PUT IT ON! Part 1

Put it on!     Part One

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

 

Written by Paul to (Modern day Turkey)        There are 4 themes to Ephesians

  1. We Have Been Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ

Paul plumbs the depths and leaps for the heights of language in his efforts to convey the amazing “riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Eph. 1:8). Indeed, God has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Paul is trying to impress upon us that God and his blessings are greater than we can even comprehend; that’s why the gospel is described as a beautiful mystery that can’t be solved but can and should be savored.

He speaks of “the immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:19). He prays for the Ephesians “to [God] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). Paul asks God that believers would somehow “know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:19).

There is a theme of “the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:20) in Ephesians when talking about God and his blessings. Paul talks of God’s “glorious grace” (Eph. 1:6), the “boundless riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8), whose love is “wide and long and high and deep” (Eph. 3:18) and whose people are described as “the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:23).

There is nothing God has withheld. There is nothing we lack. So much of what we have been given can be accessed in the here and now – daily strength and power for living – but even that which we cannot yet access in this fallen world and in this mortal life has been made certain through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who acts as a “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:14).

  1. The Gospel Is a Matter of Life and Death

Paul pulls no punches: “‘As for you,’ he says, ‘You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient’” (Ephesians 2:1-2).

There is a glorious word in verse four, however: “But…”

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5).

Throughout the book of Ephesians, the impact of the Gospel is expressed in similarly stark contrasts. Gentiles once were “excluded...foreigners...without hope and without God...but now” they have been “brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:12-13).

The “hostility” between different groups becomes “peace” through the reconciliation of Jesus’ blood (Eph. 2:14, 16). The Gospel allows “infants” to “grow...to become mature” (Eph. 4:14-15). The “old self” is as different from the “new self” (Eph. 5:22-24) as “darkness” is from “light” (Eph. 5:8).

  1. Our Walk with God Is of Utmost Importance

In light of the incredible spiritual blessings given by God and the new life we have in Christ, Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” to “walk in love” (Eph. 5:1), and to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).

The term “walk” has a mundane quality that brings to mind our everyday interactions. In line with this, Paul offers counsel for what walking worthily, lovingly, and wisely looks like in the context of family and work and church dynamics (Eph. 5:15-6:9). The Gospel is not just a lofty philosophical idea – it has real-life implications for our daily rounds.

  1. God Gives Us Strength for the Battle We Face

Lastly, believers are urged to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10). We have access to “the full armor of God” so that we “may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Moreover, we have access to God Himself through prayer at all times, and Paul encourages us to pray for ourselves, each other, and for those who are declaring the “mystery of the Gospel” as “spiritual ambassadors” around the world (Eph. 6:18-20).

The old hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” comes to mind when reading through the book of Ephesians.

“All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!”

Indeed, we have been brought from death to life and given everything we need for the daily relationships and responsibilities we have and the spiritual battles we face. As we walk through this world, we do not walk alone. We are fully resourced and indwelt by the glorious God whom Paul seeks to glorify in this letter:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

 

This is the single most important sermon series I have ever preached to you in my life!

 

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

  • “Finally” – Last but not least – The most important thing to remember.
  • “Be strong” – Not anxious, not inconsistent, not weak and puny.
  • That’s the problem with most Christians, when the going get’s tough, they disappear.
  • Would rather express your thoughts, than hit your knees.

 

  • What is the “Power” of His might? There was a difference in the approach in the OLD and NEW testament.
  • Not by might, nor by power, but by my SPIRIT says the Lord – Zechariah 4:6
  • In Acts 1:8 He said “You shall receive POWER after the Holy Ghost has come upon you…”

 

Ephesians 6: 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

  • There are 6 pieces to the “Armor of God”
  • We will break down each piece in this series.
  • Loins girt with truth (belt of truth), 2. Breastplate of righteousness, 3. Shoes with the preparation of the gospel of peace (peace), 4. Shield of faith, 5. Helmet of salvation, and 6. The sword of the spirit/word of God. **There is a 7th we will reveal from scripture.

 

“That you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

  • STAND, not fall. Stand not give up
  • Wiles = Schemes, Tactics, Strategies
  • Understand, The devil has a plan.
  • It’s not coincidence that that boyfriend started flirting with you.
  • Or that that pretty girl started batting those eye laces at you.
  • THE DEVIL will put distractions in your life.

 

 

Why am so passionate about this? Because I’ve seen more loose out, then make it!

  • Folks that were grounded, rooted, teachers, preachers, leaders.
  • But somehow the Devil penetrated their hearts and now they are back to the hell hole they were in.
  • Back to the destruction.
  • Back to the adduction.
  • Back to the anxiety.
  • Ans in most cases, worse than they were when they came to the alter.
  • SOME OF YOU! Know what its like to tremble under the presence of God, but you let the Schemes, strategies, and tactics of the devil take you down!

 

WHY? 

Because there’s a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (1 Petere 5:8)

Because the thief comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy. (John 10:10)

 

Even if you don’t believe every promise the Lord has for you. The enemy does.

  • You have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
  • The stripes on His back were for your healing. 1 Peter 2:24
  • God owns the cattle of a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10
  • His mercies are new every day. Psalm 136:1
  • He will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Even if you don’t accept it, the devil knows it’s true!

That you are an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony. Rev. 12:11

That God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

That no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17

You are more that a conqueror through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37

That greater is He that is within you, than he that is in this World. 1 John 4:4

2 Corinthians 4: 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

 

We think what is going on in Israel is bad, it doesn’t compare to the battle we face every day In the Spirit world.

  • Some of you, almost let the schemes of the devil keep you from coming to church today.
  • Some of you, have allowed the tactics of the devil distract you from Worship and receiving the Word of God today.