Evil: Equipped - Ephesians 6:10-20
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Review Last Two Weeks:
What did Bryan talk about?
What did Nic talk about?
Thought Question:
You are trapped on a deserted island. All that you know is that there are unexplainably terrifying monsters loose. You don’t know how long you are supposed to survive until you can leave. All that you have is the clothing you have on yourself right now. No phone, pocketknives, or anything else. For now, pick one item to help you survive. What is that item?
Talk with someone you don’t know.
You have one item down. I will now allow you to pick a second item.
Share what item you will bring with someone of the opposite gender.
Finally, I will allow you to pick one more item
If you are in Junior High, talk with a high-schooler. If you are in high-school, talk with a junior higher.
Final Though:
Do you feel equipped?
Let them answer.
Okay. Here is who your enemy is:
The monsters from a Quiet Place.
Gorgons like Medusa
Wherewolves
The Predator
Xenomorph’s from Alien
A countless army of cannibalistic gnomes.
Godzilla.
Bottom Line:
You might feel semi-equipped. But regardless of what equipment you picked, there is one big missing key here. There is one factor that remains uncertain and can make you fail. Any guesses?
That factor is you. At the end of the day, you cannot trust yourself to lock-in and win that battle. Some of the guys think differently, but the reality is any of us would be terrified because we RIGHTLY don’t have enough faith in ourselves to accomplish that battle.
Here is how this has tied in:
The last three lessons have slowly painted for you an enemy that is very serious, is very present, and very powerful.
I hope that first of all, you have been convinced of the reality of a spiritual enemy. An enemy that truly wants to harm you by leading you away from God’s truth. One of those ways is by making spiritual things sound silly (Like “really? Demons? This is just weird man.”)
You may feel fearful. You may feel passive.
But here is what I want you to understand: without Christ, you are defenseless against this enemy. You are on that island naked and alone and subject to all spiritual attack.
But with Christ, the opposite is true God has equipped you with every way. I want you to set two bookends for yourself of how to think about spiritual warfare: On one hand, it is real: be alert. On the other,
Read Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 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 God Has Equipped You With for Spiritual Warfare:
What God Has Equipped You With for Spiritual Warfare:
Belt: Equipped with God’s Truth (v. 14a)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Breastplate: Equipped with Christ’s Righteousness (v. 14b)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Shoes: Equipped with Gospel Peace (v. 15)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Shield: Equipped with Persevering Faith (v. 16)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Helmet: Equipped with Secure Salvation (v. 17a)
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Sword: Equipped with Piercing Word (v. 18)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Prayer: Equipped with Eternal Relationship (vv.19-20)
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
and uprightness cannot enter.
Truth is lacking,
and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
and his righteousness upheld him.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
