Ephesians 6:10-20
Notes
Transcript
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Background
Background
Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Ephesus around 60 A.D. while he was in prison in Rome. This letter was written around the same time as Colossians (and carries some of the same themes/messages) and Philemon. And, quite possibly Philippians as well.
Some argue that Paul did not write this letter… But that argument, in my opinion is weak. Some suggest it could have been someone who wrote with Paul’s authority, or who was a disciple of Paul. They suggest that Paul seems to not know the audience in Ephesus that his letter was intended to address.
However, Ephesus was a rapidly growing urban context and although Paul founded a church, or a few churches in Ephesus, the Gospel could have spread to other areas that Paul addresses with the letter - so he might not have known everyone in the congregations, but they knew of Paul and his authority.
They knew him enough that his purpose for writing was to inform them as to how he was doing while in prison in Rome. Paul writes that Tychicus will fill them in on all the details.
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
Clearly, there is some familiarity of who Paul is and the churches would be interested in an update from Paul.
Also, Paul identifies himself as the author (although someone COULD be lying…)
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
Since one of the exhortations in the letter is to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to one another
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Personally, I find it difficult to believe that someone forged this letter to encourage the church (using the authority and notoriety of another) and in the middle of the letter would say, “Hey y’all, don’t lie...”
Oh, and NONE of the early church assumed anything different than that this letter came from Paul himself!
Now to deal with The Armor of God...
Now to deal with The Armor of God...
Some initial thoughts -
1) WE ARE IN A BATTLE, but our enemy is often unseen
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
We must be strong and equipped with God’s power, yes, but we do not fight each other. There is an enemy and the enemy is REAL! But, the enemy is NOT each other. In fact, the enemy is NOT those we do not get along with. They may be tools used by the enemy, but the enemy is Satan and Satan’s Cronies.
We are promised God’s strength and power as we fight this enemy. But, often we spend our time fighting each other - not the real enemy.
When someone has you frustrated ask yourself, “Who is pulling the puppet strings here? Who is making me mad at so and so? Who is affecting so and so to do such and such to make me feel this way.”
The enemy seeks to divide us and conquer us - Don’t Let him!!!!!!
2) We don’t do much in this battle...
Our job is to stand strong/firm in God’s strength wearing God’s armor, but we don’t do much else...
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
I prefer the NIV
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,
“After you have done everything to stand… STAND FIRM!
Our task is to be equipped by God for the battle against evil and the temptations that are thrown at us, but really, all we do is STAND!
EVERY TIME I read this verse I think of the Exodus where the people are trapped by the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s army behind them… They didn’t know what to do, but Moses declared that GOD would deliver them.
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
So it is with us… We are strengthened by God so that we can stand firm...
3) It is GOD’S ARMOR. This armor is God’s armor that God uses when God battles. Therefore, God equips us with God’s OWN armor. Not only does God equip us, but God makes the armor fit us (or better stated, God makes US fit the armor…) But, it is God’s armor in that it is God’s very character that God fights God’s battle against evil with. We are, therefore fitted with the very character of God.
5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
God gifts us with God’s armor so that we can fully imitate God in our battle against evil.
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Let’s quickly look at each piece
Let’s quickly look at each piece
Belt of truth
The image of someone tying up his robes in the sash (gird your loins)
Isaiah 11:5
5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.
The term for “faithfulness” can be translated also as truth. Isn’t it interesting that truth and faithfulness go together? In order to understand truth we have to see it as Paul sees it.
Paul uses the term “truth” 4 times in Ephesians. He uses this word either to describe God’s truth revealed in the Gospel message or right living and speaking in the new person (or being). But, these ideas cannot be separated from each other.
When Paul speaks of belting up with truth he has in mind both God’s message and our right living because of that message.
Breastplate of Righteousness
17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.
In Isaiah 59 there is the cry of injustice. God looks upon this injustice and is displeased that no person would intervene with Justice. So, God himself came to act justly. The LORD put on His armor in this passage to come and judge the world. He came to right all that has been wrong. God put on righteousness in order that He might act with Justice.
