February 12, 2023
Ephesians 6:10-24
TOOLS of WAR Week 5
“To War!”
Service Overview: As Paul wraps up his letter to the Ephesians his hopes are not only that the Christians he is writing to would put on the armor they’ve been given, but that they would go to very Giver of the armor for His help in facing all that they would face in the battles ahead.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- Tychicus was the bearer of this epistle. Paul considered him a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord. In Colossians 4:7 Paul called him by these same titles and added that he was a “fellow servant” (syndoulos, “fellow slave”). Tychicus is also mentioned in Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12; and Titus 3:12. (Harold Hoehner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, 644)
- (v.19) The “mystery” refers to God’s plan through the ages to draw both Jews and Gentiles to himself in one body, the church (see 1:9; 3:3, 6, 9; 5:32). Indeed, it was that very message that had landed Paul in prison in the first place (see Acts 22:17–23:11). Yet he considered himself an ambassador in chains. “Ambassador” was a political term for a government’s legal representative. Paul realized that in being taken to Rome as a prisoner, he was actually acting as an ambassador for another “nation,” God’s Kingdom. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians, 137)
- As with every letter, the Ephesian epistle required some means of delivery for the information to pass to its recipients. The means of delivery for this letter is found in one named Tychicus (Eph. 6:21). The first mention of him is found in Acts 20:4 , where Luke records Paul’s exit from Ephesus. This followed the riot precipitated by Demetrius, the silversmith. Luke lists Tychicus as among those who accompanied Paul. He was originally from Asia. In Colossians 4:7-8, Paul repeats almost word for word his statement in our present verses. In reality, Tychicus is delivering three letters: Ephesians, and the letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3633)
- The Scriptures briefly mention Tychicus five times.1 Though the mentions are brief, we can draw some revealing conclusions about his experiences and place in life. Tychicus first appears at the end of Paul’s missionary work in Ephesus, and since he was a native of the Province of Asia (Acts 20:4), of which Ephesus was the major city, we surmise that he was almost surely a convert of Paul’s long ministry in Ephesus. Thus he likely witnessed the great Ephesian silversmiths’ riot against Paul, which prompted the apostle to leave Ephesus for Macedonia (Acts 19:35—20:1), and as an ardent supporter of Paul shared his danger and bravery. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 290)
What facets of prayer does Paul encourage believers to engage in as they head into battle?
- Prayer in the Spirit.
(John 4:24; Acts 2:17; Romans 8:9; 15:13; Galatians 5:16; 5:22-23; Ephesians 6:18)
This verse, although not naming another “weapon” in the believers’ armor, does continue the thought of 6:17. As we take the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, we must also pray in the Spirit on all occasions. (Barton, Ephesians, 135)
How do you know when you’re walking in the Spirit? You know it when you’re living a life of prayer, because prayer is the proof of dependence on the Spirit. (Tony Evans, The Fire That Ignites, 50)
- Prayer on all occasions.
(Ps. 118:5; Jonah 2:1; Mat. 6:6; Acts 2:42; Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:8)
Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking, but the only way to trouble God is not to come at all. (D.L Moody, Prevailing Prayer, 90)
When everything is going well with no clouds on the horizon, it is easy to become complacent in our communication with God. Paul’s command stands in contrast to these attitudes. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3584)
- Prayer of all kinds.
(2 Chr. 7:14; Matthew 6:9-13; Romans 8:26; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:8; 1 John 5:14)
We must not underestimate Satan’s forces. He will strike in different ways at different people; thus, we need to pray “all kinds” of prayers, allowing for all kinds of requests. (Barton, Ephesians, 136)
Many of our prayers are so vague and general we wouldn’t recognize the answer it if hit us in the face. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 45)
- Prayer during all times.
(1 Chr. 16:11; Rom. 12:12; Phil. 4:6-7; Col. 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:14-15)
Prayer is not limited to linear time, because God isn’t. He speaks of the past, present, and future as one. He is I Am, always in the present tense. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 79)
Those who would engage in spiritual warfare, regardless of how well they wear truth and righteousness and faith and salvation, regardless of how well they are grounded in peace, regardless of how well they wield the Word, must make prayer the first thing. The Christian soldier fights on his knees! (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 277)
- Prayer for all God’s people.
