Standing Firm with the Armor of God

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Song Video - It Is Well

Prayer for the persecuted church

Youth Group - Corn Maze ($8 plus money for food)

Thanksgiving Meal - November 13 at 5pm

Missional Opportunities:

Operation Christmas Child (due next Sunday)

Helping Hands Gifts (tags coming soon)

FMI Christmas Offering

*CHURCH UPDATES:

Realm:

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Let’s get CONNECTED on Realm (how we communicate church wide and how groups within our church can communicate.)

Realm SERVING - see two pictures

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

INTRODUCTION:

Review: Walking in unity, Walking in Maturity through diversity, Walking as a new person, Walking in Love, Walking as Children of Light, Walking Carefully, Walking with Spirit-filled lives in Relationships

Story on spiritual warfare:

WHY?… In this second half of Ephesians Paul is telling them how to WALK, which is to say how to live as Christians…

TODAY: Standing Firm with the Armor of God

A Summary to the book of Ephesians

Ephesians 6:10–24 NLT

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. 21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Stand Firm with the Full Armor of God:

1. Be strong in the Lord (v. 10)

Story about strength beyond myself:

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

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

Not just in the future but NOW there is a battle

“be strong” is in the present tense and the passive voice, which shows that the power is from God while the imperative mood shows the believer taking action…both are based on the union with Christ (i.e. in the Lord)

2. Put on the full armor of God (vv. 11–13)

Ephesians 6:11–13 ESV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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.

Story about putting on:

a. Because the devil is scheming against us (purpose of armor is defensive or forceful offensive stance)

b. Because our battle is spiritual (hand-to-hand combat)

c. Because we need to stand in the evil day

3. Stand firm by employing the full armor of God (vv. 14–20)

Isaiah 59:17 ESV

17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Isaiah depicts Yahweh and his Messiah as the divine warrior

1 Thessalonians 5:8 ESV

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

A letter also written by Paul

Ephesians 6:14–20 ESV

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Story on standing firm:

Stand firm “by”...

a. By (i.e. means to standing) putting on the belt of truth

b. By putting on the breastplate of righteousness

c. By putting on the shoes to share the gospel of peace

d. By taking up the shield of faith

e. By taking up the helmet of salvation

f. By praying (not armor but foundation to standing and deploying the full armor)

i. Believing and expecting (διὰ πάσης προσευχῆς καὶ δεήσεως “with all prayers and supplication”)

ii. Constantly (ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ “at all times”)

iii. “In the Spirit” (ἐν πνεύματι) who guides and empowers believers to pray

iv. With alertness (εἰς αὐτὸ ἀγρυπνοῦντες “to that end keep alert”)

v. “With all perseverance” (ἐν πάσῃ προσκαρτερήσει)

vi. Comprehensively (περὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων “for all the saints”) on behalf of believers

vv. 19-20 Paul gives his prayer request for himself

Conclusion to Ephesians - Serving Together and Relying on God

Ephesians 6:21–24 ESV

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

New Testament 6:10–20—Divine Armor

A Roman soldier by himself was vulnerable, but as a unified army a Roman legion was virtually invincible

Reflections:

How is prayer hard work for you?

Who has the Lord brought along side to pray with you and to serve with you?

*Communion*