WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 Well, good morning, St. Paul's, and welcome to Commitment Sunday. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:08.800 We have arrived at the end of our Commitment series for this year. 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:12.679 We have arrived at the end of our Partners 2020 weekend. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:21.059 And what a time it has been as we have progressed through this letter to the church at Ephesus. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:28.539 We have had unfolded before us God's grand purposes from eternity to eternity. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:40.000 God's purpose, as we have seen, is to create a new single humanity through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:40.619 --> 00:00:49.519 God's plan is to unite His universal church and, in fact, all of creation under the Lord Jesus' feet. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.560 That, my friends, is God's agenda for His world. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:57.960 It's His agenda for history. It's His agenda for your life. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:05.120 In Christ, we have seen that the old days of division are gone. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:07.780 God the Father has one family. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:10.340 The Lord Jesus has one people. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:13.000 The Holy Spirit has one body. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:16.760 And what beauty we have seen in these chapters. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:19.000 The mystery of election. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:21.079 The wonder of salvation. 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:22.560 Peace with God. 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:26.620 Unity amongst believers from every cultural background. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:29.240 Giftedness to serve God and people. 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:33.840 We have had a call to demonstrate our unity in the Christian fellowship, 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:39.359 while at the same time rejoicing in the diversity of gifts and ministries. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:46.760 We have been called to put away all the uncleanliness of our pre-conversion behavior and live a life of holiness. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:54.659 We have been called to submit to one another in every kind of domestic relationship and promote harmony in the home. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:01:59.280 Unity, diversity, purity, and harmony. 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:05.159 These are some of the characteristics of the new life and the new society under Christ. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.300 And what a beautiful ideal. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:16.300 Such exalted thoughts that we have seen in the first five chapters of this book. 00:02:17.320 --> 00:02:21.180 And just when you think Paul's about to end his letter with, 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:23.719 and they all lived happily ever after, 00:02:24.320 --> 00:02:30.720 he slaps us across the face and wakes us up from our dreamy reflection. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:41.180 Because this letter closes with the ugly blood and grime of warfare with our enemy. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:46.960 The beautiful life, as we have seen for five chapters, 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:54.060 is lived out while cant in the trenches of war in the enemy's territory. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:55.900 Verse 12. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:02:59.539 In your Bibles, Ephesians 6. 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:01.359 Pick them up and have a look at it. 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:08.560 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:11.439 but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:13.519 against the powers of this dark world, 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:17.639 and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:23.979 Brothers and sisters, we are at war. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:27.139 We're at war. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:31.840 A long and protracted war. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.599 Verse 10 opens with the word finally. 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:40.699 That is not signaling for Paul and for his readers. 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:41.959 I'm nearly at the end of my letter. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.959 The word finally is better translated for the remaining time. 00:03:46.739 --> 00:03:52.500 Paul is indicating here that the whole of the remaining time before Christ returns 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:54.960 will be characterized by warfare. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.960 It will be characterized by conflict. 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:03.419 The peace which has been made through Christ on the cross 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:10.800 is to be experienced only in the midst of a relentless struggle against evil. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:17.300 Verse 12 says that it is not a war against flesh and blood. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.439 It is a supernatural war. 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:24.660 And so conventional weapons and tactics are useless. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.500 It is a personal war too. 00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:31.500 The word struggle indicates hand-to-hand combat. 00:04:32.400 --> 00:04:37.460 Smart bombs aren't being dropped from silent drones 50,000 feet above the earth's surface. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:44.180 This is a swaying back, locked in hand-to-hand combat with the evil one. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:46.519 It is mortal combat. 00:04:46.739 --> 00:04:47.799 Sweat on sweat. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:48.979 Breath on breath. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:55.519 It is also a futile war if it is fought in and by our own strength. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:00.799 We are involved in a battle with a formidable enemy 00:05:00.799 --> 00:05:04.679 where conventional tactics are useless. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:12.759 If we attempt to spread the influence of the kingdom of God in this world 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:16.920 by using conventional wisdom, human wisdom and tactics of this world, 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:21.000 trading with them, strength with strength, cunning with cunning, 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:24.060 manipulation with manipulation, anger with anger, 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:30.519 we will lose for our opponent is too great. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:34.899 And Paul is quite specific about our opponents. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:36.899 Our struggle is against the rulers, 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:38.799 against the authorities, 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:41.000 against the powers of this dark world 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:45.680 and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:53.680 Our war is against powerful forces 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:56.439 who have the run of the heavenly realms. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:06:00.079 Now they do not have the run of the highest heaven 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.420 where Christ is seated at the right hand of God 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:05.399 as we saw that in chapter 1 verse 20 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:08.399 and where believers are seated with him 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:10.300 as we saw in chapter 2 verse 6 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:13.720 but they do move freely about the rest of creation. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:17.740 The consensus of scripture is this world is Satan's domain. 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.779 1 John 5 verse 19 says, 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:21.579 We know that we are children of God 00:06:21.579 --> 00:06:25.399 and the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:27.339 2 Corinthians 4.4 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:32.199 The God of this age, referring to the evil one, Satan, the devil, 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:35.799 the God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers 00:06:35.799 --> 00:06:39.799 so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ 00:06:39.799 --> 00:06:41.379 who is the image of God. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:43.419 And even in Ephesians 2.2 00:06:43.419 --> 00:06:46.539 the devil is called the ruler of the kingdom of the air, 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:50.220 the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 00:06:50.580 --> 00:06:52.400 This is the devil's world. 00:06:54.260 --> 00:06:58.180 And that is why he was able to make a genuine offer 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:01.400 of all the kingdoms of the world to the Lord Jesus 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:05.900 if only he would bow down and worship him in Matthew chapter 4. 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:11.620 The devil and his angels are a great demonic enemy 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:14.640 with a defined and disciplined chain of command. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:17.339 Satan is terribly powerful. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:20.680 He doesn't possess anything like the power of God. 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:24.419 He can only be in one place at one time. 00:07:25.419 --> 00:07:27.879 But with his army of evil spirits 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:32.620 he imitates God's omnipresence and omnipotence. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:35.560 He desires to be God more than anything else. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:37.439 In fact, his desire to be God 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:41.959 is the very centre of his terrible total spiritual evil. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:44.560 Verse 12 alludes to this 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:45.879 in describing the enemy 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:48.560 as the powers of this dark world 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:51.000 and the spiritual forces of evil. 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:55.779 Now of course we know from Romans 1 to 3 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:59.199 that we are evil. 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:02.240 We are totally depraved. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:06.339 Which means that every part of our beings 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:08.560 is tainted by sin. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:11.579 But it doesn't mean that we're as bad 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:12.959 as we possibly could be 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.540 because there's always room for deprovement. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:17.800 And yet 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:22.240 even those who throughout history 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:26.360 who have gone very low in acts of evil 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:29.779 do not match Satan's evil. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:32.580 Satan, our enemy 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:35.379 the one in whom we are bound together 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:37.200 in mortal combat 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:38.600 has no conscience 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:40.460 no compassion 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:42.179 no remorse 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:43.679 no morals. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.080 He feeds on pain 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.000 and anguish 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:48.899 and filth. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.320 There is nothing in Satan 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.419 which is redeemable. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:53.960 There is no virtue 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:56.779 but only a dark 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:58.419 cannibalistic void. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:02.479 He is also supremely cunning 00:09:02.479 --> 00:09:03.639 verse 11 speaks 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:04.740 of the devil's schemes 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.699 or the devil's methods 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:09.000 and he has been honing 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:10.079 his schemes 00:09:10.079 --> 00:09:11.399 and his methods 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:13.059 for millennia. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:16.120 He is an accomplished philosopher. 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:18.419 He is an accomplished theologian. 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:20.599 He is an accomplished psychologist. 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:21.919 He has studied 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.000 for thousands 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.899 and thousands of years 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.099 enough time 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:28.220 to be astonishingly brilliant 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:30.240 in every area of discipline. 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:35.080 He is the ultimate manipulator 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.740 subverter 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:38.040 and actor. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.420 2 Corinthians 11 says 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:41.379 that one of his deadly methods 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.600 is to masquerade 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.800 as an agent of light. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:46.060 He is that cunning 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:47.639 that accomplished 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:51.240 that he can pull off 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.200 being a servant of God. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:56.120 And so we should expect 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.000 that his servants 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.060 would masquerade 00:09:58.060 --> 00:09:59.220 as servants of God 00:09:59.220 --> 00:09:59.940 as well. 00:10:00.640 --> 00:10:01.720 Satan specializes 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:03.720 in many dirty techniques 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.600 to win the battle. 00:10:05.020 --> 00:10:06.000 He is not governed 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.280 by a Geneva Convention 00:10:07.280 --> 00:10:08.480 of Spiritual Warfare. 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.420 He desires to win 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:11.240 and in winning 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.759 he desires to destroy. 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:15.800 One technique 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:16.480 is to mix 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:17.460 just enough truth 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:18.200 with falsehood 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:19.700 to make the falsehood 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:20.660 seem plausible. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:22.960 Another is sensuality. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:23.940 Many souls 00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:26.759 have been sold out 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:27.480 to accommodate 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:29.759 a downwardly spiralling morality. 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:32.060 Another is to instill doubts 00:10:32.060 --> 00:10:33.180 about God's goodness. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.540 Whatever his tactic 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:35.480 he seldom 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:36.840 seldom 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.139 attacks openly. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:39.480 His strategies 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.580 administered by 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.860 his evil spirits 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:44.000 are nearly always unseen. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.040 They are virtually 00:10:45.040 --> 00:10:46.440 always shrewd 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:47.920 and perfectly tailored 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:48.940 for you 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:51.360 and for me. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:54.519 that we might come 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.500 under the influence 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.940 of his schemes. 