Sermon Tone Analysis

As the Bible says in *EPH 6:12**,* “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high {places}.”

*Our battles are waged in the realm of the spirit**.*

The *greatest** **leaders* in the Bible who successfully moved God's people through difficult times *had a **firm grip on the promise of God** & **the principles that would cause them to conquer.*

*EPH 6:13-14*

*“Having girded your waist with truth,”* *means* that *you are judging your own life* *by the Truth in God’s Word*.

*integrity*

*“Having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”*

Most commentators agree that this *not only* *means* that every believer is *clothed with the righteousness* of God, but he must *also* *manifest** a character and conduct* that is *upright* in his personal life.[1]

*Eph 6:15* says, “*and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”*[2]

The word *“preparation”* has the idea that we are to be *prepared to see duty* (service or battle).

*You don’t just go into battle* *without being prepared*.

*What weapons* are you going to take, *who are you taking* with you, *what are the plans*, do you *know enough to win*.

*Are you parpared?*

It’s *going to take* the *Gospel* to *prepare you*.

*Eph 6:16a* In *verse 16* where he says *“Above all”* it literally says *“In addition.”*

In other words, he’s saying, *“If you want victory* in your life *you* also *need these things.”*

*V16** (all)*The *shield* is the *large oblong shield* for *full protection*.

Note it is to be taken.

*Faith is utter dependence on God*, upon *His presence* and *His power*.

*Faith puts God between you and the enemy*.

[3]

*Eph 6:17a* (all) *“Take”* *means* *receive or accept it* *from God*.

It is the *assurance of salvation*.[4]

You need to *know who you are* *IN HIM* or *IN CHRIST*.

*Eph 4:1* says, *“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,”* [5]

              *2 COR 1:20*; *COL** 2:6-7,** **9-10*; *1 John 5:14-15*  (all IN HIM)

*Eph 6:17b* *“and vthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”*[6]

     *Heb 4:12*; *Matt 4:4-11* (*Isa 55:11* Says, *“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”*[7]

Now look at *Eph 6:18** “P**raying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

***[8]*** *

 

     *I.*

*We have to stand in faith* & *confidence*, *regardless* of the *opposition*.

*A.*

That *same spirit of victory** & **confidence* must be *stirred up* on the *inside* of *you*.

*1.*

You *cannot cower down** in **fear* *to* the *attacks* of the *enemy*, but we need to *stand up with unwavering faith.*

*2.*

*HEB 6:12*

                                  *a*.

They *had to **endure patiently*, *with faith** **for* the *promise*.

*b.

**(2 TIM 2:3)* Says, *“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”*

*i.* *There are going to be* those *times of hardness*, but that *doesn't mean* that we have to *go under*.

As we *continue in faith** & **patience*, we *will inherit* the *promise*.

*B.*

*Jesus sacrifice* for mankind *puts everyone* *who **yields* to Him *in **position** to **defeat* all the plans *Satan* launches against you.

*                    **1. **1 JOHN 3:8** *

                                  *a*.

*Through Jesus' death*, we have been *loosed from Satan* grips.

*i.*

We are *no longer under** **Satan**'s control*.

*ii.*

*We* now *have** the **victory over sin**, **spiritual death**, & **Satan*.

*b*.