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Now let's dive into today's teaching with Pastor Skip Heitzig. Of all of the descriptions that you could think of for a Christian man or woman. I'm thinking words like Encourager Peacemaker Faithful one. Of all of the descriptions like that that you would think of that should describe a believer. Probably fighter is not one of them.
One who fights, one who contends. And yet, that is what we are moving into in the last section of this book as we deal, as you heard. By Antoine tonight, we're dealing with the warfare of the believer. And so we need to learn how to fight. Not just Learn what we have in our wealth, learn what we should do in our walk, but learn how to fight with the weapons.
of our warfare. Years ago, I bought a book because it was recommended. It was called The Invisible War. I think I still have it. I tried to find it in my library, but.
It's not as organized as I'd like, so I had a tough time locating it today, but it's called the Invisible War. It is by Donald Gray Barnhouse, and he, I've quoted him before, of all of the books he's written, this perhaps is his finest, as he traces. Warfare In the heavenly realms, between God and the adversary Satan, a created angel who fell. Traces it. Before History as we know it began.
Throughout history on into the end times. In also the life of the believer. It's a fabulous book called The Invisible War. You probably have to get it digitally, though you can find a used copy. I think you can find it on Amazon if you're interested.
But it. On spiritual warfare is one of the finest books. That I ever bought and read. Yeah. It's true.
We are fighting a war.
Now, on the day I was saved, I didn't know that. On that afternoon of July nineteen seventy three. When I prayed to, how many of you were even, how many of you were not born then?
Okay, so way back in prehistoric days when I was saved. In July of 1973, And I asked Jesus to come into my life. I felt such. Joy I felt such peace. I often tell the story.
I didn't hear a voice. I didn't see any sign in heaven, but I felt something. I felt. Peace, I felt a sense of joy, I felt a sense of satisfaction. I felt like a a burden had been lifted.
But as time went on, I discovered that because I had. Made friends with God. And I had become friends with Christ, that I, by default, inherited His enemy Because I align myself with a different kingdom. The kingdom of light.
Now the kingdom, the king, the prince of darkness in the kingdom of darkness that I had once been aligned with, who hates my new friend, Had his sights aimed at me. And I have discovered this strange. Dichotomy in my life. That I have both abundant life. and abundant warfare.
I have peace deep within. And I have a battle deep within. At the same time, both of those things are true. And so we find this. Language.
peppered throughout the New Testament. Paul writes to young Timothy, and he says, fight. The good Fight. of faith. He also writes to young Timothy: endure.
Hardship. as a good soldier. of Jesus Christ. And then at the end of his life, In 2 Timothy. He writes again to Timothy his closing statement.
Paul says, I have fought. The good fight I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. And now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord The righteous judge will give to me at that day, and not only to me, but all to those who have loved his appearing.
So, all of this language about fighting and being a soldier. And ending his life by saying, It's done. I have fought the good fight. And it's now time for me to go to heaven.
Well, that is the language that we find ourselves in. On the battlefield here in chapter six, beginning in verse ten.
Now, Since we only have a few verses to cover, allow me to sum up the book so far. And I know you've heard some of this stuff before, but the more you hear it, the more you'll remember it. You know, listen, I'm not ashamed to repeat myself. Peter even did. He said, I know you've heard this before, I've said it before.
But I'm going to say it again. Because it's needful.
So The book of Ephesians, we've told you about, can be divided into three sections. The first is the Tell me. Wealth of the believer. Chapter 1, 2, and 3. The second section is the Walk of the Believer, chapter 4 and 5.
On into the first part of chapter 6. And the third part, beginning in chapter 6, verse 10, is the warfare of the belabor.
So chapter one. Opens up In the courts of heaven. And pictures us as seated. With Christ. In heavenly places.
That's the foundation. You need to know who you are and where you sit positionally. You are in Christ. You are hidden in Christ. God sees you already in heavenly places.
You're positionally there because of his promise.
So it opens in the courts of heaven, describing our wealth, who we are. Then In chapter two. We are given the bank account of heaven. God, who is rich in mercy, writes Paul. The riches of his grace.
He mentions also in that chapter. In chapter three, We're taken into the living room. of the kingdom of God. We're introduced to the family. Jew and Gentile.
No difference before God. If you're a believer in Christ, the middle wall that separated us, the wall of division is broken down. There is no separation. We all have access. Through Christ to the same God Because of the finished work of Christ.
So that's the wealth of the believer. In chapter four, verse one, he introduces us to walking. worthy of the Lord And then he describes the worthy walk.
So that's the second section. Beginning in chapter four, on into chapter five, we are to have a walk. We are to walk in humility. We're to walk in unity. We're to walk with diversity using different gifts to build up the body of Christ.
were to walk in sanctity or in holiness, not like the world. Chapter 5, Where to Walk in Love, Where to Walk in Light, Where to Walk in Wisdom. And we're to walk with integrity. in our relationships with our family at home. Husband, wife, wife, husband, children, parents.
even unto bond servants and masters.
