Ephesians 6:10-12 Sermon 2nd draft

Scripture

Ephesians 6:10–12 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.

Introduction

The spiritual battle must be fought with God's strength and with God's armor.

There is a spiritual battle that is real and yet elusive.

The spiritual battle -- must be fought with God's strength and with God's armor.

Real because we have come to believe in God’s word and it reveals to us a God who lives. A God who is sovereign and in control.

It reveals that there are angels that are servants of God. Who serve the purposes of God.

It also reveals the demonic. Satan and his army of angels who were cast down because of rebellion against God.

This is true but it is a truth that is elusive. Many believe that this is a myth. Atheist claim nothing that is outside of the material universe.

Evidences of this spiritual battle can be seen however in the world.

Everyone is hard wired with a moral law and we all see evil, not only being committed, but being championed by hearts that have grown calloused to shame and reservation.

Evil comes from an evil heart. Temptation comes from the demonic that stirs that evil heart to do evil deeds.

So what God has done is He has chosen a people who had stony hearts, evil hearts and He has given them a new heart.

To those whom He has given new hearts, He has given them the means to fight against the schemes of the enemy.

But temptation continues because it comes from the devil and he continues to work in the world. Deceiving man and tempting the people of God.

Since there is a spiritual battle that is real, Paul shows us where to go for strength to come against the devil’s schemes and he shows us what to put on when faced against it.

3 Points

1: The source of our strength for battle (v. 10)

2: What we are to put on for the battle (v.11)

3: Who we are to wrestle against in this battle (v.12)

1: The source of our strength for battle (v.10)

The spiritual battle must be fought with God's strength.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

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

Paul uses the word finally as a way to begin the ending of his letter.

In most of the letters he wrote, he added “brothers” after saying “finally.”

In most of the letters he wrote, he added “brothers” after saying “finally.”

It was a term where Paul was specifically wanting their attention to the point he was about to make. He wanted believers to pay close attention to what he was about to write.

He wanted believers to pay close attention to what he was about to write.

He would then tell believers to be “strong in the Lord.”

Notice that Paul doesn’t say be strong in God. Or strong in Christ. He says “be strong in the Lord.”

Lor

Paul uses Lord 23 times in Ephesians and 16 times when speaking of Jesus.

Paul’s use of it here makes sense since he is addressing the reality of our battle as believers.

The term Lord is used to describe someone who possesses and exercises power and authority.

and to whom respect is thus ascribed. Several Hebrew and Greek terms are represented in English translations by “lord” and “master,” with reference to both human masters as well as God and Christ.

An example can be found in Ephesians 1:16-23.

Ephesians 1:16–23 ESV

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Paul is exhorting believers to find their strength in Jesus because:

Jesus was raised from the dead.

Jesus was seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places.

Jesus is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.

Jesus has a name above every name that is named.

Jesus was given all things and all things are under his feet.

Jesus is head over all things in the church, which is his body.

We can be strong in the Lord. In the one who has all power and authority.

Paul continues to add “the strength of his might.”

Which means that the “strength” (power to determine and govern) of His “might”(actual possession of power, ) will strengthen you for battle.

Paul points to the one who possesses power and has the power to determine and govern so that you can be strong.

That is what being Lord means when speaking of Jesus Christ.

This is the source of our strength. Especially when we come against spiritual forces.

We must go to the one who has all power and authority first when coming against spiritual forces.

James understood this in

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submitting ourselves under the Lordship of Jesus Christ first is the way to resist and fight against the devil.

Notice:

it doesn’t start with finding out which demon.

it doesn’t start with binding and loosening.

It doesn’t start with calling someone else for help.

It doesn’t start with a word study on demons or satan.

It starts with finding your strength in Him because He ultimately has all authority and control. Even over the demonic realm.

Paul before going anywhere else with spiritual battle starts with God and our need to find strength in Him.

The spiritual battle must be fought with God’s strength because it is God’s strength that allow us to stand against the enemy.

Psalm 121 ESV

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Where does your help come from? It comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth who rules over heaven and earth. Who dermi

2: What we are to put on for the battle (v.11)

Our strength to do battle comes from

The spiritual battle must be fought with God's strength and with God's armor.

Ephesians 6:11 ESV

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