Ephesians 6:1-24
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Chapter 6 - Fighting our spiritual battles
Week 11: Eph 6:1-9
(Summary: Our Christian Duty)
a. Our duty towards our children
b. The Christian Employee in the workplace
c. The Christian Employer’s duty
*Week 12: Eph 6:10-23
(Summary: Put on the Armor of God)
a. What Satan has always wanted
b. The Christian armor
c. Our Prayer life
(6:1-4) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
God’s Plan
Satan’s plan is to destroy the family and weaken society
— God’s plan was to call the Jews as His special people and bless the world (cf Gen 12:3)
3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Witness
Isreal was to be a witnessing nation
— First step was to pass on their faith to their children (cf Deut 6:7)
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
— In speech (v7)
— in symbols (v8)
— in surroundings (v9)
Children τέκνον (tekna) Children
— Not a particular age, but all offspring
— Sons and daughters still under their parent’s roof are to obey
(6:1) obey your parents
Obey ὑπακούω (hupakouo) obey
— “hear under” listen with attentiveness
— Children are to put themselves under the words of their parents
What is right
Obedience is not a social convention, so that our children fit in
— But it is our duty to God
— It was so important that God included it in the 10 commandments
Q: What does the commandment say?
5th Commandment
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Ex 20:12 )
Parent
The parent stands in the gap, between the child and God, Parents and Stewards, to teach to obey parents is to teach to obey God.
But… Q: Are there exceptions to obedience?
What is wrong
The exception is to do what is wrong, against God’s will
— Peter and John were told not to preach (cf Acts 4:19-20)
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Q: What do you think of when we say honor our parents?
(6:2) “Honor your father and mother,”
Honor
This is duty, which Paul is careful to show is based on divine revelation, not natural law
— He reminds us again, it is the 5th commandment
— Honor carries the idea of providing for your parents when they cannot care for themselves
— It includes financial support
— In Matthew 15, some Pharisees and scribes reprimanded Jesus for allowing His disciples to eat without first ceremonially washing their hands (cf Matt 15:3-6)
Macarthur
“This washing had nothing to do with cleaning dirty hands but with a ceremonial rinsing. The ceremony involved someone pouring water out of a jar onto another’s hands, whose fingers must be pointing up. As long as the water dripped off at the wrist, the person could proceed to the next step. He then had water poured over both hands with the fingers pointing down. Then each hand was to be rubbed with the fist of the other hand”
Money not enough
Just financial support alone is not honoring your parents
— Just as paying for your children’s food, clothes is not responsible parenting
— Respect and love is also required
Q: Is it sometimes hard to honor/respect your parents?
Can be difficult Lots of parents live in such a way that is not easy for children to honor them
— While a child, a child owes obedience - so long as it does not violate God’s laws
— Paraphrase Rom 13:7
— We all owe obedience and respect to those over hem, but not at the expense of the obedience we owe to God
The blessing
(6:3) “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
— Long life, outward prosperity
The Duty of Parents
(6:4) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath
You are not responsible
You are not responsible for what your child becomes
— Part of it is their own choices and responsibilities
— But, use your authority in a measured and balanced way
— “Do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged.” (Col 3:21 )
Patria Potestas
Roman law Patria potestas, (Latin: “power of a father”)
— The Father had life and death over the entire household, slaves, children, wife
— He could cast any of them out of his house, sell them as slaves, even kill them
— A newborn was placed at his feet, he gave thumbs up or down
— Unwanted infants taken to the town forum sold to be raised as slaves or prostitutes
Letter 1 BC
A letter written in 1 BC by a man named Hilarion to his wife, “Heartest greetings. Note that we are still even now in Alexandria. Do not worry if when all others return I remain in Alexandria. I beg and beseech you to take care of the little child, and as soon as we receive wages I will send them to you. If - good luck to you - you have another child, if it is a boy, let it live. If it is a girl, expose it (Papyri Oxyrhynchus 4.744)
Don’t Do
(6:4) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath
Not intentional
— Well-meaning over protection
— But repeated, on-going but gradually builds up to anger and resentment, outward hostility
Q: How are ways that we can provoke anger?
