Sermon Central
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Strength To Stand-1 Series
Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 30, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: 1 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how can God's people find the strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...
STRENGTH To STAND-I—Ephesians 6:10-20
Attention:
Memorial Day—U.S. war death count[from: AwesomeStories.com]:
2015—In 1971, Congress declared that “Memorial Day” would be a national holiday which occurred on the fourth Monday of May(not on May 30th). Among other reasons, legislators wanted to give Americans a long weekend at the beginning of summer.
Veterans opposed that idea, declaring that if Memorial Day were part of a long weekend, it would turn-into a summer holiday where people focused on having fun instead of remembering, & honoring, those who had died.
How many Americans have given their lives for their country’s freedom, from the formation of the "United States" until now? Here are the approximate numbers from the major conflicts (with a separate listing for the War beween the States):
American Revolution—4,435 deaths; 6,188 wounded.
War of 1812—2,260 deaths; 4,505 wounded.
Mexican War—13,283 Deaths; 4,152 wounded.
U.S. Civil War—620,000 deaths; 476,000 wounded; 400,000 captured or missing.
Spanish-American War—2,446 deaths; 1,662 wounded.
World War I—116,516 deaths; 204,002 wounded.
World War II—405,399 deaths; 671,846 wounded.
Korean War—36,574 deaths; 103,284 wounded.
Vietnam War—58,209 deaths; 153,303 wounded.
Persian Gulf War (1990-91): 382 deaths; 467 wounded.
“Global War on Terror,” including the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars:
+6,800 deaths; more than 970,000 disability claims registered as of March 31, 2014.
By Memorial Day, 2015, at least 1,266,304 people had died fighting for America.
Paul closes his revelation/direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord by effectively arming themselves.
The church must acquire God’s strength to stand victorious.
Where is the church’s strength to stand victorious?
How can the church find strength to stand victorious?
12 distinctions of the Christian soldier’s strength for victory.
alternate lead-in: God’s people acquire victory thru a distinct...
1—God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...
STRENGTH(:10)
Explanation:(:10)
:10—“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might.”
Now Paul addresses that(those matters) which is near & dear to his heart as an apostle to the Gentiles & as one entrusted with the spiritual welfare of the Ephesian Christians. He gives the church some final general instruction.
He addresses them as his own brothers.
He exhorts the Christians & Christian family there to make a priority of their “being strong”...of seeking & possessing “strength.”
It is entirely likely that the believer has NOT sought to maintain God’s “strength” in their life. It is to one’s persuasion & benefit to do so!
Their “strength”/empowerment is to be accomplished foundationally “in the Lord.”
“It is to be accomplished “in the power” that arises out of the Lord’s “might.” That is, the Ephesian brothers & sisters are to find their strength in God’s inherent, eternal, & steady—vigor, ability, & strength—& to employ that strength” in every aspect of their lives both individually & corporately.
“Finally”—loipon—Adverbial Noun—1) Remaining, the rest—1a) Hereafter, for the future, henceforth, 1b) At last, already, 1c) For the rest, besides, moreover. Strong—neuter singular of the same as loipoi[remaining ones]; Something remaining(adverbially). RWP—Finally (tou loipou). Genitive case, “in respect of the rest,...”“D G K L P have the accusative to loipon (as for the rest)...”. Used 14X.
From a derivative of leipw—1) To leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind; 2) To be wanting, to fail.
“Brethren”—adelfov—Noun Masc.—1) A brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother; 2) Having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman; 3) Any fellow or man; 4) A fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection; 5) An associate in employment or office; 6) Brethren in Christ—6a) His brothers by blood, 6b) All men, 6c) Apostles, 6d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place. Strong—from A(as a connective particle) & delfuv(the womb); A brother(literally or figuratively) near or remote. “Strong/Empowered”—endunamow—Present Passive Imperative 2nd Plural—1) To be strong, endue with strength, strengthen; 2) To receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength; 3) in a bad sense—3a) Be bold, headstrong. Strong—To empower. Used 8X.
English=?’Endow’?
From—en—1) In, by, with etc.. Strong—a primary preposition denoting (fixed)position(in place, time or state), & by implication--Instrumentality(medially or constructively), i.e. A relation of rest(intermediate between eiv[into, unto, to, towards, for, among] & ek/ex[out of, from, by, away from]).—&—dunamow—To enable. From—dunamiv—Force(literally or figuratively); specially--Miraculous power(usually by implication, a miracle itself).
“Lord”—kuriov—Noun Masc.—1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord. Kuriov has a wider meaning[than despothv], applicable to the various ranks & relations of life & not suggestive of either property or of absolutism. Strong—from kurov(supremacy); Supreme in authority, i.e. as noun--Controller.
“And”—kai—Conjunction—1) And, also, even, indeed, but. Strong—And, also, even, so then, too, etc..
“In”2X(See :14—“With”)—en—Preposition—1) In, by, with etc..
“Power/Strength”—kratov—Noun Neuter—1) Force, strength; 2) Power, might: mighty with great power—2a) A mighty deed, a work of power; 3) Dominion. Kratov is might, relative & manifested power -- in the NT chiefly of God. Strong—perhaps a primary word; Vigor[“great”](literally or figuratively). Used 12X.
