“Victory Over The Darkness, Part 2”
Ephesians 6:10-24
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction: We are told to “stand” four times in this passage of Scripture. “Stand” refers to holding your ground in a battle. We are in a war against Satan and his forces. This is a vicious, life and death struggle. How can we stand and emerge victorious? We looked at the first two principles last week. They are:
I. We can live in victory over the darkness by understanding our Enemy in the battle (v. 11-12).
II. We can live in victory over the darkness by using God’s Energy for the battle (v. 10-13, 18).
Let’s look at the other two this weekend. They are:
III. We can live in victory over the darkness by wearing God’s Equipment for the battle (v. 14-18).
IV. We can live in victory over the darkness by sharing God’s Encouragement for the battle (v. 18-24).
III. Our Equipment: God’s Spiritual Armor
Paul is using the illustration of a Roman soldier. The teaching also seems to be rooted in Isaiah 59:17. However, I think it is also important to note that we are really to look at it as clothing ourselves in Jesus when we put on the spiritual armor (see Romans 13:11-14). The implication is that we are to be in full armor continuously. Let’s examine the individual pieces of armor:
1. Truth: James Boice writes, “Strictly speaking, the Roman soldier’s belt was more a part of his dress than his armor. It was made of leather and was used to gather his garments together as well as hold his sword. Yet it was part of his war equipment, for it gave him a feeling of inner fortitude and strength when tightened. According to Paul’s teaching, the Christian’s belt is truth. It is to be his inner strength, which gives him confidence.” It refers to:
Scripture (John 8:32, 17:17)
Living out the truth (2 John 4, 3 John 4)
Living with personal reality and the absence of hypocrisy (Matthew 15:7-9)
Honesty (Ephesians 4:25)
Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)
2. Righteousness: Scholars debate as to whether the breastplate was made of metal or chain mail, but either way, the point is the same. Kent Hughes writes, “Whatever the exact style, its function was to ward off the deadly thrusts of the popular short sword, thus protecting the vital organs, especially the heart. This is what righteousness does.” Biblical righteousness is both:
Positional (2 Corinthians 5:21, Zechariah 3:1-5)
Practical (1 Peter 1:16)
3. Peace: Hughes writes, “The image Paul has in mind comes from the Roman soldier’s war boot, the caliga, or half-boot which the legionnaire regularly wore while on duty. It was an open-toed leather boot with a heavily nail-studded sole which was tied to the ankles and shins with straps…These boots served for marching, especially in battle. Their function was like today’s cleated football shoe. They gave the foot traction and prevented sliding. Much ancient battle was hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot, like on the line of scrimmage, so these boots gave the Roman soldier an advantage over ill-equipped foes…The spiritual lesson here is perfectly clear. It is ‘the gospel of peace’-the peace that comes to us in and through the gospel and makes us immovable in battle.”
Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
Peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Importance of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Spreading the Good News (Romans 10:15)
4. Faith: Hughes writes, “The Roman scutum or shield was made of two layers of laminated wood, covered first with linen and then with hide, and then bound top and bottom with iron, with an iron ornament decorating the front of it. A man could put his entire body behind it as it absorbed the javelins and arrows of the enemy. In the case of flaming arrows, very often the arrow would snuff out as it buried itself in the thickness of the shield…This is the picture Paul presents us: As we are battling in warfare, the enemy launches repeated volleys of blazing arrows-temptations, stratagems, deceptions-to inflame us and bring our demise. But up come our shields of faith (as we trust God and his Word) into which hot arrows thud harmlessly…It is no exaggeration to say that during earthly life multiple thousands of deadly blazing arrows are launched at the Christian warrior by demons and by demon-oppressed culture. But the answer is faith. The Apostle John wrote, ‘And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith’ (1 John 5:4, NASB). Why? Because faith binds us in vital, deep union with God. Faith is not just belief; it is belief plus trust. It is resting in the person of God and his Word to us.”
5. Salvation: Hughes writes, “Roman military helmets were of two types: the galea (made of leather) or the cassis (metal). The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and plates for the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect the neck. When the helmet was strapped in place, it exposed little besides the eyes, nose, and mouth…Virtually the only weapons which could penetrate a metal helmet were hammers or axes. No soldier’s uniform was complete without a proper helmet.” The helmet of salvation applies to:
The assurance of salvation and the resulting confidence that it brings.
Belief in the goodness of God.
Our future hope.
The importance of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).
6. Word of God: John MacArthur writes, “The sword to which Paul refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six to eighteen inches. It was the common sword carried by Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in hand-to-hand combat.” This is our offensive weapon in the battle. It is what Jesus used against Satan (Matthew 4). However, it is also a defensive weapon that can be used to deflect the attacks of the enemy. We cannot be victorious Christians without taking up our sword. It is absolutely imperative for us to get God’s Word in our lives through reading, study, meditation, memorization, listening, and application.
7. Prayer: It is not connected to a specific piece of armor. In a sense, it is how we put on the armor. We are also to pray for others.
Continually
Various Types of Prayers
Spirit-led (Romans 8:26)
Watchfulness (it means to stay alert)
Perseverance (keep on praying)
Intercession (praying for all the saints)
IV. Our Encouragement: Brothers and Sisters in Christ
The point is that we are in this battle together as believers! Paul used the phrase “fellow soldier” at least twice in the New Testament. Soldiers are dependant upon each other for their survival and well-being. This text clearly mentions praying for each other, sharing our lives, and giving words of encouragement. We are to be united in love as a practical expression of the gospel. Also, we are to be united in our mission of building the Kingdom of God and making disciples of all the nations. We have to be united together because we are doing this in the face of great opposition!
Conclusion: Are you a Christian? Are you clothed in the armor of God? Are you united together with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you fighting the battle?
