The Strong Man Disarmed
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13
Originally preached Dec. 18, 1960
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. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against …
Sermon Description
Because of Adam’s sin, the whole world became subject to sin and the rule of Satan. The devil, also called the prince of the world, blinds people from seeing and believing in the truth of the gospel. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “The Strong Man Disarmed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes the way Christ has broken the grip that the evil one has on the world. For Jesus has bound the strong man and by the proclamation of the gospel, the works of Satan and all who follow him are destroyed. This means that Christians can take the gospel to the ends of the earth knowing that Jesus has overcome the evil forces that once dominated this world. Even while Satan and his demons still have some control and influence in the world, the day will come when Christ will return and vanquish the devil and all who worship him once and for all. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, Christ Jesus will bring to completion what which He started on the cross when He comes again to bring the new heaven and earth. This gives all who love Christ confidence and boldness knowing that He has overcome the devil and will finally defeat him on the last day.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing Ephesians 6:10-13 which talks about spiritual warfare.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then gives an overview of the biblical narrative of redemption from Genesis to Revelation. God has had a plan of salvation before the foundation of the world.
- The Old Testament shows how even the greatest men failed against the devil. Men are in a hopeless condition without God.
- God instituted common grace - government, culture, etc. to restrain sin. But men still need God's special grace through Christ.
- The ministry of angels was present in the Old Testament, especially the Angel of the Lord who was the pre-incarnate Christ.
- The Old Testament looks forward to the coming Messiah who would defeat the devil.
- When the fullness of time came, God sent His Son (Galatians 4:4-5). Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
- The devil attacked Christ's coming and ministry at every point - through Herod, the Pharisees, the temptation, etc. But Christ prevailed.
- Christ defeated the devil through His death and resurrection. "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out" (John 12:31).
- As a result, the devil is defeated, the kingdom is open to Gentiles, the Spirit is poured out, and Christ is gathering His people.
- Christ will come again to destroy the devil and his followers forever. The kingdoms of the world will become Christ's.
- God will make a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. The original rebel (the devil) and his followers will be destroyed.
- Christ, the Second Adam, has triumphed where the first Adam failed. He has defeated the devil and his forces. Glory be to God!
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Spiritual Warfare: Questions and Answers
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as our true enemy in the Christian life?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, our true enemy is not other people but spiritual forces. He emphasizes this when discussing Ephesians 6:12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Lloyd-Jones stresses that all our troubles ultimately come from "the devil and these powers which he governs," and that "there is no possible understanding of life apart from the realization that this world is the scene of the activity of these terrible, these terrifying powers."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the purpose of Christ's coming into the world?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ came specifically to engage in battle against Satan and his forces. He quotes Jesus' own words from Luke 11:21-22 about the strong man armed whose palace is taken by one stronger than he. Lloyd-Jones says, "Christ came into the world to deliver men from the bondage and the captivity of the devil and his forces." He further cites 1 John 3:8: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." This battle against Satan is, according to Lloyd-Jones, "the very essence of the biblical message."
What is significant about the angelic activity surrounding Christ's birth and ministry?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that unusual angelic activity marked Christ's birth and ministry because it was "the crucial event." Angels appeared to Zechariah, Joseph, and Mary before Jesus' birth. At his birth, not only did an angel announce it to the shepherds, but "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God." Lloyd-Jones explains this extraordinary angelic presence: "This event is so important that the heavenly hosts are singing... they'd seen what had happened to God's universe... they were grieved... And they're waiting. At last, the vital move has happened. The sun has been sent." He also notes that angels ministered to Jesus in Gethsemane and were present at his resurrection.
How did Satan and his forces respond to Christ's presence on earth?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes how from the very beginning of Christ's earthly existence, Satan attacked. He says, "from the very moment that our Lord appears in this world, indeed, even before he actually arrived in it, the devil and his forces began to attack." He cites several examples: causing Joseph to doubt Mary, inspiring Herod to massacre the infants of Bethlehem, tempting Jesus in the wilderness, inciting the people of Nazareth to try to throw Jesus off a cliff, and stirring up the religious leaders against him. Lloyd-Jones insists these weren't merely human actions but evidence that "the principalities and powers" were fighting against Christ.
What did Christ accomplish on the cross in relation to spiritual warfare?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, on the cross Christ decisively defeated Satan and the powers of darkness. He quotes Jesus' words from John 12:31: "Now is the judgment of this world. Now shall the prince of this world be cast out." He also references Colossians 2:15, explaining that on the cross Christ "put the principalities and powers to an open shame. They thought they were beating him... Not at all. He turns the tables by dying. He defeats them." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that through His death and resurrection, Christ conquered death itself, which had been the devil's power: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? No, the devil has been defeated all along the line."
What is the present status of Satan according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones declares that "the devil and his forces have been defeated everywhere" and that Satan "is already a defeated foe." He firmly states that Satan "is no longer the God of this world. He's been cast out and his forces with him." Lloyd-Jones interprets Revelation 12:9-10 as referring to something that has already happened, not a future event: "The devil has already been cast out. He was cast out when the Son of God finally defeated him there upon the cross." While Satan continues to operate, his ultimate defeat is certain, and believers can now share in Christ's victory.
What is the future that awaits Satan and his followers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Satan's ultimate fate by quoting Revelation 20:10: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Where the beast and the false prophet already are. And shall be tormented day and night, forever and ever. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire." He emphasizes that this is "the final end of the devil and the principalities and powers." Lloyd-Jones declares that all who have followed Satan "will be destroyed with an everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord," while believers will share in Christ's eternal victory.
The Book of Ephesians
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.