Ephesians 6:13-14: The Armour of God: Part One
Holy War means two different things depending on whether you are living in the OT or the NT. In the OT the armies of Israel were God’s rod of judgement putting on an end times display of what the final judgement will look like. The land, which represented the new creation was wiped clean of all idolaters. The Israelites were to take up literal sword and shield and apply the death that sin deserves to all sinners in the land. When anyone attacked God’s land or people, the armies of Israel had every confidence that God would bless their...
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Ephesians 6:10-12: Spiritual Warfare
What is the biggest problem facing the world today? Covid 19? Strong-handed governments who are taking too many of our freedoms to keep us safe? Islam? War with China? Global warming? Critical Race Theory? The new gender ideology? Big Tech? A leftist media? These are big problems but they are only symptoms of the biggest problem that we face, we are in a spiritual battle with the devil. To say this is to provoke laughter from anyone who thinks after the New Atheist school. Here in the West we are afflicted with the problem of naturalism, I don’t mean...
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Romans 13:12-14: Walking In The light
Introduction: Augustine, one of the church fathers of the 4thcentury is one of the most influential men in Christian history, was converted by this text. He grew up in a home with a Christian mother and unbelieving father. He was given the best education and went on to succeed in Rhetoric and teaching. He went through various religions looking for truth and came under the influence of the great preacher Ambrose. At first it was merely an appreciation for his preaching ability, but the Spirit began to work on his heart. Augustine was a man who was given to...
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Church Camp sermons: The Armour of God
Thanks to Troy Cane for preaching at the combined Reformed Baptist Camp 2017. Troy is an elder at Berean Bible Church in Thagoona, Queensland. Sermons are available to download from the Rolleston Baptist website, via the links below: Session 1: Ephesians 6 – A Call to War Session 2: Ephesians 6:14-15 – Belt, Breastplate and Boots Session 3: Ephesians 6:16-17a – Shield of Faith and Helmet of Salvation Session 4: Ephesians 6:16-17 – The Sword of the Spirit Session 5: Ephesians 6:18-20 – Prayer Read Ephesians 6:10-20 Online
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Ephesians 6:18-20: Intercessory prayer
Outline Praying for saints Praying for missions Praying for preachers Introduction We come to the last message on spiritual warfare. We have covered some of the loopy ideas that spiritual warfare is not; the nature of the battle as being against spiritual powers stronger than us individually; we have spoken about the strength that God gives us by His Spirit; and we have looked at the pieces of the armour as the equipment every Christian is equipped with for the fight. But we have spent the last four messages looking at one of the most important aspects of our...
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Ephesians 6:18: Persevering Prayer
Outline Who God is Why God delays Introduction We are lingering over the issue of prayer because it is so needed in our lives. We have reminded ourselves of the nature of prayer, the different types of prayer, and today we continue by considering perseverance in prayer. Paul writes, ‘praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance….’ There are two aspects of perseverance to consider. Firstly, Paul is calling upon us to be alert and persevere in attempting to pray at all times, in the Spirit, with...
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Ephesians 6:18: The discipline of prayer
Outline Praying at all times Praying in the Spirit Praying with all prayer Introduction Prayer is the easiest thing and the hardest thing for the believer. It is easy for Christ has opened up the way, we have the Spirit to help us, the Word to inform us and the Father warmly welcomes us; but we are sinners and prayer is unnatural to fallen man as doubting and self-sufficient. Prayer is the most pleasant and most painful experience for the believer. It is pleasurable because of the rich spiritual experiences of peace, assurance, love, faith and joy; but it...
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Ephesians 6:18-20: The Nature of Prayer
Outline What is prayer? Must we pray? How is prayer possible? The mysteries of prayer Introduction What is prayer? 17th century Anglican minister George Herbert has written a famous poem that multiplies the images of of the nature of prayer: ‘Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age, God’s breath in man returning to his birth, The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage, The Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth Engine against th’ Almighty, sinner’s tow’r, Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear, The six-days world transposing in an hour, A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear; Softness, and peace, and...
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Ephesians 6:18: Praying and temptation
Outline Christ’s praying in Gethsemane Christ’s teaching in Gethsemane Introduction The greatest spiritual warrior to have walked the earth is Christ. He never gave in to one temptation; He faced greater temptations than anyone will ever face, and He is our teacher as we turn from the spiritual armour to the importance of prayer in spiritual warfare. As we read through the gospels we come across a life saturated in prayer. He would get up early and pray, Mk. 1:35; He would pray in private, Lk. 9:18; He prayed at His baptism, Lk. 3:21-22; and before He ate, Matt....
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Ephesians 6:17: The Sword of the Spirit: Part Two
Outline The sword that dispels darkness The sword that answers temptation Introduction ‘The word,’ acts 6:4; ‘the implanted word,’ James 1:21; ‘the prophetic word,’ 2 Pet. 1:19; ‘the word of God;’ ‘the word of Christ,’ Col. 3:16; ‘the word of His grace,’ Acts 14:3; ‘the word of truth,’ Ps. 119:43; ‘the word of righteousness,’ Heb. 5:13; ‘fire,’ Jer. 23:29; ‘hammer,’ Jer. 23:29; ‘sweeter than honey,’ Ps. 19:10; ‘lamp,’ Ps. 119:103; ‘meat,’ Heb. 5:14; ‘milk,’ 1 Pet. 2:2; ‘water,’ Eph. 5:25; and ‘sword’ Eph. 6:17. These are just a few descriptions of the word of God, the Sword of the...
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Ephesians 6:17: The Sword of the Spirit: Part One
Outline The sword that gives life The sword that transforms character Introduction In Pilgrim’s Progress in the Valley of Humiliation on Christian’s journey to the Heavenly City he encounters Apollyon, i.e. the devil. Here is how it went: Apollyon: Whence come you, and whither are you bound? Christian: I am come from the city of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of Zion. Apollyon: By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects; for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is...
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Ephesians 6:17: The Helmet of Salvation
Outline The certainty of hope The fight for hope The effect of hope Introduction The typical picture of hopelessness is one taken from WWII. In the concentration camps the soldiers would give the prisoners menial tasks. In one camp the prisoners were told to move a huge pile of dirt from one side of the prison camp to the other. Once this was completed they were then commanded to move it back again. This endless cycle of meaninglessness with no light at the end of the tunnel caused many to deliberately throw themselves upon the electric fences to end...
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Ephesians 6:16: The Shield of Faith
Outline Living by faith Quenching darts Introduction In the book of Hebrews Jewish Christians are being persecuted, imprisoned and facing possible death for being believers. There is immense temptation to throw away Christianity to escape the heat and return to Judaism. The author of that great letter shows how Christ is better than the law, Moses, the angels, the sacrifices and the OT administrations, but he also tells them that they need to live by faith. Hebrews 10:39, ‘But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their...
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Ephesians 6:15: The Shoes of Gospel Peace-readiness
Outline Ready to stand Ready to run Introduction It was Napoleon who said, ‘An army marches on its stomach,’ as true as that is, it is also true that an army marches on its feet. This truth was especially felt during WWI. There was a condition called trench foot, due to the cold, wet and insanitary conditions the feet would go numb swell and begin to blister. Gangrene could set in and amputation would have to happen. The soldiers were ordered to change their socks several times a day to prevent this condition. In one war in Alaska it...
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Ephesians 6:14b: Justification and the Breastplate of Righteousness
Outline Interpreting accusations Interpreting circumstances Introduction At different times, with different audiences I have had to adjust how I have preached the gospel. When I was involved in high school ministry I usually started with my testimony sharing something of my background to gain come common ground with the kids and then move towards the gospel usually stating evidences for Christianity. When I did street evangelism I would encounter those who had no knowledge of Christianity and so not only have to preach Christ as Saviour but God as Creator as well covering the story line of the bible....
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Ephesians 6:14b: Sanctification and the Breastplate of Righteousness
Outline Counterfeit holiness True holiness Introduction Western Christianity, of which we are a part, can best be described by Christ’s words to the churches of Sardis and Laodicea, Rev. 3:1b-5, ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not...
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