EPHESIANS

STANDING FOR TRUTH IN THE LAST DAYS–Part 2–EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
STANDING FOR TRUTH IN THE LAST DAYS

PART 2
EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Introduction:

This is the second part of this message dealing with the last days before the coming of Jesus Christ to catch away His own unto Heaven. In the first message we dealt with BEING STRONG IN THE LORD and that our fight is not with men, but rather, with the powers of Satan, the Prince of this world.

This message continues that thought and deals with the weapons at our disposal for the fight before us. Consider the following:

II. HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND, STAND THEREFORE

A. Having your loins girt about with TRUTH, v. 14;

1. We have trusted in Christ after we heard the WORD OF TRUTH, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the WORD OF TRUTH, the GOSPEL of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

a. You Trusted Christ after hearing the Word, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

b. The Good News of salvation, James 1:18, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

2. We have GROWN UP (MATURED) in Truth, Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may GROW UP into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

a. Becoming that Perfect Man in Christ, Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

b. Here the “New Man” become dominant, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

B. Having on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS, v. 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

a. Stand therefore, resist every attack—as a soldier does in battle, 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

b. The enemy will not sleep, Isaiah 5:27, “None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:”

c. We must stand in Righteousness, Isaiah 59:17, “For he put on RIGHTEOUSNESS as a BREASTPLATE, and an HELMET of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with ZEAL as a cloke.”

C. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, v. 15;

1. READINESS of MIND that comes from the gospel WHOSE MESSAGE IS PEACE, Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

2. Whose message is RECONCILIATION, 2 Corinthians 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

D. Taking the shield of Faith, v. 16; Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

a. Fear not, Isaiah 35:4, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”

b. The Lord is our shield, Deuteronomy 33:29, “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.”

E. Having the helmet of Salvation, v. 17; Isaiah 59:17, “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”

a. With the Helmet of salvation there is no danger of lethal wound, Job 11:18, “And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.”

b. Clad with the Zeal of the Lord, Psalms 119:139, “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.”

F. Using the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON, v. 17; Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is QUICK, and POWERFUL, and SHARPER than any twoedged sword, PIERCING even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the heart.”

a. The Word was a known name of the Messiah, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.”

b. It pierces to the soul, Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

c. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Revelation 2:23, “And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

G. The last weapon is PRAYER, v. 18; Luke 18:1, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

STANDING FOR TRUTH IN THE LAST DAY–EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
STANDING FOR TRUTH IN THE LAST DAY

EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Introduction:

The Apostle tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”

The verse describes our day. Every word in these verses is true of our day today. It is a time to….

I. BE STRONG IN THE LORD

A. Be strong in the POWER of HIS MIGHT, v. 10;

1. As Saul of Tarsus after his conversion, Acts 9:22, “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”

2. As Abraham, Romans 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”

3. As the Apostle Paul in his later ministry, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

B. That you might be STRENGTHENED by HIS SPIRIT in the INNER MAN, Ephesians 3:16, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”

1. We should NOT have FAINT HEARTS or FEAR, Deuteronomy 20:3, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let NOT your HEARTS FAINT, FEAR NOT, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

2. We come before the Lord in PRAYER for STRENGTH, Psalms 138:3, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with STRENGTH IN MY SOUL.”

C. For we wrestle NOT AGAINST FLESH and BLOOD, v. 12;

1. This is not a contest of the flesh, but of the Spirit, Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside EVERY WEIGHT, and the SIN which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

2. We wrestle against SATAN, the RULER of THIS WORLD, John 14:30, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

3. Against the GOD OF THIS AGE, 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the GOD OF THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

4. Against the SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS of WICKEDNESS, 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

D. THEREFORE, PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, v. 11, 13;

1. The NEW MAN will put on this armor, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

2. This NEW MAN who has CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with CONFIDENCE by the faith of him.”

3. The STRONGER MAN wears God’s armor, Luke 11:22, “But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”

II. HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND, STAND THEREFORE

A. Having your loins girt about with TRUTH, v. 14;

1. We have trusted in Christ after we heard the WORD OF TRUTH, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

2. We have GROWN UP (MATURED) in Truth, Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

B. Having on the BREASTPLATE of righteousness; v. 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

C. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, v. 15;

1. Readiness of mind that comes from the gospel whose message is peace, Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

2. The message of RECONCILIATION, 2 Corinthians 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

D. Taking the shield of Faith, v. 16; Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

E. Having the helmet of Salvation, v. 17; Isaiah 59:17, “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”

F. Using the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the only OFFENSIVE weapon, v. 17; Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

G. Praying and Watching on every occasion, v. 18; Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

HOW TO USE OUR WORDS–EPHESIANS 4:25-32–Part 2 of Midweek Service

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
HOW TO USE OUR WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:25-32
Part 2

Introduction:

We have dealt with how we can use our words to DECEIVE or to be OPEN AND HONEST and how to stay ANGRY OR TO APOLOGIZE, and PUTTING DOWN or LIFTING UP. The second part of this study deals with to HURT or to HEAL the wounds AND to HATE or to FORGIVE.

