Strength in Spiritual Warfare: Armor of God

 

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 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. To stand firm, we must first recognize our need for strength due to the formidable power of our enemy and our own inherent weakness. Acknowledging our limitations is crucial, as self-confidence without reliance on God is a dangerous path. The key to victory lies in understanding and accessing the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has already triumphed over all evil through His life, death, and resurrection.

Our relationship with Christ is foundational. He is the captain of our salvation, leading us in this spiritual battle. Salvation is not merely a personal endeavor but part of God's grand plan. We are individual soldiers in a divine army, and the ultimate battle is between God and the devil. This perspective shifts our focus from our personal struggles to the larger cosmic conflict, providing strength and encouragement. God's honor is at stake, and He will not allow His purposes to fail.

Moreover, God's power is not only around us but also within us. The Holy Spirit works in us, enabling us to will and to act according to God's good pleasure. This divine power is what quickens us from spiritual death and sustains us in our Christian walk. The church, as the body of Christ, is intimately connected to Him, drawing strength and nourishment from the head, which is Christ. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit assures us of God's presence and power, guiding and interceding for us even when we are unaware.

Key Takeaways:

- Recognizing our need for strength is essential due to the power of our enemy and our own weakness. Self-confidence without reliance on God is dangerous, as it blinds us to our vulnerabilities and the true nature of the spiritual battle we face. [03:12]

- Our salvation is part of God's grand plan, not merely a personal endeavor. We are soldiers in a divine army, and the ultimate battle is between God and the devil. This perspective provides strength and encouragement, as God's honor is at stake, and He will not allow His purposes to fail. [08:06]

- God's power is not only around us but also within us. The Holy Spirit works in us, enabling us to will and to act according to God's good pleasure. This divine power quickens us from spiritual death and sustains us in our Christian walk. [29:12]

- The church, as the body of Christ, is intimately connected to Him, drawing strength and nourishment from the head, which is Christ. This connection ensures that the power of Christ flows through every member, enabling us to stand firm in the spiritual battle. [42:03]

- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit assures us of God's presence and power, guiding and interceding for us even when we are unaware. This divine companionship provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. [44:09]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
[00:45] - The Spiritual Battle
[01:19] - Two Essential Elements
[02:27] - Recognizing Our Need for Strength
[03:49] - The Strength of the Lord
[05:20] - Christ as the Captain of Our Salvation
[07:25] - God's Grand Plan
[09:22] - The Battle Belongs to the Lord
[12:27] - God's Honor and Our Assurance
[16:09] - God's Power Working for Us
[26:43] - God's Power Working in Us
[29:27] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[42:03] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[44:09] - The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
[50:15] - Benediction

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"? ([00:09])
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to recognize our own weaknesses in the spiritual battle? ([03:12])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as believers? ([29:12])
4. What is the significance of the church being described as the body of Christ in the sermon? ([42:03])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our role as soldiers in a divine army change our perspective on personal struggles? ([08:06])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's power is both around us and within us? How does this dual presence impact our daily lives? ([29:27])
3. What does it mean for God's honor to be at stake in our spiritual battles, and how should this influence our actions and attitudes? ([12:27])
4. How does the sermon explain the connection between the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our assurance of God's presence and power? ([44:09])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might recognizing it as part of a larger spiritual battle change your approach to it? ([08:06])
2. Identify an area in your life where you tend to rely on self-confidence rather than God's strength. What steps can you take to shift your reliance to God? ([03:12])
3. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit's work within you this week? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer or reflection. ([29:27])
4. Think of a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How does the assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence change your perspective on that experience? ([44:09])
5. In what ways can you contribute to the strength and unity of the church as the body of Christ? Identify one action you can take this week to support a fellow believer. ([42:03])
6. How can you remind yourself daily that your salvation is part of God's grand plan and not just a personal endeavor? Consider creating a visual reminder or journal entry. ([08:06])
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that God's power is actively working in and through you in your daily interactions? ([29:12])

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Our Need for Divine Strength
In the spiritual battle we face, recognizing our need for strength is essential due to the formidable power of our enemy and our own inherent weakness. Self-confidence without reliance on God is dangerous, as it blinds us to our vulnerabilities and the true nature of the spiritual battle we face. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Therefore, acknowledging our limitations and seeking strength from the Lord is crucial. The strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has already triumphed over all evil through His life, death, and resurrection, is the key to victory. [03:12]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel particularly weak or vulnerable? How can you invite God's strength into that area today?


