Stand Firm
Notes
Transcript
So, how have you been doing memorizing this passage, beginning with Ephesians 6:10? Would anyone like to stand and recite it?
I’ll give you a hint - this will be the easiest one - because next week - it’s two verses, then three, then four....
(If we have a video - this would be a great place to include it.)
This week, your challenge is to memorize Ephesians 6:10-11. Let’s read this out loud together.
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.
The whole uniform
As you may know, our kids have been attending Washington Christian Academy for most or all of their elementary, middle, and high school years. There are a ton of good things about the school - Christian worldview, academic rigor, a good community - but one of the surprising good things is their uniforms. Now, their uniforms are not anything super special. There are a variety of shirt options - white, blue, yellow, black, burgundy, pink, polo, oxford, sweater. The shirts all have some form of the school’s logo on them. There are even some options for pants or shorts for everyone and skirts or skorts (shorts that look like skirts) for the girls.
Now, I know it seems like a uniform is a weird benefit - but one thing it does is that it takes some of the guesswork and comparison out of choosing clothing. You don’t have to have the latest styles that is hitting the stores - you simply have to be fully clothed in the appropriate attire.
That is - until COVID. In the spring - the school was working to adjust to going online and did a rather good job at it - but didn’t require much from the kids by way of attire. Some would come in pajamas, others would be in whatever clothes they felt comfortable with. It didn’t matter too much how they looked.
As the new school year started, they determined that all of the learning would happen online in a true class-like setting. Cameras on and the students had to wear the uniform tops - since that was the only part of the uniform that would be seen on camera. For the first few days of school - several of the kids felt so odd with only their uniform tops on that they would wear the entire uniform - top and bottom. It seemed to bring back some form of normalcy. It may have helped them realize that this virtual school was real. It may have truly helped them to get into school mode and learn.
A partial uniform for some of them simply felt insufficient.
As we continue looking at The Real War We Wage in Ephesians 6, we’re going to begin discussing the armor of God. We won’t dive into the details of the armor just yet but rather the why behind donning the armor.
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.
Today, as we consider this next segment in the passage that we’re studying, it seemed appropriate to simply discuss the verse at hand (Eph. 6:13) in small segments and ponder the implications. In your notes, you’ll notice that rather than having an outline, you simply have this verse (and some blanks) divided up into different segments.
Let’s dive in...
Therefore ,
Therefore ,
- Paul is taking us back to the verses that we discussed last week focusing on the reality of spiritual warfare. Remember - whenever we see a “therefore” we should be prompted to ask, “what is it there for?”.
Last week we considered the reality of spiritual warfare and the fact that our enemy is real but not visible, that God has given us the armor we need to engage in this warfare and that we should find strength in who God is and in what he has done for us.
Remember - our enemies are not our neighbors or the opposing political party - our enemy is the devil and his legions
Remember - our weapons are not the weapons of this world - some of their weapons can be put to good use, but we have to be careful - social media, signs, human methods may not be the best ways to engage in the battle with our real enemy - as so much of that messaging can be misconstrued and misunderstood.
Remember - our strength is not in the lies that the deceiver wants to fill our minds with - but in the truth of God’s word - who we are in Christ and all the blessings that we have in him. In case you’ve forgotten, just go back and re-read the first three chapters of Ephesians.
So, therefore, because we are in this spiritual war...
take up the whole armor of God
take up the whole armor of God
This first pair of words, take up, can be translated “put on” like we would put on a garment, or “take along” as in something that we would bring with us on a journey. The idea here is that we must take the initiative with the armor. God has supplied it, but we must take advantage of it. This verb is not a passive verb that simply happens to us whether or not we do anything with it - it’s an active verb - something we must do. Not only that - it’s an imperative verb - a command - something we must do.
We need to think if it a bit like we would a school uniform or a uniform for a team that we’re playing for. In many ways - the vast number of elements in the armor of God is sort of like the pads, helmet, uniform, and shoes that we might find on an organized football or lacrosse team. Imagine what it would be like for the women’s lacrosse team at the high school to be scheduled to play, but one of the players came in only street clothes. Not only would that player be out of place, but she would be in danger of getting hurt.
The command is to put on or take up the whole armor of God.
Not just part of it. Not just the parts that seem comfortable or easy, but the whole armor of God.
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,
Now - this armor of God is metaphorical. As Christians, we don’t have special belts or shirts or hats or shoes. Paul is trying to help us see that God has given us what we need in this battle. God has provided our resources - if we would only take advantage of this.
