CHRISTIAN’S PERSISTENCE

June 16, 2020 (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Reading to the hearer: Ephesians 6:1-24

 

DOMESTIC DUTIES

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2     Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3     That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4     And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5     Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6     Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7     With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8     Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9     And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Christian Soldier

      10     Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11     Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12     For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Soldiers’ Equipment

13     Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14     Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15     And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16     Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17     And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Prayer Enjoined

      18     Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19     And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20     For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21     But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22     Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23     Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24     Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus”

 

  1. THE FAMILY—vv. 1–4

DOMESTIC DUTIES

  1. Respect—vv. 1–3
  2. Right—v. 1. Obeying our parents.
  3. Respect—v. 2. Respect and honor to parents.
  4. Reward—v. 3. Days long upon the earth.
  5. Right Training—v. 4. Parents should not provoke their children, but show by example how to live.
  6. THE FAITHFULNESS—vv. 5–9
  7. Slaves—v. 5. Work hard. Do not be lazy. Work with all your heart in all you do.
  8. Sincere—vv. 6–7. Be sincere in your work. Regardless of what others do, WORK HARD YOURSELF!
  9. Satisfaction—v. 8. Each rewarded for his work.
  10. Sameness—v. 9. If you are an employer, treat them all the same. Pay and treat them fairly.

III. THE FIGHTING—vv. 10–18

Christian Soldier

  1. Strength—v. 10. Strength from the Lord.

The Soldiers’ Equipment

  1. Standing—vv. 11–13. Stand against Satan. No equipment for the back. No provision for retreat!
  2. Satanic—v. 12. This is a daily battle, against the powers of Satan and his forces.

 

 

Prayer Enjoined

  1. Shelter—vv. 14–18. Equipment to use in this spiritual battle against the power of Satan.
  2. THE FAREWELL—vv. 19–24
  3. Plea—v. 19. Paul asks that the people pray for him as he gives forth God’s Word.
  4. Preaching—v. 20. In jail for preaching God’s Word. He did not pray for deliverance, but for grace.
  5. Person—vv. 21–22. Paul sends Tychicus to witness.
  6. Peace—v. 23. Paul prays that God would give peace.
  7. Parting—v. 24. Paul says farewell to the people at Ephesus.

 

    V.    Three Amen from Romans chapter 16:

                          

16:20 – Paul predicts victory for believers when the God of peace soon will crush Satan.

16:24 – Paul makes a prayerful pronouncement.  He summons “the grace of our Lord Jesus to be with you.

16:27 – Glory in God’s ability.