WEBVTT

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 Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 to 24.

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 If you're wondering why we're in Ephesians 6 when we should be in Matthew 22, it's because

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! Todd Bourne, one of our pastoral interns, was supposed to preach today from Matthew 22.

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 He was scheduled to preach.

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 But all of our pastoral team, we were at the Regional Assembly of Elders, which happens

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 twice a year in Pennsylvania with our denomination.

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 And I think he caught some kind of stomach bug because he was hurling on the way back

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 yesterday, and he was not able to make it to church today.

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 So I am pinch hitting.

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 I had to pull back from an old, old sermon maybe seven, eight years ago that probably

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 most of you have never heard.

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 I looked through it, and I was like, okay, this needs a lot of work.

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 Unfortunately, I wasn't able to put in as much work as I would like, but the Lord's

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 going to help us in my weakness.

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 He's going to speak to us.

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 So Ephesians 6, verses 10 to 24.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Amen.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 Heavenly Father,

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 Heavenly Father,

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 it's so easy, we confess, Lord, to be conditioned by our surroundings, by this simple world,

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 to think like the world,

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 to live and believe as if this world that we see with our eyes is all there is.

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 But we ask, God, that from your Word in Ephesians 6 this morning, that you would expose to us

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 spiritual realities, that you would open up the eyes of our hearts

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 so that we might live with the urgency, with faith, with hope and love that your Word calls forth from us.

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 For the Lord who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have done that from us who have

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 his word, Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 to 24. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength

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 of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of

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 the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the

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 authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of

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 evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand

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 in the evil day and having done all to stand firm. Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of

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 truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness and as shoes for your feet,

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 having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield

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 of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet

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 of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit

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 with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for

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 all the saints. And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim

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 the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly

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 as I ought to speak. This is God's holy and authoritative word. Please be seated.

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 In wartime, everything changes. During World War II, many everyday industries and institutions and

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 civilians were all redirected toward wartime needs. Automobile companies like Ford and General Motors

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 stopped making cars and started making tanks and bombers instead. Typewriters and cash register companies

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 started producing rifles and ammunition. The clothing industry, instead of putting out fashion items,

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 started focusing on making military uniforms and parachutes and tents. Food companies started

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 focusing on making combat rations, powdered eggs, canned goods for the troops. Civilians participated in a

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 number of austerity measures. They collected tin cans and pots and pans so that they can be used to make

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 ammunition. They collected bike tires. Rubber was hard to come by. Gasoline was rationed out,

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 and people conserved their fuels in their homes, lest the tanks and the fighter jets and the naval ships

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 run out of fuel. Volunteers held blood drives all over the city. Schools and universities became research

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 hubs for military technology and theoretical physicists who were working previously on abstract quantum problems

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 like J. Robert Oppenheimer started working on the Manhattan Project, which produced a nuclear bomb.

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 The British luxury ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary, which used to ferry 1,000 people at a time on cruise trips

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 in spacious, luxurious suites, was converted into a troop carrier with cramped bunk beds up to 10-story high

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 and ferried Allied soldiers, sometimes over 16,000 soldiers at a time.

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 The United States became what historians often call a total war economy, total war society,

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 where nearly every aspect of the civilian life was transformed and harnessed toward war efforts.

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 In wartime, luxury gives way to austerity. A profit mentality gives way to sacrifice mentality.

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 And complacency gives way to readiness and alertness.

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 Do you know that we are in the middle of a spiritual war?

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 At the end of his life, Paul says in 2 Timothy 4, 7,

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 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

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 Why does he talk like that?

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 Because keeping the faith in this life is a fight.

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 It's a battle.

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 If you think he can scurr through life while avoiding conflict with the enemy,

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 you're gravely mistaken.

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 We are surrounded by enemies without and assailed by enemies within.

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 Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 9, 26,

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 I do not run aimlessly. I do not box as one beating the air,

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 but I discipline my body and keep it under control,

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 lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

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 The Christian life is a boxing bout.

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 We're ducking and weaving.

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 We're stepping in and throwing jabs.

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 We're punching and being pummeled.

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 And if we're not paying attention, we will get knocked out cold.

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 17th century English theologian John Owen wrote in his famous book,

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 The Mortification of Sin,

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 There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled,

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 prevails or is prevailed upon.

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 Let no man think to kill sin with few easy or gentle strokes.

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 I think I have this next quote up there to project for you.

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 You must always be at it while you live, killing sin.

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 Do not take a day off from this work.

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 Always be killing sin or it will be killing you.

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 Does that sound extreme to you?

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 He's just echoing Romans 8, 13.

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 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die.

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 But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,

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 you will live.

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 Another 17th century English pastor, William Gurnall, similarly writes,

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 The Christian must always be at war.

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 If he has peace with sin, he is at war with God.

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 Does that sound extreme?

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 He's just echoing James 4, 4.

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 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

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 Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

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 Brothers and sisters, we are at war.

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 Do we walk in the flesh?

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 It says in 2 Corinthians 10, 3.

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 We are not waging war according to the flesh.

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 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,

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 but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

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 And that's what this passage is about.

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 Those weapons of spiritual warfare.

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 And I want to remind you that this language of spiritual warfare,

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 this is not a metaphor.

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 It's not a metaphor.

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 Therefore, there is a literal spiritual war going on.

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 It's not a physical war, yes, that much is true.

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 But it's nonetheless a real spiritual war with invisible, evil, hostile forces.

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 There are real casualties in this war.

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 Real damage and death in this war.

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 Some of us might not make it.

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 The scope and consequence of this war far exceed any world wars history has ever known.

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 It's a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

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 And even just getting this what's at stake this morning would radically change our lives.

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 So if that's the case, how much more should we be vigilant in this spiritual war?

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 And this is my main point this morning.

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 We must put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil.

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 I'm going to address that in three main points.

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 First, know your enemy.

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 Two, put on God's armor.

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 Three, pray for your comrades.

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 In order to be victorious, we must know our enemy.

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 As the famed 6th century BC Chinese general Sun Tzu wrote in his book, The Art of War,

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 If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

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 If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat.

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 If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

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 Paul begins in verses 10 to 11.

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 Finally, Paul is now tying the bow at the top and wrapping all of the epistle to the Ephesians together with this passage.

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 And this is his urgent, final closing exhortation.

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 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

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 Likewise, for that same reason, the armor that we put on is not our own armor.

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 It is described as the whole armor of God.

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 So this is the main exhortation of this passage, verse 11 and verse 13.

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 Take up the whole armor of God.

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 Put on the whole armor of God.

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 And what's the purpose, the goal of that putting on?

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 Verse 11 and verse 13 tell us that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

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 Verse 11.

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 Verse 13, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand firm.

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 That verb occurs again and again in this passage.

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 Stand, stand, withstand.

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 Stand, if we don't resist and stand firm, we will be swept off our feet by his overwhelming force.

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 And the devil doesn't merely rely on brute force.

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 It says in verse 11 that the devil has schemes against us.

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 Paul used that same word in Ephesians 4.14 and warned believers to no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

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 by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

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 Schemes of the enemy.

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 Cunning, craftiness.

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 The devil's designs on us are not haphazard.

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 It is methodical.

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 It's strategic.

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 The devil is not some abstract force of evil.

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 He is a personal, intelligent being that is scheming against us.

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 He ambushes us.

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 He ambushes us.

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 Catches us off guard.

