WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 The scripture reading today comes from Ephesians chapter 6, starting in verse 10 we read, 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:10.960 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:16.699 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:21.580 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:26.640 against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:30.679 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:37.179 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:39.579 and having done all, to stand firm. 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:46.100 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:51.939 and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:59.439 In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:04.679 and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 00:01:05.259 --> 00:01:08.840 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:14.259 to that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 00:01:14.260 --> 00:01:21.900 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:27.400 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak, 00:01:28.080 --> 00:01:33.280 so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:38.240 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:44.519 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:50.379 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:54.239 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:56.060 This is the word of God. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:01:59.280 Thanks, Chloe. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:03.099 Yeah, let's keep that passage open. We're going to look at it closely. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:08.239 I guess it's in some ways a familiar passage. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:13.620 Many of us have heard of the armor of God, and yet I'm sure there's many confusing things, 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:16.379 and it's a topic where people have different views. 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:18.019 It's a bit of a controversial passage. 00:02:18.459 --> 00:02:22.039 So why don't we pray, actually, that God would help us understand, right? 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:26.759 Father, thank you that your word brings clarity. 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:29.579 It's a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 00:02:29.579 --> 00:02:31.939 Pray that you would speak to us powerfully, clearly. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:38.979 You would equip us for the spiritual war we're in, and you would give us great hope and joy in the gospel. 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:45.800 So please be, yeah, would the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:48.599 our Lord, our God, and our Redeemer. Amen. 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:50.439 Great. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:56.099 So, yeah, the end of Ephesians, end of November, three months of preaching from start to finish. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:58.560 And I don't know about you, I mean, I really loved it. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:03.640 I love Ephesians, such a great book, our Sundays, they felt so powerful. 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:04.879 It's been great. 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:07.680 And then you come home, right? 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:09.699 And then the next day you go to work. 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:12.360 And a lot of that, it seems to just dissipate, right? 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:15.480 The encouragement is gone and things are tough. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:18.060 You know, morning, you're rejoicing in the Lord. 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:21.860 In the evening, you know, EJ and I have some argument about chores. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:23.700 What's happened to that joy? 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:28.720 The next day you're in school and it's boring and the teacher's unfair. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.500 Or you go to work and it's so demanding. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:35.120 And actually, it's hard to be a Christian, right? 00:03:35.200 --> 00:03:38.000 You want to speak up, but you don't want to cause trouble. 00:03:38.160 --> 00:03:39.120 And what should you do? 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:41.820 You know, it's great to be here. 00:03:41.880 --> 00:03:43.640 And yet life in the world is so tough, right? 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:45.760 I don't know if you feel that way. 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:46.660 I can feel that way. 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:49.799 And actually, Paul knows that it is that way. 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:51.439 Paul knew that very well himself. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:55.519 And so as we finish this great book, yeah, great. 00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:58.300 You know, God has this amazing plan for all creation. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:03:59.960 He has this great plan for the church. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:01.219 It's wonderful what he's doing. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:03.919 But actually, in the world, it's tough. 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:05.300 And there's a reason for that. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:10.979 And so as we finish this series, that's what I want to speak from this passage, right? 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:15.000 It's going to be tough, actually, but it's wonderful and we have everything. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:17.600 So let's live this out. 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:20.100 I mean, it's very clearly a different part of the letter. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:25.240 If you've been here the past few weeks, of course, Paul has told us a lot about how to live. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:27.660 But I guess you've heard the key word, right? 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.100 The key word was always walk. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:32.000 Walk in a manner worthy of your calling. 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:33.399 Walk in love. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:35.160 Walk as children of light. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.160 Don't walk as the Gentiles do. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:37.720 Walking. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:41.600 But then you come to this passage and there's no more walking, right? 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:41.720 Stand. 00:04:42.340 --> 00:04:43.640 What's the big verse here? 00:04:43.960 --> 00:04:44.280 The verb? 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:46.960 Stand, right? 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:48.680 Verse 13. 00:04:49.520 --> 00:04:53.360 Take up the armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. 00:04:53.580 --> 00:04:56.020 And having done all to stand firm. 00:04:56.280 --> 00:04:57.260 It's about standing. 00:04:57.960 --> 00:05:00.879 And not the kind of the way I stand outside the shop on my phone, no. 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:01.340 Right? 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:02.020 Withstanding. 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:03.760 Standing firm. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:05.140 As it starts. 00:05:05.260 --> 00:05:06.540 Be strong in the Lord. 00:05:06.760 --> 00:05:08.540 Be strengthened in the Lord. 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:11.980 We need God's help to stand. 00:05:13.280 --> 00:05:15.300 And because it's tough. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:17.080 You know, it's a great triumphant letter. 00:05:17.280 --> 00:05:19.180 But actually, the Christian life is not a cruise. 00:05:20.020 --> 00:05:21.000 It's not even a race. 00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:22.260 In some ways, it's a race. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:24.560 Actually, Paul says, it's a war. 00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:27.379 And are we ready for war? 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.340 Are we ready for, well, the battle that's here? 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:33.840 We started the book spiritually. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:35.520 We went down to earth. 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:38.699 And now let's look again at these spiritual realities. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:43.819 And we want to understand, well, our enemies, our armor, and our weapons. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.019 So let's look at this passage more closely. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:50.319 Of course, this is basically the only main passage on spiritual warfare. 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:52.019 It's what we're talking about. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:53.680 Spiritual warfare in the whole Bible. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:57.039 So maybe I have to sometimes explain a bit more. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:05:59.000 Like, what does the whole Bible say about this? 00:05:59.299 --> 00:06:01.259 But I hope that's going to be helpful for us, right? 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:06.319 If this is true, we need to know what's going on. 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:08.519 How can we live here in the world? 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:11.339 How can we live when we're under attack, right? 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:12.980 So let's go in. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.279 And let's first talk about our enemy. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:17.519 That's what Paul starts with. 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:18.920 We have an enemy, right? 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:20.259 Who is our enemy? 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:21.219 I don't know. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.980 There's a lot of evil in the world. 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:25.599 And there's political regimes. 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.759 And there's false teaching. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:29.680 But actually, what does Paul focus on? 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:30.899 6 verse 11. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:37.500 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:43.839 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:47.959 against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:52.980 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:55.879 I mean, that's very strong language, right? 00:06:55.879 --> 00:07:01.180 It's spiritual forces of evil, cosmic powers over this present darkness. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:03.300 It sounds scary, right? 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:06.980 You may wonder that phrase, in the heavenly places. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:08.399 We think of heaven. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:10.159 How can there be evil forces in heaven? 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:13.019 What Paul means is the spiritual realm. 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:16.199 Not heaven where God is, but the spiritual realm. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:22.040 But there are real evil forces, real enemies. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.819 And it's very much spiritual, right? 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:30.980 So some people, they don't like this language of warfare, language of armor and weapons. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:33.340 And Christians, they're this kind of militant religion. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:36.720 Paul's very clear it's not against flesh and blood. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:37.920 It's not against other people. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:38.960 Right? 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:41.140 It's against evil spiritual forces. 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:45.540 And they don't think Christianity, it's about, you know, the peace of the gospel. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:48.660 But spiritually, that's different. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:51.920 And we don't know much about them. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:53.640 I mean, right? 00:07:53.700 --> 00:07:54.780 We know about Satan. 00:07:55.200 --> 00:07:58.939 You know, the fallen angel who tempted Adam and Eve out in the desert. 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:01.740 That was in the Garden of Eden back then. 00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:03.820 And later, Israel in the desert and so on. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:04.740 Jesus in the desert. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:07.740 But there's many more, right? 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.759 Evil spiritual forces. 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:10.920 You read the gospels. 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:12.040 There's lots of demons. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.220 Talks about rulers and authorities. 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:17.439 Must be some kind of hierarchy. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:20.460 Although, to be honest, we don't know that much about it. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:22.199 The Bible doesn't tell us very much. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:25.920 Why does he put it here in Ephesians then? 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:30.180 Because many New Testament letters don't actually talk much about this. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.220 But here there's a lot. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:37.820 But, right, chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, did Satan only have an office in Ephesus? 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:42.320 Well, actually, if you read the book of Acts, right, it's very helpful. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:45.560 You can see what all the churches are like that Paul is writing to. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:50.480 Actually, in Ephesus, people were really into the occult. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.620 There was a lot of false religion. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:59.120 And at some point, you know, there's exorcisms and a lot of people burning magic books. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.440 It's just, you know, a whole bed of the occult. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.880 No wonder these people, they knew a lot about demons. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:07.880 They were very aware of evil spiritual forces. 00:09:08.140 --> 00:09:09.680 And so Paul wants to write to that. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.780 Maybe other places are less aware. 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:13.920 It would be the same in this church, right? 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:18.280 Some of us, we're not very aware that actually there are these evil spiritual forces. 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:20.840 While others, maybe you live with your family. 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:23.040 And they're very strong Buddhists. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:27.779 And you can just feel the evil presence when you walk past some shrine and those kind of things, right? 00:09:28.699 --> 00:09:34.480 Some of us are just much more aware than others because of the kind of the background we have. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:39.379 But also, in a way, it fits really well with the letter. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:44.080 Because what Ephesians was about, it was God's great plan for the church. