Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
Watch This Sermon at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/146009
Introduction
This morning we move into the culminating passage of our entire study of Ephesians. I usually spend a great deal of time introducing a message and I try to include a contemporary context to the biblical context of the message. The reason for this is when we study Scripture, we must first understand the context in which the Scripture was originally inspired to apply it appropriately to our contemporary context. The purpose of the sermon is to build a bridge between the two contexts through the truth of Scripture.
This message and the following several messages should be applied in your personal life and will benefit your walk as a believer. But may I also emphasize the importance for us to understand this as a church? It is important for us as a church to be prepared for spiritual warfare. The enemy will stop at nothing to thwart God’s blessings in our lives. So the Christian life can be defined simply as warfare. I believe that too many believers and too many churches are unaware of the battle happening and the spiritual battle is inseparable from what is happening here physically, culturally, and politically.
Ephesus was a major trade hub in Asia Minor. It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire with a population of about 250,000 at the time this letter was written. What I want you to know as we prepare to read the opening verses of this passage is that Demonic, Pagan worship was a stronghold over the entire city. Ephesus was the home of the goddess Artemis. It was the center of sensuality, immorality, idolatry, and prosperity. Because of this, when Christianity came onto the scene, there was an immediate tremendous clash of cultures (cf. Acts 19:21-41). The mere presence of the Gospel was a threat to the pagan worship in Ephesus and the citizens of Ephesus wanted it gone.
But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:8–9)
This was the city of the Church Paul was writing to through this Epistle we’ve studied. The first three chapters are this marvelous section on the positional truth of the believer; who we are in Christ. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing from God (Ephesians 1:3). Adopted as God’s Children and predestined, forgiven, and enlightened in truth from God. We’ve been taken out of the dominion of Satan and placed in the Kingdom of God, sealed with the Holy Spirit, for an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
In Chapters four through six, Paul tells the church living in the shadows of the massive temple, how we are to live in light of these blessings. We are not to give the devil a foothold in the church (Ephesians 4:27) or let any form of immorality be named among them (Ephesians 5:3). Instead, believers are being filled with the spirit living in complete contrast to the world around them (Ephesians 5:18). Because of that, the Christian marriage is different, the way we parent is different, and even the master/slave relationship is transformed.
I find it interesting that the very relationships Paul gave specific instruction about in Ephesians are the very relationships our modern culture is destroying. The sanctity of marriage is under the constant barrage of assaults from the alphabet mafia (LGBTQ), along with the role of the man in the home and also the role of the woman in the family. Our children as young as Kindergarteners are now exposed to the likes of drag queens and their perversions. Grades above that level are routinely taught the anti-God lessons of transgender and CRT (Critical Race Theory). The demonic philosophies of Marxism and Socialism are celebrated as the gold standard of society. And human life is counted as a parasitic inconvenience. Population control is an actual mission of globalists like Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates, and political leaders of the World Economic Forum to save Mother Earth. Like the church in Ephesus, we must be aware that behind the physical and ideological movements there are demonic forces driving these.
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. (Ephesians 6:10–12)
I. Finally...
That first word, “Finally,” is important. It is more than just saying ‘in conclusion...” It is the Apostle Paul tells us, in light of everything else, you’ve read...” All of these other things are a culmination of this one prevailing truth: our struggle is a spiritual battle, not a physical battle. As a general principle, we must live in constant dependence on God’s strength.
When God begins to bless, Satan begins to attack. If we are walking in the faith, if we are standing in humility instead of pride, if we are seeking unity instead of division, if we are loving one another, if we are in the fullness of the Spirit rather than drunkenness, then we can be absolutely sure that there will be spiritual opposition. The goal is lukewarmness.
Paul did not tell us about the gospel and the church’s purpose (Ephesians 1-3) so that we could sit back and relax. He didn’t teach us about the Spirit, morality, and relationships so we could live our best life now. Instead, he brings all of these things together with the reality of the powerful spiritual battle we are engaged in as children of God. And Paul’s point is that all of these things in our lives are impossible without God.
Scientists came to the conclusion that through science they could accomplish anything. Because of this, they decided they didn’t need God. One scientist was elected to be their spokesperson to tell God he wasn’t necessary anymore. The scientist told God “Mankind doesn’t need you anymore, with science we can accomplish anything.” To prove his point he challenged God to a contest “I can create life just like you did” God quietly listened to this man not saying a word. The scientist then proceeded to pick up some dirt to create a man. God finally spoke and said, “No, no, get your own dirt” (Credit: Sermon Central).
II. Be Strong in the Lord
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)
The message here from Paul is that the Christian life is not going to be easy. It will take strength - strength that you don’t have within yourself. To stand against the world is to stand against the forces of Satan. The moment you accept in faith your new life in Christ is the moment you become an enemy of the world and the god of this world. There is no neutral ground.