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 He waits for us to feel safe, secure, and complacent.

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 And then he pounces from behind.

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 Isn't this why 1 Corinthians 10.12 warns us,

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 Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

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 Our enemy seeks to divide and conquer.

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 He sows division within the body of Christ.

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 He stirs up unforgiveness and resentment in our midst

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 because he knows that we are stronger when we stand together and lock arms and stand against him.

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 So he divides us, isolates us, to pick us off one by one.

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 This is one of Satan's trademark attacks.

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 2 Corinthians 2.10-11 says,

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 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive.

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 Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything,

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 has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,

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 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan,

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 for we are not ignorant of his designs.

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 What are the designs of Satan that we must not be ignorant of

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 so that we are not outwitted by him?

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 He makes us not forgive one another.

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 Have you ever thought of forgiveness in that light?

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 Consider Ephesians 4.26-27.

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 It's related.

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 Be angry and do not sin.

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 And do not let the sun go down on your anger.

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 And give no opportunity to the devil.

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 If we let the sun go down on our anger,

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 if we harbor bitterness and resentment,

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 if we refuse to forgive and release the offender from our hatred and vengeance,

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 we give opportunity to the devil, he says.

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 And that word opportunity in Greek is literally a word that means place.

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 We give him a place.

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 John Calvin comments on this same verse, Ephesians 4.27,

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 I have no doubt that Paul was warning us to beware,

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 lest Satan should take possession of our minds like an enemy-occupied fortress

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 and do whatever he pleases.

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 Sinful anger gives the devil a foothold,

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 a beachhead in our spiritual warfare,

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 where he could set up his base camp and from there to launch his vicious attacks.

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 Unforgiveness,

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 unforgiveness,

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 harboring anger and resentment,

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 destroys relationships,

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 divides communities,

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 devastates homes and marriages,

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 deadens our souls to joy and gratitude and mercy.

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 So are you aware of the schemes of the devil?

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 John 10.10 tells us,

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 the devil's aim is to steal,

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 kill and destroy.

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 And to that end,

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 he employs various schemes

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 and all of his schemes can be categorized into two overarching categories.

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 One is deception,

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 the other is accusation.

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 That's what his name,

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 devil or Satan,

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 means.

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 He's the accuser.

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 He's a slanderer.

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 Revelation 12.9-10 describes both of these satanic functions.

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 And the great dragon was thrown down,

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 that ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan,

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 the deceiver of the whole world.

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 He was thrown down to the earth,

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 and his angels were thrown down with him.

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 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,

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 now the salvation,

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 the power and the kingdom of our God

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 and the authority of his Christ have come,

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 for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down,

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 who accuses them day and night before our God.

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 Satan deceives us and accuses us.

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 That's what he did, right,

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 in the Garden of Eden,

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 in Genesis chapter 3,

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 when God tells him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,

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 he slanders God's character,

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 saying he's being stingy toward you.

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 If you eat this,

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 it's only going to do good for you.

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 It's going to open up your eyes.

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 You're going to see.

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 Like God does,

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 eat it.

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 He lies.

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 2 Corinthians 11 tells us that he makes people preach a different gospel,

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 imparts a different spirit,

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 as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning.

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 2 Thessalonians 2, 9-10 teaches us that Satan's activity will be characterized

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 by all power and false signs and wonders

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 and all wicked deception,

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 because he is a deceiver.

00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:42.059
 For he is a liar and the father of lies.

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:45.039
 He's also an accuser.

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.440
 He's our adversary in court.

00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.359
 He's our prosecutor,

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:52.619
 the relentless prosecuting attorney.

00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:54.759
 In the book of Job,

00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.879
 Satan accuses Job before God,

00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:00.599
 contending that the only reason Job fears God and worships him

00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:03.200
 is because God has pampered him with all these blessings.

00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.460
 Deprive him of these things,

00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:07.720
 and he will curse you to your face.

00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:10.900
 So Satan takes away Job's wealth.

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.519
 He takes away his children.

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:14.299
 He takes away his health.

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:18.100
 All of it in order to produce counter evidence

00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:21.880
 that he can use to accuse Job before God.

00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:27.779
 It's like what we read in Zechariah 3, 1-2,

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.220
 in the assurance of pardon earlier.

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.240
 He accuses Joshua, the high priest,

00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:33.279
 of his filthy garments.

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:38.200
 I found in pastoral ministry

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.240
 that many Christians don't know how to distinguish

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.319
 the accusations and the slander

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.859
 and the condemnation of the enemy

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:46.319
 from the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:52.319
 Romans 2, 4 tells us,

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:54.960
 do you presume on the riches of his kindness

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.379
 and forbearance and patience,

00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.660
 not knowing that God's kindness

00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:00.599
 is meant to lead you to repentance?

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:05.519
 Satan's condemnation

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:08.259
 always comes with this crushing sense

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.599
 of burden and condemnation.

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.740
 The Lord's conviction,

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.159
 the conviction of the Holy Spirit

00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:15.959
 always comes with an invitation,

00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:19.519
 with the gentleness and the patience of the Lord,

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.899
 the kindness that leads us to repentance.

00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.799
 Psalm 130, 3-5 says,

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.639
 if you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.960
 O Lord, who could stand?

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.720
 But with you there is forgiveness

00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.960
 that you may be feared.

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:38.500
 God does not make us cower in fear of him

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:43.539
 by his exacting righteousness and justice.

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:49.619
 He makes us fear him by his forgiveness,

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.559
 by his grace and mercy.

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:56.819
 So if you're wallowing in your guilt

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.599
 and your shame

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.019
 and you're feeling condemned

00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:01.319
 and you're not believing the promise

00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.579
 of Romans 8, 1

00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:05.299
 that there is therefore now no condemnation

00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.619
 for those who are in Christ Jesus

00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:08.919
 and you're feeling that weight of condemnation

00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:11.460
 crushing you, putting you down,

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.480
 that is not of the Lord.

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:17.980
 Know to distinguish the condemnation

00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.859
 of the enemy from the conviction

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.619
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:25.000
 We must be knowledgeable

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.539
 about the devil's schemes.

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.959
 For it says in verse 12,

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:30.659
 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood

00:21:30.659 --> 00:21:31.759
 but against the rulers,

00:21:32.219 --> 00:21:33.159
 against the authorities,

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.519
 against the cosmic powers

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.699
 over this present darkness,

00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:37.859
 against the spiritual forces of evil

00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.419
 in the heavenly places.

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:43.379
 Notice the language that Paul uses

00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.939
 to describe this fight.

00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:47.259
 He uses the word wrestle,

00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.339
 which is very intentional.

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:51.740
 That's the language of hand-to-hand combat.

00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:56.179
 Don't think that this spiritual battle

00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.199
 is happening far away.

00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.720
 It's right at our doorsteps.

00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.299
 It's right in our face.

00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:03.220
 It's right in our hearts.

00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:07.619
 If you watch old war movies,

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.839
 of which I enjoy those too much,

00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:14.359
 there's a phase in the battle

00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:18.519
 where you're done shooting arrows from afar

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.299
 or you're done shooting muskets from afar

00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.220
 and now there's a command

00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:24.859
 from the general to charge

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:28.500
 and then everybody is clashing with each other

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:31.379
 in free-for-all, hand-to-hand melee.

00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:36.680
 That's the kind of spiritual battle we are in.

00:22:38.020 --> 00:22:38.500
 Wrestling.

00:22:39.540 --> 00:22:41.300
 We're not playing video games.

00:22:42.280 --> 00:22:46.380
 We're not controlling drone strikes

00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:49.960
 from a safe bunker hidden under some camouflaged place.

00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:56.380
 We're in hand-to-hand combat war zone.

00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:01.000
 And whom are we wrestling against?

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:04.440
 Paul says we're not wrestling against flesh and blood.

00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:09.579
 That represents humans, mortals.

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:13.460
 Instead, we are wrestling against the rulers,

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.779
 against the authorities,

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:17.759
 against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,

00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:20.259
 against the spiritual forces of evil

00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:22.399
 in the heavenly places.

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:26.259
 He's referring to spiritual forces of evil

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.619
 in the invisible realm of spirits.

00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.960
 The devil and his minions,

00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:35.279
 they are warring against us.

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:40.079
 This is so insightful and instructive for us as Christians.

00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:43.980
 Our world is full of antagonism

00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.339
 and conflict between humans.

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.940
 And of course, because we are physical beings,

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:50.420
 we do sometimes have physical, natural enemies.

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.839
 But the ultimate enemy that we face

00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:57.500
 is not fellow humans, flesh and blood,

00:23:57.619 --> 00:24:00.299
 but it is those in the realm of spirits,

00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:02.879
 spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.260
 Our ultimate enemy is not Iran or China.

00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:10.180
 It's not liberals or conservatives.

00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.320
 It's not Jews.

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:14.340
 It's not Gentiles.

00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.220
 It's not men.

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.600
 It's not women.

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:21.460
 Our ultimate enemies are the rulers,

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.560
 the authorities,

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.180
 the cosmic powers over this present darkness,

00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.900
 the spiritual forces of evil.

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:33.580
 This spirit,

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.040
 this evil spirit,

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.360
 the prince of the power of the air,

00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:38.540
 he is the spirit that is now at work

00:24:38.540 --> 00:24:40.100
 in all the sons of disobedience,

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.700
 it says in Ephesians 2.2.

00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:45.160
 This is such a subtle deception

00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:47.820
 that we succumb to.

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:50.660
 How many marriages have fallen apart

00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:52.640
 because husband and wife

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:55.340
 think of the other person as their enemy,

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:58.859
 not recognizing that they're fighting side by side

00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.759
 against another enemy?

00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:04.039
 How many church splits have happened

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:06.019
 because church members don't recognize

00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:07.539
 that they're fighting side by side

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.740
 against a common enemy

00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:11.439
 instead think that they're fighting against each other?

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:18.119
 We wrestle against the rulers,

00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.039
 the authorities,

00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:20.279
 the cosmic powers over the...

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.079
 I mean, think about it,

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:23.299
 because if our country is very divided,

00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:25.960
 people with all kinds of different opinions,

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.859
 they fight and bicker over all kinds of things,

00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:30.919
 but imagine if we just got bombed by somebody.

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:34.379
 They're trying to wipe the United States of America out.

00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.599
 You think we're going to be bickering about those things?

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:40.960
 No, we forget those things for the time being

00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.659
 because if we don't fight this enemy,

00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.659
 we don't survive.

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.779
 We forget that as Christians sometimes.

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:50.180
 We have a real enemy.

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.700
 It's not us.

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:58.900
 But who would be so foolhardy

00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.059
 to fight against the devil,

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.940
 the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places?

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:07.799
 So we need to put on God's armor.

00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.480
 This is the main point,

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.080
 and sometimes people,

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:17.240
 I've seen people go into really detailed analysis

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:20.279
 of the full armor of a Roman soldier,

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.579
 going into the details of,

00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:22.819
 you know,

00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.660
 that this is what this means,

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.279
 the belt of truth,

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.380
 this is what that means.

00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.620
 I'm not going to do that

00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:33.620
 because I don't think the spiritual armor in view here

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:36.000
 is that of a typical Roman soldier.

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.759
 The armor that's in view here

00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:40.160
 is rather God's armor,

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.539
 it says.

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:44.019
 And there is extensive Old Testament background

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:46.319
 for learning about the armor of God.

00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.460
 So I'm going to give you first

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.759
 a kind of bird's eye overview

00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:50.619
 of these different pieces of the armor,

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.319
 and then we're going to go

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:53.079
 and see how the robber meets the road,

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.180
 what it actually looks like.

00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.799
 In verse 14,

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.220
 it says,

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:58.279
 to have fastened on the belt of truth.

00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:00.059
 That comes from Isaiah 11,

00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:02.379
 where the coming Messiah

00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.859
 is described in this way.

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:07.099
 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,

00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:10.039
 and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:12.759
 The word translated faithfulness there

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.460
 from the Hebrew

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.200
 is the same word

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.960
 that's translated as truth in Greek.

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.359
 It's the belt of truth

00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:20.559
 that God himself wears,

00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.379
 that God's Son,

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.139
 Jesus Christ,

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.700
 the Messiah,

00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.279
 wears.

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.259
 Paul also says,

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.579
 stand therefore having put on

00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:28.019
 the breastplate of righteousness,

00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.519
 and in verse 17,

00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:31.240
 tells us to take the helmet of salvation.

00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.960
 Those two expressions

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:34.700
 come from Isaiah 59, 17,

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.519
 which depicts God, Yahweh,

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.920
 as the divine warrior

00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.480
 who will deliver his people,

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.920
 and it says that he put on,

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.460
 God,

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:43.779
 a righteousness as a breastplate

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:46.200
 and a helmet of salvation on his head.

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.539
 So it's, again,

00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.359
 God's armor.

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.480
 In verse 15,

00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.099
 Paul writes,

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.720
 as shoes for your feet,

00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.180
 having put on the readiness

00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:56.139
 given by the gospel of peace.

00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.339
 Gospel,

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.779
 the word that means good news,

00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:01.059
 likely in allusion to Isaiah 52,

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.759
 verse 7,

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:04.220
 which speaks of the messianic messenger

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.500
 of God's peace this way,

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.279
 how beautiful upon the mountains

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:09.159
 are the feet of him

00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:10.339
 who brings good news,

00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:10.839
 gospel,

00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.980
 who publishes peace,

00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:15.159
 who brings good news of happiness,

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.379
 who publishes salvation,

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.019
 who says to Zion,

00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:19.079
 your God reigns.

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.720
 Again,

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.980
 God's shoes,

00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.019
 gospel of peace.

00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:22.939
 Likewise,

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.120
 when Paul exhorts us

00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.460
 to take up the shield of faith

00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.279
 in verse 16,

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:28.220
 it recalls numerous occasions

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.000
 in the Old Testament

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.100
 where God himself

00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:30.759
 is described

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.720
 as the shield of his people.

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.279
 Fear not,

00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.920
 I am your shield,

00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.940
 God says to Abraham,

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.700
 Genesis 15,

00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:37.980
 2.

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.740
 2 Samuel 22,

00:28:39.820 --> 00:28:40.180
 31,

00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:40.880
 this God,

00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.920
 his way is perfect.

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.120
 The word of the Lord

00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:44.019
 proves true.

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.400
 He is a shield

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.039
 for all those

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.160
 who take refuge in him.

00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:49.080
 And finally,

00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.160
 he mentions the sword

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.779
 of the Spirit,

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.940
 which is the word of God.

