Frontline Fighting
Notes
Transcript
Whosoever would see Christianity in one treatise, let him ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ the Epistle to the Ephesians.” (Spurgeon)
II. Frontline Fighting (6:10–24)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Spiritual war - Prayer?! Come on, isn’t there something more exciting I can do?
A. The exhortation (6:10–11a, 13, 18–20): Paul issues a fourfold exhortation.
1. Be strong (6:10): Find your strength in God’s mighty power.
2. Prepare yourself (6:11a): Put on the full armor of God.
3. Stand firm (6:13).
B. The enemy (6:11b–12): Satan.
Ephesians 6:11–12 (NIV)
11so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1. His craftiness (6:11b)
2. His cohorts (6:12): The wicked demons of Satan’s kingdom.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Someday the church can relax her guard, call her watchmen down from the wall and live in safety and peace; but not yet, not yet.…
The church lives in a hostile world. Within and around her are enemies that not only could destroy her, but are meant to and will unless she resists force with yet greater force. The Christian would collapse from sheer external pressure were there not within him a counterpressure sufficiently great to prevent it. The power of the Holy Spirit is, therefore, not optional but necessary. Without it the children of God simply cannot live the life of heaven on earth. The hindrances are too many and too effective.
A. W. Tozer
C. The equipment (6:14–17)
1. The belt of truth (6:14a)
2. The body armor of God’s righteousness (6:14b)
3. The sandals of the Good News (6:15)
4. The shield of faith (6:16)
5. The helmet of salvation (6:17a)
6. The sword of the Spirit (6:17b): The Word of God
Preach This:
4. Pray always (6:18–20).
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
a. For yourselves (6:18a)
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
b. For others (6:18b)
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
c. For Paul himself (6:19–20)
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Paul recognized that the prayers of other Christians for him could effect the eternity of those he ministered to.
Too often we divide the church into those who are active in serving the Lord and those who pray for them. The active must pray also. Too often a ministry or mission has been defeated, not by laziness, but prayerlessness.
Gavin Childress
REALITY:
Prayerlessness is a sin against God and it is a sin that can find no excuse.
E. F. Hallock
What is both surprising and depressing is the sheer prayerlessness that characterizes so much of the Western church.
D. A. Carson
Missions
Church
Community
T.H.O.P.
Sunday evening at 4 in the chapel and 5 in the auditorium.
Tuesday evening 7:30-8:30
Thursday Spanish Watch
EXCUSE:
I just Don’t have time!
Here is the fact.
Taking kids to school every morning.
the movie in Clovis
A doctor or dentist appointment
Prayer - A much needed ministry
What is both surprising and depressing is the sheer prayerlessness that characterizes so much of the Western church.
D. A. Carson
The baby who died years ago and the dad who soon followed.
The little girl who was killed in a 4 wheeler accident
Young man who mistakenly wrecked into a farm implement on the highway.
Accidents happen.
Tragedy visits everyone at one time or another in this life.
How much does Prayer matter?
Deadly Serious
I pray you so live, that when you stand over your child’s dead body, you may never hear a voice coming up from that clay, “Father, your negligence was my destruction. Mother, your prayerlessness was the instrument of my damnation.”
Charles Spurgeon
Does this offend you?
then do something about it.
get mad and curse the preacher
justify your actions and blame someone or something for your prayerlessness.
humble yourself before God and carve out time to make prayer a regular practice in your life.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.