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:46.480 That's, well, and what is Satan's great plan? 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.120 Well, destroying God's plan, in a way. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:50.060 Right? 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.620 Adam and Eve in the garden. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:53.399 You know, God had this great plan. 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:55.539 Here's the garden of Eden and his people. 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:58.519 And Satan, yeah, he came and tempted them. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:03.579 And, you know, got them to turn away from God so that they'd have to die and go away from him. 00:10:04.219 --> 00:10:04.379 Right? 00:10:04.459 --> 00:10:06.799 Ruining God's plan is what he's always been doing. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:13.219 And same with, then, yeah, now that God has put everything right through Christ. 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:15.539 Shown here in the church. 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:17.379 Again, Satan wants to destroy that. 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:21.659 And the church is this great billboard of God's plan, right? 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:25.779 The church is this beautiful picture of what God is doing. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:28.719 Advertising God's glory to the world. 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.419 And Satan hates that, of course. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.199 Right? 00:10:31.219 --> 00:10:32.439 He doesn't want anyone to come here. 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:34.939 So, let me try and destroy the church. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:38.620 Let me see if I can sow conflict. 00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:41.139 Let me, I can destroy what's going on here. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:42.659 Turn people away from Jesus. 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:44.480 Destroy this loving community. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:46.779 So that no one can see God's plan, right? 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.039 That's what he wants. 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:54.980 And no wonder we need that passage, yeah, on old spiritual warfare. 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:58.000 Although, then, how does Satan work? 00:10:58.079 --> 00:11:00.059 Because, you know, evil spiritual forces. 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.240 I don't know what you expect. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.740 Do you expect things like the exorcist? 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:06.620 You probably haven't seen that movie. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:12.019 But, you know, what do you expect from demons and spiritual forces? 00:11:13.219 --> 00:11:13.659 Possession? 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.899 It's interesting what it says, right? 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:18.720 What do we need to take our stand against in verse 11? 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:21.419 It's the schemes of the devil. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:25.339 He doesn't talk about the devil as someone with a lot of power. 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.199 But he's trying to deceive. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.259 He's trying to scheme. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:32.120 I mean, that word scheming, we saw in chapter 4. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.740 This verse here. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.339 4, verse 14. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:40.019 That we may no longer, why do we need to grow up in the faith? 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:41.799 Well, that we may no longer be children. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:43.659 Tossed to and fro by the waves. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:46.339 And carried about by every wind of doctrine. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:47.779 By human cunning. 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:49.919 By craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:50.859 Right? 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:54.620 False teaching that blows us this way and that way. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:57.580 That's the kind of thing that he is behind. 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.639 Or conflict in the church. 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:01.560 4, verse 26. 00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:04.139 Be angry and do not sin. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.940 There's some conflict. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.299 Be angry, but don't sin. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:11.840 Do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:12.960 Right? 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:15.500 This conflict, Satan's behind it. 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.580 He wants to get a way in. 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:23.139 And when we don't deal with our conflict and we remain bitter and resentful, the devil's got a way in. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:24.660 Right? 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:27.360 So actually, this sounds very normal. 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:31.420 In Revelation and 1 Peter, persecution. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.220 Normal persecution. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:35.080 Satan's behind it. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.400 Temptation. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.019 Right? 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.180 Satan is the tempter. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.700 He's behind it. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:42.860 Accusations. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.080 Right? 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:44.440 Satan means the accuser. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:52.480 You're struggling with sin and you just feel that, how can I ever come to God? 00:12:52.660 --> 00:12:53.100 Right? 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.040 With my sin. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.780 I don't deserve to be with God. 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:57.180 That's Satan accusing you. 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:57.340 Right? 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:01.900 But what's interesting is that that's all very indirect. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:04.120 Satan doesn't attack directly. 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.519 He attacks indirectly. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:08.879 He uses normal things. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.960 He's behind them. 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:12.200 I think that that's very important to see. 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:15.700 Like, how do we expect, you know, Satan to work? 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:19.100 So, often Christians, you know, we have three enemies. 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:20.460 The world, the flesh, the devil. 00:13:20.900 --> 00:13:22.960 And we think of it as basically this picture here. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.160 Right? 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:23.920 Which is free. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:26.460 Sometimes we get attacked by the flesh. 00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:27.379 Sometimes by the world. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.300 Sometimes by the devil. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:31.539 But that's not really how it works. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:38.379 Rather, you know, they're all there together, using each other, like we see here. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.379 Satan. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:42.159 So, Satan, he wants us to turn away from Jesus. 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.120 So, what does he do? 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:49.559 He influences the world to say that, you know, what you really need is, you know, lots of stuff and money. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:55.899 And then my flesh sees that and thinks, yeah, I want this and wants to turn me away from Jesus. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.159 Right? 00:13:56.619 --> 00:13:58.699 Satan using the world and the flesh. 00:14:00.119 --> 00:14:03.619 It's actually not just, it's sort of all three are involved. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:07.279 And to be honest, it sounds now like Satan's in charge. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.539 Ultimately, God is in charge. 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:09.759 Right? 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:12.179 God is even over this. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:14.919 And maybe God wants to purify our faith. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:18.220 And so, he allows Satan to stir up persecution. 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:19.340 Right? 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.419 And the world makes it harder to be a Christian. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.179 And my flesh wants a comfortable life. 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:25.740 And so, my flesh wants me to keep quiet. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:26.879 And so on. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:29.639 And I have to fight that. 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.919 And it will strengthen my faith. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:31.500 Right? 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.779 It's much more complicated. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.579 It's not, does that make sense? 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:37.939 Yes, Satan, he uses these things. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:43.939 And I think that explains why spiritual warfare is here, but not in these other letters. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:49.039 Because you don't need to always talk about all three of them. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.839 Most letters, he just talks about the world and the flesh. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:56.179 He just talks about our sinful nature and the world tempting us. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.860 And that's a perfectly fine explanation. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:04.080 And, you know, but in Ephesians, of course, these people are really aware of demons. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:04.460 Right? 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.759 For them, that's a really big thing. 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:08.240 And so, Paul talks about Satan. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:10.460 But it's really, you're going to get tempted. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:11.440 Right? 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:14.440 It's Satan working through the world, or you just look at the world. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.360 It's there. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.279 Okay? 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:19.620 So, they kind of work together. 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:24.339 And I think that really helps us to avoid two mistakes. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:30.220 So, one mistake is that we get really worried about the demonic and everything. 00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:30.459 Right? 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:33.740 If we only think of, like, the Ephesians. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:37.220 Actually, it's pretty normal. 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.340 Temptation. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.620 False teaching. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.460 Persecution. 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:43.840 I mean, it's hard, but it's understandable. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.180 Right? 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.740 And the Bible talks a lot about it. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.120 It's not weird. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:52.639 On the other hand, the other mistake is that we just think about the world and the flesh, 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:55.379 and we forget, actually, there's an enemy behind it. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.539 And we're just not aware of the war. 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:57.879 Right? 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:04.899 Things are going really well in church, and then there's some conflict that causes division. 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.740 And we're kind of surprised. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.039 Huh? 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.620 I thought church was going well. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.700 Why do we now get conflict? 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.200 Well, of course. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.820 Satan wants to destroy it. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.019 Right? 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:15.360 Or someone just becomes a Christian. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.379 And you think, oh, that's great. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.120 They're now a Christian. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.799 And they're going to be happy forever. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:25.120 Instead, you know, lots of things going wrong in life that make it hard to come to church 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:26.179 and all those kind of things. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.980 And we're kind of surprised. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.000 Oh, why did this happen? 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.399 Spiritual attack. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.000 Right? 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:35.080 Satan is active. 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.439 He wants to destroy the church. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.919 He wants to destroy our faith. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.360 And he's going to work through those things. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:43.159 So we can expect things to go wrong. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:49.279 Don't expect the government to come up with really good legislation that's really good for churches. 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.439 Don't expect that. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:54.419 Because we don't have a spiritual enemy. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:54.700 Right? 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.159 Right? 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.919 Does that make sense? 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.000 Okay. 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:00.960 Now, we need to make sure we know that. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:06.880 And if that doesn't make sense, I hope it will make sense when we look at, actually, 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:08.140 so what do we do? 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.599 All right? 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.799 We have this spiritual enemy. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.940 This is how it works. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.859 How do we stand? 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:15.059 Well, we need to look at our armor. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.259 What is the armor of God? 