00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.800
 Paul's referring to Isaiah 11,

00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.220
 4,

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.019
 the same passage

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.960
 where the belt of truth

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.519
 comes from.

00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.100
 He says that Messiah

00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:59.620
 shall strike the earth

00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:01.140
 with the rod of his mouth,

00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.900
 or more literally,

00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.340
 the word of his mouth.

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.380
 It's,

00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:05.940
 and with the breath

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.480
 of his lips

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.720
 he shall kill the wicked.

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.700
 The word of his mouth,

00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:12.320
 the breath,

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.080
 the Spirit

00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:14.200
 from his mouth

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.980
 shall strike the earth.

00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.440
 That's the sword

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.720
 of the Spirit

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.640
 that God himself wields.

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.579
 So the whole armor

00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:22.720
 points back

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.980
 to God's armor.

00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.940
 We are to put on

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.860
 God's armor

00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:29.000
 that God offers to us

00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:34.079
 his own armor

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.720
 that he wears

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.720
 as the divine warrior,

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:38.620
 the invincible God.

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.519
 That's the armor

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.460
 we're invited to put on.

00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.819
 And to put on

00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.620
 the whole armor of God

00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.700
 is akin to what

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.440
 Paul said earlier

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.259
 in Ephesians 4,

00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.160
 22 to 24,

00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:50.200
 put off your old self

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.980
 which belongs

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.860
 to your former manner

00:29:51.860 --> 00:29:52.200
 of life

00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:52.740
 and is corrupt

00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.820
 through deceitful desires

00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.880
 and to be renewed

00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.980
 in the spirit of your minds

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.160
 and to put on

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.040
 the new self

00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:59.540
 created after the likeness

00:29:59.540 --> 00:29:59.920
 of God

00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.800
 in true righteousness

00:30:00.800 --> 00:30:01.420
 and holiness.

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.840
 So then to put on

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:05.080
 the whole armor of God

00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:06.560
 is to be united

00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.620
 with Christ

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:09.200
 in his life,

00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.680
 death,

00:30:09.820 --> 00:30:10.460
 and resurrection

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.240
 and ascension.

00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.360
 How he's reigning

00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:14.900
 and to reign with him

00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.620
 in our faith

00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.619
 and to cultivate

00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.319
 the virtues

00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.079
 in keeping

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.399
 with our new identity

00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:20.259
 in Christ.

00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.839
 So Galatians 3, 27

00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.079
 says,

00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.099
 for as many of you

00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.059
 as were baptized

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.519
 into Christ,

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.079
 you have put

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:30.739
 on Christ.

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.719
 To put on

00:30:32.719 --> 00:30:33.659
 the armor of God

00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.599
 then is to put

00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.899
 on Christ.

00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.599
 That's the bird's eye view.

00:30:40.739 --> 00:30:41.759
 Now let's see

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.399
 what it looks like

00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.320
 when the rubber

00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.880
 meets the road.

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.519
 Verse 14,

00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.280
 Paul says,

00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.019
 stand therefore

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.920
 having fastened

00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:49.480
 on the belt of truth.

00:30:49.780 --> 00:30:51.380
 What is the belt of truth?

00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.200
 In earlier

00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.080
 in Ephesians 1,

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.800
 13 to 14,

00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.420
 he talks about

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.120
 the gospel.

00:30:56.280 --> 00:30:56.900
 When you heard

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.840
 the word of truth,

00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.500
 the gospel of your salvation

00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:01.320
 is the truth of God

00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:01.960
 in his word

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.300
 but more specifically

00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:03.860
 it's the truth

00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.440
 of the gospel.

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.519
 And it's the function

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.379
 of the belt

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.319
 or the girdle

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.460
 is to bind

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.579
 all of your clothing

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.039
 together.

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.119
 If the belt

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.839
 is loose,

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.319
 the whole thing

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.660
 falls apart,

00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.559
 comes undone.

00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.960
 So it is imperative

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.279
 that we fasten

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.839
 this belt of truth

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.440
 around us.

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.279
 What is it

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.440
 that holds

00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.259
 your life,

00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.299
 your purposes,

00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.779
 your priorities,

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.900
 and your preferences,

00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:37.019
 and your opinions

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.859
 all together?

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.699
 What is it?

00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.539
 Is it the belt

00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.419
 of God's truth?

00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:45.379
 Or is it the lies

00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:46.399
 of the enemy,

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.539
 the falsehoods

00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.119
 of this world?

00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.740
 Satan will often

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:56.299
 lie and say,

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.759
 yeah,

00:31:58.879 --> 00:32:00.219
 God says that.

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.199
 Yeah,

00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.899
 you've heard

00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.799
 your pastor say that.

00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:06.399
 But it's really,

00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:07.779
 that sin

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.480
 is not a big deal.

00:32:10.639 --> 00:32:11.359
 That sin,

00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:12.079
 that disobedience,

00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.879
 it's not a big deal.

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.599
 Everybody does it.

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.059
 It's okay.

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.399
 What that does

00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:21.859
 is it loosens

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:23.139
 the belt of truth.

00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.899
 And soon

00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:26.720
 you find your armor

00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.460
 coming loose,

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.980
 coming in undone,

00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.460
 and there's all kinds

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.180
 of vulnerabilities

00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:32.200
 exposed by it.

00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.259
 you've got to

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.160
 fasten on

00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.039
 the belt of truth.

00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.680
 Having done that,

00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.519
 we must put on

00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.299
 the breastplate

00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:42.000
 of righteousness.

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:44.660
 Satan is the accuser,

00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.180
 remember that.

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.500
 He's ever accusing us

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.039
 of our sins

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.799
 and shortcomings

00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.620
 to drive us

00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.240
 to despair.

00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.140
 Oh,

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.279
 how many times

00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.059
 in my life

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.460
 that the breastplate

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.220
 of the righteousness

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.860
 of Christ

00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.880
 has saved me

00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.940
 from mortal danger?

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:06.900
 You can't rely

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.380
 on your own

00:33:07.380 --> 00:33:07.840
 righteousness.

00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.880
 2 Corinthians 5,

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.380
 21 says,

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.140
 For our sake,

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.220
 God made Christ

00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.779
 to be sin

00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.779
 who knew no sin

00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:16.080
 so that in Him

00:33:16.080 --> 00:33:16.900
 we might become

00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.600
 the righteousness

00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:18.380
 of God.

00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:20.420
 We must put on

00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.680
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.080
 as it says

00:33:22.080 --> 00:33:23.140
 in Romans 13, 14,

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.120
 for He is

00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:24.820
 our righteousness.

00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.340
 Are you relying

00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:28.400
 on your own

00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:29.380
 righteousness?

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.980
 Your own

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.019
 obedience.

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.019
 Remember that song

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.480
 that we sang,

00:33:33.600 --> 00:33:34.840
 Come ye weary sinners.

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.759
 Weary sinners.

00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:39.880
 Don't be deluded

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.340
 into thinking

00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.059
 that you can make

00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:42.500
 yourself fit enough

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.660
 to have righteousness

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:45.120
 enough to withstand

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:46.120
 all the schemes

00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.680
 of the enemy.

00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:48.460
 You cannot withstand it.

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.440
 You put your own

00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.019
 armor on

00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.539
 and your own

00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.340
 righteousness on,

00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.380
 it's porous.

00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.480
 All kinds of chinks

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.320
 and rust it through

00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:57.259
 and He will thrust

00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.539
 His spear right through.

