September 2026
Armor, 6 September 2026
08 09 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ephesians: Our True Identity
Armor and Greetings
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 6, 2026
Ephesians 6:10-24
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: Spiritual warfare is real…and we have the necessary armor to be victorious.
Today we finish our summer-long series on the book of Ephesians, a short letter written to early Christians about 2000 years ago. Our scripture reading is not the most riveting passage, the closing greetings of the letter.
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. (Ephesians 6:21-22)
If nothing else, this lends itself to the authenticity of the writing. Paul is writing to real people about real people.
Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:23-24)
He ends with a blessing of peace, faith, grace, and most of all love, the hallmark of every Christian, the beginning of our church’s mission (love, equip, send), and the greatest gift we could ever receive…or give.
Now that we’ve finished the book, I want to back up and look at last week’s scripture reading on the armor of God. Youth Sunday was great, but we didn’t have time to dig into those verses, so here we go…
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)
It’s tempting to want power and strength. This might be especially true for men, though there are plenty of women working out at the gym, too. Even if fitness is not a priority, you probably like to be strong, right? How many of you want to be weak? Paul is not saying be strong in yourself, your intellect, your body, or even your character. He says be strong in the Lord…and in his mighty power. How do we do that?
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)
There is a real devil, diabolos in the original Greek. He is a liar, a thief, a destroyer, and an accuser. We see his work every day in the news. How else can you explain the rampant sin in our world? If you believe in angels, you must believe in demons. C.S. Lewis said,
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
We don’t need to look for a demon in every Coke can, yet we can’t ignore the reality of spiritual warfare.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
Spiritual warfare is raging all around us, whether we realize it or not. However,
People are not the enemy.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood. People can be used by the enemy, but they are not the enemy. Every human you meet is a masterpiece created in the image of God with dignity, value, and worth. We are all broken masterpieces in need of healing and restoration—some more than others—but masterpieces, nonetheless. This is one reason we are commanded to pray for our enemies. They need Jesus! Imagine how different “fill-in-the-blank” would be if they surrendered their life to Christ. That’s what happened to Saul in the New Testament, and it literally changed the world. His photo went from the post office wall to book covers everywhere across the Roman Empire (so to speak)!
When Paul talks about our struggle, it is a battle. It is a war, and war is not a hobby or part-time endeavor. It’s a lifestyle.
We must be ready at all times. We’re not spectators! Fortunately, we have been given weapons that we must use or risk becoming needless casualties of war.
Therefore 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. (Ephesians 6:13)
We have been given nothing for our back, so don’t even think of running away, turning back, or retreating. Stand your ground. How? He offers echoes of Isaiah chapter 59:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15)
Truth refers to the gospel, the good news, Jesus is Lord. We need to proclaim it in word and deed, waging war against the lies of our enemy, his primary tool.
Righteousness—and justice—concern God’s perfect standard and our practices, behaving rightly. Author Michael F. Bird said last week, “America’s religious revival is belief without behavior.” Ouch!
The gospel of peace brings light into the darkness and defeats evil. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let it begin with us. Let it begin in us!
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)
This is about trust in God. I used to think of a shield as an individual weapon, but in ancient times they would be used as a group. We need one another in the battle.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Salvation is about the deliverance of all types of evil in our world, for ourselves, and liberating others. We need to protect our head, our mind. God’s Word is also vital in the battle. We need to know the scriptures. Our enemy does! The Greek word here rhema includes proclaiming the gospel. Warren Wiersbe notes,
A physical sword wounds to hurt and kill, while the sword of the Spirit wounds to heal and give life. But when we use the sword against Satan, we are out to deal him a blow that will cripple him and keep him from hindering God’s work.
There’s one more important tool.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
We have the sword of the Spirit, and we are to pray in the Spirit. Always keep on praying…for us, for one another, for all the Lord’s people. We pray “our Father,” not “my Father.”
Jesus is the perfect example of all of these tools. When we put on the armor, we put on Christ!
Next, Paul gets personal.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Remember, Paul is writing from prison or house arrest. He doesn’t ask to be released, though. He says, “Pray that I may declare the gospel well.” Amazing.
So What?
Paul has covered many things in this short book. If you missed any of the sermons, I encourage you to go to our website and watch them, not because of the messenger but the message! If you are a follower of Jesus, you are “in Christ” and that’s an incredible reality filled with both benefits and responsibilities.
Specifically to today’s text,
We need to fight the good fight of faith with armor…on our knees.
We don’t need to be afraid, but we must be aware of the battle.
When you feel afraid, get on your knees and do something about it!
At the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus said he has all authority…in heaven and on earth. We have weapons and must use them, not to fight people but to battle evil.
“In the midst of spiritual battles, find strength in the knowledge that God fights on your behalf.” – Beth Moore
We have been commissioned as soldiers to bring faith, hope, and love to our broken world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
When we pray, we are
…strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)
Amen!
