STRENGTH To STAND-I—Ephesians 6:10-20
Attention:
Memorial Day—U.S. war death count[from: AwesomeStories.com]:
2015—In 1971, Congress declared that “Memorial Day” would be a national holiday which occurred on the fourth Monday of May(not on May 30th). Among other reasons, legislators wanted to give Americans a long weekend at the beginning of summer.
Veterans opposed that idea, declaring that if Memorial Day were part of a long weekend, it would turn-into a summer holiday where people focused on having fun instead of remembering, & honoring, those who had died.
How many Americans have given their lives for their country’s freedom, from the formation of the "United States" until now? Here are the approximate numbers from the major conflicts (with a separate listing for the War beween the States):
American Revolution—4,435 deaths; 6,188 wounded.
War of 1812—2,260 deaths; 4,505 wounded.
Mexican War—13,283 Deaths; 4,152 wounded.
U.S. Civil War—620,000 deaths; 476,000 wounded; 400,000 captured or missing.
Spanish-American War—2,446 deaths; 1,662 wounded.
World War I—116,516 deaths; 204,002 wounded.
World War II—405,399 deaths; 671,846 wounded.
Korean War—36,574 deaths; 103,284 wounded.
Vietnam War—58,209 deaths; 153,303 wounded.
Persian Gulf War (1990-91): 382 deaths; 467 wounded.
“Global War on Terror,” including the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars:
+6,800 deaths; more than 970,000 disability claims registered as of March 31, 2014.
By Memorial Day, 2015, at least 1,266,304 people had died fighting for America.
Paul closes his revelation/direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord by effectively arming themselves.
The church must acquire God’s strength to stand victorious.
Where is the church’s strength to stand victorious?
How can the church find strength to stand victorious?
12 distinctions of the Christian soldier’s strength for victory.
alternate lead-in: God’s people acquire victory thru a distinct...
1—God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...
STRENGTH(:10)
Explanation:(:10)
:10—“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might.”
Now Paul addresses that(those matters) which is near & dear to his heart as an apostle to the Gentiles & as one entrusted with the spiritual welfare of the Ephesian Christians. He gives the church some final general instruction.
He addresses them as his own brothers.
He exhorts the Christians & Christian family there to make a priority of their “being strong”...of seeking & possessing “strength.”
It is entirely likely that the believer has NOT sought to maintain God’s “strength” in their life. It is to one’s persuasion & benefit to do so!
Their “strength”/empowerment is to be accomplished foundationally “in the Lord.”
“It is to be accomplished “in the power” that arises out of the Lord’s “might.” That is, the Ephesian brothers & sisters are to find their strength in God’s inherent, eternal, & steady—vigor, ability, & strength—& to employ that strength” in every aspect of their lives both individually & corporately.
“Finally”—loipon—Adverbial Noun—1) Remaining, the rest—1a) Hereafter, for the future, henceforth, 1b) At last, already, 1c) For the rest, besides, moreover. Strong—neuter singular of the same as loipoi[remaining ones]; Something remaining(adverbially). RWP—Finally (tou loipou). Genitive case, “in respect of the rest,...”“D G K L P have the accusative to loipon (as for the rest)...”. Used 14X.
From a derivative of leipw—1) To leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind; 2) To be wanting, to fail.
“Brethren”—adelfov—Noun Masc.—1) A brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother; 2) Having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman; 3) Any fellow or man; 4) A fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection; 5) An associate in employment or office; 6) Brethren in Christ—6a) His brothers by blood, 6b) All men, 6c) Apostles, 6d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place. Strong—from A(as a connective particle) & delfuv(the womb); A brother(literally or figuratively) near or remote. “Strong/Empowered”—endunamow—Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural—1) To be strong, endue with strength, strengthen; 2) To receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength; 3) in a bad sense—3a) Be bold, headstrong. Strong—To empower. Used 8X.
English=?’Endow’?
From—en—1) In, by, with etc.. Strong—a primary preposition denoting (fixed)position(in place, time or state), & by implication--Instrumentality(medially or constructively), i.e. A relation of rest(intermediate between eiv[into, unto, to, towards, for, among] & ek/ex[out of, from, by, away from]).—&—dunamow—To enable. From—dunamiv—Force(literally or figuratively); specially--Miraculous power(usually by implication, a miracle itself).
“Lord”—kuriov—Noun Masc.—1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord. Kuriov has a wider meaning[than despothv], applicable to the various ranks & relations of life & not suggestive of either property or of absolutism. Strong—from kurov(supremacy); Supreme in authority, i.e. as noun--Controller.
“And”—kai—Conjunction—1) And, also, even, indeed, but. Strong—And, also, even, so then, too, etc..
“In”2X(See :14—“With”)—en—Preposition—1) In, by, with etc..
“Power/Strength”—kratov—Noun Neuter—1) Force, strength; 2) Power, might: mighty with great power—2a) A mighty deed, a work of power; 3) Dominion. Kratov is might, relative & manifested power -- in the NT chiefly of God. Strong—perhaps a primary word; Vigor[“great”](literally or figuratively). Used 12X.
The verbal form—kratew—Verb—1) To have power, be powerful—1a) To be chief, be master of, to rule; 2) To get possession of—2a) To become master of, to obtain, 2b) To take hold of, 2c) To take hold of, take, seize—2c1) To lay hands on one in order to get him into one's power; 3) To hold—3a) To hold in the hand, 3b) To hold fast, i.e. not discard or let go—3b1) To keep carefully & faithfully, 3c) To continue to hold, to retain—3c1) Of death continuing to hold one, 3c2) To hold in check, restrain. Strong—To use strength, i.e. Seize or retain(literally or figuratively).
“Might”—iscuv—Noun Fem.—1) Ability, force, strength, might. Iscuv denotes strength, power(especially physical) as an endowment. Strong—from a derivative of iv(force; compare escon, a form of ecw); Forcefulness(literally or figuratively). Used 11X.
The verbal form—iscuw—Verb—1) To be strong—1a) To be strong in body, to be robust, to be in sound health; 2) To have power—2a) To have power as shown by extraordinary deeds—2a1) To exert, wield power, to have strength to overcome, 2b) To be a force, avail, 2c) To be serviceable, 2d) To be able, can. Strong—To have(or exercise) force(literally or figuratively).
Argumentation:
2Sam. 22:30; Ps. 18:29—“For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.”
Josh. 23:5-11—“And the LORD your God will expel them from before you & drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you. Therefore be very courageous to keep & to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, & lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. For the LORD has driven out from before you great & strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.”
Rom. 8:31-39—“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, & furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Php. 4:6-14—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue & if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned & received & heard & saw in me, these do, & the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”
2Cor. 10:3-6—“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, & being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Illustration:
No military operation can be successful w/o proper intel & weaponry(& numerous other things outside the soldier’s hands!)/Neither can happen without government funding & production/Outside STRENGTH
Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus:
Hymn # 391
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
& Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
& strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To those who vanquish evil
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.
Application:
?Your STRENGTH give you & others, strength to stand victorious?
?You acquired Strength for victory over wickedness?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Memorial Day—Death stats. for all U.S. wars thru 2015.
Action:
God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...
1. STRENGTH(:10)
Pt. 1 only! Presented 05/28/2017(Memorial Day Sunday)am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SW(SE Ave. A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
