Equipped for Battle: Embracing Spiritual Warfare

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we concluded our series on the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, focusing on the final portion that encapsulates Paul's concerns and wisdom for the church. We began by affirming the supremacy of God, who is eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing, in contrast to Satan, a finite and fallen being. God is love and light, and His revelation through scripture, the incarnation, and the Holy Spirit is unparalleled. We are reminded that worship is not confined to a place but is a spiritual act wherever God's name is lifted high.

The text from Ephesians 6:10-18 calls us to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare, a concept often uncomfortable in our modern context. Paul encourages us to understand the battle we face, which is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This battle requires us to put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. These are not just defensive tools but are meant to help us stand firm in the face of deception.

Satan's greatest deception is convincing us that our battles are against other people and that we need the armor of man—wisdom, self-confidence, success, security, and attractiveness. However, these are inadequate for the spiritual battle we face. The true armor of God equips us to stand firm, not to fight others, but to love them, reflecting Christ's love even towards those who oppose us.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of prayer, urging us to pray for each other, our communities, and the world. Prayer is a powerful tool in the spiritual battle, aligning us with God's will and strengthening us against deception. We concluded with a celebration of baptism, a symbol of God's covenant and a public profession of faith, reminding us of the transformative power of God's grace in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Supremacy and Satan's Deception: God is eternal and all-powerful, while Satan is a finite deceiver. Recognizing this distinction helps us understand the spiritual battle we face and the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth. [28:26]

2. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Spiritual warfare is a reality that challenges our modern understanding of existence. We must acknowledge this battle and equip ourselves with the armor of God to stand firm against deception. [30:40]

3. The Armor of God vs. The Armor of Man: The armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God—equips us for spiritual battles, unlike the inadequate armor of man, which relies on worldly wisdom and self-confidence. [46:36]

4. The Deceptive Regime: Satan's regime deceives us into believing our battles are against other people, leading us to rely on human solutions. Recognizing this deception helps us focus on the true spiritual battle. [49:39]

5. The Power of Prayer and Community: Prayer is essential in spiritual warfare, aligning us with God's will and strengthening us against deception. Community support, as seen in the celebration of baptism, reinforces our faith and commitment to God's covenant. [57:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:26] - God's Supremacy and Satan's Deception
- [30:40] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
- [33:20] - Understanding the Battle
- [35:34] - Jesus' Teachings on Satan
- [43:18] - The Deceptive Regime
- [46:36] - The Armor of God vs. The Armor of Man
- [49:39] - The Greatest Deception
- [51:47] - Satan's Mission to Oppose God
- [55:24] - The Armor of God Explained
- [57:54] - The Power of Prayer
- [01:15:15] - Baptism Celebration
- [01:28:27] - Baptism of Clara Grace and Isaac
- [01:32:56] - Doxology and Announcements

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-18

Observation Questions:
1. What are the components of the "full armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6:10-18? How does each piece serve a specific purpose in spiritual warfare?
2. According to the sermon, what is Satan's greatest deception, and how does it affect our perception of spiritual battles? [49:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between the "armor of God" and the "armor of man"? [46:36]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need to "stand firm" rather than to fight in Ephesians 6:10-18? How does this reflect the nature of the spiritual battle described in the sermon? [51:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is a crucial part of spiritual warfare? How does it align us with God's will? [57:54]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of community and baptism in reinforcing our faith and commitment to God's covenant? [01:15:15]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you were in a spiritual battle. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now with the understanding of the "armor of God"? [30:40]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing Satan's deceptions. What are some common deceptions you face, and how can you equip yourself to stand firm against them? [49:39]
3. How can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual defenses? Consider setting specific times or triggers for prayer throughout your day. [57:54]
4. Think of a person or group you have perceived as an "enemy." How can you apply the sermon’s teaching to love and pray for them instead of seeing them as opponents? [55:24]
5. The sermon mentions the celebration of baptism as a public profession of faith. If you have been baptized, how does this commitment influence your daily life? If not, what steps might you take to explore this sacrament further? [01:28:27]
6. Identify one piece of the "armor of God" that you feel is lacking in your life. What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen that area?
7. How can you support others in your community who are facing spiritual battles? Consider ways to offer encouragement, prayer, or practical help. [57:54]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Supremacy Over Deception
God's eternal nature and supreme power stand in stark contrast to Satan's finite and deceptive nature. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for understanding the spiritual battle we face. God, who is love and light, reveals Himself through scripture, the incarnation, and the Holy Spirit. Worship is not limited to a physical location but is a spiritual act wherever God's name is exalted. This understanding helps us to focus on worshiping God in spirit and truth, acknowledging His supremacy in all things. [28:26]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally acknowledge God's supremacy in your daily life, especially in moments of doubt or fear?


