MPC, 30th March 2003.Ephesisans 6:10-23 "Battle Plans"
Phil Campbell MPC, 30th March 2003.
If you've switched on a TV or a radio or picked up a newspaper in the last week or two, you don't need me to tell you there's a war on.
Mind you, apparently even now in some parts of Baghdad, life has some degree of normality. Taxi drivers, smiling as they fleece journalists for all the American dollars they can get their hands on. Hotels. Charging exhorbitant rates. Markets that operate during the day time. And lock down for the bombings at night. And pretend it's not happening.
Easier for us. Turn off the telly, tune the radio to 24 hour easy listening music, don't talk to your friends... and pretend it's not happening. Which in spite of how tempting that might sound, isn't real. And isn't entirely wise.
Now as we come to the end of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we'll see he wants to remind the Christians he's writing to there's another kind of war on. And it's a spiritual war. You can pretend it's not happening. You can block your ears and you can cover your eyes. But in the end it's very real. And you're caught up in it - whether you like it or not. And no matter how comfortable you want to make your bunker, we're living in a war zone.
I want to take the opportunity today to take a quick look back through where we've come in Ephesians. And pull together some threads. As Paul's doing. So we'll be doing a little bit of Bible flipping. To ask the question first of all, what sort of world it is we're living in.
Is the world basically a good place full of good people doing good things - with the occasional glitch? Or is it the other way round? And what's going on behind the scenes?
There's a thread that's been running right through Paul's letter. And you'll see where we're heading on the outline. Because the reality is, since the fall in Genesis 3 we're living in a deeply divided world. Living in rebellion against God. Living, as Jesus puts it, under the rule of the prince of this world. Which is what he calls Satan. Ephesians 2 verse 1 and 2, Paul calls Satan the ruler of the kingdom of the air.
Now get the picture. Here's the world we're living in as the Bible sees it. We need to pick up from verse 1. Ephesians 2.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Welcome to the real world. A world with Satan at work... Satan whose strategy is very simple. To whisper in your ear, do what you feel like. And forget about the consequences. Satan. Who paints bad as good. And good as bad. And Satan is the prince of this world. Paul calls him The ruler of the Kingdom of the Air, the spirit world. The motivating force behind every act of evil.
Turn the page. Chapter 4 verse 17. Because the fact is, the Devil has got lots of willing volunteers. And again, it's a picture of what the world looks like. What people look like. What by nature you and I look like. It's a verse we've seen before.
It's a dark world. Darkened in understanding. It's a world that prefers darkness to light. A world like the kitchen floor at midnight - and you turn on the light, the cockroaches scurry for cover.
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
In Britain in the last few weeks there's been competition for a community television license. And the two main applicants were a Christian consortium. And a pornography baron. Who do you reckon got the license? Welcome to your new porn channel. Because when it comes to a choice of Jesus or pornography, what do you reckon the world is going to prefer?
Paul says, that's the people around you. So de-sensitised by the pursuit of pleasure that they're constantly lusting, never satisfied. Hungry for any kind of impurity they can find.
And the Devil's always looking for a foothold. Especially with Christians. Looking for a way in. Chapter 4 verse 26. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, and don't give the devil a foothold.
Even in how you handle your anger... the devil is looking for opportunities... to bring division. And dissension. And discord.
Because that's the sort of world it is. A dark world. In which we're called to be different. Chapter 5 - verses 8 to 11. "For you were once darkness... but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light... Goodness... Righteousness... Truth... Have nothing to do with the fruits of darkness.. but rather expose them."
And so be careful. Be watchful. Stay on guard. Because you know what you're up against.
Verse 15 in chapter 5 Paul says, be very careful then how you live... not as unwise but as wise... making the most of every opportunity... because the days are evil.
And it would be easy to be discouraged, wouldn't it? I mean, as we look around, as we see so much evidence of evil, of hate, of war. Browse yesterday's newspaper. In the space of two pages, you've got kids assaulting teachers with a baseball bat, you've got allegations of price fixing by fuel companies, you've got unions at war with their management, you've got ATSIC Commissioner Geoff Clark convicted after a pub brawl, you've got a classic road rage murder. And then there's you. And your family. And work. And the in-laws. Endless opportunities for conflict, for disagreement, for division, for selfishness. because the days are evil.
And yet in the midst of it all, God has a grand plan.
And the grand plan is devastatingly simple.
That into the kingdom of the prince of this world comes Jesus the Christ. Who calls together a people. Out of the darkness, into the light.
And we first saw it spelt out in chapter 1 verse 9 and 10.
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment... to bring all things in heaven and earth under one head.. even Christ.
And in his death and his resurrection, chapter 1 verse 20, Christ has been raised and been seated... at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms. To rule. Over all the forces of darkness. far above, verse 21, all rule and authority and power and dominion and every title that can be given.... Putting all things under his feet. For and on behalf of his people... the church.
And so when we looked at chapter 3 verse 10 there was that great reminder that through his church God is making a huge advertisement to the spiritual powers... that the forces of evil are undone. That the forces of division and dissension and of spite are overcome. By this great coming together of all kinds of people, of Jews and Gentiles, across ethnic boundaries you could never have imagined. Loving one another.
Chapter 3 verse 10. His intent was that now through the church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ.
Now there's the incredible thought... that through us and the way we incorporate one another, through us and the way we love one another, God's actually demonstrating something to the devil. And that is, the evil will not prevail. Through us and the way we love and forgive and have integrity and share and maintain honesty and sexual purity, through the way we put off the old ways and put on the new ways, there's a cosmic announcement going on. And a picture of what the age to come is going to look like. Through the church... God's wisdom is being broadcast to places and entities we can't even begin to imagine.