To wear the breastplate of Righteousness is to remind ourselves that righteousness often is acting justly towards others.
We are righteous when we are in a right relationship with God and that also involves being in a right relationship with others.
Gospel Shoes
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace (Or fitted with whatever will make us ready at all times to proclaim the gospel of peace).
This plays into the breastplate of righteousness. Our feet are fitted with whatever or the preparation to proclaim the Gospel of peace.
This proclamation can be something that helps us to advance the message, but also feet coverings would help us to stand in our spot and fight.
Reminds me of righteousness because when we are in right relationship with God and with others we have peace.
Righteousness and Peace Go Hand in Hand
17 And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!
We are also here reminded that the Gospel message is one of peace (which might seem odd in the middle of this analogy, but it is good to be reminded that even when we fight evil we do so peacefully).
I believe Paul is reminding us of the words again of Isaiah saying
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
A reminder that we fulfill our purpose as we proclaim good news.
And here with these feet trimmings we are reminded of our gifts.
Some translations tell us to fit our feet with whatever will help us to proclaim the gospel. I believe Paul is reminding us of the Spiritual Gifts God has granted to us personally. Those gifts are for our proclamation of the Gospel.
The shield of faith
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Huge shield (comes from the Greek for door) 2.5 ft x 4ft
In order for the shield to extinguish flaming arrows it has to be prepared!
The soldier must drench this shield in water before the battle.
We must prep our faith, but also be encouraged by the faith of others.
In battle the shields of other soldiers can help build a fortress if needed. In other words, there are times when we have to rely on the faith of others to assist.
And it is interesting that it is a shield of faith. Faith is only as good as what you have faith in. Our faith is in God, and God never fails.
Think 2 parachutes. 1 has never been used but the other has been used many times and has never failed. That 2nd parachute I’ll have faith in!
The helmet of salvation
Some have suggested that this is a reference to a victory helmet that soldiers would wear. The victory had been won but they still suit up and go into battle knowing that the victory will be won or they wear it ceremonially to rejoice over the victory.
If that is the case it would fit. God’s provision of salvation has won the victory! But, just because there has been a victory it doesn’t mean that we have nothing to participate in.
11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Just because the lambs blood has been spilled it doesn’t excuse us from exercising our testimony!
And as we exercise this testimony we are reminded that we are covered by salvation!
And the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)
Unlike the rest of the pieces of armor where the 2nd half of the phrase describes the piece of armor. For example, the shield of faith - the shield is described by faith.
But here, the sword is not the Spirit. The sword is the word of God.
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.
Roman soldiers would carry 2 swords. One sword is the long sword and the other a shorter sword. The term Paul uses here is the term for the shorter sword.
This means that we are up close and personal with the enemy.
We cannot stand far off in this battle that is raging. We must be in the pit so to speak. The vision is one of man to man combat.
This reminds me of our need to evangelize personally, man to man, with those people we encounter. We cannot stand back and take large swings with a large sword and expect to win the battle.
Sometimes we think it is just enough to put a sign in our yard at Christmas time saying “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” Or we place the 10 Commandments in our window at home. Or we have a bumper sticker saying “Honk if you Love Jesus.”
These are large swings with the large sword and although they help us to witness and evangelize it still takes the man to man approach to complete the job.
We must get in the midst of the struggle, get to know people, have conversations with them, and share with them the Word of God. It’s not our words. This is God’s gift of God’s word for our use!
Imitate God...
Imitate God...
As you can see, these pieces are the very character of God given to us so that we can stand against evil and push the gospel forward. Yes, it is God’s own armor, and yes it is a gift from God but the gift is God’s own character!
And since we cannot pick and choose we take on the full character of God. In allowing God to fit us with His armor we fulfill Paul’s command to imitate God
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
The Necessity of Others...
The Necessity of Others...
But some have commented that there is no piece of armor that covers the soldiers back and why we aren’t commanded one either. To understand why we must think of Roman warfare.