00:10:58.620 --> 00:11:00.180 He operates best 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:01.419 when he can convince people 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.600 that he does not exist. 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:04.860 He persuades us 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.460 that life 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.159 that we are living 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:06.919 right now 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.139 is not a battle. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.480 That we are not 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.159 in warfare. 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:14.159 He is evil 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.539 beyond our comprehension 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.740 and without conscience 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:17.519 or principle. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.299 He is diabolically cunning 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.240 and he is after us. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.439 He hates 00:11:22.439 --> 00:11:23.279 Christ. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:26.240 He hates 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.139 God's children. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.419 He hates 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:29.480 the church. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.759 He hates 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.659 the mission 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:32.559 and vision 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:34.039 of St. Paul's 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.159 Chatswood 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.659 that we 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.539 as a people 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.419 would know 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:37.899 Christ, 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.100 treasure Christ 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.460 and represent Christ 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.659 so that the people 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:42.480 in our area 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.519 are rescued 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:45.139 from his evil clutches. 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.100 He hates it. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.860 And therefore 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.620 he desires 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.440 to destroy 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:53.580 the work 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.420 of the Father 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:56.500 to make one society 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.500 in Christ 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:59.580 that brings glory 00:11:59.580 --> 00:11:59.960 to him 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:00.600 and he will do 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.420 whatever he can 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:01.980 to destroy 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.940 the work of the gospel 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:03.740 in your life. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.940 He will do 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.840 whatever he can 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.500 to destroy 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.639 the work of the gospel 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:08.460 at St. Paul's 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:08.980 Chatswood. 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:09.840 He will do 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.080 whatever he can 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:12.660 to distract us 00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:13.759 to make the small 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.500 things big 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.360 and the big things 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:15.820 small. 00:12:17.900 --> 00:12:19.320 He will cunningly 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:20.379 labor to put up 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.460 the walls of division 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.700 that the cross 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:23.320 removes. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.420 He will labor 00:12:24.420 --> 00:12:25.080 to subvert 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:25.780 our witness. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.040 He will labor 00:12:27.040 --> 00:12:27.960 to downplay 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.060 the spiritual war 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:30.240 and lead us 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.320 into a full sense 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.960 of all is at peace 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:34.040 and comfort 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:35.480 and safety. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:39.960 This my friends 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:41.320 is Paul's 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.539 cosmic perspective 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.879 with all 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:44.659 its chilling 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.560 implications. 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.940 And all 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.820 would be despair 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:52.600 except that's only 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.180 part of his 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:54.200 cosmic perspective. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.519 On earth 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.879 amongst mortals 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.820 Satan 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.740 has no equal. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:00.799 evil. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.940 You are no match 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:07.259 to him. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.759 But in the heavenly realms 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.799 he is far exceeded 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.039 by a triune God. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.279 There is no dualism here. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.180 Satan is not 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.740 the counterpart 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:18.600 of God. 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.240 Satan is finite 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.539 and God is infinite. 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.440 In fact 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.480 Colossians 1 and 2 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.720 says that the entire 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.379 spiritual realm 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.820 owes its existence 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.640 to Christ 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:30.220 including 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.760 thrones 00:13:31.760 --> 00:13:33.180 powers 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.300 rulers 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.420 authorities 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.720 both visible 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.600 and invisible 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.460 both in heaven 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.520 and on earth. 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.840 But Christ 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.580 is not only 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.560 more powerful 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:43.379 by virtue 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.300 of being 00:13:44.300 --> 00:13:45.400 Satan's creator 00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:47.100 but because 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.020 he defeated 00:13:48.020 --> 00:13:49.280 Satan at the cross. