Sunday, February 19, 2017 pm
STUDIES IN EPHESIANS
Put on the Whole Armor of God (1)
Ephesians 6:10-18
Tonight we continue our study of Ephesians.
We are in the midst of Paul concluding applications.
His final challenge is to fight for what is right.
1 Timothy 6:12
Friends, as Christians, we must never forget that we are at war. Of course, it is a spiritual war, as our text will show. We are called upon to enlist, cf. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
I.
Finally, brethren, be
strong in the Lord (10)
a.
Strength found in Him
– We are to be strong – a word meaning to be made able to accomplish
what is intended, or to function.
Romans 4:20, Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:17
b.
And in the power of His
might –
power - the ability to
demonstrate one’s strength, power in action; and might – to function
effectively, with force and vigor
a.
Put on the whole armor
of God –
It is not about a physical suit, but it is qualities we develop
Armor is the Greek, πανοπλία, (panoplia) & has reference to our whole
armament
b.
That you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil - cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11.
The word stand means to
endure, or withstand attacks.
To resist.
“the wiles” of the devil
–crafty scheming. Ephesians
4:14, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 4:4 “the god of this age”, 2 Corinthians 11:3,
11:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation
2:24, 12:9, He “deceives the whole world.” (1 John 5:19)
Note in these verses the nature and power of our enemy.
He is not someone to be ignored.
c.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood
– It is a struggle. It is a
spiritual battle -
2 Corinthians 10:3-6.
Ultimately, our fight is NOT with man. It is a battle for the HEART.
d.
Our battle is against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Keep the
heavenly places in mind – as these are who we are fighting.
i.
Principalities –those in places of preeminence. (cf. Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 1:21,
3:10, Colossians 1:16, etc.).
The devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41, Rev. 12:9)
ii.
Powers –
demonstrating potential.
Eph. 2:2 “the prince of the power of the air”
iii.
The rulers of the darkness of this age
– Satan, is the ruler of this world – John 12:31, 14:30, 2 Corinthians
4:4, See Ephesians 2:1-2
iv.
The spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places
Our fight is with the
devil – 1
Peter 5:8, James 4:7 – He will flee
Does this mean we
don’t engage men?
NO! We do, because as we
have seen, Satan accomplishes much of his work through evil men.
Rom.1:20-32, 2 Tim. 3:1-7
BUT, the way we engage is NOT with physical implements of war.
Jn. 17:11, 15-17.
a.
Take up the WHOLE armor!
Every piece of equipment we are given has a purpose.
But you will notice our armament is for a SPIRITUAL battle.
Consider the following:
Romans 13:12- as armor of light, 2 Corinthians 6:6-7 armor of
righteousness; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Timothy 6:12;
2 Timothy 2:3, 4:7
b.
That you may be able to
withstand in the evil day
– again, the idea is to resist.
You are so well equipped that no matter what the enemy fires at
you, it does not penetrate.
Spiritually, realize that God has given us what we need to repel the
fiery darts of the devil (see vs. 16).
But we have to wear the uniform and ALL of it.
Think of temptation – Jas. 1:2-4, Rom. 5:3-5.
c.
And having done all, to stand –we find that when the battle is over, we have survived and
we have won! 2 Timothy 4:7-8
-, a crown of righteousness awaits.
Are we prepared for this
war?