Ephesians 6:12-18 Invincible

We're at war. A spiritual and supernatural war! The best part is, we can't be beat?

Alright, let’s read Ephisians 6:12-18-2 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Alright, if you’ve been listening to this podcast more than once before today, you know that most of what I talk about has to do with our command to make disciples of all nations, to spread the Good News! Today I want to lift you up and make sure that you know something that is vital to your success with this mission. You...are...invincible! Yes, I mean that, you are invincible. Today's scripture was directed at the people of God, that includes us. It may have been written in the early AD years, but it holds true still. In Exodus 9:16 Moses is given a message for Pharaoh and he says you have been raised up for God’s specific purpose so that His name will be proclaimed in all the earth. He was going telling Pharaoh to let His people go, but we have all been raised up for God’s purpose so that his name will be proclaimed. Philippians 2 tells us that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. We are at war, and it’s a spiritual war, a supernatural war, and it’s not being fought with puny human weapons. It’s being fought in the hearts, and thoughts, and actions of everyday people. And here’s the thing, the enemy has already been defeated. Jesus took the punishment and died for us, went to hell on our behalf and while he was there, he took the keys and defeated death when he rose again to live for evermore. Read Revelations chapter 1 and 1 Peter chapters 2 and 4 and Acts 2:31. I’ll link these scriptures in the show notes over on the website. The devil knows he’s beat, and he’s running wild. He’s tying a rope to as many people as he can and putting as much separation between them and God as he possibly can before Jesus comes back to bring us all home. This is where we come in. This is where the command to make disciples of all nations falls squarely on our laps. But too often, most of us fall short of fulfilling that command. I think there are too many christians who are totally fine with just having their salvation, but not enough faith to live in the spirit and bring other people along. We’re tourists here, we’re on a layover. This isn’t our final destination. People hold tight to their pride and don’t share the gospel for whatever reason they have, fear of humiliation, not knowing what to say, or not being comfortable telling other people about Jesus, fear of failure... But we’re told throughout the scriptures that we can’t be beat, Jesus can’t be defeated. Luke 10:19 says “I have given you all authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” You see, in America and most other “western” civilizations, your greatest threat is a bruised ego or a tongue lashing from an uninterested non-believer. Talk to a missionary that travels to some African countries or to China. There are people who are actually risking their lives to share the Gospel because they believe so firmly in the love and saving grace of god through their faith in Jesus and truly uphold the Great Commission. Don’t mistake my words as attacking you, I’m talking to me as much if not more than I am to you right now. We’re weak in spirit and lack faith. Too often we practice complacent christianity and I’m to the point where I’m sick about it.. Why do we not take this as serious as it is? If we claim that we are Christians and we believe that the word of God is the authority in our lives, why do we not bury ourselves in it and listen to what it says? 2 Thessalonians 3:3- :But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” Joshua 1:5- “ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Luke 12:12 tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say. I think we just need to get out of the way of the Holy Spirit and let God work through us for them. You’re good, you’re in the 99, he’s after the one lost sheep and we are the field hands sent to help find them and bring them home. I’ll finish up this episode with a scripture from Luke chapter 12 verse 8. Jesus is talking to his disciples and says, “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” This episode has stirred something in me, it’s fired me up. I'm going to have to do a multi part on Evangelism and discipleship. Look for that to come out soon. Let’s pray.
Closing Prayer-Father I pray your forgiveness for my complacency in my faith. I pray for boldness and opportunity to share your Gospel with others. I pray that you are strong in our weakness and that we are made strong in you. I pray that you give us the courage to proclaim you to the world so that you will proclaim us to your angels. We know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be stopped. Amen

Scripture & Reference
Ephesians 6:12-18https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12-18&version=NIV
Exodus 9:16https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+9%3A16&version=NIV
Philippians 2https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2&version=NIV
Revelations 1:18https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1%3A18&version=NIV
1 Peter 4:5-7https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:5-7&version=NIV
Acts 2:31https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2:31&version=NIV
1 Peter 2:23-25https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:23-25&version=NIV
Luke 10:19https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A19&version=NIV
2 Thessalonians 3:3https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians%203:3&version=NIV
Joshua 1:5https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1%3A5&version=NIV
Luke 12https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12&version=NIV