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.360 Satan 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.320 and all 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:52.400 his cronies 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.320 are under 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:53.900 the feet 00:13:53.900 --> 00:13:54.840 of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.360 He has sealed 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.260 their doom 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.360 although 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.179 in this present 00:13:59.179 --> 00:13:59.559 age 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.259 they still 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:00.759 exercise 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.500 control 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.480 over those 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:02.939 who have not 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.600 found freedom 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.200 in Christ. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.259 If we are 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:06.879 filled with the 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.340 spirit 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.819 Satan's forces 00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:10.399 cannot subdue us 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:12.360 but those 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.460 who neglect 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.659 Christ's 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.299 resources 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.879 those who do 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.700 not take up 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.360 the weapons 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.200 that he has 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.860 given us 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.299 and take on 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:21.860 this devil 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.840 and all his 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.179 schemes 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:23.779 with human 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.139 wisdom 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:24.840 and conventional 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.580 tactics 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:28.520 they place 00:14:28.520 --> 00:14:28.900 themselves 00:14:28.900 --> 00:14:29.500 in harm's 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:29.800 way 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:33.300 as do 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:33.740 those 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.120 who give 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.620 the enemy 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.160 room in 00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:35.879 their lives. 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:38.879 In Christ 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.120 there is 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.680 always 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.240 victory. 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.400 So what 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:45.800 then are we 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.100 to do? 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.480 Paul 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:48.860 leaves 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.980 two commands 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.480 for us 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:50.960 that dominate 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.920 his advice 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:53.199 in the last 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.079 final verses 00:14:54.079 --> 00:14:54.819 of this 00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:55.099 letter. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.399 The first 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:56.919 is verse 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.339 10 00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:57.959 finally 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:59.139 be strong 00:14:59.139 --> 00:14:59.419 in the 00:14:59.419 --> 00:14:59.759 Lord 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.179 and in 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.360 his 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.659 mighty 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.099 power. 00:15:02.459 --> 00:15:02.799 This 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.179 command 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:03.559 is in 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:03.799 fact 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.339 a passive 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:04.879 command 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.079 it is 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:06.740 literally 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.559 be made 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:08.219 strong 00:15:08.219 --> 00:15:08.679 in the 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.000 Lord 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.259 that is 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:10.860 we cannot 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.379 fight 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.740 Satan 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.120 ourselves 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.579 we are 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:12.979 totally 00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:13.360 dependent 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:13.599 upon 00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.039 Christ 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.879 the power 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.500 is his 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.139 and without 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.120 his strength 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.799 we will 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.179 falter 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:18.579 and we 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.240 will fall 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:19.959 and yet 00:15:19.959 --> 00:15:20.579 the command 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.240 here is 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.780 that we 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:22.660 still need 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:22.980 to be 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.300 strong 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:23.740 in him 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.639 and Paul 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.259 here I 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.500 think 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.360 expresses 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.560 the proper 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:29.340 combination 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.920 of divine 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.400 enabling 00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:32.320 and human 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.080 cooperation 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:34.440 he does 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.000 it again 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.720 and again 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.259 throughout 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.780 this letter 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.300 and he 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:37.660 does it 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.480 here with 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:38.920 his second 00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:39.300 command 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:39.759 in verse 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.139 11 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.160 put on 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.000 the full 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.400 armor 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.100 of God 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.920 so that 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.340 you can 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:44.879 take your 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.280 stand 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:45.759 against the 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.160 devil's 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:46.540 schemes 00:15:46.540 --> 00:15:49.040 it is 00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:49.580 God's 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.100 armor 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:52.000 it is 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.320 his 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:52.840 armor 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.720 and without 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.480 it we will 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.480 be fatally 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.480 unprotected 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.899 but we still 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.779 need to take 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.399 this armor 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.899 up and put 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.360 it on 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.300 God has 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:03.019 made provision 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.659 for us to 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.700 stand so 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.080 that we 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.680 will not 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:06.320 fall and the 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:06.920 provision is 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:07.960 his armor 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:09.460 God is able 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:09.980 to keep us 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.580 from falling 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.259 according to 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.580 Jude 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.879 and the way 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.480 he keeps us 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.040 from falling 00:16:14.040 --> 00:16:14.940 is by fitting 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.899 us out for 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.920 successful 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:17.759 spiritual 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.420 combat 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:21.639 and so 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:23.240 my friends 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.679 if your 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.339 aim is to 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:24.899 persevere 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.179 in the 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.459 Christian 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:25.879 life 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.839 and not 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:28.639 be defeated 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.120 by the 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.699 schemes 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.259 and the 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:30.740 methods 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.219 of the 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:31.479 evil 00:16:31.479 --> 00:16:31.879 one 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.179 then you 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:33.779 must put 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:34.759 on the 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.199 armor 00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:35.519 that's 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.000 described 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.379 here in 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:36.579 these 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:36.939 verses 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:39.059 we are 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.579 told four 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.079 times in 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.240 these 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.599 verses 00:16:40.599 --> 00:16:40.959 of the 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.240 need 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.659 for us 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:41.879 to 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.439 stand 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:44.260 Paul 00:16:44.260 --> 00:16:44.840 is 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.480 concerned 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.360 here for 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.700 our 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.340 stability 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.340 as the 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:49.660 battle 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:50.460 rages 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:53.060 wobbly 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.660 Christians 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:55.760 who don't 00:16:55.760 --> 00:16:56.140 have a 00:16:56.140 --> 00:16:56.440 firm 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.040 foothold 00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:57.840 in Christ 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.220 are easy 00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.860 prey 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.800 for the 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.100 evil 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.420 one 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:03.280 and so 00:17:03.280 --> 00:17:03.840 Paul wants 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:04.320 to see 00:17:04.320 --> 00:17:04.799 Christians 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.519 so strong 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.200 and stable 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.559 that they 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.039 are even 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.120 stable in 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:09.900 the face 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.300 of Satan's 00:17:11.300 --> 00:17:11.820 schemes 00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.259 and stable 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.800 when 00:17:13.800 --> 00:17:14.720 verse 13 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.080 says 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:15.440 when the 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.180 day of 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.600 evil 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.280 comes 00:17:17.280 --> 00:17:17.900 or the 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.360 day 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.019 of 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.740 very 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.400 special 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:20.900 time 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.519 pressure 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.080 and so 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:24.460 the full 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:24.960 armor of 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.180 God 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.580 here is 00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:26.200 essential 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.640 it's 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.040 described 00:17:28.040 --> 00:17:28.320 in the 00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:28.560 following 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:29.019 verses 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.300 the 00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:29.480 belt 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.640 of 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:29.880 truth 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.180 verse 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.780 14 00:17:30.780 --> 00:17:31.820 held 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:32.000 the 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.600 sword 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:32.940 in 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.580 place 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:34.759 it 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:34.960 didn't 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.120 just 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.340 hold 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.519 the 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:35.759 sword 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:35.960 in 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.300 place 00:17:36.300 --> 00:17:36.500 but 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:36.640 it 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:36.860 held 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.140 