Preparing to Fight

Introduction:

We’ve all seen these ads that promote a big fight that is coming up and is going to be televised. Now, I have to admit that this is not my cup of tea. I’m not much into boxing or MMA fights. However, when these fights are publicized, there is a period of training and preparation that both contestants go through in order to get ready.

They don’t just show up and fight. In fact, this is generally true for just about every sport that is a competitive sport where you compete against someone and are not trying to get a personal best type of score.

It is also true for the church. We are in a fight whether we like it or not.

Ephesians 6:10–13 ESV

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.

Remember that Paul is in prison when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. He is most likely regularly around a soldier who has him under house arrest.

However, Paul is not just alluding to the Roman soldier’s armor in this passage, but also in several Old Testament passages relating to God’s armor (Is. 59:17) and the Messiah’s armor (Is. 11:4-5).

1. Know Your Strength to Fight (v.10)

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

His Strength, Not Ours

Be Strong “in the Lord” and the strength of “his might”

We cannot win in our own strength or we would not have needed Jesus in the first place

We are fighting to finish the race well

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2. Know Who We Fight (vv.11-12)

Ephesians 6:11–12 ESV

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.

Take a glimpse at the full army we face

Illustration:

I know that we’ve all scene some of the classic movie battle scenes.

What makes these scenes so amazing is to see the armies lined up to face off against each other and we get to see what the army of good guys is up against.

You get to see the faces of the enemy as they wait to storm the battle field. You get to take a glimpse at the strength of the enemy.

Well as believers, we need to also take an assessment of our enemy and see his strength and what he looks like.

Satan

Name means accuser or slanderer

Devil - slanderer

Rulers

Authorities

Cosmic Powers

Spiritual Forces of Evil

There seems to be a ranking of Satan’s forces and there are some pretty nasty ones in his army, but there are two things to remember when we battle.

We do not fight against flesh and blood.

Neither Satan, nor his demons are any match for God

They can only do what God allows

Martin Luther famously said, “The devil is God’s devil.”

3. Know How We Fight (vv.11, 13)

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

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

We must put on our armor in the Lord

1 Samuel 17:38–40 ESV

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

David tried to fight with Saul’s armor but it didn’t fit and were not battle tested for him

We have an armor that fits us perfectly, it’s called the armor of God, but if we don’t use it, we will be encumbered and will not be victorious

There is a repetition here to take up the whole armor of God so that we might be able to withstand in the the evil day.

Paul says that we are to have done all - meaning we are to do all that we can, but then we are to stand firm in the Lord as well.

Conclusion

Are you battle tested?

Are you weary from fighting?

Have you suffered from friendly-fire? Or have you been hit by the enemy?

Have you been trying to fight the wrong enemy or in your own strength?

Tonight, you can put on the whole armor of God and you will be able ot finish your race and stand firm in the faith.