Equipping for Spiritual Strength in Evil Days
Summary
In today's reflection on Ephesians 6:10-13, we delve into the profound challenge of living in an evil day and how to triumph over it. The Apostle Paul reminds us that the struggles we face are not merely physical or circumstantial but are deeply spiritual, involving principalities and powers of darkness. The Bible provides the only adequate explanation for these troubles, pointing to the spiritual forces at work. It is crucial to recognize this reality to effectively address the challenges of life.
The solution offered is not to change circumstances but to equip ourselves to withstand them. We are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, putting on the whole armor of God. This strength is not inherent but is supplied by God, and we must actively engage in spiritual exercises to develop it. This involves feeding on the Word, prayer, and the sacraments, as well as exercising our faith through regular spiritual disciplines.
The church's role is not to provide vague comfort or political solutions but to point believers to the truth of God, enabling them to stand firm in the face of adversity. We are encouraged to look to the examples of faith in the past, as outlined in Hebrews 11, and ultimately to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. By doing so, we can find the strength to endure and triumph, even in the most challenging times.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding the Spiritual Battle: Recognizing that our struggles are spiritual in nature is crucial. The Bible provides the only adequate explanation for the evil we face, pointing to spiritual forces at work. Without this understanding, any attempt to address life's challenges is futile. [02:09]
2. Strength in the Lord: True strength comes from God, and we must actively seek it by putting on the whole armor of God. This involves engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading the Word, and participating in the sacraments. [04:05]
3. The Role of the Church: The church's primary role is to equip believers to withstand adversity, not to provide vague comfort or political solutions. It is through the truth of God that we find the strength to stand firm. [06:52]
4. Spiritual Exercise: Just as physical strength requires exercise, so does spiritual strength. We must actively engage in spiritual disciplines, building ourselves up in our most holy faith to withstand the evil day. [12:38]
5. Looking to Jesus and the Saints: We are encouraged to look to the examples of faith in the past and to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. By doing so, we find the strength to endure and triumph, even in the most challenging times. [39:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:27] - The Problem of Life and Evil Days
- [01:07] - The Bible's Explanation of Evil
- [02:09] - Spiritual Forces Behind Our Struggles
- [03:34] - The Solution: Strength in the Lord
- [04:52] - The Church's Role in Equipping Believers
- [06:39] - The Truth of God as Our Foundation
- [07:37] - Triumphing Despite Circumstances
- [09:33] - Facing Life with Strength
- [11:21] - Spiritual Nourishment and Growth
- [12:38] - The Importance of Spiritual Exercise
- [14:42] - Building Ourselves Up in Faith
- [18:38] - Holding Firm to the Promises
- [21:55] - Looking Forward to the Hope Set Before Us
- [33:39] - Encouragement from the Saints
- [39:04] - Looking to Jesus for Strength and Endurance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Hebrews 11:1-40
- Jude 20-21
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 say about the nature of our struggles and the source of our strength? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual battles? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what role does the church play in equipping believers to withstand adversity? [06:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the importance of spiritual exercises, and what are some examples given? [12:38]
4. What examples from Hebrews 11 are highlighted in the sermon to encourage believers in their faith journey? [33:39]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does recognizing our struggles as spiritual battles change the way we approach challenges in life? [02:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should focus on equipping believers rather than providing vague comfort or political solutions? [06:52]
3. How can the examples of faith from Hebrews 11 inspire us to endure and triumph in our own lives? [33:39]
4. What does it mean to be "strong in the Lord," and how can believers actively seek this strength according to the sermon? [04:05]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How can recognizing it as a spiritual battle change your approach to it? What steps can you take to address it spiritually? [02:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual exercises. Which spiritual discipline (prayer, reading the Word, sacraments) do you feel most drawn to strengthen, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine? [12:38]
3. Consider the role of the church in your life. How can you actively participate in the church’s mission to equip believers, rather than just seeking comfort? [06:52]
4. Think of a time when you felt spiritually weak. What practical steps can you take to "put on the whole armor of God" and seek strength from the Lord? [04:05]
5. Reflect on the examples of faith from Hebrews 11. Is there a particular figure whose story resonates with you? How can their example inspire you to persevere in your own faith journey? [33:39]
6. The sermon encourages looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. What specific distractions in your life prevent you from focusing on Jesus, and how can you minimize them this week? [39:04]
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from the message of hope and strength found in this sermon. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [41:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Spiritual Nature of Our Struggles
Our struggles are not just physical or circumstantial; they are deeply spiritual, involving principalities and powers of darkness. The Bible provides the only adequate explanation for these troubles, pointing to the spiritual forces at work. Recognizing this reality is crucial to effectively addressing the challenges of life. Without this understanding, any attempt to address life's challenges is futile. By acknowledging the spiritual dimension of our battles, we can begin to seek the right solutions and find true peace and strength. [02:09]
"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: What is one struggle in your life that you have been trying to solve through physical means? How can you begin to address it from a spiritual perspective today?
