Ephesians WK 7

Do You Have a Plan?

Ephesians 6:10–20 NRSV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

The “great” Hannibal Smith said, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Ben Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Mike Tyson said, “Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

How we fight —> We find our strength in God

Ephesians 6:10 NRSV

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

Who/What we fight —>

Ephesians 6:11–12 NRSV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

→ We fight against

→ schemes of the devil

→ NOT flesh & blood

→ (spiritual) rulers

→ (spiritual) authorities

→ cosmic powers over the present darkness

→ spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places

Tools for the fight —>

Ephesians 6:13–18 NRSV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

→ Tools for the fight

→ Truth

→ righteousness

→ Gospel of Peace

→ Faith

→ Salvation

→ Holy Spirit-->Word of God→ Prayer

Ephesians 6:19–20 NRSV

19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.