"Finally"

“Finally” Ephesians 6:10-20

1. Paul begins by urging the people the Ephesians to be Strong

• Paul is saying “shape up” or “be strong” or “be Strengthened “ “Get Strong”

• the text tells us how we attain this strength “in the Lord and in the strength of his power." Strength, then, is not something we bring with us but is a given as a gift ; it is a quality that comes as a gift from God.

2. Paul tells the Ephesians to “put on” whole armor Complete Protection

• Put on all the protective stuff you can to endure

• you will encounter “the wiles (deviousness or crafty ness) of the devil.

• note Paul tells the Ephesians their opponent is not (“flesh and blood”) the battle that confronts Christians is in the here and now, the "present darkness,"

3. When the evil day arises God offers protection Putting on stuff

• He encourages the Christian to “Stand”

• God can protect if we stand with “the belt of truth “first the belt encircled the soldier. He was wrapped completely by Gods love, care and support in battle. Second the belt was a place to store other weapons. -- Salvation, deliverance, adoption, inheritance.

• Paul tells us we are protected by putting on the “breastplate. “The "breastplate" of the soldier protects the most vital areas the throat, heart and lungs. Part of Saint Patrick’s breastplate prayer Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

• God’s protects us by putting on “Shoes” soldiers would drive nails in shoes to “dig in “ they were likened to cleats . Each day we put on “Good News Gospel Shoes”

• God protects us by putting on the “shield of faith” The image described here refers to the ancient tradition of taking the heavy wood, cloth and hide-covered shields of the front-line soldiers and dipping them into water just before the battle. The shield soaked up this water and retained its wetness for quite some time. In this way when the enemy rained down flaming, pitch-covered arrows on the advancing troops, the arrows that embedded themselves in the wet shields harmlessly fizzled out, instead of engulfing the shield and its soldier in flames.

• God protects us by Putting on The "helmet of salvation" God arms us with personal experiences of salvation to give the soldier hope no matter the outcome of battle.

• God protects by giving us the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The devil wants to remind you of your past well remind him of his future.

4. Finally, we are told to be strong, stand and put on the belt of truth, breastplate, shoes, and shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and Prayer. Paul says, “8 Pray in the Spirit at all times, 19Pray also for me, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. Prayer as Paul shares will keep us alert, helps us persevere