Strong in the Lord

Our Adversary

1 Peter 5:8-9

How do we resist him?

Ephesians 6:10-20 teaches us how!

2

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-20

4

Strength and power of the Lord, 6:10 (1:19-20) Strong (endunamoō): to be strong, to endue (provide) with strength, cf. 3:20 Power (kratos): force, strength Might (ischus): ability Put on the whole armor of God, 6:11 Able to stand against the devil’s tricks / schemes Why? Because of our opponents, 6:12 Christ’s power over all these, Eph. 1:21 (1 Jno. 4:4) 5

We need God’s strength to overcome…

Temptation and sin, 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 4:14-16 Trials of life, Rom. 8:35-39 Tribulation (external pressures) Distress (internal stress) Persecution (threats due to faith) Famine, nakedness, peril, sword

We must be humble and accept the strength

offered us by the Lord, 2 Cor. 12:7-10 6

Because our adversary is the devil, 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11

Because our battleground is the spiritual

realm, 2 Cor. 10:3-5 Battle for your heart (mind) and soul This battle is reflected in how we choose to live in the flesh, Rom. 6:12-14 7

Take up the full armor God gives you, 6:13 -Pick up, raise up -Accept God’s armor as your only protection Power to withstand (oppose) temptations, Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9 Having done all: Engaged in full battle using the whole armor of God To stand: Be victorious, Rev. 12:9-12 8

Stand your ground with God’s armor, 6:14-18 Belt (girdle, 6:14): T

RUTH

Trust God and your salvation in truth, Eph. 1:13 Speak the truth in love, Eph. 4:15 Integrity, guided by truth in Jesus, Eph. 4:21 Speak truthfully, Eph. 4:25 The fruit of the Spirit, Eph. 5:9 9

Stand your ground with God’s armor, 6:14-18 Breastplate (6:14): R

IGHTEOUSNESS

Character of the new man, Eph. 4:17-24 Holy living is protective, 1 Jno. 3:7 10

Stand your ground with God’s armor, 6:14-18 Bind up your feet (6:15): P

REPARATION OF THE G OSPEL OF P EACE

Readiness to spread gospel, Acts 8:4; Rom. 10:15 To walk in good works of God, Eph. 2:10 To walk worthy of our calling, Eph. 4:1 To not walk like those who are lost, Eph. 4:17 To walk in love, Eph. 5:1 To walk as children of light, Eph. 5:8 To walk carefully throughout life, Eph. 5:15 11

Stand your ground with God’s armor, 6:14-18 Shield (6:16): F

AITH

Walk by faith, fully persuaded, 2 Cor. 5:7 (Rom. 4:20-21) Faith that is lived and known, Eph. 1:15 Faith that relies on God for salvation, Eph. 2:8 Faith by which Christ dwells in heart, Eph. 3:16-17 Faith that is one (united) in Christ, Eph. 4:5, 13 12

Stand your ground with God’s armor, 6:14-18 Helmet (6:17): S

ALVATION

Present reality, Eph. 2:5, 8 Future reward, Eph. 1:13, 18 Hope of salvation, 1 Ths. 5:8 (1 Pet. 1:9) 13

Stand your ground with God’s armor

Sword of the Spirit (6:17): T

HE W ORD OF G OD

Only offensive weapon needed (Heb. 4:12) Secures one’s faith, Eph. 1:13 (2 Pet. 1:10) The word of peace Jesus preached, Eph. 2:17-18 Revealed, written, understandable, Eph. 3:3-5 To be spoken in love, Eph. 4:15 By it Christ sanctifies and cleanses His church, Eph. 5:26 (cf. Rev. 2:16) 14

Stand your ground with God’s armor

Praying always (6:18): W

ITH ALL …

Prayer: Address God in communication Supplication: Request, entreaty In the Spirit: According to God’s will (Jas. 4:15) Watchful (vigilant) with all perseverance (endurance), petitioning for the saints (Phil. 1:4) Preaching the gospel (6:19-20) Boldly, clearly and purposefully 15

Paul asked for their prayers, 6:19-20 To speak the right words, 6:19 logos (word, speech, discourse, utterance) To have the right deportment, 6:19 Boldly: Assurance, confidence To achieve the right purpose, 6:19 To make known the mystery of the gospel To fulfill his moral obligation, 6:20 Ambassador (chosen representative), 2 Cor. 5:20 16

The Armor of God

(Ephesians 6:13-17)  Truth  Righteousness  Gospel of Peace  Faith  Salvation  Word of God  Praying always 17