Introduction
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10
Originally preached Oct. 2, 1960
Scripture
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Sermon Description
Readers of Paul will soon recognize that he is a skilled and deliberate letter writer. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10 titled “Introduction,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones comes to the final section of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and reminds the listener that his final point is no mere afterthought. This passage is crucial for understanding the Christian life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones masterfully surveys the message of Ephesians and makes thematic connections between what Paul has said previously and what he writes in this passage. While the apostle Paul has been reminding Christians who they are and how they have come to this point, it is vital for them to know the nature of their opposition. Since the devil is a real and powerful enemy, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares that any doctrine of sanctification that does not take a stand against him into account will fall short of biblical teaching. Moreover, any teaching about the Christian life that depicts it as sentimental and not as a battle not only misrepresents the Christian message, but often is a sign of a cult. There is a struggle that wages against the Christian and they must be ready and willing to fight this glorious battle. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he encourages all to fight the war of the Christian life.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines Ephesians 6:10-20 which introduces spiritual warfare and the armor of God.
- The sermon rejects William Gurnell's division of the passage into verse 10 as one section and verses 11-20 as another. Instead, it divides the passage into verses 10-13 as a general exhortation and call to battle, and verses 14-20 as detailed instructions.
- Verses 10-13 are further divided into:
- How to prepare for battle: Be strong in the Lord (v. 10) and put on the whole armor of God (v. 11, 13)
- Why preparation is needed: To stand against the wiles of the devil (v. 11) and evil days (v. 13), and to stand after having done all (v. 13)
- The sermon notes the relationship of this passage to previous passages. Previous passages dealt with conflict with the world and the flesh, but this passage introduces conflict with the devil and spiritual forces. Though the conflicts differ, the devil can work through the flesh.
- The sermon outlines several key points:
- The Christian life is a warfare and struggle, not easy.
- This is a warfare that Christians must wage, not one God wages for them while they rest.
- The call to battle is rousing and stimulating, not sentimental or "devotional."
- Christians must realize the power against them, their own resources in God, and work out applying the armor piece by piece.
- The battle is ongoing and lifelong.
- The overall message is that Christians must wake up, stand up, and fight the good fight of faith as men and women of God.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.