IV. TO HURT OR TO HEAL

Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

1. Clamour, (A CONTINUED NOISY COMPLAINT), Acts 22:22-23, “And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,”

2. Evil speaking, ( SLANDER, detraction, speech injurious to another’s good name):

a. One that sows DISCORD, Proverbs 6:19, “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

b. One who has HATRED in his life, Proverbs 10:18, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”

c. One who CAUSES deep wounds, Proverbs 18:8, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

3. All MALICE, 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

V. TO HATE OR TO FORGIVE

Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

A. The Three Positive commands:

1. To be KIND (lit., “what is suitable or fitting to a need”), Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

2. To be COMPASSIONATE, 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”

3. To be FORGIVING ( BEING GRACIOUS ), 2 Corinthians 2:7, “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”

B. The REASON for these positive commands is…

1. That in Christ GOD IS KIND, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

2. That in Christ GOD IS COMPASSIONATE, Mark 1:41, “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

3. That in Christ GOD IS GRACIOUS, Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of this whole matter is that we must glorify our Lord in our words as well as our deeds. The things mentioned above must be considered in a positive way. Our words should be constructive and honoring to the Lord.

HOW TO USE OUR WORDS–EPHESIANS 4:25-32–Part 1 of Midweek Service

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
HOW TO USE OUR WORDS
EPHESIANS 4:25-32
Part 1

Introduction:
There is a real need among Christians to choose their words with care. One of the most irritating things in this world is to hear someone berate another person or to hear someone you vile language.
Here in America there is an epidemic of bad language among God’s people. Perhaps we hear it so much that we become caught up in it. It is tragic how professed Christians dishonor the Lord with their mouth.
I. TO DECEIVE OR BE OPEN AND HONEST

Ephesians 4:25, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
A. To deceive, conscious and intentional falsehood.
1. One who loves evil more than good, Psalm 52:3, “Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness.”
2. A lying tongue is one of seven things God hates, Proverbs 6:17, “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”
B. Speak truth, Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
1. Determine to speak the truth always, Proverbs 8:7, “For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
2. Hereby we demonstrate that we have been redeemed, Proverbs 12:17, “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”
3. For we are brethren in Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”
II. TO STAY ANGRY OR APOLOGIZE

Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
A. To be angry at sin, John 2:13-16, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
B. But don’t be provoked, Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
C. Keep short accounts, Deuteronomy 24:15, “At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.”
D. Apologize, Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
III. TO PUT DOWN OR TO LIFT UP

Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
A. Corrupt communications, Ephesians 5:3-4, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
1. These things grieve the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
2. Not only is the Holy Spirit offended, but God’s people are ashamed, Psalm 25:3, “Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.”
B. Communication that edifies, (edification: the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness), Psalm 37:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
CONCLUSION
We will deal with part 2 of this subject next Wednesday night.

BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS–EPHESIANS 1:1-14

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
EPHESIANS 1:1-14


Introduction:

Key verses, 5-6, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

We are surely blessed, as we shall see.

I. HE HATH CHOSEN US

v. 4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”

A. After you heard the Word, v. 13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth,” Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. You were the servants of sin, Romans 6:17, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

2. You received the word of God, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

B. To the praise of the glory of his grace, v. 6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

1. To shew the exceeding riches of his grace, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

a. He had mercy on us according to His loving kindness, Psalm 51:1, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

b. He had mercy on us because of His great love, Romans 9:15-16, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

2. To show forth His praise, Isaiah 43:21, “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”

a. The Lord has set apart the godly for Himself, Psalm 4:3-5, “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

b. We are a peculiar people, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

II. IN HIM WE HAVE …

v. 7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

A. Redemption through His Blood (a releasing effected by payment of ransom), 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

1. He is our righteousness, Romans 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

2. He is our sanctification (to render or acknowledge to be hallowed or holy), Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

B. Forgiveness of sins, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

C. According as he hath chosen us, v. 4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” Matthew 11:25, “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”

CONCLUSION