Oct. 18, 2020

Standing Firm

 Primary Text:  Ephesians 6:10-15                  October 17 & 18, 2020

 Last Week’s Teaching:  Standing Guard

 1)  A City in Ruins

 Nehemiah 1:3-4:  "The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."   When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

DQ 1) What was Nehemiah’s job in the palace of the Persian king? 

           Why was his job important to the people of Israel?

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2)  On Guard

Nehemiah 4:7-9:  But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.  They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.  But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Isaiah 62:6:  I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. 

DQ 2) Why must Christians constantly be on guard against 

           spiritual attacks?

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3)  Battle Ready

Nehemiah 4:16-23:  From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor….  Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked….  So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.  At that time I also said to the people, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day."  Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. 

DQ 4) What types of spiritual enemies lurk around today that 

            require constant vigilance on our part?

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This Week’s Teaching:

 1)  After Everything

 Ephesians 6:10-15:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  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.  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.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

DQ 1) Describe situations in which it is important for Christians to 

           stand on truth.

DQ 2) How is earnestly pursuing righteousness part of standing 

           firm in Christ?

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2)  Firm in the Faith

1 Peter 5:8-9:  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14:  Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love. 

DQ 3) Describe aspects of standing firm as they relate to spiritual 

           warfare.

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3)  Standing in Unity

Philippians 1:27-28:  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. 

DQ 4) Why is unity critical among believers?

DQ 5) How successful are the spirits of evil at creating disunity 

           among Christians?  Why?

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 4)  It’s Worth It!

 1 Corinthians 15:58:  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

DQ 6) Why does standing firm require an eternal perspective?

DQ 7) How does standing firm in Christ enable us to see the work

           of the hand of God?

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