Now In chapter six, verse ten, Paul moves from the wealth and the walk. to the warfare.
Now he takes us to the battlefield. And we smell smoke. And just when you were going, oh, but I like the wealth of the believer, and I like learning about the walk of the believer, I don't want to fight. I'm sorry. You have no choice in the matter.
You're a target. You're being targeted. Satan is out to destroy your life. to neutralize you, to make you ineffective. To make you inconsequential.
You, therefore, I therefore, we therefore cannot be spiritual. Pacifists. If you try And saying, no, I don't want to fight, then you will fall. And you will fail. You need to learn.
What you have. Defensively. as well as offensively.
So We discover that Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. In chapter 6, beginning in verse 10.
Now something you should No, I'm sure you've already figured this out. But but where is Paul writing this letter from? Prison And in prison In Rome, the first imprisonment He had a little bit of freedom. He was under house arrest. He wasn't in his second imprisonment.
Or he wasn't like in his second imprisonment, which was in the Mamertine prison, a hole in the ground that was dark and dank, and food had to be lowered. The last moments of his life were miserable. But this was different. In his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul was under house arrest. People could come and visit him.
He could teach the Bible, he could do some kind of evangelism, and Soldiers were chained to him 24 hours a day. In four-hour shifts.
So Because of that, Paul had the advantage of having a captive audience. And I mean that literally. They couldn't leave. They couldn't say, shut up, or I'm going to get out. They couldn't get out.
It was their job to be there for four hours.
So you can imagine Paul saying, hey, have you heard the good news? about Jesus Christ. And how he can break your spiritual chains. And set you free. I'm in these chains, chained to you, but I'm a free man.
Because whoever the Son has set free is free indeed, and I speak to you as a freed man. Man. You're listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. Every day, the generosity of friends like you helps make clear, verse-by-verse Bible teaching available to people searching for truth, direction, and hope. And this month, we want to thank you with two powerful resources to help you follow God faithfully, even when life feels uncertain or challenging.
When you give, you'll receive the Expound Nehemiah 7 Message CD series with digital download, along with Pastor Skip's booklet, Overcoming an Anxious Mind. Together, these resources show you how God rebuilds what's broken, strengthens you when you face opposition, and gives you peace, even in seasons of pressure and waiting. We'll send both resources as our thanks when you give $50 or more to support Connect with Skip Heitzig. Call 800-922-1888 or visit connectwithskip.com/slash offer.
Now, let's return to today's teaching. And he shared the gospel with these soldiers, and many of them, according to Philippians chapter 1 and chapter 4, tell us that they became believers in Christ. But While they were chained to Paul, Paul Was able to look at them, study them. Study what they were wearing as soldiers. Look at their sword, their shield, their sandals on their feet, and use what he saw as this beautiful analogy of warfare.
As we will see.
So In verse 10. Long introduction. But just a few verses to go. Finally, my brethren. Don't be fooled whenever Paul says finally.
Because it doesn't always mean The final finally.
Now this. is his final Closing Statement. But sometimes Paul will say finally and then launch into a whole other thought, like in Philippians chapter 3, he says, finally, brethren. And then, you know, he sort of gets a case of spiritual ADD and focuses on something the Lord has put on his heart and shares. And then finally, in chapter 4 again, he says, finally.
And it's the final finally. But This is his final finale. But just be careful. Every time Paul says finally, it doesn't mean he's done. Just like when.
A preacher says it well, he may go on and on. Finally, my brethren. Be strong. But notice, be strong in the Lord. Be strong as you see yourself in Christ Jesus, in heavenly places.
Think back to chapter one. When you see yourself practically as he sees you positionally, you find strength. Be strong. In the Lord. And In his mighty power, or as my version says, the power of his might.
Put on the whole Armor of God. That you may be able to stand against the wiles of The devil.
Now, in military intelligence, they will tell you that the first. Task that they have to perform. is to find out Who the enemies are. where they are located. and what they are up to, what they may plan on doing.
So The first thing Paul wants us to know is who our enemy is. And he says, put on the whole armor of God, verse 11, that you may be. Able to stand against, here it is, the wiles, and he identifies our enemy, the Devil. According to the Bible, the devil is a real. Person.
An entity. with personality. Not just an evil force, not just the metaphorical summation of all that is wrong with the world. We just like to call that the devil. No, according to Jesus.
He's a real person with personality. A spiritual being highly malevolent. Incredibly intelligent. Who has been doing this a long time and studying human nature a long time? And knows how to craft.
A custom Salvo Temptation On you. Our enemy, the devil. Jesus, speaking of Satan, said, I saw Satan fall. from heaven. like lightning.
I was there. He fell. I saw it.
