Arming For Victory Pt. 1 Series

Arming for Victory Pt 1

January 4th, 2012

A 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12 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.13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 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, Eph 6:10-18 (NASB)

1 The old hymn “Stand up, stand up for Jesus”, “Put on the gospel armor each piece put on with prayer” reflects what Paul is saying to the church of Ephesis.

2 Vs. 10, we discover our position we are take in the battle.

A IL. Before our troops will engage in battle, the coordinate their men on the ground, resources, air support, then they launch the attack. Everyone/thing must be in position.

B Paul tells us to be in the right position in v. 10, Be strong in the Lord.

3 One of Paul’s favorite phrases in Ephesians is “in Christ.”

A Believers are to be faithful “in Christ”

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Eph 1:1 (NASB)

aa Every believer has every spiritual blessing “in Christ.”

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Eph 1:3 (NASB)

bb Our security of Salvation is because it “in the beloved.”

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Eph 1:6-7 (NASB)

A If you read Eph.1, you would discover that everything you need in this life and the one to come is discovered by understanding what it means to be “in Christ.”

B Where is Christ?

1 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, Eph 1:20-22 (NASB), God, raised him . . .

A If He’s on the throne, where are we?

6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:6 (NASB)

B When we understand clearly our position in Christ, then we know that everything that is under His feet is also under our feet.

C You & I have the authority of the throne of Jesus Christ.

aa When we come against wicked spiritual forces in our lives the battle is spiritual/ heavenly. (12 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. Eph 6:12)

bb I don’t have anything of mine that can do any good against the wicked spiritual forces, but the ones against are aware of the authority we have in Christ.

2 We are ambassadors of Heaven, citizens of another country.

A IL. Ambassador of U.S., speaks with authority, backing of U.S. President & USA

B When we speak against the demonic spiritual forces who attack us, we speak with all the authority of heaven backing us up.

3 Do you what God wants for you? To look like Jesus, be in the likeness of Christ.

A Jesus isn’t fighting, already fought for me at calvary and won the victory!

aa If the Father’s will for me is to be like Jesus, then I’m not fighting for victory but rather I’m fighting from a victory.

bb Be strong in the Lord and the power/strength of His might.