Day 2: Salvation as Part of God's Grand Plan
Our salvation is not merely a personal endeavor but part of God's grand plan. We are soldiers in a divine army, and the ultimate battle is between God and the devil. This perspective shifts our focus from our personal struggles to the larger cosmic conflict, providing strength and encouragement. God's honor is at stake, and He will not allow His purposes to fail. Understanding our role in this divine plan helps us to see our struggles in a new light, as part of a larger narrative where God is the ultimate victor. [08:06]

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV): "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."

Reflection: How does viewing your life as part of God's grand plan change your perspective on your current struggles? What steps can you take to align more closely with His purposes today?


Day 3: The Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit
God's power is not only around us but also within us. The Holy Spirit works in us, enabling us to will and to act according to God's good pleasure. This divine power quickens us from spiritual death and sustains us in our Christian walk. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit assures us of God's presence and power, guiding and interceding for us even when we are unaware. This divine companionship provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. [29:12]

Romans 8:11 (ESV): "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in your daily life? How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Him today?


Day 4: The Church as the Body of Christ
The church, as the body of Christ, is intimately connected to Him, drawing strength and nourishment from the head, which is Christ. This connection ensures that the power of Christ flows through every member, enabling us to stand firm in the spiritual battle. As members of the body, we are called to support and encourage one another, recognizing that our strength comes from our unity in Christ. This communal aspect of our faith is vital, as it reflects the interconnectedness and interdependence of the body of Christ. [42:03]

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the strength and unity of your church community? What is one practical way you can support a fellow believer this week?


Day 5: Assurance of God's Presence and Power
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit assures us of God's presence and power, guiding and interceding for us even when we are unaware. This divine companionship provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. The Holy Spirit's role as our guide and intercessor is a profound source of assurance, as it means that God is actively involved in our lives, working all things for our good and His glory. This assurance empowers us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that we are supported by the Creator of the universe. [44:09]

John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Reflection: In moments of doubt or fear, how can you remind yourself of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance? What is one way you can lean into His support today?

Quotes


We must realize our need of strength because of the power of the enemy, but secondly, we must realize our need of strength because of our own weakness, and a Christian who doesn't realize his own weakness is in the most precarious position possible. He is utterly ignorant. [00:02:57]

We must realize his strength. Be strong, says the Apostle, in the Lord and the power of His might, the might of his strength. We ended on that note. It's the secret to every success in the Christian Life to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to know his inherent power and strength. [00:03:37]

Salvation is something that is of God. It is God's great plan. It is God's scheme. It is something that God is doing, is something that God has planned and originated. He's initiated the movement, and he's carrying it out. Now, this to me is one of the most fundamental things we can grasp. [00:07:11]

We are individual units in a great Army. We're not fighting some personal private war. That isn't the position at all. We are simply individual soldiers in a great Army which is fighting a great campaign. In other words, the real thing, the ultimate thing, is not so much even my fight with the devil as God's fight with the devil. [00:08:06]

The ultimate battle is the battle between God and the devil, between Heaven and Hell, between light and darkness, and therefore we must realize this, that this is something that cannot fail because God's honor is involved in it. Now lift up your minds, therefore, and your hearts in the thick of the battle. [00:12:23]

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and deliver them. You see, you think you're doing it all. The angel of the Lord is encamping round about you, and he's a very powerful Angel. He's the angel of the Lord. He's got great might and power. [00:17:00]

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. What a place to be. You seen those little chicks at the approach of danger rushing to the hen, and she just spreads her wings, and under they go, under the shadow of the almighty. [00:17:41]

The church is the body of Christ, and the head of the body is Christ himself. But now let's go to the elaboration of that in chapter 4, especially in verses 15 and 16, but speaking the truth in love may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. [00:42:03]

The power that is in the head is working in all the members of the body, the church as the body of Christ. It's all implicit in that Doctrine. The energy in us is his energy. This is the power that worketh in us mightily. [00:42:48]

The spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. When we are so hard pressed that we know not what to pray for as we ought, the spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, stimulating the prayer, causing us to ejaculate some petition. [00:44:09]

This power, my dear friends, is not only round and about us and not only caring for us and planning for us, he's in us. The exceeding greatness of his power to us word that believe. Ah yes, you wrestling against not flesh and blood but against principalities and Powers. [00:44:49]

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Remember the energy and the power that is working in you, and it's Invincible because it is his, and let the devil and all his powers come. You can stand in his great might with all his strength. [00:45:10]

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Transcript
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