The Battle of the Church
Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
Introduction: True story....A Christian leader was traveling recently by plane. He noticed that the man sitting two seats over was thumbing through some little cards and moving his lips. The man looked to be in his fifties and somewhat professorial with his goatee and graying brown hair.
Guessing that he was a fellow-believer, the Christian leader leaned over to engage him in conversation. "Looks to me like you’re memorizing something," he said. "No, actually I was praying," replied the other man. "I believe in prayer too," the Christian leader responded. "Well, I have a specific assignment," said the man with the goatee. "What’s that?" "I’m praying for the downfall of Christian pastors."
Surprised, the Christian leader said, "I would certainly fit into that category. Is my name on the list?" "Not on my list," the man replied.
Stories like this can make us uneasy, but they also remind us that we are firmly entrenched in the midst of a spiritual conflict.
While the outcome has already been determined by Christ’s victory over sin and death (See 1 Corinthians 15:56-57) 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
the battle rages on. The enemy, the Devil, seeks to rob God of glory by leading men and women on a pathway of rebellion (See Ephesians 2:1-21 1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
So it becomes important for Christians to take time every now and then to review our understanding of this ongoing spiritual war lest we become casualties in this great battle.
Background: Though the church at Ephesus was undergoing only minimum persecution from without at the time this letter was written (See Acts 19:23-29), they were experiencing some conflict from within.
Some influential, yet ignorant men (See 1 Timothy 1:6-7) 6from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. were teaching false doctrine, propagating fables and genealogies (See 1 Timothy 1:3-4) 3As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith and putting forth ideas such as the forbidding of marriage and abstaining from certain foods (See 1 Timothy 4:3). 1Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Paul understood that they constituted a very real danger to the believers in that city and so he warned Timothy to guard what had been entrusted to his care (See 1 Timothy 6:20). 20O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—21by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Yet he never considered that the battle was to be fought against flesh and blood (i.e. other people). The real conflict was of a spiritual nature.
I. Our adversary in warfare
(See Ephesians 6:10-13). 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of £the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Make no mistake, our enemy is the Devil. He is constantly scheming to ruin mankind.
A. Here are some of Satan’s schemes for unbelievers.
1. He blinds the minds of unbelievers (See 2 Corinthians 4:4). 4whose minds the god of this
age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine on them.
2. He snatches away the Word of God (See Matthew 13:19). 19When anyone hears the word
of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away
what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
3. He sets traps for the unwary so that they oppose the Lord servants
(See 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
4. He masquerades as an angel of light
( 2 Corinthians 11:13-14) to deceive men and women.
12But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
B. Here are some of Satan’s schemes for believers.
1. He fills our hearts to lie (i.e. sin--See Acts 5:1-6). ANANIAS AND SIPPHARA
2. He hinders the servant of God from doing His work
(See 1 Thessalonians 2:18). 18Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and
again—but Satan hindered us.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15) 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself
into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works
3. He destroys the unity of the church by creating discord (See Ephesians 4:20-32).
20But you have not so learned Christ, 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct,
the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the
spirit of your mind, 24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God,
in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”£ for we are members of one another. 26“Be angry, and do not sin”:£ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
4. He leads the world to persecute the church
The Church at Smyrna(See Revelation 2:10). 10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.
Application: 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that the Devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion seeking
whom he may devour.
He is to be respected for his strength 9Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
But can be overcome by God’s Power. 1 John 4:4 4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
SATAN(DECEPTION OF)
The Portia spider is a master predator whose chief weapon is deception. To begin with, says Robert R. Jackson in National Geographic, the spider looks like a piece of dried leaf or foliage blown into the web. When it attacks other species of spiders, it uses a variety of methods to lure the host spider into striking range.
Sometimes it crawls onto the web and taps the silken threads in a manner that mimics the vibrations of a mosquito caught in the web. The host spider marches up for dinner and instead becomes a meal itself. The Portia spider can actually tailor its deception for its prey. With a type of spider that maintains its home inside a rolled-up leaf, the Portia dances on the outside of the leaf, imitating a mating ritual.
