Transcript Ephesians 6
The Spiritual Mafia Hierarchy Eph 6:12-13 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, pale, “wrestling, hand to hand against the world forces arche, “first person combat, contest in a series” exousia, “authority, of this darkness, between two to kosmokrator, ability or strength to throw the other”. In “cosmic power, against the spiritual forces do your will.” Rome was a lifeworlditruler” wickedness and-death Paulconflict was called to “open their of eyes and turn them from darkness to light,nor and from the of Satan to God…” There is no formula method forinpower exorcisms—Christians the heavenly places. pneumatikos, beings or Acauthority 26:18 “spiritual have and power to overcome Satan. James gives poneria, “malice, perversion”– “Christ our passover is manifestations.” Same term is used to describe only“He instruction to resist Satanthe and he will flee (Jas 4:7). has rescued us from dominion of darkness…” sacrificed for gifts us, therefore let us keep the festival, not with the the spiritual (1 Cor and 12:1; 14:1) Where sin is confessed repented, Satan is defeated. 12 Col 1:13 old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness…” 1 Co 5:7-8 Empowerment for Victory Eph 6:13 Because our battle is invisible with powerful beings 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. panoplia, weapons. Any all daythe when evil is Soldiers often persuasive complainedor present, Put on as armor, thus we are expected anthistemi, “stand up against, be hostile about all the armament that tempting. to make daily use of these provisions katergazomai, “accomplish something, toward or oppose”. they were expected to carry: achieve success.” Success breeds sword, lance, helmet, Martin Luther, “My conscience is captive corruption. shield, to the Word of God…Here I stand, I and breastplate cannot do otherwise.” We have the Spirit, His 13 Word, our Faith and Gospel Satan’s Schemes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Discredits God’s character, credibility and ability—tempting men to distrust God, disregard the Scripture, doubt God’s purpose and blame God for evil Generates trouble that makes life difficult, tempting you to abandon God’s standard and purpose for your life, esp. by persecution, fear of criticism Doctrinal confusion and falsehood to dissuade the untaught and emotional Opposition to ministry (“many adversaries” 1 Cor 16:9) Attacks believers by causing divisions. Jesus paid for their unity (Jn 17:4, 21-23). Carnal Corinthians fell prey to his schemes (1 Cor 1-3) Persuades you to trust your own resources. Satan got David to count his troops (1 Chron 21:1-8). Like trusting your degree, personality, talent, knowledge, funds instead of His providence. Leads believers into hypocrisy—faking it, with a disobedient secret life Convinces believers of worldliness, materialism, self-satisfaction, selfindulgence, hedonism, quest for more things and worldly respect. Leads believers to disobey God’s Word. God wants us to be moral, Satan, immoral; God wants us to speak truth; Satan to lie; God wants us to be unselfish loving, Satan, selfish disinterested; God wants us content, Satan, greedy, covetous, envious; God wants us to live by faith, Satan, to live by sight, etc. 14 Believer’s 7-Part Armor Eph 6:14-15 14 Stand firm therefore, 1 having girded your loins with truth, 2 and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 3 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Shoes for key every –the soldier isagainst only (not asSatan: effective as his Righteousness is purpose to wrap our lives self- “some aletheia, to battle foraround mind “We are human, thinking but we don't wage warbut with human plans and feet condition. righteousness: we are holy), a transparent shall fall away from the faith paying attention to deceitful methods. 4 We usewith God's mighty weapons, not“not mere worldly Covering the torso leather covered in bone or medal – the genuineness and commitment to obedience, to give spirits and doctrine of demons” 1 Tim 4:1 “preparation” is hetoimasia, “readiness”– be “ready for every weapons, to knock down Devil's strongholds. 5 With Jews mind in the the heart and bowels were seatthese of devilthought an opportunity” 4:24-27). good deed” Tit 3:1.was(Eph Ex 12:11—preparation for Passover, “girded, your weapons we break down every proudaargument thatsandals keeps emotions and feelings. Satan creates world system to think 1.Battle Most emotional and relational problems caused by selfish in the--mind evidenced byweapons lack ofreadiness” peace: “wefor on…eat in haste” Luke 12:35, “dressed in people from knowing God. With these we conquer and feelground wrongly—clouds mind with false doctrine and wisdom nd coming 2. Results in fruitlessness and loss ofminds rewards (1 Cor 3:12-15) have peace God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Ro 5:1. 2 –with 1confuse Pet 1:13, “gird your action” = mark their rebellious ideas, and we teach them toforobey Christ.” 