This week I would like to begin a new series based on Ephesians 6. Specifically verses 10-18 which speak of equipping ourselves for battle. Now some of you might be thinking,"battle, what battle?" But if we are christians living a godly life we should be able to spot the battles that are going on around us and in our lives. So in preperation for battle let's begin doing some training. Let's first read our scripture...
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; "
The first thing I see is that a soldier needs to listen to the instructions of His commander.
1. Listen!
Listening to instructions for a soldier can be the difference between completing a mission or causing it to fail. It can be the difference between life and death. the same can be true in marriage, but that is another seiries! There is a difference between just listening and truly hearing what is said...
The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Unsure of the appropriate response, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."
A soldier must not only listen, but hear what is said. It's in the details where success and failure divide, where life and death are decided!
Hear what the Commander says!
a. Be Strong...
Ok, so Paul begins by telling us to be strong! Let's get into shape so we can whup the enemy! Yea! Oh, wait here's where that whole listening, hearing comes into play...
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.. In other words this is battle we are not strong enough to win. We must rely on God! To be strong in the Lord means to be weak! What how can we be weak, Okay so actually it means recognizing our weakness! I am weak but though art strong! Paul had a thorn in the flesh, an infirmity a weakness, He asked God three times to remove it but God said My strength is made perfect in weakness.
b. Put it on!
God has given us armour! Awesome, let's go fight! Oh, wait not hearing again...
You don't come automatically equipped, you have to put on the armor! Any body here seen "Ironman" Tony Stark a wealthy man who builds an iron suit that protects him from bullets and just about everything else. Now Tony Stark is flesh and blood, if he neglects to put on his armor and goes out to face his enemies, what is going to happen to him? He's going to get hurt or die! the brethren, believers need to put on the armor, or we go to battle equipped for failure, ready for defeat! "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God," Make sure we put it all on! The enemy looks for that chink in our armour, that weakness. We must put on the whole armour!
c. Stand Up!
We got the armour on, so it's all good...
"that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."; " 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"
It's hard to fight off of your back. So we must listen and remember to stand against the enemy!
d. Know the enemy!
So let's go out we're standing equipped with armour and whup somebody! So who are we going to fight? Let's go take on that pastor who preached the world was going to end yesterday! Not hearing again....
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The wiles of who? This battle that we fight is not of flesh and blood but against spirit!
e. Praying Always!
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
In a battle situation, communication is very important. It's important between team members working together and between the command center and the troops. Praying always means to stay in constant communication with Command central! Supplication for all saints is praying for other believers, they are involved ina battle also!
So far we have realized that if we are to be prepared for battle we need to Listen and Hear what the Commander God tells us.
Next week we will start breaking down the individual pieces of armour, to see what they are, what they represent and why we need them! For Now...Listen and Hear the Commanders instruction as we prepare for battle!