Roman armies would be arranged in 3 rows and each row would have a certain number of people (let’s say 4). These rows would form a square. The squares on a battlefield would be staggered like a checker board. When the battle would take place each soldier would fight for his space and stand firm. The soldier would fight to the death.
If the army was surrounded then the square could use each others’ shields to make a fortress. So the guys behind you would protect your back and you would protect theirs. But notice, your back would never be turned on the enemy! Your brother in arms will protect your back.
But there is also the reminder that soldiers weren’t trained to retreat. They were trained to fight for their ground and fight to the death if they had to, but they never prepared for retreat. They didn’t have armor on their backs because they never planned to turn and run; they were trained to push through and fight.
And so it is with us. When we are surrounded we have our brothers and sisters in arms who can help us. They hold us accountable to our decision to follow Christ. They disciples us and they encourage us and pray with us when temptation is great.
But also, we aren’t trained to retreat. I think too may times we have retreated and allowed evil to take over or we haven’t even entered the battle. This should not be the case. We’ve been given everything we need for victory we must however fight the battle! And retreat is not an option!
2 Other Pieces we Often Forget to make the list...
2 Other Pieces we Often Forget to make the list...
And this brings us to the last 2 pieces we must stand firm with and take up.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
1) Prayer
Our communication with the commanding officer. It encourages us and it reminds us that our goal is not a self seeking goal.
Paul asks for prayer for himself and we are to pray for those others with us that fight this battle and promote the gospel.
Pray for me as your pastors and pray for each other.
Prayer is our communication with our Commander and it aligns us all up together to remind us that we are in the same army fighting for the same cause.
2) Alert and persistence....
And then there is being alert and vigilant.
We must always be aware of the tactics that our enemy uses and what the enemy will try to do to us.
What will the enemy try and do?
1- Get us to attack each other and not him
2- Blur the boundaries of God’s commands
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
We must be alert so as not to be take captive by the schemes and lies of the devil.
A part of being alert is also always wearing the armor that God has give us. We can never take it off or set it aside for when we do we are no longer prepared to battle and no longer able to promote the Gospel.
Conclusion
Conclusion
No we don’t necessarily fight but we must take action!
Our faith is NOT not a spectator sport. We know that the victory is won, but the question is what side of the victory are we going to be on?
Christianity is not about sitting in the pews on Sunday and coming on Wednesday night. Being a part of the Body of Christ commands us to take action!
There is no room for the secret service in God’s Army! You must be fitted with God’s Armor so you can be active in promoting the Gospel in our world today.
We are told that our appearance, our clothing and outfits make a fashion statement...
So I guess I can ask the final question. What fashion statement are you making?
So, we must also make a fashion statement in how we live our lives and being fitted by the perfect Tailor for the battle against evil and the promotion of the Gospel.
May we be fitted with God’s character as we interact with our world…May we take seriously our role in this battle and may God strengthen us to be able to stand against all that evil seeks to throw at us.
ALTERNATE CONCLUSION
ALTERNATE CONCLUSION
Maybe you have been fighting for too long! There are struggles, temptations, that evil throws at you. Maybe your attitude stinks. Maybe you aren’t able to stand up under the pressure that evil throws your way. And, maybe, if you are honest, you have never considered fighting that battle - you just give in every time...
FIRST - we are here to help you, to be brothers and sisters in arms to uphold you in prayer and to encourage you. But, in order to do that we need to be more aware of your struggle. Not for the sake of gossip, but for the sake up accountability. Find SOMEONE who you trust to be open and honest with so that this person can have your back in the battle.
SECOND - God equips you with this armor so YOU can stand up to evil. You do NOT have to give in!
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
God, by the power of the Spirit, can equip you to say NO to temptations and to stand your ground against the Evil One.
If you need God’s equipping to be granted to you this morning, raise your hand...
Maybe you need to pray about your situation and your struggle...
Benediction
Benediction
Be strong and valiant; be warriors!… Be brave and strong for the battle of God! For this day is the time of the battle of God… The God of Israel lifts His hand in His marvelous might against all the spirits of wickedness… and He will do mighty deeds by the saints of His people (1 QM 15.8-16.1)
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.