Pacific Church

Ephesians 6:10-17a NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

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Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else for everything you do flows from it.

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1. Keep Your Mind on How God Sees You. 
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Ephesians 6:17a NIV 17 Take the helmet of salvation ...

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Philippians 2:12b NIV Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...

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Philippians 2:12- 13 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

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Romans 12:2 NIV  Do not conform to the pattern in the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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1 Samuel 16:11-13 NIV  11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.

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2. Keep Your Mind on What God Says About You.

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1 Samuel 17:22-27;30 NIV

David left his things with the keeper of supplies he ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel.The king will give great wealth…the king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel. 26 David asked the men standing near him. “What will be done for the man who kills the Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the Living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying... and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”  30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.

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1 Samuel 17:31 31 What David said overheard and reported to Saul and Saul sent for him.  

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1 Samuel 17:32

32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him.”

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3.Keep Your Mind On What He Has Already Done.

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Mark 6:47-52 NIV  Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on the land and he saw the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn He went out to them walking on the lake and he was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought he was a ghost. 50 They cried out because they saw him and they were terrified. Immediately He spoke to them and said, “Take courage. It's I.  Don't be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them and the wind died down and they were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves.

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1 Samuel 21:8-9 NIV 8 David asked Ahimelek, “Don’t you have a spear or a sword here? I haven’t brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king’s mission was urgent.” 9 The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” 

1. If the term “Salvation” in the Ephesians list of God’s Armor actually means Deliverance and Freedom instead of our eternal security, How does this change how you view the helmet and what it does? Does it change how you see the journey of walking with the Lord and the processes He is calling us to? How?

2. How does meditating on what God has told you or what He says about you help to change your perspective of battles or struggles? What are two habits that you can put into place to help you do that daily?

3.  What are 3 instances in your life that you’ve seen God move powerfully? Do you have reminders of these to help you easily remember? Why might that be helpful in keeping these at the front of your mind during hard times? 

Ephesians 6:10-16 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

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Ephesians 6:16 NIV 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

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Exodus 17:8 NIV 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 

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Ephesians 6:16 NIV 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

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Ephesians 5:25b-26 NIV

25 (Jesus) gave himself up for her (the Church) 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word…

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1. What are you pouring on your faith? 

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Isaiah 54:17 NASB 17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

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Exodus 17:9 NIV 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

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Exodus 4:1-2 NIV Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

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1. What are you pouring onto your faith?

2. Are you willing to pick it up?

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Exodus 17:10-11 NIV 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

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1. What are you pouring onto your faith?

2. Are you willing to pick it up?

3. Do you recognize that we need others?

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Exodus 17:12 NIV 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 

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Galatians 6:2 NIV 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

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James 5:16 NASB 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

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Exodus 17:13 & 15 NIV 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.  

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1. What are you pouring onto your faith?

2. Are you willing to pick it up? 

3. Do you recognize that we need others?

Ephesians 6:10-15 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  

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Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

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1. IMPATIENCE

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Exodus 32:1 NIV 1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

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2. INFLUENCE

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Exodus 32:1-4 NIV

1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

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Exodus 32:5 NIV 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” 

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Exodus 32:7-11a NIV 7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ 9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

11 But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God.

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Exodus 32:15-19 15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16 The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.” 18 Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.” 19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 

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3. IMPORTANCE

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Exodus 33:7-11

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

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Ephesians 6:14 NIV

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place ...

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Romans 1:16 NIV 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 

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1. COVENANTS and CONSECRATION 

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Joshua 5:2-3 NIV 2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.

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Joshua 5:8-9 NIV 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” 

1. SIDES and the SACRED

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Joshua 5:13-14a NIV

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” 

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Joshua 5:14b-15 NIV Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

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1. SEEING and SILENCE

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Joshua 6:1-2 NIV Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.

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Joshua 6:3-5 NIV 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

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Joshua 6:10 NIV 10 But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 

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1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

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Ephesians 6:14 NIV 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist...

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John 8:44b NIV He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

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1. Who and what defines Truth? 

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John 16:12-15 NIV 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” 

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2. How do we really know the Truth?

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John 8:31-32 NIV

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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John 1:14-17 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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John 4:23-24 NIV

23 ...A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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3. How do we “Put On” the Belt of Truth? 

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John 17:15-18 NIV

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 

Questions:

1. How would you explain spiritual warfare in your own words? Why would Paul use so many military examples to write to the New Testament Church?

2. What defines truth for you? Have you let other things define what is true for you in the past? What are a couple ways you can you avoid that in the future?