So, when the going gets tough, what are you going to do?
I mean, that's what it boils down to. And that's how Paul's going to bring the letter to a close.
So let's come back to chapter 6. And take heart.
Finally, says Paul.. and it's more literally, for the remainder, for whatever time that's left, keep going. If you're thinking things are tough, you're right. We're in a war zone. If you think there's lots of darkness around, you're seeing things as they are.
But for the time that's left, be strong in the lord, and in his mighty power. Don't think it's up to you. Call in the big guns. And put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Because as we've seen, there's more to our struggle than meets the eye. Paul says it's not just a struggle against flesh and blood... verse 12... but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
So what do you do? I mean, given that he's said we're in this dark place and we're up against the forces of the devil, it's got the makings of your worst nightmare. Of the ultimate horror movie. And yet as you read what Paul's saying, there's a confidence in it.
We live in evil days. But we've got all the armour we need. Just make sure you put it on and don't get complacent. And so on Paul goes with his famous picture of a Roman soldier in armour. It starts in verse 13.
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The question is, when Satan does his worst to tempt you, when the dark days of testing come, are you going to be left standing... or not? It's tragic, isn't it, when you see Christians fall. Sometimes in subtle ways... you just sense they're drifting away. Different life goals now. Somehow the materialism has just set in and become a determination. Or maybe a teenage girl, and the temptation of the non-Christian boyfriend just gets too much. Or you start Uni, and move out of home and the temptation is to let go of your faith.
Or sometimes you get prominent Christians who crash and burn in spectacular sin. Usually sexual. And you think how did that happen?
The goal is to stand firm. And be left standing. And here's the armour that helps. Read from verse 14.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Now our Bible study groups through the week pulled those apart. And looked back at what Paul's already said in Ephesians about truth. And righteousness. About the gospel of peace that gathers the church. About faith. Which is our salvation when it's faith in Christ Jesus. About the word of God.
If you'd like a copy of the study to chase up the links, see me later. But rather than go into detail, can I just take a moment to highlight the obvious? That the armour Paul's talking about here is the armour of absolutely basic stock-standard entry-level no-frills Christianity.
And it's important to see that. Because it seems to me there's so much superstition going round when it comes to the devil. Whose greatest goal is to draw us away from the Lord Jesus. Who we're meant to keep trusting. Whose greatest goal is to draw us away from righteousness. Which we need to keep putting on.
You know, apparently the reason we say bless you when somebody sneezes is that a few hundred years back they figured when you sneezed you sneezed out some demons. And if somebody didn't say bless you, they'd come right on in. A Chinese restaurant we know, there are two stone lions guarding the front door. They're there... to keep away demons. Throw salt over your shoulder. Maybe that works as well.
Or in some churches maybe they want to slay you in the spirit. Make you fall over backwards. To drive out the devil. Special prayers said special ways, special techniques in special books. When in the end Paul's saying this. He says, "Yes, it is a dark world. Yes, Satan's at work to undermine God's church. And yes, you do have to stand firm."
But you've been given the armour already. And it's the basic stuff. The salvation that came to you in the gospel. It's the full kit.
So hang on to the truth of the gospel of peace. Keep your faith firmly in the Lord Jesus. Get serious about growing in righteousness and getting rid of the rubbish. And keep hold of the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Keep reading your bible. keep trusting your Lord Jesus. And, he says, keep saying your prayers. Because in the end, it's not your battle. But God's battle.
Paul says, be alert. And keep praying. Praying for all the saints. Praying for me. So that whenever I open my mouth, verse 19, I'll be fearless. In making known the mystery of the gospel. The message of Christ. The gospel that calls Jews and Greeks and Arabs and Turks and Iraqis and every other race you can think of into the family of the people of God. Reconciled to God. Reconciled to one another.
I mean, that's the big problem they're foreseeing with the other war, isn't it? The one on the news. That there'll be Arabs and Kurds, there'll be Sunnis and Shi'ites, there'll be Ba'ath Arab Socialists. Who according to one commentator, have never been able to agree on anything. Which is the nature of the dark world we live in.
To which Paul says, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Which would be a good thing to be praying today. Because in God's big picture, it's proclaiming the gospel that builds the church of God. That calls together all kinds of people to be united under Christ. No matter where they've come from.
And so we need to be praying for boldness to keep unapologetically preaching Christ. Paul's in chains for it. Because the gospel wasn't then and isn't now politically correct. Because the gospel cuts across the domain of the prince of this world. And says there's another kingdom. That God's got a plan for the world --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, Jesus Christ. That says God's church, whether it looks like it now or not, is the bride in preparation for the wedding day... growing more beautiful in righteousness and love. Until the day comes when the times will have reached their fulfillment.
So stand firm. And keep praying. As we should.
Can I ask you this morning, are you doing that? Where do you reckon you're going to be... five years down the track. Ten years? Are you going to stand your ground? Or gradually be pushed backwards? More committed to your job; less committed to Jesus? More committed to your mortgage; less committed to Jesus? More committed to your garden; less committed to Jesus?
It's tough, isn't it, to stay committed - because I guess there are some of you who are saying, "What's the point?" Bible Study group. Done that before. Church. Dull. Loving each other. Just ends in disappointment. Integrity. Over-rated. Which of course is Satan talking.
Stand firm. And let's together keep at the challenge of being light to a dark world. Hope in the hopelessness. At peace with God and one another while we hold firm against every challenge. Paul's final wish is in verse 23... "Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love."