27. With Good Will Doing Service

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Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians

Knowing Your Privilege in Christ

 “Be Strong in the Lord”

Ephesians 6:10-24 (KJV) 

10Finally, my brethren, be strongin the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Standtherefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, andhow I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and thathe might comfort your hearts. 23 Peace beto the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace bewith all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. 

OUTLINE

  • Warfare Against Spiritual Darkness (v10-12)
  • Wearing God’s Amour for Protection (v13-18)
  • Well-Being of an Ambassador in Bonds (v19-24)

INTRODUCTION

The book closes with the final equipping of the saints for spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul candidly reveals to Christians that they are living in Satan’s world. They are to expect the devil to seek to create havoc to thwart their good work and walk with God. There will be spiritual attacks that the believer is expected to fend off. The Apostle shows us the wherewithal to wage a good spiritual warfare. He himself is in the thick of the battle, he was a prisoner in the dungeons of Roman bondage as he writes his letter. It is ironic, a man in bonds encouraging the freedmen. But this is what the grace of God will enable a man totally yielded to his God to do, to fight the good fight of faith.

Be strong in the Lord is the command of the Apostle Paul to his comrades in arms. Trust the power of God to help you as you uphold His Name. And he tells them to withstand the onslaught of the enemy, to stand, showing us how we can stand against the enemy.

After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, Joshua and the people of Israel were commanded by the Lord to arise and go over the Jordan to inherit the Promised Land of Canaan. They were encamped Shittim near the crossing of the Jordan River bordering the city of Jericho.

You recall 40 years prior to their commanded entry, 10 spies were sent to survey the land and the report was that it was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey but it was also a land populated by hostile giants. Out of fear, the people refused to enter the land and perished in the wilderness. It was a new generation that has arisen whom God will lead to inherit the Promised Land. Joshua, Moses’ minister will be their leader. 

You recall how the Lord said to Joshua many times to be strong and be of a good courage. The Lord knew the enemy will seemed formidable in the sight of his servant and had to fortify him against doubting God’s ability to do His will for Israel to inherit the land.

Joshua 1:2-9 (KJV) 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, evento the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, soI will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous,that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it tothe right hand or tothe left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God iswith thee whithersoever thou goest.

What great assurance the Lord gave to Joshua so that His will be accomplished through Joshua courage and obedience.

The Apostle Paul at the close of his life encourage Timothy to be courageous to fulfill God’s calling for his life to preach the gospel, setting himself as an example. 

2 Timothy 1:6-10 (KJV) 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called uswith an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 

Again, he was in prison when he wrote 2 Timothy.

Three thoughts:

  • Warfare Against Spiritual Darkness (v10-12)
  • Wearing God’s Amour for Protection (v13-18)
  • Well-Being of an Ambassador in Bonds (v19-24)
  • Warfare Against Spiritual Darkness (v10-12)

10 Finally, my brethren, be(become) (Pre. Pass. Imper.) strongin the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on (Aor. Imper. Mid) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able (Subj, Mid) to standagainst the wiles (scheming, craftiness) of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers (authorities), against the rulers of the darkness of this world (world-rulers), against spiritual wickedness in high places. (heavenlies)

The verb “strong” is an imperative (command) in the passive voice. It means “to become able to do something, to become able, to become capable”.