Take Your Stand

Ephesians 6:10–13 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.

What is a strong Christian? 6:10

I. A strong Christian trusts the Lord.

A. FOR SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

B. FOR STRENGTH ()

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

WE FIND OUR STRENGTH IN THE LORD.

WE ARE BEING STRENGTHENED. BY HIS MIGHT.

II. A STRONG CHRISTIAN OBEYS THE LORD

OBEY WITHOUT QUESTION, JUST DO IT.

OBEY WITHOUT OBJECTION, YOUR OPINION IS NOT NEEDED.

Luke 11:28 NKJV

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

THE BEST DEFINITION OF OBEDIENCE IS: DOING WHAT YOU’RE TOLD TO DO, WHEN YOUR’RE TOLD TO DO IT, AND WITH THE RIGHT HEART ATTITUDE. THIS GOES FOR EVERY AREA OF LIFE. FAMILY LIFE, CHURCH LIFE, AND EMPLOYMENT.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A STRONG CHRISTIAN? (6:11)

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

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

1.PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD - GET READY FOR BATTLE.

2. STAND AGAINST THE SCHEMES (PLOTS) OF THE DEVIL.

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

4. SATAN WOULD LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN TO DESTROY YOUR LIFE

TEA POT ANALOGY : WE PUT IN ON THE BURNER AND IT BOILS AND WHISTLES AND MAKES A FUSS - WHY? BECAUSE THE WATER IS BOILING HOT! THEN WE TAKE IT OFF OF THE FIRE AND IT STOPS WHISTLING, AND AS IT SITS AWAY FROM THE FIRE - IT GETS COLDER AND COLDER. WHEN WE TAKE OURSELVES OUT OF THE FIRE OF GOD, THE SAME HAPPENS TO US, WE GET COLD, APATHETIC, WE GO FROM BOILING HOT, TO LUKE WARM, TO FREEZING COLD. THE HOT BURNER NEVER MOVED, WE MOVED THE KETTLE - JUST THE SAME, GOD NEVER MOVES, WE MOVE AWAY FROM THE FIRE. TO WIN SPIRITUAL BATTLES - WE MUST STAY ON FIRE.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE A STRONG CHRISTIAN? ()

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1. OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST HUMAN FORCES. (WE COULD HANDLE HUMAN FORCES)

EVEN THOUGH SATAN USES PEOPLE IN HIS ATTACKS, IT IS SATAN THAT WE ARE IN BATTLE WITH - NOT INDIVIDUALS.

THINKING LIKE THIS - RUINS RELATIONSHIPS.

BUILDS RACISM BY DIVERTING THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD THAT WE ARE ONE RACE, IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. TO THE TWISTED IDEAS THAT BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF A PERSONS SKIN THEY ARE LESS THAN, OR INADEQUATE. IT BUILDS HATE, AND DISTORTS THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST. EVEN IN THIS TOPIC WE BATTLE SATAN -

OUR FOE - IS SATAN. (TELL SOMEONE BESIDE YOU, YOU’RE NOT THE ENEMY - SATAN IS THE ENEMY.

2.OUR STRUGGLE IS AGAINST DEMONIC FORCES. - WE WRESTLE = COMBAT.

SATAN TRIES TO IMITATE GOD

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 6

So when God became incarnate, Satan, by his demons, took forcible possession of human bodies. Thus the demoniacally possessed were not peculiarly wicked, but miserable, and so fit subjects for Jesus’ pity

THERE IS NO INNOCENT WITCHCRAFT - ALL IS EVIL, A SIN.

DON’T PLAY WITH THE DEVIL AND EXPECT HEAVEN.

OUR BATTLE IS AGAINST SUCH FORCES THAT RULE THIS CURRENT AGE - THE HERE AND NOW. WE ARE IN A BATTLE

THESE DEMONIC FORCES ARE ACTIVE AND FIGHTING WITH ALL MIGHT AGAINST THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IF YOU CLAIM CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR - YOU ARE IN THIS BATTLE. FIGHT!

THE FIGHT IS ON OH CHRISTIAN SOLDIER, AND FACE TO FACE IN STERN ARRAY, WITH ARMOR GLEAMING AND COLORS STREAMING, THE RIGHT AND WRONG ENGAGE TODAY. THE FIGHT IS ON BUT BE NOT WEARY. BE STRONG AND IN HIS MIGHT HOLD FAST. IF GOD BE FOR US, HIS BANNER OVER US. WE WILL SING THE VICTORY SONG ONE DAY.

THE RULE OF THIS AGE, IS TEMPORARY. THE PROMISE OF GOD IS ETERNAL - AND THE BATTLE WILL END FOR THE FAITHFUL/

ONE DAY THE SKY WILL SPLIT AND THOSE PURCHASED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB WILL BE CALLED AWAY TO BE WITH THE LORD.

THOSE THAT REMAIN WILL FEEL THE FULL WRATH AND RULE OF SATAN AND HELL ON EARTH.

THEN AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD - WE WILL LIVE IN PERFECT PEACE WITH GOD ALMIGHTY AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE SON OF GOD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST -

AS WE CLAIM OUR FINAL VICTORY OVER SATAN.

WHEN SHOULD YOU BE A STRONG CHRISTIAN ? ()

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

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.

RIGHT NOW - DO ALL YOU CAN DO.

TAKE UP THE ARMOR OF GOD - NOW.

MAYBE YOU’VE LAID IT DOWN, PICK IT BACK UP.

GOD MADE THE ARMOR - ALL YOU DO IS TAKE IT UP.

STOP TRYING TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN.

STOP FIGHTING BATTLES ALONE.

YOU MUST HAVE THE STRENGTH OF GOD TO DEFEAT SATAN.

RETURN TO GOD - NOW.

HAVING DONE ALL (TO BECOME A WARRIOR OF CHRIST)

TAKE YOUR STAND.

TAKE YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE IN THE ARMY OF GOD

LAY ASIDE DEFEAT - AND PICK UP THE PROMISE OF VICTORY

STAND ON THE PROMISE OF GOD, AND STOP LISTEN TO SATAN

BE STRONG - IN HIS STRENGTH

IN HIS POWER

IN HIS MIGHT

IN HIS PROVISION

BE STRONG - FIGHT - AND FIGHT TO WIN.

CLOSING:

HAVE YOU DONE ALL TO STAND WITH GOD

ARE YOU UNDER ATTACK RIGHT NOW - PRAY AND FIGHT

ARE YOU TRUSTING THE LORD FOR YOUR SALVATION?