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:17.759 Right? 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.000 This is what we need, the armor. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:26.380 And I'm sure if you've been in Sunday school, you would have cut out the helmet and the breastplate and made that kind of thing. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:31.340 I think the striking thing, first of all, is that it's defensive. 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:31.740 Right? 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.600 What is armor for? 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.000 It's for protection. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.400 It's defending yourself. 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:37.420 It's defending yourself. 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:39.259 Even the sword. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:39.460 Right? 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:43.500 It talks about the sword of the spirit, but it's not a kind of huge sword to go and attack. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:47.339 It's a small sword that you use for close combat. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.159 It's defensive. 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:51.279 In fact, that's what we talked about, right? 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:51.699 Standing. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.699 Not about going and attacking. 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:55.879 It's standing. 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.419 Standing firm. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:02.159 But actually, it makes so much sense because what is this armor? 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.879 Well, look at those words. 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.599 What does it talk about? 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:13.159 It talks about truth and righteousness and the gospel of peace and faith and salvation. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:13.740 Right? 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.220 What is that word? 00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:16.519 It's gospel words. 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.059 It's the gospel. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:18.579 Right? 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:22.139 Actually, yeah, why do we stand firm? 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.059 I mean, what is the gospel? 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.700 We know the gospel, right? 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:27.859 It's the good news of what Jesus has already done. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.859 It's not about what we need to do. 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.259 I mean, we don't need to attack. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:32.720 Why not? 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.799 Jesus did that. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.859 Jesus has won the victory. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:41.079 He's disarmed Satan completely when he died on the cross and all our sins could be forgiven. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.700 He's exalted above every spiritual power. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.480 He's already done everything. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.779 And we just need to hold on to that. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.000 Right? 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:51.859 We just need to stand firm in the gospel. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.839 Does that make sense? 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.559 Right? 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:57.519 We don't need to do anything because Jesus has already done it. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:01.720 Now, again, we're a diverse church. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:07.480 And if I talk about spiritual warfare, and actually, it's just standing firm in the gospel. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:22.100 I'm sure there's people here who think, yeah, but there's so much, you know, you read other books, and they talk about territorial spirits and deliverance ministries and all kinds of spiritual things we need to do. 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:24.099 Isn't that spiritual warfare? 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.240 Isn't that spiritual warfare? 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.259 Isn't that spiritual warfare? 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.359 Isn't that spiritual warfare? 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.699 Is it really just the gospel? 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:30.480 And there is some really elaborate teaching sometimes. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:35.319 I mean, well, what should we think of that? 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:38.779 And I would say, look, God has given us the Bible, right? 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:41.339 And then this should be easy to understand. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:47.500 The thing about territorial spirits and all that, if you have no idea what I mean, don't worry. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:57.680 But it's kind of, look, here's this whole big system based on one random verse in the book of Daniel and another random verse in Deuteronomy. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:05.880 And then this whole theory about what is going on in the spiritual world and what we need to do and how we need to fight against it. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.660 But it's not a plain teaching. 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:16.099 If we want to know what Christians should do with spiritual warfare, shouldn't we just read what does the Apostle Paul write to churches? 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:18.139 What does he tell Christians to do? 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:23.259 And actually, most churches, he doesn't write about territorial spirits. 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.259 Right? 00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:26.939 So clearly, it doesn't seem that important. 00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:30.359 And here's the one church that's obsessed with demons. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.799 And here is one major passage. 00:20:33.459 --> 00:20:33.599 Right? 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:35.939 So this really should be our control. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.679 This is what spiritual warfare really is. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.899 And it's all about the gospel. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:39.659 Yeah. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:44.459 And so it seems to me, you know, I'm sure there are territorial spirits. 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:46.360 There are rulers and authorities. 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:49.360 God didn't think we needed to know much about it. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.340 Right? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:57.440 We don't need to worry that we do yoga and suddenly a demon enters us or whatever. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:59.019 There's all kinds of strange teaching. 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.680 Don't worry. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.559 Especially if you're a Christian. 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:04.860 Christians can't be demon-possessed. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.799 I'm pretty sure of that. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.000 Right? 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:09.279 The Bible says he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:12.940 No demon can remove the Holy Spirit from your heart. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.500 You know, we should trust in God. