Ephesians: For His Glory (8)
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Ephesians: For His Glory
Ephesians: For His Glory
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Two Forces are addressed in the fight:
Believers - Those who are followers of Christ-Those who have been made alive by God’s mercy and grace, and now live in this new life.Believers have equipment for warfare, and Devil, Spiritual Forces of Evil- work against the believer through schemes of doubting the work of God; in an attempt to remove worship from God.
What: Believers are called To be strong in the Lord6:10. Paul exhorted believers to be strong in the Lord and in the might (kratei, “power that overcomes resistance” as used in Christ’s miracles) of God’s inherent strength (ischyos; cf. “the power [kratous] of His inherent strength” [ischyos] in 1:19). Hence believers can be strengthened not only by the person of the Lord but also by His resources (cf. Phil. 4:13).We are called to stand in the right strength: Not in our own might nor power- But is the Strength of God who has Defeated our enemyGod told Joshua- To be strong and courageous Josh 1:9, Deut 31:6 Christians cannot stand on their own against the superhuman powers, they must rely upon the strength of the Lord’s mightStrength is Because of Grace- 2 Tim 2:1 Because of God’s Strength we can overcome the Evil one- 1John 2:14Phil 4:11-13: Paul reminds he believer that no matter what situation we may face, We can continue to stand through the strength of God.
The Christian’s Strength
Through out this letter Paul the Author who is in chains has been taking us through the steps of Christian faith:
We began with us being far from Christ not knowing things of God or how t o walk in a Godly manner.
But God predestined for us Adoption as His own
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
What did our adoption look like?
Eph 2:1-10 shows us what are life was like before and what it looks like now
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Before Christ we where dead spiritually dead, and we were not inclined or responsive toward God, and we had no ability to please God
Sins and Trespasses were the definitive qualities that defended us
Eph 2:4 “But God”- Just when things look the most desolate, Paul utters the greatest short phrase in the history of human speech: “But God!” rich in mercy. God’s mercy on his helpless enemies flows from his own loving heart, not from anything they have done to deserve it.
This is God’s answer to people in a dreadful situation- Mercy: God compassion for the helpless that relieves their situation- We were dead but God
With this Great Redemption that has taken Place; the Church is established- The place were sinners are now saints, those who were dead now alive
This New Redeemed Life changes Everything:
Our problem isn't getting people in the world to live like Christians, but getting Christians to stop living like the world.
Our lives should be “walked in a way that is worthy of the calling “From death to Life”
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Paul goes on to show how we live our faith as Children of Light rather than walking in Darkness in our interactions with each other, in relationships between husbands wives, children and parents and even work relationships- Boss and employee
Then Comes this last part- Eph 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul Closes this letter with Be strong (Eph 6:10)
Be strong because there is a battle- in our relationship, in our marriages, in our minds, in our everyday life
We are called to be strong in the Lord- it is a strength that is outside of us
Charles Simeon wrote, “ It is no easy matter to stem the tide of corrupt nature, to controul the impetuous passions, to root out inveterate habits, to turn the current of our affections from the things of time and sense to things invisible and eternal. To renew and sanctify our hearts, and to transform them into the Divine image, is a work far beyond the power of feeble man; yet is it indispensably necessary to his salvation.
If We are to stand we need to be prepared
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 6
Because Christians cannot stand on their own against superhuman powers, they must rely upon the strength of the Lord’s own might (see 1:19), which he supplies chiefly through prayer (6:18)
What is our battle against?
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.
The Schemes of the Devil- Who is the Devil?
Devil simply means “Slanderer” or “Adversary”, “One Who tempts”
There are many names and meaning s for the Devil, and there are many religions and languages, tribes of people that believe in this evil being- Demons are also very much believed in.
The important thing is that there is an adversary who has schemes
So what are the Schemes which the devil uses to make us fall?
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Temptation is a scheme of the Devil
It is important to understand where temptations begins
Often times we act as if we have no control over ourselves or our actions
Maybe you have heard “The Devil made me Do it.”
Paul gives us a hint about temptations in Eph 4:26-27
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
When we are tempted what we do matters
We can give a foothold or we can Stand Firm in the Strength of the Lord.
Temptation is the doorway for the Devil, but we are the ones who open it for him
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Temptations come in many forms: Anger- we can chose to stand firm and forgive those who trespass against and walk in the way of Christ, or give in and allow it to lead to death
Sexual temptations- You can chose to stand firm and turn to God with the struggle or you can allow your self to be dragged away
Greed, Covetousness, filthy talk- all of these Paul as addressed in this letter
When we turn to God we are able to resits and overcome temptations
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Paul in Eph 6:12 list all of the Devil’s allies
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.
The Spiritual Forces of Evil who are exceedingly powerful in their exercises of Comic powers over this present darkness- Yet scripture makes clear that this enemy host is no Match for God, who has:
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
We turn to the one who has overcome; the one who has the strength to help us stand
Our Enemies are superhuman, spiritual forces, so we cannot rely on ourselves we must turn to the one who has overcome
And through His Grace we can stand
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Bad things happen in this world, but we as Believers can take heart because our battle is not against flesh and blood but and against the rules and authorities over this present darkness; and Our God and has overcome, and He has given us the weapons to overcome.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”