00:33:58.539 --> 00:34:00.440
 straight to your heart.

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:05.319
 You must put on

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:05.839
 the righteousness

00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.700
 of Christ,

00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.619
 the breastplate

00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.940
 of righteousness.

00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.259
 Thomas Wilcox

00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:13.759
 wrote this.

00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.880
 I just realized

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.659
 I'm quoting a lot

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.480
 of 17th century

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.440
 English pastors today.

00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.719
 It was not intentional.

00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:20.199
 Yeah.

00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:22.279
 He says,

00:34:22.359 --> 00:34:23.460
 In all doubting,

00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.139
 fears,

00:34:24.359 --> 00:34:25.419
 storms of conscience,

00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.960
 look at Christ

00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.719
 continually.

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:30.359
 Do not argue

00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.059
 with Satan.

00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.519
 He desires

00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.299
 nothing better.

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.699
 Bid him go to Christ

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:37.399
 and He will answer him.

00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.179
 It is His office

00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:39.980
 to be our advocate,

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.259
 His office

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.179
 to answer law

00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.059
 as our surety,

00:34:43.399 --> 00:34:44.219
 His office

00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:45.179
 to answer justice

00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:46.039
 as our mediator,

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.099
 and He is sworn

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:48.039
 to that office,

00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:49.820
 put Christ upon it.

00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.840
 Isn't that why

00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.980
 He died on the cross?

00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.699
 So that our sins

00:34:55.699 --> 00:34:56.340
 can be imputed

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.219
 to Him on the cross

00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.179
 and His righteousness

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.920
 can be imputed

00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.579
 to us

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:01.000
 so that we could

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.139
 have a clear conscience,

00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:02.719
 so that we could

00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.420
 be forgiven,

00:35:03.759 --> 00:35:04.759
 so that we could have

00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:05.960
 an armor,

00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.619
 a breastplate

00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:07.579
 without any chinks

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:07.960
 in it.

00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.500
 The perfect

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.500
 righteousness

00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.699
 of Christ.

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:14.899
 in the heavenly court,

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.460
 it's the same

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:15.899
 as it is

00:35:15.899 --> 00:35:16.699
 in the earthly court.

00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.279
 It's better for us

00:35:18.279 --> 00:35:20.500
 to shut our mouths

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.099
 and let the lawyers

00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.639
 do the talking.

00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:26.079
 Let your

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:28.579
 undefeated lawyer

00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:31.379
 defense Christ

00:35:31.379 --> 00:35:32.319
 do the talking.

00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:36.159
 You rely on

00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.059
 your own righteousness

00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.019
 and the devil

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.939
 will poke holes

00:35:38.939 --> 00:35:39.639
 in your argument.

00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:43.440
 And His accusations

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.379
 will expose you

00:35:44.379 --> 00:35:45.420
 as a hypocrite

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.579
 and a fraud.

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:51.179
 But behind

00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.059
 the breastplate

00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.500
 of righteousness

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:52.980
 of Christ,

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.519
 we are safe.

00:35:54.879 --> 00:35:55.920
 In verse 15,

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.339
 Paul writes,

00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:57.339
 as shoes for your feet,

00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:57.980
 having put on

00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.420
 the readiness

00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.460
 given by the gospel

00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.039
 of peace.

00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.179
 I mentioned earlier

00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.900
 this is probably

00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.319
 an allusion

00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:04.019
 to Isaiah 52, 7.

00:36:04.779 --> 00:36:05.400
 The peace

00:36:05.400 --> 00:36:06.039
 that we have

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.539
 with God

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.400
 because of Christ,

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.000
 the peace

00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.519
 that we have

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.219
 with one another

00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.339
 Gentiles and Jews

00:36:10.339 --> 00:36:11.219
 reconciled

00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.699
 in Christ.

00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:14.679
 That peace

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.219
 is what

00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:16.339
 enables us

00:36:16.339 --> 00:36:16.919
 to go

00:36:16.919 --> 00:36:17.779
 as messengers

00:36:17.779 --> 00:36:18.399
 and ambassadors

00:36:18.399 --> 00:36:19.359
 of the gospel

00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:20.019
 with the gospel

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.480
 of peace

00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:20.899
 as shoes

00:36:20.899 --> 00:36:21.539
 for our feet.

00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:26.399
 Having put on

00:36:26.399 --> 00:36:26.739
 the readiness

00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:27.679
 given by the gospel

00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:28.079
 of peace,

00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:28.759
 we must also

00:36:28.759 --> 00:36:29.079
 put on,

00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.119
 it says in verse 16,

00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.839
 in all circumstances

00:36:31.839 --> 00:36:32.879
 take up the shield

00:36:32.879 --> 00:36:33.579
 of faith

00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:35.019
 with which

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.859
 we can extinguish

00:36:35.859 --> 00:36:37.099
 all the flaming darts

00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:38.139
 of the evil one.

00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:40.039
 flaming arrows

00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:40.960
 were greatly feared

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.819
 in ancient warfare

00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:42.619
 not only because

00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:43.500
 the arrow is sharp

00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.299
 and can pierce

00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:45.779
 but also because

00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.719
 once it pierces

00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:47.699
 and gets lodged

00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:50.359
 it spreads the fire

00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:51.420
 and the destruction

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.539
 is far greater

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.900
 than what a single

00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:54.519
 arrow could do.

00:36:55.779 --> 00:36:56.519
 And in response,

00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.920
 well-constructed shields

00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.420
 in those days

00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:58.879
 were covered

00:36:58.879 --> 00:37:00.059
 with calf skin

00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:00.779
 on the front

00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:02.779
 so that the flaming arrows

00:37:02.779 --> 00:37:03.659
 would be doused

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.440
 by the moisture

00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.019
 in the leather.

00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:08.639
 in a similar way

00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.619
 the shield of faith

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.500
 extinguished

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:12.119
 all the flaming darts

00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:13.259
 of the evil one.

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.940
 When we raise up

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.960
 the shield of faith

00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.579
 we are taking hold,

00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:20.500
 grasping hold

00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.280
 of the promises

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.300
 that God has given us

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.300
 in his word

00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.539
 and interposing

00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:25.500
 those promises

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.800
 between the enemy's

00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:27.380
 accusations

00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.159
 and slanders

00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.840
 and lies

00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:30.280
 and us

00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:31.159
 and our own hearts

00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:31.639
 and minds.

00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:35.759
 when Satan

00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:36.659
 accuses you

00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.859
 of all your failings

00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:40.059
 when he lies to you

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:40.699
 and says that you are

00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.619
 good for nothing

00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:46.879
 that God doesn't love you

00:37:46.879 --> 00:37:48.639
 that he doesn't care

00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.159
 for you

00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:50.179
 if so,

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.920
 why are all these

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.679
 hard things happening

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.159
 to you?

00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.239
 When he lies

00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.559
 you raise up

00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.839
 the shield of faith

00:37:57.839 --> 00:37:58.639
 and interpose

00:37:58.639 --> 00:37:59.420
 the promises

00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:00.019
 of God

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:01.319
 his care for you

00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.340
 and his love

00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:02.680
 for you

00:38:02.680 --> 00:38:03.500
 and his protection

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.019
 over you

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.780
 and his sovereignty

00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.280
 over you

00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:06.340
 and put it right

00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:07.160
 between Satan

00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:07.940
 and his mouth

00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.860
 and between your heart.

