Our Best Defense, Our Greatest Offense

Our Best Defense, Is our Greatest Offense.

Introduction:

____I ma still working on this portion of the Sermon. I feel it is still being designed through my careful and continued study of this until I preach the sermon itself.

Scripture:

10 Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil, 12 because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Because of this, take up the full armor of God, in order that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, girding your waist with truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and binding shoes under your feet with the preparation of the good news of peace, 16 in everything taking up the shield of faith, with which you are able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one, 17 and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19 and for me, that a word may be given to me at the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for the sake of which I am an ambassador in chains, that ⌊in them⌋ I may speak freely, as it is necessary for me to speak.

Reference:

W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible Lexham Press, 2012), Eph 6:10–20.

Fallen Condition Focus:

What is our strength against the devil? How can we protect our souls as Christians, against a threat that is not visible?

Outline of Scripture:

Paul Calls us to prepare ourselves for battle, War is near.

We must become “strong” in the Lord, in the “might” of his strength. (V 10) In order that we may “resist” in the evil day, and having done everything to stand (v.13) We must stand against the schemes, and strategies of the devil (v.11)

Whom our enemy is, and whom He is not.

Our enemy is not a physical one, but a spiritual one that we must wrestle with.

Our “struggle” is not against Blood and Flesh (v.12) Our “struggle” is against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (v.12)

Our enemy is exposed, and tactics are identified.

Against the rulers , against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness. (v.12)

Paul equips us with a strong defense; The spiritual armor of God’s strength, and might.

The “belt” of truth. (v.14)

Honesty Straightforwardness Reality

The “Breastplate” of Righteousness. (v.14)

Doing what is right Doing What God requires of us

As shoes for your feet, put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (v.15)

Both active and passive instruction Active in studying and strengthening your knowledge of the Gospel “to prepare” Passive in remaining ready to proclaim and teach the Gospel

The “Shield” of faith. (v.16)

Faith is trust. God wants us to lean on him. Trust him Faith is reliability. He won’t fail us. Remain confident in our history, as it will echo in the future. God is our barrier between the devil and his “flaming arrows (temptations and schemes)”

The “Helmet” of Salvation. (v.17)

The Good news of the Gospel, Jesus came to rescue us from death and give us an abundant life. Jesus delivered us from our sins through the cross. Jesus continuously meets us in our environment (salvation and the holy spirit)

The “Sword” of the Spirit. (v.17)

The Gospels Prayer and supplication at all times in the “spirit” ( as one body, the body of Christ)(v.18) Prayer and supplication strengthen relationship in each other and faith in Christ.

Paul tells us to remain alert and persevere in our faith through prayer.

With all prayer and supplication, praying at all times in the spirit (v.18) Perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (v.19) For Paul himself, as he asks us to pray for the right words to properly speak about the boldness and mystery of the Gospels. (vs. 19-20)

Final Thoughts and Conclusion:

As Christians we have defeated death through the Salvation of Jesus Christ through his sacrifice. Our battle in this life is now elevated, as we are now filled with the Holy Spirit we see the error and the fallen condition of our physical humanness. God invites us to lift the veil and see the new and overwhelming threat that awaits us, evil forces that are extremely potent and powerful. Paul tells us that our humanness, as well as our physical, and mental strength alone, are incapable of defeating this enemy. We must equip ourselves with the right tools to successfully defeat the enemy which God has provided us. Through truth and righteousness, we can take heart in knowing that our salvation is real, that doing what is right and of what God requires of us is protection of our moral hearts. Be both passive and active in proclaiming the Gospel through learning and teaching what you know to others. This is the spiritual dexterity and agility we need to thwart the enemies lies. Our faith in Christ defends us from all attacks, schemes, and temptations, of the evil forces in the world. Salvation is our deliverance through Jesus Christ. We are his children, fully redeemed, and no other has claim to our soul but him. Jesus meets us where we are to reinforce this in our moments of need. The spirits weapons of defense are truth through the Gospel, and strength through Prayer.