MESSAGE TEXT
Ephesians 6:10-24
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INTRODUCTION
Paul is chained at the wrist to a Roman guard with an 18-inch chain 24-7-365 while in house-arrest awaiting his trial before Caesar. The guard is relieved by another soldier every four hours. Each guard belongs to the Praetorian Guard, the emperor’s personal bodyguards. Paul is going through the various elements or pieces of equipment a Roman soldier would put on when going into battle. So Paul takes all these themes in Ephesians chapters 1-5 and dresses the believer with them in the order that a soldier would put them on. Paul puts them altogether in the form of armor over your life.
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Each piece of armor is identified with an element of Christian existence that has played an important part in the rest of the letter: truth (1:13; 4:15, 21–25; 5:9), righteousness (4:24; 5:9; 6:1), gospel preparation (1:13; 2:17; 3:6, 8; 4:11), faith (1:1, 13, 15, 19; 2:8; 3:12, 17; 4:5, 13), and salvation (1:13; 2:5, 8; 5:23). The Ephesians were believers. They already have Jesus in their lives. All these things are true of them already. What Paul is doing is he’s saying, “I want you to take what’s true of you, and I want you to appropriate it as a helmet, as a breastplate, as a shield.”
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So we’re armored up against what? Satanic schemes. Satan is a liar so Jesus gives you a belt of Truth. Satan is an accuser, so Jesus gives you a breastplate of righteousness. Satan is a divider and a destroyer so Jesus gives you shoes of peace on your feet. Satan wants you to doubt the Lord so Jesus wants you to take up the shield of faith and when he throws those fiery darts at your mind and your heart by faith you can quench them. Satan wants to confuse your mind and so Jesus gives you the helmet of salvation to make sure your mind is functioning spiritually. Jesus gives you the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
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Where does Paul get the language to describe this incredible armor? The Old Testament. Not just any place in the OT, but specifically Messianic passages or verses about the Messiah who is Jesus. The book of Isaiah contains imagery similar to Paul’s (Isa 11:4–5; 52:7; 59:17) Paul takes up the picture of the armor worn by God himself (Isa 59:17; cf. 11:5; Wis 5:17–20) and makes it a picture for the spiritual resources at the disposal of the believer (cf. Rom 13:12; 1 Thess 5:8). Isaiah 59 is a Messianic chapter, it has to do with Christ. Isaiah 11 is the great chapter of the Messianic king, and how he’s going to come and establish his kingdom upon the earth. Isaiah 49 is one of the great Servant of Yahweh songs. All three passages, then, are passages that speak of the Lord Jesus Christ as the warrior king of God. So when we have Him, we have the armor! Stand firm in your position in Christ; see yourself as armored up in and through Him.
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APPLICATION
Each of the pieces of armor unpacks some aspect of this new identity.[2] He is my source of truth, so I’ll be in His Word. He is my salvation, my righteousness. He is my shield when accused by the enemy, my footing, my confidence, when something intimidating happens I didn’t expect. He is my weapon, my sword in this invisible war I’m in. Christ is my armor! So when Satan says to me, “You weak, pathetic, sinful human” I ultimately have to say “I’m outfitted in Christ. He says I can have peace, when it’s hard to sleep. He says I have his righteousness, when I failed yet again. He says I can rest on His truth, when I don’t know who to trust. He says when I’m bombarded with messages of rejection and shame, he says I’m seated with him with a new identity and if I’ll believe that, it will be a shield of faith around me.” Jesus and His work in the gospel are my armor. Experience the full love of Christ in all these ways.
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PROPOSITION
Spiritual warfare tools – armor, prayer, and friends. Paul mentions several ways by which you and I can help each other fight the battles that we’re in. I want to help you be a victor and not a victim. I want you to be a conqueror and not a casualty. What are the WAYS by which you and I can help each other in this battle of life – when the day of evil comes parading into our life. There are THREE of them here in the letter wrap up in Ephesians 6:18-24.
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OUTLINE
In Paul’s Closing Words, he wants you to know this: We help each other by praying for one another (v.18-20). Stay strong in prayer and bold in courage.
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In Paul’s Personal Notes, he wants you know this: We help each other by encouraging one another (v.21-22). Cultivate communication and closeness with faithful friends.
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In Paul’s Final Benediction, he wants you to know this: We help each other by bestowing a blessing on one another (v.23-24) Let love for one another and for Christ abound!
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CONCLUSION
May the God who chose you, loves you, and seals you with His Spirit fill you with the hope of Christ and the strength of His power. May Christ dwell in your heart through faith, rooting you in His love and grounding you in His peace. May the Spirit unite you, guard you, and make you strong to stand, so that you walk in love and shine as light in every place you go. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.