Fighting for Hope

August 9, 2020
Randy Hageman

The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? —Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. —Romans 15:13 (ESV)

Christian, biblical hope is a

expectation, an assurance of the way things will be through Jesus Christ.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope —1 Timothy 1:1 (NAS95)

The Bible is extremely clear –

is our hope!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. —Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. —Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)

There’s a

going on in the supernatural realm, and it’s spilled over into our natural realm, and we don’t possess any supernatural powers.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. —Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT)

Satan has been

, but he’s still free and looking to take down as many with him as he can.

Rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea. For the Devil has come down to you in great anger, and he knows that he has little time. —Revelation 12:12 (NLT)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. —James 4:7 (ESV)

In Christ, through the power of God, by His Spirit, we have the power to “

the devil.”.

We need

strength and armor to stand up to the spiritual warfare in this world.

Paul says in vs. 11 that he is writing this to teach us how “to stand against the schemes of the

.”

…the devil…rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. —Ephesians 2:2 (CEV)

Paul says the devil is

than any human being who tries to battle him in their own strength – he has supernatural powers.

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. —2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

Paul tells us how to battle Satan using God’s strength – put on or “take up the whole

of God.”

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name. —Exodus 15:2-3 (NAS95)
The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. —Isaiah 42:13 (NAS95)

As we put on God’s Armor, we are, in a sense, putting on

– taking his power through the Holy Spirit to battle evil and the enemy as God always has.

This armor is only available to Christ

– the Holy Spirit enables this armor, and he only lives in Christ

Reveal Answer

.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. —Romans 13:14 (NLT)

It’s important to already have Christ living in us and growing us, so that when evil attacks, we’re

.

Stand therefore …. —Ephesians 6:14a (ESV)

…having fastened on the belt of truth…. —Ephesians 6:14b (ESV)

Paul was probably speaking about both the basic character issue of telling the

as well as avoiding the temptation to give into false teachings and bad theology.

…the truth is in Jesus —Ephesians 4:21c (ESV)

…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. —Ephesians 6:14c (ESV)

[The LORD] put on righteousness as a breastplate… —Isaiah 59:17a (ESV)

The body armor addresses both living a God-honoring life of

as well as affirming that Christ followers already have

Reveal Answer

standing with God because of Christ’s death on the cross for us.

…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. —Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)

God’s

keeps us sane and secure in the midst of life.

Jesus: I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. —John 14:27 (NLT)

For [Christ] himself is our peace… —Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)

Christ has restored peace between us and God by dying our death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, so that we are made right or justified and once again have

with God – there is no longer the separation of sin.

And [Christ] came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. —Ephesians 2:17 (ESV)

There’s no better way to defeat an enemy than by being used by God to help them become a

of Jesus Christ.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; —Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)

The Christ follower is protected from the enemy’s fiery darts that create

about God and His teachings by using the shield of faith.

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. —1 John 5:4 (NLT)

…and take the helmet of salvation…. —Ephesians 6:17a (ESV)

The helmet of salvation is the

and hope that God has begun transforming us in this life into new creations, and we will someday experience the fullness of God’s salvation when we arrive in heaven.

…let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The helmet of salvation is designed to give you and me hope. —1 Thessalonians 5:8-9 (NIV)

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God —Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

We are called to defend ourselves and attack the enemy through our knowledge and claiming of specific

.

Paul doesn’t say choose this piece of armor or that piece – he says in vs. 13 to “take up the

armor of God.”

MODEL PRAYER OF SALVATION

Dear God,
I realize I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son.
I believe the Good News that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin, but he did not remain in the grave, for on the third day You raised him to life.
I choose today to trust him as my Savior and to follow him as my Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which You offer to me as I welcome Jesus into my life.
Please guide my life and help me to do Your will all the time, so that I strive to be Jesus’ disciple, model my life after his by helping others become his disciples, too.
I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Next Week: Praying for Hope