Coachlight Bible Study – Ephesians Chapter 6
Implements of War
The book of Ephesians teaches who the church is, and that the individual members should conduct their lives here on earth, as God had planed before the “foundations of the world.”
Chapter one began teaching the work of the Godhead. The Father planned everything by choosing His people to walk holy and predestinating His people to be adopted by His Son. This is referred to in chapter four as the vocation of God’s people. The Son paid the price and will take possession of the Father’s plan, and the Holy Spirit seals God’s peoples’ inheritance until that possession by dwelling inside each individual member of the Church.
Paul then teaches the Church’s standing with God by explaining how far the Gentile had come all because of Christ. He does this with a metaphor, comparing the Church and a building. This building has a foundation that Paul explains as the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, and individual members as the building blocks. The apostles and prophets are used by God to reveal the “mysteries hidden from understanding in the past”, and the bricks all work together in harmony for the praise of God. The banner of this “new lifestyle” is “One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, through all, and in you all.” This can only be accomplished by the renewing of the mind. The result of this renewing of the mind is a holy lifestyle, or walking worthy of our vocation.
This walking worthy is explained with a metaphor of putting off old, worn-out clothes, and putting on new clothes. The Church has a new lifestyle, and it grieves the Holy Spirit if the Church reverts back to its old ways. Chapter five goes deeper into the concept of the Mystery of Christ and the Church. When each member of the Church is walking in the Light being filled with the Spirit, each one is acting out the Mystery that God “foreordained before the foundation of the world.”
Chapter six explains the warfare for every Christian. This is so the Christian can stand strong in God’s mighty power, thus guarding against the devil’s evil cunning devises. We find it is all centered around God’s Word as all things are were, are and forever will be.
The Book of Ephesians |
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FOCUS |
Who Is The Church |
The Walk Of The Church |
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REFERENCE |
1:1-2 |
1:2-23 |
2:1-22 |
3:1-21 |
4:1 |
5:1-21 |
5:22-33 |
6:1-24 |
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DIVISION |
Salutation |
The Church’s Standing With God |
The Church’s Access To God |
The Fellowship Of The Mystery |
Walk Worthy Of The Calling |
Walk In Love As Children Of Light |
The Mystery Of Christ And The Church |
The Walk For The War |
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TEMPLE METAPHOR |
The Foyer |
King’s Audience Chamber |
King’s Throne Room |
The Wardrobe Room |
Psalm And Worship Room |
The Armory |
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TOPIC |
Revelation |
Lifestyle |
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PURPOSE |
The Purpose Of God |
The Purpose Of The Church |
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INTENSION |
To reveal the “Mystery of the Church”, with each member called by God and walking worthy of the calling. |
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I. Be Strong In The Lord
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
A. This third section is really part of the second part of Ephesians
1. We have already been taught concerning the calling
2. We have already been taught concerning “walking worthy of the calling”
3. Now tied intrinsically into the walk is the conflict of the believer
B. This teaches the Christian how to be strong in God’s Power – Not Man’s
II. The Conflict
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A. We Have An Enemy – The devil
1. The “wiles of the devil” will be seducing
2. The “wiles of the devil” will sound logical
3. The “wiles of the devil”, if not fought against, will be bondage – Christ said:
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Then the Pharisees couldn’t understand, because they put their faith in their lineage from Abraham, and didn’t understand the bondage that they were in, So Christ said:
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
John 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
B. Paul spoke of this same bondage, Even a believer can be ensnarled:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {for sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin}
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind<5426> the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
5426 fronew phroneo fron-eh’-o - from 5424; TDNT-9:220,1277; v
think 5, regard 4, mind 3, be minded 3, savour 2, be of the same mind + 846 2, be like minded + 846 2, misc 8; 29
1) to have understanding, be wise
2) to feel, to think
2a) to have an opinion of one’s self, think of one’s self, to be modest, not let one’s opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty
2b) to think or judge what one’s opinion is
2c) to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious
3) to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for
3a) to seek one’s interest or advantage
3b) to be of one’s party, side with him (in public affairs)
C. We are taught that the way out is to control our mind – Soak it with the Word
Remember this is the same word used in Colossians:
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection<5426> on things above, not on things on the earth. {affection: or, mind}
D. Our battle is not against people here on earth
E. The battle is in the Spirit relm
1. If we continually set our mind on the earthly we will be trapped
2. If we continually set our mind on the Spirit, we are set free
III. Put On The Complete Armor of God
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {having overcome all}
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
A. God has given us all armor
B. These are not ordinary implements of war – We have a different enemy
C. This is a command to put it all on - Now
C. This will enable the Christian to overcome and then continue to stand
D. The Armor Consists of:
1. The defensive armor
a. Your loins girt about with Truth (Girdle of Truth)
Truth from Word of God – Light that dispels darkness
b. A breastplate of Righteousness
Protects vital organs by means of righteous conduct
c. Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel (Shoes prepared by Salvation)
Ready-ness to perform God’s pleasure – not self
d. Shield of faith – Doesn’t let the enemy in
Total dependence on God’s might power does not let the enemy in
e. The helmet of salvation
2. The only offense Needed: (Without it the enemy will eventually get through)
The Sword of the Spirit – (Word of God)
E. Remember how Christ fought off the “wiles of the devil”
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Quote Deuteronomy 8:3)
Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. {tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof}
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Duet. 6:13)
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
F. Remember how Christ will defeat the “Seed of the Serpent”
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
G. Remember What He Said About His Word
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. {spend: Heb. weigh}
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Isaiah 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. {the unrighteous…: Heb. the man of iniquity} {abundantly…: Heb. multiply to pardon}
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
IV. Pray Always
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. {in bonds: or, in a chain} {therein: or, thereof}
A. Prayer and the Word Should Never Be Separated
1. Studying the Word needs to be done with prayer – (As Paul’s prayers)
2. True prayer comes with knowing the Word
B. Pray in the Spirit - The Holy Spirit prays through us – Back to Romans 8
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. {because: or, that}
C. Watch with all perseverance and supplication for the saints – And for Paul
V. Conclusion
Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Ephesians 6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Ephesians 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen