Put Your War Clothes On 2

Put Your War Clothes On (2 of 9) Objective… To arm believers with the tools needed in light of the spiritual battle we are engaged in.

Do You Know Your Enemy?

Ephesians 6:12-13 NRSV …for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.

Introduction: Of their own will and volition, Christians enlist in the army of the Lord. Which means they should be willing to fight, are expected to fight, and must be ready to fight.

Transition: Paul is chained to a Roman soldier (Ephesians 6:20) while this letter to the church at Ephesus was being penned. He has used military terminology before in II Timothy 2:3-4, 4:7; I Timothy 6:12; and in II Corinthians 10:3-4.

Exposition: Understanding our enemy is key if we are to fight and win. Ephesians 2:1-3 helps us… You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else,…

Enemy 1 is the world (external) but Jesus overcame it according to John 16:33! -Society apart from God

Enemy 2 is our flesh (internal) but Jesus overcame it according to Romans 6:12-13! -Old nature inherited from Adam

Enemy 3 is the prince of this world (spiritual) but Jesus overcame him according to Ephesians 1:19-23! -Devil -Satan -Tempter -Murderer -Liar

Conclusion: Our preparation is for “the evil day”, which could be any day.