| Paul’s
Letter to the Ephesians Stand Firm and Fight Please re-read Ephesians
chapters 1-3!!!! Ephesians 6 Vs. 11 –
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.” Vs. 13,14 – “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…stand therefore…” The Battle –
The war is not glamourous, abstract or a game…it is a bloody mess. The Devil
is real and Hell is for real. Eternity and our souls are at stake. The Enemy – The Devil, Satan, is like a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Battlefield – In the spiritual realm,
the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). The Conqueror (Aaron) · The phrase “whole
(full) armor” is from the Greek word panoplia, which is a compound word
simply meaning the complete armor. · This word is first used when Jesus talks
about how he is binding the strong man (the Devil) who is “fully armed” and
will completely overpower him and conquer him (Luke 11:21-22). · Jesus,
through the resurrection, disarmed the Devil, displaying the “strength of His
might.” o Colossians 2:14-16 – Jesus “disarmed” the Devil at the cross. o
Ephesians 1:18-21 – Notice certain terms / words here in Ephesians 1 that are
also used in Ephesians 6. § In the strength of His might – Where did Jesus
display His dominance over the devil? At the cross and in the resurrection
(Gen. 3:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). § In the heavenly places – Where does Jesus
rule with absolute authority? In the spiritual realm, including over the
forces of darkness led by Satan. § Power – The Greek word dunamis, from where
we get our English word “dynamite,” is used in various ways here in
Ephesians. · The “exceeding greatness of His POWER” (1:19) · Be STRONG (Be
EMPOWERED) in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10). · So that you will BE ABLE (3 times
– Ephesians 6:11,13,16). The Full Armor of God Two pictures here: · The armor of a Roman
soldier, clearly understood by Paul’s audience. · The armor that Jesus Christ
the Lord Himself wore as He defeated the Devil. The Armor of God · A quick overview of
Ephesians 6:10-20 o Our war is in the heavenly places against the Devil and
the forces of darkness. Jesus rules over that realm with absolute authority!
o Be strong (Be Empowered) in the Lord and in the strength of His might |