We will look at each of these in detail over the next few weeks, but let’s consider these briefly:
The Belt of Truth - What role does a belt play? For some of us - a belt may be sort of decorative. For others - it’s a source of security confidence. We know that our pants aren’t going to fall down. For some of us - it provides a place to hold things - cell phones, microphone transmitters, pocket knives, keys, etc. For soldiers in the first century - the belt would have helped to keep the armor together and would have been a resource for securing weapons. Think about this - the truth that we have in God’s Word - is one of the elements of this armor that defends us against lies of the evil one. He works in deception, God works in truth. Are we being reminded of the truths from God? or are we being deceived by the enemy’s tactics.
Breastplate of righteousness - Like shoulder and chest pads for a lacrosse or football player - the first century breastplate would have been designed to protect the vital organs from an attack. But notice, this isn’t just any breastplate - this is a breastplate of righteousness. What does that mean? As I’ve been thinking through this - it seems like it could refer to...
the righteousness that we receive through Jesus Christ - he is our righteousness. It is because of his righteousness that we have a relationship with God. Satan cannot attack us in this righteousness. We are secure in God through Jesus Christ. but I think the breastplate of righteousness may also refer to...
the righteousness that we reveal - as we are gradually transformed to be more like Christ, we live out the righteousness of God. We make choices and actions that are consistent with our identity as disciples. We are not who we once were. Our thoughts, actions, and intentions are gradually more holy, just, pure, right. Satan can attack us here. When we sin wilfully, when we sin accidentally - it reveals a weakness in our armor. We’ve said this before, our faith is not an intellectual ascent - it is to be lived out each and every day. Live in righteousness.
Gospel Shoes - like boots for a soldier or cleats for an athlete - shoes that are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace make us ready to share and live out the gospel at all times - at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, on our sports teams. What is the gospel?
The gospel is the good news that God, who is perfect and holy, saw us in our sinfulness and made a way for us to be a peace with Him. You see our sin deserves death - eternal separation from God. Jesus took on our punishment and took it to the grave and then rose from the grave - once and for all conquering that punishment. The gospel is good news that we can have peace with God for eternity. The gospel is good news that we can live as citizens of the Kingdom of God while here on earth. The gospel is good news - if you are far from God - repent - say I’m sorry for the sin that you’ve done, ask God to forgive you and trust in the finished work of what Jesus did on the cross for you.
Shield of faith - in ancient times, soldiers would carry a shield in order to protect themselves from those long range arrows. I think this shield of faith is very much that confidence and hope that we have in God. Satan wants to attack us with arrows of doubt, unworthiness, foolishness, and more.
Helmet of Salvation - Just as a helmet protects one of our most vital organs - our brain - the helmet of salvation protects our minds - reminding us of the true source of our salvation - granting us assurance of salvation - reminding us of the truths of what God’s word says about us and who we are in Christ.
Sword of the Spirit - just as a soldier would use a sword for their forward attack - God has given us His Word - as our offensive weapon. It’s His word, not ours. As we know His Word more and more, we’ll be more ready to appropriately respond to challenges, speak into difficult situations, be ready with an answer for the hope that we have.
Prayer - the final element of this armor is prayer. This is our communication tool with God - it’s also one of our means of supporting and encouraging one another - we we lift each other up before the Lord.
In short - this is the armor of God - the whole armor of God. It’s designed to protect all of us.
Are we taking it up? Are we putting it on?
I believe we do this through
reading, meditating, and memorizing His Word.
reminding ourselves of the truths that are in Scripture
praying to God and for one another
being with one another so that we can be mutually encouraged and challenged.
So, the Apostle Paul reminds us to put on the whole armor of God - but not without a cause. In the next phrase he says...
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day
This exercise of putting on or taking along the armor of God is not without good reason. This phrase assumes that there will be evil days, that there will be days of trial. Days when the enemy and his legions are on the move.
In the previous chapter, Paul challenges the church to walk in light, as children of light, exposing the deeds of darkness - because they were living in evil days.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
The ESV Study Bible suggests that Paul may be referring to this entire age as being evil.
In some ways, it’s not difficult to look at our days and see the sneaky works of the evil one. The biblical concept of family is being undermined at nearly every level of our society. Biblical values are being seen as cruel and crude and out of date and even hateful. Tolerance has been practically redefined as acceptance and endorsement.
Good and godly is being labeled as evil and wickedness is being celebrated as good.
Putting on the full armor of God is important so that we can be prepared when the attack comes close to home - because that day will come. In some ways, that evil day is here.
