12_17_2023 - Ephesians 6:10-12 - Foxhole Faith

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue our “Ephesians” series.

(Ephesians Context)

The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are what we call the “Prison Epistles.”

Paul is writing Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60 AD (recorded in Acts 28).

Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (Eph. 6:20-21).

This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.

On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

On his third missionary journey Paul pastored the church of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31).

Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.

(Series Recap and Sermon Title)

Since July, we have been going through the Bible book of Ephesians.

In Ephesians 1 we focused on the calling of Paul and the nature of the gospel.

In Ephesians 2 we focused on the impact of God’s love, mercy, and grace upon us and the people around us and how being “in Christ” changes us.

In Ephesians 3 we focused on the mystery of Christ being played out in the Church.

In Ephesians 4 we spoke of unity, the equipping of the church, and the rejection of the old life for the new one.

In Ephesians 5 we talked at length about rejecting the old life for the new life, desiring to be like Jesus in every relationship we have including our marriages.

In Ephesians 6:1-9 we discussed, the importance of being like Jesus in our family and our work.

Today we are focusing on Ephesians 6:10-12 and the “Foxhole Faith” that we are called to live out.

First, let’s define what a foxhole is.

“Foxhole” Cambridge Dictionary Definition

A small hole dug in the ground during a war or military attack, used by a small group of soldiers as a base for shooting at the enemy and as a shelter from attack.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/foxhole

(Foxhole Context)

I have heard it said that there are no atheists in foxholes.

I have heard that wars are won in the foxhole.

I have heard it said that you fight for those next to you in the foxhole.

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

1. Foxholes Test Our Strength

Sit, Walk, Stand Quote #1

The Greek verb “stand” with its following preposition “against” in verse 11 really means “hold your ground.”

There is a precious truth hidden in that command of God.

It is not a command to invade foreign territory.

Warfare, in modern parlance, would imply a command to “march.”

Armies march into other countries to occupy and to subdue.

God has not told us to do this.

We are not told to march but to stand.

Watchman Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand , 1957, (excepts from Chapter 3 - “Stand”).

Foxholes are meant to hold the ground that has already been won until reinforcements arrive.

This brings to mind Peter’s words in 1 Peter 5:8-10:

1 Peter 5:8–10 (NLT)

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

Peter brings to mind Joshua chapter 1 when the Lord tells Joshua three times in one chapter to be strong and courageous.

Listen to the third time the Lord commands him to be strong and courageous:

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Times When My Strength Has Been Tested)

Personal stories of my strength being tested and strengthening by the Lord.

(Bible Story: “But David Strengthened Himself in the Lord”)

There is a story in 1 Samuel about David before he becomes king of Israel.

The wives, sons, and daughters of David and his men were captured by the Amalekites while David and his mighty men were aware in battle.

This is the account of what happened when they came home and realized what had happened:

1 Samuel 30:6–8 (ESV)

6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David.

8 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”

David and his mighty men rescued their families with the Lord’s help.

But David had to first “strengthen himself in the Lord His God.”

(Point #1 Challenge: Foxholes Test Our Strength)

Is your strength being tested?

Are you finding yourself lacking in the strength needed for this fight that we are all in?

Are you in need of strengthening from the Lord?

2. Foxholes Reveal the Enemy

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Sit, Walk, Stand Quote #2

The word “stand” implies that the ground disputed by the enemy is really God’s, and therefore ours.

We need not struggle to gain a foothold on it.

…Today we war against Satan only to maintain and consolidate the victory which Christ has already gained.

Watchman Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand , 1957, (excepts from Chapter 3 - “Stand”).

2 Corinthians 2:5–11 (NLT)

5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.

6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.

7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.

8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.

10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,

11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

As Paul stated in verse 12, our battle is not against flesh and blood.

The battle that we are fighting is not caused by the people in front of us but the enemy behind them.

There is no doubt that there are people who allow the enemy to use them more than others, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that the people in front of us are the enemy.

This happens in the church.

We can characterize people in the church as the enemy and judge them in that way, however, it is the enemy at work.

I have seen how the enemy has used people in the church to bring division just as I have watched and even been used by the enemy at times to do the same thing.

We must be careful that we do not allow the enemy to divide our lines and breakthrough into our relationships and what the Lord is desiring to do in and through His Church.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

(Point #2 Challenge: Foxholes Reveal the Enemy)

Where is the enemy trying to work in your life and relationships?

How has the Enemy tried to use you for His purposes?

What area of your life have you allowed the Enemy to work in that you need the Lord to reveal and tear down?

3. Foxholes Lead Us to Jesus

(Instrumental Music)

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Sit, Walk, Stand Quote #3

…Thus today we do not fight for victory; we fight from victory.

…We must not ask the Lord to enable us to overcome the enemy, nor even look to him to overcome, but praise him because he has already done so; he is victor.

Do you see what it means to “stand?”

We do not try to gain ground; we merely stand on the ground which the Lord Jesus has gained for us, and resolutely refuse to be moved from it.

When our eyes are really opened to see Christ as our victorious Lord, then our praise flows forth freely and without restraint.

Watchman Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand , 1957, (excepts from Chapter 3 - “Stand”).

John 10:10 (LEB)

10 The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

(Point #1 Challenge: Foxholes Test Our Strength)

Is your strength being tested?

Are you finding yourself lacking in the strength needed for this fight that we are all in?

Are you in need of strengthening from the Lord?

(Point #2 Challenge: Foxholes Reveal the Enemy)

Where is the enemy trying to work in your life and relationships?

How has the Enemy tried to use you for His purposes?

What area of your life have you allowed the Enemy to work in that you need the Lord to reveal and tear down?

(Point #3 Challenge: Foxholes Lead Us to Jesus)

Have you been trying to fight the battle without Jesus Christ as Your Savior?

How have you failed to rely on Jesus Christ to fight the battle?

Is Jesus Christ in your foxhole?

(Main Idea: We are called to have Foxhole Faith!)

(Sermon Recap)

Foxhole Faith

Foxholes Test Our Strength

Foxholes Reveal the Enemy

Foxholes Lead Us to Jesus

(Closing Tension)

(Response)

(Invite the Altar Team)

(Response Card)

(Closing Challenge)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.