Passing the Test
January 23rd, 2011
Ephesians 6:10-24
INTRODUCTION
Most of us can relate to having been at the doctors for a regular check up and the Doctor says I want to run some routine tests. Check your blood work, your cholesterol, your lipids. As the nurse draws our blood each of us hopes that no matter how we’ve been taking care of ourselves we just hoping let the numbers be good.
For some of us we have been there when the test results come back and they are not so good. Cholesterol 320, Blood suger is 390, the lump is not benign, the mole is is dangerous needs to be removed, your artery is clogged, your blood pressure is 210 over 140. We come to crossroads, where we know health can no longer be taken for granted. We suddenly know that we are in a fight. A fight in which the outcome hangs in the balance of the changes we undertake. Ahead may lay drastic surgery, rehab, new diet, new lifestyle. There is no way back to physical health will be a fight.
In the end of the Ephesians Paul makes on more prescription. It a prescription for every believer who has ever been at the cross roads where the future of their spiritual health is at stake. It is a prescription for the broken, for nurture, for the lost, for the lukewarm for those who have contemplated quitting, for those who have failed, fallen been overcome, for those who felt the weight of life’s circumstances, for all those who have wondered if there was an answer.
Paul prescribes a road to health.
PASSING THE TEST WILL MEAN FIGHTING FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
T.S. Turn with me to Eph 6:10-18 and let’s look at the fight for our spiritual health.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. NIV
I. Envision your future.
Proverbs state that where there is no vision the people perish? Proverbs 29:18
How do you see your future? If you could dream any dream for your spiritual health? What would you dream? What character do you long for others to see in you. When it comes to your walk with the forgiver, how do you want your children and friends to describe it in the day you gone? What do you envision?
Jim Elliot -- (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was an evangelical Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people through efforts known as Operation Auca.
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” — Jim Elliot
"Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God."
— Jim Elliot
How to you envision your spiritual health?
T.S. Paul envisions the future for the Ephesians with two words.
The first word is so powerful that as soon as a share it everyone in this room will automatically have a word picture of it in their mind. The
A. Strength
in the Lord – strength that can only be explained by an intimate relationship with the Lord.
In his power – the ability rest in him, it is discovered only in him.
B. Stand
Two pictures come to mind.
• In victory -- standing having prevailed and reached the victory.
• In the face of the enemy -- But perhaps it is more the picture of standing prepared and ready for battle in the face of the enemy.
•
In the movie Gladiator, Russel Crowe Character , Maximus Decimus Meridias in his first staged contest at the gladiator school gives a powerful portrayal of this. He and a few other gladiators have been selected to be slaughtered by three experienced gladiators for the thrill of the crowd. There is a scene where only he and an African fighter are the only two men still standing before the fierce onslaught. Bloodied, wounded, tested, tried. They stand.
That is the picture Paul envisions for the followers of Jesus that in the face of a fierce enemy, attacked, perhaps wounded, severely tested, that we would stand.
T.S. But to reach that point of standing strong will require something of us.
II. Recognize what is at issue.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
A. There is an enemy that plots against you.
11. . .so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
I watched an elaborate scheme on a tv show the other day. Wanting to get back at a noicy roommate, a coed buttered the kitchen floor and rang the apartments phone. When the roommate ran into the kitchen he slipped and fell.
That is the exact way Paul envisions the enemy actively plotting laying traps seeking to cause us to fall.
B. The enemy wages war in ways we easily over look.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood
The real battles for your spiritual health will be spiritual in nature.
If I faced off in front of you with a five foot broad sword, waving it and ranting in a menacing way, none of you in the room would have any trouble believing that threat might exist. But we can be too easily caught off guard because the enemy fights in ways that are not as easily seen.
C. What you decide determines how you come through the day of challenge.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
If you have to fight a fire, do you want to wear the full protective gear available to you as a fireman or are you willing to settle for a cheap imitation, a costume.
What are you willing to settle for in the fight that is ahead?
III. Take the offensive.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
A. Be strengthened by Truth
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
B. Heart righteousness (no longer accusable)
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
C. Walk in reality of the Good news worked out in your life.
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
D. Be prepared to respond with faith when you are under attack
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
E. Know that your salvation is secure
17 Take the helmet of salvation
F. Fight back with the word.
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
G. Make this, NO make everything a matter of prayer.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
& PASSING THE TEST WILL MEAN FIGHTING FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
SUMMARY
Envision Your Future.
Recognize what is at Stake
Take the Offensive
CHALLENGE
When you have done all that where start? Make one decision that makes you stronger. Make one decision that will likely aid you in the day of battle.
• Join a small group.
• Find a training partner.
• Ask an elder for input.
• Realign your morning routines.
• Take part in a retreat, an advance.
• Join Fresh Encounter.
Fresh Encounter
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