Why Church #11 The Power To Stand Series

~ Intro: In the 2003 movie “Finding Nemo” there is a wonderful scene that

happens after Dory reunites Nemo with his father. A group of moonfish swim by startled by something … watch this clip.

It wasn’t until all the fish decided to work together that they had any hope.

our text for today Ephesians 6:1…(read text)

1. Unity provides the power to resist the enemy’s schemes.(vrs 10-13)

• Unity first with God’s people, that’s where power lies.

- Remember what Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

- What’s wrong with this picture … he is alone.

• Unity against a common and very real enemy, the devil.

- New York Times study … do people believe in satan?

• Unity of the tools provided.

So what are these tools? The answer brings us to our 2nd point …

2. The power to stand is in the quality of our tools.(vrs 14-15)

• The purity of truth is the framework that holds the rest together.

- Lack of purity is like having a beautifully crocheted blanket, if it starts to unravel in one place the hole thing pulls apart.

• The blamelessness from God guarding our hearts

- We need to remember to see ourselves the way God does

- God views us through the cleansing blood of Jesus if we have accepted Him as our Savior & Lord

- Satan wants us to doubt our value…always remember what God was willing to pay for you.

~ Don’t let his lies impact you at all

• Our feet ready with the peace of the gospel.

- Ready not to loose ground.

- Ready to help with endurance.

- Watching hockey game…those without skates didn’t have peace or confidence you could see it how they moved…however the players and reffs had peace and is showed in how they moved

- Ready for what?

This brings us to our final point…

3. This power is to stand is to fulfill the church’s mission.(vrs )

~ Conclusion:

•

- There might be one of these areas God is challenging you in today.

~ As one under authority or one in authority.

• Today you may be here and you would like things to go well in your life and for you to have a long life, you wouldn’t mind being rewarded.

- You have come to realize that God wants to do this for you.

- This is only possible if you come under His authority…

- Accepting what He did and starting a relationship with Him isn’t hard...

~ It’s as simple as the A, B, C’s…