Day 2: Embracing the Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is a reality that challenges our modern understanding of existence. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, calls us to recognize that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This battle requires us to equip ourselves with the full armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. These are not merely defensive tools but are essential for standing firm against deception and spiritual attacks. [30:40]

"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." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the spiritual battles in your life, and what steps can you take to equip yourself with the armor of God today?


Day 3: The Armor of God vs. The Armor of Man
The armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God—equips us for spiritual battles, unlike the inadequate armor of man, which relies on worldly wisdom and self-confidence. Satan's greatest deception is convincing us that our battles are against other people and that we need the armor of man. However, the true armor of God equips us to stand firm, not to fight others, but to love them, reflecting Christ's love even towards those who oppose us. [46:36]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one piece of the armor of God that you feel is lacking in your life. How can you actively incorporate it into your daily routine?


Day 4: Recognizing the Deceptive Regime
Satan's regime deceives us into believing our battles are against other people, leading us to rely on human solutions. Recognizing this deception helps us focus on the true spiritual battle. By understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, we can redirect our efforts towards spiritual growth and reliance on God's strength. This shift in perspective allows us to love others genuinely, even when faced with opposition, and to seek God's guidance in all things. [49:39]

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent conflict or misunderstanding with someone. How can you approach this situation with a mindset focused on spiritual growth and love rather than human solutions?


Day 5: The Power of Prayer and Community
Prayer is essential in spiritual warfare, aligning us with God's will and strengthening us against deception. It is a powerful tool that connects us with God and reinforces our faith. Community support, as seen in the celebration of baptism, plays a vital role in reinforcing our commitment to God's covenant. Through prayer and community, we are reminded of the transformative power of God's grace in our lives and the importance of supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. [57:54]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, and in what ways can you engage with your community to support and be supported in your spiritual journey?

Quotes


And this morning is covering the final portion of that letter, one that in many ways summarizes so much of what he is concerned about for the church, his parting words of wisdom and encouragement and establishment of the truth. And so this morning I begin with a summary of the things of God. First, God has no equal. Satan is created and he is entirely fallen. [00:25:53]

He is a finite entity. God, however, is eternal, everlasting. He's all powerful. He is all knowing. And by the mystery of his being, he is everywhere present. God is love. God is light. There is no one like him. [00:26:42]

Put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. And after you have done everything to stand, stand firm then. With the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [00:31:20]

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert. Always keep on praying for all the saints. [00:31:53]

The question is, are we paying attention? Steve Gerbner, back in the 70s and 80s, just when the whole trend of if it bleeds, it leads on the news, began to do a series of studies with adults. Steve Magnus, a writer and author and coach wrote about this recently. He says, Gerbner was a pioneer and he coined the word mean world syndrome. [00:41:41]

And he essentially found that more people, the more that people watched local news in the 70s and 80s, he said the more anxiety they registered when studied. And then the more that they felt like in the report that their neighborhood wasn't safe, even though in their immediate experience, it wasn't unsafe. The more the news told them that they were not safe, the more their anxiety went up. [00:42:42]

The second kind of deception that Satan uses is in his regime is that because we fall into the deception that our, the battle we fight is against other humans, then the armor we need is not the armor of God. It's the armor of man. Frederick Buechner, in a wonderful piece about this passage, wrote this. He says, I don't need the armor of God. My problem is other people. I need the armor of man. [00:45:12]

So therefore, I'm going to gird my loins with wisdom. Wisdom, worldly wisdom, dog-eat-dog world. God helps those who help themselves. And I will fight for my place. Number two, I'll take the breastplate. I don't need righteousness. I need self-confidence. I have got this. I will win. And I will fake it till I make it. [00:45:43]

One of the things that he summarizes in this idea is the following. He says, people are always criticizing the advertising business for its implied promise that one who gets the best job or the prettiest girl is the one who wears the right clothes or uses the right toothpaste or drinks the right brand of vodka. But the fact of the matter is that although this is by no means a happy truth about our society, it is nonetheless very often not far from being true. [00:46:55]

In a world where the competition is fierce, to dress well, to be able to speak well on your feet, to be good at games may actually make the difference between winning and losing. In the war of conquest, the war against other people, in this war we all wage for a place under the sun. It is the armor of man rather than the armor of God that will serve you best. [00:47:49]

And although I cannot value that armor as highly as some would value it, I cannot mock it because the armor of man serves its purpose all too well and because I wear some of it myself and so do you. If the world is closed, if the armor is closed, then our battle is against other humans and the armor we should take on is the armor of man because on this side of the return of Christ, in the short term, the armor of man actually works because that's how the world works. [00:48:48]

But the world falls under the deception of the evil one. He wants us to believe this. And how much have we fallen prey to it? I know I have. And I guess you have too. But the third and greatest deception is that he doesn't exist. That Satan doesn't exist at all. Lewis wrote, There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. [00:49:59]

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Transcript
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