Sermon Tone Analysis

CHRISTIAN GROWTH LESSON 15 B

Ephesians 6:10–12

Introduction:

Opening Your Eyes

In this central New Testament passage about spiritual warfare, Paul tells his readers the nature of the battle and how they are to fight it.

This this section—

Spiritual Warfare —

will cover Paul’s general command in v. 10, his specific command in v. 11, and the reason he gives in v. 12 for both commands.

As we move on through the passage, we will discover five basic truths to ground us in the reality of the invisible war and to guide us in our thinking.

The General Command—

Eph 6:10

The full meaning of this command is captured in this expanded translation:

“Allow yourself to be continually strengthened by the power already made available to you in your new position and relationship with Christ.”

It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in you.

The Specific Command—

Ephesians 6:11 (KJV 1900)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

How do you allow yourself to be strong in the Lord?

By continually and repeatedly putting on the spiritual protection God has provided for you at specific points in time, for the express purpose of holding on to your position in Christ as you are bombarded by satanic strategies designed to destroy you or render you ineffective in kingdom pursuits.

The Reason for the Commands—

Eph 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV 1900)

12 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.

Our real struggle—our battle, our wrestling match to the death—

is not against physical or material adversaries like people, circumstances, and organizations.

It is against a hierarchy of demonic forces doing battle in the spiritual realm.

Five Basic Truths about Spiritual Warfare

1.

There is an invisible world.

The invisible world is just as real as the visible world, and both Old and New Testaments refer to it often.

a. 2 Kings 6:15–19: Elisha, surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them.

b.

Daniel 10: An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.

c.

Ephesians 6:12: One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.

2. We are involved in an invisible war.

This cosmic conflict has eternal implications; lives are at stake.

The enemy’s strategies affect us every day.

When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?

a. 2 Corinthians 10:3–5:

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

b. 2 Corinthians 4:4:

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV 1900)

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

3. Our foe is formidable.

The goal of Satan is to destroy God’s people and discredit the cause of Christ.

He is not to be taken lightly.

He is real.

He was an angel, the highest of all created beings, who rebelled against God out of pride.

a. 1 Peter 5:8:

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

b.

Jude 9:

c.

Is Satan for real?

the authority of the Bible: Genesis 3:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Revelation 12:9.

the testimony of Christ: Matthew 4:1–11;

also Christ refers to Satan twenty-five times.

the reality of demons: Satan is their “prince” (Luke 11:15).

d.

Who is Satan?

a created spirit: Job 1:6; Colossians 1:16.

an angel: Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7.

a cherub: Ezekiel 28:14.

the highest of all created beings: Ezekiel 28:14.

e.

Where did he come from?

created perfect: Ezekiel 28:12–13.

had a heavenly estate: Jude 6.

a guardian of God’s glory: Ezekiel 28:14.

the occasion of his sin = power and beauty: Ezekiel 28.

the nature of his sin = pride: Isaiah 14:13; 1 Timothy 3:6.

the cause of his sin = personal, free choice: Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13.

4. We must respect our foe but not fear him.

Our responsibility is to become acutely aware of Satan’s methods but not be preoccupied by them.

We can become educated about his schemes by examining his names in Scripture; all of them reveal something of his tactics.

Scripture is very clear about his agenda and his targets.

But he is limited, and we have no need to fear him if we follow God’s instructions in faith.

a. 2 Corinthians 2:11: Paul agrees to forgive a brother along with the Corinthian church—in order that “no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

b.

The vital question: how can we make sure we are not ignorant of his schemes?

c.

Satan’s names reveal his tactics.

Satan (adversary): Job 1:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

Devil (slanderer): 1 Peter 5:8.

Lucifer (son of the morning): Isaiah 14:12.

Beelzebub (lord of the flies): Matthew 12:24.

Belial (a false god): 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Evil one: 1 John 5:19.

Tempter: 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

Prince of this world: John 12:31 (NIV).

Accuser of the brethren: Revelation 12:10.

Representations include: Serpent: Genesis 3.

Dragon: Revelation 12.

Angel of light: 2 Corinthians 11:14.

d.

Satan attacks God’s program, the church, by: