Summer Series of Seven from Ephesians Part Two "Applying The Nitty-Gritty": Message No.7 "Jesus' Protective Equipment" Ephesians 6:10-20

1. SITUATION

A. Equipment Different kinds for different activities and ages.

In cars: seat belts, padded dashes Sports: hockey, roller-blading, biking Armies equipment (then & now) Old stuff - new stuff Paul's stuff - based on Roman soldier plus Isaiah's stuff. - Isaiah 59:17 also uses a military metaphor: "He [*Yahweh] put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle". See also Isaiah 11:5. - WHY all THIS Equipment STUFF?

B. BUT Natural versus spiritual

There is an unseen world out there (or in here). -no clue about God - maybe little hints, but not enough to "sign on." ie. Esau & Jacob Nature boy versus spiritual boy The power of addictions - the pull of the dark side.

NATURE OF SPIRITUALITY

Religion; Spiritual Growth; Spirituality ACTS 17:16-32; EPHESIANS 2:1-10; EPHESIANS 6:10-17 Spirituality is not something on the fringes, an option for those with a particular bent. None of us has a choice. Everyone has to have a spirituality, and everyone does have one, either a life-giving one or a destructive one. Citation: Ronald Rolheiser, The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality (Doubleday, 1999); submitted by Ginger McFarland
SATAN: APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING Deception; Devil; Evil; Satan; Truth GENESIS 3:1-7; JOHN 8:44; 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14-15; EPHESIANS 6:10-18; 1 PETER 5:8 In a classic Twilight Zone episode from 1960, an American on a walking trip through central Europe gets caught in a raging storm. Staggering through the blinding rain, he chances upon an imposing medieval castle. It is a hermitage for a brotherhood of monks. The reclusive monks reluctantly take him in. Later that night, the American discovers a cell with a man locked inside. An ancient wooden staff bolts the door. The prisoner claims he's being held captive by the "insane" head monk, Brother Jerome. He pleads for the American to release him. The prisoner's kindly face and gentle voice win him over. The American confronts Brother Jerome, who declares that the prisoner is actually none other than Satan, "the father of lies," held captive by the Staff of Truth, the one barrier he cannot pass. This incredible claim convinces the American that Jerome is indeed mad. As soon as he gets the chance, he releases the prisoner--who immediately transforms into a hideous, horned demon and vanishes in a puff of smoke! The stunned American is horrified at the realization of what he has done. Jerome responds sympathetically. "I'm sorry for you, my son. All your life you will remember this night and whom you have turned loose upon the world." "I didn't believe you," the American replies. "I saw him and didn't recognize him"--to which Jerome solemnly observes, "That is man's weakness . . . and Satan's strength." Citation: Kevin Stump, "Is the Devil Dead?" The Plain Truth (March/April 2001)

Because it is spiritual you just cannot THROW UP WALLS?

*Security in Values_Great Wall Betrayal; Morality; Security; Values Proverbs 14:34; Ephesians 6:14 Whenever there is a separation between values and practice, things break down. In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric, invading hordes to the north. To get this protection, they built the Great Wall of China. It's 30 feet high, 18 feet thick, and more than 1,500 miles long! The Chinese goal was to build an absolutely impenetrable defense-too high to climb over, too thick to break down, and too long to go around. But during the first hundred years of the wall's existence China was successfully invaded three times. It wasn't the wall's fault. During all three invasions, the barbaric hordes never climbed over the wall, broke it down, or went around it; they simply bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right in through an open door. The purpose of the wall failed because of a breakdown in values. Citation: James Emery White, You Can Experience a Purposeful Life (Nashville: Word, 2000)

ie. Like today's computer programs - Vulnerability is built in - and hackers make inroads.

2. BIBLE

Paul's scope all through Ephesians has been cosmic. From the very beginning he has drawn attention to the unseen world (see note on 1:3; see also 1:10,20-23; 2:6; 6:10), and now he describes the spiritual battle that takes place against evil "in the heavenly realms" (v. 12). He reminds his readers that our real battle is not against the circumstances of life, or even against evil people. The real battle is spiritual, and to stand in this battle it is necessary to possess spiritual armor - "the full armor of God."

