Empowered for Battle: 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 strength is not passive but requires active engagement, drawing on the divine power granted to us through the new birth. Just as a newborn has life and potential for growth, Christians possess inherent power that must be nurtured and developed through spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture, and righteous living.

The Christian life is a constant battle against spiritual forces, and while we are to maintain a steady strength, there are times of heightened spiritual warfare—evil days—when additional divine power is available. In these moments, we can call upon the name of the Lord, which is a strong tower, and experience His presence in extraordinary ways. This presence is not constant but is a special grace given during times of severe trial, akin to miracles.

The promise of God is that as our days are, so shall our strength be. This means that God provides the necessary grace and strength for whatever challenges we face. We are encouraged to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive timely help. Additionally, the anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers us with insight and understanding, enabling us to discern the devil's tactics and respond with the appropriate scripture, as Jesus did during His temptations.

Moreover, God sometimes makes His presence felt in a direct and tangible way, especially during critical moments. This divine intervention can manifest through visions, angelic assistance, or a profound sense of His nearness, providing comfort and assurance. The testimonies of saints throughout history affirm that God remains faithful to His promises, offering His presence and strength to those who seek Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Active Engagement in Divine Strength: Christians are called to actively engage in their spiritual growth, drawing on the divine power given at the new birth. This involves nurturing our spiritual life through prayer, scripture, and righteous living, much like a newborn grows and develops strength. [01:41]

2. Divine Assistance in Evil Days: During times of intense spiritual warfare, known as evil days, God provides additional strength and grace. This special assistance is akin to miracles and is available when we call upon the name of the Lord, our strong tower. [03:58]

3. Promise of Adequate Strength: God's promise that "as thy days, so shall thy strength be" assures us that we will receive the necessary grace and strength for any challenge we face. This promise encourages us to trust in God's provision and approach His throne of grace with confidence. [12:53]

4. Anointing of the Holy Spirit: The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers believers with insight and understanding, enabling them to discern the devil's tactics and respond effectively. This anointing is a special endowment of power that equips us for spiritual battles. [21:02]

5. Direct Divine Presence: In moments of extreme trial, God may make His presence felt in a direct and tangible way, providing comfort and assurance. This divine intervention can manifest through visions, angelic assistance, or a profound sense of His nearness, affirming His faithfulness to His promises. [25:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [01:04] - Active Engagement in Divine Strength
- [02:17] - Developing Spiritual Power
- [03:38] - Divine Assistance in Evil Days
- [04:51] - Calling Upon the Name of the Lord
- [06:01] - Example of Michael the Archangel
- [07:16] - Realization of God's Presence
- [09:00] - Strength in Unusual Trials
- [11:22] - Promise of Adequate Strength
- [14:40] - Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace
- [17:31] - Anointing of the Holy Spirit
- [21:02] - Spiritual Insight and Discernment
- [25:20] - Direct Divine Presence
- [32:38] - Examples from Jesus' Life
- [36:10] - Jesus' Promise to His Followers

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might"? How is this strength different from human strength? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what are the "evil days" mentioned in Ephesians 6:13, and how should Christians prepare for them? [03:58]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit's anointing in a believer's life, particularly during spiritual battles? [17:31]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate God's direct intervention in times of extreme trial? [25:20]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of a newborn baby relate to the development of spiritual strength in a Christian's life? What does this suggest about the process of spiritual growth? [02:01]
2. In what ways does the promise "as thy days, so shall thy strength be" provide comfort and assurance to believers facing challenges? How might this promise influence a believer's perspective on future trials? [12:53]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of calling upon the name of the Lord during times of spiritual warfare? What does this reveal about the power of God's name? [04:51]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit's anointing play in helping believers discern the devil's tactics? How might this discernment impact a believer's response to temptation? [21:02]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you draw on God's strength during that time? What spiritual disciplines helped you remain strong in the Lord? [01:41]
2. Think of a time when you experienced an "evil day" or intense spiritual warfare. How did you seek God's additional strength and grace during that period? [03:58]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of approaching God's throne of grace with confidence. How can you cultivate a habit of seeking God's help in times of need? [14:40]
4. Consider a situation where you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you experience God's presence or intervention? How did it change your perspective or outcome? [25:20]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's anointing for insight and understanding. How can you actively seek this anointing in your daily walk with God? [21:02]
6. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for future trials, knowing that God promises to provide the necessary strength and grace? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith? [12:53]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God's direct presence in a tangible way. How did it impact your faith journey, and how can you remain open to experiencing His presence in the future? [25:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging Actively in Spiritual Growth
Christians are called to actively engage in their spiritual growth, drawing on the divine power given at the new birth. This involves nurturing our spiritual life through prayer, scripture, and righteous living, much like a newborn grows and develops strength. The strength that believers possess is not passive but requires active engagement, drawing on the divine power granted through the new birth. Just as a newborn has life and potential for growth, Christians possess inherent power that must be nurtured and developed through spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture, and righteous living. [01:41]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to nurturing this week to actively engage in your spiritual growth?


