The Armour of God Ephesians 6:10-20
What the biggest battle you have faced in your life? Some of us have gone through incredible health trials; some have endured over many years; others have had some significant trials within family situations, are still dealing with those trials and have the battle scars to prove it – not always seen. Some of us have had significant financial trials: a loss of job; other relational pressures at home or work. What is the greatest battle you have had? What were the lessons coming out of that trial?
Ephesians is a prison epistle written around 62AD, most likely when Paul was spending a couple of years in Rome under house arrest (Acts 28).
Brief Background: Ephesus was quite a wealthy trade city: population about 250 000, plenty of trade, very proud to be Roman, massive Sports arena, Temples to Caesars and Diana or Greek Artemis. Riot broke out over Paul’s preaching which resulted in a 2-hour chant “Great is Diana”. (Acts 16?) There were plenty of prostitutes and brothels, but also a very strong Christian witness.
This meant Roman culture was strong and temptation to resume the lifestyle before accepting Christ was real. It was a great cultural centre for learning. The School of Tyrannus was there (Acts 19), where culture, philosophy and new ideas could be discussed. Paul’s ideas were new and he was allowed to teach Christianity uninhibited for 2 years. This allowed the church to be placed on a very stable platform. Hence Paul was able to launch straight into his letter with the affirmation of their calling in Christ.
He began (Chapter 1) Called, chosen predestined to be in Christ even before the foundation of the world –> unshakable confidence in their relationship with Christ. Why? because they had nothing to do with its establishment; it was all of God.
(Chapter 2) Saved by grace through faith, a gift of God; good works in Christ; Christ is our peace with God; He is the Cornerstone of our faith and the church.
(Chapter 3) Mystery of the gospel. It was not just to Jews but to Gentiles; all the world, to know the height depth, length of the love of Christ.
(Chapter 4:5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, therefore be unified –> humility, peace, gentleness with one another. How? God gave 5-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
(Chapter 5) Therefore -> Christian living. Be imitators of God; turn away from the works of darkness, the devil; in fact, expose things through the light of Christ. How? Give thanks: sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
(Chapter 6) Christian life. Children obey your parents; slaves and masters are both to honour Christ. Here then, is the pinnacle of the reality of the letter regarding Christian living. He talked about family life and general Christian living and then ended in battle armour, because he said, “Finally.” (Ephesian 6:10)
Warfare. Dress in battle armour. (Verse 11) Whole armour, the Greek word is ‘Panoplia’. (verse 13) Complete equipment of the armed Roman soldier.
This armour is God’s; more than the sense that it is from Him, but also in the sense that it is His actual armour. In the Old Testament, it is the LORD who wore the armour. (Isaiah 59:17) He now shares that armour with us. Equipped with God’s armour, no wonder we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood: The fact that our real battle is not against flesh and blood is forgotten by many Christians, who put all their efforts in that direction.
The reality is the Christian life is a war. The war has been won in Christ at the Cross, but the final victory and deliverance from our enemies, sin and Satan, will occur at the end of the age. Every day! Put it on!
“Stand” Give no ground. (verses 11, 13, 14) To Stand = ‘Stete. give no ground now that you have the whole armour; no retreating, no pulling back. Easy to say; harder to do in the heat of battle.
Belt of Truth: (verse 14) The belt for the soldier was essential; everything held onto it. It held everything together. Truth holds our armour together. The belt of truth gives strength to Christians to stand and fight.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness: The Righteousness of Christ is represented as a breastplate which provides essential protection for the most vital organs. We can’t battle against spiritual enemies in our own righteousness any more than a soldier can effectively fight without his breastplate.
Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace: The preparation of the gospel is represented as the protective shoes (or sandals) worn by Roman soldiers. Having shod your feet: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news. (isaiah 52:7)
Above all, take up the shield of faith. Why “Above all”? Because without faith, without this shield, you are vulnerable. The Greek word Similar word for door (Verse 16) large, covered the body. The Roman shield was made of hard wood, covered with leather, soaked in water, against fiery darts. Satan’s fiery darts: thoughts, feelings, imaginations, fears, and lies; all of these can be hurled at us by Satan as fiery darts. Faith turns them back.
And take the helmet of salvation: In the ancient world this was usually a leather cap studded with metal for extra strength. Often some kind of plume or decoration was added, perhaps to identify the solider to his regiment. Protect your head. Protect your mind. Be transformed by renewing your mind. Fill it with the Lord’s battle plan, not the worlds folly.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (verse 17) The idea is that the Spirit provides a sword for you, and that sword is the Word of God. Sword; God has these. (Isaiah 59:17) The sword is the Lord’s Word given to us. Know how to use it. Be trained in its use.
We are in a war; we need strength to fight; to carry and use the armour. Finally, then praying in the Spirit: it’s not referring to tongues/languages. (Verse 18) Praying in the Spirit is for everyone. (John 4:23-24, Romans 8:26,27) It gives us spiritual strength, not earthly strength. The battle is only won in the Spirit. Don’t engage in the flesh – pray. By yourselves (Matthew 6) the Lord’s prayer. If Jesus prayed in John 17 and in the garden for strength, we need to pray.
So, what’s been your greatest battle? What have you gone through? What are you going through? The final battle is still ahead: death itself, but Christ has conquered Sin, Satan and death at the cross. Let’s put on His armour every day. Let’s encourage each other to do the same.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision:- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon: “The Armour of God” Ephesians 6:10-20.
a. What’s the most difficult trial you have faced during your life? What lessons did you learn out of it?
b. There are 6 components to the armour of God. What are they; how do they work and what is the significance of each piece?
c. Prayer is not a physical part of the armour, but is essential when asking the Lord to intervene directly in the battle. Elma had been praying and battling for 50 years for her husband Doug. Like the widow, she kept coming back to the Judge. Do you remember how God answered Elma’s prayer? The thing you are asking for may not be answered in the way you think it will.
d. Community needs Christians to “Stete” – to stand, to not give ground, but to fight and move forward. How are you doing this in your home, workplace, friends’ group?
e. Jesus Christ is the Logos – the Word. Knowing the Bible means knowing Him better. Discuss how you read/receive the word of God.