Stand Firm Against the Enemy: Ephesians 6:10-13

Stand Firm 2 by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

I. Our Enemy’s Identity

 

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9

 

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

 

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

 

“Satan” appears 54 times

“Devil” appears 34 times

“Beelzebul” appears 7 times

“Evil one, deceiver, adversary”

“Demon” appears 80 times

 

 

II. Our Enemy’s Intentions

 

. . . so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:11

 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

 

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. Mark 4:15

 

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

 

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25–26

 

 

 

III. Our Enemy’s Influence

 

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, Luke 4:5

 

And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” Luke 13:16

 

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:25–27

 

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18

 

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. Luke 22:3–6

 

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31–32

 

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:18–19

 

 

 

 

IV. Our Enemy’s Defeat-ability

 

·         Our enemy is not invincible.  Although we are no match for his strength, he is no match for God's.  And since God is for us, it does not matter who is against, including the devil and his demons!  He is defeatable because he has already been defeated!

 

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Revelation 12:12

 

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15, NLT

·         Both Christians & demons know & fear the name of Jesus.  We fear with reverence and draw close.  They cower in fear and flee.

·         The mortal wound has been laid.  The death blow has been throw.  Yes, Satan will battle till the end but we know the end and so does he!

·         If Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!

 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

 

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?  Job 1:9–10

 

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:20

 

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:15

 

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:9

 

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Stand Firm: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Stand Firm by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

1. Stand firm with Carefulness.

 

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8

 

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Daniel 6:4

 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

 

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

  

 

2. Stand firm with Conviction.

 

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10

 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

  

 

3. Stand firm with Courage.

 

Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” Daniel 6:13

 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24

 

25.165 ἀνδρίζομαι: (a figurative extension of meaning of ἀνδρίζομαι ‘to be manly’ or ‘to become a man,’ not occurring in the NT) to exhibit courage in the face of danger—‘to be brave, to be courageous.’ στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε ‘stand firm in the faith; be brave; be strong’ 1 Cor 16:13.^[1]

  

 

4. Stand firm with Confidence.

 

Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Daniel 6:21–22

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14

 

  

 

5. Stand firm with Compassion.

 

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

 

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16

 

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^[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (306). New York: United Bible Societies.

Fortress Reading

 

 

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1–2

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; Psalm 31:1–3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-3, 10–11

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. Psalm 48:1–3

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalm 59:9-10, 16–17

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:1–2

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:5–7

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:1–3

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1–2

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, Psalm 144:1–2

A Plea to Make God Your Fortress

 

1.      When God is your Fortress, you will have a foundation that cannot be greatly shaken.

 

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:1–2

 

 

 

2.      When God is your Fortress, you will have a place of rest when the days are difficult.

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1–2

 

 

 

3.      When God is your Fortress, you will always have hope.

 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. . . Psalm 62:5–6

 

 

 

4.      When God is your Fortress, you will never be put to shame.

 

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:1, 3

 

 

 

5.      When God is your Fortress, you will have direction and guidance for your life.

 

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.  Psalm 31:3

 

 

 

6.      When God is your Fortress, you will be equipped for the battle of life.

 

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge. Psalm 144:1–2

 

 

 

7.      When God is your Fortress, you know you have been saved from hell.

 

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3

The Fortress of God

 

I.                    The Fortress of God is a place of security.

 

The most secure place on the planet is the Fortress of God – walking with Him and in obedience to His Word.

 

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. Psalm 59:1–2

 

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. Luke 21:16–19

 

. . . God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 59:10

 

Nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12

 

  

 

II.                  The Fortress of God is a place of strength.

 

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. Psalm 59:9

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

 

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30–31

 

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8

 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

 

 

  

III.                The Fortress of God is a place of steadfast love.

 

My God in his steadfast love will meet me. . . Psalm 59:10

 

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17:7

 

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Psalm 32:10

 

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5

 

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Psalm 25:7

 

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV.               The Fortress of God is a place of singing.

 

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.  Psalm 59:16–17

 

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Psalm 100:1–2

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

 

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:19

 

 

Take Refuge in the Fortress

God is a fortress to those who take refuge in Him!

 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

  

 

I.                    You must have a personal, love relationship with God.

 

I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1

 

He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19

 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

John 15:9

  

 

·         When you have a relationship with God, you want to praise Him.

 

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3

  

 

·         When you have a relationship with God, you want to pray to Him.

 

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. ..

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:3, 6

  

 

 

II.                  You must come to God on His terms, accepting Him for Who He is.

 

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? Psalm 18:31

 

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24

 

‘You shall have no other gods before me. Deuteronomy 5:7

 

‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. . .

 

You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Deuteronomy 5:8–10

 

 

 

 

III.                You must walk with God in obedience to His Word.

 

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

 

. . . The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them. . .  Hosea 14:9

 

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. John 15:10

 

The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. Psalm 18:20–22

 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:7–12

 

As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

Fortress - Psalm 46

God wants to be your impenetrable defense; the Creator of the universe wants to be your place of protection, The One who is all knowing, all loving, all powerful wants to be your place of security.

 

Fortress: With God as our fortress, Next week (how you can make your God your fortress) 2-4 others passages in Scripture that speak of God as a fortress – Repetitive Reinforcement

 

 

I.                    With God as your fortress, you have help when trouble comes!

 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

 

Refuge – Does anyone here need God to be a refuge?

Strength – Does anyone here need God to be their strength?

Help – Does anyone here need God to be their help?

Trouble – God does not promise that life will be trouble free.  He promises He will be our help if we make Him our fortress.

 

Very Present – there when we need Him.  Well Proven – He has proven He is a help to His people and will continue to be so!

 

II.                  With God as your fortress, you can face crisis with faith instead of fear!

 

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:28–33

 

·         Not a bad day (Not a bad hair day)

·         Not a difficult day – Not even a big tragedy

·         This is a major catastrophe.  This earth just exploded.  His world blew up.  Earthquake.  Tsunami.

 

Not fear – Faith.  Look to the One who is unseen.  TO the one who sets the boundaries for the waters!

 

 

III.                With God as your fortress, you can trust that joy will emerge again!

 

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37–39

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1–2

 

·         SA river walk – place to relax.  Happy, Cheerful, enjoyment

·         HS is  a river in the life of His people.

o   Fruit of the Spirit

o   Is something stopping the river from flowing through your life?

§  Doubt, Sun, Disobedience, unwillingness to surrender.

§  Be fill with the Spirit

§  Give God time to work – When morning Dawns

·         A picture of our ultimate hope – Heaven

o   The years of our life – 100 years max does not begin to compare to the 54 trillion plus that will only be the beginning of our time in heaven!

 

 

IV.               With God as your fortress, you can experience true peace!

 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

 

·         Peace with God – Objective (His peace is real whether we feel it or not.)

·         The Peace of God – Subjective (We feel His peace.)

·         Peace in your relationships – Peace among the nations

·         God is at work to bring peace to your life, peace with Him and peace with others!

 

 

V.                 With God as your fortress, you can rest knowing He will be exalted!

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

Be still. Be faithful to do what God has called you to do but stop doping that which only God can do.  Let God be God.  He is at work and He will glorify Himself.  He will make His name great in all the earth. Througout the nations.  In our community.  In our church.  In our families.  In our lives