Smoother our children
— Never trust them to do anything on their own
— Question their judgment
— You should guide them not control them
Favoritism
— Compare children to each other
Perfectionism
— Rush achievement beyond reasonable bounds
Discouragement
— A child who is never complemented is discouraged
— Low self-esteem
— A child needs approval at things that they are good at
Using Love
— Using love as a tool
— Withholding love when they are bad
— Not the way God loves
Abuse
— Physical or verbal abuse
— Putting the child down with your superior arguments/logic can do harm
But Do
(6:4) Bring them [your children] up in the training and instruction of the Lord
Training
— Systematic training
— Includes the idea of correction for wrong doing
— The board of education (cf Prov 13:24)
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
— “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (cf Prov 22:6)
The Sphere is the Lord
— The Sphere - obey your parents in the Lord
— Obedience in serving, honoring, worshiping the Lord
— "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” (cf Col 3:20)
— But not if it goes against God’s will, his law (cf Act 5:29)
Slaves and Masters
(6:5-9) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Our Submission
Our submission - of wives to husbands; children to parents, servants to masters
— Not based on any inherent superiority
— The possess the authority as a steward from God
Not Total Authority
— Authority is not total, unrestricted. Only to Serve God
Not 1 Way
— Not a one-way street, but mutual submission
— This passage is a continuation of Eph 5:18
— Without which these standards are impossible to meet
Slaves δοῦλοi Douloi (slaves)
— In Roman culture slaves had no legal rights
— Sold, bought, traded as commodities
— Empire functioned on slave power
Not Condoned
Paul does not condone slavery
— Not condoned in the bible
— But clearly speaks against kidnaping someone to become a slave (cf Ex 21:16)
16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.
— North American and European slave trade lasted past the middle 19th century (which involved kidnapping)
— Clearly violated scripture
But Transformed
Paul did not condone slavery but what he said transformed the institution
— In the ancient world, a slave was a “thing.”
— Aristotle wrote that there could never be friendship betwen a master and a slave
— They had nothing in common
— “a slave is a living tool, just as a tool is an inanimate slave”
But Paul said
— But Paul said a slave is a bondservant of Christ (6:6) who receives a reward whatever he does (6:8)
— He is not the master’s property
— He belongs to God
Image of God
— This idea that we are all made in the image of God ultimately destroyed slavery and continues to transform how we view others today
First Duty
Be obedient to your master
— Our first obligation is to please God
— Being a Christian should always make us a better person, more productive, agreeable
No Difference
You treat your boss the same whether he/she is a believer or not (cf 1 Tim 6:1-2)
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Be Obedient
We are to be obedient to our masters because it is God’s will
— And how we work reflects on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (cf Titus 2:9-10)
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
5 Things every employee should demonstrate
— Submissive (Titus 2:9a)
— Committed to Excellence
— Respectful (Titus 2:9c)
— Honest (Titus 2:10a)
— Loyal (Titus 2:10b)
(6:5) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
Fear and Trembling
Honor and respect towards your boss
— The principle of submission is God-given and to be honored, although some bosses abuse it
— God has allowed your boss to be your boss, and allowed you to be where you are in the organization
Q: What does eye service mean?
(6:6) not with eye service
Not the minimum
Not the minimum, not just when the boss is watching
— Doe snot need to be checked on. Always works his/her best
— The employee does it because it is the will of God
(6:7) With good will render service, as to the Lord
Our Motivation
Our motivation is to render service to God
— And attitude is that we want to do it, don’t need to be compelled (cf Col 3:23)
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
The Employer’s submission(6:9)
(6:9) And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him
(6:9a) do the same things to them
Same Goals
The employer has the same goals Same motivation and attitude
— First work is to do God’s will and manifest Christ-likeness
Fair
Treat employees fairly because that is God’s will
Accountable
Also accountable to God their master just like employees
— He/she knows that they are also fellow servants
No Favorites
— Employers play not favorites because God plays no favorites (cf Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11, James 2:9)
Macarthur
“God’s impartiality is the closing truth in Paul’s discourse on being 'subject to one another in the fear of Christ' (Eph 5:21) Spirit filled believers whether husbands, or wives, parents or children, employers or employees - are to be mutually submissive because they are equally loved, equally cared for and equally subservient to a common master, their savior and Lord Jesus Christ”
The Armor of God (6:10-13)
(6:10-13) 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.
Q: Have you ever felt attacked by Satan?
