“Suit up in Godliness”

(Ephesians 6:10-24)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

March 21, 2021

The Passage

Ephesians 6:10-24

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation 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 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

21 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Introductory Comments:

Well, here we are, church. We are at the end of our study of Ephesians. Hard to believe isn’t it? It went much faster than the book of Matthew!

Today, we’re going to hear from Paul about putting the final pieces into place concerning what God has for us in the book of Ephesians. Starting all the way back in chapter 4, Paul has been discussing the application, or living out, of that which he taught us in the first three chapters. Now, Paul is speaking to us in a way that he tells us to wear the things that he’s taught us in the book of Ephesians. So, let’s learn this together. 

Before we begin the sermon, let’s go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.

(prayer)

Any good writer or speaker knows that you have to finish what you are writing or saying with a good conclusion. Well, this is Paul’s conclusion to this letter. 

Paul has already stated all throughout Ephesians that we are in Christ and because we are in Christ we have access to all the incalculable riches of God, which are found in Christ. One of the blessings that is part of the riches of Christ is the strength of God. Paul speaks about that strength in this passage. 

As Paul speaks about the strength of God, he gives us this illustration of a soldier’s armor. That takes us to our first point:

I. Our godly armor (vv. 10-17) [on screen]

Paul speaks here about armor so that we can visualize putting on the strength of the Lord. The armor in and of itself is not significant, it’s what the armor represents that is significant. The armor represents certain aspects of God’s strength, which are readily available for the follower of Jesus Christ. 

So, let’s look at the passage and then learn from it. Look at verses 10-17:

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces i