Spiritual warfare

6:10-17 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Paul starts to close out his letter. Finally, he speaks of spiritual warfare, this is integral. Here's what Christ has done, here's what you should do, and finally, here is what you should keep in mind.

We who are chasing God, you will be fiercely opposed. We have enemies in this work that God has given us. There are two reactions, complete denial and unhealthy obsession.

Reality of the enemy

Our enemies are not of flesh. They are invisible. He is the devil and one of many fallen angels. There is a question of whether this is referring to rankings of demonic forces or evil governments. It is likely both.

We are called to stand firm. This falling is not losing salvation, but rather seasons of spiritually unfruitfulness and inability to minister. Hurting rather helping the cause of Christ. This a call to wake up and realize that we are in a battlefield. This is a call to arms.

Tactics of the enemy

Before you fight your enemy, you need to learn about him. The enemy is stronger than you. Much stronger than we give him credit. This us why we need God's help. He is very shrewd. He deceived Adam and Eve. He will study your weakness and attack those character flaws and weaknesses, old wounds. He will try to reopen old wounds. He will take a lack of self control to sow division and discord. Times of isolation and idleness draw him to attack.

How to overcome

Allow no points of exposure. The armor should be worn, in it's entirety. The enemy is incessant. We are called to be strong in the Lord.

First, we need to know the truth of God. We need to know God both quantifiably as well as qualitatively.

Secondly, we need faith in God. Knowledge of his work and his promises, that he is dependable.

Thirdly, the helmet of salvation. That our salvation is secure in Christ. That our eternal destination is ours.

Finally, the one offensive weapon in the passage. The gates of hell are being assaulted... by the church. We are called to not just defend ourselves, but to take ground! The spirit pushes onward.

The shoes of the gospel give us the desire to take ground. The knowledge of how much God loves and gives us, winds over our hearts and drives us to advance the kingdom of God.

Everything we need for the fight is already ours in Christ. He has secured all these things for us. All this equipment is firmly within our grasp.

Spirit filled relationships

Ephesians 6:1-9 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.   Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Relationships, including work ones, are important to God. Most of our waking hours are spent at work. God wants to address this large portion of our lives.

Specific roles

Paul addresses those under submission, under authority. Children are called to obey their parents. Paul appeals to the fifth commandment. The ordering of these commands is one of severity or priority. We may feel that dishonoring parents isn't as bad as adultery, stealing, or murder. But this isn't how God sees it. Our parents are the first form authority in our lives. If we cannot submit to authority we can see, how can we submit to authority we cannot see, i.e. God. Your honoring of your parents is reflective of your relationship with God.

But make sure we differentiate between the relationship of children and parents AND adults and parents. Adults with parents are called to not obey, but honor them. This is not a conditional command. We are to honor our parents, even if they are undeserving! When we marry, we become authorities, we are now to consider ourselves carefully in acting as adults rather than child-like. We are to honor, but no longer under their authority.

Fathers are called out specifically. They are not to provoke their children to anger. What provokes anger in children? Humiliation, excessive disciple, gross  insensitivity, excessive goals, etc. So we are not to give them iron-fisted authority. We are to raise them up in how to follow the LORD. We are not trying to control them; rather teaching then how to make godly relationships. We are not to subdue them under your control. Not only that, we are not to just to make them happy. We are to disciple them. We are not to always let them get their way. We will make them unhappy in the short term; so they will prosper in the long term.

Slavery in the Roman empire is different from the slavery we experienced in the United States. It was not racially motivated, imposed. It was voluntary. There were classes of slaves. Doctor slaves, teacher slaves... Learned and well trained slaves. This is the slave that Paul addresses. The slave who works, works for God. Not because the slave was singing worship songs as they worked, but rather God cares about good work. He cares about good craftsmanship. When we do good work, God is pleased... because we image Him. We are to work not to please the boss when they are watching... But full diligence because God is pleased by this.

