WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.160 Well, good morning. Let me add my welcome. My name is Archie. I'm one of the ministry trainees here at Brunsfield. 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:12.300 And like Graham said, let me encourage you to have your Bibles open in Ephesians. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:16.460 If you're not already there, let me pray as you do turn there. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:29.859 Heavenly Father, would the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable to you this morning. Amen. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.060 Imagine with me. It's February 1945. World War II. 00:00:40.120 --> 00:00:47.600 You're crouched down low. The floor underneath you is a cold, hard, unforgiving metal. 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:57.560 Your hands are freezing numb as they grip your rifle. Your socks are soaking wet in your boots. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:04.439 You can't help but think the war is supposed to be over. D-Day was months ago. 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:09.240 But here you are. Your stomach is still turning. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:18.280 That familiar, horrible mixture of anxiety and the motion sickness from the boat that rocks steadily in the waves underneath you. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:23.280 The air around you is pregnant with an expectant silence. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:28.200 And you look around the boat and you see the faces of your friends. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:30.599 That is your friends that are still alive. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:34.120 And then the boat hits the sand. 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:40.620 The landing ramp is lowered and you know that you have got to keep fighting. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:52.900 In a similar sort of way, in the Christian life, Jesus has already won the victory against sin and against death. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:01:59.760 But make no mistake, we too are nonetheless still at war. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:06.620 See, it was more than 300 days after D-Day before the war actually ceased. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:13.580 And for us, a little bit like in World War II, victory has really already been won. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:16.700 And yet the battle rages. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:21.920 And you know, we have a God who one day is going to come back and wrap the whole thing up. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:24.180 But in the meantime, we fight. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:27.319 And we fight on the winning side. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:32.419 In today's passage, Paul does not pull any punches. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:36.699 He says to the Ephesian church, you have a relentless enemy. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:39.099 A spiritual enemy. 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:42.180 We see that in verses 10 to 12. 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:43.340 A spiritual enemy. 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:51.139 But they also have a God who has provided everything that they need to stand firm in this battle. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:55.579 He's given them spiritual armor to protect them. 00:02:55.580 --> 00:02:58.060 In verses 13 to 17. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:59.280 Spiritual armor. 00:03:00.040 --> 00:03:04.860 And he's given them spiritual weapons with which to fight back. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:06.820 In verses 18 to 20. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:08.560 Spiritual weapons. 00:03:09.600 --> 00:03:11.640 So that's where we're going this morning. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:14.120 But where have we been in this letter? 00:03:14.820 --> 00:03:16.760 Why not come back to chapter 1 with me? 00:03:17.760 --> 00:03:19.580 Chapter 1, verse 20. 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:22.700 What is Christ doing there? 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:28.760 He is seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms. 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:32.800 Now that is totally mind-blowing in and of itself. 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:38.080 This is Jesus who came to earth as a man, died in our place and rose again. 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:41.100 And he's now seated at the right hand of God. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:43.280 And he rules there from his throne. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:46.860 But it gets even more mind-blowing. 00:03:47.540 --> 00:03:48.860 Come to chapter 2 with me. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:53.600 Verse 6 of chapter 2 says this. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:04:00.300 God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:01.720 Get this. 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:03.900 This is what it means to be in Christ. 00:04:04.040 --> 00:04:10.460 This is the identity of the Christian sitting with the ruling Christ in heaven. 00:04:11.100 --> 00:04:11.380 Sitting. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:16.939 But then in chapter 4, we get a change of posture. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:23.399 Eight times the Ephesians are told to walk in the middle section of this letter. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:26.659 Sometimes our translation masks this a bit. 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:31.020 But if you come to verse 1 of chapter 4 with me, you will see what I mean. 00:04:31.400 --> 00:04:32.840 Verse 1 of chapter 4. 00:04:33.640 --> 00:04:34.860 In the NIV, it says, 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:39.520 I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:42.039 And maybe a closer translation might be, 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:47.439 I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of your calling. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:49.279 Paul says, 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:51.719 You have been raised up to sit with Christ. 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:52.839 That is your identity. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:54.779 Now live like it. 00:04:55.419 --> 00:04:56.799 Walk the walk. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:03.639 I don't know about you, but as we've gone through these walk passages in the last few weeks as a church, 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:06.079 I have been really challenged. 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:12.860 Because walking this walk is just so obviously not easy. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:17.500 And in today's passage, Paul acknowledges that. 00:05:17.580 --> 00:05:18.699 He gets really honest. