Ephesians 6:10-23; A Fighting Family

Sermon in a sentence: I will be ready for spiritual warfare.

Introduction

The Patriot - Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) does not want to be a part of the Revolutionary War. He does not want to trade one tyrant 3,000 miles away for 3,000 tyrants one mile away. His son Gabriel is captured by the British and taken to be executed. While apprehending Gabriel from the family home, the British army kills one of Martin’s other sons and burns the family home to the ground. Benjamin then runs up stairs and grabs his weaponry from a chest. He takes his other two sons to rescue Gabriel.

The Christian life is a spiritual battle. It doesn’t matter how much we want to stay out of the fighting, we are in spiritual warfare. And like the Martins, every member of the family must be ready to fight. Paul just finished the household code in 5:22-6:9. Now, after addressing each member of the house (Father, Mother, Children, Slaves), he tells them about the fight they are in.

Our Thinking (vs. 10-12)

Paul begins by giving the Ephesians an imperative in the passive voice. “Be strengthened” - ἐνδυναμυσθε. We are to be strengthened not in our own power but in the armor of God.

Notice, the devil has plans and he schemes. He is not lazy, neither should be!

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Our enemies are not merely human opposition. We fight against spiritual forces and spiritual death.

We must be careful to not fall into two extremes.

Everything is the devil. Remember Kenneth Copeland’s airplane full of demons.

There is merely intellectual or logical issues.

Our Tools (vs. 13-17)

Our armor is like the armor that God himself wears. He is our example and our strength (vs. 10) (Isaiah 59:17 “17 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.”)

1 Thessalonians 5:8 ESV

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Truth - upholds the Christian life

Righteousness -

Readiness to evangelize -

Shield of Faith-

Helmet of Salvation -

Sword of the Spirit - only offensive weapon

Revelation 1:16 “16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.”

Our Tactics (vs. 18-20)

Constant prayer in the Spirit

Praying Scripture

Praying together in prayer meetings

Keep alert with perseverance

Preaching the gospel

Paul’s defense in court

The believer’s proclamation to the lost world.

Our Team (vs. 21-23)

The church at large - the Ephesians may know how Paul is.

Tychicus - a beloved brother and coworker.

How wonderful to be called a beloved brother.

An encourager

The Triune God!

Conclusion

Application

Take inventory this week and seek to be strengthened by God’s Spirit and our exercise.

Pray - James 1:5 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Find a beloved brother or sister to encourage you and for you to encourage