1. Be strong Be strong (10) Ep.3:16, 20; Josh.1:6-9 In the Lord Find your strength in the Lord” In strength of His might His mighty strength. 1:19 Judah Isa.30:1-6 Judah Isa.30:1-6 David 1 Sm.17:31-49 David 1 Sm.17:31-49

2. Put on whole armor of God Put on whole armor of God (11) Pan ▪ oply Rome: invincible army (v.20; Ph.1) Hoplites That you may be able to stand Against (11-12)

3. Stand against 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wicked- ness in the heavenly places – Ep.6

4. Stand against wiles of devil Stand against wiles of devil (11) Scheming, craftiness, 4:14, 22; 2 Co.2 We wrestle We wrestle (12) Not against flesh & blood Against rulers…1:21; 2:2; Col.2:10, 15 Defeated but dangerous “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” –Jn.16:33 Defeated but dangerous “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” –Jn.16:33

5. Therefore take up... Therefore take up... (13, 16) Be able to withstand Be able to withstand (resist) 11,13,14 Evil day Evil day (5:16) I’m taking up judo I’m taking up skydiving I’m taking up arms “…But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” – Lk.22:53

6. 1. Belt of truth, 14 1. Belt of truth, 14 (Is.11:5) Loose belt... off duty Truth Truth (doctrine) Everything hangs on it: 1:13; 4:14, 15, 20, 25 Kept tunic out of arm’s way Kept breastplate in place Held scabbard for sword

7. 2. Breastplate of righteousness, 14 2. Breastplate of righteousness, 14 (Is.59:17) “The heart protector” Righteousness Righteousness (4:24; 5:9) 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin“ – Ro.4

8. 3. Shoes fitted w. gospel of peace, 15 Having shod your feet Roman half-boot Thickly studded w. sharp nails ♦ Sure footing ♦ Swift movement ▪ Alexander; Julius Caesar ▪ Josephus

9. 3. Shoes fitted w. gospel of peace, 15 Having shod your feetPreparation Readiness, equipmentPeace Paradox. Ep.1:2; 2:17; 4:3 To be equipped is to be prepared Is.52:7 (Ro.10:15)... Ro.1:15 To be equipped is to be prepared Is.52:7 (Ro.10:15)... Ro.1:15

10. 4. Shield of faith, 16 4. Shield of faith, 16 (Gn.15:1) Portable door: 2 ’ x 4 ’ Faith – Hb.11. 1 Pt.5:8-9 Extinguish Flaming arrows Eve Gn.3:5 Eve Gn.3:5 Jesus Mt.4 Jesus Mt.4

11. 5. Helmet of Salvation, 17 5. Helmet of Salvation, 17 (Is.59:17) Take (welcome) Discouragement loses wars, Dt.20:8 Ro.8:31-39 “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” – 1 Th.5:8

12. 6. Sword of Spirit, 17 6. Sword of Spirit, 17 (Hb.4:12) Short sword: Mt.26:52; Lk.21:24; Ac.12:2 Word of God Particular portion of Scripture. Mt.4:4

13. Satan’s tricks 1. Mixes truth w. error. Mt.4 2. Obey gospel, but not today. Ac.24:25 3. End justifies means. Ro.3 4. Sin & be happy. Ro.6

14. ‘All’ About Prayer all 1. Periods: all all 2. Prayers: all prayer & supplication all 3. Perseverance: all – firm persistence all 4. Persons: all saints  Paul includes himself, 19 Keep on; keep alert. Ac.20:31 Keep on; keep alert. Ac.20:31

15. We need the prayers of those who care Word: God’s part (‘given to me’) Mouth: Paul’s part  Make known: clear. Col.4:3; Ac.9:15  Boldly: courage. Ac.28:31 Ex.4:12Ac.28:17

16. Ambassador in bonds A representative of a ruling authority Full title: 1 ambassador extraordinary & 2 plenipotentiary  1  1 used for special service  2  2 full power to represent government Official representative of kings & rulers. 2 Sm.10:1-2. Treatment of ambassador reflects view of ruler who sent them. 2 Sm.10:3-6.

17. What I do, 21 Tychicus Col.4:7-8. 2 Tim.4:12 Care for others, 22 In danger of discouragement, 3:13 Ac.14, report of work Without Paul, no epistle Without Tychicus, no delivery

18. The short list Peace, 1:2; 6:15. Love, 1:4; 6:23-24. Faith, 1:1; 6:21, 23. Grace, 1:2; 6:24. Sincerity, 6:24. “To love one with never diminishing love.” Double meaning? Sincerely + Eternally.