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“Victory Over The Darkness, Part 2”
Ephesians 6:10-24
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction:
We are told to “stand” four times in this passage of
Scripture. “Stand” refers to holding your ground in a
battle. We are in a war against Satan and his forces. This
is a vicious, life and death struggle. How can we stand and
emerge victorious? We looked at the first two principles
last week. They are:
I. We can
live in victory over the darkness by understanding our Enemy
in the battle (v. 11-12).
II. We can live in victory over the darkness by using God’s
Energy for the battle (v. 10-13, 18).
Let’s look at the other two this weekend. They are:
III. We can live in victory over the darkness by wearing
God’s Equipment for the battle (v. 14-18).
IV. We can live in victory over the darkness by sharing
God’s Encouragement for the battle (v. 18-24).
III. Our
Equipment: God’s Spiritual Armor
Paul is using the illustration of a Roman soldier. The
teaching also seems to be rooted in Isaiah 59:17.
However, I think it is also important to note that we are
really to look at it as clothing ourselves in Jesus when we
put on the spiritual armor (see Romans 13:11-14). The
implication is that we are to be in full armor
continuously. Let’s examine the individual pieces of armor:
1. Truth:
James Boice writes, “Strictly speaking, the Roman soldier’s
belt was more a part of his dress than his armor. It was
made of leather and was used to gather his garments together
as well as hold his sword. Yet it was part of his war
equipment, for it gave him a feeling of inner fortitude and
strength when tightened. According to Paul’s teaching, the
Christian’s belt is truth. It is to be his inner strength,
which gives him confidence.” It refers to:
A.
Scripture (John 8:32, 17:17)
B. Living out the truth (2 John 4, 3 John 4)
C. Living with personal reality and the absence of
hypocrisy (Matthew 15:7-9)
D. Honesty (Ephesians 4:25)
E. Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)
2.
Righteousness: Scholars debate as to whether the
breastplate was made of metal or chain mail, but either way,
the point is the same. Kent Hughes writes, “Whatever the
exact style, its function was to ward off the deadly thrusts
of the popular short sword, thus protecting the vital
organs, especially the heart. This is what righteousness
does.” Biblical righteousness is both:
A.
Positional (2 Corinthians 5:21, Zechariah 3:1-5)
B. Practical (1 Peter 1:16)
3. Peace:
Hughes writes, “The image Paul has in mind comes from the
Roman soldier’s war boot, the caliga, or half-boot which the
legionnaire regularly wore while on duty. It was an
open-toed leather boot with a heavily nail-studded sole
which was tied to the ankles and shins with straps…These
boots served for marching, especially in battle. Their
function was like today’s cleated football shoe. They gave
the foot traction and prevented sliding. Much ancient
battle was hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot, like on the line
of scrimmage, so these boots gave the Roman soldier an
advantage over ill-equipped foes…The spiritual lesson here
is perfectly clear. It is ‘the gospel of peace’-the peace
that comes to us in and through the gospel and makes us
immovable in battle.”
A.
Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
B. Peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7)
C. The Importance of the Gospel (1 Corinthians
15:1-4)
D. Spreading the Good News (Romans 10:15)
4. Faith:
Hughes writes, “The Roman scutum or shield was made of two
layers of laminated wood, covered first with linen and then
with hide, and then bound top and bottom with iron, with an
iron ornament decorating the front of it. A man could put
his entire body behind it as it absorbed the javelins and
arrows of the enemy. In the case of flaming arrows, very
often the arrow would snuff out as it buried itself in the
thickness of the shield…This is the picture Paul presents
us: As we are battling in warfare, the enemy launches
repeated volleys of blazing arrows-temptations, stratagems,
deceptions-to inflame us and bring our demise. But up come
our shields of faith (as we trust God and his Word) into
which hot arrows thud harmlessly…It is no exaggeration to
say that during earthly life multiple thousands of deadly
blazing arrows are launched at the Christian warrior by
demons and by demon-oppressed culture. But the answer is
faith. The Apostle John wrote, ‘And this is the victory
that has overcome the world-our faith’ (1 John 5:4, NASB).
Why? Because faith binds us in vital, deep union with God.
Faith is not just belief; it is belief plus trust. It is
resting in the person of God and his Word to us.”
5.
Salvation: Hughes writes, “Roman military helmets were
of two types: the galea (made of leather) or the cassis
(metal). The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and
plates for the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect
the neck. When the helmet was strapped in place, it exposed
little besides the eyes, nose, and mouth…Virtually the only
weapons which could penetrate a metal helmet were hammers or
axes. No soldier’s uniform was complete without a proper
helmet.” The helmet of salvation applies to:
A.
The assurance of salvation and the resulting confidence
that it brings.
B. Belief in the goodness of God.
C. Our future hope.
D. The importance of renewing our minds (Romans
12:2).
6. Word of
God: John MacArthur writes, “The sword to which Paul
refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six
to eighteen inches. It was the common sword carried by
Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in
hand-to-hand combat. This is our offensive weapon in the
battle. It is what Jesus used against Satan (Matthew 4).
However, it is also a defensive weapon that can be used to
deflect the attacks of the enemy. We cannot be victorious
Christians without taking up our sword. It is absolutely
imperative for us to get God’s Word in our lives through
reading, study, meditation, memorization, listening, and
application.
7. Prayer: It is not connected to a specific piece of
armor. In a sense, it is how we put on the armor. We are
also to pray for others.
A.
Continually
B. Various Types of Prayers
C. Spirit-led (Romans 8:26)
D. Watchfulness (it means to stay alert)
E. Perseverance (keep on praying)
F. Intercession (praying for all the saints)
IV. Our Encouragement: Brothers and Sisters in Christ
The point is that we are in this battle together as
believers! Paul used the phrase “fellow soldier” at least
twice in the New Testament. Soldiers are dependant upon each
other for their survival and well-being. This text clearly
mentions praying for each other, sharing our lives, and
giving words of encouragement. We are to be united in love
as a practical expression of the gospel. Also, we are to be
united in our mission of building the Kingdom of God and
making disciples of all the nations. We have to be united
together because we are doing this in the face of great
opposition!
Conclusion: Are you a Christian? Are you clothed in the
armor of God? Are you united together with your brothers and
sisters in Christ? Are you fighting the battle?
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