Stand firm!

Text: Ephesians 6:10-18• 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and

in the power of His might.11 Put on the wholearmor of God, that you may be able to standagainst the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do notwrestle against flesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, against powers, against the rulersof the darkness of this age, againstspiritual hosts of wickedness in theheavenly places.

• 13 Therefore take up the whole armorof God, that you may be able towithstand in the evil day, and havingdone all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore,having girded your waist with truth,having put on the breastplate ofrighteousness, 15 and having shodyour feet with the preparation of thegospel of peace;

• 16 above all, taking the shield of faithwith which you will be able to quench allthe fiery darts of the wicked one.17 Andtake the helmet of salvation, and thesword of the Spirit, which is the word ofGod; 18 praying always with all prayer andsupplication in the Spirit, being watchfulto this end with all perseverance andsupplication for all the saints—

Theme: STANDING FIRM

Introduction!

• The church in Ephesus is much like any othercongregation I have ever seen. There arestruggles that constantly arise.

• (Satan IS always active, trying to stir things up;we are at war, spiritually.)

• In Ephesus, there are cliques” groups that lookdown on others, sort of despise them; divisionbetween those of Jewish heritage and thoseof non-Jewish heritage.

• Our modern day struggles usually have adifferent basis, but the same source(Satan).

• In this passage, the divinely inspiredApostle tells Christians under fire, how tostand firm in spiritual warfare.

• When there's an earthquake, big buildingssometimes collapse while other buildingsstand firm.

• They go through identical tremors (Vibration)but the response is quite different.

• We talk about standing firm because weshould make sure that when the inevitable(un-expected) tremors of life comes our way,our faith does not collapse -- that it shouldstand firm at that time.

You must be strong in the Lord and put on His full armor, so that you may stand firm

against the enemy.

• Exodus 14:13• Do not be Afraid. Stand Firm

and you will see the deliverance the Lord will

bring you today.

• For us to stand firm I understand apostle Paul that trying to emphasize

these three words

Know

Feel

Do

KNOW: THE SOURCE OF YOUR STRENGTH

(v.10-11)OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM THE LORD, NOT IN

OURSELVES

Human will power, alone is not enough for us to stand firm.

Note that Paul says..."be strong IN THE LORD" .

"in the power OF HIS MIGHT"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in

the power of His might.

The point is, we are not left to ourown feeble (Weak) strength!

But there is "divine strength" thatwe can "put on" to protect us in the"battles" we must face.

•

• Because of the divine strength we can stand firm though we have different weaknesses!

• 2 Corinthians 12:9a-10

• 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

• 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (Illness), in reproaches (Criticism), in needs, in persecutions, in distresses (Suffering), for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Feel: THE NEED FOR THIS STRENGTH (11b-13)

For us to Stand Firm we have to desire the need of equipping ourselves for us to withstand in

the evil days v13.

A lot of Christian’s today stop in desiring the need of the of strength from God .

• Psalm 27:4• 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,

That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house ofthe LORD. All the days of my life, To behold thebeauty of the LORD. And to inquire in His temple.

• The psalmist simply saying that, As a Christian weneed not to stop feeling or desiring the armor ofGod. Just Because you found God Doesn't meanYou stop Seeking Him.”

• God gives us several years to live, in all of thatyears He always opened His arms to meet andgive us what we need. Therefore this will be astrong reminders that we should not stop seekingand Serving Him to the fullest!

DO: Put on God’s full armor so that you may stand firm against the enemy.

• .11 Put on the whole armor of God, that youmay be able to stand against the wiles of thedevil.

• 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God,that you may be able to withstand in the evilday, and having done all, to stand.

• 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waistwith truth, having put on the breastplate ofrighteousness,

• This verse imply that we have to takeaction by equipping ourselves. We need not tolimit ourselves, it did not stop from just knowingthat there is God who gave us armor for us tostand firm nor the FEELING or DESIRING to puton. But also, to TAKE ACTION for us towithstand the works of evil

Conclusion

• Stand firm AND WEAR THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. God is working in

your life right now, in ways you cannot understand.

• This message was a compilation of• Rev. Juanito D. Samillano Jr.

• Resident Minister of Independent Baptist Church of Gredu Inc.

• Purok Sili, Gredu, Panabo City.• Email add:

• juanito_samillano@yahoo.com• Face book acount: Ibcp gredu and

Juanito D. Samillano• Website: www.ibcgi.org