"In Him" Part I
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Introduction :
Introduction :
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:
-Spiritual Warfare:
-Spiritual Warfare:
-Spiritual Warfare:
-Spiritual Warfare:
Now
-The US placed US bases in Germany after WW2 in response to the need to deter a Soviet Attack and to prevent Germany from becoming a Military Threat again
-The US also placed a base in Saudi Arabia so that in case of a major war in the Middle East they could respond very quickly. So that base is essentially there too quell or subdue any potential threat.
-In South Korea we have a base to keep North Korea under control.
-These bases are the sovereign property of the US although they are located in foreign countries.
-An embassy is the headquarters for U.S. Government representatives serving in a foreign country. It is normally led by an ambassador, who is the U.S. President’s representative to the host country. An embassy is normally located in the capital city. It may have branches, known as consulates, in other cities.
-Embassy and Military bases are the property of the US although they are located in foreign lands. The Flag flies over these buildings so that it is clear who the owner is, and Ultimately the allegiance of those that serve in that building.
-In our Current world we call these places Embassy and Military Basis, but in the ancient world they call them Strongholds.
-When a country would conquer another country the first thing they would do is repair the wall or fortress around the city, then they would take the flag of the conquered country down and replace it with their own. This was an indication that this walled city has a different occupant.
-God has given Satan control of the cosmos. His control is not absolute, but in a sense the whole cosmos is a Satanic Stronghold. Let me show you this:
Then
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19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
(v.19) Although Satan was defeated at the cross He has not been strip of his rule. Notice the text:
a. World-Cosmos all of creation is cursed and under his control
-The NKJV—says the whole world lies under the sway. This tells us that the unseen director of the world course is Satan
Lets look at his title:
Lets look at his title:
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2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 2
(v.2) He is the ruler of the 2nd heavens which is space down to the planets. Christ rules in the third heaven. Now ultimately Christ and has authority in all realms but he allows Satan to manage the affairs of mankind. So essentially every human actions is either directly from God’s hand or indirectly meaning he allows Satan to orchestrate human events as if this his kingdom.
-This makes sense since God’s wants to glorify himself through the preservation of his church. God says I will build my church behind enemies lines not with angelic beings or supernatural beings but with humans made of dust.
-In other words God gave Satan home field advantage and he is taking his team(the church) into enemy territory, which is the whole cosmos.
-That means for the duration of our lives we will always be behind enemy lines. The only places of respite or rest should be your home & church. These ought to be Christian Strongholds or Fortresses.
-The local church should be like a fort for Jesus: A place where you can bind up your wounds, receive encouragement from other soldiers, refill your depleted ammo, and receive new direction from your commander, so that you can go back out to battle behind enemy lines advancing God’s kingdom.
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3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
(v.3) We live our lives in an earthly body, but our tools for winning the war are not tangible or fleshy. We need spiritual equipment to fight this war.
(v.4) These weapons are for the purpose of “destroying fortresses” when a country wanted conquer another country it had to find away around, through or destroy the wall surrounding that country. In this text Paul is saying that some of our sinful thinking is surrounded by fortresses and walls and that we are to destroy with truth, so that the sinful thinking can be exposed. Before anyway takes a different action there must be a difference in thinking. Not only does Satan setup strongholds in our minds he also takes over locations & bodies.
Let me give you the progression:
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26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
(v.26-27) This text gives us a principle about long-term anger. These principles apply to all sins. It says “don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Meaning don’t let your anger consume you and go on for days and days. Deal with it. Then it gives a warning in (v.27) “and do not give the devil an opportunity”
There are Two words in the Greek for anger- “orgizo” and “thumos”
Two words in the Greek for anger- “orgizo” and “thumos”
Anger- Thumos- Impetous anger that functions like the air and wind, anger without thought. Ex:When someone cuts in front of you on the highway
Anger- Orgizo- to burn up with anger or passion-to foam with anger. A slow intentional boil. This is the kind of anger that a person has when they plan out revenge on someone. Ex. Judas---Judas was made that Jesus did not set up his earthly kingdom giving Judas all the fame that he wanted so he plotted a way to do away with Jesus.
a. Opportunity- Topos- Topography which is the study of terrain(mountain, desert, valley, tropical) The words means-Place-To give place to someone means to make room them. Analogy: Does anyone move over and give places for rodents and bugs to come into your house? We eliminate the things that attract rodents & bugs. Keep the house clean. Satan can only take what you give him. Satan is attracted to Disunity, Rebellion, Anger, Lust and Lack of Forgiveness.
ESV and give no opportunity to the devil.
NIV and do not give the devil a foothold.
CSB and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
NKJV nor give place to the devil.
(v.26-27) This text tells us that slow anger is more dangerous. And day after day that anger will burn the more you think about it, and everyday you allow it fester you are giving Satan room/place in your life to take over-Analogy—When me and my sister would fight and she would run to her room and shut the door. I would try to get my foot in the door before she closed it. If I got my foot in then I could eventually wedged my whole body in cause I was stronger than her.