Will we withstand or give in?
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand the evil day...
and having done all
and having done all
Have you ever noticed that sports teams seem to do a lot of preparation? Football teams run drills, practice routes, plan various plays and work to execute each of them. Baseball and softball teams prepare for various game situations from both offensive and defensive defensive points of view. Basketball teams practice various defenses and offenses that would allow them to adapt to their opponent. Even golfers spend hours preparing, swinging each club in order to create muscle memory so that they can be ready in every circumstance.
In the military, members of the armed forces run drills in order to simulate real combat.
High level security personnel practice various forms, routes, and procedures in order to keep those under their guard safe.
When it comes time for conflict, action, or the game - each of these groups of people hope that they have done all that they can to be ready. They have prepared, and prepared, and prepared some more in order to be ready.
In life, we need to do the same. We need to engage in all that we can spiritually speaking in order to be fully ready when.
What are we doing individually? Are we doing all that we can to live out the spiritual disciplines? Are we actively reading, praying, pursuing godliness, and more. Are we engaging in the small groups, classes, and services that we can? Let me encourage you - the Sunday morning Bible Study, women’s bible studies (coming back to Monday nights, and SISTERS on Wednesday mornings), men’s discussion group (Tuesday nights), and other classes are part of that preparation. Are we taking advantage of those? If not, why? Parents, are you doing what you can to help your kids be prepared?
What are we doing corporately? Sure, we have some limitations right now, but are we doing all that we can as a church? In the next few weeks, we’re going to make some adjustments to Sunday mornings in order to make this time more relatable to the youngest members of our congregations. We want to make sure they are prepared as best they can be. Over the next couple of months, the elders will be discussing some things that we can do in order to more effectively equip our church to reach every neighborhood in Poolesville and beyond. I do feel like we are doing some - but we are making plans to do more - to do ALL that we can.
But all of this is not so that we can busy our schedules or to make our brains bigger - all of this - putting on the armor of God - is in order...
to stand firm!
to stand firm!
In sports, in combat, and in life - there is a line to hold - there is a place to stand firm.
If you’ve watched football at all, you know that the front line is vital to the protection of the quarterback. A couple of years ago, Redskins fans - I mean Washington Football Team fans felt that painfully as their front line could not stand firm - resulting broken legs for two of their quarterbacks in just a few weeks. One of those breaks was so severe, it nearly cost the quarterback his leg and his life.
In combat, when a unit or battalion is called to hold the line - to stand firm - they are called prevent the enemy from getting past a certain point. More than a line in the sand that can be quickly erased and re-drawn - standing firm is vital to the success of a military campaign.
In life - we too are called to stand firm - to hold the line - to be fully equipped, having done all, to be ready in the day of battle.
I believe this is a call for the global church, for the local church, and for the individual.
For the global church: we must stand firm in the gospel - it is the good news for people from every nation tribe and tongue. Historically - the church has thrived in the midst of persecution. From the first century until now, when the church has stood firm - it has flourished.
For local churches: for us, we must stand firm on the truth of the gospel and God’s word.
We must stand firm on the hope that we have through Christ.
I believe we must stand firm for the values and principles that we see in scripture. Not on tradition but on Scripture.
We must stand firm on our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ.
We must stand firm as a beacon of hope and truth in a world that is quickly running from that which is godly, and biblical and good.
Churches like ours - baptist, evangelical, biblical - are getting a bad wrap - because people feel that we are narrow minded and bigoted when it comes to so many different issues. Sure - we can do a better job of dealing with the bigotry by speaking the truth in love, by loving God and loving others the way that he has called us to. But - when we are called to change our stance on marriage or endorse an organization that dishonors God or change our belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation - we must stand firm - hold the line. Churches that are buckling under these pressures are churches that are becoming irrelevant.
We, as this expression of the body of Christ must do all we can and stand firm.
Individually: The enemy will try to pick us off one at a time - infusing doubts, destroying witnesses, bringing painful challenges. When those attacks come -
stand firm - be reminded who you are in Christ.
Stand firm - reminded of all that you have learned about the grace and love of God.
Stand firm - reminded of the hope that you have for eternity.
Stand firm - reminded that you are not in this alone - your brothers and sisters in Christ are right here with you - standing firm with you.
When you are tempted to fall into sin - stand firm.
When you are discouraged by the rebellion of family members - stand firm.
When you feel like your prayers for the salvation of loved ones is in effective - stand firm.
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.
(possibly read Screwtape Letters ch. 8)
Let’s pray.