YOUR'RE IN THE ARMY NOW
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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Introduction:
Even the earliest student of the Bible is familiar with the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the fall of mankind into sin as a result of their giving in to temptation.
With the first of God's greatest creation, Satan was on the attack.
Throughout the Bible we see his influence and tactics in an attempt to mislead and defeat the people of God.
Immediately following the baptism of Jesus, as He began His public ministry, He was led into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan.
Paul, the writer of the Ephesian letter, was tempted and attacked due to the influence of Satan. Satan is the enemy of God and all who follow Him.
As I considered this passage and the desire of Paul to equip believers for the struggles they would inevitably face, I was reminded of the practice of the American military.
Prior to sending troops into battle, they are trained and equipped in boot camp. There they learn all the fundamentals necessary to be successful and become instinctively familiar with their armor and weapons.
Our text today could be considered the believers boot camp. Let's consider the elements of our warfare as we think on: Basic Training for the Believer.
1. Our Strength
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
After much instruction and admonition for the believer, Paul offers a final challenge in preparation for the struggles to come.
If we are to endure we must be strong.
2. The Source Of Our Strength
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Paul endured because of his strength. He was not serving the Lord in his own ability or power, but in the strength of the Lord.
He had experienced the power of God and wanted believers to be familiar with and experience God's power as well.
If we are to be successful and overcome the advance of the enemy, we must be strong in the Lord.
The battle is too great for us alone. We will never endure in our power or strength. We must acknowledge and possess strength that comes from the Lord.
Satan has power, that is certain, but God possesses all power!
3. The Stability Of Our Strength
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Paul seeks to convey the enormity and stability in the power of the Lord. He refers to the power of His might.
The power of the Lord speaks of "His unlimited, sovereign power and dominion over all." As we face the struggles of life, we have comfort knowing our God is in control.
We face nothing that He isn't Lord over. We will never face a situation that God isn't in control of.
Take just a moment to consider the power and might of our Lord. He stood on nothing and spoke creation into existence.
He has power over creation itself, kingdoms and nations, sickness and disease, sin, Satan, death, and hell.
Our enemy is a formidable foe, but his power is limited.
We face nothing our God can't handle.
We need not fear facing any situation as long as the Lord is fighting for us.
We will never need more than He is able to provide!
4. We Must Stand
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
an important element in any soldiers preparation for battle, the ability to endure the fight, standing in the midst of difficulty.
In order to stand, we must be clothed in armor and ready to endure.
5. Our Armor
Armor is effective if it is worn properly.
It does no good if it is left behind or worn improperly. We are equipped with spiritual armor, but it is up to us to keep in on, in working order, and in a proper position.
■ We are challenged to "put on" the whole armor of God and we are challenged to "take up" the whole armor of God.
Each of these challenges emphasizes being clothed in the whole armor of God, but they reveal two different aspects.
Putting on the armor of God literally means "to put on." Our armor will do no good if it is not worn.
Taking up the whole armor of God has the idea of "bearing our armor."
Battle armor can be heavy.
Soldiers at times are tempted to lay aside a particular piece of armor.
Often in the battle, we feel as if we are under a heavy load.
Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control
We must be willing to endure, ensuring our armor is on and positioned as it needs to be!
Every piece is essential to victory.
We cannot lay any of it aside, regardless of the temptation.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST