The Spiritual Mafia Hierarchy Eph 6:12-13

1. pale, “wrestling, hand to hand combat, contest between two to throw the other”. In Rome it was a life-and-death conflict arche, “first person in a series” exousia, “authority, ability or strength to do your will.” kosmokrator, “cosmic power, world ruler” Paul was called to “open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…” Ac 26:18 “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness…” Col 1:13 pneumatikos, “spiritual beings or manifestations.” Same term is used to describe the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:1; 14:1) poneria, “malice, perversion”– “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness…” 1 Co 5:7-8 The Spiritual Mafia Hierarchy Eph 6:12-13 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. There is no formula nor method for exorcisms—Christians have authority and power to overcome Satan. James gives only instruction to resist Satan and he will flee (Jas 4:7). Where sin is confessed and repented, Satan is defeated.

2. Because our battle is invisible with powerful beings panoplia, all the weapons. Soldiers often complained about all the armament that they were expected to carry: sword, lance, helmet, shield, and breastplate We have the Spirit, His Word, our Faith and Gospel Any day when evil is present, persuasive or tempting. Put on as armor, thus we are expected to make daily use of these provisions anthistemi, “stand up against, be hostile toward or oppose”. Martin Luther, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God…Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.” katergazomai, “accomplish something, achieve success.” Success breeds corruption. Empowerment for Victory Eph 6:13 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

3. Satan’s Schemes • Discredits God’s character, credibility and ability—tempting men to distrust God, disregard the Scripture, doubt God’s purpose and blame God for evil • Generates trouble that makes life difficult, tempting you to abandon God’s standard and purpose for your life, esp. by persecution, fear of criticism • Doctrinal confusion and falsehood to dissuade the untaught and emotional • Opposition to ministry (“many adversaries” 1 Cor 16:9) • Attacks believers by causing divisions. Jesus paid for their unity (Jn 17:4, 21-23). Carnal Corinthians fell prey to his schemes (1 Cor 1-3) • Persuades you to trust your own resources. Satan got David to count his troops (1 Chron 21:1-8). Like trusting your degree, personality, talent, knowledge, funds instead of His providence. • Leads believers into hypocrisy—faking it, with a disobedient secret life • Convinces believers of worldliness, materialism, self-satisfaction, self-indulgence, hedonism, quest for more things and worldly respect. • Leads believers to disobey God’s Word. God wants us to be moral, Satan, immoral; God wants us to speak truth; Satan to lie; God wants us to be unselfish loving, Satan, selfish disinterested; God wants us content, Satan, greedy, covetous, envious; God wants us to live by faith, Satan, to live by sight, etc.

4. 2 3 1 Shoes for every purpose – soldier is only as effective as his feet condition. “preparation” is hetoimasia, “readiness”– be “ready for every good deed” Tit 3:1. Battle ground in the mind evidenced by lack of peace: “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Ro 5:1. He will “present you holy and blameless beyond reproach” (Col 1:21-22). Thus we stand confident of His love and commitment to us. aletheia, key to battle for the mind against Satan: “some shall fall away from the faith paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrine of demons” 1 Tim 4:1 Ex 12:11—preparation for Passover, “girded, your sandals on…eat in haste” -- Luke 12:35, “dressed in readiness” for 2nd coming – 1 Pet 1:13, “gird your minds for action” = mark of preparedness. Is the opposite of mediocrity, lethargy, and indifference Covering the torso with leather covered in bone or medal –Jews thought mind was in the heart and bowels were seat of emotions and feelings. Satan creates a world system to think and feel wrongly—clouds mind with false doctrine and wisdom to mislead and confuse emotions, morals, loyalties, values. Wants to undermine pure living with secret immorality, greed, envy, hate and other vices Believer’s 7-Part Armor Eph 6:14-15 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; • Righteousness is to wrap around our lives (not self-righteousness: thinking we are holy), but a transparent genuineness and commitment to obedience, “not to give the devil an opportunity” (Eph 4:24-27). • Most emotional and relational problems caused by selfish • Results in fruitlessness and loss of rewards (1 Cor 3:12-15) • Brings reproach on God’s glory by failing to “adorn the doctrine of God” (Tit 2:10). “I urge you…to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Pet 2:11) “We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. 4 We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. 5 With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

5. First 3 never taken off—next three kept ready for battle 4 5 6 thureos, a 2.5’x4.5’ wooden shield covered in leather or metal. “Faith” here is not doctrine but practical trust for God provisions & faithfulness. “missiles” are temptations to immorality, hatred, envy, anger, covetousness, pride, doubt, fear, despair, distrust Him. If you can’t trust Him, you won’t obey Him. “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” 1 Jn 5:4 Leather or metal head protection from large two-handed sword of cavalrymen. Satan attacks the security and assurance in Christ resulting in discouragement and doubt. He points out our failures, sins, problems, sickness, etc. to show us we are rejected by God. “Let us not loose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” (Gal 6:9). We have an “anchor of the soul” He 6:19 machaira, a 6-18” daggar for hand-to-hand combat. Peter used it to cut of the ear of the high priest’s servant (Mt 26:51) A spiritual weapon to teach, rebuke, correct and train (2 Tim 3:16). We are to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” 2 Tim 2:15 “They overcame him …because by the word of their testimony” R 12:11 Armor of Believer Eph 6:16-17 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

6. Variety: proseuche: general requests deesis: specific requests The “all” signifies all kinds of prayers Frequency: “Keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place” Luke 21:36 Disciples “were continually devoting themselves…to prayer” (Acts 2:42) 7 Manner: (1)“Alert”: “sleepless, attentive, ready” (2) “Perseverance” proskarteresis, “consistent, constant, convinced.” Moses “endured as seeing him who is invisible” Heb11:27 (3) “Supplication”, deesis, “specific request” “Ask and it shall be given to you” Lu 11:19 Power: “in the sphere of or in harmony with” the Spirit – not a reference to reference to tongues-speaking, but conscience of His will in all matters around us Objects: “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for your” 1 Sam 12:23 – The spiritual health of a believer is determined by how devoted he is to the welfare of others! Power Source of Prayer Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

7. An area of battle with Satan! Just as needy of God power for courage as anyone of us! parresia, “frankness, outspoken, open to public, publically” Instructive is what he did not request prayer for: wounds from chains, healing, freedom nor finances! How to pray for a Servant Eph 6:19-20 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren…have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” Phil 1:12-14

8. In order to pray intelligently, not to brag! In spite of Paul’s very discouraging circumstances, he saw God’s purposes, and was concerned that they would be discouraged because their leader was persecuted. Paul knew Tychicus would be a great encouragement to them An Asian, accompanied Paul with relief offering to Jerusalem (Ac 20:4-6), had been sent to help the church at Ephesus (2 Tim 4:12) and to join Titus (Tit 3:12) and of course, joined Paul in Roman imprisonment (text) Intelligent prayers require information Ephesians 6:21-22 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

9. The 3-fold summation of genuinely knowing God: Peace: “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2) Love: “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (4:2) Faith: “till we all attain unto the unity of the faith” (4:13) aphtharsia, “undying, sincerity, imperishable” or never ending love. The Benediction Eph 6:23-24 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.