If you are faithful
If you are faithfully walking you will face spiritual warfare
Walking in
— Humility rather than pride
— Unity rather than divisiveness
— New self rather than old self
— love rather than love
— light rather than darkness
— wisdom rather than foolishness
— fullness of the spirit rather than drunkeness on wine
— mutual submission rather than self serving independence
Certain
If we are walking this way, we can be certain to face spiritual opposition
— At the start of Jesus’ ministry he had a battle with Satan that lasted 40 days ( Luke 4:2 )
— Just after He was baptized, He was tempted
— “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12)
— Satan offered Him food, authority, kingdoms of the earth (cf Luke 4:3-13)
— Wanted Him to worship him
— Satan fell because he wanted to be worshipped like God
— Angels are never to be worshipped
— In the garden of Gethsemane before the cross, he sweat great drops of blood (cf Luke 22:44)
As we mature
The lesson her, as we mature the spiritual battle may get harder not easier
— As we grow stronger, so do the attacks
Q: But you say I don’t feel under spiritual attack?
Maybe you’re not
— Maybe you’re not in the battle solider ! Then turn and look around, if you are :
— Divisive rather than unifying
— Prideful rather than humble
— Lustful rather than loving, etc.
(6:10) be strong in the Lord
His Strength
His strength not our strength
— His Strength is always enough
(6:11) Put on the armor of God
Our responsibility
His strength but our responsibility
— Not let go and let God - we have a part to play too
Stand
Not just stand, but also offensive
— We have a sword
— It’s not God’s battle, we have a part too
Not Once
— Not a one time battle; not once but permanently
— Not the idea of put on and take off, but put on the armor permanently
— Paul was probably chained to a Roman solider when he wrote these words
(6:11b) against the schemes of the devil
Devil
— Because he is God’s enemy, he is our enemy too
— Schemes include: doubt God’s love
RC Sproul
“weapon of accusation, not fit for service (cf Zech 3:1-5). Satan accuses us of our sin and therefore unworthy of God. Joshua the hight priest returns to Israel with Zerubbabel following Babylonian captivity (586 BC) after King Cyrus allows the Jews to return. Dirty robes represents sin and is accused by Satan (represents Israel’s sins). The Lord gives him new clothes, imputes His righteousness “
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.
Satan is real
— Once an angel, anointed Cherub, the Star of the Morning
— Who sparkled with jewels, until he rebelled against God and wanted His power and glory (cf Isa 14:12-17)
— Five “I wills” demonstrated his arrogance. (cf Ez 28:12-16)
12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. 16 “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.
Q: Where is the devil?
Still has access to God
On Earth
Not in Hell, Hell’s not open!
— “He is roaming the earth like a lion seeking whom he may devour” (cf 1 Peter 5:8).
Heaven
Has access to God in heaven where he accused Job (cf Job 2:2)
2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
— And he accuses the saints but we have an advocate in heaven (1 John 2:1)
— One day Satan will be cast out from heaven (cf Rev 12:7-9)
Not omnipresent
Can only tempt one person at a time
— Doesn’t tempt everyone
Personal being
Paul, Peter, James, John and writer of Hebrews all speak of him as a personal being
— (cf Rom 16:20, 2 Cor 2:11, 1 Thess 2:18, Heb 2:14, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, Rev 12:9)
Opposes God’s work
Satan opposes God’s work (cf Zech 3:1)
— Perverts God’s word (cf Matt 4:6)
6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
— Ps 91:1112 is about trusting God not testing Go
Hinders He hinders God’s servants (cf 1 Thess 2:18)
— He hinders the gospel (cf 2 Cor 4:4)
Light Appears as an angel of light (cf 2 Cor 11:14)
— Fights the arc angel Michael and tried to steal Moses’ body (cf Jude 9)
Sin He brought sin into the world and now the world is under its power (cf 1 John 5:19)
Satan wants to be worshipped
Satan is infuriated that people worship God and not him
— He will try to force people to worship him or be killed (cf Rev 13:15)
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
(6:12) 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.
4x “against”
Not the way you would write a story
— The editor would have deleted the multiple occurrences of the word “against” so that it would read:“against the rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
— The Holy Spirit had His own purpose in saying it this way. We really are up against it
Q: Have you ever wrestled?
