Holy Weaponry: Taking A Stand In This Last Hour
Introduction: Read Ephesians 6:10-18:
Theme: Taking a stand against the enemy, Satan, with our ordained Holy Weapons of Warfare.
Aim: Exposing Satan by causing the Saints of God to realize the power they have, through Christ, in their “Holy Weaponry.”
Major Divisions:
I. There is a battle and an enemy! V.11-12: that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. (Eph 6:11-12)
A. "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might" is the admonition that precedes the latter part of verse 11. We need to be strong in the Lord and understand that it is the Lord who has and will win the victory for us. Isaiah said, "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19)."
B. Satan will attack; therefore, a conflict is inevitable. However, if we will trust in the Lord, He has promised that when the enemy comes in like a flood, His Spirit will raise up a standard against Satan and his forces. However, Paul tells us that we need to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. James tells us to “resist the devil.” Peter tells us to stand strong in the faith. Many Christians go through life unaware that they are under attack by Satan. They simply shrug off the battle as a "bad day at work," or even "it must be in God’s will that I am suffering this hardship." You see, it might be that a particular trial you are going through is God ordained and is intended to leave you with an attitude of being more Christ centered, but the devil intentions are to destroy that relationship. And if you can come through a trial with, learning how to wear you’re armor, you have come through the God ordained trial without a scratch! Friend, it is God’s will that we learn how to put on the "Holy Armor of God." When we decide to get up from our usual defeated positions and stand, put on our belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes that are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and prayer of a righteous man that avails much, we are bound to win the victory.
II. We have not been left defenseless: "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (the Purpose) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation...." (Eph 6:13-17)
A. Belt of Truth
B. Breastplate of Righteousness
C. Shoes shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace
D. Shield of faith
E. Helmet of Salvation
III. The offensive weapons that demands wielding and sent up: and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Eph 6:17-18)
A. Sword of the Spirit
B. Always praying in the Spirit
Illustrations: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
Conclusion: Remember, that the Christian Soldier must STAND and not run from the enemy. We are reminded that are enemy is not against men and women, or brothers and sisters in Christ, but of an evil spiritual nature out to destroy the communion and fellowship between man and God. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, we are reminded that the devil walks around like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour. The key word in this verse is may. If we are clothed and equipped with the holy weaponry that God has graciously given us, then we will be able to withstand the onslaught of the devil. Peter tells us to be sober and vigilant. These two characteristics are primary concerns for any soldier. Sober is opposite of drunk, and vigilant is opposite of carelessness. To be sober means to know who are enemy is. When a person is drunk, they lose all their sense of awareness. And most of the time, a drunken person is unable to stand. However, a sober person is able to stand and be alert of the enemy.
The word vigilant means "to watch." A watchman was one who guarded or watched over a city or harvest field. Because of the danger of being raided, every Palestinian city or village had a watchman, especially at night. These watchmen were stationed on the city walls (2 Sam. 18:24), a watchtower (2 Kin. 9:17), or a hilltop (Jer. 31:6). Watchmen were responsible for reporting any hostile action or approaching suspicious person. These watchmen sometimes patrolled the city, called out the hours of the night, and especially looked forward to dawn (Is. 21:11-12).
At harvest times watchmen guarded the crops at night. Israel’s prophets were responsible for watching for impending divine judgment or blessing (Is. 21:6; 52:8; Jer. 6:17) and bringing the news to the people. Watchmen are sometimes referred to as sentries and lookouts.
In summary, we need the full armor of God to withstand the enemy! He has given us a belt of Truth, breastplate of Righteousness, shoes for spreading the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, and prayer. We must use each weapon, realizing that through Jesus, we are more than conquers, and ready to defeat the devil as he attacks us.
Alter Call: Prayer for people having battles and struggles with the principalities and powers described. Pray for people to be gain the victory through Jesus! Declare victory through the blood of Jesus and His victory over Satan 2000 years ago.
