Speak Out With Boldness

Speak Out With Boldness

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, Luke 4:1-13

Central idea: We are to fight against the evils of our time with truth, righteousness, and faith proclaiming the Gospel boldly.

Delivery style: Speak forcefully

Paul was in chains in prison when He wrote this letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:10-20, "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 1 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against [defensive] the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak."

As Hitler’s appetite for power and territory grew, his army began to march across Europe. The German army had tanks, mechanized infantry and technologically advanced weapons. In the Low Countries, the defenders were so weak that the fight was not a battle, just a skirmish. The Polish Army had horse-mounted cavalry to charge tanks and biplanes to go against powerful Messerschmitt 109s. It was no contest. Poland fell in a few weeks. Poland was not equipped for the battle.

We who oppose evil today are much like the Polish army of 1939. Many of evil's victims do not even know a war is ongoing. They make easy prey. We Christians must realize that we are in a great spiritual struggle. Even more distressing is the fact that many who consider themselves “in the war” do not understand the nature of evil's schemes, of the weapons that evil employs, or of the weapons that God has provided for our defense.

Paul says, "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

The church is engaged in a spiritual war. Our enemies remain invisible to our eyes, but they are real, and so is their opposition. These enemies are both worldly and spiritual. They range from evil people to fallen angelic beings. In verse 12, Paul describes the many enemies as “rulers,” “powers,” “world forces of this darkness,” and “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that we dare not underestimate our enemy, “who prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan does not have false teeth. He not only desires to devour, but he will also devour those who do not take up the “whole armor of God.”

Paul’s focus in our text is not on every aspect of Satan’s opposition to God and man but on the devil’s war with the saints. You are the saints, the members of the church of Jesus Christ. Satan carries on his warfare on various fronts. Evil seeks to keep unbelievers from the truth, but, in Ephesians, Paul’s concern is with Satan’s war against the church and with the defenses that God has provided the Christian.

In the spiritual war, evil employs many strategies to oppose and defeat the Christian. Paul does not speak of the “scheme” of the devil, but of his “schemes” (plural). 1. Recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 is how Satan tempted our Lord. Satan finally failed and then came back and back again. For forty days and nights, Jesus was in the wilderness and the devil tempted Jesus. Jesus ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil spoke, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4:13 “And when the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” Not only did Satan tempt Jesus with different lines of approach, he also purposed to continue to tempt Him with an endless variety of “schemes.”