Those in authority should exercise their authority in light of the LORDSHIP of God. They are not to threaten or abuse their authority. In God's eyes, we are equal in dignity. We must conduct ourselves giving dignity to everyone equally, regardless of earthly authority.

Common roles

We are the same. We are to submit and lead as Christ. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God. We are all common image bearers of God.

We are all to submit even those who do nothing for us. Because Christ did for us even as we were enemies. Wives submit because Christ gives more then enough to make up for whatever our husbands do not do for us. Husbands are to lead and love as servants... Because of how Christ has served us. When children have parents who have serious shortcomings... They need to remember that their Father in heaven is more than they need for all that shortcoming. Workers are to work in light of the unending love and grace of God. Work does not give them identity or significance.

Results of faithfulness in our roles

Our generation is all about fast and sexy. We don't want to hear about everyday diligence. The mundane day to day is how God works. This is our testimony to the world. In our everyday relationships. Our job day to day. Our employees under our management.

The Spirit-filled life

Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Rev. Charles Han

Living a life filled with the spirit is like trying to catch a wind in a sailboat. We are not rowing, but tapping into a power greater than ourselves. That is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

What it means to be "filled with the spirit"

We often think it means to be filled with a has or liquid. Like gas bring put into a car. But the Holy Spirit is not an object... He is a person. This is about qualities not quantities. We are not talking about the amount of the Spirit we have. But rather how much the Spirit has of us... How much of our will, our passion, etc... Does the Spirit control?

The grammar used here, refers to an ongoing thing. We are not looking at periodic spiritual experiences. But an ongoing experience. being kept filled

Finally, how much are we under the influence of the Spirit? How much does it affect your life, your entire life? The influence of wine is all encompassing. In small quantities, we get feelings of courage and warmth.

The Spirit increases and deepens our understanding of God. We called the Holy Spirit the "shy" part of the trinity. His entire purpose is to draw attention to Father and Son. So being filled by the Spirit means we are filled with/intoxicated by the Gospel truth.

Alcohol blurs our ability to see, the Spirit awakens our sight.

How do you know "filled with the spirit"

V 19-21:
"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
"Giving thanks always"
"Submitting to one another out of reverence"

The Spirit-filled life is one of worship and obedience, not necessarily on gifts/abilities nor experiences.  Its about how you're living, how you're walking.

The Spirit-filled life is rather ordinary. It's not always in epic, radical ways. Just with plants, fruit comes in slow, everyday growth that eventually brings a seed to a tree. They grow, but you can't see it. Plants grow quietly, invisibly. But don't think that it's not a manifestation of great power.

Worshipful Singing
Worshipping together is not just to God.  It is also a way for us to edify each other. Worship engages the entire being. Our hearts, minds, and voices are fully focused on a song about Jesus and God.

Continual thankfulness towards God
We are continually thankful for all that God has done. If we have any feeling that we get less than what we deserve, we have lost the reality of grace. That we get what we do not deserve from God. Constant gratitude can grow all these fruits outlined in this passage.

Here's a formula for you.
Everything God gives is grace to you, glory be to God, thanks be to God. All things that are nice or not so nice.. even suffering, fit under this formula.  God bring good for us through all things.

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
We are to submit to those in spiritual authority over us. We are one body, following the command of Christ.

How to be "filled with the spirit"

Be immersed in the word of God.
The spirit has been working on writing out the Bible for centuries...  If the Spirit spent this long to get it written, does that not mean something?

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. - Col 3:16 ESV

You cannot simply read it. You must meditate on it. Chew and consider it. Not just listen to it.

Sing
Singing worshipfully to God is not only a mark of the spirit filled life... It is also a means of God's sanctification.

Walk in Love

Ephesians 4:30-5:2 ESV

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Paul is switching from declarative to descriptive language. He was speaking of who we are in Christ, now of how we should act/conduct ourselves.

Loving others gives us a good idea of whether we are right with God. If we are not right with Him, we treat people badly. Loving others is for the glory of God. We can have great devotional lives and still be far from God.