So according to Jesus, he is real. Whenever Jesus spoke of Satan, he didn't say it, but him, he. He's real. He has personality. Yeah.
Not only is he real, but he is personal. You recall at the Last supper with the disciples, Jesus turned to his friend Peter and he. Called him by his first name, his old name, Simon. He said, Simon, Simon. Satan has been asking for you.
That he might sift you like wheat. But I've prayed for you, Peter. And when you return to me, strengthen your brothers.
So, Satan is real, Satan is personal. D.L. Moody, Dwight Lyman Moody, that evangelist from Chicago so many years ago, said, I believe in the devil. For two reasons. Number one, because the Bible says he's real.
Number two, because I've done business with him. Have you done business with them? We all have. If you're God's friend, and if you're a Christian, you are God's friend. then you are his enemy.
Because you are God's friend.
So, I believe in the devil for two reasons: because the Bible tells me he's real, and because I've done business with him. Oh, by the way, Charles Haddon Spurgeon said. When it comes to the devil, It's good news that he's our Anime. I'd much sooner have Satan as my enemy than as my friend.
So, take refuge in the fact that God is your friend, even if Satan is your enemy. But he is your enemy.
So he identifies our enemy in these verses. Be strong, be strong in the Lord in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God. He's about to list it. that you may be able to stand against the what?
Wilds. Or what are they? What are the wiles of the devil? The Greek word. Yeah.
Methadia methods. Methods, schemes, plottings, plannings. Stratagems. It speaks of somebody who would study somebody else to figure out the proper attack. It was sometimes used of an animal who would study its prey before it would launch an attack.
And Peter identifies Satan as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. These are the wiles. of the devil.
Now Paul. In another place, did say that we are not ignorant of Satan's devices. Yet I must confess, I believe one of the problems of many Christians. Generally speaking, is that we are ignorant of Satan's devices. or at least unaware of them when they come to us.
We might know them on paper, but when it comes to practical day-to-day living, We are sometimes ignorant of his devices.
So, what are his devices?
Well, they're variegated, they're many-colored, there's a variety of them, all, as I said, custom-made. But I think I can generally Sum it up by saying Satan has two main lines of attack. One is An outward assault. A frontal assault, one is a more stealth-like attack. Um One would be persecution, an all-out assault, as I said, frontal attack to persecute the believer, intimidation.
And the other would be infiltration. If the outward assault, the frontal attack, the obvious attack through trials and temptations don't work, Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And so Get Unbelievers In churches to influence true believers in those churches.
So you sometimes have pretenders. in the pew and in the pulpit. Or we might say pretenders in the pew, predators in the pulpit. Paul said that Satan is an angel of light. It's no marvel that his ministers also disguise themselves.
As Ministers of light.
So we put. Everything said. and every person to the test. to find out Uh if there's truth or not Truth.
So you remember when Jesus gave the parable of the sowing of the seeds, and he said, Some seed fell by the wayside, that is the hard, compacted ground, the walkway, the pathway. It doesn't penetrate the ground.
So he said, the birds come along and snatch the seed. He said, that's the devil, that's Satan. He comes and steals the seed before it can penetrate the heart. That's more or less an outward assault. But then he gave another parable of a man who sowed tares.
Into the garden of seed that was sown by the Son of Man, the good seed.
Next to the good seed, the true believers were tares that grew up, and they were. almost indistinguishable from the legitimate plants. And When it was discovered and The servant went to the owner and said, Should I pull up the tears? He said, No. Leave them alone.
Let them grow until The last day, the judgment day. Lest when you pull up the tares, you also pull up the wheat along with them.
So, you have infiltration as well as that frontal assault that we talked about. He says, he explains in verse 12, 4. This is why you should put on the whole armor of God because, or for, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. No, this is not a human battle. This is not fought in the world of humanity and politics, although Satan does infiltrate humanity and politics, and he does use people Who are aligned with his value system?
To wreak havoc in the lives of believers. But we do not wrestle against flesh and blood per se, but There's something behind the flesh and blood, that is principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this age. We've told you before, these are rankings. Of demonic beings, spiritual beings, and High invisible places, like the book I told you about, The Invisible War. Yeah.
Thanks for joining us today on Connect with Skip Heitzig. Before we go, remember, your generosity helps share God's word with people all around the world, offering truth, hope, and encouragement where it's needed most. And this month we'd love to thank you for your gift of $50 or more by sending you the Expound Nehemiah 7 Message CD series with digital download. Along with Pastor Skip's booklet, Overcoming an Anxious Mind. These resources will help you see how God rebuilds what's broken in your life and gives you peace, even in the middle of pressure and uncertainty.
Give today at connectwithskip.com slash offer or call 800-922-1888. We'll see you next time on Connect with Skip Heitzig. Make a connection. Make a connection. Shouldn't Yeah.
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