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Today's Music

Bless The Lord (Son Of Man) - Tye Tribbet

Hosanna - Earnest Pugh

Spirit Pour Out - Andy & Rachel Graham

How Deep The Father’s Love - Austin Stone Worship

Wood And Nails - The Porter’s Gate

Build My Life - Pat Barrett

Today's Liturgy

Call to Worship

As we patiently wait for the Lord, He turns His ear our way—He hears us!
He draws us from the pit of destruction, from muck and mire.
He sets our feet upon solid rock again, securing our steps.

Many see and fear, and place their trust in the Lord.
Blessed are those who make the Lord their trust, and do not chase a lie.

—Based on Psalm 40:1-4

Confession

Lord, you are the foundation of our lives.
What other name would we call upon, who else would we build our lives upon?
We need you and we trust you with our confession and petition.

In this life, we face various trials:
We are tempted to lay down your truth and pick up half-truths that comfort our pride.
Fasten us again in the belt of truth.

Our hearts are easily wavering, and sin finds a foothold through anger, envy, and fear.
Cover us, Lord, with the breastplate of righteousness.

We are quick to speak words that hurt, and slow to share the good news of peace.
Fit our feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

Doubt and discouragement threaten to shake our faith.
Raise the shield of faith around us, that we may stand firm.

The voices of accusation and shame echo loudly in our minds.
Guard us with the helmet of salvation and remind us who we are in Christ.

Our prayers falter, and we grow weary in the fight.
Strengthen us by your Spirit, and teach us to pray in your power.
Lord, help us to stand firm in Christ,
For yours is the victory, and your strength is our hope.
Amen.
–From Ephesians 6:10-20

Spirit Filled Strength: Standing Firm in a Spiritual War

Jamaal Williams

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

–Ephesians 6:10-20

Big Idea: Stand strong in God’s armor, not your own.
Passage Summary: Because Christ has already defeated the powers, God calls His people to stand firm in His strength by putting on His armor and praying in the Spirit. We do not fight to win victory. We stand on victory already won.

1. Know the war you are in (6:10–13)

Be strengthened by the Lord — True strength is received from God’s resurrection power, not produced by your own effort.
Put on the full armor of God — God provides His own armor in Christ, and you must rely fully on what He gives.
Stand against the schemes of the devil — The devil attacks with calculated lies, temptations, and accusations designed to undermine your faith.
Recognize the real enemy — Your ultimate battle is not against people but against unseen spiritual forces influencing the world.
Acknowledge spiritual powers at work — Real spiritual beings oppose God’s people even though they have been defeated by Christ.
Prepare for the evil day — Some days bring intensified spiritual pressure that require intentional spiritual readiness.
Stand firm in Christ’s victory — You stand not to earn victory but to live in the victory Jesus has already won.

2. Put on the armor God provides (6:14–17)

Belt of Truth — God’s truth holds your life together and keeps you from being unraveled by lies.
Breastplate of Righteousness — Christ’s righteousness covers you, and obedience protects your heart from spiritual harm.
Shoes of Gospel Peace — The gospel gives stability and confidence to move into hard places with inner peace.
Shield of Faith — Faith blocks the enemy’s flaming arrows of fear, shame, and deception, especially when believers stand together.
Helmet of Salvation — Remembering the full scope of your salvation guards your mind against spiritual attack.
Sword of the Spirit — Scripture is your Spirit-empowered weapon for confronting lies, temptation, and darkness.

3. Pray at all times in the Spirit (6:18–20)

Prayer is how you put on the armor — Prayer is the means by which God’s strength becomes active in your life.
Pray in the Spirit — Spirit-led prayer aligns your desires with God’s will and empowers true dependence.
Stay alert — Spiritual warfare requires watchfulness rather than drifting into distraction or numbness.
Intercede for the saints — God calls His people to fight together by praying for one another.
Pray for gospel boldness — Even Paul needed Spirit-empowered courage to speak the gospel clearly.

4. Application

You need a Savior stronger than the storm you are in.
You need a King stronger than the sin that pulls you.
You need a Lord stronger than the lies that attack you.
You need Jesus. And the good news is, you have Him.
- Run to Jesus.
- Stand in His armor.
- Pray in the Spirit.