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Ephesians: True Identity \\u2013 Battle for Our Identity

Sermon Summary

Ephesians 6:10\\u201324 (ESV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. ²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Pastor Chris wraps up this series in Ephesians with a powerful reminder of our identity as spiritual warriors. With similar zeal as the Apostle Paul had in challenging the believers in Ephesus, Pastor Chris emphasizes that we are born-again into a battle, with a real, eternal enemy, a fight which God has strengthened and equipped us to win.

This is a message for both the individual believer and the church. Pastor Chris expressed concern that we may be only hearers of this word and not doers. He exhorted us to take intentional, disciplined steps to recognize the battle, understand the enemy\\u2019s tactics, stand firm in His power, and put on the full armor to withstand the accuser\\u2019s schemes. We are designed for victory!

Four Revelations of Spiritual Warfare

1. You are in a Battle
2. We Have an Enemy
3. Live in His Strength
4. Understand Your Weapons

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1. You are in a battle

\\u201d¹⁶ For all that is in the world\\u2014the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life\\u2014is not from the Father but is from the world.\\u201d 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

• Desires of the Flesh: Gluttony, disordered sexual acts, drug & alcohol abuse, etc.\\xa0
• Desire of the\\xa0Eyes: Disordered desire for material possessions.\\xa0
• Pride of Life: Desire to be like God but apart from God.

Take a stand, don\\u2019t be passive. Stand = vigorously oppose and resist your enemy

\\u201c⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.\\u201d 1 Peter 5:8\\u20139 (ESV)

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2. We Have an Enemy\\xa0

Satan = accuser, deceiver, tempter, destroyer

\\u201c\\u2026we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.\\u201d Eph. 6:12 (ESV)

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Our enemy is a silent operator. He tempts with whispers. When we succumb to his deception and seek what satisfies that is not from God, we relinquish territory in our hearts and minds. Our enemy uses the place we give as a forward operating base to execute an onslaught of attacks. He wears us down until we are physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually weak robbing us of the joy of the Lord which is our strength. In this state, we are vulnerable, passive, and burdened with torment keeping us from the work and will of God.

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3. Live in His Strength\\xa0

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Eph. 6:10 (ESV)

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¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,\\u201d Eph. 3:16 (ESV)

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²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Eph. 3:20 (ESV)

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4. Understand Your Weapons\\xa0

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 firm. (Eph. 6:13)

• Belt of Truth \\u2013 Luke 12:35, 1 Peter 1:13; God\\u2019s Word is the only antidote to the lies from the Father of Lies, Satan

• Breastplate of Righteousness \\u2013 Proverbs 4:23; protecting the heart of the saint, standing in Christ\\u2019s cleansing blood

• Boots of the Gospel \\u2013 Romans 8:37; feet fitted to stand at the ready, able and willing to walk as a witness
• Shield of Faith \\u2013 Revelation 12:10; when properly lifted, it can help us defuse the attacks on our mind
• Helmet of Salvation \\u2013 John 6:37, John 10:28; protecting our center of thought with the truth of our eternal position in Christ as redeemed
• Sword of the Spirit \\u2013 Hebrews 4:12\\u201313; declaring the Word at times of attack will disarm the enemy, walking in its truths will bring victory
• Praying at All Times in the Spirit \\u2013 prayer is like the oil helping all of the armament to work effectively\\xa0

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Discussion Questions

1. What does the battle against \\u2018spiritual forces in heavenly places\\u2019 look like in our lives?\\xa0
2. Why does the enemy begin with questions? Think about how did he deceived Eve and, in-turn Adam? Or, he attempted to disarm Jesus while he fasted in the desert?\\xa0
3. How should we deal with being weary in battle?
4. According to the scriptures, how do we prepare for battle? What is our posture, our preparation, and our plan to defend ourselves?\\xa0
5. What are some tactics available to us to go on offense against the devil?
6. What item in the spiritual armory God provides is easiest for you to wield? Which one presents the most difficulty?

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Application Questions

1. How will you become trained to use the spiritual weapons God has provided?
2. Having been trained, what is your plan to be victorious in the daily battle against your enemy?
3. Commit this week to pray with battle awareness.\\xa0

Commit this week to start each day by \\u201cputting on the armor of God.\\u201d