Be angry and do not sin. Anger is not sinful or wrong. God is the angriest person in the bible. His anger is righteous. It is a reaction to sin. That is a proper response to evil. It is not just getting angry because things aren't going our way. That is not righteous anger. Sin is what impacts God's glory, His kingdom, and will. Not things in our little kingdoms. Righteous anger works toward good things in a controlled manner.

We are not often righteous in our anger. It is a rare thing... so Paul tells is to be careful. We often repeat the unhealthy ways of expressing anger as modeled by our parents. Paul lists off some unhealthy methods. Bitterness is a spiritual sourness which cannot see the goodness. Wrath and seething is like an explosive and boiling. Clamor is hot and uncontrolled. Slander is a cold and calculated anger. Malice is wishing ill will on others. We are to put off these ways.

Kindness is more than being nice. It is seeking to good of others. Tenderhearted is seeking to do good even to those who are dealing with the costs of things they rightly deserve. Forgiveness is accepting the cost of sin, rather than seeking payback from those who have wronged us. We are not exacting a cost of those who have wronged us.

The motivations of a Christian is different. It is because we have a relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts and when we do not live rightly, He is grieved. God chose this because he loves us. We choose to keep His commands because we do not wish to hurt Him. God wishes the best for us and sin breaks His heart. This love is why we want to change. The Holy Spirit is grieved, but keep grieving Him and He will discipline you. He will let you taste the emptiness of sinful living, so that we will repent.

The other reason for the Christian is because we are His children. We are in God's family and should live as such. We are adopted into the family of God and so we should dress and act.

The power to change our behavior or habits is not pure willpower. We are saved by grace, but it also motives us to work hard. We should use our energy to focus on what Christ has accomplished for us. It should be a cross-centered work. Your unrighteous anger comes from your idols. Hurtful, bitter, and upset over things that we desire... more than God. By focusing on God, we can let go of these little things, little desires. Kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness is a reflection of God's actions toward us in Christ. Jesus is the kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness from God. From this, we see how we are called to act. It is not an easy thing; but it is available through the grace of God. The power that raised Christ is at work in us. We can and will change.

Put off the old, put on the new

Ephesians 4:17-32 ESV

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  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. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Take off the old (clothes)

The old self that was crucified in Christ, is to be taken off like a garment. How do we recognize it? Corrupt, through deceitful desire.

What happens when we don't?

We become callous to the sin in our lives. Sin becomes normal. Hard hearts are where unbelievers are. Their hearts do not hear God. Hardened hearts are believers who hear but refuse to change or repent. Their ways of sin don't bring them a sense of enjoyment, but rather just emptiness. We start to lose sense of how God sees things. We become alienated from Christian friends, serving, praying, and God. We become bitter about what God asks of us.

What to put on

Okay, what goes on after we have put off the old self? We are to put on our new selves, put on our new identities in Christ. We are not just adding a couple of good habits. We are to start acting out of our new identity in Christ. We are to enjoy God; do the good works God has prepared for us; be renewed in our minds. It is not just an outward habit, but rather an inner change.

How to truly change

Change happens by looking at Christ personally. We are not called to know Christ as a set of facts, but to actually know Christ and have personal fellowship with Jesus. In order for change to be permanent, we are to encounter Christ personally. God is not looking down on us; looking for an opportunity to criticize. He is working in us, lovingly and patiently.

Paul gives us examples of how to put off. Truth rather than lies. But this is inward not just outward. What motivates us to lie? selfish desire? Caring about ourselves more than anything else? We should care more about God's desires over our own.

The eternal perspective

Ephesians 3:1-13 ESV

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.   Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This passage is Paul's digression from his prayer for them. He talks about God's work in the context of his imprisonment.

The gospel is the surprise that keeps on  surprising.

