Be Strong
TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:10-13
TITLE: BE STRONG!
INTRODUCTION
v I want to focus on just two words in verse 10. They are the words, “BE STRONG”.
v The words, “BE STRONG” are two simple words yet they are so important.
v FIRST, they are words that form a COMMAND.
Ø There are probably many days when you don’t feel strong.
Ø But being strong is very important in the Christian life.
Ø We need to be strong because of our adversaries.
Ø We need to be strong to safeguard our testimony.
Ø We need to be strong for our families and especially our church family.
v In addition to being a command, they are also words that have HINDSIGHT and FORESIGHT.
Ø These are words LOOK BACK into the rich truths that Paul has already written in this epistle.
§ Looking back in this epistle indicates that IT IS POSSIBLE to be strong!
§ Looking back in this epistle will reveal to us the mechanics of being strong!
Ø They are also words THAT LOOK AHEAD.
§ They look ahead to the conflicts of the Christian life.
· Life has conflicts whether you’re a Christian or not.
§ But Jesus taught us that Christians would have additional conflicts.
§ The words, ‘BE STRONG” should encourage us in our conflicts.
v Let us spend a few moments to look at three aspects of these simple yet most important words, BE STRONG!
1) FIRST, THE WORDS, “BE STRONG” ARE MILITARY WORDS.
a) EVERY believer is enlisted in a battle.
i) It is a battle for your mind, your soul and your testimony.
(1) As the election draws near there is a battle for your mind.
ii) But Paul wrote about the real battle in Romans 7.
23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
iii) The real battle is the battle against sin and it originates in the mind.
b) Paul reveals the real enemy to us. Look again at Eph 6:12.
12For 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.
i) We face a powerful enemy with many allies.
(1) Please notice it says “principalities and powers”-PLURAL!
(2) Peter likened this enemy to a roaring lion that seeks to devour.
ii) We must be strong for the battle.
(1) But our strength will NOT found in ourselves but it will be found in what we do!
c) With that in mind, in what areas do we need to be strong?
i) We need to be strong in character. Look at vs. 14 (integrity-bulletin)
ii) We need to be strong in faith. Look at vs. 16.
iii) We need to be strong in our Bible knowledge. Vs. 17
iv) We need to be strong in prayer. Vs. 18.
2) SECOND, THE WORDS, “BE STRONG” CAN BE MOCKING WORDS
a) It is sometimes possible that good words like these can be meaningless.
b) Maybe the words, “be strong”, mock you today.
i) Perhaps you are feeling especially weak today.
ii) Maybe your trials have you on the ropes and the Devil is getting ready to bite your ear or worse.
iii) Maybe temptation has you standing on the edge of a cliff and all it will take to fall off is the slightest wind.
iv) Maybe you wonder if you can continue to go on.
c) These words continue mock and make fun of you even though you’ve tried with all your heart to be strong.
i) You intended to clean up your language, you intended to tell only clean jokes.
ii) You made a sincere effort to stop worrying.
iii) You made a resolution to stop wounding others with your tongue.
iv) You decided to quit being bitter and unforgiving.
v) You’ve made decision after decision to maintain a good devotional life.
d) Yet the words, “be strong”, continue to mock because you keep failing over and over again.
e) Brethren, DO NOT FEAR! These words have one more aspect that could very well be very liberating for you this day.
3) THIRD, THE WORDS, “BE STRONG” ARE MIRACULOUS WORDS
a) To get a good grip on the magnitude of the miraculous nature of these words, look again at Eph 6:10.
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
b) Some battles are simply too tough for us.
c) Some adversaries are too strong for us.
d) Every battle that has ever been won has been won by strategy.
i) Maybe we are failing because our strategy is wrong.
ii) Maybe we need to consider surrender.
iii) Sometimes it takes surrender in order to win.
(1) Japan surrendered and look it became an economic giant.
(2) Maybe if we surrender our feeble efforts we too can win.
e) Our battle CAN BE WON! We CAN be the disciple Jesus wants us to be.
i) I remember growing up and telling my Dad many times, “I CAN’T”.
ii) We have a powerful savior. Listen to what Jesus Himself said:
18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority (power) has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
iii) We can exchange our weakness for his strength. Listen to what Isaiah said to us:
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
iv) Paul said this in the book of Philippians:
13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
v) The writer of Hebrews said something that should cement the words “be strong” in our hearts:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”
CONCLUSION
· The victory DOES NOT come from sheer ability or will power.
· The victory DOES NOT come religious observance.
· The victory comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.
o If you are defeated would you come to Him right now?
o If you are defeated would you trust Him to help you overcome.
o If you are tired of being beat up by the enemy would you come.
· John wrote and told us that it would be our faith that will overcome the world.
· If you need salvation would you come.
· If you need a church home.
· If you need to rededicate your life.