The Reality Of The Battle Series

INTRODUCTION

• In life, it is easy to stick our heads in the sand and act as if we do not see something, or if we do not acknowledge something, it is not happening.

• Since I graduated High School, I have struggled with my weight.

• I was not struggling because I thought I looked ok until I realized I did not.

• Ignoring the problem or refusing to accept the situation does not mean there is not a problem.

• We ignore so many things in life, hoping they will go away.

• At the conclusion of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul turns to the subject of spiritual warfare.

• There is a saying: "Whether you believe in the devil or not, he believes in you."

• Spiritual warfare is real, something every believer should expect to encounter on the journey with Jesus.

• Paul's perspective is unique and helpful for the believer; he saw serious spiritual warfare in Ephesus.

• Life can be challenging at times. It seems like there are times when nothing seems to come easily.

• It seems in our spiritual walk that, we take two steps forward and three back.

• I have seen people who would give up and quit when things got tough.

• I see other people who persevere through the tough times in life.

• When I look at what is happening to our society today, it seems like we are fighting a losing battle.

• Society, in general, seems to be sliding so far from God that it seems hopeless.

• The church seems to be fighting a losing battle in the arena of ideas.

• It seems like those who have anti-God agenda are winning the battle.

• Many Christians feel bruised and defeated.

• I know many of you are struggling with your faith.

• Somewhere along the line, you were made to think that life would be easy when you gave your life to Jesus, only to find that it is not true in the way you thought it would be.

• The battles rage within you.

• There seems to be a temptation at every turn for some.

• How does it appear that the church and Christians fail in life and the public arena of ideas?

• We have the greatest message EVER, given to us by the Creator of ALL THINGS!

• Life should not be this difficult!

• THINK HERE!

• Here is what it boils down to.

• We are all in a war.

• I do not think we understand that.

• We are in a battle.

• We are all soldiers in God's army.

• Before you give your life to Jesus, you are at war with God.

• When you give your life to Jesus, you are then engaged in another war.

• The enemy is trying to take you captive; he wants to get you back on his side.

• If we are going to wage a successful campaign against the enemy, there are some things we need to know.

• It is time to pull our heads out of the sand.

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NET 2nd ed.)

10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.

11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand 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 rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

SERMON

I. A reality check.

• We will begin with a reality check.

• After all, Paul has written to the Ephesian church; he starts this final section of the letter with the word FINALLY!

• Soldiers are expected to engage in a battle when there is a battle.

• Soldiers are shamed if they run from the battle or refuse to engage because they do not think there is a battle for them to fight.

• Soldiers are expected to be strong and stand their ground when the enemy attacks!

• The enemy we face is formidable; we need to be strong.

• Verse ten begins by encouraging us to be strengthened in the Lord.

• The word "be strengthened" means to "be empowered."

• We are encouraged to let the Lord empower us to fight the battle.

Philippians 4:13 (NET 2nd ed.)

13 I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

• Put another way, "I can do all things through Him who EMPOWERS me.

• We suffer defeat in our battle when we decide to go it alone.

• How many Christians do you know who, when fighting a particular battle against some sin, would go into the woods and hide or try to defeat an enemy by their own strength?