‘Battle Ready – Part 1’ – 1.7.2024

January 7, 2024
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BE STRONG IN THE LORD! 

The Whole Armor of God 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of  God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the  devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against  evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this  dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on  every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time  of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground,  putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For  shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be  fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the  fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword  of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on  every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers  everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT 

HOW CAN WE BE STRONG IN THE LORD? 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NLT 

Finally, “here” means that he speaks in light of all he has previously  said. 

  • In light of all that God has done for you. 
  • In light of the glorious standing you have as a child of God.
  • In light of His great plan of the ages that God has made you part of.
  • In light of the plan for Christian maturity and growth. 
  • In light of the conduct God calls every believer to live.
  • In light of the filling of the Spirit and our walk in the Spirit.
  • In light of all this, there is a battle to fight in the Christian life. 

WE ARE TO PUT ON ALL OF THE ARMOR. 

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all  strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 NLT 

  • You are in a spiritual battle and if you are ignorant of it or ignore  that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle. 
  • The spiritual life is not a playground but a battle ground. • We have to be well equipped and trained for the battle. • As a follower of Jesus, we have to realize there is a battle and there is a devil. 

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty  weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human  reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle  that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts  and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT 

WE HAVE TO KNOW OUR ENEMY AND HIS STRATEGIES. 70% of Americans believe in the devil. Half believe in a literal devil and  half believe in a figurative devil. 32% of Christians don’t believe in a  literal devil. 

  • Jesus saw the devil fall. 

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord,  even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I  saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!” Luke 10:17-18 NLT 

  • Demons and their demonic rankings. 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil  rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark  world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT 

MORE IMPORTANTLY WE NEED TO KNOW THE ONE TRUE GOD. Paul writes in chapter 1 of Ephesians… 

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking  God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual  wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray  that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the  confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his  rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the  incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same  mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of  honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any  ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world  but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of  Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the  church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ,  who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:16-23 NLT

Next steps for me today… 

  • To know the one true God by faith in Jesus Christ his son. • To grow in my knowledge of God and his mighty power. • To realize I’m walking in on a battlefield and need to be ready.
Next Steps

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