Teaching Tuesday: What Are We Doing Here? - Spiritual Conflict

Series: What Are We Doing Here?
Sermon: Spiritual Conflict (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Watch the messages HERE. 

This past Sunday we wrapped up our sermon series working through Ephesians and asking the question: what are we doing here? 

As we read through Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus - which is especially relevant and applicable to all churches, everywhere, always - we see the answer(s) to that question.

Christian college professor Brad East writes: 

"You and I and all of them [he’s speaking of Christians throughout time] are family. We belong to God's holy people; we are members of Christ's body; we are the temple of his Spirit. How is this possible? How has God done such a marvelous thing?...The church is a miracle and therefore a mystery. The Apostle Paul uses this very word - mystery - to describe the moment when God pulled back the curtain to show his ultimate purposes in calling Abraham and sending Jesus…” 

Then East quotes a verse from the first section of Ephesians (1:7-10): 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Having raised Jesus from the dead and set him in authority over all things, God the Father made the Son the head especially of the church, which is his body. 

East goes on: “The church is the fullness of the one who fills all things; she is the body of the Lord of heaven and earth. She is the beloved of God, wooed and betrothed by God himself. 

She is the one for whom God became man. He died on a cross and rose again for her. He is returning soon for her. His love for her never fails. She is the end and aim of all his works."

The church! The church is why we were created, it’s what we’re here for, it’s what we’re doing here. 

God created us to love us; he wants us to be in relationship with him. Our sin severed that relationship, but God didn’t give up; he gave us his son Jesus to heal that relationship, and Jesus gave us the church to help us stay and grow in that relationship. 

When we believe - when we come to faith - we are justified, we are saved by Christ on the cross. And we are saved for sanctification, to become more and more holy, more like Jesus; to know God better and better, forever, and to help each other to heaven. To know God and to make Him known. 

That’s the purpose of our lives as Christians, and that’s the purpose of the Christian church. 

But the church has an enemy. The last section of Ephesians (6:10-18) presents an interesting change in tone. Paul goes dark. He shifts from church-y language to battle language, urging believers to “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” (vs. 10-11). 

The devil - Satan - and his army of fallen angels use their power for evil and destruction; they attack the Kingdom of God and try to lure its citizens from the light into the darkness. They work to keep unbelievers from belief, they work through government systems and legal structures to make practicing the faith difficult or even criminal, and they tempt believers toward doubt, rebellion against God, and spiritual apathy. 

Satan and his demons pounce on humans’ sin to make sure the consequences are as bad as possible, and they love nothing more than to exploit opportunities to sow discord and division in Christ’s church. 

Sometimes these attacks take the form of persecution or oppression by official authorities set against the work of God’s people. More often, though - at least in our American context - these attacks look like persuading Christians in the church to invest significant time and energy in non-missional activities (distraction) or to make big fusses out of small issues (“majoring in the minors”). Sometimes it’s the tried-and-true temptations toward misusing money, sex, or power that result in damaged or broken relationships and misrepresenting God to his people and the surrounding community.  

The attacks will come. They have, they are, and they will continue to until Christ returns. The job for the Christian is three-fold: 1) recognize what is of God and what isn’t; 2) arm yourself completely with God’s strength and might; and 3) stand firm and steadfast while Jesus wins the war. 

In the sermon message, I focused mostly on numbers 1 and 3, and mentioned prayer just briefly towards the end. 

I think as we read this passage, prayer stands out as not so much another piece of God’s armor, but the means by which we “put on” (vs. 11, 13) all of the other pieces.

How does prayer help you and us (the church) fight spiritual battles? 

Is prayer hard work for you? Why do you think that is? 

In what way does prayer make putting on the “full armor of God” - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, gospel-ready feet, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit - easier and more effective? 

Paul seems to be saying that God has given us everything we need (including his very own power in our hearts by the Holy Spirit!) to withstand the attacks of evil temptation, and that prayer is how we access and understand his protection and participate in his victory. 

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 (v. 18). 

May we all be prayer warriors!

TO KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN!

- Pastor Brady