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.400
 Don't let those

00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:12.980
 fiery darts

00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.039
 pierce and burn you.

00:38:16.140 --> 00:38:17.120
 When you're paralyzed

00:38:17.120 --> 00:38:18.039
 by anxiety

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.780
 and fear

00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:20.840
 hold up

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.800
 the shield of faith

00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.400
 and the promises

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:22.900
 of God

00:38:22.900 --> 00:38:23.700
 that he is your

00:38:23.700 --> 00:38:24.340
 heavenly father

00:38:24.340 --> 00:38:25.380
 who provides for you

00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:26.660
 and cares for you

00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:27.740
 and that if you can

00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:28.600
 cast all of your

00:38:28.600 --> 00:38:29.660
 anxieties on him

00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.599
 put that between

00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.019
 Satan

00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:32.000
 and his accusations

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:34.219
 and your heart.

00:38:36.779 --> 00:38:37.219
 Similarly,

00:38:37.359 --> 00:38:37.920
 verse 17

00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.480
 tells us that we

00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.239
 must also take

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:39.719
 the helmet

00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.420
 of salvation.

00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.940
 Salvation is a gift

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.940
 we freely receive

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.460
 from God

00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:45.859
 as it says

00:38:45.859 --> 00:38:46.799
 in Ephesians 2.8.

00:38:46.859 --> 00:38:47.779
 It's not up to us

00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:48.739
 but up to God

00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:51.259
 and since we

00:38:51.259 --> 00:38:52.179
 never merited

00:38:52.179 --> 00:38:52.739
 salvation

00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.359
 with our own

00:38:53.359 --> 00:38:53.819
 righteousness

00:38:53.819 --> 00:38:54.819
 we can never

00:38:54.819 --> 00:38:55.639
 demerit it.

00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:58.079
 we need

00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.819
 this assurance

00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.359
 of salvation

00:38:59.359 --> 00:39:00.059
 in order to

00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:00.599
 oppose the

00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:01.319
 powers of darkness.

00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.599
 Put on that

00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:03.279
 security that

00:39:03.279 --> 00:39:04.039
 comes with that

00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:04.819
 helmet of salvation

00:39:04.819 --> 00:39:05.659
 upon your head

00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.900
 to guard your

00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.619
 heart and your

00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:08.319
 mind in Christ

00:39:08.319 --> 00:39:08.639
 Jesus.

00:39:10.199 --> 00:39:10.579
 And finally

00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:11.319
 in verse 17

00:39:11.319 --> 00:39:11.920
 Paul mentions

00:39:11.920 --> 00:39:12.619
 the last piece

00:39:12.619 --> 00:39:12.980
 of the armor

00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.659
 the sword of the

00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:13.859
 spirit

00:39:13.859 --> 00:39:14.359
 which is the

00:39:14.359 --> 00:39:14.940
 word of God.

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.579
 The word of God

00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.259
 and the spirit

00:39:18.259 --> 00:39:18.639
 of God

00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.420
 are inextricably

00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:19.839
 connected

00:39:19.839 --> 00:39:20.500
 because the word

00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:20.799
 of God

00:39:20.799 --> 00:39:21.379
 proceeds from

00:39:21.379 --> 00:39:21.779
 the mouth

00:39:21.779 --> 00:39:22.139
 of God

00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:22.719
 and the spirit

00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:23.420
 is the breath

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:24.039
 that carries

00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.759
 forth the word

00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:25.179
 of God.

00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:28.119
 2 Timothy 3

00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:28.839
 16 says

00:39:28.839 --> 00:39:29.239
 that word

00:39:29.239 --> 00:39:29.559
 of God

00:39:29.559 --> 00:39:30.339
 is breathed

00:39:30.339 --> 00:39:31.359
 out by God.

00:39:34.319 --> 00:39:35.219
 The special

00:39:35.219 --> 00:39:35.839
 sword

00:39:35.839 --> 00:39:36.440
 reminds me

00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:38.159
 of Anduril

00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:39.239
 the lord

00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:39.719
 of the rings

00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:41.940
 the special

00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.339
 sword

00:39:42.339 --> 00:39:44.359
 which only

00:39:44.359 --> 00:39:44.759
 the king

00:39:44.759 --> 00:39:45.259
 of Gondor

00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:45.799
 can wield

00:39:45.799 --> 00:39:46.559
 and the

00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:47.379
 evil lord

00:39:47.379 --> 00:39:47.839
 Sauron

00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.400
 fears

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:49.179
 because he

00:39:49.179 --> 00:39:49.440
 has been

00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.019
 defeated by

00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:50.299
 it in the

00:39:50.299 --> 00:39:50.599
 past

00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:50.799
 and it's

00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:51.039
 the only

00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:51.339
 sword

00:39:51.339 --> 00:39:51.599
 that can

00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:51.920
 defeat

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.079
 him

00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.440
 again.

00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:54.579
 Similarly

00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:55.119
 there is

00:39:55.119 --> 00:39:55.940
 only one

00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:56.299
 sword

00:39:56.299 --> 00:39:56.639
 that can

00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:56.940
 stand

00:39:56.940 --> 00:39:57.359
 against

00:39:57.359 --> 00:39:57.960
 the real

00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:58.440
 spiritual

00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:58.839
 forces

00:39:58.839 --> 00:39:59.259
 of evil

00:39:59.259 --> 00:39:59.679
 in the heavenly

00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.159
 places

00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:00.699
 and that's

00:40:00.699 --> 00:40:01.239
 the sword

00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:02.079
 of the spirit

00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:03.440
 is the word

00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:03.960
 of God.

00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:05.539
 This is the sword

00:40:05.539 --> 00:40:06.119
 Hebrews 4

00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.920
 12 tells us

00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.480
 is living

00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:08.380
 and active

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:09.380
 sharper than

00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.559
 any double-edged

00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:11.059
 sword

00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:13.539
 piercing to the

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.420
 division of soul

00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.119
 and of spirit

00:40:15.119 --> 00:40:15.819
 of joints

00:40:15.819 --> 00:40:16.460
 and of marrow

00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.199
 and discerning

00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:17.759
 the thoughts

00:40:17.759 --> 00:40:18.319
 and intentions

00:40:18.319 --> 00:40:19.299
 of the heart.

00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:20.779
 Think about it.

00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.440
 How do you fight

00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.420
 spiritual forces

00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:22.799
 of evil?

00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:23.280
 You need

00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:23.800
 a spiritual

00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:24.300
 weapon.

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.780
 A gun's

00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:27.039
 not going

00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:27.500
 to do it.

00:40:30.039 --> 00:40:30.840
 You need

00:40:30.840 --> 00:40:31.300
 something that

00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:31.840
 can cut

00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:32.280
 through the

00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:32.740
 division of

00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.320
 soul and

00:40:33.320 --> 00:40:33.740
 of spirit

00:40:33.740 --> 00:40:34.340
 and that

00:40:34.340 --> 00:40:35.039
 is the

00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:35.500
 word of

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.940
 God.

00:40:36.800 --> 00:40:37.620
 The sword

00:40:37.620 --> 00:40:37.880
 of the

00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:38.220
 spirit.