Jackson writes, "Portia can find a signal for just about any spider by trial and error. It makes different signals until the victim spider finally responds appropriately--then keeps making the signal that works."
Like the Portia spider, Satan's weapon of choice is deception.Lies, Satan, Stumbling,
Temptation Matt. 4: 1-11; Jesus-40 days-wilderness-hunrgy when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”£
Holy City –Pennicle of temple 6and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”£
7Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”£a Now to a high mt.Kingdoms of World-- 9And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, £“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”£
11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to
Him.
Jesus Speaking to the Jews-especially the Religious Jews John 8:42-45; 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
II. Our armor in warfare ( Ephesians 6:14-17). For this great spiritual conflict, God gives his children much help.
A. The belt of truth (buckled around your waist).
B. The breastplate of righteousness.
C. Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace
D. Take up the shield of faith
E. Take the helmet salvation. In Isaiah 59:17 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate
and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for
clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
We have been raised with Christ who is far above all rule, authority, power and dominion (See Ephesians 1:19-21).
F. The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. This is an important offensive weapon meant to be used in close combat with the enemy (See Matthew 4:1-10).
Illustration: Sunrise was dawning when Los Angeles motorcycle police officer Bob Vernon saw a red pickup truck speed through a stop sign. "This guy must be late to work," he thought to himself. He turned on his emergency lights and radioed that he was in pursuit. The pickup pulled over, and the officer approached. Meanwhile in the truck, the driver thought, "The cops already know!" He rested his hand on the same gun he had used a few moments before to rob a twenty-four-hour market. The sack of stolen money was beside him on the seat. The officer said, ’Good morning, sir, may I see your--’ He never finished the sentence. The driver shoved his gun toward the policeman’s chest and fired from just inches away. The cop was knocked flat seven feet away. A few seconds later, to the shock of the criminal, the officer stood up, pulled his service revolver, and fired twice. The first bullet went through the open window and smashed the windshield. The second tore through the door and ripped into the driver’s left leg. "’Don’t shoot!’ the thief screamed, throwing the gun and sack of money out the pickup window. What saved the policeman’s life was dozens of layers of Kevlar, the super strong fabric used for bulletproof vests. Only three-eighths of an inch thick, Kevlar can stop bullets cold.
The Bible instructs every Christian to put on the full armor of God. Simple qualities like righteousness and faith can deflect what the Enemy of souls may fire at us.
III. Our activity in warfare
( Ephesians 6:18-20). 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests with this in mind, be alkert and always keep on praying for all the saints—19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Here Paul spells out where the battle lines are actually drawn. The enemy will do anything to keep the Gospel message from going forth! Because this is so, we are told to pray at all times in the Spirit.
A. This prayer is to be unceasing (at all times). Even with the awareness of our adversary and
the armor of God, Christians are only capable of standing firm when we are continually in
prayer.
B. This prayer is to be done in the Spirit. In other words, it is not our piety or merits that will
result in answered prayer, but the Spirit of God interceding for us (See Romans
8:26).
C. This prayer is to be for all the saints.
(1) That we will not be unaware of the Devil’s schemes;
(2) that we will put on the armor of God so that we can stand firm;
(3) that we will be bold in our witness to others.
ILLUSTRATION: Writing in Moody Monthly, Carl Armerding recounted his experience of watching a wildcat in a zoo. "As I stood there," he said, "an attendant entered the cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom. Carefully closing the door, he proceeded to sweep the floor of the cage." He observed that the worker had no weapon to ward off an attack by the beast. In fact, when he got to the corner of the cage where the wildcat was lying, he poked the animal with the broom. The wildcat hissed at him and then lay down in another corner of the enclosure. Armerding remarked to the attendant, "You certainly are a brave man." "No, I ain't brave," he replied as he continued to sweep. "Well, then, that cat must be tame." "No," came the reply, "he ain't tame." "If you aren't brave and the wildcat isn't tame, then I can't understand why he doesn't attack you." Armerding said the man chuckled, then replied with an air of confidence, "Mister, he's old -- and he ain't got no teeth."
