In Time of War (Ephesians 6:10-12)
Gary McManus, 04/24/2022Part of the Easter series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
April 24, 2022 Ephesians 6:10-12
A Sermon in Time of War
News headlines: crisis, battle, fight, Civil War?
Americans, see any winners in this latest civil war?
Another Pastor’s sermon: “Fight for Victory”
But who? Where? How?
Maybe there is evil in books and DVDs?
We overuse the word "war", including Pastors.
Maybe Pastors do that so that people take seriously
spiritual struggles.
The word “war” is only in the New Testament twice
(and depending which version you use; (See
2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Timothy 1:18)
Other versions: We struggle (NIV)(Ephesians 6:12)
We battle (same, Holman Christian Standard)
We wrestle (American Standard)
We fight (New Living Translation)
Fighting is something that we do.
Wrestling is something we ARE doing. (2 Timothy 4:7,
1 Timothy 6:12).
If we claim to have any faith at all,
you and I are in for a fight.
Here is why:
1. We have an enemy.
2. Evil is a force in the world.
Jesus fought this same fight when he walked the earth.
-- Jesus faced Satan first through temptation.
-- The Bible tells us that Jesus later faced Satan in the
week of Jesus' death.
-- Jesus fought demons.(See Mark 3:27,
1 Corinthians 15:24)
Friends, we have no choice in this fight.
(Matthew 10:24, Mark 13:9)
"They will persecute you" (Luke 21:12,
John 15:20)
We tend to see the fight against evil as an interior battle.
But I think you know that evil is out there as well as in here.
--sexual slavery--it is evil.
--child prostitution--it is evil.
--drug runners and dealers and it is evil.
Not “they are evil”. . .I said IT is evil.
WE are not AGAINST THEM.
Really and truly, we are FOR them.
Jesus died for them to be redeemed, brought
back to live new lives. . .it is possible.
The Apostle’s word is struggle or WRESTLE
against the spiritual hosts of wickedness. .
.the forces of this present DARKNESS.
You and I are not victims of evil,
WE ARE PARTICIPANTS in God’s triumph
in Jesus’ resurrection where the war was won.
It is already won. Easter was last week!
This IS the good news. Jesus is already the victor.
You have dedicated your life to the victor.
Jesus is the victor, but it doesn't remove you from the fight.
Jesus calls us into the fight.
Your light will really shine in darkness.
Jesus said let your light shine.(Matthew 5:16)
We are called to dispel darkness.
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through Jesus Christ our Lord. –The Apostle Paul
--1 Corinthians 15:57
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