00:40:42.100 --> 00:40:42.620
 William

00:40:42.620 --> 00:40:43.060
 Gurnall

00:40:43.060 --> 00:40:43.640
 in his

00:40:43.640 --> 00:40:44.560
 book on

00:40:44.560 --> 00:40:44.920
 spiritual

00:40:44.920 --> 00:40:45.320
 warfare

00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:45.600
 really

00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:46.220
 maybe one

00:40:46.220 --> 00:40:46.400
 of the

00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:46.840
 best books

00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:47.300
 ever written

00:40:47.300 --> 00:40:47.640
 on the

00:40:47.640 --> 00:40:48.019
 topic of

00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:48.300
 spiritual

00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:48.620
 warfare

00:40:48.620 --> 00:40:48.860
 called

00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.000
 The

00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:49.360
 Christian

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:49.880
 Incomplete

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:50.180
 Armor

00:40:50.179 --> 00:40:51.379
 says this

00:40:51.379 --> 00:40:52.980
 a pilot

00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:53.759
 without his

00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:54.199
 chart

00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:56.019
 a scholar

00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:56.839
 without his

00:40:56.839 --> 00:40:57.219
 book

00:40:57.219 --> 00:40:58.599
 and a soldier

00:40:58.599 --> 00:40:59.419
 without his

00:40:59.419 --> 00:40:59.859
 sword

00:40:59.859 --> 00:41:01.079
 are alike

00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:01.659
 ridiculous

00:41:01.659 --> 00:41:03.199
 but above

00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:04.059
 all these

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.899
 it is absurd

00:41:04.899 --> 00:41:05.759
 for one to

00:41:05.759 --> 00:41:06.480
 think of being

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.059
 a Christian

00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.719
 without knowledge

00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:09.319
 of the word

00:41:09.319 --> 00:41:09.859
 of God

00:41:09.859 --> 00:41:10.539
 and some

00:41:10.539 --> 00:41:11.139
 skill

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:11.879
 to use

00:41:11.879 --> 00:41:12.599
 this weapon.

00:41:12.599 --> 00:41:16.119
 Do you

00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.839
 know God's

00:41:16.839 --> 00:41:17.159
 word?

00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:19.759
 Do you

00:41:19.759 --> 00:41:20.679
 read God's

00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:20.980
 word?

00:41:22.239 --> 00:41:23.019
 Do you

00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:23.719
 meditate on

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.059
 God's

00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:24.239
 word?

00:41:24.360 --> 00:41:24.679
 Do you

00:41:24.679 --> 00:41:25.619
 memorize

00:41:25.619 --> 00:41:27.219
 God's

00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:27.599
 word?

00:41:28.779 --> 00:41:29.519
 This is

00:41:29.519 --> 00:41:30.000
 the only

00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.639
 weapon in

00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:31.119
 the arsenal.

00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:36.279
 How do

00:41:36.279 --> 00:41:36.739
 you expect

00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:37.219
 to fight

00:41:37.219 --> 00:41:37.860
 without it?

00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.380
 How do you

00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:38.759
 expect to

00:41:38.759 --> 00:41:39.480
 defend yourself

00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:40.079
 without it?

00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:41.539
 How can

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.819
 we be

00:41:41.819 --> 00:41:42.179
 Christians

00:41:42.179 --> 00:41:42.619
 who go

00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:43.079
 without

00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:43.399
 reading

00:41:43.399 --> 00:41:43.779
 God's

00:41:43.779 --> 00:41:44.179
 word?

00:41:46.339 --> 00:41:47.219
 In a

00:41:47.219 --> 00:41:47.539
 spiritual

00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:48.079
 war.

00:41:53.419 --> 00:41:53.940
 Psalm

00:41:53.940 --> 00:41:54.500
 119

00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:54.759
 11

00:41:54.759 --> 00:41:54.960
 says

00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:55.299
 I have

00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:56.279
 stored

00:41:56.279 --> 00:41:56.839
 up your

00:41:56.839 --> 00:41:57.279
 word

00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:57.719
 in my

00:41:57.719 --> 00:41:57.899
 heart

00:41:57.899 --> 00:41:58.179
 that I

00:41:58.179 --> 00:41:58.419
 might

00:41:58.419 --> 00:41:58.719
 not

00:41:58.719 --> 00:41:59.000
 sin

00:41:59.000 --> 00:41:59.480
 against

00:41:59.480 --> 00:41:59.839
 you.

00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:01.359
 The

00:42:01.359 --> 00:42:01.699
 sword

00:42:01.699 --> 00:42:01.980
 of the

00:42:01.980 --> 00:42:02.239
 spirit

00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:02.579
 is what

00:42:02.579 --> 00:42:03.059
 protects

00:42:03.059 --> 00:42:03.460
 us from

00:42:03.460 --> 00:42:03.619
 the

00:42:03.619 --> 00:42:04.199
 temptations

00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:05.119
 and keeps

00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:05.460
 us from

00:42:05.460 --> 00:42:05.839
 sin.

00:42:07.139 --> 00:42:07.539
 It is

00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:07.960
 the sword

00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.199
 of the

00:42:08.199 --> 00:42:08.359
 spirit

00:42:08.359 --> 00:42:08.579
 that

00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:09.099
 pierces

00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:09.440
 through

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:09.599
 and

00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:10.099
 exposes

00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:10.359
 the

00:42:10.359 --> 00:42:10.819
 errors

00:42:10.819 --> 00:42:11.139
 and the

00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:11.639
 lies

00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:12.239
 of

00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:12.400
 the

00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:12.739
 enemy

00:42:12.739 --> 00:42:13.259
 and of

00:42:13.259 --> 00:42:13.480
 this

00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:13.859
 world.

00:42:14.639 --> 00:42:15.059
 We

00:42:15.059 --> 00:42:15.400
 must

00:42:15.400 --> 00:42:15.879
 put on

00:42:15.879 --> 00:42:15.980
 the

00:42:15.980 --> 00:42:16.119
 sword

00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:16.219
 of

00:42:16.219 --> 00:42:16.319
 the

00:42:16.319 --> 00:42:16.539
 spirit

00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:16.819
 so that

00:42:16.819 --> 00:42:16.920
 we

00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:17.039
 can

00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:17.319
 stand

00:42:17.319 --> 00:42:17.599
 against

00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:17.779
 the

00:42:17.779 --> 00:42:18.099
 schemes

00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:18.259
 of

00:42:18.259 --> 00:42:18.379
 the

00:42:18.379 --> 00:42:18.619
 devil.

00:42:20.079 --> 00:42:20.719
 And then

00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:21.000
 we come

00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:21.480
 to Paul's

00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:21.920
 conclusion

00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:23.519
 in verses

00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:24.219
 18 to

00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:24.799
 20 that

00:42:24.799 --> 00:42:25.099
 we now have

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:25.539
 to pray

00:42:25.539 --> 00:42:26.019
 for our

00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:26.519
 comrades.

00:42:29.659 --> 00:42:30.400
 Paul says

00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:30.719
 in verse

00:42:30.719 --> 00:42:31.059
 18,

00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:31.759
 prayer

00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:31.759


00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:31.759


00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:31.759


00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:31.759


00:42:31.759 --> 00:42:45.659
 is

00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:45.659


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00:42:45.659 --> 00:43:05.339
 prayer is not merely the seventh armor or weapon in the Christian's armory,

00:43:05.339 --> 00:43:10.059
 but it's rather that which enables us to put on the whole armor of God.

00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:23.960
 Look at verse 18. He tells us when to pray, how to pray, what to pray, and for whom to pray,

00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:31.039
 when to pray at all times, at every opportunity to pray without ceasing. You can think of it like

00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:37.000
 being on the phone with somebody. You might put them on hold for a bit. You might be distracted

00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:40.199
 for a bit. You might do other things, but there's someone on the other line always.

