle!

Then the second time we were together, we looked at some of the details of this supernatural armor, in particular, the armor of defense. We saw the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness are that part of the armor of defense that helps us stand. And the shoes on our feet and the gospel of peace help us move. Then finally we saw that the shield of faith protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy.

On our the last time together, we learned that we are not to live in a continual defensive mode. We are to be moving forward with the armor of offense. This armor contained, the Helmut of Salvation which prepared us for the battle in the first place. Then the Sword of the Spirit which was our major offensive weapon, and finally, our communication with our commander through Prayer and Supplication.

But what is the purpose of all this? Where are we going and why are we here anyway? I believe we will see that this morning as we look at this final lesson called the armor of opportunity.

Text: Ephesians 6:19-20

Ephesians 6:19–20 (ESV)

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

I. Opportunity Comes Through Prayer (19a)

and also for me - Note that this is still part of the sentence and thought that began in the middle of verse 18: To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

Paul is declaring that prayer is needed in the battle in order to communicate with our commanding officer, but also in the purpose of the battle, the ultimate reason we are here and fighting and that is the,

II. Opportunity to Boldly Proclaim the Gospel (19b)

What is Paul’s prayer request:

that words would be given to me in,

opening my mouth boldly to,

proclaim the mystery of the gospel

Paul identifies all that has been said concerning the full armor of God as a means to this ultimate purpose, proclaiming the gospel, in which this,

III. Opportunity Spurred On By Our Calling (20a)

for which I am an ambassador - Paul sees his calling as one who stands in the place of his Lord Jesus Christ. What he says, does, and thinks is what the Lord Jesus would say, do and think.

We also are ambassadors for Christ, which means that we are the voice, actions, and presence of Christ in this world. Here’s how Paul explained it to the church at Corinth:

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

You might be thinking, well that’s easy for Paul to say, he’s not enduring my situation, my health, my spouse, my job, my kids, etc., however, Paul saw, and so should we see that as part of God’s plan, he gives us,

IV. Opportunity Provided By Our Circumstances (20b)

Note the phrase, in chains, is connected to his calling as an ambassador.

Paul did not dictate to God the circumstances of his ambassadorship. He accepted it for what it was, as an opportunity to:

declare it boldly (the gospel)

as I ought [pre, act, ind - by convention] to speak - which makes clear once again, that our commission does not change, even in the midst of the most difficult trials or circumstances.

Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul reminded his young protege Timothy this same thing in his second letter to him:

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

So What?

Do you look at every circumstance of life as an opportunity for the gospel?

Do you take seriously your commission as an ambassador of Jesus Christ? If so, how should that influence you decisions and actions?

Will you commit to stand strong in the midst of conflict, knowing that in your self this is impossible, but God has provided his supernatural armor?