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.399 And actually, sometimes this thing can be a distraction. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:26.319 If I'm struggling with pride, do I need to look for the demon of pride somewhere inside me and try to get rid of him? 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:29.460 Or should I look in my heart at my idols? 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:32.819 I think the Bible would say, look at your idols. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.439 That's the problem. 00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:36.059 Blessed demon. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.460 Ah. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:40.059 You know, we want to see Hong Kong. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.659 Many people become Christians. 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:45.839 Should we wonder what demons are here and what power level? 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:48.720 The Bible would say, look, God is almighty. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.980 Jesus is over everything. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.159 Trust in him and pray. 00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:53.559 It's actually much more simple. 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.079 I think so. 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:59.359 Even, again, if this is something that's dear to your heart and you want to talk about it, 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.980 we'll have a, you know, come and talk to me after the service. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:04.339 But I think it's just helpful for us to be clear. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:08.079 Because if it's just the gospel, right, we've got it. 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.599 We have the gospel. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.720 We have Jesus. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.599 That's the wonderful thing, right? 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:15.700 Even this passage, there's not much detail. 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.640 But it's just the gospel. 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:18.579 And indeed, the gospel is everything. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.480 You know, the belt of truth. 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:24.660 Isn't the gospel the answer, right? 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:28.779 Here is a church and, you know, people listen to all kinds of teaching. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.200 And they clash. 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:32.399 And they lose sight of the gospel. 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:35.319 And the church just isn't the community it needs to be. 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:39.339 In fact, the answer is if we just all love the gospel. 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.099 If we're just all growing in the gospel. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.720 And we know what's important. 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.000 And we know what's not important. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.039 We can be the church we want to be. 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.960 Or church conflict. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:51.720 If we have the readiness of the gospel of peace. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:52.680 Right? 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:54.900 You know, you say something wrong. 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.160 And you hurt another person. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:58.740 And they get angry with you. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.820 And you feel bitter and resentful. 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:04.299 It can tear a church apart sometimes. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:08.519 Instead, what if we remember the gospel of peace? 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:11.660 What if we remember how, you know, we're all sinners. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.900 But Jesus forgave us. 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.180 And he brought us peace. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.160 And he brought us together. 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:17.299 And actually, we can bear with each other. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.380 We can forgive each other. 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:20.340 And stop this disagreement. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:22.220 And learn to live with it. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:24.159 And you know, it's okay. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.859 Or righteousness. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.339 Right living. 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:29.839 Righteousness here. 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:32.359 Not kind of the righteousness we get from Christ. 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:33.599 But our new self. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.339 You know, maybe you heard last week's sermon. 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.339 About marriage. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:41.919 And man, your marriage is not in a great state. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.559 And you hear that. 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:45.619 And you think, I could never do that. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:45.839 Right? 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:48.899 You know, it's Satan whispering to you. 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.099 Right? 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.899 Just give up. 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.839 There's no hope for your marriage. 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.659 But then you remember what Jesus has done. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:57.539 How he's given you the new self. 00:23:57.679 --> 00:23:57.819 Right? 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.579 He's given you a new heart. 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:01.139 You've got the power. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:03.220 You can work on your marriage. 00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:03.559 Right? 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.179 The gospel is the answer. 00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:07.740 The shield of faith. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:11.319 You know, when Satan comes to you and tells you you're not good enough. 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:14.740 And you have no business coming to God in your prayers. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.480 Or in your life. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.359 Or relying on him. 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:19.319 Remember the shield. 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:20.599 Remember your faith. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.159 Remember how Jesus has done it. 00:24:22.199 --> 00:24:23.259 And you just need to trust him. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:26.399 Martin Luther has this great quote. 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.719 I mean, he loved the gospel. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.619 And what did he say? 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:34.719 When the devil throws your sin in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell. 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.839 Tell him this. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:38.339 I admit that I deserve death and hell. 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.699 What of it? 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:44.339 For I know one who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:47.119 His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God. 