Armed and Ready

Armed and Ready

(Ephesians 6:10-20)

Yearly Theme:  “Joy is…”

Series Title:  “The Fight for Joy”

November 15^th, 2020

Something to think about:

As Christians, I think we can all admit that in life we will have to fight some battles for our faith. Whether that be something as obvious as a place where persecution is so extreme it forces Christians underground, or something on a smaller scale. It is easy for us to wrap our minds around the idea of fighting battles against powers, governments, and peoples in this world, and when asked that is often what we think of first: the physical or emotional suffering. However, the Bible often places even more emphasis on the spiritual battles we are all constantly engaging in. It tells us that the best way to fight many of the trials and battles we face on this earth is to prepare for, and engage in, the spiritual warfare that is happening all around us. Both Jesus and Paul spoke often of this spiritual warfare. They used imagery like a prowling lion and piercing arrows to describe attacks from the enemy. Paul tells us that it is a relentless, constant attack we must be prepared for. Let’s take a look at Ephesians 6:10-20 and see how Paul tells us to prepare for battle.

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. ²⁰ I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

What’s the takeaway?

Key point: “Learning to fight the right battles makes us strong, mature, and focused on what is important in life.”

1. Spiritual Warfare is real.
2. Spiritual Warfare is happening right now.
3. Being unprepared for spiritual warfare will strip you of your joy.

Something to take home:

I know, if I’m being honest with myself, that I can often get so wrapped up in “fighting” battles for my faith in this physical place. I can get caught up in all these battles here on earth. Battles that take my attention away from eternity. As I was reading my Bible in preparation for this sermon, I loved what the commentary in my Bible said on this section.

“Those who are not “flesh-and-blood enemies” are demons over whom the devil has control. They are not mere fantasies – they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s Church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin.”[1]

The battles we face here on the physical side are often a direct result or tool of the very real spiritual enemy. We often try over and over to “fix” these problems or fight the battles by human means, but Paul is telling us that by doing that we are letting our guard down to the real, eternal enemy. If we fight the right battles, adopt Spiritual disciplines, and put on the Armor of God, then we will have Joy in the Lord no matter what we face in our lives.

[1] “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young