3. What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? Why does this matter in living the life God desires for us?

Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

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Ephesians 6:10 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

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1. Your Strength

Ephesians 6:10 NIV  10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

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John 15:4-5 NIV 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

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Exodus 15:1-6 NIV 1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. 2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.

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Psalm 18:32-35 NIV 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. 

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Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

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1. Your Struggle

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Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

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2 Corinthians 10:3-4  3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 

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Matthew 16:24 NIV 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

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1. Your Stand

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Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

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1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

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Exodus 14:10-13 NIV 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. 

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Questions:

1. What is the difference between being strong and being empowered? What does it mean to abide in the Lord? What are 2 habits you can adopt to help you stay in tuned to where the Lord is leading and what He is asking of you?
2. What is spiritual warfare? How might knowing about spiritual warfare change how we see and do things?
3. What does it mean to stand in the context that Paul is describing? What does that mean for you specifically in your current season of life?

1. SUBMIT

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Ephesians 5:21NIV 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

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Ephesians 5:21-24 NIV 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

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Ephesians 5:25-33 NIV 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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2. HONOR  

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Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise — 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

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Ephesians 6:1 NIV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 

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Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” - which is the first commandment with a promise - 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

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Ephesians 6:4 ESV 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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3. DISCIPLINE

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Proverbs 13:24 NIV Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

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Psalm 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

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Ephesians 6:4 NLT 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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Psalm 23:4b NIV 4...Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

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Questions:

1. What does it mean that Scripture tells us to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ? Why does the military picture that Paul is painting matter?
2. How can you honor someone even when you don’t agree with them? How might God use that to draw people to Him?
3. What is your honest view of God the Father/Shepherd? Why do you think you view Him that way? How does that affect the way you approach Him and His Word?

1. SEEDS (PICK them up?)

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Ephesians 5:1 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

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Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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Ephesians 5:3-5 NIV

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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Galatians 6:7-9 NIV

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

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Ephesians 5:6-7 NIV

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

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Ephesians 5:8-13 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

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1. SHADE (HOLD the shade?)

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Ephesians 5:8a NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

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Ephesians 5:11&13 NIV

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

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1. SLEEPING 

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Ephesians 5:14-16 NIV

14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

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Ephesians 5:17-20 NIV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Questions:

1. What does it mean when Scripture says over and over that we reap what we sow? What do you want to reap in your life? What seeds should you be sowing to reap those things?
2. What does it mean to bring God’s light into dark places? Have you ever experienced this? What was the result?
3. What do you think Paul means when he says “wake up sleeper!”? Are there areas of your life that you are sleeping through? What is one practice you can put in place to make sure you’re awake to how the Holy Spirit is leading?

Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

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Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

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1. Gifts of the Spirit

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Ephesians 4:7-8;11-13 NIV

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

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1 Corinthians 12:1; 4-7; 11 NIV

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

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1 Corinthians 14:1a NIV

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit...

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1 Timothy 4:14a &15 ESV

14 Do not neglect the gift you have, ... 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 

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2. Growth in the Spirit

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Ephesians 4:14-16 NIV

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

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3. Grieving the Spirit

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Ephesians 4:17-21 NIV

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 

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Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Questions:

1. Without taking a “gifts quiz”, are there any spiritual gifts that you’ve seen bits of in your life? What are they? If you asked your closest friends, what gifts do they see operating in your life? What gifts are you asking God for?
2. What does it look like to grow in the Spirit? What does it look like to practice spiritual gifts?
3. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit nudging you about something He is grieved over? What did that feel like? How did you handle it? How should repentance play into our daily walk with the Lord?

Ephesians 3:1 NIV   For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Ephesians 3:2-5 NIV 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

Mystery #1 Revealed: Your Access to the Assets

Ephesians 3:6 NIV  6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:7-9 NIV  7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 

Mystery #2 Revealed: Your Assignment and Authorit

Ephesians 3:10-11 NIV 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Ephesians 3:12 NIV 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Colossians 2:9-10; 13-15 NIV 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Luke 9:1-2 NIV 1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Ephesians 3:13-19 NIV 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Mystery #3 Revealed: Your Abundant Acceptance

Ephesians 3:16-17a NIV 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Ephesians 3:17b- NIV 17...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love , 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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Questions: 

1. According to Scripture, what are among the boundless riches of Christ that are available to us? Does your life reflect these? Why or why not?
2. What do you see as your assignment as a Christian and also specifically in this season? What does it mean that you have authority from Jesus?
3. How does beginning to understand God’s great love for all of us affect how the (Global) Church operates? How can we gain a better grasp of this?