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Equipped For Living

Equipped For Living. March 20, 2011. Recap. To whom is Paul writing? From where does Paul write? What is Paul’s situation as he writes? Be thinking about Paul’s situation and how that might affect what he writes to the recipients of this letter . Finally . Ephesians 6:10-12

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Equipped For Living

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  1. Equipped For Living March 20, 2011

  2. Recap • To whom is Paul writing? • From where does Paul write? • What is Paul’s situation as he writes? • Be thinking about Paul’s situation and how that might affect what he writes to the recipients of this letter ...

  3. Finally ... • Ephesians 6:10-12 • 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For 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. • Who are these rulers, powers, forces of darkness and wickedness? • What are they after? • How do they fight? • Who is their leader?

  4. Previously, At Ephesus • Acts 19:18-19 • 18Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  • Practice of the “magic arts” or the “dark arts” was common at Ephesus • The recipients of the letter knew well what Paul was speaking of

  5. Which Is It?

  6. We Are At War! • Whether we realize it or not, we are at war • Satan and his minions are seeking to destroy us • 1 Peter 5:8 • 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. • How can we withstand Satan’s attacks? • We are to be strong in God’smight • And it is substantial

  7. God’s Power • Ephesians 1:18-21 • 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

  8. Our Defense Against Satan • Ephesians 6:13-17 • 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

  9. The Roman Empire in the 1st Century

  10. The Roman Empire • The Roman Empire ruled the known world in Paul’s day • It wasn’t only because they had established (at least in its day) one of the best forms of government that ever existed • They perfected the art of warfare in the Roman Legion • At the heart of the Legion was the Legionnaire • And the Legionnaire was the best-equipped soldier the world had ever seen

  11. 1st Century Roman Legionnaire

  12. 21st Century Soldier

  13. Law Enforcement – Now vs. Then • Posse Comitatus • Enacted following Reconstruction to prevent US Troops from enforcing the law within the United States • Such a concept didn’t exist in the 1st Century • The Roman Legions enforced the law, protected the citizens, and kept the peace • Everyone was accustomed to the presence of the Romans

  14. The Whole Armor • Ephesians 6:14-15 • 14Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, • and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, • 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

  15. The Whole Armor (cont) • Ephesians 6:16 • 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. • 17Andtake the helmet of salvation, • and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

  16. Pray All The Time • Ephesians 6:18 • 18With 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,  • What role does prayer play in the battle we face? • Prayer provides the “air cover” for our battle with the forces of darkness

  17. Paul’s Situation • Ephesians 6:19-20 • 19andpray 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, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. • For what is Paul requesting prayers? • Paul’s concern is that he will have the fortitude to say whatever needs to be said, whenever the opportunity presents itself

  18. Paul’s Steadfastness • 2 Timothy 4:16-17 • 16At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.  • Paul did, indeed, stand firm

  19. Tychicus • Ephesians 6:21-22 • 21But 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. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. • Tychicus was most likely with Paul in Rome and was the bearer of this letter back to the churches in the Lycus Valley • He can fill in the specifics for those who are concerned about Paul

  20. Doxology • Ephesians 6:23-24 • 23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. • Paul ends all of his letters with a blessing from the Lord • What would this have meant to the recipients? • What should it mean to us?

  21. Next Week • Ephesus: When Love Dies • Revelation 2:1‐7 Questions?

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