Ephesians 6:10-13 (2)

Ephesians 6:10–13 “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.”

*Story of hitting people in football who were unsuspecting*

The beginning of this epistle, Paul has focused on lofty and the power of God at work in salvation for us

Things of what God has done for us in ways that reveal his power and ability to save that is breath taking:

Ephesians 1:1–14 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

And if we are not careful, we can be like those poor football players that are not ready and get clobbered.

But as the plane is landing for this epistle, Paul brings together both themes of God’s power and our action when he says:

Ephesians 6:10 “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

There’s two major elements here: Paul says to be strong, to have strength…but qualifies it with in the Lord and of his might.

Both aspects of God’s eternal power and our need for action comes together beautifully here.

It’s like someone seeing they are about to get hit and so they brace for impact. They might plant their feet in the ground, or hold on to something more stable around them:

Paul is telling us to prepare for impact, and he says where our feet need to be planted in, or the thing that we must grab hold of is the strength of the Lord, the might that he has.

As vital as it is to brace, it is just as vital to brace in something that has the strength to within the impact (tornado)

And that power is God..

Ephesians 1:19 “19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might”

The power of God is not meant to lead to inactivity

The activity of yours is not done outside the power of God

Paul then says what the means of that empowerment from God to us is:

Ephesians 6:11 “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Just like the strength of the last verse is not physical power but spiritual (holiness), so this armor is not a literal physical armor, but a spiritual armor that enables holiness.

But his objective in detailing it is not until a few verses later and will be the focus of the sermon next time.

For now, Paul is concerned with the preface in detailing the means of God’s strength for us, in calling us to arms in general.

The armor never looked so good once you realize the danger around you

The fire escape on the side of an apartment building does not look too inviting until its your only escape from a fire.

And he does this by detailing the enemy that we have to face in this life

1st. The devil’s tactics (what the devil does)

2nd. The devil’s essence (who the devil is)

When America was attacked by al-Qaeda was led by Osama bin Laden in 2001 the first question was how did this happen? And the second was who did it? And that’s kinda how Paul is addressing this now.

1st. The devil’s tactics (what the devil does)

Ephesians 6:11 “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

This has always been what the devil has done.

From the beginning he schemed: twisted reality and tricked people into it

Reality: The creature’s greatest good is in obeying the Creator

Twist: The creature’s greatest good is in disobeying the Creator

2nd. The devil’s essence (who the devil is).

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

For is referring to the severity and seriousness of the fight at hand.

a. A hidden spiritual enemy

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

He is an enemy of deception to our fallen flesh, and he is a hidden spiritual enemy working behind the scenes.

Humans are used as his pawns, even without knowing it.

The opposite of Elisha’s servant having opened eyes to see the Lord’s army on their side.

Remember, the king of Syria was tired of Elisha revealing what his army movements will be, so he goes to Dothan (DOE-then) where Elisha is at:

2 Kings 6:15–17 “15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Paul is saying, if you could have eyes to see what is behind marital strife, disobedient child, godless parenting, fighting within the body of Christ etc—you would see the kingdom of darkness at work

If you could see what is behind our godless leaders over our nations—schools etc

As ugly as the trans movement is, if you could see the ugly demons behind it, it would appear even uglier.

I have often said how important it is to see the bigger picture of the gospel, and the kingdom of God in light of your personal life

But I have been struck with this passage how important it is to have a larger view of the enemy as well.

b. Devil is not only a hidden spiritual enemy, but is a powerful hidden spiritual enemy

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

c. The devil is a spiritual hidden, powerful, and runs a kingdom that is pervasive

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

Therefore you have an enemy that is invisible and at work in everything physical, that is tremendously powerful and kingdom reaches to all areas of this world: and he is using it all to deceive you in your flesh to reject the goodness of God and be caught in sin.

He is looking to consume you, your family, your church.

Your teenage daughter is being wooed by a godless man—the invisible devil is behind it to bring your daughter to his schemes

Young men are being told there is no deeper thought for them but who will win sunday night football

Women are told to measure up to a standard of carnal beauty instead of spiritual beauty found in the matured of the church.

The list could go on, but it must be understood that all these things has the fingerprint of Satan working invsible in these things to bring you in his scheme of unrighteousness and misery.

Paul is detailing the awful what and who of Satan to make the armor of God all the more shiny to your eyes:

Ephesians 6:13 “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.”

So therefore…in light of this awful foe, Paul provides eternal hope:

take up

Military term to denote putting on armor, whereas in verse 11 you can use put on for clothes.

the whole armor of God

It is God’s armor for you, and it is the whole armor that you need. He provides it in its entirety and needs to be used in its entirety.

You cannot put on the belt of truth, but neglect the breastplate of righteousness

You cannot have the shoes of the gospel yet neglect the shield of faith

It is a foe that is bent on your destruction yet God in his kindness has provided all you need in his entire armor.

withstand in the evil day

Satan is powerful, his kingdom is vast, and he is invisible working behind this fallen world, but it is only for a time, or a day. It will not be forever, the intense fight is not forever but there is rest to come, after a time of withstanding his schemes.

and having done all, to stand firm

Taking up the whole armor and doing all God has provided us will enable us to stand firm or wrestle (hand to hand combat) Satan until he flees.

Romans 13:11–14 “11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

Why do you engage in the means of grace? Is it to feel better, or be entertained, or is it to take up the armor God has provided?

An encouraging conclusion in light of the powerful foe.

There is an entire armor of God to put on

That will enable to withstand the evil day

And if one does all God provides, standing is possible.

Ephesians 6:14 “14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”