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:49.519 And where he is there, I shall be also. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.919 That's the gospel, right? 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.559 Every accusation. 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:55.740 Every time you feel you can't come to God. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:58.119 Every time you feel you're not worthy. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.419 You've sinned too much. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:02.419 That's Satan. 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:04.379 And we just need to hold on to the gospel. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:04.899 Right? 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.279 That's our armor. 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.220 That's what protects us. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.559 It's wonderful. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.119 It's so normal, right? 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:11.179 Just a normal Christian life. 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:12.720 But actually, that's spiritual warfare. 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.400 The answer is the gospel. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:19.740 Not just to be saved initially, but to go on and to keep with Jesus. 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.259 Let's hold on to the gospel. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.299 Let's believe it. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.039 Let's live it. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.480 Let's speak it to each other. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.079 Right? 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:28.400 Why does Ephesians want us to speak the truth in love? 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:33.579 Well, if I believe a lie, you can probably see through that and speak to me. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.220 Right? 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:37.660 That's why we need each other to keep each other focused on the gospel. 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.259 It doesn't mean we need to know the gospel, right? 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.940 We need to be growing in it. 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:45.660 Which means, you know, we need to be in the word. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:46.940 Right? 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:51.960 How can we stand firm if we only read the word once a week on Sundays? 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.240 I hope you're doing devotions. 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:56.740 If you're, you know, otherwise come to this course tomorrow. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:59.039 If you didn't sign up, that's okay. 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.279 The Zoom link is on the website. 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.860 Just join. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.920 We need the gospel, right? 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.579 To stand firm. 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:05.660 But that's our armor. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:08.160 Of course, there's more. 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.740 That's how we stand firm. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:12.140 There's a few more things, of course. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.400 There's some of our weapons. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:16.540 That's in verses 18 to 20. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:20.120 The first one, of course, is prayer. 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:20.720 Right? 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.080 Verse 18. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:26.699 Praying at all times in the spirit with all prayer and supplication. 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:31.460 To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:34.179 We've moved on from the armor, right? 00:26:34.199 --> 00:26:37.460 It's not the cloak of prayer or the spear of prayer. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.519 But praying. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.600 Praying. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.299 And it's such a big thing, right? 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:44.759 You've seen the words, well, the repeated words. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.600 All times. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.360 All the saints. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.360 All supplication. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:52.600 All, you know, Paul really expects Christians to be in prayer. 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:58.000 To be relying on God with kind of all their hearts, ongoing, heartfelt prayer. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:04.220 I mean, ultimately, this is the strength that we need from God, right? 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:06.259 We can do this ourselves. 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:09.879 Who do we pray for, especially for the saints? 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.079 For other believers? 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.900 Because, you know, here we can encourage each other. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.779 But tomorrow you're in your workplace. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.920 And I'm not. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:20.299 And how can I speak to you and remind you of the gospel? 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:20.799 I can't. 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.440 But I can pray for you. 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:22.900 Right? 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:25.079 We can pray for each other to stand firm. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:27.660 We can pray for each other to hold on. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.700 Pray that God would help. 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:32.019 And actually, again, don't we want God's help? 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.920 You don't want my help. 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.779 You want God's help. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.740 I mean, thinking of warfare. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:39.059 When I read this passage, I just think of calling in an airstrike. 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.420 Right? 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:39.980 This movie. 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:43.279 And there's this few soldiers against this overwhelming force. 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:45.319 But they just, they have a line to headquarters. 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.880 Hey, can you send some planes? 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.019 Boom. 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.220 Right? 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.579 That's what we want. 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.279 We want. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.839 Yeah. 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.000 We need God's help. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.359 And here it is. 00:27:56.359 --> 00:28:00.479 So, if you know people in a church under attack, pray for them. 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:02.819 Satan's trying to get them away from Jesus. 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.500 Let's pray they won't. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:08.500 People in your CG who are struggling, pray for them. 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.659 Again, Satan would love us to not pray. 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:15.620 To make us think we're too busy or we don't need it. 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.420 We do. 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:18.680 CG's this week we're praying. 