Empowered Faith: Active Strength in Spiritual Warfare

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul exhorts believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, emphasizing the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the dual responsibility of Christians: to rely on God's strength while actively engaging in spiritual warfare. The call to be strong in the Lord is not a passive invitation to let God handle everything, but rather a call to active participation, empowered by divine strength. This balance between divine empowerment and human responsibility is crucial in the Christian life.

The sermon challenges the notion of "let go and let God," which suggests a passive approach to faith. Instead, it argues for a dynamic partnership where believers exert themselves fully, relying on God's power to sustain and enable them. This is illustrated through various scriptural examples, such as Hebrews 2:18, where Christ's ability to help those who are tempted is highlighted, and Romans 8:26, where the Spirit aids our weaknesses. These passages underscore the active role believers play, supported by divine assistance.

The sermon also emphasizes the importance of assurance of salvation as a foundation for spiritual strength. Knowing one's identity in Christ and being certain of salvation infuses believers with the joy and strength needed to face spiritual battles. This assurance is likened to a source of spiritual electricity that energizes and empowers believers to overcome challenges.

Furthermore, the sermon draws on examples from the lives of biblical figures like Ezra and Nehemiah, who found strength in their identity as God's people. Their confidence in God's protection and provision enabled them to face daunting challenges with courage and determination. This serves as a reminder that recognizing our identity as children of God is a powerful source of strength in spiritual warfare.

Key Takeaways:

- Active Participation in Faith: Christians are called to actively engage in their spiritual journey, relying on God's strength while exerting their own efforts. This partnership between divine power and human activity is essential for spiritual growth and victory. [06:19]

- Rejecting Passivity: The notion of "let go and let God" is misleading. Instead, believers are encouraged to hold on and fight, trusting in God's strength to empower their efforts. This active engagement is crucial for overcoming spiritual challenges. [10:54]

- Assurance of Salvation: Confidence in one's salvation is foundational for spiritual strength. Knowing our identity in Christ and being certain of our salvation infuses us with joy and power, enabling us to face spiritual battles with courage. [30:13]

- Strength in Identity: Recognizing our identity as children of God is a powerful source of strength. Biblical examples like Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrate how understanding our relationship with God empowers us to overcome challenges and stand firm in faith. [46:32]

- Joy as a Source of Strength: The joy of the Lord is a vital source of strength. When we are joyful and assured in our relationship with God, we are empowered to face challenges with confidence and resilience. [31:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:49] - The Call to Be Strong in the Lord
- [01:35] - Understanding Our Need for Divine Power
- [02:58] - Interpreting "Be Strong in the Lord"
- [04:38] - Rejecting Passive Faith
- [05:26] - Reconciling Divine Power and Human Activity
- [06:54] - Scriptural Examples of Divine Assistance
- [08:43] - The Role of Christ and the Spirit
- [11:09] - Paul's Experience of Divine Strength
- [13:13] - Working Out Salvation with Fear and Trembling
- [15:19] - Paul's Personal Testimonies
- [18:09] - Paul's Strength in Adversity
- [21:29] - Paul's Experiences in Acts
- [26:36] - Overcoming by the Blood of the Lamb
- [30:13] - Assurance of Salvation as Strength
- [31:42] - The Joy of the Lord as Strength
- [36:20] - Paul's Joy in Ministry
- [39:10] - The Importance of Assurance
- [46:32] - Identity as Children of God
- [48:00] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Hebrews 2:18
- Romans 8:26

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#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two essential actions Paul urges Christians to take in Ephesians 6:10-13? How do these actions relate to spiritual warfare? [01:21]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between divine power and human activity in the context of spiritual strength? [06:19]
3. What examples from the lives of Ezra and Nehemiah were used in the sermon to illustrate strength in identity as God's people? [46:32]
4. According to the sermon, what role does the assurance of salvation play in a believer's spiritual strength? [30:13]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon challenge the notion of "let go and let God," and what alternative approach does it propose for engaging in spiritual warfare? [10:54]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that joy in the Lord contributes to a believer's strength? How is this concept supported by the example of Ezra? [31:42]
3. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" in practical terms for a believer's daily life? [02:10]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of knowing one's identity in Christ when facing spiritual challenges? [46:32]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent spiritual challenge you faced. How did you balance relying on God's strength with taking active steps yourself? [06:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes rejecting passivity in faith. Can you identify an area in your spiritual life where you might be too passive? What steps can you take to become more actively engaged? [10:54]
3. Assurance of salvation is described as foundational for spiritual strength. How confident are you in your salvation, and how does this confidence (or lack thereof) affect your daily life? [30:13]
4. Consider the role of joy in your spiritual journey. What practical steps can you take to cultivate joy in the Lord, especially during difficult times? [31:42]
5. How does recognizing your identity as a child of God influence your approach to spiritual battles? Can you think of a specific situation where this understanding could empower you? [46:32]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of divine assistance in overcoming weaknesses. Identify a personal weakness and consider how you can invite God's help in that area. [09:43]
7. Reflect on the biblical examples of Ezra and Nehemiah. How can their stories inspire you to find strength in your identity as part of God's people when facing your own challenges? [46:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Engagement in Spiritual Warfare
Christians are called to actively participate in their spiritual journey, relying on God's strength while exerting their own efforts. This partnership between divine power and human activity is essential for spiritual growth and victory. The call to be strong in the Lord is not a passive invitation to let God handle everything, but rather a call to active participation, empowered by divine strength. This balance between divine empowerment and human responsibility is crucial in the Christian life. [06:19]

Ephesians 6:14-17 (ESV): "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively engage in your spiritual journey, relying on God's strength while also exerting your own efforts?