up 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.360 the 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:37.940 soldier's 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.400 tunic 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.360 so 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.619 that 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:39.979 the 00:17:39.979 --> 00:17:40.219 soldier 00:17:40.219 --> 00:17:40.419 was 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:40.619 not 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.059 hindered 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.240 as 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.419 they 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.899 charged 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.139 into 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.579 battle 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.919 to 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.259 stand 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.619 firm 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:44.759 in 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:44.879 the 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.179 battle 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.459 you 00:17:45.459 --> 00:17:45.719 must 00:17:45.719 --> 00:17:45.899 be 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.079 a 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.439 person 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:46.779 here 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.319 filled 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.119 with 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:48.719 truth 00:17:48.719 --> 00:17:49.379 filled 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:49.579 with 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:49.740 the 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.059 truth 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.179 of 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:50.299 the 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.779 revelation 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.059 of 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.359 God 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.500 in 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.659 the 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:52.099 scriptures 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:54.199 and 00:17:54.199 --> 00:17:54.339 you 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:54.559 must 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:54.759 be 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.240 transformed 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:55.559 by 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:55.779 that 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.099 truth 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.319 so 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.519 that 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.759 you 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.000 will 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.439 become 00:17:57.439 --> 00:17:57.740 a 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.039 truthful 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.740 person 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:03.319 not 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:03.559 just 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:03.799 to 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.119 know 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:04.359 the 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:04.939 truth 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:06.379 but 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:06.559 for 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:06.759 that 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.079 truth 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.299 to 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:07.899 transform 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.159 you 00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:08.319 so 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.479 that 00:18:08.479 --> 00:18:08.699 you 00:18:08.699 --> 00:18:08.879 are 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.060 a 00:18:09.060 --> 00:18:09.380 person 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:09.600 of 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.120 truth 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:12.560 not 00:18:12.560 --> 00:18:12.880 half 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:13.380 truths 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:14.280 not 00:18:14.280 --> 00:18:14.400 a 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.640 bleak 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.280 language 00:18:15.280 --> 00:18:16.840 truth 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.300 fullness 00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:19.700 secondly 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:19.900 the 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.320 breastplate 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:20.520 of 00:18:20.520 --> 00:18:20.860 righteousness 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.240 verse 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.820 14 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:22.600 was a 00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:22.800 metal 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:23.120 piece 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.340 that 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:23.720 covered 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:23.960 the 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.280 front 00:18:24.280 --> 00:18:24.460 of 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:24.700 the 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.420 body 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.640 to 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:25.960 protect 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.160 the 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.440 vital 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:26.800 organs 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:26.960 and 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.380 especially 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:27.640 the 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:27.960 heart 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:57.960 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:27.960 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:57.960 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:01.420 翻 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.460 loose 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.500 face 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.100 which 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:02.960 says 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.400 λιi 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:08.180 will believe what God says and not the messages of the evil one. 00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:17.300 Five is the helmet of salvation in verse 17, which is the assurance of salvation and resulting 00:20:17.300 --> 00:20:20.720 confidence that it brings to us. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:28.560 The helmet assures us that no matter what happens in this battle, no matter what happens, 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.860 I am saved. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:34.019 I am rescued. 00:20:34.459 --> 00:20:38.459 I am secure in Christ and I have victory in him. 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:45.699 Lastly is the sword of the spirit in verse 17 and we are told here that it is the word 00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:46.219 of God. 00:20:47.699 --> 00:20:53.619 What we are to understand about the sword of the spirit is that when we take it up, we 00:20:53.619 --> 00:21:03.799 we have in our hands the word of God, the supreme weapon for defensive and offensive battle. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:09.180 The word of God cuts to the heart. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:17.460 It lays open the heart so that people would believe, so that they would repent, so that 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:23.460 they would be rescued from the clutches of the evil one and made alive. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:34.900 We are at war and our razor sharp weapon is God's word and we would be fools to lower it just 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:38.700 simply because our culture says it can't cut. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:50.440 We would be fools to lay it to one side because our enemy wants us to believe it is irrelevant, it 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:53.680 is archaic, it is not understandable. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:22:06.100 We would be fools to have ministries that minimize the word of God and to push it to one side. 