Aug 30, 2020. Ephesians 6:14-24

Posted byJohn Sanzone

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links on this message. Please click here to view the bulletin and missions update.

BATTLE GEAR. Ephesians 6:14-24. 08/30/20. #34.

Ephesians 6:14-24 [New King James Version]

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 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. 21 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.

  • Preparing for spiritual warfare
    • No one prepares for battle unless war is certain
      • Spiritual warfare is certain for all believers
      • The battle is daily, often intense, but always there
      • Those not prepared for battle will succumb to it
    • Warfare requires 4 actions to gain ultimate victory:
      • Possessing the right equipment
      • Using the equipment properly
      • Having the right plan of defense and attack
      • Not quitting the battle
    • Effectiveness of ancient armor is to have all vulnerable areas covered by protective substances
      • Any exposed area was open to penetration
      • Unless all the equipment is used, one is not prepared for battle and will likely fall
  • The equipment of spiritual warfare
    • Paul compares each aspect of the believer’s arsenal with a piece of equipment from ancient armor:
      • Waist = truth; breastplate = righteousness
      • Feet = proclaiming the gospel; shield = faith
      • Helmet = salvation; sword = Word of God as given to us by the Holy Spirit
    • All the gear must be used together to be successful
      • Exact coordination is necessary
      • Skillfulness and maintaining gear is vital
    • Truth and righteousness go together, as does the breastplate and segmented torso armor
      • Truth = knowing what is right (God’s truth)
        • Spiritual truth is key to understanding and belief (John 8:31-36 truth sets us free)
        • Satan specializes in lies (John 8:44)
      • Righteousness = living by the truth (integrity, honesty, sincerity, fidelity, dependability)
    • The Gospel of peace
      • Romans 10 the Gospel is related to the overlaid sandals because we are to take the Gospel to others
      • We are to recruit more soldiers for the Lord’s army
    • Above all else, the shield of faith
      • Hebrews 11:6 faith is necessary for salvation
      • John 14 trust is necessary for spiritual living
        • Satan tries to sow doubts, discouragement, despair, and weakness
        • A vibrant faith deflects the attacks of devil
      • Hebrews 11:30-12:4 we are to consider the faith of the Lord and the faithful before us and walk in their path
      • Every aspect of life hinges on the strength of faith
    • Helmet of salvation = without trust in Lord for salvation, there is not set of armor of faith (the head = thought and will)
    • The sword = the Word of God (only offensive weapon)
      • The Word defeats Satan (Matthew 4), strengthens faith (Romans 10:17), reveals our thoughts and motivations (Hebrews 4:12), teaches and corrects us (II Timothy 3:16), and equips us (II Timothy 3:17)
      • By the Word we preach the Gospel (Romans 10) and make disciples of men (Matthew 28:19-20)
  • Use your weaponry
    • Paul states that even in chains by prayer, he perseveres, for he is fully equip, and he doesn’t cease to share the Gospel
    • Paul is an ambassador for Christ, as are all the faithful, that by full preparation we bring the Good News to men
    • Paul ends with a benediction sent by Tychicus

Key verse:

Hebrews 11:30-12:4 [New King James Version]

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who [a]did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [b]were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [c]author and [d]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.