Ministry Amid Spiritual Warfare (Eph. 6:19–22)

Series: Ephesians: Building the ChurchText: Ephesians 6:19–22

By: Shaun Marksbury Date: September 10, 2023

Venue: Living Water Baptist ChurchOccasion: PM Service

Introduction

We seem to be reentering a season of doubt. Inflation is continuing to grow, pushing prices up in every sector. There was concern before due to a virus a couple of years ago which threatened how the church met, and it’s beginning to look like there are similar measures on the horizon. A couple of days ago, we saw the governor of New Mexico suspend the second amendment to the US Constitution in her state, stating that no right is absolute, and there are limitations to her oath. Such things make us wonder how much longer the country we know will continue to exist and whether the church will continue to enjoy the freedoms here we’ve historically held.

When we watch the news and see such things, we’re tempted to feel anxious, frustrated, unrighteously angry, and, in general, beat down. There’s no doubt that the Apostle Paul experienced similar emotions through the many trials he endured throughout his ministry. Yet, he reminds us here that we’re engaged in spiritual battle against the spiritual forces of darkness. He tells us of the enemy we face as well as the armor that we must don if we’re to stand in the day of battle.

Indeed, as we’ve gone through this section, we’ve noticed the only way in which we can stand today. In v. 10, we read, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” As to the armor, in vv. 11 and 13, we read that we must put on or take up “the full armor of God.” Since v. 12 informs us that our battle is in the spiritual realm, we’re already seeing where our focus must be if we’re to obtain victory.

Consider again why this armor is called “the armor of God.” We read in v. 14 that we must gird our loins with truth, but where do we obtain truth in a world of deception? We also read there of our need for a breastplate of righteousness, but since I have no righteousness of my own, where do I obtain it? We read in v. 15 that our feet must be shod the gospel of peace, but who offers that word of peace? In v. 16, we’re to take up the shield of faith, but did we not read previously that faith is a gift? In v. 17, who offers the salvation with which we can protect our heads in battle? Also there, who’s sword are we wielding in battle? This is 100% God’s armor.

As such, we can see why we must pray in v. 18. The word “with” starting the verse tells us that we take up this armor alongside or through an action. As we utter our prayers and petitions, we are not only letting the Lord know our requests, but we’re actively engaging in spiritual warfare. Indeed, we are seeking to be strong in the Lord and in His might. As such, the most important component to our spiritual armor is prayer.

Paul tells them to engage in prayer for “all the saints,” and in v. 19, he adds “and pray on my behalf.” The apostle’s life and ministry are also embattled, meaning he also needs the strength of the Lord. Yet, his is not merely a concern for self, for when he asks for prayer, he seeks further proclamation of the gospel. He’s practicing what he preaches.

While we consider Paul’s position, certain truths arise from his ministry that guide us today. Regardless of the state in which we find ourselves, if we are to continue calling this a ministry (let alone a church), then there are two principles that we must continue to hold. First, embattled ministry still cares for the furtherance of the kingdom (vv. 19–20), and second, it still cares for the people of the kingdom (vv. 21–22).

Embattled ministry still cares for the furtherance of the kingdom (vv. 19–20)

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

After Paul tells the Ephesians to pray for all the saints, they could have thought of a hundred ways to pray for him — none of them wrong. For instance, they could have prayed that he would be set free. They could have prayed that he would stay healthy in those damp, cold conditions. They could have prayed that he would receive the gifts sent to him, including food. They could have prayed that the Lord would give him a tolerance for the smells!

He could have asked them to pray for his welfare, but what he prays for when he prays. He says to pray “that utterance may be given to me… to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, … that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly.” He places a heart for the lost on display with such a request.

Understand, it’s not that we’re not to pray for our needs or ask others for help. We studied that last time in v. 18, noting that the Lord commands us to do just that (Mt 7:7–11; Phil 4:6). Indeed, Paul says in the next verse that he’s sending Tychicus to give them more information about his circumstances, and in a later imprisonment, Paul asks for his cloak (2 Tm 4:13). So it’s not that Paul considers himself above the concerns of this life.

Even so, Paul is also concerned for the advancement of the kingdom, so he asks them to pray that he would receive utterance. Sometimes we think of utterances in these contexts as a supernatural opening of the mouth, but Paul as an apostle already produces prophetic material such as this very letter. He’s not asking them to pray for more inspired utterances, but one that should also frequent our lips: gospel proclamation.

Consider this: Paul’s currently chained to a Roman soldier. Remember, though, this isn’t Christianized American prison, where a true Christian detainee may speak with a corrections officer about Jesus without undue fear of persecution. This is a dank prison in the paganized Roman Empire, which looked down on Christians as being backwater, uneducated, atheistic cannibals. Paul, already in a bad situation, faced the potential of a Roman soldier making his life all the worse — a criminal talking to a dutiful soldier about his sin and need for salvation through Jesus (who just happened to be crucified like a criminal).

Paul isn’t one we remember as being cowardly, but that’s not because of bravado or machismo on his part. He rested in the strength of the Lord. Now, he needs extra strength, considering he has zero recourse or escape if the situation sours. Thus, he asks for an open mouth here, and he also prays for an open door in Colossians 4:3. If something is to come of this, it must be the Lord who works it, and that is exactly the kind of attitude we should cultivate.

