In Christ
might. . . . 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. EPH 6:10, 12
In earlier chapters, Paul told the Christians in Ephesus how they should practically live, as those in Christ. However, as he closes his letter, Paul reminded them that they should be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might because they will be fighting spiritual battles. Even until now, we Christians are and will be facing spiritual battles. But because of our identity in Christ, we can claim His victory in any spiritual battle. We do this by preparing and praying in the Spirit, and proclaiming the gospel by the Spirit.
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WARM-UP
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “safe” or “safety”?
Is there someone you admire because of their strength (in any area)? Tell us about him or her.
Tell us about a time you did something you normally don’t do, but you ended up liking it.
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WORD
The Armor of God
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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his
3 He shall say to them: “Hear, O Israel: Today you are approaching the battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted [at the whinnying of the enemies’ horses], you shall not be afraid [of the clashing of their shields], and you shall not be alarmed [at the blaring of their trumpets], and you shall not be terrified because of them [i.e., before their battle cries].
Rashi’s Commentary
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Do not be fainthearted, do not fear; do not tremble, and do not break—These are four admonitions corresponding to four things which the kings of the nations do in battle: they bring their shields close together in order to strike them one against the other and thereby make a loud noise so that
their opponents should flee precipitately; they trample
the ground heavily with their horses—and make them neigh—in order to make a noise through the beating of their horses’ hoofs; they themselves shout aloud and blow trumpets and other noisy instruments.
Do not be fainthearted—Through the neighing of the horses,
You shall not be afraid of the noise made by the clashing of the shields,
And you shall not be alarmed at the sounds of the trumpets,
And you shall not be terrified by the noise of the shouting (Sifrei Devarim 192:3; Sotah 42).
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4 For the Lord your God is the one [they come with the triumph of flesh and blood, and you come with the triumph of the Lord] who [viz., the encampment of the
ark] goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you.” DEU 20:3-4
Rashi’s Commentary
For the Lord your God . . .—They come to war relying on the conquering strength of human beings (lit., flesh and blood) but you come relying on the strength of the Omnipresent God! The Philistines once came to war relying on the strength of Goliath—what was his end? He fell and they fell with him (Sotah 42a).
Who goes with you—This refers to the camp of the holy ark (the camp that has the holy ark in its midst, i.e. the camp of the Levites) (Sotah 42a).
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And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and from walking around on it.” JOB 2:2
Rashi’s Commentary
“Where have you come from?”—Where is the place about which you may say, “From this place I come”?
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When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. LUK 22:53
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Now is the judgment of this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. JOH 12:31
1 Prepare in the Spirit.
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And behold, I am sending forth the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. LUK 24:49
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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his
might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. EPH 6:10-11
Before Jesus went up into heaven, he told his disciples to wait until they were clothed with power from on high (Luk 24:49). Before we engage in any spiritual battle, we need to prepare in the Spirit by putting on the full armor of God. This armor consists of truth, righteousness, readiness to bring peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. What is a verse that you hold onto when preparing for a spiritual battle?
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12 The night is almost gone; the day is near. So then let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the
armor of light. . . . 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. ROM 13:12, 14
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. . . so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2CO 2:11
2 Pray in the Spirit.
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With all prayer and petition pray at all occasions in the Spirit, and with this in mind, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints . . . EPH 6:18
Paul did not only encourage the Christians in Ephesus to pray, but to pray at all occasions in the Spirit. Praying at all occasions in the Spirit involves being alert and praying earnestly for each other against any spiritual attacks. How does praying in the Spirit cause you to rely on God’s strength in spiritual battles?
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52 Let your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to you.
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54 And it was so, that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had knelt with his hands spread toward heaven.
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59 And may these words of mine, with which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, each day's need granted on its day. 1KI 8:52, 54, 59
Rashi’s Commentary
That he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel—To avenge their humiliation from their adversaries.
3 Proclaim by the Spirit.
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me, that I may open my mouth fearlessly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may declare it fearlessly, as I ought to speak. EPH 6:19-20
At the time Paul wrote Ephesians, he was under house-arrest in Rome for boldly preaching the gospel. However, he still asked the Christians in Ephesus to pray and ask the Spirit to give him words to continue to fearlessly proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Even Paul was aware that if he was not empowered by the Spirit, he might stop proclaiming the gospel. Was there ever a time you boldly engaged someone by the Spirit? What happened?
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But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth. ACT 1:8
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19 . . . and pray also for me, that words may be given to
All the ends of the earth
will remember [the evil that had befallen us (when they see our good)] and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before you. PSA 22:28
Rashi’s Commentary
Will remember and turn to the Lord—The nations will remember the evil that befell us when they see the good and return to the Lord.
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he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the besieged of Israel.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” ISA 49:6
Rashi’s Commentary
He says: “It is too small a thing for you to be, etc.”—In my eyes, it is too small a gift that you should have this alone, that you be my servant to establish Jacob and to bring back to me the besieged of Israel, and behold I add more to you, “And I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,” to prophesy concerning the downfall of Babylon, which will be a joy for the whole world.
APPLICATION
Are you assured of your identity in Christ? Why or why not? Would you like to find your identity in him today?
How can you grow in preparing and praying in the Spirit? Name three people who can help you in this area starting this week.
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Biblical Foundations Seminar on Tuesday, August 21 at 9 AM - 4 PM
Summit One Tower 1550 Mandaluyong You can download and read the bill here.
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Are there specific family members and friends you want to boldly proclaim the gospel to? Ask the Spirit to give you the words to say to them this week.
PRAYER
Thank God for your identity in him. Thank him for the power of the Spirit that he gives us to fight spiritual battles.
Ask God for a deeper understanding and filling of the Spirit in you. Pray for the power to be fully equipped with the whole armor of God.
Pray for those you want to boldly proclaim the gospel to. Ask God to soften their hearts to receive the gospel as the Spirit gives you the words to say to them.
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