2009-08-30
Ephesians - Spiritual Warfare
Steve Lane

A. Review/Introduction
Submission and headship: Revival is required
The Christian home - big picture
Obedience and Submission
Why is this so important? Why does he jump into this? Things go better for you when you obey. But, whose responsibility is it in this case?
Obedience of a child requires love and truth from the parents.
Truth without love is brutality -- in all of our relationships.
But, love without discipline encourages self-rule!

B. Work as if You Were Working for the Lord, Not Men

Ephesians 6: 5 - 9
Living in a right way is key to working in a right way - overflowing Christ.
A by-product will, of course, produce integrity, honesty and discipline at work.
Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, the best that it can be done.
A job does not have to fulfill you. God reserves that for Himself.
Is your focus on working for Christ and adequate provision? Or, is it ambition or prestige?
1 Peter 2: 11 Our citizenship is in Heaven, and we are to lay up treasure in our real home.

When you think about your mom or dad, what impacts you?
Not at the expense of training and instructing your children, and investing in others.
We are to be tent makers. Our real purpose is the cause of Christ.

C. Spiritual Warfare (Introduction) Ephesians 6: 10 - 12

A soldier is not putting on his gear primarily for his own cause, but for a greater cause.
What is it that Satan and the demons are opposing?
The Gospel
He is fighting to hold onto souls in bondage.

Are you attempting to just use the armor of God just for personal defense?
Do not assume that evil is unorganized.
We must grab the promises and go faithfully into battle.

1 Peter 5: 8 - 9
Ephesians 2: 1 - 3
The enemy is capitalizing on those who are being dragged away by their own sinful ways.

Ephesians 1: 19 - 21
Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.

We need to progress beyond always being engaged in internal conflicts to wage war.
Moving on in Romans 6 and Galatians 2: 20

He has many schemes that fit into his agenda, such as division in the church, and self-focus.
2 Corinthians 2: 11 Division, distraction, wrong desire and many other tricks.

Maybe you need to pray differently and ask God to deal with the foe...
Ephesians 6: 18 - 20

We need prayer warriors to wrestle and overthrow enemies attacking the church.