Articles from September 2015

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service September 27, 2015:

XIV. The Warfare of the Church

A. Our enemy—the devil (Eph. 6).

1. His cohorts:

• Principalities. A possible reference to Satan’s “generals” who have the oversight of entire nations (see Dan. 10).
• Powers. May speak of his “privates” who possess human beings (see Mt. 17; Mk. 5).
• World rulers. Those demons in charge of Satan’s worldly business.
• Spiritual wickedness. Those demons in charge of worldly religion.

2. His tactics:

• “The wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
  • Greek scholar K. Wuest writes: “Wiles is methodeia in the Greek, referring to ‘cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery.’ It means to follow up, or investigate by method and settled plan, to follow craftily, frame devices, deceive.” (Ephesians and Colossians, p. 141) (See also 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Tim. 3:7.)
• “The fiery darts of the wicked” (6:16).
  • This has reference to arrows tipped with tar, pitch, or such material, then set on fire before they were discharged (see also 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12).

3. Our equipment—the armor of God (Eph. 6:11, 13-17).

Let us carefully note each piece of armor mentioned here. Paul very obviously takes those pieces of armor worn by the Roman soldier and makes spiritual application to each one.
Vs. 11 –“Put on the whole armor of God”
“Put on” – This is something every believer needs to be intentional about.

The whole armor of God consists of six units:

1.Loins girt about with truth – 14a (the belt of truth)

–A soldier’s tunic was tucked into a heavy leather belt that girded the soldier’s loins.
Truth (the content of that which is true) – The word of God and all its counsel
–Truth enables us to stand against the father of lies – John 8:44
Truth, as mentioned here, probably refers to truthfulness as found in a Christian. Thus a believer whose life is tainted with deceit and falsehood forfeits the very thing which holds other pieces of his armor together.

2.Having on the breastplate of righteousness – 14b

–A tough sleeveless piece of armor made of leather on to which were sewn slices of animal hooves or horns or pieces of metal. The breastplate covered the soldier’s full torso (heart, lungs, and other vital organs).
Righteousness –
A.God’s imputed righteousness to us -2 Corinthians 5:21 (clothed with the righteousness of Christ)
–Walk in dependence on Christ’s righteousness and not our own goodness.
B.Practical righteousness lived in obedience to God’s Word.
Moment by moment obedience to the Lord – holy living
–Imputed righteousness makes practical righteous possible, but only obedience to the Lord makes practical righteousness a reality.

3.Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace – Vs. 15

–A soldier’s shoes or boots were important to protect his feet. They also helped enable him to hold his ground and move quickly.
The preparation – Has the general meaning of readiness
The preparation of the gospel of peace –
A readiness to share the only message that leads to peace with God (Romans 5:1)
–Peace – the gospel brings assurance, peace and life
–Believers are at peace with God (Romans 5:1)
This may refer to the assurance and confidence which come from knowing the great doctrinal truths associated with the gospel. (See Eph. 4:14; 1 Pet. 3:15.)

4.Taking the shield of faith – vs.16

–A soldier’s shield was about two and a half feet wide and four feet high designed to protect the entire body.
The Roman shield was made of wood covered with leather and sometimes metal. Shields were designed to be drenched with water, which allowed them to withstand the fiery arrows of an enemy. A soldier needed only to kneel low and hold his shield over him. And he would be protected.
“Above all”
Faith – Basic trust in God

5.The helmet of salvation – vs.17a

–A soldier’s helmet was used to protect the head from injury; Helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal these helmets usually had cheek pieces to protect the face.
–The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security, assurance in Christ and thought life.
Salvation –
–The helmet is called “the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Past acceptance
Present assurance – The work that is done the moment of acceptance of Christ is an eternal work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit immediately seals that decision and indwells the believer.
Eternal future salvation
The helmet protects the head – the brain, the mind
–The mind is the real spiritual battleground on which the enemy fights his strongest, dirtiest, bloodiest and most important battles.
–We need to monitor our thought life and avoid environments and things that would distort our thinking or tempt us to do evil.
May refer to the intake of Bible doctrine, lest one’s eyes be blinded, his ears deafened, and his mind confused with the attacks from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

6.The sword of the Spirit – vs.17b (See Hebrews 4:12, 13)

–The sword varied in length from six the eighteen inches. It was the principle weapon used in hand to hand combat. It was carried in a sheath attached to the soldier’s belt, it was always at hand ready to use.
–The only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor
The Word of God – the individual text or sayings of the Word of God
(A timely word of God applied to a particular situation by the Holy Spirit).
Knowledge and understanding of specific truths
–A sword does little good if we are unskilled in its use
–We put on the mind of Christ as we memorize and meditate upon God’s Word

God’s Word –

A.Gives direction – Psalm 119:105
B.Purifying agent – Psalm 119:11
C.Source of spiritual food (Nourishment) – Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:
D.Discerner of truth and error – 1 John 4:6
E.Weapon to combat the adversary – Matthew 4:1-13

K. Wuest writes concerning the command in Ephesians 6:13; “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God”: “Take unto you is analambano, meaning, ‘to take up in order to use’

The Place of Prayer: Praying Always – vs.18

Persevering prayer
–Intercede as prayer warriors on behalf of others – vs.18b
A.Prayer is what we do as we put on the armor of God
–Laying hold of our position “in Christ” and God’s promises

Consciously, intentionally put on the whole Armor of God:
“Lord, please help the truth of your Word to dwell in me richly today.  I claim the righteousness that is mine only through Christ and ask that you help me live today in obedience to your Word and will.  Help me be sensitive to your Spirit this day and ready to share the gospel which has given me peace with you.  I choose as an act of my will to trust you and rely on you to accomplish much
this day. Please protect my heart and mind moment by moment as I know that you will complete the good work you have begun in me.  Use the Scriptures today in my life and in the life of others through me for your glory!”

B.Prayer is what we continue to do once we are clothed in the armor
–One of the main reasons believers are so we when the enemy attacks is they do not pray
–It is by prayer that the believer lays hold of strength from the Lord

C.Our exhortation—the trio of success.

1.We are to stand.

No less than four times does Paul exhort us to do this (vs. 11, 13, 14). The believer is never told to attack the devil, but to withstand and resist him (see 1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Thus, when tempted to do wrong, we should flee as did Joseph (Gen. 39:12), but when attacked by Satan for doing right, we should stand firm as did Daniel’s three friends (Dan. 3).

2.We are to pray. (See Mt. 17:21; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jude 20.)

3.We are to watch.

Watch: To keep awake, watch, be vigilant, wake, watchful
–Greek word gregoreo (Strongs # 1127)
–Term is used some 22 times in the NT

A. Alert against Satan
“Vigilant” (same Greek word as used for “watch”)
1 Peter 5:8, 9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Evil spirits – demons

B. For temptation
Mark 14:38 – Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak
–When our spiritual eyes are shut or sleepy, we can fall more easily into sin

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church