“The Way of the Jedi”
Ephesians 6:10-20
I. Introduction:
a. Have you ever been at a place in your life that you didn’t know which way to go?
b. I have this week, we have been so busy with trying to get things ready to move that it seems like we’re getting no where fast.
c. As I started preparation this week it seemed to be difficult to find a place that God wanted me to go.
d. I started preparing a sermon on Wisdom and after a couple of hours studying that got trashed. Then I started one on “How much is enough?” and guess what I threw that away. Being disgusted I just got up and walked away.
e. As I was in despair of what to preach I felt as if I was a failure to God and to you. Then as a laid down in bed on Tuesday night and opened up my Bible God lead me over to Ephesians (probably my Favorite Book) I began reading and came to this section and it jumped out at me as if I was in some horror movie.
f. I realized that I had been at war all week and I didn’t even know it. Further more I forgot my combat gear.
g. What is one thing a soldier cannot do with out? Combat gear.
h. Folks we are at war. I don’t mean against terrorism. I mean against pure unadulterated evil.
i. The devil himself, and all of his cronies.
j. We as Christians who live the Spirit-controlled life can be absolutely sure that we are in a spiritual war.
k. In most every movie there is a good side and a bad side.
l. The one that I think most fits this spiritual warfare is Star Wars – there is the Force meaning spirit realm.
m. Obi Wan Kenobi – told Luke to use the force as he was a Jedi and he had special abilities through the force.
n. Dark Vader also used the force but he called it the dark side.
o. The Bible also talks about a Force that we as Christians can use that gives us special abilities. As well there is also a dark side known as evil and Dark Vader is Lucifer prince of darkness.
p. And believe me when I tell you that this war between good and evil is no movie. IT IS REAL.
II. READ TEXT:
III. This is the closing of a letter to the Christians at Ephesus in the first part of this letter chapter 1-3 Paul describes the true believer. Then in chap. 4 – 6:9 he teaches how to live that spirit controlled life. He is our Obi Wan today. Here he tells us of a war and the combat gear we need.
IV. “Know the Forces”
a. Read Vs. 10
b. Ultimately, Satan’s power over us has already been broken and the battle over good and evil has been won through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ which conquered the power of sin and death.
c. However, in life on earth the battle is far from over.
d. We fight temptation everyday.
i. What temptations have you fought today?
e. The Lord’s power and strength along with the FORCE, the Holy Spirit and biblical truth are required for victory.
i. A man once told me that he fought with his flesh every day. He said it felt like 2 dogs fighting inside his body. One black the other white. I then asked him which one of the dogs won most often? He replied the one I feed the most.
f. Jedi lesson 1: Know that there are forces out there stronger than you.
V. “The Dark Side”
a. Read vs. 11-12
b. You cannot be an effective Jedi if you don’t live as a Jedi.
c. The words “put on” Greek from (en-duo) the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literal or figurative) :- array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
i. This conveys the idea that we should as Christians wear this armor thought our time here on earth.
ii. In Fact while we are here is when we are most vulnerable.
iii. We are subject to everything the devil can throw at us and the only way to be ready for those flaming darts is to always be in our combat gear.
iv. Paul sues this analogy of a soldiers’ armor because this is what was necessary if he was to hold his position while under attack.
v. And we are certainly under attack!
d. “Wiles” the Greek word is (meth-o-dai) meaning to lie in wait, calculate, the idea of cleverness, cunning and deception.
e. Satan schemes are propagated through the evil world system over which he rules and are carried out by his demon host.
f. Wiles is all-inclusive, it encompasses every sin: immoral practices, false theology, false religion, and worldly enticements.
i. Which we are all subject too.
ii. 2 Corinthians 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
g. The prince of darkness is out to entice you to the DARKSIDE.
h. Even though he cannot take you there and keep you, he can sure use you to hinder someone else from making the right choice.
i. The Bible tells us that Satan does everything he can
i. To oppose God.
1. Zech. 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
ii. His Word
1. Matthew 4:6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, 'and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
iii. Hinder God’s servant
1. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.
iv. Cloud the Gospel
1. 2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
v. Snare the Righteous
1. 1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
vi. And keep his nose in every bodies business
1. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
j. Verse 12 uses the word wrestle this refers to hand to hand combat. Or as Luke Skywalker would call it light saber to light saber.
i. How many of you ever watched wrestling on TV?
ii. Wrestling is all about pinning our opponent to the mat for 3 seconds.
iii. But in order to do that you use all kinds of sneaky things to get the upper hand.
iv. We are not just trying to pin Satan to the mat, this has turned out to be a tag team match we also have to fight his hosts, hordes, and hell itself. Just as the Jedi’s fought Dark Vader, the Storm Troopers, and the Empire.
k. Jedi lesson 2 – the Dark side will use what ever means it can to create disorder in your life and in your walk.
VI. “Know your belongings, you must!”
a. Let’s look at our gear.
i. The Girder of truth – 14a
1. The soldiers wore tunics that were loose fitting and if he did not wear his sash or belt then his clothing would get in the way in a fight and his enemy would have something to grab.
2. We as Christians get very lackadaisical in our attitudes and or theology and we need to chinch up our thought processes.
3. We must watch what we say, to tell a lie is a sin and can be forgiven, but how much worse is it when it hinders the spreading of the gospel.
ii. The Breastplate of Righteousness – 14b
1. The breastplate was usually made of leather and had piece of animal horns and hooves sown on for to make it stronger.
2. The breastplate was to protect the heart and other vital organs needed for survival.
3. Our breastplate is the Holiness of God which protect our hearts.
4. Satan often attacks the seat of our emotion which is the heart. Our self-worth and trust.
iii. Shod your feet with the Gospel - 15
1. Romans Soldiers wore boots with nails in them to grip the ground as they were fighting to prevent them from slipping.
2. We are to wear the boots of our foundation which comes from the gospel. The good news that through Jesus Christ, God is on our side and we have the confidence to stand firm in the security that the victory is ours.
iv. The Shield of Faith – 16
1. the Greek word is (Thri-ri-as) which is a large door shaped barrier approximately 2.5ft by 4.5ft it was to protect the entire body
2. Faith or in the Greek (pistis) the basic trust in God. That above all we as believers trust in His Word and His promises.
3. This is absolutely necessary to protect us from all that Satan tries to trap us in. and without God has our shield we would certainly circum to the Dark Side.
v. The Helmet of Salvation – 17a
1. The helmet is as important as the breastplate maybe even more so.
2. If we are wounded in battle than we can escape to heal our wounds and fight another day.
3. However, with out a helmet it would be almost useless to wear any armor at all.
4. If look didn’t learn to control the force it would control him and allow the dark side less resistance to enter his mind.
5. Paul is speaking to those who are already saved. Remember this is a letter to the church at Ephesus.
6. Satan’s biggest weapon against Christians is DOUBT. He uses it to destroy your assurance of salvation and thus make you an ineffective soldier.
7. If Satan can incapacitate you then you are unable to fight and help bring others to the same saving knowledge.
8. The reason he merely attempts to knock you out is that he knows that you cannot be killed; you have eternal life through Christ Jesus.
9. Security is a fact; assurance is a feeling.
vi. The Sword of the Spirit – 17b
1. The sword was the soldier’s only weapon.
a. Although Luke Skywalker had other weapons when it came down to fighting Dark Vader his only weapon was his Light saber.
2. We like Luke have our “LIGHT SABER” God’s Holy Word and it is sharper than any 2 edged sword.
3. It is infinitely more powerful than anything Satan has in his entire arsenal. And it can fit right here. (Heart).
a. People talk about how many times they have read the Bible in a year. I’m only concerned with one thing, how many times has the Bible been through you.
b. It is the truth of the Bible that makes it so powerful.
i. The Bible is true the old and the new all the way through the Bible is true.
c. Jedi lesson 3 – You must use all that you have been given to battle the Dark side.
vii. “The Empire will strike back” – 13
1. I am putting you on notice.
a. Put on your combat gear/get your Light Saber the Empire is coming.
b. One thing you need to notice about your gear.
i. There is no protection for your back. You cannot run away form the attacks you must stay and fight.
c. You cannot escape the battles.
d. You will be on the battle front.
e. You are going to get wounded.
viii. “The Jedi Master will Return” – 18
a. But fear not.
b. The Battle is His.
c. The Victory is won.
d. The Galaxy is eternally safe.
e. And you have rewards beyond measure.
f. Providing you have become a Jedi.
ix. How to become A Jedi.