Day 2: Divine Strength in Times of Spiritual Warfare
During times of intense spiritual warfare, known as evil days, God provides additional strength and grace. This special assistance is akin to miracles and is available when we call upon the name of the Lord, our strong tower. The Christian life is a constant battle against spiritual forces, and while we are to maintain a steady strength, there are times of heightened spiritual warfare—evil days—when additional divine power is available. In these moments, we can call upon the name of the Lord, which is a strong tower, and experience His presence in extraordinary ways. [03:58]

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV): "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."

Reflection: Identify a current challenge that feels like spiritual warfare. How can you call upon God's strength to face it today?


Day 3: Assurance of Adequate Strength for Every Challenge
God's promise that "as thy days, so shall thy strength be" assures us that we will receive the necessary grace and strength for any challenge we face. This promise encourages us to trust in God's provision and approach His throne of grace with confidence. The promise of God is that as our days are, so shall our strength be. This means that God provides the necessary grace and strength for whatever challenges we face. We are encouraged to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive timely help. [12:53]

Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing, and how can you trust in God's promise of strength to help you through it?


Day 4: Empowerment through the Anointing of the Holy Spirit
The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers believers with insight and understanding, enabling them to discern the devil's tactics and respond effectively. This anointing is a special endowment of power that equips us for spiritual battles. Additionally, the anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers us with insight and understanding, enabling us to discern the devil's tactics and respond with the appropriate scripture, as Jesus did during His temptations. [21:02]

1 John 2:27 (ESV): "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's insight and understanding today, and how can you seek His guidance?


Day 5: Experiencing God's Direct Presence in Trials
In moments of extreme trial, God may make His presence felt in a direct and tangible way, providing comfort and assurance. This divine intervention can manifest through visions, angelic assistance, or a profound sense of His nearness, affirming His faithfulness to His promises. God sometimes makes His presence felt in a direct and tangible way, especially during critical moments. This divine intervention can manifest through visions, angelic assistance, or a profound sense of His nearness, providing comfort and assurance. [25:20]

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a trial. How can this memory encourage you to seek His presence in your current circumstances?

Quotes


Now we are engaged at the moment in considering that first statement in verse 10 in this sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and we are considering how this can be done how this is to be interpreted in actual practice. [00:00:48]

The fundamental contention is that according to the teaching of the New Testament, in the new birth we are all given power we are given life from God we are made partakers of the divine nature and in that gift various power the seed of eternal life in us all is power it's the analogy of course of a newborn babe. [00:01:38]

There is clear teaching here that there is additional power that can become available to us power that we can call upon particularly in times of unusual stress and unusual difficulty in other words we are always to be strong always to be vigorous as we are living the normal Christian life. [00:03:30]

There are times and seasons in the Christian life the Apostle talked sure about the evil day course life is always evil but there are some days that are worse than others there are evil days there are times and occasions when the fight is particularly hot when the enemy makes an unusual attack upon us. [00:04:00]

The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run into it and is safe and they gave you other examples and illustrations of this same thing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk, said Peter and John to that impotent men at the beautiful gate of the temple. [00:04:43]

There are times when that is the only thing that you and I as it where can do confronted by the enemy and realizing our own weakness we can threaten with this name that is ever victorious this name that is above every other name the name at which every knee shall bow of things in heaven and things on earth. [00:06:37]

Over and above the strength and the power which they have received in general from the Lord at these times they have been a well in a very unusual way of his nearness of his presence supporting them succumbing them and indeed delivering them now I want to look at this because it is one of the most wonderful aspects of the whole of Christian truth. [00:08:07]

The promise is as thy days so shall thy strength be now that was the promise of God you see to his ancient people to the church in the Old Testament they were traveling on their journey they had not yet arrived in the promised land and they were confronted by enemies without end within and all the problems that are described there. [00:12:16]

The promise is look if ever you find yourself in such a position you will discover that you are being given this extra grace and power whatever it is you've gotta go through you will be enabled to do so doesn't matter what comes it's a universal promise as thy days so shall thy strength be. [00:13:34]

The anointing always leads to power that is the particular that is that particular aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit the Spirit is the seal is the earnest of our inheritance yes but there is an anointing aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian believer and this is the way in which he is enable to do various things. [00:18:27]

This is something that is offered to all his people it is something to which they've testified throughout the centuries they've been aware of something most unusual they've been lifted up above them settled scriptures they've never heard of seemed to come to them and they know exactly how to apply them and they've given this insight and understanding. [00:23:37]

In these unusual times of difficulty he himself makes his presence known to us you don't see him but you know that he is there this is more than the strength he gives this is more than the grace that he gives he comes himself you're aware that he's by your side if he surrounding you don't forget the teaching about the angels. [00:43:20]

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Transcript
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