PENTECOST 14 – August 29, 2021 – Eph. 6:10-20
“UNDERSTANDING THE WAR”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Eph. 5. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- I hate reading about war and conflict around the world. I hate reading about the military build up and strength of nations in competition with us, nations that perhaps hate us. I would love to live in a peaceful world.
- Some people believe that the way to peace is to simply ignore those who would do us harm. This, however, is not a formula for peace but rather capitulation to the enemy. Our goodness will not change the evil purposes and desires of sinful human beings. The entire history of the world teaches this wisdom!
- It is no different when it comes of our inner spiritual life. No one likes conflict, spiritual tension and competition, and stress when it comes to following God. Even psychologists are of the opinion that to have this tension is unhealthy. However, they are ignorant of the reality taught by Jesus in the Gospel Lesson as to what “comes out of the heart of man.”
- Furthermore, thinking that resolving the tension by reducing God’s Word and standards is the answer, only leaves the battlefield to evil. Even though one may convince oneself that there can be inner peace without God, no one can say enough “OMS,” or focus on peaceful river scenes enough, to resolve the conflict. What is inside us remains inside of us.
- So, if the war is inevitable – the spiritual war – and it is, then at the very least we should be keenly interested in “UNDERSTANDING THE WAR.” That there is a war is made clear by the fact that the Apostle, writing by power of the Holy Spirit of God, describes the war and how we are to fight it! This is the gist of our text. First, we are to:
I. Rejoice In God, In What He Has Given Us
A. That He Is Always Nearby To Give Us Strength
OT Lesson: “What great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him.”
Text: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
B. He Has Given Us The Wisdom Of His Word, The Armor Of God
OT Lesson: “What great nation is there, that has statues and just decrees so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?”
Text: “Take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Statement: The Apostle will further describe our weaponry, that provided by God for our defense from wicked and evil foes – which he will also describe. But first we are reminded of our real strength – God’s presence and closeness to us to bless us, especially “whenever we call upon Him.” This is our impregnable defense and our indefensible power and strength. So as we think of our need for protection we should think first of God’s Word and His armor – which He gives us to protect us. And we should never forget that He is close at hand to bless us!
Application: As we consider the next two topics – the nature of our foe and the armor God has given us – we never forget that God is Almighty and that God is Love. This means that no matter what may befall us He is always there, eager to work all things together for our good. Often He does this, unbeknownst to us, to poke and tease the enemy, and to demonstrate His power. But the foe is too dumb to know he is already defeated. Still, he has some power. So our text enables us to:
II. Know The Foe
A. Our Fight Is Not With Flesh And Blood
Text: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.”
B. Rather, Our Warfare Is With Spiritual Forces Of Evil
Text: “We wrestle again the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Statement: This is not to say that we do not fight against our sinful flesh, out of which Jesus says come “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” But it is to say that all of these evils within us are part of the “present darkness” and in cahoots with “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Application: The point is that we are not to take note so much of the people who do us evil, but the principles of evil which they have adopted, and by which their behavior and inner being is oriented to. It is important to remember this, lest we come to hate people that God loves, and despise and seek to harm people for whom Jesus suffered and died.
After all, these same evil desires exist in our own hearts and minds – and we should remember that the “forces of evil” will also be utilizing them as places of weakness and vulnerability to lead us to evil and downfall. This is the spiritual warfare that we must engage in – knowing with certainty that these enemies are not going to give up their assaults on us! And so the Apostle urges us to:
III. Use The Armor Of God
A. First, The Belt Of Truth
John 8:31,32 “If you continue in My Word you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
B. Second, The Breastplate of Righteousness – The Gospel
Gen. 15:6: “Abraham believed God and God counted it to Him as righteousness.”
Jer. 23:5,6 “Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute just and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the Name by which He will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
C. Third, The Readiness Given By The Gospel Of Peace – Love For Others
1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
D. Fourth – The Shield Of Faith, Which Conquers All Accusations
Rom. 8:33,34 “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God Who justifies – who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One Who died – more than that, Who was raised – Who is at the right hand of God, Who indeed is interceding FOR US.”
E. The Assurance Of God’s Salvation – A Helmet To Protect Our Mind, Our Right Thinking
Text: “ And put on the helmet of salvation.”
F. And We Need But One Offensive Weapon – The Word Of God, The Sword Of The Spirit
Jer. 23:29 “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Is. 55:11 “So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but is shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Heb. 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
G. And Lastly Prayer
Text: “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
Statement: These are all items that come to us through the Word of God – the truth, about ourselves and about God, His gift of justification, righteousness, that His righteousness is ours, and the desire to love as He has loved us, and faith so that we extinguish temptations to guilt and despair, and the assurance of salvation to keep us sane. And there is only one offensive weapon – the Word of God itself! And since God is nearby and eager to help us in time of need, prayer is a marvelous defense and weapon as well!
Application: All of this is given to us by God – so we rejoice in Him. All is given that we may “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” This is what He wills for us and desires to give us!
Conclusion: So, while it remains bad news that we must engage in conflict and spiritual warfare, the good news is that God has given us everything we need to defend ourselves, to send the devil fleeing, and to remain strong and solid in His strength.
The warfare does end – whether in death, when we go to be with the Lord and to enter into His rest, or when He returns again in great glory! So take heart – the war is not interminable. Perfect peace and joy are coming. Rejoice in God and give Him thanks and praise! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting. Amen.