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Ephesians 6:10-18

“God’s Invisible Warriors”

Spiritual Warfare•We’ve been heading towards this topic thru the whole letter to Ephesus•Would you agree that we live in an increasingly hostile and demonic world?•Would you be surprised if I said a large majority of born-again believers are not properly prepared for Spiritual Warfare?•3 reasons for this vast majority of unpreparedness

Three Reasons:1. Christians do not know the Word as they should• Knowing the Bible is not just for Church Leaders– but for

every believer!2. Most rarely think about the spiritual realm, though they

interact with it day in and out• Thinking that the spiritual world is surreal is wrong– it is

VERY REAL3. Most are influenced by progressive liberal media,

especially Hollywood• Instead of Truth from God, many are persuaded by lies

through media, that seem wonderful, but distract them from God’s Word, and are really Demonic, spiritually ignorant, and anti-God

Spiritual Warfare•Today we are starting a topical series, “The Whole Armor of God” inside the expository study of the Book of Ephesians• I rarely do topical– but it’s necessary here•During our study, we are going to find out:•Who divine angels are– God’s invisible warriors•Who our enemies are and how they work•What Spiritual Warfare is•What each piece of armor is and means to us

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil

“day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is

the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, [i]be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…”

Ephesians 6:10-18, NASB

A. Angels– Truth and Fiction• Angels are long flowing robed females, flying across the sky with long feathered wings•Cherubs are fat, naked baby-looking creatures, with tiny wings and harps, and float on clouds•Godly people become Angels after death, often returning to family as Guardian Angels•Highway to Heaven and Touched by an Angel are Bible-based TV•History Channel shows on the Bible are really informative as well•NO, Wrong, Ridiculous, Lies, and NOT!

A. Angels– Truth and Fiction•The Apostle Paul teaches about Angel Hierarchy in his letter to Colossae

“16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

Colossians 1:16, NASB

A. Angels– Truth and Fiction•The Apostle Paul teaches about Angel Hierarchy in letter to Colossae•Thrones: Archangels like Michael, Gabriel, and other special envoys, even Lucifer•Dominions: Cherubim and Seraphim•Principalities: 5 Star generals, “the Brass”•Powers: the “infantry”, Guardian Angels

B. Never Worship Angels•Revelation 19:10

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 19:10

B. Never Worship Angels•Revelation 19:10•To put it simply, angels are sent to earth to do God’s work•They are doing it discreetly and quietly, not seeking to draw attention to themselves•God wants us to give honor and glory to Him, not to angelic beings

C. Angels are Invisible; mostly •Angels remain invisible, except when God has a specific task for them otherwise•Two undercover angels were with Lot before they destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah•An angel appeared to Daniel while he was fasting and praying•Gabriel showed himself to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph•Shepherds Jesus birth night•Peter in Jail saw one

D. Four Angels’ Duties1.) Angels protect the born-again•Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them…”•2 Kings 6:17 proves this as well saying, “…and Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw . And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

D. Four Angels’ Duties•Revelation 12:3-4a says, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth…”•During the fall, Satan took a third with him– that leaves two-thirds for us!•How powerful are they? In 2 Kings 19, one single Angel killed 185,000 Syrian soldiers in one night

D. Four Angels’ Duties2.) Angel’s Deliver God’s judgment•Revelation 8, 9, 16 (Trumpet and Bowl Judgments)•The two angels at Sodom and Gomorrah3.) Angels minister to the Born-Again as well•Psalm 91:1-2 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”•Remember Daniel chapter 10

D. Four Angels’ Duties•Some believe Angels still escort spirits of dead born-again believers to the Lord•Luke 16:22, “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.”•However, 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord..”

Take Home…•Angels should not be worshiped or prayed to, because they are fellow servants of Christ