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:12.319 It is the only weapon that cuts the heart. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:23.679 The weapons that we fight with are not the weapons of this world according to 2 Corinthians 10. 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:31.859 And so my friends, take up the word of God and read it and meditate upon it and memorize 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:37.979 it and study it and love it and speak it and speak it. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:44.859 You can have great conversations with people. 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:52.179 You can have warm, beautiful conversations with people, but unless the word of God is spoken, 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:58.879 the heart is not cut to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:01.860 Do not lower that weapon. 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:09.800 The Christian warrior dressed in full armor, the full armor of God is a formidable picture. 00:23:11.020 --> 00:23:17.100 I hope you get the sense that these verses here are calling us to action, to wake us up 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:20.620 out of a comfortable stupor. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:26.920 That if you are there in the enemy's battlefield, in the trenches with your deck chair out and your 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:33.460 umbrella up and your cocktail in your hand, throw it to one side and put the armor on and 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:35.420 get into the battle is what it's saying. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.539 Get ready. 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.400 The Christian warrior here gets ready. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.880 He tightens his belt. 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:44.000 His heart pounds under the breastplate. 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:48.840 He scuffs his feet at the earth with his studded boots to get a firm grip. 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:54.480 He takes up his shield in anticipation of the fiery arrows that are coming for him. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:58.480 He repositions his helmet and he tests the edge of his sword. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.799 His heart pounds. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.099 The sweat falls. 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:06.200 And the warrior stands motionless as the enemy charges at him. 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:10.779 And then he does the most amazing thing. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:16.900 He falls to his knees in deep, profound prayer. 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:22.600 Make no mistake, there will be action. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.380 There will be hand-to-hand combat. 00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:31.340 He will rise and he will use his sword, but it will all be bathed in prayer. 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:34.540 And this is the picture as you read into verse 18. 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:54.779 Prayer isn't added as another part of the armor. 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:59.160 It actually pervades all of the spiritual warfare. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:07.899 The scriptures and prayer belong together as the two chief weapons that the spirit puts in our hands. 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.579 The sword of the spirit. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:21.619 The most effective weapon for both offensive and defensive battle and prayer. 00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:25.259 That gives the sword all its power. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:29.419 The prayer referred to here is comprehensive. 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:33.220 We are to pray on all occasions, both regularly and constantly. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:37.539 With all kinds of prayers and requests, for it takes many and varied forms. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:42.119 Because being alert and always keep on praying because you don't want to ever give up. 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:43.859 And you don't want to ever fall asleep. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:46.079 For all the saints. 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:52.639 Since the unity of God's new society, which has been the preoccupation of this whole letter to the Ephesians. 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:56.460 Must be reflected in our prayers. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:26:00.940 Most Christians pray sometimes with some prayers. 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:03.359 With some degree of perseverance and for some of the people. 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:07.979 But to replace some with all. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:15.500 In each of these expressions would be to climb to a new dimension of our prayer life. 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:19.699 And my friends, we need it here at St. Paul's. 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:27.619 If the gathering on a Sunday afternoon once a month is the extent of our prayers. 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:33.139 I'm amazed at how few people gather. 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:38.619 And when we do gather, how much we struggle to pray for God's agenda for his church. 00:26:43.239 --> 00:26:47.979 Against the prayer that is described here, the principalities and powers are helpless. 00:26:48.979 --> 00:26:56.839 Without prayer, we are much too feeble and much too flabby to stand against the might of the forces of evil. 00:26:56.839 --> 00:27:03.079 So let me remind you again, St. Paul's, brothers and sisters, friends. 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:06.839 We are in cosmic battle. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.159 We're at war. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:13.679 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:19.539 against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:24.740 And the basic spiritual weapons of our warfare are the word and prayer. 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:32.500 And so my simple challenge to you is to rethink your priorities in these two areas. 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:42.720 Commit today, on Commitment Sunday, commit today to a new resolve to be a Christ-centered, Bible-saturated warrior 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.440 who's devoted to prayer. 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:52.420 As per two of our core values, commit today to a new venture with God. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:28:04.340 My second simple challenge is to take on a wartime mindset in regard to the spiritual war that we're engaged in. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:12.019 Timothy reminds us that the soldier doesn't get entangled in civilian affairs. 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:18.639 He doesn't get entangled with civilian affairs. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:24.059 The soldier has a job. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:26.879 And that's to fight an enemy. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:34.279 We're encamped in enemy territory, so it doesn't make sense to construct mansions and build up treasures. 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:41.139 Let us stand together with a wartime mindset, firmly trusting in the mighty power of our Lord Jesus. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:48.079 The wartime mindset is where you pour your resources into winning the battle. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:55.399 We work together in giving our time and our prayers and our energy and our money to winning the war. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:57.740 And that is what I'm calling you to do today. 00:28:58.359 --> 00:29:06.159 People are going to hell right now just metres from us under the influence of our enemy. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:13.039 That is the battle that we're involved in. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:25.000 And one of our enemy's great seductions is to lure us into a comfortable, distracted life. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:33.299 This year, Nellie and I have increased our giving to St. Paul's to $700 a month for the ministry here. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:36.680 You know my pledge as I do each year. 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:47.160 Together, the staff and parish council have already pledged so far $6,738 a week for the battle here. 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:54.759 And so I now call you to follow them by having a wartime mindset and setting your resources to the battle.