Picture a Christian Soldier
Ephesians: Rooted and Grounded • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 6 continues with the final instructions to the church at Ephesus. This city was an influential city but they were also a idolatrous city. Idols represent Satan and his powers. This morning we will see how we can join in the victorious spiritual battle.
The letter of Paul to the Ephesians, an important epistle in the Bible, has much to say on the subject of what our church should be. Paul has shown us the importance of unity, faithful leadership and biblical order in the church. We will see the vital part that their family plays in the life of every Christian. We have seen the blessings of God through His salvation. We will also see the reality of the spiritual warfare around us.
Written by Paul the Apostle, Ephesians is a letter that begins high on a mountain top in chapter one. We see the amazing blessings of the Trinity toward saved man. In chapter two, we see two paragraphs that give us the truth of grace for mankind. We are saved by grace. We are united by our sin and His salvation. Chapter three gave us insight into the task of Paul as an apostle and his prayer for the church at Ephesus. Salvation is a major focus of those doctrinal chapters in Ephesians.
In chapter four, we see the way that we can live out these beneficent truths through a faithful walk in His unity. God has given us gifts, people, to help us in this walk through the local church. Walking requires two companions in the life of the Christian and each of us must chose which to listen to. Walking requires two environments that we must navigate and our choice ought to be toward the light that we have been saved to. Walking divides into two different groups. In chapter 5 and 6, we see that there are practical relationships that we can show forth our unity in Christ.
Remember, the central theme of Ephesians is the unity of believers, in Christ, as part of the local church.
There is, in the ancient heroic epics, a classical introduction to battles or conflicts. For example, in Homer, the writer of the Iliad and the Oddessey, we see this often. One paper I was looking at recently listed it four times in the Iliad. This introduction is the arming of the character in the story. Instead of an account of a battle moving right to the action, we see that he puts on the necessary clothing for battle. He puts on his armour and grabs his weapons. This idea of preparation is a common occurence in these stories of the ancient world. The goal of the preparation is to prepare the reader for the battle as well. We even see this in movies today.
Chapter 6 is going to show us the arming of the Christian. God is the One who gives the armour. He is the One who places the armour on us. Be prepared for the raging battle.
As we move into the final section of Ephesians, Paul wants to address one final reality where unity must be applied. We have seen the importance of walking. We have seen the importance of the home and the workplace. Paul begins our text this morning with “Finally”.
The final commands of Paul are regarding the spiritual warfare that is present all around us. These Ephesians were well acquainted with the mystical and occultic. In fact, many of them had chosen to destroy the reminders of their old, pagan life when they had come to Christ.
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Have you seen the spiritual battle rage in your life? In your family? In your country? There is a spiritual battle that we each must faith. Our job as a church is to enlist in the battle for the Lord!
Declaration
Declaration
Be strong in Christ and so put on His armour for the fight. The armour is the Lord's. The Sword is the Spirit's. The prayer is to the Lord. God is the one who has won the battle. We are speaking boldly in enemy country.
1. Strengthening
1. Strengthening
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
There is finality in these instructions. Only one section is missing to make a complete letter through the Holy Spirit to the people at Ephesus. No longer discussing the daily walk or the internal interactions of the church, Paul now turns to the reality of the Christian in the world that is controlled by the devil and his angels. The commands here are external instead of internal.
The central command of this entire paragraph is found in the phrase “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Strength comes from the Lord. Strength is in the Lord. Allowing God to be the one who does the work in us to keep us from running in terror from the battle is the only way that we will be standing when the Victory Morning dawns!
Paul commands them to put on the panoply of God. This is the idea of completeness that means we are ready for anything in the spiritual battle. Leaving out just one piece would have been deadly for the soldier. He needed all of the protection he could get.
