The Battle is Within The Journey

INTRODUCTION:

Joke: A big-game hunter went on safari with his wife and mother-in-law. One evening, while still deep in the jungle, His wife awoke to find her mother gone. Rushing to her husband, she insisted on them both trying to find her mother.       The hunter picked up his rifle and off they went looking for her. In a clearing not far from the camp, they came upon a chilling sight: the mother-in-law was backed up against a thick, impenetrable bush, and a large male lion stood facing her.       The wife cried, "What are we going to do?"       The husband said, ”Nothing, …. The lion got himself into this mess, let him get himself out of it."

TITLE:

“The Battle is Within The Journey”

SEGWAY:

Looking back on last week’s message.

Church, as we stated last week, we are all on a Journey.

This journey will have its fair share of battles/attacks.

But if we go down the check list Paul has given us …..

Set the Tone (Setting our mind on Christ)

Adhere to instructions (Bible)

Focus on the true enemy (Satan)

Stay alert and not become complacent (putting on the full armor every day)

We will be able to stay the course (Maintain the Victory)!

Today we want to look at this passage as a whole.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Read Verses 10-11 (10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.)

Paul could have stopped there and picked up with verse 18 (and) pray(ing) 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

But the Holy Spirit knew this letter would be read by “ME” and I would need some questions answered.

How do I become strong in the Lord?

Where do I go find this Armor?

What does it look like?

What are the Schemes of the Devil?

So God, in all of his wisdom, knew that Paul was going to need to further explain what he just said (10-11) hence we have Verses 12-17.

BODY:

How do I become strong in the Lord?

The Tone of this passage was set in Verse 10 “Be Strong”

Greek word means to “Be empowered.”

Not by our resources but By the Spirit’s

Being strong is not a “Physical conditions but a Spiritual Position.”

So how are we to be strong?

We are to be strong “IN HIM” & sourced “BY HIM”

That is where are strength comes from.

What does “being strong” mean?

PUTTING ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.

Just putting on “some” of the Armor will not get it!

You wouldn’t just get partially dressed and leave the house would you?

This is the main thrust of this passage.

This is not unusual for Paul to use military imagery for the Christian life. (I Thess 5:8, 2 Cor 6:7,10 Romans 6:13, 13:22)

Why was it needed to “Put on the whole armor of God?”

We talked about this last week ……. So that we could STAND!

This is a posture! A Soldier making a stand in combat

So, summing up the main thrust of this passage. (Vs 11)

It involves standing firm, holding one’s position, resisting, not surrendering to the opposition but stand against it.

Stand against what?

The “Schemes”

This word “schemes” is where we get our English word “METHOD” from.

Carries the idea of craftiness, cunning, deception.

So this passage could read “to stand against the methods”

For me, just like some folks of Paul’s day, God knew we were going to need a little more help with this.

So he had Paul use visual aid’s to help us understand.

We are going to look at the 2 Visual Aids Paul uses to help us better understand.

1. The first visual aid Paul uses is “The DEVIL” himself. (Vs 12)

Everyone knew who Satan was and so Paul point out that this is the “ENEMY”

Our enemy (battle) is not against flesh and blood but against the evil spirits of the spiritual world.

The word “Wrestle” is interesting.

Gives the idea of “hand to hand” combat.

But not against humans but against the enemy.

We are not doing “Hand to Hand” combat with humans!

Satan cannot attack us physically just like we cannot take him and throw him off a building.

So, we are to be strong (through the strength of the Lord) by Putting on the Whole Armor of God so we can Stand against the Schemes of the Enemy.

2. The second visual aid Paul uses is “Roman Soldier.” (Vs 14)

For the Ephesians, he is asking them to picture that Roman soldier they pass on the streets every day.

Paul goes down a list of equipment the soldier would have on.

The Belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword.

These items are the equipment (metaphorically) that will help combat the Methods of Satan.

(Belt of truth)

(Breastplate of Righteousness)

(Shoes of Peace)

(Shield of Faith from the evil darts)

(Helmet of Salvation)

(The Sword – Word of God)

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at these individually!

But for now ………

CLIMAX:

What are the Schemes (Methods) then ………?

Lies (Belt of truth)

Unrighteousness (Breastplate of Righteousness)

Fear (Shoes of Peace)

Roman soldiers wore boots with nails (cleats) in them to help brace their feet in all terrains.

For the Christian, the gospel of peace with God gives sure footing and a sound foundation.

Distrustful, hate, etc. (Shield from the evil darts)

Doubt (Helmet of Salvation)

Scripture (Satan will try and used the Word of God - Jesus Temptation) (The Sword – Word of God)

CONCLUSION:

I have run across people who say, “Im struggling.”

It’s because you might be ….

….. Listing to a lie?

….. Doing something you should not be doing?

….. You have given up your Peace for Fear?

Are you afraid what God might ask you to do

Or are you afraid of what the outcome might be?

….. Do you not trust God?

Are you lacking in Faith?

….. Has Doubt crept in?

Do you doubt your own salvation?

Are you searching the scriptures for YOUR answers to your battles

Or are you allowing God to use the scriptures to reveal HIS answers.