Background to passage: The final words of the full armor of God passage, which flows from the be being filled with the Spirit instructions. We have noted the defensive and offensive aspects of these various pieces of armor as well as the foundation of prayer. From that foundation he asks that they pray one thing for him: that he be given the right words to boldly share the glory of the gospel, because he is, as are we, an ambassador for Jesus. We out to be about the business of sharing and representing Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
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.
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.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
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,
and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Opening illustration: “No brother should preach contrary to the form and regulations of the holy Church nor unless he has been permitted by his minister … All the Friars … should preach by their deeds”. -St. Francis of Assissi, Rule of 1221, chapter 12.
Main thought: Two truths about Paul’s prayer request of the most important action of the Christian life.
1) The Mystery of the Gospel (v. 19)
Ephesians 6:19 ESV
and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
1) The Mystery of the Gospel (v. 19)
Explanation: The mystery or the revelation of the gospel should be simple enough to be understood by a child, yet deep enough to drown the most “spiritual” of theologians. We must get this one right.
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Three parts to the gospel: 1) the accomplishments of Christ - the historical facts; 2) and the theological truth - the great exchange, 3) your response - repent and believe
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Titus 3:5 ESV
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 17:30–31 ESV
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Illustration: Bishop Carlton Pearson, “To be deemed a heretic in this sense is to be declared an enemy of the Christian faith, and apostate, and a threat to the theological integrity of the Christian Church.”
Application: We MUST achieve accuracy and clarity. Jesus paid it all or he didn’t. You can’t fix it, or can you? You must repent, or maybe not. You get this wrong and your eternity and that of others is in jeopardy. Close does not count. The applications don’t stop with justification, but we do not have time today.
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2) An Ambassador in Chains (v. 20)
Ephesians 6:20 ESV
for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
2) An Ambassador in Chains (v. 20)
Explanation: Paul asks for grace to be given to him to speak boldly as he ought to. Interesting that he doesn’t pray for deliverance from prison, assuming that he is in one when this letter is written. Paul’s point that I want to draw out is that he thinks of himself as an authorized representative of Christ (wherever he is) to speak the gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Illustration: Les Cox’s passion for lostness erupted to indignation at a church who would be a stumbling block. Now, if a church could be a stumbling block, how much so can individual believers become stones upon which unbelievers trip over.
Application: Simple app: we are those who are called to represent Jesus and proclaim people’s need and God’s provision of salvation through Christ. Our behavior and our intentional sharing of the gospel are key.
There are many epidemics among Christians, Baptists, churches, and WHBC. We have lives that don’t align with our testimony in Jesus. False salvation is sometimes at fault. Secondly, we simply just don’t share the gospel. In the case of global mission, which is given to the church, hopefully it’s that we don’t know.
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My fear is that we don’t care enough to do it. We won’t place ourselves under the Lordship of Jesus. We won’t make ourselves uncomfortable. We won’t learn a technique. We won’t love our neighbors, and the poor, and the orphan, and the strangers and foreigners among us.
Do we love Jesus, and do we love people? Do you love Jesus enough to die to self, enough to tell a waitress, your coworker, your family member. We have serious soul searching to do as ambassadors
Closing illustration: Lottie Moon -
“When asked later in life about having had a love affair, she responded, “Yes, but God had first claim on my life, and since the two conflicted, there could be no question about the result.”
“I am more and more impressed by the belief that to win these people to God, we must first win them to ourselves. We need to go out and live among them...We need to make friends before we can make converts.”
Recap
