Ephesians 6:10-13
\nPreached Wednesday February 6, 2013<\/p>\n
Introduction:<\/p>\n
A modernistic preacher announced in defending his liberal theological position, “I’m not afraid of the devil.” “That is not what matters so much,” one of his acquaintances replied. “Let me ask you a more important question: Is the devil afraid of you?”<\/p>\n
As born-again Christians, like it or not, we are involved in a heated battle between the forces of darkness and the forces of light. In the first of this two-part message, we will endeavor to expose the unseen forces of darkness that are at work trying to render believers fruitless and powerless for God. Next week we will study the armor and weaponry that will defeat these dark forces.<\/p>\n
It is time that we stand against the dark forces that oppose the will of God. This is a time for Christians to be called to arms in this spiritual battle.<\/p>\n
I.\tChristians are called to Stand<\/p>\n
Ephesians 6:10-11 – 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em> Romans 8:37 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em> 2.\tHe wants to demonstrate that power through you 2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.<\/em><\/p>\n C.\tPut on the whole armor of God<\/p>\n 1.\tPut on = envelope in, hide in 2 Corinthians 10:4 – (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)<\/em><\/p>\n 4.\tStand against the wiles of the Devil \u2013 “wiles” = methodeia = cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery<\/p>\n II.\tChristians are called to Stand Against the Forces of Darkness Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.<\/em><\/p>\n A.\tWe are in a wrestling match \u2013 wrestling = “a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to press and hold down his prostrate antagonist, namely, hold him down with his hand upon his neck.” \u2013 Thayer<\/p>\n An old deacon who used to pray every Wednesday night at prayer meeting always concluded his prayer the same way: “And, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of my life.” The cobwebs were those things that ought not to have been there but had gathered during the week. It got too much for one fellow in the prayer meeting, and he heard the old deacon one time too often. So when the man make that prayer, the fellow jumped to his feet and shouted: “Lord, Lord, don’t do it! Kill the spider!” That’s what needs to happen.<\/p>\n B.\tOur opponents are not human John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.<\/em><\/p>\n C.\tWe wrestle principalities and powers<\/p>\n 1.\tLiterally \u2013 “first ones and authorities” D.\tAgainst rulers of darkness<\/p>\n 1.\tWorld rulers of darkness Colossians 1:13 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:<\/em><\/p>\n E.\tAgainst spiritual wickedness in high places = lower atmosphere where the demons work<\/p>\n <\/em> III.\tThe winner is the last one standing<\/p>\n Ephesians 6:13 – Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.<\/em><\/p>\n A.\tUse all your armor 1 Peter 4:1-2 – Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.<\/em><\/p>\n B.\tPrepare for the evil day<\/p>\n 1.\tA particular period of time Ecclesiastes 12:1 – Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<\/em><\/p>\n Suppose you had been house hunting in a development of new homes, and when you found an empty one you tried to get into it. If the house was full, occupied by people, you wouldn’t dare try to get in. That’s exactly what Satan does. He looks for vacuums. He looks for empty houses. They may be clean, but if God is not within you, having made you His temple, you can be sure the devil is going to occupy you.<\/p>\n C.\tStand!<\/p>\n 1.\tFollow the above advice Acts 26:22 – Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ephesians 6:10-13 Preached Wednesday February 6, 2013 Introduction: A modernistic preacher announced in defending his liberal theological position, “I’m not afraid of the devil.” “That is not what matters so much,” one of his acquaintances replied. “Let me ask you a more important question: Is the devil afraid of you?” As born-again Christians, like it … Continue reading Prepare To Stand<\/span>
\nA.\tBe strong in the Lord
\n1.\tClothe one’s self with strength as one puts on a garment
\n2.\tPassive voice = be continually strengthened
\n 1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
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\nB.\tBe strong in the power of His might
\n1.\tThere is no being stronger than God
\n Ephesians 3:16 – That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;<\/em><\/p>\n
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\n2.\tWe need all the armor = Greek wording pictures a heavily armed soldier
\n3.\tThis armor enables you to stand = stand one’s ground in a battle
\n Romans 13:12 – The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
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\nEphesians 4:14 – That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;<\/em>
\nSome characteristics of the snake make it an appropriate prototype of Satan. A rattlesnake only two minutes old can strike effectively. Snakes can engulf prey on the ground, through water, or hidden to afford perfect camouflage so that their presence is not detected. Night-foraging snakes have eye pupils that are vertical like a cat’s, enabling them to see in the dark.<\/p>\n
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\n2 Corinthians 4:4 – In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n2.\tThe hierarchy of demons
\n Colossians 2:15 – And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\n2.\tOn the earth<\/p>\n
\nEphesians 2:2 – Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:<\/em><\/p>\n
\n** Illustration of \u201cprepare to stand\u201d drill teaching kids to stand without exposing their backs.<\/p>\n
\n1.\tThis command is in the aorist imperative tense, giving the snese of military snap and curtness<\/p>\n
\n2.\t“A day of violent temptation and assault”
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\n2.\tGet ready for resistance
\n3.\tDo not move
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