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:21.360 Let's be praying for all the saints together. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:25.900 And not just for the saints, of course, also for world mission. 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.420 All right? 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.500 Verses 19 and 20. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:38.680 And also pray for me, Paul says, that words may be given to me and opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in change. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:42.619 That I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak. 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:47.720 In some way, you know, the church is on the attack in one way. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.440 Right? 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:50.440 Mission as the gospel goes out. 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:53.619 Yes, Jesus has won the victory in the spiritual realm. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.599 Actually, here on earth, people still need to hear. 00:28:57.559 --> 00:29:01.699 People are still in the power of Satan and they need to turn. 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:04.719 And, you know, that will only happen as they hear about Jesus. 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:08.219 So, Paul says, please pray for me that I would proclaim the gospel. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.459 And same for us, right? 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:12.339 Many people need to hear the gospel. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.279 Our families, our friends, our colleagues. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.379 Speak to them. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:18.019 Invite them to the carol service. 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:18.379 Right? 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.579 So they can hear the gospel there. 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.579 And not just there. 00:29:22.719 --> 00:29:23.379 Loving the city. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:26.059 Let's pray people would see the love of Jesus and want to know more. 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:29.740 Let's pray for Amelia out in Taiwan. 00:29:30.219 --> 00:29:30.419 Right? 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.719 Reaching out to the Hakka people. 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:37.319 Let's pray for many other countries where, you know, people are still in the power of Satan. 00:29:37.399 --> 00:29:41.039 And, you know, some places there's really no church, no missionary. 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:43.579 Satan has such a power there. 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.480 You know, so much influence. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.900 Let's pray that the gospel would go there. 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:50.799 Let's think how we can maybe be involved. 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.539 But, yeah, world mission. 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.200 Praying for that. 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:56.960 That's what we need to do in this war. 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.660 You know what? 00:29:57.660 --> 00:30:05.580 If you want to start praying more for the world, there's this great book, Operation World, which is basically just goes through every country in the world. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.200 How's the spiritual state? 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.519 How's the church there? 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.800 Giving you prayer points. 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:12.400 It's a really fantastic book that will help you pray. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:15.000 I've got an online version every day. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.220 It gives me some prayer points. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:16.840 It's great. 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:18.240 But let's be praying. 00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:19.660 But, yeah. 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:23.480 But I hope we feel, yeah, we can do this, right? 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:26.140 Yes, cosmic powers over this present darkness. 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.880 Yes, evil spiritual forces. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.940 But we've got everything, right? 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.140 We've got the gospel. 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.560 We can pray. 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:35.019 God's given us everything. 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.059 So let's do this, right? 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.460 Let's stand firm. 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.700 Let's be the church. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:42.419 As Paul finishes his letter, yeah. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.339 You know, I've got other letters to write. 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:47.319 He says, please just hold on to the gospel. 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:49.940 Ephesians, watermark church. 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.220 Let's hold on to the gospel. 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:56.059 And he reaches those last verses, verses 23, 24. 00:30:56.059 --> 00:31:10.839 And remember what you have in Christ. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.960 Remember his peace. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.980 Remember his grace. 00:31:13.139 --> 00:31:14.059 Remember his love. 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.639 You've got the gospel. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.619 He's done everything. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.480 You just need to hold on. 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.159 Let's do that. 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:21.919 Love incorruptible. 00:31:22.679 --> 00:31:25.819 It's ultimately his work in you, not our own. 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:28.359 So church, yeah, let's go. 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:35.960 And let's let it be our confidence as we go into home this week, next week, next month, next year, in the strength that God supplies. 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.059 Let's pray together. 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:49.740 Our Father, we are so grateful that we are not alone. 00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:51.700 We know there is a battle. 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.679 We know there's a war. 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.879 And yet you've given us everything. 00:31:54.880 --> 00:32:01.900 You've given us your son, your precious son, to die for our sins, to wash us clean, to forgive us, to bring us back to you. 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.940 And you will not let us go. 00:32:04.040 --> 00:32:04.820 You'll be with us. 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.820 You will strengthen us. 00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:21.000 Help us to hold on to the good news, to live in this city amidst a war with all its temptations and difficulties and accusations and conflict, to live with the gospel, to live it out, to believe it. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:32.420 Yeah, and to be your church, Lord, that people would see your grace, that people would come to know you, and that we would show the world how wonderful Jesus is, how wonderful it is to be one of your children. 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:34.339 Lord, do that work in us. 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.380 Strengthen us for your glory. 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.340 Amen. 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:37.360 Amen. 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:37.380 Amen.