Wrestle πάλη (pale) struggle
— hand-to-hand combat, especially wrestling up close, personal
Not just Satan - hierarchy
Ranking
Some see this as a ranking, hierarchy in the demonic world, like an army with Satan as the general
— At the bottom are demons
— Then Powers - then authorities - then rulers
— rulers, authorities, powers and forces (NIV)
— principalities, powers, rulers, spiritual hosts (NKJV)
— rulers, the authorities, cosmic powers and spiritual forces (ESV)
We see one of Satan’s leaders in Revelation ( 9:11 ) whose name was destroyer
— And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. ( Rev 9:11 )
Or, areas of influence
James Montgomery Boice
Boice does not see this as ranking. “I think he is using terms which take the powers that are arrayed against us together”
Rulers
Control over certain countries, areas of land
— Satan and his demons can only be in one place at a time
— Not omnipresent like God
— We know that some areas of the world are under strong satanic influence - example, Haiti
Authorities
Cultural influence, materialism
— Authority is not the same as rule
— Mother Theresa had no rule but had great authority, influence
Power
Deals with control
— What they think and do
— The evil of this spiritual control
— Demons involved in extremely perverse sexual practices, the occult, satan worship, the alike
Paul’s Goal
Not for us to understand the details of the demonic hierarchy - but get some idea of the sophistication and power
— An incredibly strong army and well organized
— Many thousands of years of practical knowledge
(6:13) 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
Christian Soldiers
We are to take up our armor and fight
— Some choose not to fight
— They are draft dodgers, AWOL, defectors
— Or just give up
— Or don’t put on their armor and are constantly defeated, bad witness to the world
At what cost?
The Cost
Leave souls in darkness, leave loved ones behind, see their works burned like hay
— Doubt their own salvation, lack joy (1 John 1:4)
— We bring ourselves and God great grief, great cost
— Not fighting doesn’t mean you lose your salvation (cf John 10:28-29); but you will loose your joy
— “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” ( Jn 10:28-29 )
( 6:13 ) Withstand (stand firm)
Luther
Martin Luther stood at the diet of worms in front of all his books, he was accused of heresy, he was asked to recant. He said, “My conscience is captive to the word of God… Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise”
Smoke Clears
When the smoke clears and the battle is over, will you be standing?
— Many Christians fight for a while, and then give up, become indifferent
The Reason
The reason: they took off the armor of God (His armor), they lost the power to stand firm
— Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation but his reward (cf 1 Cor 9:27)
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Even if our intentions are good, we can lose our reward by abetting false teachers (cf 2 John 8)
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
(6:14-15) 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;
Did Paul see a Roman Soldiers armor?
— Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he used this analogy
— Or, did Paul remember and OT analogy (cf Isa 59:17)
17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
God’s Armor
This is an illustration of God’s armor
— Not armor that God supplies
— Not like the armor that King Saul gave David to fight Goliath
— Saul offered David his own armor (1 Sam 17:38-39), but it was too big
— God’s armor fit us perfectly
— This is the armor that God personally wears
— It is: His Truth, His Righteousness, His Gospel
Q: How does Satan attack us?
Question God’s Character
We question God’s character
— We doubt it
— Satan wants us to think God is untrustworthy
— Make us doubt His motive
— Doubt His Will (cf Gen 3:1, 5)
Doubt
We doubt God’s love, forgiveness, power, mercy, sufficiency based on our circumstances
— We lose our job - where is God?
— We lose our spouse/child - how could God allow this to happen?
— Some people doubt that God can forgive them - they are hopeless and kill themselves
— When things like that happen, Satan and his demons place the blame on God
Trouble
Satan tries to undermine our Victory, Obedience by trouble, persecution, criticism, peer pressure
— Some have had to be imprisoned or lost their lives. Andrew Brunson - US Pastor in Turkey, spent 3 years in Jail
Zion Church
Zion church in Beijing was shut down after 11 years
— Chinese Communist Party (CCP) told them they they wanted to install face recognition cameras in the church
— Pastor Ezra Mingri Jin refused
— Part of CCP’s effort to strengthen Chinese culture appears to be aimed at removing the bible and Christianity from China (Fox News, December 12, 2018)
Doctrinal Confusion
Doctrinal confusion, falsehood
— If you’re confused then tossed here and there (cf Eph 4:14)
He hinders service
Satan hinders our service
— He opposed Paul’s work in Ephesus through “many adversaries” cf (1 Cor 16:9)
— He was given a thorn in the flesh a messenger of Satan to buffet him (cf 2 Cor 12:7)