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:21.620 He gets very real with the Ephesian church. 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:29.040 He says it's hard to walk the walk because there is a spiritual enemy trying to bring them to their knees. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:35.439 Did you notice in our passage today, Paul's encouragement to the Ephesian church to stand? 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:41.120 Back in chapter 6, have a look at verse 11 of our passage. 00:05:42.259 --> 00:05:45.639 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:49.759 And then in verse 13, halfway through verse 13, 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:52.699 that you may be able to stand your ground. 00:05:52.899 --> 00:05:55.300 And after you have done everything, to stand. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:57.219 Stand firm then. 00:05:58.659 --> 00:05:59.360 Paul is clear. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:03.399 They are going to need help just to stay on their feet. 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:07.519 And though the victory has already been won, 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:11.579 if they're going to keep walking as those who sit with Christ, 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:15.699 they are going to have to fight to stay standing. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:19.680 So we've got to ask that question. 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:21.479 And this is really our first point. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:27.599 Who is this spiritual enemy that is trying to bring the Ephesian church to their knees? 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.939 In the last 100 years or so, 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:34.180 the predominant worldview in this country, in the West, 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:38.000 has been one that denies spirituality altogether. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:42.519 It's the view that if we can't interact materially with something, 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:44.719 then it simply doesn't exist. 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:48.800 If we can't measure it, then it must be made up. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:51.580 If I'm really honest, 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:56.240 that is the non-Christian worldview that I find most tempting. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:00.380 I guess I really want to think that we're in control. 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:06.540 And you too maybe might be tempted to think that this spiritual warfare stuff 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:07.960 is a load of nonsense, 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:10.240 that it doesn't exist. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:16.060 But the first step to taking a stand against any enemy 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:19.259 is acknowledging that that enemy is really there, 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:23.720 and then really understanding what that enemy is doing. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:27.480 Maybe you take the opposite view. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:33.080 There are those who think that this material worldview is fading 00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:37.040 in favor of a sort of 21st century mystical spiritualism. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:41.240 You know, people who seek to explain everything we can't understand 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:45.160 by describing it as spiritual or even demonic. 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:51.100 And actually, that's probably quite a lot closer to the Ephesian experience. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:52.980 See, in the ancient world, 00:07:53.140 --> 00:07:55.980 a spiritual understanding of the world around them 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.780 was a pretty normal way to think. 00:08:00.320 --> 00:08:04.400 But that spiritualization of the things that we can't explain 00:08:04.400 --> 00:08:06.860 is not what our passage is talking about either. 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:10.620 So what does our passage say? 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:14.319 Did you notice at the end of verse 11? 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.060 Have a look at the end of verse 11 with me again. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.680 Whose schemes are we talking about here? 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:23.699 It is the devil's schemes. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:29.180 See, the devil is a very real spiritual being 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:33.300 who exists in total rebellion against God. 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:37.279 He's not equal to God and he has been defeated. 00:08:38.219 --> 00:08:43.479 But he nonetheless seeks to turn hearts away from their creator. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.319 He's not a pointless evil. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:51.399 He has a goal in all of this to influence hearts away from God. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.139 Have a look at verse 12 with me. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:00.500 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 00:09:00.859 --> 00:09:03.259 but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.819 against the powers of this dark world, 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:09.639 and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:16.339 This verse is not talking about an inherent evil in authority. 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:20.479 It's not talking about overreaching government or police states 00:09:20.479 --> 00:09:22.339 or even lockdowns. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:27.919 Instead, this verse is a glimpse into the spiritual tools 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:32.879 that the devil has at his disposal in his heart-turning mission. 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:37.240 That's his goal, to turn hearts away from God. 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:42.379 And so for us, I think it's important that we look in the mirror 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.620 before we look out of the window. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:49.200 Because he exercises that influence in my heart. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:52.700 And he exercises that influence in your heart too. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.240 And how does he do that? 00:09:55.860 --> 00:10:00.879 I think the Bible gives us two primary ways that the devil influences hearts. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:04.100 Firstly, he tempts us to sin. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:07.960 He asks us, did God really say? 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:11.759 Just like he did with Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3, 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:16.980 he causes us to doubt God's word and the consequences of sin. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:20.100 And then he says that sin will be good for us, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.879 that we will enjoy it, that we deserve it. 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:24.620 He tempts us to sin. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:28.820 And secondly, he then accuses us in our sin. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:32.100 He tells us that despite what Jesus has done, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:35.399 because of our sin, we are utterly condemned. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:39.920 He tempts us and he accuses us. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:45.279 But our passage says we have got to stand against those lies. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:50.199 And our passage tells us that God has provided protection for us as we do that. 00:10:50.699 --> 00:10:52.039 Spiritual armor. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:56.479 Before we get into the armor, have a look back at verse 10 with me, 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.919 because there's something really key here. 00:10:58.719 --> 00:11:02.979 It says, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 00:11:04.199 --> 00:11:08.419 If our enemy is a spiritual one, superhuman if you like, 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:12.279 then on our own, we are utterly powerless against his schemes. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:17.620 Powerless on our own, but protected by God. 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:21.559 This armor is God's power. 00:11:21.959 --> 00:11:23.299 It is his provision. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.319 It is his protection. 00:11:26.479 --> 00:11:30.959 So come with me as we explore the first piece of armor in verse 14. 00:11:32.099 --> 00:11:38.000 Verse 14, the belt of truth buckled around your waist. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:44.659 Now, the spiritual purpose of each piece of armor is given to us in their description. 00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.719 Did you notice that? 00:11:46.099 --> 00:11:47.939 It says here, it's the belt of truth. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:51.399 Truth is the important thing, not that it is a belt. 00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:53.860 So what is truth? 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:55.919 What is truth? 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:02.620 Well, truth is an absolutely accurate description of reality. 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:05.459 It is what really is. 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:10.460 Truth is all about fact rather than opinion. 00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:18.300 And in chapter one, Paul told the Ephesians that they were included in Christ when they heard the word of truth, 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.519 the gospel of your salvation. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:29.620 So Paul is saying that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth of the universe, of reality. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:35.659 That is the truth that sin is rebellion against God. 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:39.519 The truth that its consequences are eternal death. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.199 Death. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:48.220 And the truth that God's plan to bring his people into a relationship with him is in Christ. 00:12:49.579 --> 00:12:55.179 And if the Ephesians are going to have any hope of standing firm against the devil's schemes, 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:59.799 they are going to have to stand firm in this truth. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:05.240 I think truth as a concept is becoming increasingly tricky. 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.839 Maybe you've noticed that too. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:14.559 Phrases like, my truth, or that might be true for you, are just so normal these days. 00:13:15.359 --> 00:13:19.219 And to be honest, when people say things like that, I think they're really talking about opinion, 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:24.540 not truth, not really, because that's not how truth works, is it? 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:30.860 If two things contradict each other, even if it's in quite a small way, they can't both be true. 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:35.820 If I say that Wales beat Scotland in the rugby last weekend, 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:38.740 and you say that Scotland beat Wales, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.700 those statements can't both be true. 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:46.440 Nor could we both be true if we came up with different scorelines for the game. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:54.200 And so for us in church life, we have got to be aware that this is how truth works. 00:13:55.180 --> 00:14:02.040 As we study God's word together, we can't allow this my truth tendency to creep into what we're doing. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:07.900 Instead, we've got to work hard to discover together what the biblical author, 00:14:08.140 --> 00:14:12.440 inspired by the Holy Spirit, was contributing to this gospel of truth. 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:17.260 What is the author, what is the Holy Spirit saying about human rebellion? 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:22.220 What are they saying about God's rescue mission in Christ? 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:25.360 We've got to discover that truth. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:32.320 This is our first protection against the devil's lies, the belt of truth. 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:37.600 Next, we have the breastplate of righteousness. 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.300 Righteousness is a legal term. 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:43.720 It means to be utterly innocent. 00:14:44.760 --> 00:14:47.680 And I think there are two sorts of righteousness in view here. 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:53.720 First and foremost, the Ephesians can stand utterly baneless before the God of this universe, 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:59.379 not because this breastplate enables them to live a perfectly righteous life, 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:04.200 but instead because Jesus, the truly righteous one, 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:09.600 the one who really did live a righteous life, has died in their place. 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:13.160 And so it's his righteousness that they wear. 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:15.360 It's a given righteousness. