Hello My Name Is Victorious
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsAll Christians can go into battle in full armor because weapons against us.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Stuff
Stuff
Family from Paradise
New Bible Reading Plan
Intro
Intro
Jab 1:
Jab 1: Superbowl of defense:
Jab 1: Superbowl of defense:
Defense wins championships...
Jab 2: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Dynomite
Jab 2: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Dynomite
Transition
Transition
We have spent nearly 10 weeks examining Paul’s declarations about our identity here in the book of Ephesians. We have seen the way we are chosen, empowered, and now members of a new kingdom…and as members of the kingdom of God, we are to assume the role of a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When you take an identity, especially when that identity is as a part of a community, you not only take on the fellowship of the community but also the opposition of the enemies of that community.
Also true, is that in this identity and community we have defenses to combat this opposition. Here as we near the end of Ephesians Paul speaks to the enemy, the attacks, and the defenses we have on our side.
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.
Ephesians 6:10-20
The Enemy Isn’t and Is
The Enemy Isn’t and Is
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.
Eph 6:10-
Strength for defense isn’t human
We are to stand (Roman armor)
Strength isn’t human, neither is the enemy
Strength isn’t human...neither is the enemy
Weapons of Lies (belt)
Weapons of Lies (belt)
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:14-
The belt for a Roman soldier was about far more than keeping his pants up. The belt encompassed the whole waist, supported the armor of the lower body, and was the place where the scabbard would hang.
Satan will lie about our identity, our defense is in the truth.
If you look back at your bulletin covers from this series and then consider the opposite, those are the ideas Satan will go with in bold and subtle ways:
Loved? No, Rejected.
Chosen? No, Condemned.
Adopted? No, Alone.
Minister? No, Useless.
With others:
With others:
Whenever you are angry, these same things play out:
He always…
She never...
They meant...
Truth about you:
Truth about you:
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 peter
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
The whole book of Ephesians…!
Something you may feel as we go along is that there is a lot of overlap. All the defenses involve going back to the truth. All the attacks involve lies.
Weapons of Position (breastplate)
Weapons of Position (breastplate)
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Satan will attack your intimacy with God, the righteousness of Christ is your defense.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:1
Satan is not lying about Eve, but about God. Every word designed to make her question who God is, and if He is good.
This is why misreading or misunderstanding verses out of context is so damaging…and easy to do
This is why misreading or misunderstanding verses out of context is so damaging…and easy to do
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
All amazing verses with powerful truth…in their right context. All proof texts the devil will use to destroy a person’s relationship with Jesus. He lied about all things...
Weapons of Apathy (shoes)
Weapons of Apathy (shoes)
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Eph 6:15
I’m a sports fan, I am a loyal sports fan, but I am not always at the same level of passion. I have learned to scale my passion according to performance. When I have reason to be excited about the Ducks, the Timbers, or the Blazers, I am all in. Buy me the tshirt! When they are mediocre…I’ll watch or not…I let other things become more significant.
Satan will attack your zeal for Christ and his mission, a clear view of the gospel is your defense.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Romans 12:9-
Weapons of Doubt (shield)
Weapons of Doubt (shield)
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Eph 6:
Back in our series in Colossians, I told the story of the sirens. Greek mythical creatures with a beautiful song which would cause sailors to lose their minds and plunge off the ship to their death.
2 responses:
Odysseus who wanted to hear and plugged his sailors ears and had himself tied to the mast
and Then there was the trip of Jason in which he was advised to bring Orpheus...
Satan will attack your confidence, Faith in a great hope (sweeter song) is our defense.
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs
Our hope is in:
A God who is good
A God who loves
A God who redeems
A God who restores
A God who has the power to give us
A God who gives wisdom
Here is the problem with doubt and why we must defend:
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
(context of trials!)
James 1:5-
Doubt won’t stop God offering the wisdom…it’s right in his word. It will stop that wisdom from getting to our heads and our hearts.
Weapons of Will (helmet)
Weapons of Will (helmet)
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Eph 6:
Satan will attack your will (choices), remaining fixed on eternity is our defense.
These come in two primary ways:
This action doesn’t matter
This inaction doesn’t matter
Nerd moment. When I was a youth pastor…Batman…is he a superhero? Their answer, based on the whole picture given in the comics is yes. His power? Will. Superhuman will to take action once he has chosen a course. I could get really nerdy with examples, but I’ll spare you.
It is easy to set a course. Far harder to take concrete action.
But without the will to press in, all the planning on earth means nothing.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 cor 4:16-18
Again we find our answer in the truth of scripture. We set our eyes on the greatest hope of all, the greatest event the world will ever see: the coming of eternity. There will be a day…So our actions, our will should be bent toward that day.
Take up arms (sword and knees)
Take up arms (sword and knees)
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.
But the church is not called to defend a position, but rather we are told that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church of Jesus.
Eph 6:17-
Our weapons are the Word and prayer.
I go back to the same passage we were just in. The reason the word and prayer matter so much is their role as the two things we have in this life firmly planted in eternity.
In fact, nothing I have said today has come from the mist. In each point I have gone to scripture. I have gone to the sword of the Spirit. You see the maker of the armor and the maker of the weapons are the same. The material is the same.
We don’t have to defend the lion. It’s actually a silly idea to even consider it....
But our enemy is not flesh and blood...
Defend the
So I go to battle with my mind on His word and my knees on the floor.
I go against the right enemy.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Fear is the trait of the unprepared soldier.
Apathy is the trait of someone who doesn’t realize they are in a battle at all.
We are not to be caught either unaware or unprepared. Neither should we be worried. We are engaged in a battle in which we know the outcome. And in that hope and confidence we walk unafraid and “strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”