Be Strong in The Lord
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-11
Scripture
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Sermon Description
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones admits that the problem of spiritual depression is so widespread that he could spend all of his time counseling depressed Christians. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–11 titled “Be Strong in the Lord,” he seeks to address the cause of spiritual depression. While the counselor should take strides to ease the immediate pain of depression, the problem lies deeper than the pain itself. The problem is spiritual. Living in a materialistic world, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one forgets that the spiritual world exists. The tendency is to treat everything as physical. For some, this means arguing that all depression is the result of personal sin. For others, this means arguing that all depression is the result of the body or brain. These answers, however, do not go deep enough and leave the individual in their depression. The problem is that Satan wars against humanity. These depressed thoughts come from the devil himself. In fighting spiritual depression, Christians must engage in a spiritual battle. Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines the whole armor of God and calls Christians to put on this armor. This is their fight against spiritual depression: to take up this armor and fight against the devil. Listen and be encouraged that Christ has triumphed, He has defeated the devil. In Christ, His people will prevail.
Sermon Breakdown
- Many Christians are depressed and unhappy because they fail to realize they are in a spiritual warfare.
- Some Christians don't seem to be aware there is a conflict at all. This is a pathetic state to be in.
- One of the fundamental problems of humanity is forgetting the spiritual realm. This affects non-Christians and Christians.
- Materialism is not just an interest in physical things but a forgetting of the spiritual realm. This is the main cause of irreligion today.
- This forgetting of the spiritual realm can follow us into the Christian life. It can affect our prayer life and realizing the reality of the unseen.
- We can fail to realize the reality of evil spiritual powers that surround us. This is dangerous.
- Some think conversion is the end of the process rather than the beginning. This view comes from false evangelism or a failure to grasp Scripture.
- The Christian life is one of conflict with evil powers. This is taught throughout Scripture and church history.
- We see this conflict in the lives of Christ, the apostles, Luther, Bunyan, and others.
- We must understand the character of this fight. It is against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness.
- The words used convey a sense of dramatic intensity and a call to battle. We are in a great spiritual conflict.
- These forces attack us physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically through illness, mentally through depression or fears, spiritually through doubts or temptation.
- The devil can directly attack and terrify even strong Christians. His power should not be underestimated.
- We must apply this teaching practically in our lives. Head knowledge is useless without application.
- We can distinguish attacks of the devil from our own sin or thoughts. Depressing thoughts, self-concern, doubts, a sense they come from outside us, hating them, etc.
- Failure to realize the complete victory we have in Christ is another reason for depression. We can't defeat the devil in our own strength.
- Christ has already defeated the devil. We are in Christ, so we can defeat the devil through His power and strength.
- We are told to resist the devil, and he will flee. We can overcome him through Christ.
- Our greatest failure is failing to avail ourselves of Christ's strength. We often bypass the Scripture and think prayer alone is enough.
- Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God, then pray. We must follow the order and details in Scripture, not oversimplify the Christian life.
- We will go on to explore the armor of God in more detail.
Spiritual Depression
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.