-Analogy—When me and my sister would fight and she would run to her room and shut the door. I would try to get my foot in the door before she closed it. If I got my foot in then I could eventually wedged my whole body in cause I was stronger than her.
-Satan is much smarter, wiser, and stronger than you if you let him get his foot in he eventually get his whole body, then he will open the door and let all his demons in, then he will setup a stronghold in your head first then in your home, or church, or place of business.
-The Demons sit outside of Godly church just waiting for an open door and the minute you leave a door open they are coming.
Prior to my arrival this is the Evidence that MBC had become a Satanic Stronghold:
This is from and article titled: “5 Signs that the enemy has a Satanic stronghold in a church” Chuck Lawless
1. A continual story of division. Satan has been about division since the Garden of Eden, when Adam blamed Eve for their sin. He still seeks to divide the people of God, and some churches seem to go from division to division.
2. A history of personal attacks on pastors and their families. Those attacks usually come from church members . . . and often from the same church members, regardless of who the pastor is.
3. An ongoing toleration of secret and open sin. The enemy delights when those who call themselves believers live like the rest of the world. It’s hard for the world to believe a gospel that apparently has not changed church people.
4. A track record of moral failures. When leaders fall, others under their ministry often lose heart, grieve, and become discouraged. Or, they determine there’s little reason to fight for godliness when even their leaders don’t live that way. In either case, the enemy’s influence remains.
5. A distorted view of the gospel. Satan and his forces are hardly alarmed when churches preach something less than the gospel. Servants who “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” () and distort the gospel are his tool. “I don’t care what going on with him and wife as long as he comes and preaches the word”
-All five of these signs or indicators were true of MBC when I arrived.
-This does not imply that there were not some godly individuals who refuse to compromise it only states that when an individual or groups of individuals are allowed to openly rebel against God it gives Satan unhindered access or a foothold into your church, which if it is not dealt with will become a stronghold.
-I believe that the things we are going through now as a church are not a sign our disobedience but a sign of our obedience. The trouble and affliction are the result of Satan not wanting to give up his territory or place at Middlebelt Baptist Church.
-The Book of Ephesians will give us some insight how “to Stand” against & prevent strongholds from forming.
-I believe that
Book Study of Ephesians:
Book Study of Ephesians:
-We cannot just jump into this passage of Chapter 6 without an overview of the book.
-We will do a flyover of Chapters 1-5 over the next several weeks then we will land the plane in Chapter 6 get out and closer look at the land.
-In preaching we call this a topical study of Chapter 1-5 and then a expositional study of Chapter 6:10-20. Topical-is Daily surface cleaning and Expositional-is deep cleaning. Topical is a top-down view of the text & Expositional is a eye level view of the text
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:
Writer: Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus(he was the apostle to the Gentiles)
Date: 60-62 Ad this is a Prison Epistle written while in chains in Rome.
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20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Recipients: The Believers at Ephesus
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Salutation: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
-This letter is written in a classic Greek style. Sender, Receiver, Salutation, & Benediction at the end.
-Purpose-Paul is writing to a group of maturing believers who are located in the city of Ephesus which is in modern day Turkey. Housed in Ephesus was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and that was the “Temple of Artemis” this temple is also called “The Temple of Diana” by the Romans. Prior to these churches planting all of these believers would have been pagan worshippers of the all of the pantheon of greek & roman Gods. This area was a Satanic stronghold of the female goddesses “Artemis” It was a religiously pluralistic environment in that it worship at least 50 other gods: Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Asclepius, Apollo, Dionysus, Two Egyptian deities Isis and Sarapis were also popular in this city. There was a spirit of Religious tolerance among the people. Most people worship more than one deity, but Artemis was the most important deity.
Artemis was daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo.According to one source, Artemis was born a day before Apollo. She then served as a guardian to him, which provided a context for her desire to protect and nurture.She was primarily a virgin huntress, goddess of wildlife and patroness of hunters.
One month a year was dedicated to her and they would have an Olympic style game called “the Artemisia” The Artemisian cult ran the banking system, and the temple of Artemis was lauded by ancient writers as one of the seven wonders of the world.......Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background.
Magic and Spirit Powers. Ephesus also bore a reputation in antiquity for magic, shamanism, and the occult arts. The practice of magic was predicated on an animistic worldview in which good and evil spirits were involved in practically every area of life. Magic represented a means of harnessing spiritual power through rituals, incantations, and invocations.
Lets take a look at for some more information about this city:
1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men. 8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. 21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 “You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 “Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.” 28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19:1-
-(v.1-20) Folks were leaving the occult & magic and coming to the Lord burning up their books.
-(v.21-28) Folks stop buying idols and started to worship the living God who was not made by hands. Demetrius the silversmith eventually tried to put Paul before a tribunal to have him jailed or thrown out the city. Because he was costing all the silversmith’s money.
