Pastor Ed Carlson
October 30, 2022
Get Up & Get Dressed
Unseen: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
The
God has already
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
As Christians we face 3 enemies:
- The
- The
- The
Anything in this life (A person, a way of thinking, a community, a culture) that elevates itself and its belief system or way of doing things over an Almighty God and His character and His righteous ways, is a tool of the enemy.
1. The Belt of
In a world that drifts without absolutes, these words are an anchor! Jesus Christ and the Bible (the Word of God) represent absolute truth!
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth
Once lies and falsehood get into the life of a believer, everything begins to unravel and fall apart.
Truth Keeps Everything Together
1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV) 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2. The
Positional Righteousness
Practical Righteousness
Philippians 3:9 (ESV) 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
The
3.
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (ESV) 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
4. The
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
5. The
17 and take the helmet of salvation
Because He was perfect, because He sacrificed Himself, because He shed His blood…He purchased you, you are His and you are saved because of who Jesus is and what He did.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6. The
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Spiritual Warfare requires you and me to engage the enemy close-up.
Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified) For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Let’s Get Up and Get Dressed!