BE STRONG

Soldiers STILL use it in the field. Be strong - Nothing less will suffice for such a fight: to be weak, and remain so, is the way to perish. Put on the whole armour of God - The Greek word means a complete suit of armour.

DON'T GO OUT HALF DRESSED!

The armor will enable us to stand as a good soldier, fully doing our duty - to stand and not retreat. v14-18. The armor is now described piece by piece. The imagery used may come from Isaiah 59:17, Cf. the symbolic clothing of the Messiah in Isa 11:5. and is an image already used by Paul, 1Thess.5:8.

BUT Re equipment: OFFENCE or DEFENCE?

-does NOT matter! It is obvious that he is not dressed for tennis. He is a soldier! (Its the economy, stupid) You need all of it whether it is offensive & or defensive. [Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.]

ALSO, There is some debate about the meaning of the armor analogy. For example, is the belt of truth theology/wisdom, or is it truthfulness? This type of question applies to each individual piece. It is likely that Paul is illustrating elements which derive from the character of Christ and can be ours by grace through faith.

i] The belt. As Christian soldiers prepared for battle, we are to put on truthfulness like a belt. In simple terms, tell the truth.
ii] The breastplate. We are to put on right behavior like a breastplate. Be Christ-like is the exhortation.
iii] Shoes. We are to put on peacefulness like shoes. Although the most popular interpretation is in terms of witnessing, evangelism. Yet, Paul possibly means something like speaking peace - being peaceful rather than argumentative.
iv] The shield. We are to take up trustworthiness like a shield. Again, this image is often interpreted in the terms of faith in Christ - saving faith. Yet, when treated as an ethical quality, the shield represents faithfulness rather than faith in God.
v] The helmet. We are to put on salvation like a helmet. This image is not an easy one. The most accepted view is to see the image in the terms of assurance - "be sure of your salvation." Yet, this is not really an ethical exhortation, but then there is no need to expect Paul to make all the pieces of armor ethical. To support this view Isaiah 59:17 describes God as wearing victory like a helmet.
vi] The sword. We are to take up prayer like a sword. The accepted interpretation is the taking up of the word of God, the Bible. So, the exhortation is that we read the Bible and believe in it. There is though a strong possibility that the exhortation is to prayer. The sword then represents praying in the Spirit. This view sees the prayer of faith through the Spirit as prayer according to the will of God (prayer that is based on His promises).

BUT -- WHAT'S STILL WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

There is No prayer for physical freedom, only "talkingpreachingevangelizing freedom."

He was in bonds and enduring fiery trials. Yet he does not desire prayers in behalf of his life or comfort, but for the gospel's sake, that though a prisoner he may still open his mouth boldly. Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains would be removed, but that he would continue to speak fearlessly for Christ in spite of them. God can use us in any circumstance to do his will. Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish his plan through us right where we are.

SUMMARY

The home and the church are difficult places to live the Christian life, because our real self comes through to those who know us well. Close relationships between imperfect people can lead to trouble-or to increased faith and deepened dependence on God.

Quote from LARRY RICHARDS EVERY ANGEL IN THE BIBLE":

God truly has provided all we need to meet Satan's attacks victoriously. Luke's report of the temptations of Christ makes us aware of our vulnerabilities and teaches us how to rely on a word from God to protect us. James 4 teaches us the basic attitudes we need to develop if we are to watch the devil flee from us. Ephesians 6 describes an interpersonal dimension of God's resources: Paul exhorts us to stand against the devil and to stand together as we engage in spiritual warfare against evil. Satan is a defeated enemy. Christ is triumphant. No matter how powerful Satan may be, in Christ we triumph over evil.1

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1Richards, L. (1997). Every angel in the Bible. Includes indexes. Everything in the Bible series (228). Nashville: T. Nelson.

No. 07 "Jesus' Protective Equipment"