2 to mislead and emotions, morals, loyalties, values. He will “present you holy and blameless beyond reproach” of preparedness. 3. Brings reproach on God’s glory by failing to “adorn the Corinthians 10:3-5 Wants to undermine pure living with secret immorality, greed, (Col 1:21-22). Thus we stand confident of His love and doctrine of God” (Tit 2:10). “I urge you…to abstain from envy, andto other vices fleshly lusts which war against the souland (1 Pet 2:11) Is thehate opposite of mediocrity, lethargy, indifference 15 commitment us. Armor of Believer Eph 6:16-17 First 3 never taken off—next 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith three kept ready for battle 4 with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 5 And take the helmet of salvation, 17 and the sword of the Spirit, 6 which is the word of God. Leatheraor2.5’x4.5’ metal head protection large thureos, wooden shield from covered in two-handed leather or used it machaira, a 6-18” daggar for hand-to-hand combat. Peter metal. here is not doctrine butthe practical trust for God sword “Faith” of cavalrymen. Satan attacks security and to provisions cut of the ear of the high priest’s servant (Mt 26:51) & faithfulness. assurance in Christ resulting in discouragement and doubt. A spiritual weapon to failures, teach, rebuke, correcthatred, and train (2etc. Timto 3:16). He points outtemptations our problems, sickness, “missiles” are tosins, immorality, envy, anger, We are tous “be todoubt, present yourself to God show wediligent are rejected byfear, God. “Let approved us distrust not loose heart in a covetousness, pride, despair, Him. If as you workman who does need towe beHim. ashamed, doing good, foryou innot due time shall reap is ifaccurately we not handling grow can’t trust Him, won’t obey “This the do victory that overcome the world—our faith” 1 Jn of 5:4the thehas word of(Gal truth”6:9). 2 Tim 2:15 “They overcame himsoul” …because weary.” We have an “anchor He 6:1916by Power Source of Prayer Ephesians 6:18 Variety: general requests deesis:proseuche: specific requests Frequency: “Keep on the alert at all 7 With all prayer The “all” signifies all kinds of prayers and petition times, praying in order that you may pray at all times in the Spirit, have strength to and with this in view, escape all these be on the alert with all perseverance things that are and petition for all the saints, about to take place” Manner: “sleepless, Luke 21:36 Power: (1)“Alert”: “in the sphere of or inattentive, harmony ready” with” Objects: beaitreference from me that I should sin the the Spirit“Far – not to reference to against“were (2) “Perseverance” proskarteresis, “consistent, Disciples Lord by ceasing to pray for your” 1 Sam tongues-speaking, but conscience of as His12:23 will – Thedevoting constant, convinced.” Moses “endured continually spiritual health of invisible” a believer is determined by how in all matters us Heb11:27 seeing him whoaround is themselves…to devoted he is to the welfare of others! prayer” (Acts 2:42) (3) “Supplication”, deesis, “specific request” 17 “Ask and it shall be given to you” Lu 11:19 How to pray for a Servant Eph 6:19-20 An area of battle with Satan! Just as needy of God power for courage as anyone of us! 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, parresia, I ought toout speak . greater “My circumstancesas have turned for the progress of “frankness, Instructive is what he did not request prayer for: wounds from the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has outspoken, open chains, healing, freedom nor finances! become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to public, to everyone else, and that most of the brethren…have far more publically” courage to speak the word of God without fear” Phil 1:12-14 18 Intelligent prayers require information Ephesians 6:21-22 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, In order to pray intelligently, not Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,to brag! will make everything known to you. 22 And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. InAn spite of Paul’s very discouraging Asian, accompanied Paul with circumstances, relief offering to he saw God’s purposes, and washad concerned that be Jerusalem (Ac 20:4-6), been sent tothey helpwould the church discouraged theirand leader wasTitus persecuted. at Ephesus because (2 Tim 4:12) to join (Tit 3:12) Paul and of knew Tychicus beRoman a greatimprisonment encouragement to them course, joinedwould Paul in (text) 19 The Benediction Eph 6:23-24 23 Peace be 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 with a love incorruptible. The 3-fold summation of genuinely knowing God: aphtharsia, “undying, sincerity, imperishable” or Peace: “keep the unityending of the love. Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph never 4:2) Love: “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (4:2) Faith: “till we all attain unto the unity of the faith” (4:13) 20