Avenue Vineyard September 06, 2015 Listen for the Song Pt.13 Avenue Vineyard September 06, 2015

Ephesians 6:10-20 10 Finally: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-20 cont’d 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor (why?) so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-20 cont’d 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere…20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Ephesians 6:13 “put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

Luke 10:18-20 “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy…20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Luke 22:31,32 “31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

J.C. Ryle – 19th Cent “Let me talk to you about true Christianity. There’s a vast quantity of religion current in the world that is not true, genuine Christianity. It passes muster, it satisfies sleepy consciences; but it is not good money. It is not the real thing which was called Christianity 1800 years ago.

J.C. Ryle – 19th Cent cont’d There are thousands of men and women who go to chapels and churches every Sunday and call themselves Christians. Their names are in the baptismal register. They are reckoned Christians while they live. They are married with a Christian marriage service. They mean to be buried as Christians when they die. But you never see any ‘fight’ about their religion! Of spiritual strife, and exertion, and conflict, and self-denial, and watching, and warring they know literally nothing at all…

J.C. Ryle – 19th Cent cont’d …Let us consider these propositions…The saddest symptom about many so-called Christians is the utter absence of anything like conflict or fight. They eat, they drink, they dress, they work, they amuse themselves, they get money, they spend money, they go through a scanty round of formal religious services once or even twice a week, but the great spiritual warfare … its watchings and strugglings, its agonies and anxieties, its battles and contests … of all this they appear to know nothing at all.

J.C. Ryle – 19th Cent cont’d Do you find in your heart of hearts a spiritual struggle? Are you conscious of two principles within you, contending for the mastery? Do you feel anything of war in your inward man? Well, let us thank God for it! It is a good sign. It is strongly probable evidence of the great work of sanctification (the process of God making us Holy). All true saints are soldiers. A real Christian can be known as much by his inward warfare as by his inward peace.”

“Strive to enter through the narrow door…” Luke 13:24

“…the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and people are forcing their way into it.” Luke 16:16

“3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus “3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3

“12 Fight the good fight for the true faith “12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“10 Finally: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power “10 Finally: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10