08.03.2025 | Be Strong In the Lord
BE STRONG IN THE LORD!
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV) - “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) - “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) - “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) - “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
How do we stand against the powers of darkness that are coming against our families, our church families, our communities, and our own walk with the Lord so that the Kingdom of God can be advanced?
KNOW THAT SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Every believer is in a battle, but not with flesh and blood.
I AM NOT THE ENEMY!
There is a spiritual force of evil in the world.
Matthew 12:28 (NKJV) - “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
1 John 3:8b (NKJV) – “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
2. KNOW THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS AND THE POWER OF THE BLOOD
Ephesians 6:10a (NKJV) – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord…”
Ephesians 6:10a – BE STRONG IN THE LORD!
Jesus Christ has defeated and disarmed every principality and power of darkness through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
Colossians 2:15 (NKJV) – “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Revelation 12:11 (NKJV) – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from a place of victory already won!
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT) – “For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”
3. KNOW THE POWER GIVEN TO EVERY BELIEVER
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
A. Explosive Power
Be strong – endunamis – supernatural, explosive, miracle working power in us!
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
B. Resurrection Power
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) – Be strong in the Lord and in the power……. Kratos Power!
Kratos Power is the demonstrated power of God when He raised Jesus from the dead.
Ephesians 1:19b-20a (NKJV) - “...according to His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead...”
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is living on the inside of every believer!
C. Mighty Power
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.”
Might – ischouos – describes a very strong person, mighty and powerful!
Our God is Mighty!
He is the “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). He is the “Almighty God,” El Shaddai (Genesis 17:1).
1 John 4:4 (NKJV) – “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
James 4:7 (NKJV) – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
4.KNOW HOW TO WALK IN THE POWER GIVEN TO US
Luke 10:19 (NKJV) – “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Authority – exousia – delegated authority to advance the Kingdom.
How do we step into that authority and power?
Repent of any sin.
Forgive anyone of anything.
Believe the Word in your heart.
Declare the Word with your mouth!
I DECLARE WITH MY MOUTH JESUS IS LORD AND BELIEVE IN MY HEART GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. I BELIEVE THE RESURRECTION POWER OF JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THIS DAY I CHOOSE TO WALK IN THAT POWER FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Discussion Questions
Can you share a time in your life when spiritual warfare became real for you?
Do these verses in Ephesians 6 frighten you, strengthen you, comfort you, or challenge you?
Why would the Holy Spirit put so many of the Greek words for power in Ephesians 6:10?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these verses for today?
What action step is the Holy Spirit calling you to take today?
What one verse in the message for today would the Holy Spirit encourage you to memorize and meditate upon?