Prepared For Battle

Introduction

This morning we come to third part of . Paul has been telling us how we should live our lives.

As followers of Jesus our lives should be different. The way we walk and talk should not look the same as those in the world around us. So when we get to verse 10 we read:

Ephesians 6:10 NIV84

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Paul is going to tell us there are three things we need to know about being strong in the Lord.

First we need put on the proper armor. We need to use the right tools for the job (verses 11, 13-17).

Next we need to know where the real battle is and who it is against (verse 12).

And finally, we need to understand how prayer changes the battle and the tools of the battle.

Ephesians 6:11 NIV84

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Put on the Full Armor of God

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Put on the Full Armor of God

The reason we put on the full armor of God is so we can stand against the devil’s schemes.

That is where the real battle is.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV84

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The Real Battle!

The battle is not mankind verses mankind (or flesh against flesh). No the battle is a spiritual battle.

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if we could see the spiritual dimension? gives us a glimpse of the battle.

First, we are our battle is against “rulers” (which emphasizes the authority of these powers), and authorities (which emphasizes the strength of these powers).

The second thing we notice is that these rulers and authorities are powers of this dark world (this emphasizes their world wide influence).

And the third thing we note is that they are spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (there are two things to note: firsts, note their evil character. Second, note they come into the presence of God. Satan is referred to as the Accuser of the brothers in Revelation 12:10.

Revelation 12:10 NIV84

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Revelation 12:10

This is the battle that you and I are involved in. You may not recognize it, you may not realize it, but it is the battle—and it is a strong, fierce battle!

How do we stand in such a battle? By fighting with the proper tools. Wearing the right armor.

Ephesians 6:13–17 NIV84

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Put on the FULL armor of God

First, I want you to notice that we put on the armor so that when the day of evil comes. . . Every one of us will face a battle. Every one of us will face a day of evil. When our trials, temptation, struggle—our day of evil comes we will be prepared to stand our ground, because we have done everything to prepare us to stand our ground.

Belt of truth

The first piece mentioned is the belt. For a man of Paul’s day, the belt was used to tuck the excess robe in when someone needed to run or “fight.”

Here the belt is the belt of truth. In , Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Breastplate of righteousness

Right living before God protects us. It keeps us from being open to the influences of the enemy. So it can protect our vital organs, or vital systems.

Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace

The Romans wore a sandals were made with spikes that could be pushed into the ground to keep them from being pushed back.

The gospel message keeps us from caving into temptation. The gospel message keeps us from moving towards temptation. The gospel message keeps us from moving toward the enemy.

Shield of faith

The Roman shield was a huge shield that could block arrows while protecting the person. When deployed with other warriors, the entire group could continue to advance under the protective shield.

Our shield of faith keeps out the attacks that seek to discredit God. Attacks like fear, and doubt. From the very beginning, Satan has questioned God’s Word, God’s goodness, and God’s salvation. Faith helps protects us from the attacks of the enemy and allows us to keep advancing the Kingdom of God.

Helmet of Salvation

I like this picture because deliverance is always a choice (mental or cognitive) that we make. We choose to trust in God rather than to trust in ourselves.

Putting my confidence in God actually saves me because it protects my thinking. This is especially true when I am under attack.

The Sword of the Spirit—Sword of God’s Word

This is the only offensive piece of equipment that we are given.

The Greek word used here describes a short sword or “dagger” used for close combat, to stab or thrust. It was generally a double-edged and effect when the enemy was close.

I’ve heard this described as the Bible—The Bible is our sword. However, the Greek word used here is rhēma which means “utterance” or “spoken word.” So when we are in the battle we are to swing our swords by speaking—or proclaiming God’s Word.

Jesus gave us this very example in when He was tempted by Satan.

That means you and I must KNOW God’s Word so that we can speak it when we are under attack!

Pray, Pray, Pray

Paul tells the church at Ephesus (and us) to pray.

Ephesians 6:18

Ephesians 6:18–20 NIV84

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

First we are told to pray in the Spirit. We are to pray consistent with the desires of God.

Next we are to pray on all occasions. There is NOTHING that we should not take before the Lord God.

Then we are to pray with all kinds of prayers and requests. Paul reminds us that we are simply talking to God!

Then we are told to be alert—we should not be lulled to sleep. There have been so many times that I’ve been lulled to sleep thinking, “God’s not really interested in this!”

Finally, we are to pray for all the saints! And Paul asks for some special prayer for himself. This is what I would ask you to pray for me as your pastor:

(1) That whenever I open my mouth God’s Words might come out.

(2) That I would fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

(3) That I might declare God’s message fearlessly.

Conclusion:

Today we need to recognize the real battle. It is not here between us. It is not between husband and wife, parent and child, employee and employer. It is not between Republican or Democrat.

No the battle is between God’s godly forces and Satan’s evil forces. The battle is won or lost by believers—followers of Jesus Christ—you and I being involved in the battle! And by you and I becoming prayer warriors!

So understand what the battle really is all about.

Put on the full armor of God!

And Pray, Pray, Pray!

You know, we are in this battle today because Jesus went to the cross.