-I gave this text so that you understand the religious landscape and context of Paul’s letter. The Ephesians believers are coming from the Demonic practice of the Occult. And for many of them although they had converted to Christianity some of their old ways did not leave immediately as they were confused about the Spirit World of God’s and Goddesses and Angels and Demons. Paul uses this letter to teach them certain truths about the Spirit world and the Natural World.
Evidence that MBC had become a Satanic Stronghold:
Structure/Outline of the Letter:
This is from and article titled: “5 Signs that the enemy has a stronghold in a church”
1. A continual story of division. Satan has been about division since the Garden of Eden, when Adam blamed Eve for their sin. He still seeks to divide the people of God, and some churches seem to go from division to division.
A continual story of division-Satan
2. A history of personal attacks on pastors and their families. Those attacks usually come from church members . . . and often from the same church members, regardless of who the pastor is.
Chapter 1-The Believers Benefits in Christ
2. A history of personal attacks on pastors and their families. Those attacks usually come from church members . . . and often from the same church members, regardless of who the pastor is.
3. An ongoing toleration of secret and open sin. The enemy delights when those who call themselves believers live like the rest of the world. It’s hard for the world to believe a gospel that apparently has not changed church people.
3. An ongoing toleration of secret and open sin. The enemy delights when those who call themselves believers live like the rest of the world. It’s hard for the world to believe a gospel that apparently has not changed church people.
4. A track record of moral failures. When leaders fall, others under their ministry often lose heart, grieve, and become discouraged. Or, they determine there’s little reason to fight for godliness when even their leaders don’t live that way. In either case, the enemy’s influence remains.
Chapter 2-The Believers before they meet Christ.
4. A track record of moral failures. When leaders fall, others under their ministry often lose heart, grieve, and become discouraged. Or, they determine there’s little reason to fight for godliness when even their leaders don’t live that way. In either case, the enemy’s influence remains.
5. A distorted view of the gospel. Satan and his forces are hardly alarmed when churches preach something less than the gospel. Servants who “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” () and distort the gospel are his tool.
Chapter 3-Paul’s new committed life after having realized the truth from Chapter 1 & 2
Break
Chapter 4-What should be the believers conduct in the church be based on the Theological Truths of Chapters 1-3
5. A distorted view of the gospel. Satan and his forces are hardly alarmed when churches preach something less than the gospel. Servants who “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” () and distort the gospel are his tool.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Chapter 4-What should be the believers conduct in the church be based on the Theological Truths of Chapters 1-3
Chapter 5&6:1-10-What should be the believers conduct in their personal based on the Theological Truths of Chapters 1-3
Chapter 6:10-24-How should the Believer handle Satanic Attacks
-Chapters 1-3 deal with Orthodoxy-What we believe?
-Chapters 4-6 deal with Orthopraxy- How should I live based on what I believe?
Conclusion
Salutation:
I. Greetings
I. Greetings
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:
(v.3) “Blessed” eulogy- “Let the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be well spoken of, be eulogized.” Let us praise his name because his name alone is worthy of all praise.
(v.3) “Blessed” eulogy- “Let the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be well spoken of, be eulogized. Let us praise his name because his name alone is worthy of all praise.
(v.3) “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” This is a classic Salutation by Paul letting the readers know the close fellowship is between The Father and Jesus and the triune nature of their relationship. He is setting them both up as equal in nature, but their is clear delineation in their Role. There is an equality in nature, but a subordination in their role. Although the Son is God of very God he willing submits to the Father in loving obedience. Unlike the greek Gods & Titans that fight each other and have sex with one another. Our Father and Lord are in perfect harmony with one another.
(v.3) “who has blessed us” this is sermon by itself. When we use the word “blessed” towards God it means to speak well of. When God uses the word towards us it means “He does us good” Our blessing to God is in our words, his blessing to us is in in his deeds.
What did he bless us with?
(v.3) “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” These are blessing that come as a part of our salvation. These are unseen blessing that we receive, but won’t fully realize the magnitude of until we see Jesus. In the present we have redemption, reconciliation, Inheritance, and sealing of the HS. We accept these facts by faith, but when we see him we will truly experience the full magnitude of these heavenly blessing.
Illustration of Ford Shuttle Driver who talked about his wife dying and him having plenty of resources but he really would rather have his wife back.
-Paul is teaching us that the Spiritual blessing of a restored relationship with God are far more important than tangible blessing that long for.
-We need to change our definition of blessing to incorporate these relational gifts from God. Yes often we pray for tangible blessing that we can eat, drive or sit down in, but what about those blessing that you can’t touch or see. These I call relational blessing. Wouldn’t your rather have Jesus than his stuff. Listen to David in
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
-David didn’t mention a vacation, a new house, a new car, or a new job. David had come to the conclusion that God’s greatest blessing/benefits are in the unseen work of redemption on behalf of mankind.
Open the Doors of the Church