This morning I want to speak to you on this topic: Lifting the Curtain.
One of my favorite coaches says this about any upcoming opponent that they play no matter the other team’s record, “It’s a five star match up because we’re in it.” Again, “It’s a five star match up because we’re in it.” The Bible teaches that there’s a war going on and it’s a five star match up because you’re in it! But most importantly God Himself is in it!
Keep your Bibles open to Ephesians 6 with me (page 1163 in your pew Bibles). As you are turning, Please know that we are so glad you are joining us for worship today. These are discouraging days but we want you to sense the hope that comes from Jesus Christ on the Throne.
When you drop into Ephesians 6, you enter into a fierce scene, an intense theatre of battle.
Today’s Scripture
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:10-20).
The Bible teaches that life is a war. The battle is real, it’s invisible, and it’s intense. Now, it may come as a surprise that you are even in a battle.
Aquila
Aquila was quiet for days and his friends could sense discouragement in his voice. Finally, he broke down and shared the sadness that had plagued him for days. Aquila’s parents had written him out of their will. The parents did not like that Aquilla wouldn’t devote all his time to care for them. Instead, he worked tirelessly to bring the gospel to Muslims and Hindus in his SE Asian villages. Though they were believers in Christ as was Aquila, they felt he should be at home with them even more. The spiritual battle is real and Satan does anything possible to deter light from dispelling darkness.
Two Wars
Would you hold up two fingers with me for a moment? Would you make the “peace sign” with me? Many of you will be in two spiritual battles in your life – not all of you but some of you. We were born at war with God because we are born in sin. But when we lay down our arms at the cross of Jesus Christ in unconditional surrender, God declares peace with us. When God declares peace with us, the devil declares war on us and we must be permanently at our battle stations from earth to heaven. So our two fingers in the air reminds me that life has two spiritual battles. So you’re either caught in the first war against God, or you’re in the second war, behind God. So which are you right now: against God or beside God?
Spiritual warfare is the mother of all wars! This warfare affects every area of your life and every individual in your life. There is not one boy, one girl, one man or woman who can extricate themselves from this battle of the ages. There’s no place to run and there’s no place to hide. There is no bunker or foxhole that you can get into that will alleviate you from the repercussions of this battle. This battle is called spiritual warfare and let me show you the gravity of it.
1) The Gift of Spiritual Sight
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
1.1 Elisha’s Servant
Would you turn to 2 Kings 6 (page 367 in the pew Bibles) with me because I want you to appreciate how intense this battle truly is. If you didn’t read this for yourself, you would think I making this up. You will be so encouraged to see this: “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria” (2 Kings 6:15-19).
Syria is at war with Israel during time in history. Elisha is a great man of God. He would get the gold jacket (if you will) as he is in God’s hall of fame. His servant is struggling like you and me are today. The servant of Elisha could see the physical reality of the battle before him but couldn’t see the spiritual reality. He could see the physical forces but not the spiritual forces. He could not see those who are with us are more than those who are with them. So God lifts the curtain for just a moment.
1.2 What if You Could See It?
What if you could see the spiritual battle around you right now? What if God lifted the curtain for you like he did Elisha’s servant? What if God gave you the eyes to see the invisible fight against “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”? Jesus said, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19a). The evil one is Satan and he makes people spiritual blind.
Elisha’s servant was given this incredible gift so that his spiritual sight to his spiritual surroundings. Pause for a moment and consider this, “What do you think that scene would look like?” The battle is so intense, the Son of God died in the most cruel way imaginable in order to achieve victory. So the battle is cutthroat real. Make no mistake about it: this is an intense conflict. If this were a movie it would have the highest rating for violence. Imagine seeing the sinister one moving through our midst right now – can you see him? Jesus said he is here in our midst stealing your interest from the Word of God. What if could see him for just ten minutes? If God permitted your eyes to see this battle, I believe you’d be talking about this for the rest of your life.
1.2.1 Former Soldiers
You’d be like the former soldiers who asked their uncles and fathers what is was like “over there.” Many of you can see them right now in your minds simply shaking their head and mumble “I cannot describe it. I don’t want to talk about it.” Do have someone in your family that was in a war but won’t talk about it? If you could see the spiritual battle you would be stone cold silent. Why?
