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Love
Teaching Text: Ephesians 6: 10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
Stand
Presence
Watch or listen to the sermon. Then take a moment of silence and think about these questions:
Ask God to open your heart and mind to understand Ephesians anew as we start this season.
Thank Him for the blessings He has given you already, even those you might be unaware of.
God gives us a way to stand strong against the opposition we face. We can be grateful that he doesn’t just leave us to fend for ourselves.
Spend some time on gratitude today, for the moments where God has provided what you have needed in times of high pressure.
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
The Apostle Paul is having a moment like this. He runs down an inventory of gear that followers of Jesus are going to need in the world.
And he sets the need for this armor in the context of a very real conflict that we are living in the middle of whether we are always consciously aware of it or not.
Paul gets really practical and goes through how this Gospel impacts real life.
Here’s how God has gifted us
Here’s how to deal with desires that lie to you
With anger
With speech
With unforgiveness
With sex, with greed, with power dynamics
He speaks about our most intimate and regular relationships in the home and then subverts the broken norms of the Roman Empire.
But he says finally - don’t forget this is not a neutral world
I am writing from prison. I;m surrounded by Roman centurions.
You are not going to be skating through life without any resistance.
In fact…
You have to find strength in the Lord and the power of his might. Here’s what He’s given you to stand strong.
You have to put on this Armor - you are going to need protection in some very specific ways. Certain things are vulnerable and need covering and care.
Put on the armor so you have the power to … stand
Against the schemes of the slanderer
(Our battle is not against flesh and blood)
But against the rulers
Against the authorities
Against the cosmic powers of this darkness
Against spiritual forces evil in heavenlies
When Israel was being reduced from slavery in Egypt but the sea was before them and the approaching Egyptian army as behind them … They were panicked …
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”.” – Exodus 14:13-14
Ephesians is a letter of freedom written from prison
How does God want us to be protected? How do these items protect us?
The belt that pulls everything together - truth - truth as reality
The translation indicates this is like an undergarment.
It means the lives we live connected to actual reality.
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis
Breastplate of righteousness - covers our heart - righteousness/character/justice
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - where and how we walk - readiness with the Gospel of peace * this has been the thesis of the letter
All these pictures from Isaiah 11, 52, 53, 59
This coming Messiah figure
Shield of faith moveable protection against attack made even more effective in community
To extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy….this is the powers at work in specific attack.
10 flaming arrows – the powers at work
Fear
Discouragement
Distraction
Despair
Dominated by anger (grudges)
Greed
Addiction
Lust
Deceit
Loneliness
Don’t fight alone!!!
Ask God for help
Ask people for help
The enemy is an isolator !!!
Helmet of salvation you mind is guarded by the salvation of God
Sword of the Spirit moveable offensive weapon - sword of the Spirit - Word of God
We need this armor of God
How do you put it on?
Stand
Pray
This is going to be our shared journey in Lent.
Deepening our conversational life with God - tgc.nyc/lent
Sunday Tabernacle Nights
Wed at Noon on Zoom
Prayer in Groups!!!
We are called to stand in the victory of Jesus !!!
Where do you need covering today?
The belt of truth pulls everything together - truth - truth as reality - the Lewis quote on moderately important
Breastplate of righteousness covers our heart - righteousness/character
Shoes of gospel peace where and how we walk - readiness with the Gospel of peace * this has been the thesis of the letter
Shield of faith - moveable protection against attack made even more effective in community
Helmet of salvation you mind is guarded by the salvation of God
Sword of the Spirit moveable offensive weapon - sword of the Spirit - Word of God
Love
Read these notes and discuss the questions below:
What can you do this week to help someone else stand firm in their faith?
Pray for them
Text them
Encourage them with the truth they may need
Bless them somehow
