Taking Our Stand

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Ephesians 6:10ff

And Paul says “Finally” —the bottom line; the point of decision; bringing it all together; finally! Vv 11-12.

How do you picture Satan?

    • Red suit; T-shirt “The Devil Made Me Do It;” Sitting on your shoulder; Halloween.
    • Terri Gibb’s song—”Somebody’s knocking, should I let him in. It may be the Devil; I don’t want to do wrong. I never thought he would have blue eyes and blue jeans.”
    • We need a police MO (Mode of Operation). 2 Cor. 2:11 “We are not unaware of his schemes.”
    • There is a battle going on. Our struggle, not my struggle, but our struggle, is not with flesh and blood. A battle that takes place in the heavenlies (a cosmic battle). A spiritual war that the apocalypse describes as a beast & a dragon that is attacking the church.

But there is also a Lion & a Lamb in that battle.

    • Old Testament depiction of God as warrior, his armor and his host.
    • 42:13 The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.
    • 59:17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
    • 11:4-5 With righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips, he will stay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
    • 35:1-3 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

And we are here. And Paul is not unaware of the cosmic struggle the church faces. He recognizes that the battles of the heavenlies are being played in the “earthlies”, the “everydays” of our lives. The principalities and powers use the weapon of fear against us. You see this easily in American politics. What about the immigrant?  What about inflation? What about the environmental crisis? What about our health care? And the list is long. If you do not allign yourself with the powers we are selling, then your whole future, and the future of our nation is lost. Fear is a powerful weapon.

Therefore, he prays.

    • Eph 1:19 –to comprehend. Seen in the resurrection and enthronement of Jesus. Seen in our own resurrection and enthronement. Seen in two peoples being one church 2:19ff.
    • Eph 3:14 –to apprehend.
    • Resurrection Power is available to us.
    • We usually think about the various pieces of armor individually. We ask, “What does it mean for you to wear a belt of truth?” etc. Communally, we should also ask, “What does it mean for us, the church, to wear a belt of truth?” etc.

Conclusion:

    • So, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God [compared to the clothing of Eph 4] … And Paul ends his admonition with exhortation to prayer.
    • Paul begins with an admonition to stand strong. When God marches with his host, angels bow before him, enemies are crushed beneath him, heaven and earth adore him, and we are rescued, we are equipped, and we are empowered, for we are his church—united we are called to arms. It is not just any armor or weapons that are at our disposal, but those of God himself. They are available to us who believe.

Looking Back

  1. What have you learned and how have you been challenged from Ephesians about your identity?
  2. What have you learned from Paul in Ephesians about Christ’s body, the church? What does the church need to hear?
  3. Why do we need Ephesians?