God takes on flesh to save humanity. He takes on flesh, dies the death of a criminal, and lives the life we cannot live. The gospel is a mystery. It is not a message that is not immediately obvious.  Jesus defeats evil, sin, and death by dying. This is counter-intuitive. Dying on the cross is how God triumphs? This is not what we expect. Ask your average person, how do you get right with God? Do good, they would say. But that is not what the gospel tells us, it tells us that it comes by grace through faith. That is how salvation comes. God has to open the door. Not only is the gospel generally a mystery, but there are mysteries within portions of the gospel. God chooses the Jews and yet also chooses the gentiles... Jews are the chosen people of God, but the gentiles are also welcomed into the family of God. That somehow both Gentile and Jew are the same family. This was very difficult for the Jews to accept. It is another mystery.

The church is God's masterpiece.

God uses the church to display His manifold wisdom and power. God points to the church as a group consisting of people from various tribes, tongues, cultures, economic status, shapes, and sizes... as his masterpiece. And he will receive praise for this... not only from humans, but heavenly beings... angels and, perhaps, even demons. When the angels look at the church, it brings into light God's wisdom... it illuminates his power. The church often seems unimpressive to us. So is God wrong about the church? Probably not. It is our perspective that is off. We're looking at the back of a tapestry. Or we're zoomed in on an impressionist painting. It looks like a jumbled mess from here, but on the other side of eternity, we will be awed alongside the angels.

How does this comfort the Ephesians?

Paul tells them of these things so the Ephesian church would not worry about him. He is in jail by choice. He is not imprisoned by the Romans but rather by the grace of God. He is willing to give up everything for his witness because of what God had already done for him.

Paul knows that even when he loses, he will win. Suffering for Christ is okay because God will complete the work. God's plan will come to fruition regardless of setbacks, trials, and tribulation. Suffering brings God glory... and not only that, but it brings us glory. Imprisonment, suffering, and cancer will bring about good. The worst things in our lives will be used for good. They will be redeemed. And no matter what happens, the best is yet to come.

One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Future faithfulness is fueled by Christ's finished work.

once ____, but now _____

Paul speaks of how we were before Christ and now what has changed.

The wonder of oneness

Back in this age, the Jews saw the world as two. Jew and gentile. Jews were called to be holy and separate. But this became the basis for a sense of superiority.

Not only that, but there were the Greeks. They saw themselves as enlightened and viewed the rest of the world as uneducated barbarians.

So there was often animosity between these two groups. Yet there was one place where they lived in peace together, the church. They greeted each other with a holy kiss as family. Paul exhorted them to celebrate this unity.

In our day and age, there are many divisions. Ferguson shows that we are not in a "post-racial" America. So many heated arguments on this. Or the influx of hipsters and young families into Philly and the impact on the poor families that have lived here. Where in the gospel in all this? The gospel is the one way to lasting unity and oneness. It can bring together divisive and hostile groups into community.

The way of oneness

The gospel tells us that we are all human, we are all sinners in need of a savior, and we are need Christ for life and hope.

Jews prided themselves on circumcision and their status as a holy people. But all of this was only available through the grace of God.

Christ gives Shalom, not just peace, but rather wholeness. Not only not hating and not living in hostility, but loving those around us. The Jews were following specific practices to show that they were different. But this became superiority. When Christ comes, he shows that we are all sinners in need of salvation. When we have self-righteous justification, we compare our righteousness against one another. But from God's perspective, it looks like we're comparing whose $h1t smells less. It's all worthless and pointless. Our righteousness is filthy rags.

In Christ, we are all in the family of God. We may be different in many ways, but we are family. Different income, socio-economic, culture, etc.

The chief identity of every Christian is being in Christ. This does not eliminate race, economic, and other differences. But it should not be what we find most value in. How does this look? Your identity shows up in who you hang out with. We only hang out with those like us. And additionally, we are afraid of anything that threatens our identity.

The "so what" of oneness

We should worship. We should be awed by what God has done. There is much of brokenness in this world, but the church is a new thing.

We should reach out to people from all walks of life. Do not root your identity in other things. Root it in Christ.