Day 2: Rejecting Passivity in Faith
The notion of "let go and let God" is misleading. Instead, believers are encouraged to hold on and fight, trusting in God's strength to empower their efforts. This active engagement is crucial for overcoming spiritual challenges. The sermon challenges the idea of a passive approach to faith, advocating for a dynamic partnership where believers exert themselves fully, relying on God's power to sustain and enable them. [10:54]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been passive in your faith? How can you actively engage and trust in God's strength to empower your efforts today?


Day 3: Assurance of Salvation as a Foundation
Confidence in one's salvation is foundational for spiritual strength. Knowing our identity in Christ and being certain of our salvation infuses us with joy and power, enabling us to face spiritual battles with courage. This assurance is likened to a source of spiritual electricity that energizes and empowers believers to overcome challenges. [30:13]

1 John 5:13 (ESV): "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation impact your daily life and spiritual battles? What steps can you take to deepen your confidence in your identity in Christ?


Day 4: Strength in Identity as Children of God
Recognizing our identity as children of God is a powerful source of strength. Biblical examples like Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrate how understanding our relationship with God empowers us to overcome challenges and stand firm in faith. Their confidence in God's protection and provision enabled them to face daunting challenges with courage and determination. [46:32]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God empower you to face challenges? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this identity daily?


Day 5: Joy as a Source of Strength
The joy of the Lord is a vital source of strength. When we are joyful and assured in our relationship with God, we are empowered to face challenges with confidence and resilience. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and identity in Christ. [31:42]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: What brings you joy in your relationship with God? How can you cultivate this joy daily to strengthen you in facing life's challenges?

Quotes


The Apostle again, describing his experience, that rich and wonderful experience in 2 Corinthians 12, you remember when he was lifted up, whether in the body or out of the body he doesn't know, and he heard those things that are unspeakable, you remember, and then afterwards he had that Thorn In the Flesh and he was troubled about this and he prayed three times to the Lord that it might depart from him. [00:11:02]

He said unto me my grace is sufficient for thee in other words my grace, the grace that I will give you, will be sufficient for you to go through and do this work you've got to do even though the Thorn In the Flesh Still Remains it isn't taken out of it he still got to struggle on with the Thorn In the Flesh yes but he's given Grace. [00:11:29]

The joy of the Lord is your strength while you're miserable and unhappy and uncertain says Ezra you'll never do it you'll be absolutely defeated now this is something that one can illustrate endlessly don't we all know this when you're feeling unhappy miserable troubled you wake up like that in the morning preps and you find yourself like that now you know the sort of day you're going to have don't you everything will go wrong. [00:31:42]

The joy of the Lord it puts strength into you it puts power into you but you say how can it the problem is still there and I'm still the same man ah but my dear friend you're not a machine you see you're not a machine men's a strange melan he's got the same nerves and the same muscles the same brain the same everything yes but you haven't finished talking about men when you say that you see there's a sort of electricity in men as well. [00:33:33]

The Apostle is in Corinth you will find the account in Acts 18 and uh he is being threatened but this is what I read in verse verses 9 and 10 of chapter 18 then spake the Lord to Paul in the Night by a vision be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace for I am with the and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee for I have much people in this city now that's how it works. [00:21:29]

The Apostle says be of good Che what enable him to overcome these circumstances in this way he tells them for there stood by me this night the angel of God who I am and who I serve saying fear not Paul thou must be brought before Caesar and oh God ha given thee all them that sailed with thee and then they proceeded to do various things themselves they don't just let the ship drift they did many things read the account for yourselves in act 27. [00:23:20]

The Lord stood with me and strengthened Me That by me the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the liar the Lord strengthened me he makes me powerful and mighty and strong and capable of fighting and of wrestling doesn't take it out of my hands and then there's a final word no longer about the great Apostle but it's a most significant word in the Book of Revelations 12. [00:26:36]

The joy of the Lord is your strength everything is keyed up you're tense you're Tau you're ready for it and you can do things which you couldn't possibly have done when you were miserable and doubtful and unhappy now this is the very thing the Apostle is saying here be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might be sure that you understand these things the joy of the Lord is your strength my friends you don't let go and let God what you do is to make your calling and ction sure. [00:34:52]

The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits the people are going to be strong and they they are going to do the explits they're not just going to fold their arms and look on while it's done for them no no they going to be strong and they're going to do exploits what's going to enable them oh just the fact that they know their God it is the knowledge of God that does it that makes them strong it infuses power into them. [00:35:07]

The Apostle Paul I go back to the 20th chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles and I want to read verse 24 here's the Apostle listen to the background he says and now behold I go Bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befall me there couldn't be worse could it he doesn't know except save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. [00:36:20]

The Apostle says be of good Che for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you but of the ship how is he able to speak like this with such confidence there they were all at their wits ends the captain and the Mariners and everybody else absolutely distraught and desperate everything chip at any moment end disaster the Apostle says be of good Che what enable him to overcome these circumstances in this way. [00:24:08]

The Apostle Paul now writing his very last epistle to The Second Epistle to Timothy and I read from chapter 4 Listen to this beginning at verse 16 at my first answer he means the first time he was put on trial I mean by that the first time he appeared before the authorities in connection with this trial they did then as they do now the case would be started then there'd be an adjournment then there'd be another appearance and so on at my first answer no man stood with me but all men forsook me. [00:25:10]

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Transcript
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