The Real StruggleEphesians 6:10-13

Understanding Ephesians

Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. “Look, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God…

Understanding Ephesians

Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. “Look, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God…

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

Understanding Ephesians

Acts 20:29-30 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. No, this is not heaven.

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1 John 5:19 the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NASB) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God…

Versus:

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is …against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Real interactions2 Kings 6:15 (NLT) When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is …against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Real interactions

James 4:2 …You do not have because you do not ask.

With Prayer

Mark 3:27 "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is …against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Real interactionsWith PrayerWith the Occult

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is …against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Real interactions

TodayFascination with

supernatural

Naïve: spirit-realm is neutral or good.

Wolf Food: Silence of the lambs.

With PrayerWith the Occult

The Real StruggleEphesians 6:12 For our struggle is …against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Real interactions

Not mental illness,epilepsy, etc.

Matt. 4:24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.

With PrayerWith the Occult

The Career of Satan – Ezekiel 28The human leader of Tyre (2-10)The “King of Tyre” (Melcart) 11-19

In Eden – ancient creature (13)Created Being (not like God) 13,15Angelic Being (Cherubim) 14“Anointed” means he is their leader (14)

Morally Perfect (12,15)Free Will Choice to Rebel (15,17)

His FallPride (16-18)Unthankful

(17)Depraved (19)

The Career of Satan – Fallout1/3rd Angels Joined (Rev. 12:10)Spread to Humanity (Gen. 3)

Defines Human HistoryDefines Your Problems & MineIt Means

:

Someone else is in control

A struggle

for human souls

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are High

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are HighOffense is the Only Defense

Matthew 16:18 I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

False Dichotomy

Silly Issues

Side Issuesvs

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are HighOffense is the Only DefenseWatch Your Spiritual Lives!

Ephesians 6:12 …against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We AreOutnumbered

Inexperienced

Undisciplined

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are HighOffense is the Only DefenseWatch Your Spiritual Lives!Pride-Sensitivity1 Timothy 3:6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are HighOffense is the Only DefenseWatch Your Spiritual Lives!Pride-SensitivityThankfulness-OrientedRomans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did

not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, destroying many.

SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVES

Understand the Stakes are HighOffense is the Only DefenseWatch Your Spiritual Lives!Pride-SensitivityThankfulness-OrientedRomans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did

not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, destroying many.

His FallPride (16-18)

Unthankful (17)

Depraved (19)

Our Strength

Dependence on God’s Strength

Thankfulness

Regeneration

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