00:43:40.199 --> 00:43:47.719
 Be on the line with God always. Pray without ceasing. Pray whenever you have the opportunity.

00:43:49.299 --> 00:43:56.139
 Set aside time to pray. Make it a regular habit to pray, and don't let anything else intrude with it.

00:43:56.719 --> 00:44:03.960
 Prioritize it. Second, how to pray. Paul says pray in the Spirit, because our prayers must be guided by

00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:08.819
 the Spirit of God who alone comprehends the thoughts of God, who knows the mind of God.

00:44:08.820 --> 00:44:14.720
 Third, what to pray. Pray with all prayer and supplication, all types of prayers.

00:44:17.019 --> 00:44:19.500
 Prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving.

00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:27.360
 Prayers of supplication, all kinds of prayers. And why to pray. Paul says to that end, keep alert with

00:44:27.360 --> 00:44:28.320
 all perseverance.

00:44:32.460 --> 00:44:35.559
 Because apart from prayer, we cannot put on the full armor of God.

00:44:35.559 --> 00:44:39.539
 In his book, Desiring God, John Piper writes this, he said,

00:44:39.659 --> 00:44:47.039
 Prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie. It is not domestic intercom to ring up the butler to bring

00:44:47.039 --> 00:44:51.880
 another comfort to the den where we are already more secure than we should be.

00:44:55.079 --> 00:45:00.380
 Sometimes prayer malfunctions in our lives because we don't see its true purpose, that we are in a

00:45:00.380 --> 00:45:05.480
 spiritual war and that this is our direct line to the command center, to the general who alone sees

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 the full picture and who alone can send aid. Instead, we see it as another way to ring up the butler

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 for what we want, for more comforts.

00:45:20.980 --> 00:45:25.019
 So persevere in it. He says, keep alert with all perseverance.

00:45:25.019 --> 00:45:30.039
 If you've tried praying for five minutes, it didn't work, try again.

00:45:30.440 --> 00:45:35.519
 If you tried praying for one day or one week and it didn't work and you couldn't, didn't last, do it again.

00:45:36.639 --> 00:45:37.000
 Persevere.

00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:42.099
 Fifth, for whom to pray? For all the saints.

00:45:44.119 --> 00:45:47.019
 Do you pray for the church?

00:45:48.239 --> 00:45:50.139
 For your brothers and sisters in the church?

00:45:50.139 --> 00:45:53.299
 We need each other.

00:45:55.559 --> 00:45:57.519
 To put on the whole armor of God.

00:46:01.779 --> 00:46:04.699
 And then Paul finally asks them to even to pray for him.

00:46:06.359 --> 00:46:12.739
 In verses 19 to 20, also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to

00:46:12.739 --> 00:46:18.199
 proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly

00:46:18.199 --> 00:46:19.279
 as I ought to speak.

00:46:20.579 --> 00:46:22.900
 Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.

00:46:23.460 --> 00:46:25.359
 He wrote most of the New Testament.

00:46:26.139 --> 00:46:28.940
 He's seen the Lord Jesus Christ personally in a vision.

00:46:29.719 --> 00:46:31.179
 He's acted by this point.

00:46:31.239 --> 00:46:33.259
 He has been proclaiming the gospel for 30 years.

00:46:34.059 --> 00:46:38.699
 He had been caught up to the third heavens and seen things that most men have never seen.

00:46:39.400 --> 00:46:43.400
 Perhaps he's the most fruitful and productive missionary that Christianity has ever seen.

00:46:43.839 --> 00:46:48.019
 And yet he asks the Ephesian believers to pray for him.

00:46:48.019 --> 00:46:54.019
 Because it doesn't come naturally for him to be bold in sharing the gospel.

00:46:55.019 --> 00:47:01.420
 He says, pray for me that I might open my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

00:47:01.420 --> 00:47:05.700
 That I might declare it boldly as I ought to speak.

00:47:05.699 --> 00:47:16.339
 So if you feel not bold in sharing the gospel, you're in good company.

00:47:16.340 --> 00:47:18.300
 But we need prayer.

00:47:18.519 --> 00:47:19.640
 We need to pray for each other.

00:47:20.579 --> 00:47:27.420
 Don't fear being judged by people who think that you are too bold to share the gospel with them.

00:47:27.420 --> 00:47:35.180
 Fear rather being judged by Christ for our cowardice and not sharing it.

00:47:34.420 --> 00:47:35.180
 And not sharing it.

00:47:34.420 --> 00:47:43.059
 Do you see the spiritual realities?

00:47:45.559 --> 00:47:48.840
 Do you see that there's no hope of salvation apart from Christ?

00:47:49.119 --> 00:47:50.820
 That the whole armor belongs to God?

00:47:50.820 --> 00:47:55.519
 Then let's put on Christ together this morning as a church.

00:47:56.000 --> 00:48:01.280
 And not lose sight of this important truth as we battle together for the gospel.

00:48:01.720 --> 00:48:02.460
 Let's pray together.

00:48:10.820 --> 00:48:11.680
 Heavenly Father.

00:48:11.680 --> 00:48:11.680


00:48:11.679 --> 00:48:11.779
 Lord.

00:48:17.980 --> 00:48:18.699
 Lord.

00:48:18.699 --> 00:48:22.000
 Jolt us out of our spiritual complacency, Lord.

00:48:27.679 --> 00:48:31.539
 Make us aware of the grave threats we face all around us.

00:48:34.379 --> 00:48:35.839
 Make us vigilant.

00:48:39.099 --> 00:48:39.899
 Equipped.

00:48:39.900 --> 00:48:44.079
 With the full armor of God.

00:48:49.680 --> 00:48:51.559
 Lord, I pray for those who feel weak.

00:48:52.820 --> 00:48:53.260
 Downtrodden.

00:48:54.360 --> 00:48:55.260
 Heavy laden.

00:48:56.519 --> 00:49:00.440
 Who feel beaten down in the battlefield and don't feel like they can get up again.

00:49:02.440 --> 00:49:02.880
 Lord.

00:49:04.960 --> 00:49:05.660
 Encourage them.

00:49:06.820 --> 00:49:07.780
 Fill them with your spirit.

00:49:07.780 --> 00:49:13.280
 Help them to stand and persevere again in prayer.

00:49:15.600 --> 00:49:17.420
 To rise with the armor of God.

00:49:18.519 --> 00:49:19.600
 Rise up, O Lord.

00:49:20.519 --> 00:49:21.500
 Scatter your enemies.

00:49:22.480 --> 00:49:23.440
 When you can do it.

00:49:25.600 --> 00:49:26.900
 Help us to rely on you.

00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:28.720
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:49:29.100 --> 00:49:29.380
 Amen.

00:49:29.380 --> 00:49:29.500
 Amen.

00:49:29.560 --> 00:49:29.560


00:49:29.560 --> 00:49:29.560


00:49:29.560 --> 00:49:29.620
 Amen.

00:49:29.620 --> 00:49:29.620


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00:49:29.620 --> 00:49:31.620
 Amen.

00:49:31.620 --> 00:49:33.620
 Amen.

00:49:33.620 --> 00:49:33.620


00:49:33.620 --> 00:49:33.620


00:49:33.620 --> 00:49:33.620