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:19.980 But not only are they given this identity of righteousness, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:26.120 but Christ also does give them the ability to live increasingly righteous lives in him. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:30.320 The ability to start walking the walk. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:34.320 Not walking into a righteous identity, 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:39.860 but walking out of an identity already won by Christ. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:47.740 I mentioned at the start that one of the ways that the devil targets us is by accusation. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:51.000 And he does that because the reality is, 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:53.320 even with the breastplate of righteousness, 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:57.600 we all fail to walk the walk consistently, don't we? 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:02.039 And what the devil does is that he accuses us, 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:04.940 he persuades us that we aren't really saved. 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:12.420 That our sin is too bad or too secret or too ongoing to possibly be covered by the cross. 00:16:14.020 --> 00:16:18.140 Sometimes he causes us to accuse ourselves like that, 00:16:18.280 --> 00:16:20.480 turning our own thoughts against us. 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:24.760 Sometimes he uses others to accuse us, 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:30.240 well-meaning friends focusing in on one sin or another and condemning us for it. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:34.660 Sometimes he uses our circumstances to accuse us. 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:38.060 Persuading us that whatever is going on in life, 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:40.860 the cards that fate has dealt us, 00:16:41.380 --> 00:16:44.400 wouldn't possibly be so bad if it wasn't for our sin. 00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:49.260 And sometimes the opposite is true and isn't this tricky. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:53.660 He persuades us that we are righteous enough on our own. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:57.559 The devil loves to accuse us. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:01.980 And so by faith, we've got to put on this breastplate, 00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:05.799 which is the righteousness of Christ, his righteousness, 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:10.819 because that is what it takes to make us acceptable to God. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.539 The breastplate of righteousness. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.379 Next, have a look at verse 15 with me. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:24.200 Verse 15, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:29.260 Paul says the right footwear is really important. 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:36.340 Take yourself back to World War II and imagine that instead of those sturdy, 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:40.800 if slightly damp combat boots, you're wearing a pair of high heels. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:46.480 Or as my wife Katie put it the other day, as we looked at this passage together, 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:49.019 you wouldn't want to climb Everest in flip-flops. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:55.039 They're silly examples, but Paul is saying that in the spiritual battles of Christian life, 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:59.319 our spiritual shoes are essential as we stand. 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:02.519 Did you notice in verse 15? 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.559 Why? 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:07.119 You notice what this spiritual footwear is for. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:13.440 It says there, the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.160 The gospel of peace. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.879 Peace between us and God. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:24.240 And as a result, peace between us on earth. 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:30.759 We heard last week from Graham about the various relationships in the Ephesian church. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:36.220 The variety of age and gender and socioeconomic status. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:43.519 Paul says that the gospel that has brought you peace with God also brings you peace with one another. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:52.720 And not only that, but you must be willing and ready to share that gospel peace with those who don't yet know it. 00:18:52.720 --> 00:19:00.839 For us here at Brunsfield, we also live in a multicultural city, don't we? 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:05.140 And in many ways, our church here beautifully illustrates that. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:14.060 But it is a sad truth that we still tend to gravitate towards people who are just like us. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:22.280 And it's because the devil does not want us to be gospel people who live in peace with God and therefore with each other. 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:25.980 And he does not want the gospel of peace to be proclaimed. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:32.960 But we can be willing to extend this gospel of peace to unlikely people. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:36.279 To those who don't look like us. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.539 Who don't talk like us. 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.539 Who don't think like us. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:49.519 You know, it really is my experience that putting on this footwear and stepping over the pain line to share the gospel with unlikely people. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.680 Can just be so encouraging. 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:57.299 Because I think God uses our willingness to step out for him like that. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:03.059 To defend us against the accusation that the gospel of peace is powerless. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:10.220 Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:15.119 Next, have a look at verse 16 with me. 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:24.079 Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.419 Faith. 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:33.279 Not a willful attempt to convince themselves of things for which they have no evidence. 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:37.859 But the gift from God that unites them to Christ. 00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:42.359 By which, as we've seen, they are seated in the heavenlies with him. 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:47.759 By which, as they grow, they walk into who they have been made to be. 00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:50.839 This is what the Ephesian church needs. 