Think about it:

There is a real battle going on right now for the souls of men and

women, boys and girls.

Memory Verse- Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.”

Your Thoughts

Our visible world is subject to the work of an unseen world. That world is very dark and hidden from our eyes, but we lie very open to it. The Bible describes it as an all-out war of Satan against God and His Children. This is a battle that every Christian is enlisted to fight in whether they want to or not. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This battle is going on around you right at this very moment. It is as real as anything you and I can see with our very eyes. As we enter the book of Ephesians, Paul reveals to us that Christ has already won the victory. We are shown that believers are in Jesus Christ and are also victorious through Him. Paul impresses upon our minds and hearts that we have a home in heaven. Why would this same book that lifts us up to heaven then climax on the battlefield? There is a powerful enemy fighting against us. Paul’s final charge is to be strong in the Lord.

1Be Strong

in the Lord

THE BIBLE WAY TO HEAVEN

Realize That God Loves You. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

The Bible Says That All Men Are Sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory to God.” (Romans 3:23).

God’s Word Also Says That Sin Must Be Paid For. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The Good News Is That Christ Paid for Our Sins. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

We Must Personally Pray and Receive Christ by Faith as Our Personal Saviour. The Bible Says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

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How is your relationship with the Lord now? Where do you desire for it to go?

Your Thoughts

Think about it:

Our strength is found in the strength of our

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Think About it:

We must not rely on our own strength and

ability.

Strength is Found in the Lord After lifting us up, Paul strongly charges us to, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” The word strong used here literally means, “to strengthen in” or basically to make strong. We can think of strength in two ways. Active power is exerting great force whether physical or mental. Passive power is one’s ability to bear or endure, being well fortified, able to sustain attacks, or not easily taken. We are to “be strong in the Lord.” Notice the little word “in”. It implies a connection or relationship. The strength Paul is charging us to have is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. This begins with trusting Christ as your Saviour and progresses with our growing in the knowledge of Him.

The amount of strength lies in the depth of our relationship with the Lord. Read II Peter 1:1-4 and 3:17-18. Notice the emphasis placed on growing in our knowledge. A longtime Christian is not necessarily a strong one and a new Christian is not necessarily a weak one.

Read II Timothy 2:1-4. As a Christian, we are enlisted in a battle. Paul charges you and I to, “be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ” and to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ.” To endure hardness means to suffer evil or affliction. It implies to continue in the same state without perishing, without breaking, or without yielding to force. How on earth are we to endure in this fight with the evil all around us? As a good soldier of Jesus Christ. A true soldier is aligned faithfully with his side and captain.

“Having Done All to Stand” Lesson 1

We are no match for the power and force of Satan. It is only in the power and might of the Lord that we can overcome this ruthless enemy. Compare Ephesians 1:19-23 with 6:12. Christ has already overcome each of the operations listed in 6:12. Read Hebrews 11:32-34. Notice the miraculous feats mentioned in these verses. It is in our weakness that God works and receives the glory. Read I Corinthians 12:7-10. God gave Paul “a thorn” to keep pride away and allow God to work through his weakness. Jesus Christ desires to do a great work in this world. He has all the power, means, and desire to do just that. The problem is we are in His way. We need to step aside with our abilities and allow Him to work through our weaknesses. Read Romans 8:33-39. In our relationship with Him we are more than conquerers. The strength of this relationship determines how well we will fight in this battle.

Your Thoughts

Strength is Given for the Battle

What would you call a soldier who mingled with both sides? The person would be called a traitor or a spy. Notice what Paul says about the soldier in verse four. This good soldier is not to entangle himself with the affairs of this life. Entangle means to braid, interweave, or involve in. A soldier working with both sides would be absurd and unacceptable by his captain. Think of how often we entangle ourselves with this world. What does our our Captain think about that? No wonder the enemy seems to be getting victory.Strength is Found in Our Weakness