Sunday Worship 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Minister: Dr William (Bill) J M Parker
1. Spiritual Warfare is Real! — Ephesians 6:10-12
Spiritual Warfare
Sermon Date: 7th January 2018 (am)
Spiritual Warfare is Real! - Ephesians 6:10-12
Main Teaching Point:
In life the Christian is in a continual battle with the devil and the spiritual forces of evil.
Why look at the subject of spiritual warfare?
- There is a tendency to ridicule the existence of the Devil. I am certain that one of the main causes of the ill state of the church today is the fact that the devil is being forgotten. All is attributed to us; we have all become so psychological in our attitude & thinking. We are ignorant of this great objective fact, the being, the existence of the devil, the adversary, the accuser, & his fiery darts. (D M Lloyd-Jones)
- Many misunderstand what makes up the spiritual world. They see more fairies than Devil and demons.
- All people are born into a spiritual battle (Colossians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
- When a person is born again the spiritual battle intensifies.
- The Devil seeks to destroy the harmony/purity of God’s people.
The Spiritual Battle Described (6:10-12a)
It is wrestling
(6:12a).
A personal struggle. The imagery is from the ancient Games where contestants engaged in intense hand-to-hand combat. The Christian is in a personal spiritual wrestle with the powers of darkness.
It is continuous
wrestling.
Finally (6:10a) means for the remaining time. The Christian life is a continuous spiritual battle.
Can you identify with this imagery? Do you wrestle with sinful habits or thoughts? Wrong desires? Blasphemous thoughts that just shoot into your mind? Temptation to sin?
Who the Wrestle is NOT Against (6:12b)
Flesh & blood.
People. We experience conflicts with people: arguments, disharmony, violence, terrorism but the struggle is not only
on that level. Ultimately the opposition is another power lying behind conflicts with people/structures who simply are, as John Calvin describes them, darts thrown by hand of Satan.
Who the Wrestle IS Against (6:12c)
The wrestle is against demonic forces. It is:
1. Spiritual opposition.
Satan opposes God’s most special creation – human beings.
2. Structured opposition.
The nouns may refer to a hierarchical structure or spheres of influence.
There are 3 characteristics of this opposition;
- Scheming.
The Greek word is methodia, methods (6:11b). It is subtle, not open, attack.
- Powerful
(6:12).
- Evil
(6:12). There are no Geneva Convention regulations in spiritual warfare! Our spiritual opposition fights dirty.
Christians must appreciate that they are in a continual, personal wrestling contest with the devil and the spiritual forces of evil.
Conclusion—The Battle, the Enemy, the Saviour!
What is the starting point for victory and success in this mighty conflict? Realise you are in it!
Martin Luther’s hymn A Mighty fortress sums up the truth of Ephesians 6:10-18:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work his woe;
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate-
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
Doth ask who that might be? Christ Jesus, it is he!
Lord Sabaoth is his name, from age to age the same;
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also:
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Jesus is the Victor! And in Him Christians are victors too (Colossians 2:13-15).
© Dr Bill Parker 2018