— Satan hindered his plans in Thessalonica (cf 1 Thess 2:18)
He causes divisions
Jesus prayed often that we would be united (cf John 17:11, John 17:21-22) and to reconcile with each other (cf Matt 5:24)
In Ephesus
For example, Paul knows that God cannot work in His church when there are people that will not work together
— He prays to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (cf Eph 4:3)
Trust our own resources
Satan tries to persuade us we can do the Lord’s work with our own strength, resources
— David had won many battles
— Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number (count the soldiers) of Isreal (cf 1 Chron 21:1-8)
— God was so angry that he struck Isreal with judgment
— You can know His word but not be obedient to the Holy Spirit - and the results are tragic. You must rely day by day to God’s leading, provision, constant faith and prayer
Hypocrisy
The church is filled with believers and unbelievers
— This is also an attack by Satan
— You are doing the devil’s work if you are more concerned about your outward appearance that you are with the inner self
Worldliness
Some people think that they can have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom
— They are trapped in materialism, self-satisfaction, self-indulgence (cf 1 John 2:15-16)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Disobey
Disobey God’s word
— Encompasses all the others
— Gods wants us to live morally
— Satan wants us to live consistent with the world, immorally
— God wants us to speak truth - Satan wants us to life, fib, tell half-truths, bend the truth, exaggerate, embellish the truth
— God wants us to love - Satan wants us to hate, or look down on people different from us, be indifferent, complacent with those less fortunate
Without God’s armor we Fail
4 Great Battles Dr. John H Gerstner spoke of 4 Great Battles vs Satan
(1) Satan vs God
The battle of Satan vs God
— Satan lost
(2) Satan vs Adam
Adam seemed to have everything
— He was perfect, sinless
— But but Satan fell because he didn’t have God
— Satan won
(3) Satan vs Christ
Satan thought that he won but he lost
— Christ preached victory (cf 1 Peter 3:18-19)
— Satan lost
(4) Satan vs Peter
Peter had nothing, weak, sinful, prideful, arrogant
— Told Jesus if we all fall away I will not (cf Mark 14:29).
— But he denied Jesus three times
— But Jesus was on his side when Satan wanted Pater (cf Luke 22:31-32)
— Satan lost
— Peter set the example for us
7 Pieces of Armor that God Supplies
— First 3 are permanent
— The believer should never be without these first 3
The Belt
(6:14a) Stand therefore, having girded you waist with truth
Be prepared Boy scout motto
— The Roman soldier wore an outer garment, but it was no good if it was too loose
— You couldn’t fight. Therefore, you had to clinch it up, gird it with a belt
Israel / Passover
God told the children of Israel to be ready to leave quickly
— Have a belt and have your walking stick (cf Ex 12:11)
11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
2nd Coming
And Jesus said something Paul is saying here regarding His second coming
— “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning” (cf Luke 12:35)
Girded.... Truth
Q: What truth is he referring to?
Truth ἀλήθεια (aletheia) truth
— That which is true
— Biblical teaching so that we are not carried away with every (youtube video), wind and doctrine (cf Eph 4:4)
— And fight against false schemes and claims by knowing the bible
— These false schemes will come from within the church!
Attitude of Truthfulness
ἀλήθεια can also refer to attitude of truthfulness
Macarthur
“To be girded with truth therefore shows an attitude of readiness and genuine commitment. It is the mark of a the sincere believer who forsakes hypocrisy and sham. Every encumbrance that might hinder his work for the Lord is gathered and tucked in his belt of truthfulness so that it will be out of the way.”
Self Discipline
Has to do with self-discipline and commitment - never to be content with half-heartedness or indifference
The BreastPlate
(6:14b) having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Breastplate Covers the heart and bowels
— In Jewish thinking the heart represented the mind and will
— Bowels - emotions and feelings
Satan’s attack
He attacks our minds - wants to replace God’s Word with twisted, perverse evil thoughts
— Cloud our mind with false doctrine, false information, confuse our emotions, morals, loyalties
— He wants us to laugh at sin instead of grieve over it
— He wants us to be so used to sin that it no longer bothers us
— God’s protection of our mind and emotions is the breastplate of righteousness
Not self-righteousness
Self-righteousness does not please God
— That kind of righteousness does not save anyone (cf Matt 5:20).
— Our own righteousness is just filthy rags (Isa 64:6)
Q: So what kind of righteousness is this?
Not imputed
It is not the imputed righteousness we receive when we are saved (cf Rom 4:6, 11, 22-24, 2 Cor 5:21)
MacArthur
“We cannot put on that which God has already clothed us with. We are permanently dressed in His righteousness throughout our lives on earth and throughout all eternity.”
