The Whole Armor of God Message 4

Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10–20 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Prayer

Message

Good Evening,

Let’s Review:

Call for Strength

Core of our Strength

Completeness of our Strength-Whole Armor of God

to battle against the Wiles of the Devil

Call to Stand (3 times-we will not win the battle without a fight)

6 Armaments

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit-the Word of God

Tonight we continue on in verses 18-20 to conclude our study.

Ephesians 6:18 “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

-Story of my Father getting a very nice fly rod-saving the rod, he was in his late 70’s to early 80’s-put in the casket with you.

You can have all the armament, but it may be put to use. That is similar to the great looking baseball player with the nice uniform, the glove, the bat, the cleats, but all is for naught until he gets on the field.

And so goes the Christian warrior, the unction to battle, the get up and go, the fuel for activity is in our prayer lives.

Prayer is the impetus of us being battle savvy.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The General Instruction

The four alls introduce the five emphases Paul makes regarding the general character of the believer’s prayer life: the variety, the frequency, the power, the manner, and the objects of prayer.

Look at verse 18 closely with me:

προσεύχομαι proseúchomai, pros-yoo'-khom-ahee; from G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:—pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.

The New King James Version Chapter 6

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit

General Corporate Prayer

προσευχή proseuchḗ, pros-yoo-khay'; from G4336; prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel):—X pray earnestly, prayer.

Specifically

δέησις déēsis, deh'-ay-sis; from G1189; a petition:—prayer, request, supplication.

You might remember in the Deuteronomic Law that there were certain times prescribed for Jews to pray. The coming of the Messianic Age and the coming of Christ brought about a different realm to prayer.

Matthew 5:17 “17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

We are to be involved in all forms of prayer. Firstly, Paul writes to pray generally and pray specifically.

Prayer

Parameters of Prayer

Prayer Generally and Specifically

Let’s brainstorm all of the ways we can pray:

publically or privately

loud, soft, or silent

planned or spontaneous

sanctuary, closet, bed, driving

sitting, standing, kneeling, lying down

eyes open, eyes closed

hands raised, head bowed

The point-wherever we are in and in all circumstances.

1 Timothy 2:8 “8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;”

Paul is basically writing that there is never a bad time to pray.

If you fall out of a boat and all types of killer sharks are in the water-you pray “help.”

If you are the shark, you pray-”thank you for this meal I am getting ready to partake.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 pray without ceasing,”

Psalms 4:1 “1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

Matthew 7:7 “7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Philippians 4:6 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

I could have referenced 50 texts to call us to pray. You get the idea.

Power of our Prayer

“In the Spirit”-We must pray in the power of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit. To be in the Spirit must mean to be in the center of His will, in communion, and walking with Him. Our prayers must be His prayers.

The question must be asked, how do I go about that? How do I know I’m “in the Spirit?”

Romans 8:26-27 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Three thought words to write down about praying in the Spirit

-Signs

-Searching (saturation & steadfast)

-Saintly-clean life-sin conscious

Praying in the Spirit is praying that aligns with the nature and will of Jesus.

Notice the Pipeline, the funnel of our prayers, the road, the avenue of prayers being heard-”in the Spirit-we pray in the power of God.

Ephesians 5:18 “18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

I relate praying in the Spirit in similarity for a person to be active in church to understand the direction or vision of the church. To understand certain monies spent, one must be here to see the need. To hire a certain staff person, one must be here to see the gap in leadership.

And so goes being in the Spirit. Yo have to be joined at the hip with the Lord enough to understand His Holy Spirit speaking to you and directing your prayers.

If you could put into words what praying in the Spirit means?

Perseverance

Ephesians 6:18 “ being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

Perceptive

-being watchful

Proactive vs. Reactive-In the Spirit plants the thoughts of how to pray. Would you agree that prayer is two way communication. When thoughts come to your mind of the Lord where do you think that is coming from?

Let’s use an example here tonight. At 3:48 pm, some of us received a text about the Birth of Alley Rose Cantey to Andrew and Leah Cantey. 7 lbs. 9 oz.s 21 inches.

Would it be reasonable to offer up prayer for Alley tonight?

Why? She is God’s Creation. If we pray in His nature and will He will honor our prayers. Prayer for her health, prayer for her parents, pray that she would be raised in the admonition of the Lord.

Now practice an exercise in perseverance in prayers tonight by being watchful.

We would not pray from a gripe position or a gossip or a negative stinking thinking type prayer for the saints. (Our church).

Voice some prayers as you have been watchful in praying for the all saints.

Ray Gilbert-Let’s use him as an example of how to pray for Him?

Persistent

προσκαρτέρησις proskartérēsis, pros-kar-ter'-ay-sis; from G4342; persistancy:—perseverance.

Paul is calling us to be persistent in our prayer lives.

Matthew 26:41 “41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

Proclamation

Ephesians 6:19-20 “19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Paul was given the gift of exhortation. He was called to be a minister to the Gentiles. All of us are called to evangelize. I will not say that our prayers should be as specific as Paul’s for his specific assignment. But how do you apply this specific prayer to the area God has called you to do?

Let’s look at what Paul prayed for :

The Words to say

Speak up-be bold-not get all choked up.

Share what the Lord would have him share.

There is a marriage here with the prior verse. Be watchful helps us to know what to say. Watchful of the environment, the surroundings, taking note of one’s interests, watchful of Holy Spirit triggers,

-prayed to assert himself. Praying for people to be home. Pray that the kids are ruly or the TV is not on, or the environment is inviting and desiring a visitor.

-”as I ought to speak”-consistent devotionals, Bible Study, saturated inthe Word that something is fresh on your mind to share.