Grace Group Study - How To Stand Firm in the Gospel
How To Stand Firm in the Gospel
Ephesians 6:1013
Eph. 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph. 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Eph. 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
QUESTION: Do you feel that you face real spiritual warfare every day? Why or why not?
QUESTION: If we took Paul's threat to be serious, how would this change the way you live? What do you believe would change?
1Pet. 4:12 ¶ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Phil. 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Suffering is part of war as we fight for the king. Satan opposes us on every front and will use whatever means possible to destroy our confidence in Christ. This is why James says:
James 1:2 ¶ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Trials are the boot camp of life. They teach us how to stand firm in the Gospel when we face spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness.
1Pet. 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pet. 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Trials are simply preparation for warfare because the battle is over our faith in the truth of God's promises. Trials are like resistance training. God pulls on our faith to show us how much we can undertake.
QUESTION: How do these verses change your perspective of suffering and trials?
When we don't understand how to utilize our trials and suffering instead of being for our benefit, they become weapons in the head of our adversaries. Satan attacks us when we are weak, tired, and feeling alone. His lies come to us in so many ways. But these lies stick because they have partial truth.
• “Real Christians would struggle with their faith.”
“They wouldn't pretend like you do.”
“They would have been able to handle this better.”
“This would have never happened if you had obeyed God.”
“God doesn't love you. How would he let this happen?”
Paul also faced these types of thoughts. How could he not with all that he suffered? How did he respond?
2Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor. 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
So what are we arming ourselves with? God's grace! The Gospel is the only way we can endure this world and not give up, or give in, to keep the truth advancing to set captives free.
When we feel like giving up and lying down, Paul says, "I've been here. I know what it's like." When you lose your job, a loved one, or your health, when the world turns against us and calls us bigots, racists, homophobes, accused of hate speech, or radicals, where do we go? We look to the foundation of our soul. We wash ourselves in the Gospel.
When we don't constantly breathe in the fresh, pure air of the Gospel, this world can suffocate the life out of us. God provides us with a power that comes from outside of us. We don't stand in our own strength, but we pick up every part of the Gospel and hold it for dear life so that no matter what happens, we will not waver.
Rom. 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
We are not defined by our failures. We are defined by our standing––IN CHRIST!
QUESTION: How can we help each other stand firm in the Gospel?
QUESTION: How would you describe what we are fighting for? What is the purpose of this warfare?
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PRAISE, PRAYER, AND CONFESSION:
What can you offer to the Father in praise?
What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?