TEXT:  Eph. 6:10-20

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THROUGHOUT THE AGES GOD AND SATAN HAVE BEEN AT WAR (Gen. 3).

B.      WE ARE MERELY SOLDIERS IN GOD’S ARMY (2 Tim.2:3).

          1.       Our life as Christians is described in terms of warfare (2 Tim. 4:7;  1 Tim. 1:18).

          2.       Our enemy is the Devil (vs. 11).

C.      IN OUR TEXT PAUL SAYS QUITE A BIT ABOUT OUR WARFARE.

I.     THE STRENGTH OF THE SOLDIER IS GOD (vs. 10-11).

A.      IT WAS GOD’S STRENGTH THROUGH WHICH CHRIST IS VICTORIOUS

          (Eph. 1:19-20).

B.      IN GOD WE CAN DO ALL (Phil. 4:13).

C.      WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? (Rom. 8:31).

D.      GOD’S ARMOR, HIS PROVISION, WILL GIVE US VICTORY OVER SATAN

          (vs. 11, 13).

II.    THE NATURE OF OUR WARFARE (vs. 12).

A.      NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD (2 Cor. 10:3).

          1.       Fits the nature of the kingdom (John 18:36;  1 Cor. 15:50).

          2.       In keeping with both Christ’s teaching and logic (Matt. 26:51-53).

          3.       In keeping with his purpose (Matt. 26:54).

B.      IT IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE AGAINST THE FORCES OF EVIL.

          1.       Our enemy is deadly (1 Pet. 2:11).

          2.       Our enemy is merciless (1 Pet. 5:8).

          3.       Our enemy is tricky (2 Cor. 11:3).

          4.       Our enemy is known for espionage (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

C.      WE NEED GOD’S ARMOR SO THAT WE MIGHT STAND (vs. 13).

III.   WHAT IS GOD’S ARMOR? (vs. 14-17).

A.      DEFENSIVE ARMOR.

          1.       The Breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14).

                   a.       Righteous behavior keeps us too busy to become entangled.

                   b.       Abstaining from sin helps to prevent affection for sin (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

          2.       The Shield of Faith (vs. 16).

                   a.       The Christian is provided a means of escape when tempted (1 Cor. 10:13).

                   b.       Faith is our escape, our Protector (1 Pet. 1:5).

                   c.       When faith is weak, so is our defense (Heb. 3:12;  Luke 22:31-32).

                                                   Faith is the Victory (1 John 5:4-5).

          3.       The Helmet of Salvation.

                   a.       Hope of Salvation (1 Thess. 5:8)

                   b.       Such a goal keeps the head straight (Col. 3:1-2).

B.      OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, OR ARMOR.

          1.       Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel (vs. 15)

                   a.       Before entering battle, one must prepare (2 Tim. 2:15;  Heb. 5:12).

                   b.       We must take the initiative – the battle will not come to us (Matt. 28:19).

                   c.       If we don’t go, the devil will send out his angels (Matt. 9:37-38).

          2.       The Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God (vs. 17).

                   a.       We don’t seek to destroy the enemy, but win him over (Luke 19:10).

                   b.       False notions must be removed (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

                   c.       His heart must be pricked (2 Cor. 7:10).

                   d.       Truth must be planted (Jas. 1:21;  John 8:31-32).

                   e.       Those who do not yield to the Sword will be judged by it

                             (John 12:48;  Heb. 4:12-13).

C.      GENERAL PIECE OF ARMOR – THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH – HOLDS ARMOR

          TOGETHER AND SUPPORTS THE SWORD.  WITHOUT IT THERE IS NO ARMOR.

D.      PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR (vs. 11).

E.      THEN STAND – WE MUST ENTER THE BATTLE (vs. 13).

IV.   THE CHRISTIAN IS CONSTANTLY READY (vs. 18-20).

A.      CONTINUALLY IN CONTACT WITH HQ (vs. 18).

B.      CONTINUALLY VIGILANT (vs. 18:b;  1 Pet. 5:8;  Heb. 3:12).

C.      SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ARE ON THE FRONT (vs. 19-20).

V.    THE REWARD IS GREAT!

A.      VICTORY (1 Cor. 15:55-57).

B.      A CROWN (2 Tim. 4:6-8;  Rev. 2:10).