Ephesians 6:10-20

We are Soldiers for Christ! Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3 RSV) This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare, (1 Timothy 1:18 RSV)

We Are At War! For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 RSV) Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 RSV)

We Must Endure hardship! We are fighting against: ◦Worldliness ◦Ridicule ◦Adversity ◦Indifference ◦Temptation ◦Sin ◦False Teaching In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:4 RSV)

Be Strong And Fight! Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 RSV) Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 RSV)

Consider Paul… But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." (Acts 9:15-16 RSV) except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:23-24 RSV) Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12 RSV)

Remember: Prayer is the admission that armor alone does not make a good soldier. The Christian is ready for combat only when accompanied by his Captain!

Soldiers of the Past… These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13-16 RSV)

References Rose Publishing Charts Truth Commentaries on Ephesians by C.G. Caldwell Outline by Steve Higginbotham Outline by Jim Cooper