Sermon Central
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The Christian Victor - A Closeup Look At Ephesians 5 & 6
Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 12, 2003 (message contributor)
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1. "Imitators Of God"
Contributed on Sep 12, 2003
Imitators of God? Mimickers of God? Was Paul kidding? (#1 in "The Christian Victor" series)
“IMITATORS OF GOD” Ephesians 5:1,2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Here at the opening of the fifth chapter of Ephesians, we are ...read more
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2. "The Christian And Thankfulness"
Contributed on Sep 19, 2003
True thankfulness to God, is the fruit of accurate knowledge of what God has done, is doing and will do, so far as is revealed in His word. (#2 in The Christian Victor series)
“But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or ...read more
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3. Empty Words
Contributed on Oct 24, 2003
Words are powerful, for good or for evil. (#3 in The Christian Victor series)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them;” “It’s only words, and words are all I have, to take your heart away” - The Bee Gees When the Gibb brothers put their ...read more
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4. "Children Of Light"
Contributed on Nov 3, 2003
Jesus said He was the Light of the world. With Him in us, we are the light of the world. (#4 in The Christian Victor series)
“Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” At least in the decades ...read more
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5. This Little Light Of Mine
Contributed on Nov 8, 2003
Those without Christ are called ’darkness’. Christians are called ’light’. We are to shine in their darkness. (#5 in The Christian Victor series)
“And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this ...read more
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6. "Evil Days"
Contributed on Nov 15, 2003
Paul continues his emphasis on the Christian’s walk and the necessity of using wisdom (#6 in The Christian Victor series)
“Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Paul’s great theme in chapters 4 and 5 has been the walk of the Christian. He has presented his exhortations and encouragements from numerous angles. We are united ...read more
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7. "Filled With The Spirit"
Contributed on Nov 21, 2003
We all agree that at salvation the Holy Spirit indwells us; so why does Paul exhort us to ’be filled with the Spirit’? (#7 in The Christian Victor series)
“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving ...read more
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8. "Merry Melodies"
Contributed on Dec 5, 2003
Paul begins here to teach us how we should relate to one another in the Lord. (#8 in The Christian Victor series)
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the ...read more
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9. "Wives"
Contributed on Jan 2, 2004
The wife is God’s ’picture’ of the church (#9 in The Christian Victor series)
“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church. He himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” There ...read more
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10. "Husbands"
Contributed on Jan 9, 2004
If we love our wives the way Christ loved the church, how could they not want to be subject to us as head of the home? (#10 in The Christian Victor series)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that ...read more
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11. "One Flesh"
Contributed on Jan 16, 2004
Woman was brought forth out of man, as the church was brought forth out of Christ (#11 in The Christian Victor series)
“FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let ...read more
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12. "Children"
Contributed on Jan 23, 2004
A life of blessing is available to the one who honors and obeys his parents (#12 in The Christian Victor series)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” In addressing the ever-growing problem in modern society, of children ...read more
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13. "Servants And Masters"
Contributed on Feb 13, 2004
Whether we’re at the top of the heap, in the middle, or at the bottom, we serve one Master, to whom we will give account (#13 in The Christian Victor series)
“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the ...read more
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14. "Strong In The Lord"
Contributed on Feb 21, 2004
Paul calls us to stand in the Lord’s strength; but we’re not just observers either (#14 in The Christian Victor series)
“Finally be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is clearly divided into three main subjects. The divisions are so distinct, that most ...read more
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15. "Full Armor"
Contributed on Mar 5, 2004
There is a reason we’re exhorted to put on the FULL armor. Satan has more than one attack plan. (#15 in The Christian Victor series)
“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” There are a number of stories through history, that impress upon the hearer the importance of full protection in a time of battle. Most of us know the story of the mythical Achilles; ...read more
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16. "I Do, I Do, I Do Believe In Spooks!"
Contributed on Mar 12, 2004
The church must comprehend, in these last days, that our real enemy is spiritual. Without Christ we can do nothing (#16 in The Christian Victor series)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” “And tho’ this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, ...read more
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17. "Combat In Another Realm"
Contributed on Mar 22, 2004
The Lord of the Rings trilogy provides some great illustrations of our spiritual warfare (#17 in The Christian Victor series)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil ...read more
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18. "Girded With Truth"
Contributed on Mar 26, 2004
The first part of the Christian’s armor, the belt. Sound biblical doctrine on which to stand firm (#18 in The Christian Victor series)
“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth…” I mentioned to you last week in some closing remarks, that these next four verses in chapter six should be approached with some degree of caution. Some have gotten carried away with the application of the Christian armor as an ...read more
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19. "The Guarded Heart"
Contributed on Apr 16, 2004
We guard our heart against error by knowing that we’ve been made right with God, and how. (#19 in The Christian Victor series)
“…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” The breastplate on a Roman soldier really covered more than the chest. It extended down and covered the abdomen as well. So the entire trunk of the body, in the front at least, was protected by this piece of armor. Notice please, ...read more
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20. "The Walk Of Peace"
Contributed on Apr 23, 2004
We are not called to be peacekeepers, but peacemakers. (#20 in The Christian Victor series)
“…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…” The footwear of the Roman soldier was of special design. It was a sandal; more specifically, a thick leather sole that was held on by straps. It was also studded on the bottom so the Soldier could better keep his ...read more
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21. "The Shield Of Faith"
Contributed on May 2, 2004
To make use of the shield of faith against the evil one’s fiery missiles, we must know what to have faith in, and Who to have faith in. (#21 in The Chrisian Victor series)
“…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.” There is significance to Paul’s usage of the phrase, ‘…in addition to all’. Looking at various translations will help to make it clearer. The NIV says ...read more
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22. "The Guarded Mind"
Contributed on May 9, 2004
Our minds must be guarded against error, and direct attack of the enemy, with sound doctrine (#22 in The Christian Victor series)
“And take the helmet of salvation,…” Well, we all know what a helmet is for. They protect the head. There are many reasons to wear a helmet. Work on a construction site, riding a motorcycle, going to war, preparing to tell your wife you just bought a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee on ...read more
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23. "His Terrible Swift Sword"
Contributed on May 21, 2004
The sword of the Spirit is God’s weapon to do His work in us, and our weapon against the enemies named in verse 12 (#23 in The Christian Victor series)
“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.” - Julia Ward ...read more
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24. "Ambassador In Chains"
Contributed on May 28, 2004
Paul wrote Ephesians in chains. But his heart was free. (#24 in The Christian Victor series)
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 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, ...read more