Ephesians # 35 Eph 6-17 thru 6-18a
We’re going to continue on the Book of Ephesians. Today we’re going to finish with the ARMOR. So let’s pick up were we left off last time.
I. EPH 6:17
A. 1st of all Paul tells us to “Take the Helmet of Salvation.”
1. This can not refer to Salvation in the sense of getting saved.
a. Paul’s writing to Christians, those that are already saved, and it’s only Christians that can Put on this Armor.
2. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) Says, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” KJV
a. The HELMET covers the HEAD which is the SOUL.
i. Notice that Paul says here that the BREASTPLATE which covers the CHEST is FAITH, Then he makes a very important statement “HOPE is the HELMET.”
ii. Now FAITH is of your SPIRIT, and HOPE is of your MIND.
b. Really your MIND and your SPIRIT work together.
3. (Hebrews 11:1) Says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” KJV
a. You hope with your mind, but when you put faith with it from your spirit it gives that HOPE substance.
i. Faith from your spirit will take what’s in your mind and give it substance.
ii. Faith gives Hope Substance.
b. It’s important that you NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.
i. The Devil will try to get you to LOSE HOPE.
ii. He will try to bring in DISCOURAGEMENT. Sickness, Debt, Unsaved loved ones, the different Trials, Tribulations, and Problems that you face.
B. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and on His Word and NOT on what the Devil is doing.
1. If you keep your eyes on Jesus and on His Word you will not lose hope.
a. Never give up or Lose HOPE, faith will give Substance to the things that you HOPE for.
2. So what is the HELMET of SALVATION?
a. It is a Helmet to protect your mind from the attack of the enemy; (like discouragement), so that you don’t lose Hope.
i. The enemy will also try to attack is with impure thoughts, which will ware down your mind and spirit.
b. You protect your mind and your HOPE through the Word of God, by keeping your eyes on Jesus and by thinking on the things that are pure, just, holy.
II. Again (Ephesians 6:17) says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” KJV
A. Before we can talk about the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, we need to look at some of the other swords that were used at that time.
1. The Barbarians that came against the Romans used a sword that was very large.
a. They were very long, very wide and very heavy.
i. The soldiers that used this sword would have to carry it on their shoulder.
ii. Many times the sword was so large that 2 men had to carry it.
b. They would swing this sword around and it would kill anyone in its range.
i. But it had some problems, 1st it left you off balance; 2nd it took time to get prepared to use this sword, you had to lean back and start to swing the sword.
c. This would leave you vulnerable in 2 ways, Someone could stab you before you ever got your momentum and if you did begin to swing the sword and your opponent ducked he could stab you when your back was turned.
2. Another sword that was used was 1 that had a sharp point, but the sides were not sharp.
a. This sword was lighter, but it was only good for STABBING.
i. If someone moved out of the way, you had to pull back and stab again. This would leave you defenseless for a second or 2.
3. Another sword was 1 that was sharp only on 1 side.
a. This sword could also be used for battle, but you could only swing in 1 direction.
B. But the SWORD that Paul was talking about here is from the Greek word “MACHAIRA.”
1. It was a Roman Sword and 1 of the greatest inventions of that day.
a. It was only about 18” long. It had a sharp point, but it also had 2 sharp edges.
b. When the Barbarians and the Romans were about to enter into battle, the Barbarians would laugh at the Roman soldiers because of their small swords.
i. But the Romans got the last laugh as they walked away in victory.
2. The WORD OF GOD is this sword.
a. (Hebrews 4:12) says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”
b. No matter which way the Devil jumps, you can get him. No matter which direction he comes at you, you can still get Him.
C. Jesus said, “It is written,” when He faced the Satan, and that’s what we are to do.
1. No matter which way the Devil attacks, no matter which way he goes, we can get him with the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
a. Usually, we think of a sword as being an offensive weapon, (A weapon to attack with), But it can also be used as a defensive weapon, Using the sword to stop the enemies attacks.
2. Turn with me to REV 1:16 (This is talking about Jesus)
a. There is Power in the Word of God, but that Power is released when we speak it.
3. Go back with me to EPH 6:17
a. Paul says that the “sword of the Spirit, is the Word (RHEMA) of God.
b. The word “RHEMA” means more than just words.
i. It is the Word of God which comes by knowledge and understanding.
ii. It is a revelation of God’s Word.
c. (Revelation 12:11) Says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word (Rhema) of their testimony.” KJV
i. Look at what Paul told Timothy in 2TIM 2:15
ii. We need to study the Word of God so that we can use it effectively.
III. EPH 6:18
A. All too often people end with (V 17) when talking about the weapons of our warfare, But pray is a very important part of our artillery.
1. Never give up on prayer.
a. Jesus Said in (Matthew 21:22) “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” KJV
B. If you want victory over the enemy PUT ON YOUR ARMOR, BUT DON’T FORGET YOUR WEAPONS.
THURS. WOLCC 12/26/96