STANDING STRONG

INTRODUCTION

We’ve been looking at the book of Ephesians:

the first 1/2 really is all about remembering who Jesus is and what he’s done for us.

The second 1/2 is all about how we should live practically: our lifestyles, our values, our relationships with each other, our parents, wives, employers and more.

Paul’s final instructions are this:

English Standard Version Chapter 6

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.

Pray...

Illustration:

My Instagram was blowing up this week announcing NBC was dropping its newest show “Young Rock”, a look at the formative years of Dwayne Johnson’s life.

Is anyone that interested?

YES - I have to admit, I am a little interested! How a young man overcame obstacles and hardship to rise to prominence in the WWE and beyond!

Today the Rock is so cool and a picture of natural strength and success: physically, financially, socially, and maybe one day politically? The president of the USA :) #2032 :)

I wanna BE like him, but I don’t really think I will.

Somtimes that’s how we approach our apprenticeship to Jesus.

We admire different biblical heroes, leaders, and teachers and would LOVE to be like them but never really think we could get there.

The space between who we are and who we aspire to be seems like a gap too great to travel.

Here, Paul whole purpose is to teach us to stand strong.

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

“in the Lord and in the strength of his might”.

Not in our own strength, but his.

Ephesians 6:10 (TPT)

10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

How do we do that?

He gives us three keys:

Right KNOWING

Orthodoxy - our beliefs and convictions around who Jesus is.

Truth, like a belt, that surrounds. Salvation, like a helmet that helps us think and know who Jesus is and how we can live in his strength.

Address the reality of an unseen spiritual world.

Is this a new JK Rowling book?

Ephesians 1:19–22 (ESV)

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

- CS Lewis

Understanding how this sunseen spiritual realm effects us is critical to standing strong.

RIght knowing about who Jesus is, seeing him, ourselves, the world, rightly, will powerfully effect our capacity to STAND STRONG.

Knowing - not just intellectually as a concept, but knowing, like we’ve talked about in Eph 1.

Right LIVING

Orthopraxy - or the practice of our belief s and convictions about who Jesus is.

Orthodoxy is evidenced by our orthopraxy...

Involves our character, our integrity, living out our convictions.

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost.

-Billy Graham

Righteousness, like a breastplate that protects.

Righteousness - not first ours, but his.

Our right living is simply a reflection of his perfection.

Faith, like a shield, that allows us to stand strong in dark times.

Faith allows us to stand strong when we are tempted to live weak.

A recent conversation with a friend sharing with how they walked through a challenging season of sexual temptation:

Right knowing...

Right living...

I’m not a reflection of his perfection here (breastplate of righteousness)...

I need to stand against this (shield of faith) - memorized some of the bible to come against what Paul calls “flaming arrows of the evil one”.

Paul is trying to help us understand that to stand strong we must live strong, aligned in Jesus’ righteousness.

Right GOING

Shoes, like the gospel of peace

LIving out our everyday lives engaged in the mission of making Jesus known.

The Bible, like a sword.

Literally, God’s spoken words, God’s spoken truth…

Are we living with a sense of GOING everyday in how we live? Are we missionaries to our world?

CONCLUSION

prayer -

This morning we’re going to wrap up our time together by worshipping together. Going old school…back to 2715 west 12th...

AS we worship, I’d like you to take a moment and talk with God - get honest about where you are right now in life.

Are you standing strong? Are you the picture of strength you aspire to be?

None of us are. Of these three areas, what stands out to you?

Right knowing?

Right living?

Right going?

Talk to God - decide on 1 next step you can take this week...