TAKING A STAND FOR THE WORK OF GOD
TEXT: Eph. 6:13 (read 10-20)
The book of Ephesians opens with the word GRACE.
(Verse 2)
The book closes with the word GRACE
(Verse24 chapter 6)
The writer of the book to the Ephesians is the Apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit inspires him to write to encourage the church and point out to them being in Christ provides the victory and power to stand against all the wiles of the enemy. The work of Jesus at the cross assured us the victory and the power to overcome through the grace afforded us who are in Him.
Christ is the head of the Church, His body, and through His authority, we have received the grace to live victorious according to His plan and will.
The Church is The Body of Christ. Each believer has an exalted position through grace and is to have a walk in accordance with that position.
Jesus established our position at the cross. The Holy Spirit in working on our condition to bring it into conformity with our position according to God’s will.
Verse 13: Take the whole armor of God
“Because of what we face”
That you may be able to withstand in the evil day
“Refers to resisting and opposing the powers of darkness”
Having done all, to stand
“This refers to the believer not giving ground, not a single inch”
Jesus gave no place to the enemy (Devil, world, flesh). He took complete authority over them in His earthly ministry and triumphed over the Devil at the cross. This victory gives the Holy Spirit the latitude to give us the power to overcome also. This is the victory that Jesus Christ obtained on our behalf through His death, burial, and resurrection.
PICTURE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
2 Samuel 23:8-23 (Look at verses 8-12)
The people of God were under attack much of the time. The way to victory is often found in the leaders of the people. The bible has many to choose from. There was Abraham, Moses, Sampson, David, and in our text Shammah. The Lord Jesus Himself is the greatest example.
1. One called Adino, meaning, delicate or ornament
A ornament to God’s mighty power
2. Second called Eleazar, meaning, God is helper
Israel was being defeated, the soldiers were fleeing.
One man stemmed the tide, one man who had faith.
He fought the enemy until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. ( The sword which is the word of God )
The word of God becomes our strength in battle.
3. Third called Shammah, meaning, loss
The Philistines had gathered together into a troop.
Enemy building a force to take from God’s people
There was a piece of ground full of lentils
“Even though all of the others have fled, I will stand my ground and defend what is rightfully mine,”said Shammah.
The Lord gave him special strength and, thereby, a great victory was won.
We see in this story God is going to take one called “loss” and turn HIM and his situation into a great victory for him and God’s people.
Two things we must consider:
1. Faith does not go into action until we put it into action.
2. You must declare, I am not moving or running any more.
Mat. 16:13-19 (18)
Jesus makes this declaration before all of heaven and earth.
“On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail”
Jesus is the builder and He uses us by providing the keys that open to us what is available through the Holy Spirit to be victorious and succeed.
With the power of the Holy Spirit the church is not to be defensive but offensive. The church is not moving back from the enemy but is to go forward therefore the position of the church in Christ should be,
“ move back gates of hell, here comes the church”!
Shammah did not wait for someone to inspire him. He recognized the enemy and that was enough inspiration to exercise his faith in God and take a stand.
Having done all to stand was putting his faith in God and what He would do.
We can, having done all to stand, stand by simply putting our faith in Christ and what He did for us at the cross. We put our faith in His victory at the cross in order we might obtain the power to stand.
Ephesians tells us:
Through the grace of God,
We are seated together in heavenly places- SIT
We are to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called- WALK
We are exhorted to stand against the wiles (Plans) of the enemy-STAND
Shammah, which means (Loss) says:
I will stand by faith in God.
I will defend what is mine.
I will declare victory over the enemy.
I will receive God’s victory.
I will retain my ground.
I will give the enemy no place. (not an inch)
I will not loss anymore.
“Having done all, to stand, I will stand!”
We as believers are to put our faith in the finished work of Christ and that is taking a stand.
I will stand in faith in God.
God will defend what is mine.(Christ and what He did for me at the cross)
I have the victory over the enemy through Christ.
I will receive the victory that is in Christ Jesus.
I will retain my ground (my position in Christ) through the Holy Spirit.
I will give no place to the enemy through Christ who strengthens me.
I will not loose anymore for He won the battle for me.
“Having done all to stand (by putting my faith in Christ and what He did at the cross for me)
I WILL STAND!....I WILL STAND!....I WILL STAND!
I am SEATED with Him by grace!
I am graced to WALK worthy of Him!
I am graced to STAND victorious in Him! |