1.2.2 The Carnage of Battle
You would be awed by the carnage of what you see if you could see spiritual warfare. The sights and the sounds would overwhelm us. If soldiers were to experience PTSD from Afghanistan or Iraq (and rightly so), this battle makes that battle like a kids fighting on the playground of the school yard. A night at ER in John Peter Smith would be as if you’re watching the Fort Worth Symphony at Bass Hall compared to the chaos from this battle. Just ten minutes where your eyes could witness the intense battle would “key you up” for hours because the adrenaline rush. Your mind wouldn’t calm down and sleep would elude you for days to come. There’s “in your face” aspect to the passage as you step into a heated encounter with an enemy who will hit below the belt. All of us would walk away from just ten minutes of this battle and say, “I had no idea.” The battle is invisible but it is more real than any engagement our nation has been involved in. This is a battle like nothing you’ve ever thought of, conceived of, or heard of. Think of the worst battle in human history and its peanuts next to the battle that we will be discussing.
Here’s the point: Spiritual blindness impairs your ability to recognize the truth. Spiritual blindness is an impaired ability to see what is spiritually around us. I know we have some who are physically blind in our church family. Mark this: spiritual blindness is far worse than physically blindness. I want you to have spiritual sight to see the spiritual battle.
1.2.3 Satan in Saudi Arabia & India
Someone says, “Pastor, I think you’re making too much of this. Carnage? Really? You’re going too far.” Let me lift the lid off some of the supernatural evil Satan inspires. 30% of Saudi Arabia’s population come from outside the nation. That is ten million people working inside Saudi Arabia and some of these workers are believers. Saudi Arabia bans churches and it is difficult for believers to find other believers. If a believer were to share her faith and be caught doing so, you face severe penalties if arrested.
Leave Saudi Arabia with me and move to India where a pastor our church supports was placing a sign above his church in Southern India. In just the past few weeks, he places this sign above the church, when a mob rushed him and beat him up. Satan does everything possible to silence believers from sharing the gospel. In America, Christians are silenced because we are made to look like fools for our beliefs.
1.3 Saul’s Spiritual Blindness
Take for example, when Saul who becomes Paul is on the road to Damascus, he’s blinded (literally and physically) by a light. It’s here that he meets Jesus Christ, but he’s physically blinded. Why did God blind Saul when he met Jesus on the road that day? It’s God’s way of saying, “It’s because you’re spiritually blind.” When he gets his physical sight back, he is gifted with spiritual sight so that he comes to see who Jesus Christ is. The Bible is saying that every day for the Christian is a battle – it’s the second conflict we’re involved in. Every day you walk out into the battlefield called life – but many of you cannot see it but it is real. I wish God would grant all of us a moment like Elisha’s assistant where we could see the battle around us.
1) The Gift of Spiritual Sight
2) Adopt a Daily Mindset
How can you successfully engage in the conflict of spiritual warfare? Circle back to Ephesians 6 with me: “Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a).
2.1 Start of the Day
A successful life begins with a successful day. A successful day needs a successful morning. This spiritual warfare thing has to be won as you begin your day. Don’t think this is a switch you can turn on one time for life. This isn’t “one and done” kind of thing. This is a DAILY mentality; this is a rinse, wash, and repeat.
2.2 The Golden Gate Bridge
Most of you know the Golden Gate bridge by sight. What you may not know is that the Golden Gate bridge is painted continuously. There are always painting the bridge the famous orange color because it protects the bridge against the high salt content in the air. If you don’t paint the steel, the steel corrode, it rusts. If you fail to adopt this practice daily, you will go into life unprotected.
You will experience setbacks and defeats. Success in battle means successfully beginning your day with the Lord. The Bible teaches you how to start your day: “Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a). Going out to battle withOUT “putting on” your armor means your doomed for failure. You will certainly meet the enemy. You must adopt a daily mindset.
2.3 Every Day is a Fight
Think about yourself for a moment. Remember the first time you lied to your spouse about money. Think about how nervous you were the first time you cheated on a test at school. Or, remember when you took credit for someone else’s work for the promotion. It becomes easier to repeat your despicable behavior – it gets easier and easier.
Let’s get personal for a moment. Grumbling and complaining about life gets easier and easier each and every time you do it. In time, cheating isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. Over time, lying isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. Again, it’s easier and easier to do this – it maybe hard at first but your conscience is seared after a while. Soon you wake up twenty or thirty year later, you are now a more selfish person. After repeating your lying, cheating, or grumbling, you find that you are a harder person, a more selfish person.
Now, what if the Bible is correct and you live for eternity? What if the Bible is correct and life isn’t just for 78 years here on earth but you live forever? What if those actions you started decades ago become so settled in your character that it your soul for eternity? If the first act of selfishness was challenging, but the second and third are easier and easier, what will you be 2 million years from now? How selfish will you be then? What if twenty years of grumbling here on earth translates into two billions years of selfish piggery in eternity. What if twenty years of self-pity here and now means two billions years from now you’re even more consumed with selfish pity. Likewise, twenty years of compassion here converts to two billions years of being in the company of some of the most compassionate people you’ve ever met. Twenty years of honesty here translates into two billions years of being in the company of some of the most honest people you’ve ever met.
2.4 Right Now Counts Forever
What you do now counts forever. When Paul says “Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a), he’s teaching us that your soul is in conflict EVERY DAY. Nobody talks this way anymore but that doesn’t mean isn’t true. Your soul is either turning to become more radiant or supernatural evil and darkness is tightening its grip on you. Two million years from now, you will either be the most hellish, selfish, hateful figure or your will be the most well-adjusted, emotionally loving and happy person you could imagine.
Every day is a fight and right now choices count forever. Here on earth you have a chance to repent, to turn around. You get in a mood where complaining becomes a crutch. But you can turn around, you can repent of this complaining. There will be a day when you can no longer turn around. Your complaining, your cheating, your lying, your greed, and your lust will be forever. You will be in a place where your complaining, your lying, and your cheating goes on forever – like you are a machine. Hell is a place where everyone is like a machine where everyone lies, cheats, steals forever without end. Right now counts forever.
In the field of microbiology, there’s this thing called a solidifying agent. Where the temperature drops to a certain point in certain materials, the material solidifies. Just like with Jell-O – when it’s hot it is liquid and it when it cools, it is a solid. Sin does just that. If you keep repeating a certain sin, it solidifies inside of you. You become like this machine on the other side of eternity where all you can do is lie, cheat, and complain.
Therefore, “Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a). Friend, you are in a spiritual battle. You need to wake up, my friend.
1) The Gift of Spiritual Sight
2) Adopt a Daily Mindset
3) Gear Up Daily
Again, the Bible wants you to be prepared the battle ahead: “Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a). Note carefully the word “whole” in the first part of verse 11. Paul doesn’t want you to be fooled thinking if you put on SOME of this armor, you’ll be protected. We will look at the equipment in particular in the weeks to come but the key point now is you and me need to put on ALL the equipment.
3.1 My Father
If any of you were raised by someone in the military, you might better understand my father. A Vietnam veteran and an engineer, he read the instructions thoroughly and repeatedly before doing almost anything. Now, he and I were different; I would go off “half-cocked” (his words) while he methodically prepared. So he had this story that I heard many times in order to teach me preparation. He was suddenly in a fox hole in Vietnam somewhere and the enemy was firing down on the American forces. It was a sudden engagement that left little time for preparation. So two guys quickly scrambled for cover and found themselves in this foxhole together. As my father would tell the story, the guy in the foxhole said, “Maze, you have any rounds/ammo?” Evidently, in the midst of the chaos and the sudden onset of battle, he had his gun with him but no ammunition. Obviously, a gun without ammunition was worthless. Now, this often-repeated morale to my dad’s story was this: you carry double the standard issue of 100 rounds with you because you never know when the guy in the foxhole isn’t prepared. This had nothing to do with war, guns, or ammunition as much as he was seeking to get me to think ahead. He was teaching me, “Son, if you don’t think ahead and prepare, you’ll find yourself in a situation where you wish you would have thought ahead. You have to be prepared.”
