The Letter to the Ephesians   Message 26

In the message on this letter two weeks ago, Paul instructed us on the –

XII.  Principles of humility.  Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9

The first of these two instructions were –

  A.  The Principles set forth for the family. Ephesians 5:22-6:4

    1.  Husbands and wives   Ephesians 5:22-33 

    2.  Husbands, wives, and children.  Ephesians  6:1-4

The second part set forth –

  B.  The Principles of faithful servitude    Ephesians 6:5-9

This morning, we will complete the messages preached through this letter with the instructions for –

XIII.  Protection in the battles   Ephesians 6:10-18

  A.  The command to stand strong

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

  B.  The capabilities of the enemy –

Ephesians 6:12 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.

Once we know the capabilities of the enemy, we must learn –

  C.  The crucial elements for victory    Ephesians 6:13-17

These are supplied by God,

These must be applied by the believer!

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

You must –

    1.  Reinforce your strength with truth.

Ephesians 6:14a Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

2 Timothy 1:12-13  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

    2.  Rely on God’s righteousness –

Ephesians 6:14b “… and having on the breastplate of righteousness…”

Philippians 3:4-10  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

The righteousness of the Lord withstood all of the attacks of Satan and his demons.  During the temptations in the wilderness, the false accusations of the religious leaders, the cries of those possessed by demons, the trial by the government of Rome, the crucifixion, the burial – all were overcome by the righteousness of the Lord and we, with His righteous armour, can withstand the attacks that are thrown against us!

All of the evil hatred invested in men by the Devil that was hurled against Jesus was withstood through His righteousness.  As He is victorious, we shall be victorious in Him.

On the other side, the righteousness of men, even good and dedicated men, did not provide courage for the battle.  Remember Peter in the garden, or for that matter, any of the disciples.  Even their combined strength failed in the moments of confusion, in the unexpected (for them) confrontation!

    3.  Rally the troops to stand firm with the expectation of victory in the Lord

Ephesians 5:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Illustrate with the rallying stand of Thomas Jackson

    4. Rejecting the lies and temptations of the wicked by –

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We cannot stand before the accusations against truth, protecting our hearts and minds from troubles, trials, tribulation, theologies, technologies, based in the old as time lies that Satan has introduced into this world, daily trying to destroy our trust in God, except we stand behind the shield of faith – that faith in God that we are safe in the salvation in Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Jesus Christ.

We are to –

    5.  Rise up in the battle, identifying whose side you are on –

Ephesians 6:17a   And take the helmet of salvation,

The fighting is close and confusing.  We must be able to identify our friends quickly and also the enemy.

Do not be like King Ahab, who thought he would escape the arrows of the enemy by disguising himself.  Wear the helmet of salvation and stand, identifying yourself with the believers in God.

    6.  Respond always with the everlasting Word of God

Ephesaisn 6:17b  “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:…”

Follow the example of Jesus – Mt 4:4 “…But he answered and said, It is written…”

Always remember to look beyond ourselves for the victory that God has already won –

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Conclusion –

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Personal request –

Ephesians 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,