Practical Righteousness
A life of obedience
— It is the new self (cf Eph 4:24-27) and then we will not give any opportunity to the devil (cf Eph 4:27)
— It is putting on the “new man” (cf Col 3:9-14)
— Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, put on love
Paul’s righteousness
Paul talks about his personal salvation in Philippians 3
— His salvation was based solely on Christ’s righteousness (cf Phil 3:9)
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Practical Righteousness
But his Christian living involved another kind of righteousness
— The living out of his imputed righteousness
— Practical Righteousness; the evidence of his faith (cf Phil 3:12-14)
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The Reality
Imputed righteousness makes practical righteousness possible
— But only obedience makes practical righteousness a reality
— Some Christians will say it doesn’t matter how you walk because all your sins, past, present future are forgiven
— But Paul’s argument is that it does matter (cf Rom 6:1-2)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Daily Holy living
Putting on the breastplate is to live day to day in obedience to God
— Holy living. God supplies the power
— We supply the willingness
Consequences of not putting on the breastplate
Lack of Joy
A lack of obedience results in a lack of joy
— “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (cf 1 John 1:4)
— The cause of unhappiness is sin
David
Committed adultery with Bathsheba and ordered the death of her husband Uriah, he had no peace
— Unholy living doesn’t rob us of salvation but it robs us of salvation’s joy
— “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (cf Ps 51:12)
Q: What does a fruitless life look like?
Fruitless
Unproductive in the Lord
— Not leading anyone to Christ
— Not displaying any fruit of the spirit (cf Gal 5:22-23)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Loss of Reward
Works of wood, hay, stubble
— Our worthless works will be burned up, and the reward lost (cf 1 Cor 3:12-15)
The 3rd permanent piece of armor (belt, breastplate, gospel)
The Gospel
( 6:15 ) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Feet
Must be properly protected otherwise the solders will stumble and fall
— Many commentators interpret Eph 6:15 as a reference to preaching
— In this context, Paul is not talking about preaching but fighting spiritual battles
— Not talking about “traveling” but standing firm
The Gospel of Peace
We are now reconciled to God
— Therefore, our feet are shod (covered) with the gospel of peace
— We stand in confidence, we have His commitment to fight for us
keep in readiness
The first 3 never take off: belt, breastplate, shoes
— The next 3 at the ready for actual battle: shield, helmet, sword
The Shield
(6:16-17) 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;
Shield
Roman soldiers used 2 kinds of shields
— One was a small round shield used for hand-to-hand fighting
— The second, called a thyreos (thyra (θύρα), "door," reflects its oblong shape), which is what Paul is describing here.
— 2 1/2 ft wide and 4 1/2 ft tall
— Covered the entire body
Faith
Trust inGod
— Not the same as Eph 4:13, which refers to the body of Christian Faith
Fiery darts
Arrows wrapped tips with cloth soaked in pitch, set on fire
— The impact would scatter burning pitch, cling to everything and burn
— Satan’s assaults, his temptations.
— His effect to justify fornication, some say sex was created by God and everything he created is good
— This is perverted logic and contradicts his word
— When we justify sin, we degrade God’s character
— When we sin are are not acting in faith
— We aren’t using our shield of faith
The Helmet
(6:17a) and take the helmet of salvation
Why is the helmet mentioned in terms of our salvation
Satan’s attack
Covers the head the mind
— Satan attacks us with discouragement, doubt, regarding our security and assurance in Christ
Discouraged
To discourage us - he points to our failures, our sins, our poor health, problems with children or other loved ones
— Whatever is negative in our lives to make us question God’s love and care for us
Regarding Security
Satan’s most disturbing attack is temping us to think we are lost, or could loose our salvation
— Our salvation is secure
— “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (cf John 6:37, 39, Rom 8:1, 38-39)
Salvation
The helmet of salvation could just refer to salvation
— That would make sense
Future Salvation
Paul also talks about a helmet in terms of a future salvation
— “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (cf 1 Thess 5:8)
Great Hope
The great hope of our future salvation should give us assurance, confidence, joy in our current struggles
— Our struggles will not last forever and they are but a second compared with eternity
— Peter calls it a living hope (cf 1 Peter 1:3-5)
— The writer of Hebrews says that our ultimate salvation is the anchor of our souls (cf Heb 6:19)
The Sword of the Spirit
(6:17b) and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God
Sword μάχαιρα (mákhaira) Sword
— 6 to 8 inches long
— Common sword of he Roman foot soldier
— Used in hand-to-hand combat
— Carried by soldiers that came to arrest Jesus (cf Matt 26:47)
— Used by Peter to cut off the ear of the high priest’s slave (cf Matt 26:51)
Spiritual weapon
Spiritual in nature, of the holy spirit
— This is the only offensive weapon
— Piece of equipment
— Everything else is defensive
Satan is a liar
What is effective against his lies?
