Ephesians 6:10-11

Marching Orders – The Soldier’s Charge

Introduction:  The faithful Christian life is a battle, it is a warfare on a grand scale because when God begins to bless, satan begins to attack.  We are not only God’s children and servants…we are his soldiers.  Every soldier has his or her marching orders.  The purpose of this sermon is to look at the soldier’s marching orders, the soldier’s charge.

I. The Length of Charge (v.10a)

·        Finally…means henceforth, the spiritual war exists from now on, until the Lord’s return, there is no cease fire, no temporary truce, no cessation of hostilities, from now on, until the end because there is an all out war. 

·        A Christian who no longer has to struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil is a Christian who has fallen either into sin or into complacency.  A Christian who has no conflict is a Christian who has retreated from the front lines of service.

II.  The Charge, part 1 (v.10b)

·        Be strong means to be strengthened; clothe oneself with strength, as with a garment

·        Tense (present)  – continuous action

·        Voice (passive) – subject acted on by outside power, shows we cannot do this on our own (in the Lord), call for submission and humility

·        Imperative – command to make this your habit, the warfare is continual

·        Power of his Might

·        A manifested strength

·        Strengthened by God’s power source

III. The Charge, part 2 (v.11)

·        Put on the Whole Armor as in putting on a garment and clothing oneself

·        Do it now; once and for all – sense of permanence – not a temporary wardrobe

·        You initiate the action and participate in the result…God is not going to force you to do so

·        Imperative – a command, a sense of urgency because the battle is real and serious

·        This armor enables us to stand against the tricks and traps of the devil (enemy)

Conclusion:

·        We will be victorious because Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

·        Jesus was victorious.