Spiritual Warfare

16th Sermon in the Series: Who is the Church? A Study of Ephesians
Dr. Timothy Keller
29 January 2012

Ephesians 6:10-13
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorites, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

WHO WE FIGHT? - Evil is real.
--There is darkness in all our hearts
--The West tries to quantify evil by citing social or psychological forces
--These forces may shape evil and its manifestation, but doesn't create it

WHAT WE FIGHT
--Don't overestimate nor underestimate the devil.
--Don't blame everything on the Devil, yet don't just blame yourself.
--Devil makes a flawed person worse by aggravating your flaws.
--Temptation, and yielding to it means you are too full of yourself and your desires
It hides you from God.
--Accusation is when we think of ourselves as awful
It hides God's love from you.
Causes us to look more at our sin than at our savior.

HOW WE FIGHT
--Know the devices that Satan uses on you by knowing your flaws.
--Gospel is our armor.
Christ has underwritten our weaknesses.