Ephesians 6:10-24

Introduction:

Start a little unique this morning and begin with verse 20.

I want to place us in the setting of the author

Setting the Scene of the passage this morning:

1) Christopher Robin or Tolkien.

2) See the scene from his perspective (Sitting against the wall in Prison)

Ephesians 6:20–24 (ESV)

for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul an Ambassador the the Gospel

Sits here in chains

as the message he is carrying is coming to a close

he looks up and he sees an army guard.

He uses this illustration to close out the letter.

Pauls Instruction: As you walk on… Put on the “armour of God”!

Read and Pray

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Finally:

Recap:

1) He has spoken of the greatness of the purpose of God “in Christ”. New Identity

2) glory of his high calling,

3) The Life that we now live….

Be Strong… in what (The Lord) …. In the strength of his might.

This is so important because if we view the armour of God as something that we have to go find and muster up rather than something God provides we are missing it.

Transition: So this is Pauls hope that we can put on God… and walk each day with the strengh God provides. Now Paul doesnt begin with listed the armour but rather he shares what the armour accomplishes when we put it on.

The Amor of God helps

Ephesians 6:11–13 ESV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

What does putting this on accomplish

Hearing truth and then walking it out the rest of your life

Camp experience vs real world.

So what now…

I am no longer writing so how can I encourage you to walk when this letter isnt being read to you .

Transition: This is huge for us… we face the same challenge every week. Easiest place it is to be a Christ follower is in church… its way harder out there.

1) Withstand the schemes of the devil

From relationships to spiritual warfare.

Flesh and Blood are not not the enemy.

There are massive spiritual battles at play that we cannot see.

2) Withstand the every day spiritual battle.

Evil exist every where.

Sin has so infiltrated our world that every day can be a struggle.

Just because you are in Jesus doesnt mean your life will be glorious infact it often means suffering… but sustained suffering.

Your work, your body, your feelings, your relationships, you have to wake up every day and remind yourself that Jesus is Lord and choose to live out of this Identity and not let what comes in the day rule your life.

“Come What May” -Shakespeare Macbeth

“What will be will be”

“Que Sara’ Sara’

Fatalism-

We wake up and submit ourselves to Jesus as Lord.. in essence Put on our identity and walk in it.

Armor of God

Ephesians 6:14–17 ESV

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Put on the armour of God:

Truth (Belt)

Truth is bigger than telling the truth…

All that we do is in resposne to truth

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Salvation (Helmet)

The Gospel is not the A,B,Cs but rather the A-Z - Tim Keller.

We should live amazed by what God has done for us…

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Righteousness (Breast Plate)

We do not make our self righteous rather rather we live righteous in response to the fact that God made us so.

Ephesians 4:25–5:2 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Readiness of Gospel Peace (Shoes)

Paul says in it romans like this

Romans 10:15 ESV

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 3:21 ESV

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Walk in Faith (Shield)

Faith our disposition and trust to towards God.

Confidence that Christ will do what he has promised.

Ephesians 2:9 ESV

not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 4:13 ESV

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Spirit led life (Sword)

Submission to the Will of God in our life.

How we battle through life. 3

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Closing Chalenge:

Ephesians 6:18–20 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

1) Pray

2) Be Alert

3) Persevere