3.2 ALL the Armor
Paul says the same thing to us: be prepared and think ahead. Put on the whole armor of God DAILY. You are not to put on part of the equipment but all the equipment. Paul was in prison when he wrote Ephesians and he’s likely seeing a Roman soldier as his prison guard nearly all day long as he’s in captivity. The image of the Roman soldier leads Paul to write, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
Four times over the Bible uses the language of standing, standing firm, or withstanding (Ephesians 6:11, 13, 14). He sees how the common Roman solider is dressed and helps us make the corresponding analogy.
Again, you are to ““Put on the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a). Each of the pieces — belt, shield, boots, shield, helmet, and sword are all furnished by God. Just as our government provides the equipment for our soldiers, God provides you the needed pieces for your war against evil. No sensible person goes into battle in t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Instead, you’d gear up; you want everything possible to defend, to protect you. Put on all the armor and don’t “pick and choose” your favorite weapons.
3.3 Game Film
Most of us are aware that athletes and coaches watch game film of an upcoming opponent. One NFL player indicated that he watched game film around five hours a day. A position coach for the Dallas Cowboys recently told the Dallas Morning News that he believes the average film study for someone in his position is around four hours a day. Some smart-aleck says, “Maybe they should watch a little more this year ?!” No arguments here!
One area high school coach said they spend between ten and twenty hours a week watching film of their opponents on average. If a coach and a player average between twenty and twenty-five hours a week in film study for a silly game, how much film study do you think Satan does for war between good and evil?
You have to get serious about this and put on the whole armor of God. In this spiritual war, our opponent, the devil — along with his team of demons — has had thousands of years watching humanity’s film.
Satan isn’t God – he’s not omni anything! He’s not omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscience. But he’s an expert on exploiting your personality weaknesses, your traumas, your racial and gender divisions, and you our flesh and its desires. Satan and his team of demons have been watching your own game film on you and me since our conception.
They know what leads you to sinful patterns. They know how to get you down on yourself. They are intimately aware of what frustrates you and wears you down. They have Ph.D.’s in exploiting your weaknesses. The Bible says to put on ALL the armor.
3.4 Stand Against
Why should you gear up DAILY? Look again at the back half of verse 11: “…that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11b). Four times in the midst of four verses, the Bible tells us to stand against evil or withstand evil forces. You have to be daily vigilant against the schemes of Satan.
My battle isn’t against my spouse, my boss, or my parents.
My battle is against the “…the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11b).
My battle isn’t against my children, myself, or a nation.
My battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12b).
You cannot fight physically what is conquering you spiritually. A police officer shot his TV when he saw a criminal draw his gun on a reality TV show. It was a natural reflex evidently for him. When you attempt to fix only the physical world without addressing the unseen spiritual world behind it, you’re no better than the cop shooting his TV.
You cannot fight physically what is conquering you spiritually. You have to fight spiritual forces in a spiritual way. You cannot faint when temptation comes your way. You must be courageous to stand against the schemes of Satan.
Conclusion
My wife didn’t not want to go to Israel because she feared for our safety. She would say, “If we die, what happens to our children?” When our family arrived in Israel, she will tell you she felt incredibly safe. Perhaps more safe than some places here in the United States.
How could Israel feel so safe? You see in Israel, they live with the sensitivity they’re in a constant state of war. Every decision that is made is made, particularly where tourists are involved, with the reality that they live in a realm with unfriendly neighbors. And so, all of their decisions and choices reflect that.
The reason why there are so many spiritual casualties is that we lose sight that we’re in a perpetual state of warfare. You will not see victory until you have Holy Spirit driven vigilance. He’s coming after you. You must stand against the attack and schemes of Satan.
You have the Spirit of God in you, my Christian friend. Be spiritually strong each and every day. You have a target on your back and he will disguise himself and he will con you. He’s studied the film on you and he knows where to exploit you. You need to be spiritually vigilant. You cannot paint the Golden Gate Bridge just one time and walk away. You can neither stand against Satan just once and be done.
