Ephesians 6:10-24

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Tonight we conclude our study of the book of Ephesians.

1. We have seen how a Christian is supposed to live his/her life drastically different than the world!

2. Proper, Biblical Christianity affects our personal lives, our marriages, our children, our jobs, and now finally even how we "dress" and how we "fight!

3. The Apostle Paul is now going to conclude by reminding us that we are soldiers in a war against the enemy of Christ.

a) And he will describe the equipment we need to survive the battle.

II. TEXT

A. Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

1. A "weak" soldier is a dead soldier!He must be strong and alert at all times.

2. But this is not a "conventional" war.It is a spiritual war!

a) 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

b) Therefore we must use spiritual weapons, and the power behind that weaponry is Jesus Christ.

(1) Ezekiel 4:6 (NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This [is] the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.

(2) If a Christians tries to fight this battle in the flesh, he will lose in the flesh. If he fight in the Spirit, he will win in the Spirit.

(a) Because satan is a master in and of the flesh, but Jesus has already beat him in the Spirit!

B. Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

1. Of the armor of God, we are to leave nothing off! All of it is absolutely essential for victory.

2. Paul make reference to being able to "stand".

a) A soldiers armor was heavy, and he was most vulnerable when knocked down.

(1) So it is with a Christian soldier.He should make every effort not to fall in the first place!!

3. The word "wiles" = trickery or craftiness.satan is very slippery and slimy.

a) You and I will not be able to stand against him on our own and here's why.

C. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].

1. Paul describes for us, satan's most effective and common arsenal for us in this verse.

2. Principalities = very simply this means "leaders", but it runs much deeper that that.

a) It also means = first, beginning, cornerstone, to commence

(1) So, we are fighting against the original 1/3 of the fallen angels = satan's demons.

3. Powers = this means people in authority = rulers, governments etc.

a) satan has been at this a long time, he has many wicked rulers from many nations at his disposal.

(1) Disposal is a good word here because when he is done with them that is what he will do to them = dispose of them!

4. Rulers = this word actually means = "ruler of the world, prince of this age".

a) It is sort of a "sub-topic" of Powers.

(1) satan has given certain of his demons "rule" over different parts of the darkness!

5. Spiritual [hosts] of wickedness = again, reference to the corrupted spirits at satan's disposal.

a) ALL OF THIS IS POWERED AND UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ANT-CHRIST = satan!

D. Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) 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.

1. Get the armor on and KEEP IT ON! (stand)Remember you are most vulnerable if you fall!

2. Now Paul is going to describe the armor of God in a little more detail.

E. Ephesians 6:14 (NKJV) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Picture yourself as a Roman soldier, putting on your battle gear.

1. The first thing he had to do was get his garments up and out of the way so he wouldn't trip on them.

2. It is God's truth = His Word = that keeps us from tripping and falling!

a) If we don't make this the first part of every battle we will be tripping and falling all over ourselves.

b) All the enemy will have to do is overtake us while we are on the ground with our garment wrapped around our ankles.

3. Next, the soldier would protect his vital organs with a thick metal breastplate that swords could not puncture.

a) satan's swords, and darts, and arrows, cannot penetrate the righteousness of Christ.

(1) He tried at the cross, but it didn't work!

F. Ephesians 6:15 (NKJV) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

1. Next the soldier puts on his shoes.

a) Wars have been won and lost because of the condition of soldiers' feet.

b) Their shoes must carry them many miles and yet provide comfort.

(1) The "good news" = gospel = is the only thing that can give the Christian soldier peace and comfort in his lifelong battle!

G. Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

1. The soldier would always have his shield ready for battle.

a) The shield was a defensive weapon and would be as large as the soldier could carry.

b) The idea was to be able to hide as much of his body behind it as he possibly could.

(1) We are told here that a Christian soldier will be able to repel all of satan's arrows if we hide behind our faith in Jesus!

H. Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

1. Next the soldier puts on his helmet!

a) This of course of to protect his head.He wouldn't be of much use if he survived the battle but came back brain dead!

b) Also, in the midst of battle if he took a blow to the head, all the other gear became useless.

(1) A Christian soldier's "thinking process" is protected by his salvation!

(a) In other words, in the midst of battle and the long journey that is ahead of us, our salvation makes it all worth while!

(b) That is why we are encouraged to keep our mind on eternity. We have already won!

2. Next we see the soldier's sword.

a) This was an offensive and defensive weapon.He could do some damage with his sword as well as protect himself.

b) We are told that that for the Christian, this is a spiritual sword and that it is the Word of God.

(1) BDB/Thayers # 4487 rhema hray'-mah =1) that which is or has been uttered by the living voice = a series of words joined together into a sentence (a declaration of one's mind made in words) speech.

(a) In other words this is the "spoken" word of God!!

(i) The Word of God becomes a defensive weapon when we speak it to ourselves and remind ourselves of God promises.

(a) It is an ointment for the soul.

(ii) It becomes an offensive weapon when we remind satan that he is already defeated!

(a) It is salt in his wounds and weakens his strongholds.

I. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

1. This is out a doubt one of our greatest and least used weapons in the Christian arsenal. = PRAYER

a) It is to be done ALL THE TIME!

b) Paul divides it up into two areas for the sake of our study tonight: prayer and supplication.

(1) Prayer = prayer addressed to the Lord

(a) I think this would be praise and worship for who He is and what He has done.

(2) And supplication = asking and seeking him for personal wants.

(3) Paul reminds the Ephesians and us to make supplication for all the saints!!

(a) And them he tells them what they can pray for him about.

J. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NKJV) and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1. "Pray that I will bold as I proclaim the gospel!"

2. And then he closes

III. CONCLUSION

A. Ephesians 6:21-24 (NKJV) But that you also may know my affairs [and] how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and [that] he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace [be] with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.