FHBC Sermon Notes

Sermon Audio: Click to Listen
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20 - Click to Listen
We live in the midst of a spiritual battle. How do we prepare for battle?
Just like nations, we must remain prepared for battle at all times. The standing army, must be standing, not sitting waiting. So how do we prepare for spiritual battle?

1. The believer must walk in the strength and power of Christ. (6:10)
• In the context of the former chapters, this idea is an additional answer to the question, how are we to live in Christ? The former chapters list many things, and Paul concludes here that all this things must be done in the strength and power of Christ. Without Christ sacrifice and the power of the Spirit, we are simply "dead in our trespasses."
• The same power that was demonstrated in Christ's resurrection, is available to us. Ephesians 1:15-21
• Application: Really believe this and apply Christ power in our life. 
2. The believer must walk faithfully in the midst of spiritual opposition. (6:11-13)
• The opposition is spiritual. And these have more power that even our physical issues. 
• "The schemes of the devil".  Evil doesn't always look overtly evil. The most poisonous evil, cand "appear" the most right in the start. We face a terrible enemy. We must live in Christ's victory to overcome. 
• One of the descriptions of lilies in Song of Solomon 1 is that they can grow even amongst thorns. Even in the face of opposition, the can grow because of Christ. This is my prayer for each of my children, and all my family. This is one of the reasons why our daughter is named Lillian.
3. The believer must use the proper weapons of warfare to stand against the spiritual opposition. (6:11,14-20)
1. We must have the right weapons of war to survive.
2. This is both current for Paul (Roman soldiers) as well as the imagery is from the O.T.
1. Belt of Truth - Jesus (I am the way and the truth). This holds all things together. 
2. Breastplate of Righteousness - This is Christ's imputed righteousness on us.
3. Shoes, The readiness of the gospel of peace - This goes with the great commission. It is the message of salvation that we are always going out to declare. It demonstrates the direction we are going. These shoes take us into enemy territory. 
4. Shield of Faith - For Romans there were two shields. The small hand-to-hand and the larger leather bound one soaked in water to dowse the flaming darts/arrows.  Faith is a an unyielding trust in God. It is an action. It must be actively held and wielded.
5. Helmet of Salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit - The one offensive weapon. The gospel message itself is what we are here to proclaim.  It is the attack against the devil, against injustice, wielding through the saints, redeemed through Christ, not of ourselves, so that God may be given the glory and the credit for all good things.
7. Last weapon is Prayer - v18 - Our primary prayer is that God's will be done. Not our own welfare, but God's glory.  Despite all the many needs Paul must have had in prison here, he was praying that "words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..." Amen Amen