Strength To Stand-7 Series

STRENGTH To STAND-VII—Ephesians 6:10-20

Attention:

The Same Taste

Looking in the mall for a cotton nightgown, I tried my luck in a store known for its sexy lingerie.

To my delight, however, I found just what I was looking for. Waiting in the line to pay, I noticed a young woman ahead of me holding the same nightgown.

This confirmed what I suspected all along: despite being over 50, I still have a very “with it” attitude. I said proudly to the 20-something, “I see we have the same taste.”

"Yes," she replied. “I'm getting this for my grandmother.”

*Her delusions were shot down!leaving potentially devastating circumstances!

Likewise, God’s people must find their Strength to Stand firm.

Need:

Courage—to stand firm for & in Christ—against the lost world’s direction.

Confidence—knowing that we cannot compromise with the opponent.

Perseverance—knowing that the Lord’s armor holds & protects thru every battle.

Paul urged the Ephesian church to find their strength in the Lord by effectively arming themselves.

The church must acquire God’s strength to stand victorious.

Where & How can the church find strength to stand victorious?

12 distinctions of the Christian soldier’s strength for victory.

We have found that—

...God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious..or..acquire victory thru a distinct...

1. STRENGTH(:10)

2. ENSEMBLE(:11)Clothing/Array/Dress

3. CONTENTION(:12)

4. RESISTANCE(:13)

5. REALITY(:14a)

6. MANNER(:14b)

7—God’s people also acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

PEACE(:15)

Explanation:(:15)

:15—“& having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

“The Roman soldier’s shoes were fashioned from thick leather with nails through the soles. The studded soles enabled the soldier to stand firm. They kept the soldier’s feet from slipping in battle & allowed the soldier to maintain his position against his enemies.”—(JL @ SC)

Everything about a soldier balances & pivots on his two feet. If the feet are not protected & enabled, his mission is over. A soldier is not “prepared” if he is not “shod” properly.

Those of you who ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’...If “the good news” of God’s “peace” thru & in Christ Jesus, is continually strained...If you need “peace”...If you need Good News...If your ‘feet slip’ occasionally...then you need better gripping shoes! You need shoes fit for the occasion...for wrestling(:12)...for battle(:11, 13-17). You need the Good News of God’s “peace”! And don’t be pointing fingers, those of you who think you’ve arrived while others haven’t! We all have & live God’s “peace” thru Jesus.

God’s people have an established “peace” ‘with’ God. They also have the “peace” ‘of’ God resident in their hearts thru the continuation of that faith. These aspects free the Christian to live righteously thru God’s truth. It affords them obedience to God’s will for themselves & for others.

Rom. 5:1-11—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; & perseverance, character; & character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Php. 4:6-9—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue & if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned & received & heard & saw in me, these do, & the God of peace will be with you.”

God’s people are to be swift(“preparation”) to bring the good news(“gospel”) of their “peace” to any situation.

Js. 1:19-21—“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness & overflow of wickedness, & receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”