Standing is something that we all do each day. Here, we are commanded by God to stand against the enemy. Hold what you have and don’t give ground to the enemy. When we see the word “stand” in verses 11, 13, and 14, we need to hear Paul pleading with the Ephesians to resist the enemy and hold the ground.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (1508 Holding the Fort)
The hymn with chorus “Hold the fort, for I am coming!” written by P. P. Bliss, was suggested to him by an incident in the American Civil War. At Altoma Pass the fort being held by General Corse was besieged by the enemy under General Hood, who summoned it to surrender. Corse refused to surrender. Many were the casualties, but in spite of the hopeless situation the defenders remained faithful. Then a white signal flag across the valley, some twenty miles away, waved the message, “Hold the fort, for I am coming.” General Sherman was marching to the relief of the beleaguered and faithful defenders.
———————
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.
Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”
2. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on,
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!
3. See the glorious banner waving, Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.
4. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near,
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!
We stand against lies. We stand against deceit. We stand against the same thing that oppressed Adam and Eve, corruption of the truth of God. We have seen this word “wiles” before in Ephesians. Watch out for the ambushes of the enemy!
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
The word “wrestle” is a reference to a struggle. We don’t struggle against the lost people of the world. We don’t struggle with the people who are seeking to speak lies as truth. Ultimately, we struggle against Satan and his angels. Too often we lose sight of the real enemy and miss seeing the hurting, lost people around us as people who need the Gospel.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
The devil reigns in the world, because the world is nothing else than darkness.
Strengthening
2. Standing
2. Standing
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Paul begins the arming of the Christian for battle with the “whole armour”. These are the pieces that would have been the foundation of protection for the soldier. The foundation of a faithful soldier is his identification with the army that he serves in. The truth is God’s truth. The righteousness is God’s righteousness. The Gospel is God’s peace.
There is an illustration that was told by Dr. Goetsch at college. He talked about the drift of the church from where it had been in the past to where it is today.
Dr. G said that if we were to think of the church as being in Boston in the early 1900s, the world was farther west in Pittsburg. The church stood against alcohol. The church stood for morality and for truth. The schools taught creation and people regularly attended church.
Fast forward several decades to the middle of the century, the church is now in Cincinnati and the world is in Chicago. Alcohol is no longer an issue. Morality is being eroded. Prayer is taken from the schools.
Fast forward another couple of years, the church has arrived in St. Louis while the world waits in Denver. People are slowly focusing away from the spiritual to the social. Children and teenagers are engaged in expression and exploration. There is laxity in the preaching of the Word of God in the pulpits of America.
Finally, move to today. The church is in Salt Lake City and the world waits in San Francisco. Abortion, gender identity, and the definition of marriage are “political issues”. What changed? The church chose to move instead of stand. When the church moves, we are simply following the movement of the world away from the intentions and commands of God!
What are these pieces of armour?
Belt of Truth
Belt of Truth
The “belt”, or as some call it, the “girdle”, was a piece of armour that connected to the breastplate and kept it firm in place. The truth here is that which we have chosen to believe. Christ is the Truth. The Word of God tells us truth. However, we must each believe the truth for ourselves. The truth connects all of our armour together. Christ said,
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Breastplate of Righteousness
Breastplate of Righteousness
The breastplate was a piece of armour that covered the chest to protect the vital organs. The righteousness here is not our own righteousness. We have no righteousness. This is the righteousness of Christ. When the enemy sees us, he sees Christ as our substitute. When the King looks at us, He sees a soldier who is clothed in the righteousness of His Son. Our sin has been paid for and washed away. This is what protects us in this spiritual battle.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Shoes of Peace
Shoes of Peace
There is a command here that includes the word “preparation”. This word carries with it the idea of putting your boots on. When we get ready to leave the house, we put on our shoes and grab our hats and coats. Paul says to the Ephesians “Get your shoes on and let’s go tell the world the good news of what Christ has done for us! He loved us and died for us. He opened up a way for all of us to have access to God. There are people dying in their sin. Get your boots on and go tell them!”
