Being in Christ, 8
2-3
Mar 2019, Christ Mountain Top
Mar 2019, Christ Mountain Top
Praying
the Psalm, Psalm 27 (6 pm only)
the Psalm, Psalm 27 (6 pm only)
Children,
Joshua 1
Joshua 1
Message,
Ephesians 6.10-24
Ephesians 6.10-24
Mission
Moment,
Moment,
Review, transition:
Blessing
in Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace
in Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace
Power
and fullness in Christ, all in all
and fullness in Christ, all in all
Created
and Made Alive in Christ: Grace through Faith
and Made Alive in Christ: Grace through Faith
Reconciled
in Christ: Near and Far
in Christ: Near and Far
Love and Glory in Christ: Abundantly Far
More
More
Last
week, turned the corner with
week, turned the corner with
Be One: The Unity of the Spirit
Be Subject: Reverence for Christ
TODAY
Be Strong: Armor of God
Who
do we fight against?
do we fight against?
Ephesians
6:11-12 stand against the
wiles of the devil. 12 For
our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
6:11-12 stand against the
wiles of the devil. 12 For
our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Is
God’s plan to create a new society? Then they will do their utmost to destroy
it. Has God through Jesus Christ broken down the walls dividing human beings …
from each other? Then the devil through his emissaries will strive to rebuild
them. Does God intend his reconciled and redeemed people to live together in
harmony and purity? Then the powers of hell will scatter among them the seeds
of discord and sin. It is with these powers we are told to wage war.
God’s plan to create a new society? Then they will do their utmost to destroy
it. Has God through Jesus Christ broken down the walls dividing human beings …
from each other? Then the devil through his emissaries will strive to rebuild
them. Does God intend his reconciled and redeemed people to live together in
harmony and purity? Then the powers of hell will scatter among them the seeds
of discord and sin. It is with these powers we are told to wage war.
John Stott, 261-262
It’s a problem when we make any conflict
personal
personal
That only commits us to the culture
of division
of division
That only erects barriers between us
and other individuals
and other individuals
Or other classes of people
It’s not about the people … it’s about the
“powers”
“powers”
Dealing with someone that I am “at
odds” with
odds” with
Personality uncooperative
Perspective irreconcilable
Principles incompatible
Praying for our enemies (as taught
in AA)
in AA)
Where
do we draw our strength?
do we draw our strength?
From being dressed in God’s armor (6.11, 6.13)
It
is not our truth, but God’s
is not our truth, but God’s
It is not our righteousness, but
God’s
God’s
Gospel
Faith
Salvation
Word
We are dressed in God, outfitted in God.
Wisdom
5:17-20 The Lord will take
his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his
enemies; 18 he will put on
righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; 19 he will take holiness as an
invincible shield, 20 and
sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight
against his frenzied foes.
5:17-20 The Lord will take
his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his
enemies; 18 he will put on
righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; 19 he will take holiness as an
invincible shield, 20 and
sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight
against his frenzied foes.
Revelation
19:15-16 From his mouth comes
a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with
a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the
Almighty. 16 On his robe and
on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
19:15-16 From his mouth comes
a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with
a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the
Almighty. 16 On his robe and
on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Where
do we draw our strength?
do we draw our strength?
From the practice of PRAYER (6.18)
In all prayers and supplications
(manners/types)
(manners/types)
At all times
With all perseverance
For all the saints
Where
do we draw our strength?
do we draw our strength?
From the community of the saints (6.19-24)
Paul, who has been praying for us,
now requests our prayers
now requests our prayers
For boldness, even in chains
(6.20)
(6.20)
Maintaining personal connection
Tychicus, “a dear brother”
(6.21)
(6.21)
Personal greetings
Examples
Prayer
basket for Katie Thomas
basket for Katie Thomas
Church
gathering around the Fenwick family
gathering around the Fenwick family
Resources:
John
R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The
Message of Ephesians, 1979.
R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The
Message of Ephesians, 1979.
