Gene Cunningham - May 28, 2010
Ephesians #10
The victorious army of God (notes ): Eph 6:10-24 Exo 15:3; Jos 5:13; Heb 2:10; 2Ki 6:15-18. Two prayers of Paul are referenced (Eph 6:10). We have a spiritual enemy (Eph 6:10-13); we need the strength from Jesus Christ. Life is being a soldier (Eph 6:13-17). "Stand" is used three times between (Eph 6:10-13). "Stete" was the battle cry of the Roman soldier meaning to "hold the ground where you are" (Eph 6:14); we are given a place in the battle to stand. To stand requires the armor of God (Eph 6:15-17). Prayer is part of the armor as the communication means (Eph 6:18). Paul summarizes the rest of the book with armor.
- "Belt of Truth" is your knowledge of the Word of God. The belt holds all in place.
- "The Breastplate of Righteousness" is the imputed righteousness of Christ lived out in fellowship with God.
- "The Sandals of the Gospel" involves a clear message of the gospel. You cannot stand on the battlefield without a clear gospel message and witness.
- "The Shield of Faith" is Christ (aka. the Psalms); nothing happens but by His permission.
- "The Helmet of Salvation" - eternal security keeps our minds at rest (Eph 4:30).
- "The Sword of the Spirit" is the word of God which must pierce us before the enemy (Heb 4:12).
- "Praying always" according to the Will of God (Eph 6:18).
Paul prays for boldness which is God's will (Eph 6:19). We win the strategic victory when we stand on the finished work of Christ; we win the tactical victory by 1) being an ambassador for Christ, 2) boldly proclaiming the Gospel, and 3) by praying for others (Eph 6:20-24).
Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]
Scripture References: Ephesians 6:18, Hebrews 2:10, Ephesians 6:15-17, Ephesians 6:20-24, Joshua 5:13, Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:19, Exodus 15:3, Ephesians 6:10-13, Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:10-24, Ephesians 6:13-17, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:10-13, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 6:10
From Series: "Ephesians - Positions of Privilege in the Household of Faith - Colorado 2010"
Ephesians is a Prison Epistle along with Philippians Colossians and Philemon (see Eph 3:1 Eph 4:1 and Eph 6:20). Written by Paul from Rome the epistle expands on themes in Colossians much as Romans does to Galatians. Whereas Colossians develops the all-sufficiency of Christ to the Church Ephesians shows the blessings of that ?fullness? enjoyed by the members of God?s family. The idea of unity resulting from reconciliation runs strong through the book (Eph 1:9?10; Eph 2:16?18; Eph 3:4?6; Eph 4:3?6; Eph 5:30?32; Eph 6:18?20). It is possible that the epistle was actually a circular letter to the churches of Asia. Paul?s goal is to inform the saints of their privileged status and exhort them to live in a way worthy of their standing. Taught in Colorado 2010. Lesson 8 was inadvertently not recorded.