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace;
That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation;
That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
These three are passive armour. We, already “having on” these, are to allow the active working of God to give the strength to stand. Do you have these on as a faithful soldier?
Strengthening
Standing
3. Striving
3. Striving
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Paul completes the armour of the Christian with the items that the Christian must take up himself to complete the soldier. These are introduced with the phrase “above all”. Don’t forget the items that complete your protection!
Shield of Faith
Shield of Faith
Whose faith? Our faith. Our faith in what? In Him. The faith that we have in the protection, perfection and providence of God is what is able to stop the doubt and deceit of Satan. This was a shield that covered the body and would have been large enough to block each of the enemies arrows. Without faith, we are unable to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Helmet of Salvation
Helmet of Salvation
The helmet was the piece of the armour that seems to have been one of the last that was placed on before the battle. Perhaps it often diminished eye sight of the field of battle. Perhaps it was heavy and uncomfortable for the wearer. For the Christian, our helmet is His covering. He has saved us through his blood. He has place His helmet on our head!
Yea, truth faileth;
And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey:
And the Lord saw it, and it displeased him
That there was no judgment.
And he saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor:
Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him;
And his righteousness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And an helmet of salvation upon his head;
And he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit
The sword here is the word of God. The Bible is only accessible to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit convicts the sinner of his sin. The Spirit strengthens the Christian and encourages him in the faith. The Bible and the Spirit work in us to cut us so that we may heal better in the pursuit of the high calling of God!
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Strengthening
Standing
Striving
4. Speaking
4. Speaking
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 6:18
It is not armour or weapons which make the warrior. There must be courage and strength; and even then he often needs help. As the Christian has no resources of strength in himself, and can succeed only as aided from above, the apostle urges the duty of prayer.
Supplication is the prayer for needs. We are commanded to pray for the needs of ourselves and others in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives voice to our inner concerns and desires as Paul tells us in Romans.
The faithful soldier will watch and carry on. He is alert when others would be asleep. The battle is difficult. There are many adversaries. But rejoice, brother soldier, for the battle is won! There is no more that we can do to make it any more complete of a victory. All that we can do is to minimize the casualties of the enemy’s army through taking the gospel and ours through diligent prayer for others.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Paul asks for specific prayer for himself. This prayer is not that the trial would pass. Instead, he prays that God would give him the courage and the boldness to continue in the calling that God had given him. He was chosen worthy to suffer and to be imprisoned. You, dear soldier, have been chosen to suffer your own trials. We are praying for you. Please be praying for me. The army of the King is an army that calls for the help of the One who is always the victor. Paul is an ambassador in enemy territory. He speaks for the king!
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Ephesians Ephesians 6:12
Although Satan and his demons rule the world, they do not rule the universe; the stolen kingdom will be regained by Christ
Conclusion
Conclusion
Be strong in Christ and so put on His armour for the fight. The armour is the Lord's. The Sword is the Spirit's. The prayer is to the Lord. God is the one who has won the battle. We are speaking boldly in enemy country.
You, Christian, are an enlisted soldier in the battle whether you fight or flee. Whether you stand or fall, your conduct reflects on your commander. You have been given the armour. You are commanded to call for help. You have victory in sight. Be strong as a soldier must be and see the salvation of God!
At the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy regarding soldiering as well. He commanded Timothy to be strong, not just for a short time, but for his whole ministry. A soldier is called to faithfully holding his post until the victory is realized! Paul certainly was able to say that he had such a testimony.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Unbeliever, you also are in a spiritual battle. However, you are not on the side of the Lord. We find in Ephesians that we are children of disobedience before Christ. Obedience is putting your faith in Christ and His finished sacrifice for you. Obedience is taking His righteousness in place of your wickedness. Obedience is His salvation identifying you as a soldier in His army.
What are you going to do today about this spiritual battle? Are you going to stand up and resist? Are you going to turn and run? Are you going to lay down and hide you face? Paul commands us to “be strong in the Lord.” It is not our strength but His!