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 6, 2026
Ephesians 6:10-24
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: Spiritual warfare is real…and we have the necessary armor to be victorious.
Today we finish our summer-long series on the book of Ephesians, a short letter written to early Christians about 2000 years ago. Our scripture reading is not the most riveting passage, the closing greetings of the letter.
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. (Ephesians 6:21-22)
If nothing else, this lends itself to the authenticity of the writing. Paul is writing to real people about real people.
Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:23-24)
He ends with a blessing of peace, faith, grace, and most of all love, the hallmark of every Christian, the beginning of our church’s mission (love, equip, send), and the greatest gift we could ever receive…or give.
Now that we’ve finished the book, I want to back up and look at last week’s scripture reading on the armor of God. Youth Sunday was great, but we didn’t have time to dig into those verses, so here we go…
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)
It’s tempting to want power and strength. This might be especially true for men, though there are plenty of women working out at the gym, too. Even if fitness is not a priority, you probably like to be strong, right? How many of you want to be weak? Paul is not saying be strong in yourself, your intellect, your body, or even your character. He says be strong in the Lord…and in his mighty power. How do we do that?
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)
There is a real devil, diabolos in the original Greek. He is a liar, a thief, a destroyer, and an accuser. We see his work every day in the news. How else can you explain the rampant sin in our world? If you believe in angels, you must believe in demons. C.S. Lewis said,
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
We don’t need to look for a demon in every Coke can, yet we can’t ignore the reality of spiritual warfare.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
Spiritual warfare is raging all around us, whether we realize it or not. However,
People are not the enemy.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood. People can be used by the enemy, but they are not the enemy. Every human you meet is a masterpiece created in the image of God with dignity, value, and worth. We are all broken masterpieces in need of healing and restoration—some more than others—but masterpieces, nonetheless. This is one reason we are commanded to pray for our enemies. They need Jesus! Imagine how different “fill-in-the-blank” would be if they surrendered their life to Christ. That’s what happened to Saul in the New Testament, and it literally changed the world. His photo went from the post office wall to book covers everywhere across the Roman Empire (so to speak)!
When Paul talks about our struggle, it is a battle. It is a war, and war is not a hobby or part-time endeavor. It’s a lifestyle.
We must be ready at all times. We’re not spectators! Fortunately, we have been given weapons that we must use or risk becoming needless casualties of war.
Therefore 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. (Ephesians 6:13)
We have been given nothing for our back, so don’t even think of running away, turning back, or retreating. Stand your ground. How? He offers echoes of Isaiah chapter 59:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15)
Truth refers to the gospel, the good news, Jesus is Lord. We need to proclaim it in word and deed, waging war against the lies of our enemy, his primary tool.
Righteousness—and justice—concern God’s perfect standard and our practices, behaving rightly. Author Michael F. Bird said last week, “America’s religious revival is belief without behavior.” Ouch!
The gospel of peace brings light into the darkness and defeats evil. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let it begin with us. Let it begin in us!
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)
This is about trust in God. I used to think of a shield as an individual weapon, but in ancient times they would be used as a group. We need one another in the battle.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Salvation is about the deliverance of all types of evil in our world, for ourselves, and liberating others. We need to protect our head, our mind. God’s Word is also vital in the battle. We need to know the scriptures. Our enemy does! The Greek word here rhema includes proclaiming the gospel. Warren Wiersbe notes,
A physical sword wounds to hurt and kill, while the sword of the Spirit wounds to heal and give life. But when we use the sword against Satan, we are out to deal him a blow that will cripple him and keep him from hindering God’s work.
There’s one more important tool.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
We have the sword of the Spirit, and we are to pray in the Spirit. Always keep on praying…for us, for one another, for all the Lord’s people. We pray “our Father,” not “my Father.”
Jesus is the perfect example of all of these tools. When we put on the armor, we put on Christ!
Next, Paul gets personal.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Remember, Paul is writing from prison or house arrest. He doesn’t ask to be released, though. He says, “Pray that I may declare the gospel well.” Amazing.
So What?
Paul has covered many things in this short book. If you missed any of the sermons, I encourage you to go to our website and watch them, not because of the messenger but the message! If you are a follower of Jesus, you are “in Christ” and that’s an incredible reality filled with both benefits and responsibilities.
Specifically to today’s text,
We need to fight the good fight of faith with armor…on our knees.
We don’t need to be afraid, but we must be aware of the battle.
When you feel afraid, get on your knees and do something about it!
At the end of the book of Matthew, Jesus said he has all authority…in heaven and on earth. We have weapons and must use them, not to fight people but to battle evil.
“In the midst of spiritual battles, find strength in the knowledge that God fights on your behalf.” – Beth Moore
We have been commissioned as soldiers to bring faith, hope, and love to our broken world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
When we pray, we are
…strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)
Amen!