You will notice that two times he uses the word: “In the Lord” and “In the strength of his might.” That is a principle emphasized in Ephesians. We are one with him. his life is our life. His power is our power. His truth is our truth. His strength is our strength and his might is our might.
The strength of the believer is the strength we receive through our dependence on God. Why we need God’s strength is explained by Paul in one of the most magnificent explanations of the Christian life of warfare. Our own strength is no match for Satan’s forces, Satan is far more powerful than the greatest of any saint. But God has not left you to battle demonic forces depending upon your strength and exhorts us to be strong.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)
The question is, strength for what? What are the battles we are going to face? I believe the cross of Christ gave a death blow to Satan. He is a vanquished foe. Satan, however, is a liar and deceiver and so wants to convince the Church otherwise. We have the incredible resource of Christ’s strength and to deny that is to deny a basic and fundamental reality of the Christian life.
1. Strength to do the will of God instead of our own will. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
2. Strength to be obedient to God’s direction and against sin. Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)
3. Strength to pray Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
We are in a war but there is no reason to lose or to be afraid of the Divine strength before us. You should find great strength and encouragement in the knowledge that your calling and salvation are Divine. God himself underwrites your battle and has appointed His son the perfecter of your salvation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2)
It is the knowledge of God’s truth and who He is, it is the heart after God that stands firmly on the Rock of our salvation that gives us strength. Strength is not something that we receive deep down in us, it is received from above if we are willing to receive it. Paul would tell the Corinthian church that he boast about his own weakness to glory in Christ’s strength
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, (2 Corinthians 2:10)
Look at the 3 at the strength of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when faced with Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace:“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16–18)
Paul tells the Ephesians to be strong in the strength of His might. “Be Strong” is present imperative in its form. The word “strength” is kratei which means power and dominion and the word “might” is ischyos which means strength and capability. In other words, Paul is literally saying continually draw your strength from Christ’s kingdom of endless power and strength.
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:19) Why? Because Satan is committed to your destruction. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
III. Put on His Armor
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
The term “full armor” in Greek the word that means the complete battle gear of the warrior. There is both defensive gear and offensive weaponry. To be involved in the cosmic struggle where we are wrestling against the forces of Satan, we must be fully prepared. We must put on God’s armor fully, appropriately, and consistently.
According to Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus, the church was active in doing good works, persevering, not tolerating sin, opposing false teaching, and enduring hardship, but they had lost their first love (Revelation 2:2-4). Yet their downfall was that they lost their first love for Christ. They took off the armor. Maybe they thought they could do it on their own. Maybe they grew complacent, maybe they began to underestimate the strength of the enemy. Whatever the reason, they took off God’s armor and started trusting in their own methods.
I think the church in the United States has been blessed with an abatement of spiritual strongholds because of our biblical foundations. However, we have allowed that foundation to be eroded. Today we are going down the path of immorality at warp speed. Don’t you find it interesting that during this time when evil seems to abound at a mind-numbing rate that is as the exact time that the church seems to be at its weakest and compromising on essential biblical truth?
We must realize our strength in the Lord and tap into the strength that’s available and waiting for us. The way we tap into that power is to put on the full armor of God. It is that armor that gives us strength and allows us to defeat the attacks of the enemy over our lives, our homes, our schools, and our community. No matter who is elected to office or who thinks they are in control, God is in control, and when His people humbly bow their heads and pray, asking God to heal their land, things happen (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“Schemes” here means to stalk. It is the subversive and deceptive schemes of the enemy Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1) Satan’s most successful scheme is doing destruction without detection.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Satan gets his greatest victories by convincing us to war against the wrong battle… Meaning we fight the flesh and blood, especially when it is in the church
?Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23–26)
The warfare is real. The battles are happening. The question is will we stand as a church against such attacks or will we be lukewarm? We’ll look more deeply into the forces of Satan next week. My emphasis today is not on the forces of Satan, but on our invitation to stand firm in God’s armor He provides for us. Just as a soldier is summoned to a life of active duty, so is the believer. What we need to do today is to ready ourselves to stand firm in the battle.
The Christian who puts on the armor is strong in the Lord. To set our will, to purify our character, to remain steadfast in God’s plans, to receive His grace and mercy, to be kept in the hour of testing, and to maintain our focus on the eternal. The person without the Armor of God is naked, alienated, ignorant, and imprisoned.
Which are you today? If you are standing here naked and exposed before the enemy and his attacks will you put on Christ’s armor? It begins by simply inviting him in as the Lord of your life and renouncing your own strength. The truth is, we are all fighting a battle right now: pride, anger, depression, addiction, and fear. How will you stand?
ABC’s of Salvation