Still, he prays that there would be boldness to his words. The gospel provides us great hope, so we should use boldness of speech (2 Cor 3:12). When Christians speak to unbelievers, there shouldn’t be any doubt or uncertainty in the truthfulness of the message. If there is, that communicates misgivings on the part of the believer, and unbelievers will use that as an excuse to continue in unbelief. Still, the devil will assail us with concerns in the most opportune times, or tempt us to react poorly to the response of the unbeliever, so Paul prays to speak the truth of the gospel in clear, unequivocal terms.

Again, Paul doesn’t expect that the strength would come from within him; it comes from the Lord. Since he sees himself as an ambassador for the gospel according to v. 20, he’s also asking to properly represent the King and His kingdom. This, too, is a thought we should apply to ourselves, for as he says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors for Christ.” So, prayer includes proper, bold, representation.

Ambassadors were typically treated with honor. They’re official representatives of foreign dignitaries and guests in neighboring countries. To detain and incarcerate such a person would be tantamount to imprisoning the king of that land, but in an ironic twist, Paul’s an ambassador in chains, incarcerated in Rome for the sake of the gospel (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20; Philemon 9 [where he calls himself aged]; Acts 21:33; 28:20; Eph. 3:1; Phil. 1:7; Col. 4:3).

Paul could have looked upon his circumstances and despaired. Whenever things don’t go right in life, especially when we’re doing the right thing, we are tempted to give up doing good. However, sometimes we go through struggles because we’re doing good, and that challenges our underlying reasoning for doing what we do. For those honestly seeking the Lord (as Paul does here), they find that He helps His children endure such hardships.

As such, Paul prays for opportunity to announce the gospel. Again, he asks them to pray “that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Another way to consider this is that Paul prays for his own effectiveness in spiritual warfare. Again, while many of our other prayers are fine and right, we should consider whether this is ever the kind of prayer we pray for ourselves and for others in the church. As we continue to grow in our ability to pray through the grace given in the Holy Spirit, may the range of our prayers also grow, including the advancement of the kingdom.

Well, as we consider not only prayers for ourselves but also for others, we shift now to the next point. We’ve seen that an embattled ministry is to still care for the advancement of the kingdom. We also see in this passage that an…

Embattled ministry still cares for the people of the kingdom (vv. 21–22).

But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

He instructs Christians in v. 18 to pray for all Christians. He wants them to have a concern for their fellow believers. He certainly cares for them, knowing the Ephesians will have many questions. So, he sends along someone dear to him to go in his stead and give the Ephesians a detailed report.

As an aside, some have noted how odd it is that this letter doesn’t contain much in the way of personalization to his former church. This is likely due to his desire to see this letter circulated among many churches. He sends someone he cares about along to personally report to those dear to him.

Paul cares for those with him

Paul now turns to mention Tychicus. We encounter this name several times in the New Testament. For instance, in Acts 20:4, we read Tychicus is among those who accompanied Paul to Macedonia. Here, he serves as the courier for this very letter, as well as Paul’s epistle to the church of Colossae (cf. Col 4:7–9).

Who was this man? He is a Gentile who came to Christ in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He and Paul grew close, with Tychicus partnering with Paul and accompanying him in missions work. He even journeyed with Paul to Jerusalem with the famine relief funds. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, Tychicus was there, so he was in a unique position to fill in many of the blanks for the Ephesians and Colossians.

We should note also how the apostle views this man. Paul calls him here “the beloved brother,” and we can see why. While we don’t live for the accolades of others, we should still strive to be known as “beloved” to others, serving where we can. Moreover, Paul recognizes this his fellow-worker and loves him for it.

He also describes Tychicus as a “faithful minister in the Lord.” It’s not clear from this verse if he was an official deacon or minister as an office-holder, but he certainly is operating in that way. We see that he can serve by bringing the letter and comforting the readers concerning Paul. This is what we want to hear from Christ on that last day, but it is also welcome to hear this from other saints.

Of course, as we’ve already noted, Paul sends Tychicus because he cares for the well-being of other churches. That leads us to the next point.

Paul cares for those who aren’t currently with him.

Paul sends Tychicus so “that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing.” Paul’s said all he needs to say to the church in general, but many at Ephesus may have specific questions concerning their former pastor. He says that Tychicus “will make everything known to you.” He continues to note that he sent Tychicus “to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us.”

Paul is not alone. Obviously, Tychicus has been there, as has Onesimus and others. There is ministry continuing there, but Paul is not forgetful of his previous ministries. Indeed, we can see how much he still cares for his former church by revisiting his prayer in 1:15–23:

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

He wants the Ephesians to continue to grow in the grace of the Lord. So, another reason he sends Tychicus is to “comfort” or encourage their hearts. This is an interesting term; parakaleō, which can mean to implore or exhort (cf. 4:1) also means to comfort and encourage. Jesus uses the noun form of this word in John 14:16, where He says, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” The Holy Spirit brings conviction and comfort to our lives, and often, He works through men like Tychicus.

Conclusion

We’re in a spiritual battle, but it seems like many churches in certain democratic nations realized it for the first time a few years ago. In the providence of God, churches across the world today were fighting on the same front as governments asked and then demanded that we not to meet in person — for our own safety, of course. If they don’t repeat it with this year’s fresh COVID-19 variant, then they might have another virus, or climate change concerns, or something else. We won’t comply, for Christ is Lord of the church, not Caesar.

Yet, we must remember the deeper spiritual battle, the one that is not flesh and blood. So, the best tool we have is to pray. Pray for how to share the gospel with those thinking about death right now, for the furtherance of the kingdom. Pray that God can use you can to be an encouragement to those who need to hear it. Seek the Lord’s help as we seek to navigate the difficulties of life, for we always need His help.