The word of God
A dagger - the word is not a broadsword that can be used indiscriminately, but the dagger must be used with precision
Jesus’s example
When Satan attacked Jesus he answered with the exact scripture that contradicted Satan (cf Matt 4:4, 7, 10)
The Word
Word λόγος logos
— logos is the most exalted word
— Even before the NT this carried a lot of weight
— Hundreds of years before Christ, there was a Greek philosopher named Heraclitus who wrestled with the question of how could there be order in the universe when everything seemed to be changing
— He is famous for saying “You can’t step in the same river twice.”
— He meant the water is always moving
— But if everything is changing, why does every generation have the same experiences?
— He concluded because the Word of God stood behind everything
He called it logos
This is what John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, 14)
Word ῥῆμα (Rhema)
— Rhema is different
— Rhema are specific words, portions of scripture
— John 3:16 is a ῥῆμα (also called a pericope by theologians)
— That is what word is used here when referring to a dagger or sword of the spirit
— Small, precise words used to counter attack the lies of the devil
Jesus used Rhema
Satan approached Jesus after 40 days of fasting and said (Matt 4:3) “if you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Big Idea
The idea is that it was not wrong for Jesus to turn stones into bread
— It was the word “if.”
Doubt God
— It was a temptation to doubt God’s veracity, his truthfulness, hidden in what appears to be concern about Jesus’s physical hunger
Jesus Answered
Jesus answered by quoting scripture “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4, cf Deut 8:3)
In other words
Jesus is saying - it doesn’t matter if I’m hungry
— God will preserve my life if he wants to
— What matters is whether or not I doubt his word
James Boice
“At this point Satan got into the act saying, ‘Well, I can see that you are a student of scripture, having memorized that verse from Deuteronomy. But of course, I am something of a bible student myself. When I am not wandering up and down the earth temping Job or someone, I have periods of bible study, and not long ago, when I was reading Psalms, I came across some interesting verses. Psalm 91:11-12 ‘For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ (cf Matt 4:6). Do you believe that? I believe it. In fact, I believe it so much that I a going to make a suggestion. Let’s go up to the highest point of the temple, you and me, You jump off. God will ‘bear you up’ and the people who see the miracle will follow you immediately. It will get your ministry off to a rip-roaring start.”
Jesus Responded
Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy a second time
— “It is also written do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matt 4:7, cf Deut 6:16)
Hermeneutical Point
This is an important hermeneutical point
— Jesus used scripture to interpret scripture
— Jesus in effect said - “Satan, you want me to put God to the test
— But you have to understand that it is not God who is to tested
— I am the one being tested
— “My responsibility is not to test Him but to trust him.”
— The 3rd temptation was Satan wanting worship (cf Matt 4:9)
Word ῥῆμα Rhema
— Each time Jesus used the sword of the spirit, which is the word to precisely counter Satan’s attacks
Q: Is bible memorization important?
Yes Bible memorization is important (cf Ps 119:11, 2 Tim 4:2)
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Be effective
The Christian who misquotes or confuses scripture is not effective, not an effective witness
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Wrote of Martin Luther: “Luther was held in darkness by the devil, though he was a monk. He was trying to save himself by works. He was fasting, sweating, and praying, and yet he was miserable and unhappy and in bondage. Superstitious Roman Catholic teaching held him captive. But he was delivered by the word of scripture - ‘the just shall live by faith.’ From that moment he began to understand this word as he had never understood it before, and the better he understood it the more he saw the errors taught by Rome. He saw the error of her practice, and so became more intent on the reformation of the church.
He proceeded to do all in terms of exposition of scripture. The great doctors in the Roman Church stood against him. He sometimes had to stand alone and meet them in close combat, and invariably he took his stand upon the scripture. He maintained that the church is not above the scriptures. The standard by which you judge even the church he said, is the scripture. And though he was one man, at first standing alone, he was able to fight the papal system and twelve centuries of tradition. He did so by taking up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”
Praying always
(6:18-24) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Prayer
The closing theme of Ephesians Not mentioned as a weapon, but to be involved in spiritual warfare requires prayer.