(Mat. 6:9; John 17:20-21; Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Thes. 1:2; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16)
Too much cannot be said about the necessity of prayer in the life of the Christian and the church. Prayer brings God near, releases the resources of God for the battle, and enables the Christian to stand even when he thinks he cannot stay on his feet any longer. (Willard H. Taylor, Beacon Bible Expositions, Volume 8, 213)
Conclusion… What challenges present themselves in light of these things? The challenge to…
A. … routinely recognize our complete and utter dependence.
(Ps. 4:1; Mat. 26:41; Luke 18:1; John 15:5-7; Rom. 8:26; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; 1 John 5:14-15)
The very thing that most qualifies us to pray is our helplessness. (David Jeremiah, The Prayer Matrix, 73)
Prayer is the energy that enables the Christian soldier to wear the armor and wield the sword. We cannot fight the battle in our own power, no matter how strong or talented we may think we are. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Rich: Ephesians, 155)
B. … relentlessly trust the wisdom of God throughout all circumstances.
(Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 5:44-45; 6:5-8; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:13-18)
God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials. Instead, they are his perfect timing for our greater good and his greatest glory. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 47)
All of our warfare and all of our activity must take place in the context of constant, unceasing prayer. Just as a soldier on the battle line has to keep in constant communication with his general headquarters and his commanding officer, so the Christian who is on the battle line must be in constant communication with his Lord. He might be fully equipped with all the armor, but if he is cut off from personal communication with his own commander, then he will be isolated and vulnerable. (R.C. Sproul, An Exposition of Ephesians, 152)
C. … overcome what holds us back in praying for and with others.
(Ps. 34:3; Matt. 18:19-20; Acts 2:42; 12:5; Eph. 2:20-22; 6:18; Col. 4:2-4; Heb. 10:24-25)
The church is the army that marches on its knees. As God’s people pray for each other, we enfold one another and others in the power of prayer. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 67)
Remember, the shortest distance between a problem and the solution is the distance between our knees and the floor. (Charles Stanley, Handle with Prayer, 10)
Gospel Application…
Jesus died so people once far from God could draw near to God.
(Psalm 145:18; Proverbs 15:29 ; Isaiah 59:2 ; John 6:44; John 14:6; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:7-8)
The gospel starts by teaching us that we, as creatures, are absolutely dependent on God, and that He, as Creator, has an absolute claim on us. Only when we have learned this can we see what sin is, and only when we see what sin is can we understand the good news of salvation from sin. (J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, 59)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What are some of the Devil’s schemes that Paul refers to in verse 11? In what ways do you experience the battle Paul talks about?
- What have you learned from this study of Ephesians that has affected you the most?
- Which one of the pieces of armor or weapons do you need to pay more attention to? Explain.
- In light of today’s focus, how is your prayer life? What changes would you like to see happen with it?
- What encourages and challenges you most in Paul’s “final remarks” (6:21-24)
Quotes to note…
We pray best when we are in touch with God’s Word first. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 23)
Even after conversion [man] carries within him a nature prone to evil, and a heart weak and unstable as water. That heart will never be free from imperfection in this world, and it is a miserable delusion to expect it. To keep that heart from going astray, the Lord Jesus bids us “watch and pray.” The spirit may be ready, but the flesh is weak. There is need of a daily struggle and a daily wrestling in prayer. (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 112-113)
Enemy-occupied territory — that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 29)
When we look at the people God used in the scriptures as well as those He used throughout Christian history, we see their lives marked by a deep awareness and practice of prayer with their heavenly Father. (Henry Blackaby, Experiencing Prayer with Jesus, 10)
God wants us to seek Him more than anything else, even more than we seek answers to prayer. When we come to God in prayer, sometimes our hearts are so full of what we want that we leave God out. Our minds become consumed with the gift rather than the giver. (Charles Stanley, Handle with Prayer, 63)
The prayer that is born of meditation upon the Word of God is the prayer that soars upward most easily to God’s listening ear. (R. A. Torrey, How to Pray, 52)
If we would therefore behave like good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must be always upon our guard, and never pretend to lay down our spiritual weapons of prayer and watching, till our warfare is accomplished by death. (Selected Sermons of George Whitefield, c. 1738)
Prayer allows a place for me to bring my doubts and complaints and subject them to the blinding light of reality I cannot comprehend but can haltingly learn to trust. (Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, 31)
I have this warning for any men reading this: Satan longs to keep you from being the spiritual leader the Lord deigns, desires, and directs you to be. He’s out to do everything he can to keep you from influencing your wife and children, and, if you have any, your grandchildren for the Lord. Whatever else you do, you are the Lord’s duly appointed and anointed spiritual leader, priest, and shepherd in your home, your family your flock as you serve him by influencing them. (Thomas J. Ramundo, The Prayer Life You’ve Always Wanted, 75)
[Paul’s] call to prayer becomes the means by which his readers are able to put on the spiritual armor of God. It is the means by which we are strengthened. It is the stability by which we stand. Prayer for God’s people is the means by which God’s good provisions are made real to us. Without it, we are left naked and vulnerable. (Mark A. Holmes, Ephesians, Kindle Location 3604)
BONUS QUOTES….