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Sunday Worship 20 August 2023 : “The armour of God”

Text: Ephesians 6
20 August 2023

INTRODUCTION

1. Military Warfare

a) This is more easily understood
b) WW1, and WW2

2. Spiritual Warfare

a) Not as easily understood
b) Thus we need to learn about this

3. Spiritual Warfare noted in the Gospels

a) Demon Possession
b) Frontal assault against mankind
c) These have failed
i) Demons were defeated
ii) The Lord Jesus has authority and power to overcome them

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

8 but they [did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer.

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Revelation 12:7-12

1. The Devil is described as a great dragon   (Revelation 12:9)

a) He is cast out of heaven
b) He has fallen angels with him
c) He seeks to deceive the world

2. He has great wrath   (Revelation 12:12)

3. How he may be overcome

a) By the blood of the Lamb
b) By the word of faithful testimony
c) By not being afraid to die for our faith

THE CHURCH IS ENGAGED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the [wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Ephesians 6:10-18

1. Understanding the Enemy

a) The Devil   (Ephesians 6:11)
b) Principalities and powers
c) Rulers of the darkness of this world
d) Spiritual wickedness in high places   (Ephesians 6:12)

2. An example of how the Enemies attack

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the ]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Ephesians 2:1-2
a) The Evil One influences the course of this world
b) He works in the sons of disobedience
c) He will mount as many attacks as he can
i) He causes persecution
ii) He causes fear
iii) He creates doubts and confusion
iv) He is compared to a roaring lion   (1 Peter 5:8)

GOD HAS GIVEN US A FULL SUIT OF ARMOUR

1. The whole armour must be put on

2. Spiritual inner man strength is needed

3. Six pieces of Armour are given

a) The Belt of Truth
b) The Breastplate of Righteousness
c) The Gospel Shoes
d) The Shield of Faith
e) The Helmet of Salvation
f) The Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)

4. In Spiritual warfare

a) Prayer is vital
b) Communication with God is vital

OUR CHALLENGE

1. We need to be strong

2. We need to be familiar with the Christian armour

a) No piece is insignificant
b) Every piece is vital

3. We need to train ourselves as soldiers of the Lord

4. We can prevail and emerge victorious