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:51.919 Faith. 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:58.500 But what are these fiery arrows that the shield of faith is protecting against? 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:03.419 I think, certainly, the devil's schemes in general. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:09.979 But I think, maybe more specifically, the fears and doubts that attack faith. 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:15.140 The things that undermine the Ephesians' identity in Christ. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:23.640 I think what Paul is saying is that those niggling fears and doubts are a little bit like the sting of pain caused by an arrow. 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:26.500 But remember that these are fiery arrows. 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:32.279 And it does not take long before fears and doubts burst into flame. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:44.319 What feel like small fears and doubts in this life, if they are not dealt with, with the gift of faith, can so quickly become a much bigger problem. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.639 You know the feeling, I'm sure. 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:52.460 When a friend asks a question about God and it completely stumps you. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:22:00.059 Or you see the horrific behavior of a group of people who call themselves Christians and it's just so discouraging. 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:09.420 Or as the devil accuses you in your sin and you begin to doubt the life-changing power of the gospel in your life. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:17.620 Friends, in those doubts and in those fears, we have the wonderful gift of faith. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:22.600 Faith that God in Christ is our personal Savior. 00:22:23.820 --> 00:22:27.420 Faith in his promises that he never fails. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:32.840 Faith in his providence that he is always in control. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:37.279 That is the defensive power of the shield of faith. 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:40.099 And Paul says, take up this gift. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:48.339 The final gift then is the helmet of salvation in verse 17. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:54.379 Paul takes this image of the helmet directly out of Isaiah chapter 59, 00:22:54.740 --> 00:23:00.679 where the Lord wears the helmet of salvation as he wins the victory for his people. 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:05.779 See, salvation is what the Lord has done for us. 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:13.080 The devil deceives us, causes us to doubt, to be discouraged and to fear. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:18.140 And through all of that, the devil is attacking our assurance of salvation. 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:25.980 The church in Ephesus desperately trying to walk against the tide of the culture around them. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:32.579 And the devil would be accusing them in their sin and telling them that what Jesus had done for them on the cross was not enough. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.599 But it's a lie. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:41.940 Friends, there is nothing that we can do or have done that can separate us from the love of Christ. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:48.660 He has done everything necessary to restore us to God and to seat us with him in heaven. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:56.320 And this helmet is simply a wonderful reminder of that salvation that he has won for us. 00:23:57.540 --> 00:24:02.779 And actually, all of this armor, the whole thing, it's a gift from God. 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:05.640 It's about what he has done. 00:24:06.300 --> 00:24:12.540 In verse 11, it's his mighty power in which we are to be strong and to stand. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:21.460 Before we move on, just note that to stand in this battle, no one piece of armor will do. 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:26.720 Did you notice that in our passage in verse 11 and in verse 13, Paul says, 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:29.159 put on the full armor. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:34.879 If we're going to have any chance of standing at all, we're going to need all of it. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:38.619 But God does not stop with the armor. 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:45.619 He gives us spiritual weapons with which to fight back against the devil's schemes. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:49.739 Two spiritual weapons, I think, were given from this passage. 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:53.879 The first, have a look at the second half of verse 17 with me. 00:24:55.219 --> 00:24:59.139 The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:07.459 We cannot separate the Spirit and the word that the Spirit has inspired and continues to act through. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:12.400 And so as we read the Bible, God's word, as we share it with others, 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:16.500 even now as it is preached, his Spirit is at work. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:22.220 And he is a most effective weapon against the devil's schemes. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:28.420 One of the first things, as we've already seen, that the devil does in the story of the Bible 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:32.120 is cause mankind to doubt God's word. 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.920 Did God really say? 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:39.860 That's the line that the devil used to sway Adam and Eve. 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:42.539 And the same is true today. 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:46.740 We don't use swords in warfare today, do we? 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:53.580 Because they're just nowhere near as effective as guns and bombs and whatever else the army use. 00:25:54.300 --> 00:25:57.620 And I think we've sort of done the same thing with God's word. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:26:04.959 We've believed the lie that it's no longer effective, that it's not relevant anymore, 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:10.739 that we need something other than the Bible to help us really know the Lord and fight the devil. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:18.199 But through his word, the Spirit is at work in us and in those that we share it with. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:23.660 And it is a most potent weapon against the schemes of the devil. 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:28.299 The second weapon, and it's linked to the Spirit. 