5. ENDOWED WITH GREAT RESOURCES (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. "

"The Greek 'endunamoo' translated "be strong", "To make strong", vigorous - used in the passage to be strengthened, become strong in connection with Hebrews 11:34." The Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible

Samson is certainly an example of one whose weakness was turned to strength. We are commanded to stop being weak and become strengthened with supernatural strength. To continue weak and vulnerable to our foes is not only unnecessary , it is our fault, not the Lord's. He waits to give us strength, faith responds to the call and becomes strong.

All we could possibly need to overcome is "in the Lord." He is the great storehouse of our abundant resources.

The word for power in this instance is 'kaatos' meaning force, strength, might, more especially manifested power, dominion. Lexicon to the N.T. Spiros Zodhiates. Th.D.

We are not invited to try out as yet, untested power. Far from it, in Jesus Christ we have power already demonstrated and manifested before us, triumphing over disease - death - the devil and his demons and every domain. In Him there is proven power to make us victors with Him. The original word for "might" 'ischus' speaks of the actuality of His power.

In the case of the basic ischus there is more emphasis on the actual power. In 'dunamis' - there is implied ability or capacity. Spiros Zodhiates

The might of Christ the Lord becomes available to us when, in union with Him, we exercise our dependant faith, and obediently "be strong."

Ephesians 6:11 "... may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. "

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The Schemer We Are Up Against Is A Real Person, Satan

(Job 1:6; Isaiah 14:12; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:13 ). Satan is a deceiver, liar, murderer (John 8:44 ), the tempter who is out to take advantage of us (1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 2:11 ).

	he is a hinderer (1 Thessalonians 2:18 ).
	he is the accuser (Revelation 12:10 ).
	he is prince and ruler over evil spirits (Ephesians 2:2 ).
	he is prince of this world that is opposed to God (2 Corinthians 4:4 ).
	he originates false, demonic worship (1 Corinthians 10:20-21 ).
	he counterfeits true christianity (2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 2:9 ).
	he is subtle (2 Corinthians 11:14 ).
	he is destructive (Hebrews 2:14 ).

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We Are Up Against The Evil Forces Aligned With Satan

Helpfully, Dake lists with explanations, these four kinds of spirit rebels Ephesians 6:12.

1. Greek 'archas' - principalities, chief rulers or beings of the highest rank and order in Satan's kingdom (Ephesians 6:12; 1:21; Colossians 2:10 ).
2. Greek 'exousias' - authorities, those who derive their power from, and execute the will of the chief rulers (Ephesians 6:12; 1:21; Colossians 2:10 ).
3. Greek 'kosmokratopas' - world rulers of the darkness of this age, the spirit-world rulers (Daniel 10:13-21; Ephesians 1:21; 6:12; Colossians 1:16-18 ).
4. Greek 'pneumatika ponerias' - spiritual wickedness, that of the wicked spirits of Satan, in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:12; 1:21; Colossians 1:16-18 ). Dake's Annotated Bible

We know what we are up against and are not dismayed because we have the impenetrable armour of God.

We literally fight against a literal enemy. Notice in Ephesians 6:11 and 12 "against" is used six times. Our fighting is very close up. It is described as "wrestling" (Ephesians 6:12 ). It is a conflict not with flesh and blood, that is, the human and the visible - it is a fierce battle with a superhuman and invisible foe. But a fight in which victory is assured us as we are clothed in the armour of God.

Ephesians 6:11,13 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

"Standing" indicates watchfulness against a devious enemy, and a readiness in the strength of the Lord. In the "evil day" of attack we withstand and overcome the foe. "Done all" will include taking full advantage of the attack to inflict as much damage as we possibly can, then "to stand." the battle won - then watchful alertness and readiness is resumed.

We have the whole armour of God for defensive and offensive warfare. Our part is to "put on" (Ephesians 6:11 ) and "take up" (Ephesians 6:13 ) "the whole armour of God." All has been provided by God. You need to see that every part is in place.

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The Girdle Of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)

The whole of our life and being in the grasp of truth, so that it is experienced in the "inward parts." (Psalm 51:6 ) - so that action can be taken in the freedom of truth (John 8:32 ) - and the whole behaviour of life is truth (3 John 4 ). No pretence or compromise for the foe to get hold of.

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The Breastplate Of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)

The covering of all our vulnerability with Christ who is our righteousness - and Christ living out His own righteousness through us making our breastplate dazzling and daunting to the enemy (Galatians 2:20 ).

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The Shoes Of Preparedness (Ephesians 6:15)

Keep agile and progressive and active in God's will by the good news of peace. Not to have peace is like walking in rugged terrain without shoes. There is nothing that slows up publishing the gospel so much as disturbed personal peace. That is why we need our peace guarded by God (Philippians 4:7 ) and to keep our minds on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3 ).

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The Shield Of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

The flaming, destructive missiles are quenched upon the shield of faith. The original word for "faith" used here is 'pistis'. Its sense of assurance of faith is applicable here - the word is translated "all faith" (1 Corinthians 13:2 ). That miracle working faith, faith in the spoken word of God, never fails to bring down Satan's missiles - no matter how clever the making of the devices he launches against us.

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The Helmet Of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

Our mind is protected from Satan's deceptions. The vital truth of our salvation in Christ our Saviour, tests and discounts all that is contrary to it, even Satan's delusions and defilements are resisted by the helmet of salvation. We can say with the psalmist

Psalm 140:7 "O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. "

When others are confused as to the times and the seasons (1 Thessalonians 5:1 ), so that Satan has them in a drunken stupor (1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 ), we are to have on the helmet, the hope of our salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8 ). That is, our minds steadied - sober - supported by the sure expectancy of the consummation of our salvation ( Thessalonians 4:17 ). It is His helmet we wear and He will have it on in the day of the final settlement. (Isaiah 59:17-18 ).

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The Sword Of The Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)

We have the example of Jesus Christ in its use to deal with Satan (Matthew 4:7,10 ). Notice the sword of the Spirit is the (Greek 'rhema') Word of God. A word spoken or uttered - it is the operative or all-powerful word or commandment of God. The sword the Word, is not only the supplied written Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit - He supplies the effectual word for us to speak in any conflict, to put Satan to flight.

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The Praying With All Prayer (Ephesians 6:18).

The spoken word, the sword of the Spirit is in association with "supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18 ). The idea of conflict has not been dropped - every form of prayer is to be employed - all the time - in every variety of circumstances, with watchfulness and perseverence with the emphasis on "in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18 ). (Jude 20; Romans 8:26-28; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 ). Not only for ourselves, but for all saints (Ephesians 6:18 ), and for those in the front line of the battle (Ephesians 6:19-20 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Is it excusable to be weak and vulnerable before your spiritual foes? (Ephesians 6:10 ).
2. Are you familiar with the whole armour of God, as one who constantly has it on - so that you can explain any and every part of it? (Ephesians 6:11-17 ).
3. Would you equate praying with all prayer, with the sword of the Spirit, as an offensive weapon in spiritual warfare? (Ephesians 6:18 ).