Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Who is the author?
PAUL
Who is the audience?
CHRISTIANS in EPHESUS
What is the context?
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. Know who your ENEMY is.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Our enemy is DESTRUCTIVE
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Our enemy is DECEPTIVE
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Our enemy is DETERMINED
I Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
2. Know your PART.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Habakkuk 3:9 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
Isaiah 35:4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Being strong in the Lord isn’t about God GIVING you strength. It is about God BECOMING your strength.
I Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
My greatest STRENGTH is found at the point of my greatest SURRENDER.
3. Know your ODDS.
Difficulty is measured by the CAPACITY of the AGENT doing the work.
When God is added to the equation, the problem goes from DIFFICULT to EASILY DOABLE.