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.779 Do you see in verse 18? 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:31.920 Have a look at verse 18 with me. 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:54.740 Now, prayer isn't mentioned specifically as a weapon, but it seems to flow on here with the reference to the Spirit. 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:57.640 And I think there's just such an emphasis on prayer here. 00:26:58.099 --> 00:27:03.980 I think Paul wants the Ephesians to take up prayer as a spiritual weapon. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.759 Did you notice that emphasis? 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:13.000 He says, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers for all the Lord's people. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:16.599 Paul says, just get praying all the time. 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:19.120 Pray in all ways. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.799 Pray for all people. 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.400 Pray. 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:26.660 And three things, I think, that Paul says to get praying for. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.840 Pray for yourselves. 00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:30.320 You see that? 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:32.540 All kinds of prayers and requests. 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:40.180 Friends, don't hesitate to ask God to act in your life, to aid you in this battle. 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:46.360 Pray, too, for other Christians, for all the Lord's people, Paul says. 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:49.000 Pray for your friends at church. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:52.160 And even pray for those folks in the church down the road. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.519 They're in this battle, too. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:28:00.900 And finally, in verse 19, Paul asks them to pray for him. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.680 Have a look at verse 19 with me. 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:12.539 Pray for me also, that whenever I speak, words may be given me, so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:19.399 And then at the end of verse 20, pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:29.559 He's asking them to pray for him and specifically to pray for him as he shares the good news with folks who don't know Jesus. 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:37.700 And so we, too, can pray for those who don't know Jesus and for each other as we seek to share him with them. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.980 So pray for yourself. 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:45.740 Pray for other Christians and pray for a world that doesn't know Jesus. 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:49.960 These are our spiritual weapons in this battle. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:57.440 This is how we will win back ground through the word of God and by prayer, both empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:05.799 Now, a quick reminder before we finish from Paul that we don't do this alone. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:09.400 Have a look at verse 21 and 22 with me. 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:33.400 I just think that's such a wonderful picture of how early Christianity functioned. 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:39.920 As these guys traveled from place to place, sharing these letters and encouraging each other. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:45.560 Maybe when we're allowed to travel again, next time you go on holiday, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:49.540 even if you just head up to the highlands or down to the Lake District, 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.540 why not find a local church there? 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:58.700 Allow yourself to be encouraged by the people there taking up this armor and standing against the devil's schemes. 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:01.860 And why not encourage them, too? 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:04.740 Share what's going on here at Brunsfield. 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:06.179 Pray for one another. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.859 We do not do this alone. 00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:16.119 Now, as we finish, let me take you back to the war. 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:21.099 Your hands are still painfully numb on your rifle. 00:30:21.959 --> 00:30:24.939 Your toes are swimming in your socks. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:31.320 And then that pregnant silence gives birth to officers' whistles and the whistles of artillery 00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:34.100 and then shouting and explosions and it's chaos. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:38.559 You stand up and there are hundreds of little boats just like yours. 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:42.019 Thousands of men running onto the beaches to fight. 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:47.559 The enemy might have been defeated on D-Day, 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:54.779 but they continued to fight brutal brattles like this one for more than 300 days before the war was over. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:59.519 Friends, Christ has won the victory. 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:02.180 The outcome is sure. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:04.740 But be under no illusions. 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:07.740 The enemy is still active. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:12.000 And he wants to bring us to our knees. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:16.820 So take up what we've been given to survive the battle. 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:19.320 Take up the gift of spiritual armor. 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:22.500 Take up your spiritual weapons and fight, 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:26.519 knowing that the victory is sure. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:28.759 Let me pray. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:41.139 Heavenly Father, thank you so much that you have done everything to win the victory in this battle. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:46.019 That we know that in Christ we fight on the winning side. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:50.960 Would you help us to take up this armor, 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:53.480 to wear it daily? 00:31:53.480 --> 00:32:00.400 Would you help us to, through your word and by your spirit and as we pray, 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:06.099 win back ground against the devil's schemes in our lives and the lives of those around us? 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.120 Amen.