The Dark Lord (1 of 4)
Series: The Lord of the Ring
Jeff Strite
Ephesians 6:10-18
OPEN: Several years ago, I watched a PBS Special that covered the events leading up to the ''Battle of the Bulge'' during WWII.
It was the autumn of 1944 and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was in tatters and the repeated bombing raids of the Allies all but assured that Hitler's forces would never rise again.
Around the perimeter of Germany's borders, the Allies spread a thin line of forces. One person observed that Allied forces were was so scattered that a man could slip between its lines without being observed.
All across Europe, there was celebration. Parties, dances, speeches all rejoicing in Germany's defeat. The war was effectively over. The only problem was (pause) somebody forgot to tell Germany.
Even as his forces were being shattered and driven back Hitler was devising a plan for one last onslaught. Underground factories churned out more weapons, armament and ammunition. More of Germany's young and old men were conscripted and trained for war. And as Europe rejoiced, Hitler planned.
His goal was not to drive back the Allies into the sea, as much as it was to divide the British to the North and Americans to the South, so demoralizing them that they would sue for peace on his terms.
Hundreds and thousands of men died because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived and that the war was NOT (completely) over.
APPLY: What Paul is telling us here in Ephesians is the enemy still lives. The war IS NOT completely over. And you had better not let down your guard. We MUST put on the whole armor of God and prepare for battle.
I. Why? Because, the enemy is just waiting for a chance to take you out.
Notice what Ephesians 6 tells us about Satan:
''Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.'' (vs. 11)
''… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, agai ...
Series: The Lord of the Ring
Jeff Strite
Ephesians 6:10-18
OPEN: Several years ago, I watched a PBS Special that covered the events leading up to the ''Battle of the Bulge'' during WWII.
It was the autumn of 1944 and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was in tatters and the repeated bombing raids of the Allies all but assured that Hitler's forces would never rise again.
Around the perimeter of Germany's borders, the Allies spread a thin line of forces. One person observed that Allied forces were was so scattered that a man could slip between its lines without being observed.
All across Europe, there was celebration. Parties, dances, speeches all rejoicing in Germany's defeat. The war was effectively over. The only problem was (pause) somebody forgot to tell Germany.
Even as his forces were being shattered and driven back Hitler was devising a plan for one last onslaught. Underground factories churned out more weapons, armament and ammunition. More of Germany's young and old men were conscripted and trained for war. And as Europe rejoiced, Hitler planned.
His goal was not to drive back the Allies into the sea, as much as it was to divide the British to the North and Americans to the South, so demoralizing them that they would sue for peace on his terms.
Hundreds and thousands of men died because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived and that the war was NOT (completely) over.
APPLY: What Paul is telling us here in Ephesians is the enemy still lives. The war IS NOT completely over. And you had better not let down your guard. We MUST put on the whole armor of God and prepare for battle.
I. Why? Because, the enemy is just waiting for a chance to take you out.
Notice what Ephesians 6 tells us about Satan:
''Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.'' (vs. 11)
''… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, agai ...
There are 14191 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
