Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20
Pastor: Pastor Berg
Sermon Date:  September 2, 2018

What do you think is the biggest threat to our country today? Not surprising, there are many opinions on that topic. Some list foreign countries like Russia and North Korea and the threat of nuclear warfare. Others point to cyber attacks that could shut down our ever-technologically-dependant society. Still others point to our education system while yet another points to obesity. There’s really no consensus.

But what about when it comes to the Church, to Christianity? What is the biggest threat facing Christianity? Some worry about the tax code changes that have changed how people can classify their charitable contributions. Some fear that offerings would plummet and congregations would be forced to close. But, the tax code isn’t the greatest threat to Christianity. History gives us sufficient examples that the church doesn’t need perks from the government to flourish.

Others will point to the rise of Islam. Islamic states aren’t generally very tolerant of Christianity and that has people worried as Islam continues to grow. But again, a quick glance at history shows us that the Lutheran Reformation spread like wildfire at the very same time that the Islamic Ottoman Empire was on the verge of overrunning Europe.

Perhaps we’re coming at the question the wrong way. Perhaps the better question is what is the greatest threat to my Christianity, to my faith? Is it a doubt about the truthfulness of the Scriptures? Is it a sin that you just can’t put away? Is it indifference to Christ and his Word, a determination that they just aren’t all that important?

Friends, our greatest enemy, our biggest threat isn’t out there, it’s in here. It’s nothing physical, but rather spiritual. Or as Paul puts it: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Paul is talking about the Devil. He’s talking about the catalogue of forces the Devil has at his disposal. They are the threat. They are the reason so many wander off the narrow path. And right now their focus is on you and me. They are the ones whispering doubts in our ears, directing our eyes off the prize, encouraging our indifference. They are determined to lead us to our own destruction.

That’s why Paul writes the way he does as he concludes his letter to the Ephesians. Again the language is forceful. “Be strong…Stand…Stay alert.” But does anyone see a problem here? Are these commands that we can actually carry out? It’s like telling someone who’s paralyzed to stand up or someone who’s pinned underneath a boulder to just be strong. No matter how loud you shout it or how much you want it, it just doesn’t work that way. However, when God tells us to “be strong” and “stand” it’s not a command to pull ourselves up or reach down deep inside ourselves for strength that isn’t there. No, Paul says literally, “Be strengthened in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  It’s not your strength he tells you to muster, but his. And Paul uses a beautiful picture of that strength, a picture of armor that all of us get to wear. Today, let’s focus on that armor, because it’s the only way we’ll be able to take our stand against the Devil. Let’s celebrate the unity we share as we put on our identical armor.

Paul begins his closing words by saying: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Paul has had a lot to say to us in this letter, hasn’t he? And here in verse 10, Paul is really summing everything up. That’s the sense of that word, “Finally.” Take everything I’ve said to you, all the encouragement and direction and “Be strong.” Literally, Paul is saying, “Be strengthened. Let yourself be strengthened in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Something needs to happen to us, someone needs to act for us so we can be strengthened. And this is what the Scriptures tell us, isn’t it? If we were to try and do this on our own, to be strong, we would fail miserably. Jesus tells us in John 15: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.” We have no strength on our own to stand up and be strong. But God tells us through the psalmist, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Our strength comes from the Lord. Our strength comes from his mighty power. And it’s through his Word and Sacraments that we draw on his strength, that we tap into his power. And why do we need it? “so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

The Devil is real. I probably don’t have to say that to this group, but it’s worth repeating. The Devil is real. He is not some metaphor for everything that’s wrong with the world or a cartoon character who sits on our shoulder whispering into our ear. He is a real, powerful, cunning fallen angel whose sole purpose is to lead as many souls to hell as possible. The Bible is crystal clear on this, and yet so many people refuse to believe that there is a hell or a Devil. Now I know we don’t fall into that camp, but I think we’re still prone to forget about the Devil and the spiritual forces of evil, because we can’t see them. Out of sight, out of mind. And that’s the danger of the Devil. The Devil doesn’t come at us with a full-out frontal assault. He’s a schemer. That Greek word scheme is where we get our English word “method.” The Devil is methodical in his approach. He loves to be behind the scenes, forgotten. He’s constantly, methodically planting false ideas in our hearts, intent on destroying our faith. The idea to be your own bible, to make God and his will what you want them to be rather than what God reveals them to be; the idea to trivialize your own sin, to conclude that Jesus forgives it so why not keep on doing it, after all, nobody’s perfect; the idea that you know better than God; the idea that your faith will stay strong even though you’re staying away from God’s Word; the idea that your fellow man exists to serve you and not the other way around. The Devil plants all kinds of ideas all the time, and we’re far from innocent victims. To us they often sound like good ideas and we make them our own, sometimes realizing but more often than not that thy are complete lies and their purpose is to take us away from Jesus and take us to hell. That’s the reality. That’s what’s really going on. The Devil is real and he stronger than you and he’s stronger than all of us combined and he’s got our names on his list and he’s playing for keeps.

But all is not lost, for one stronger than the Devil is fighting on our side. One who has already defeated the Devil, our Savior Jesus, has given us his power and has given us his armor. Listen again to what Paul says: “For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand.” The evil day is not Judgment Day, but rather a wicked day, a day when the Devil is attacking you. And notice what Paul says about that day: “you will be able to take a stand.” Paul says that we will be able to stand up to the Devil and his attacks. We will be able to stand! How? By taking up the full armor of God. The picture Paul paints describes a soldier who is completely protected from head to toe. Every piece of armor is in its place. And Paul lists them, right on down the line. Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Look at how completely the Lord has protected you. Not a single part of your body is left uncovered, not a single thing you lack in the fight. The Devil lies, but God gives you the truth. The Devil comes back and haunts you with the same sins he tempted you to commit in the first place, but God covers you with his righteousness. The Devil robs you of peace with God, but God gives it back. The Devil drives you to doubt, but God gives you faith. The Devil seeks your damnation, but God gives you salvation. He gives you all of those things through his Word, which is the sword of the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Devil is stronger than us, but he’s not stronger than God. He can’t change what’s already been done. As Luther famously wrote, “He’s judged, the deed is done.” He can’t take away our forgiveness, he can’t take away our salvation. His only chance is to try and lead us away from Jesus, which is why Paul says four times in fives verses “Stand!”

Friends, this is your life in Christ. I think people get annoyed when athletes talk about the games they play in military terms: war, battle, struggle. But that is the spiritual reality for us! Our life is carried out on a spiritual battlefield. The onslaught of the Devil and his forces is relentless. If it weren’t for our armor, we’d be toast. We’re not trying to win, we’re simply trying to come through alive—to stand. But friends, we never stand alone, never. We are covered head to toe with the one who already conquered the Devil and won the war. Think about that! The one who tells us to give up on Jesus and try something better is the same one Jesus has already whooped. The one who tells us that Jesus has given up on us is the same one whom Jesus made a special trip to help to proclaim his victory over. Our biggest enemy is the biggest loser the world has ever known, not because he lost to us, but because he lost to Jesus. That’s what we can tell the Devil. That’s the truth we can use to encourage each other, that we’re all wearing identical armor.

Friends, I pray that our journey through Ephesians has broadened your understanding of the unity we share in the gospel. We know our lives as Christians will not be easy, not by far. But we thank God for those struggles because it means that we’re still on the path, we’re still being preserved by our Savior. May we be strengthened in the Lord and in his mighty power by clinging to his Word, by basking in his forgiveness, and by leaning on one another for encouragement as we celebrate our unity in Christ and in his gospel. May God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.