Leaves

Ephesians

Memory Drill

Where is

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

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Romans 1:16-17

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For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God

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Romans 3:23

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So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the

word of God.

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Romans 10:17

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That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord

Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

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Romans 10:9

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Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

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1 Corinthians 3:16

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Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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2 Corinthians 5:17

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For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

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2 Corinthians 7:10

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

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Galatians 5:22,23

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

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Ephesians 6:11

Standing StrongIn The Armor Of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

"Finally, my brethren..." - With these words Paul begins to draw his epistle to a close, an epistle in which he has beautifully described: The Christian's possessions in Christ ("every spiritual

blessing“ - chapter 1 The Christian's position in Christ ("fellow citizens with the

saints and members of the household of God") - chapters 2-3 The Christian's purpose in Christ ("to have a walk worthy of the

calling") - chapters 4-6

To effectively carry out our "purpose", Paul's final concern is that the Christian be "strong" - Ep 6:10-20

Background

Strength comes from God , not ourselves "be strong IN THE LORD“ "in the power OF HIS MIGHT“

Paul says that there is "strength" and "power" available for the Christian beyond their own Which Paul already referred to earlier in this epistle - Ep 1:19 Which Paul refers to in his epistle to the Philippians - Php 2:12

Strength come from the armor"... It is "armor" that GOD supplies It is "armor" that we must "put on", not from within

The Source of Strength

Satan has various "wiles" (lit., cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery), but Christians need not be ignorant of his "devices” 2Co 2:11

For example, some of Satan's "schemes" are: Blinding people via false doctrine - 2Co 4:3-4; 1Ti 4:1-3 Enticing people to indulge in illicit desires of the flesh and mind

Ep 2:1-3

Bringing persecution upon those who try to do right

- 1 Pe 5:8-9

Only with the Lord's help can we overcome the wicked one - 2Th 3:3; 1Jn 2:13-14 (note the comments to "young men")

Need StrengthTo stand against the wiles of the Devil

Not only Satan, but we battle against: Principalities and powers Rulers of the darkness of this age Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the high places

There are demonic forces at play Not demonic "possession" exists as in the days of

Christ But demonic "influences", such as "doctrines of

demons" - 1Ti 4:1-3 You are the servant of whom you serve Ro 6:16

Need StrengthTo Wrestle Against Spiritual Hosts of Wickedness

We may not fully understand how the "rulers of the darkness" operate, but clearly we see the need for all the strength God provides us in order to "stand" against such forces.

It’s all needed

TRUTH holds our life together like a belt

RIGHTEOUSNESS guards like a breastplate

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE to stand on beautiful feet

FAITH is like a shield from the Word

SALVATION protects our minds against despair

THE WORD OF GOD cuts to the heart the heart" those who hear the Word - cf. Ac 2:36-37; 7:54

PRAYER "watch and pray”, lest you enter into temptation" - Mt 26:41

The Whole Armor

Strength is needed today

Strength readies us for action

Take the field and do the work

Conclusion

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

Friedrich Nietzsche in Death of God

Quit his job at 34 due to health problems

At 45 he suffered a “complete loss of his mental faculties”

His mother cared for him till her death

His sister cared for him the last 3 years of his life

He died at age 56 after strokes, mental breakdown and pneumonia

Study of God’s word yields strength - not overcoming adversary through our own prowess

Bonus