— One hymn writer wrote, “Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer”
Air
Prayer is the spiritual air that we breath while we are fighting in the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit. We are to pray
God’s spiritual blessings
Paul’s declaration
Paul starts by saying that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3)
A Review of all of our Spiritual blessing
1:4-5 Chosen, predestined, adopted as God’s children
1:6,8; 2:7 Lavished with His grace
1:7; 4:32 Redeemed and forgiven
1:9 Given the mystery of His will
1:11 Receivers of an inheritance
1:13-14; 4:30 Sealed with the Holy Spirit
2:4; 5:25 Greatly loved by God
2:5-6 Made alive with a new life
2:10 His workmanship created by Him for good works
2:14 Given God’s own peace
2:13-19; 3:4-6 Made one with Christ and with every other believer
2:19 Made citizens of heaven and His family
2:20-22 Built into God’s own temple and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit
3:12 Given boldness and confident access to God
3:20 Made powerful beyond our imagination
4:3 Given the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
4:7 Individually and uniquely gifted by Christ
4:11-12 Blessed with gifted leaders to equip us in the work of the ministry
4:20-21 Taught by Christ himself
4:24 Given a new self in God’s holy likeness
5:8 Made light
5:18 Offered the fullness of the holy spirit
5:21-6:9 Given instructions to make all resources with others work the way God intended them to work
6:10-17 Given God’s full armor to make us invincible against Satan and his demons
Manhattan Beach lifestyle
We live in a prosperous part of LA. Easy to presume instead of depend on God’s grace
— Paul realizes that we might become arrogant, think we are self sufficient
Urgent
Paul calls us to urgent prayer
All
Paul uses the word “all” four times (cf 6:18)
— As if to say, there is nothing that cannot be prayed for
— We should pray for on all occasions with all kinds of prayer
— We should pray always and pray for the saints
All occasions
Q: When do you usually pray?
What it Doesn’t mean
— always, consistently praying all day and night
— Jesus didn’t do that
— Rather, live in continual awareness, everything we see and experience becomes a kind of prayer
See Good
Immediately thank God for it
Evil
When we see evil, we pray that God would make it right
— When we see an unbeliever, we pray that God would draw that person to himself and use us as faithful witness
Temptation
When we are tempted, we pray for God’s help
(6:18) in the Spirit
Our prayer should be in the spirit
— Doesn’t refer to speaking in tongues.
— To pray consistent with His nature and will (cf Rom 8:26-27)
Intently
(6:18) with all perseverance and supplication
— All kinds of prayer
— intently, specifically, persistently
— The persistent widow prayed (cf Luke 18:1-7)
Specifically
God answers prayer and puts His power on display
— Think of particular people, problems and be specific (cf John 14:13)
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Persistent
Pray and be persistent
— Pray day and night
ACTS
Adoration: Praise God, Confession: Confess our sin before a holy God, Thanksgiving: Thank God for what he has already done, Supplication: Give us our daily bread
Pray Always
Pray day and night, at all times of day
— Doesn’t mean that we do nothing but pray
— Satan will deceive you, tell you that don’t have the gift of prayer
— That is for the “prayer warriors”
Gifts
Five passages deal with the gifts of the Holy Spirit
— There are about 20 gifts
— Prayer is not on the list.
— Why? Because everyone should pray
— It’s our obligation
— A responsibility
— How we talk to our Father in heaven
For all the saints
Saints
Pray for believers everywhere but also unbelievers, government leaders
— Pray for others not yourself
— Paul asked that they pray for him, we need the prayers of other believers
Sending Tychicus
Paul knew that in order to pray for him they needed to know his circumstances
— He was sending Tychicus
— He would comfort their hearts
— He was with Paul during the first imprisonment
— Went with Paul to Jerusalem to bring relief to the church (cf Acts 20:4-6)
— He delivered this letter (Ephesians) but also Colossians and Philemon
— A very difficult journey
— Across Italy by foot. Sail across the Adriatic Sea. Cross Greece on foot. Sail across the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor. One-hundred miles on foot to Colosse and Ephesus
No Prominence
— Never recieved any prominence
— Never in the spotlight, always backstage, behind the curtain
(6:23 - 24) Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Closing Benediction
Peace, love, Faith
— All throughout this letter
— No wonder he prays that every believer would experience them
Ambassador in Chains
— (cf Eph 6:20) Turned out for good
— Despite all the things that happened to him - imprisonment, journey to Rome, shipwreck, It is evident that Paul is imprisoned for the gospel, not for a crime
— And in fact, it turned out for good, not bad (cf Phil 1:12-13, Gen 50:19-20)