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Review- We have recently spent time in looking at the Church as God’s vessel for reaching all people with transformative work of the Spirit.  Now, we look at what it means to live the Christian life.  That life cannot be lived successfully by your own power. 

Zechariah 4:6b “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”

We need the power of the Holy Spirit to change us!

• Our corrupt character needs a complete makeover. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
  • A washing of the Spirit.
  • Sanctifying work that makes us holy.
  • By the work of the Spirit alone are we justified before God.

• The power to live a godly life and participate in His holy nature can only come by His divine power.

2 Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

We need God’s POWER to defeat an enemy from within and without. 

“Sooner or later every believer discovers that the Christian life is a battleground, not a playground, and that he faces an enemy who is much stronger than he is—apart from the Lord.”  Warren Wiersbe

Identifying three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.

                  Read Ephesians 6:10-18

• To be strong in the face of such formidable enemies we need a strong defense that only God can provide. (10)
  
  
• Paul uses the illustration of a modern soldier to make his point in defense against Satan himself.
  • It is an armor designed by God specifically capable of winning against the most powerful of enemies. (11)
  • Satan will utilize many different tools and strategies to harm you. (11b)
  • Illustration: Marine video
    • Need resources to continue to adapt to the enemy’s schemes.
    • Need commitment from the top to provide those resources.
    • Need soldiers to strap it up.
  • THERE IS OUR PROBLEM.
    • We operate with blinders.
    • We try in our own power.
  • God is committed to resourcing you to live for Him.

• God’s provision for living victoriously for Christ.
  • Belt of Truth- holds it altogether. (14a)
  • Breastplate of Righteousness- a life lived by the Spirit is the best defense to Satan’s accusations. (14b)
  • The gospel of peace is our proper shoes- the goal is stand and having the correct shoes helps you to do so despite the terrain. The gospel of peace tells us where and how to stand. (15)
  • The Shield of Faith- is trusting in God’s promises that He’s got us and His promises are true. (16)
  • Helmet of Salvation- The mind is a battleground, and our identity is under attack. His grace must remain our focus. (17a)
  • The Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God is our offensive weapon by which we can defeat our enemy. (17b) Example: Jesus in the wilderness.

Walking in God’s power begins with prayer!  Ephesians 6:18

• Called to pray always regardless the context or issue.
  
  
• Called to pray in varied ways—petitions, fears, frustration, praise, gratitude, etc.
  
  
• Called to pray in the Spirit.
  • Asking for help.
  • Seeking to listen.
  • Acknowledging His capabilities.
  • Trusting His timing.
  • Taking action by His lead.

Benediction:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men^[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”