Day 2: Seeking Strength in the Lord
True strength comes from God, and we must actively seek it by putting on the whole armor of God. This involves engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading the Word, and participating in the sacraments. The strength we need is not inherent but is supplied by God, and we must actively engage in spiritual exercises to develop it. By feeding on the Word and exercising our faith, we can withstand the challenges of life and stand firm in the face of adversity. [04:05]
"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: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to strengthening this week to better equip yourself for the battles you face?
Day 3: The Church's Role in Equipping Believers
The church's primary role is to equip believers to withstand adversity, not to provide vague comfort or political solutions. It is through the truth of God that we find the strength to stand firm. The church should point believers to the truth of God, enabling them to stand firm in the face of adversity. By looking to the examples of faith in the past and ultimately to Jesus, we can find the strength to endure and triumph, even in the most challenging times. [06:52]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community to both receive and provide support in spiritual growth and resilience?
Day 4: The Importance of Spiritual Exercise
Just as physical strength requires exercise, so does spiritual strength. We must actively engage in spiritual disciplines, building ourselves up in our most holy faith to withstand the evil day. This involves feeding on the Word, prayer, and the sacraments, as well as exercising our faith through regular spiritual disciplines. By doing so, we can find the strength to endure and triumph, even in the most challenging times. [12:38]
"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can practice more consistently to strengthen your faith and discernment?
Day 5: Looking to Jesus and the Saints
We are encouraged to look to the examples of faith in the past and to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. By doing so, we find the strength to endure and triumph, even in the most challenging times. The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 and the life of Jesus provide us with a model of endurance and faithfulness. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can navigate the trials of life with hope and perseverance. [39:04]
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person of faith, past or present, whose example you can draw inspiration from today? How can their story encourage you in your current journey?
Quotes
"The Bible claims that it and it alone has the only adequate explanation. It's the one that's given us here: the wiles of the devil, principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. That's the cause of the trouble, and if we are not clear about that, anything else we may have to say is quite useless and ultimately futile." [00:02:07]
"The Christian church is not here just to administer a kind of general comfort to people. There are many who look upon the church like that; they never think of her until they get into trouble. Then they turn to the church, faced with illness or bereavement or sorrow, death, turned to the church because they believe the church can somehow give comfort and soothing." [00:04:53]
"The business of the church is to do this one great thing: to point people to this truth. The church, according to this Apostle in writing to Timothy, is the pillar and the ground of the truth. The Christian church is this which holds up before the nations and the people the truth of God." [00:06:39]
"We've got to look to him to supply us with this. He does so. We don't do nothing. We do all we can, and he enables us to do it. That's the secret. He puts the strength into us. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I do them, but through Christ which strengtheneth me." [00:10:56]
"Nothing is more obvious about the teaching of the New Testament than this: that the Christian life is a life of activity. It's a life of vigor. It's a life of assertion. It's a life of activity. The strength is given to us by God, but we are the ones who are to act. We've got to build ourselves up." [00:15:16]
"The first thing we've got to do in this taking of exercise in a spiritual sense is to hold on to what we've got. You see, they were in danger, as he tells them at the beginning of the second chapter, of letting these things slip, or if you prefer it, of slipping away from these things." [00:18:38]
"Christianity is not here to laud and to praise the past. She's here to look to the future. The past only helps us in that it teaches us how to set our hope there and to run the race that is set before us. Well, now these are the things we've got to hold on to." [00:21:55]
"Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Did you get it, my friends?" [00:29:47]
"Consider the great men in the past. Look at them. Look how they stand out, and you go through the whole list. You think of men like Abel and Noah and Abraham and Moses and David and Jephthah and all these giants in the faith. Well, now they all lived in a world exactly like the world in which you and I are living." [00:33:39]
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." [00:39:04]
"Look unto Jesus, who came deliberately into this evil world, this world of war and sin and shame and unworthiness. He came deliberately into it. He didn't belong to it. He came into it deliberately, and he suffered and he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself." [00:39:59]
"Exercise your senses, lay hold on these things, look to the great heroes of the faith for inspiration. Above all, look unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, and thus you will become strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and you'll be able to withstand in the evil day when it comes." [00:41:44]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?