Message Notes for July 30, 2023
Series: A Tour of Ephesians – The Walls Will Fall
Title: Wall Breaking Armor (New Habits Refined!)

Two key resources God makes available for us to walk in our new life with Christ.
From last week:

• Let the Holy Spirit Renew You!
  

• Ephesians 4:22-23 Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
  

• Put On God’s Armor!
  
• Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
  

• Belt of truth

• Body armor of God’s righteousness

• Shoes of peace

• Shield of faith

• Helmet of salvation

• Sword of the Word

• Prayer always
  

Family/Study Group Notes for July 30, 2023
Series: A Tour of Ephesians – The Walls Will Fall
Title: Wall Breaking Armor (New Habits Refined!)

• How do you generally know whether what you are doing or thinking is right or wrong?
  
  

• In Ephesians 4:23, Paul reminds us to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and attitudes. Share with each other how the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and mind on matters of right and wrong.
  
  

• The Bible speaks about what sin is. Review the following passages. Proverbs 6:16- 19, Galatians 5:19-21, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. How do those who do not know Jesus view these sins?
  
  

• All sins are not listed in the Bible. How could you know what to do if the Bible is not black and white on a particular issue? How does Ephesians 4:29 address this? What about 1 Corinthians 10:31? What about 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 or Colossians 3:17?
  
  

• We see a lot of bad and evil things in our world. We also see the shifting of cultural values away from God’s ideal. How do you think Satan’s supernatural powers can affect cultural direction and individual thought and actions?
  
  

• Read Ephesians 6:10-18. What does Paul say about these evil struggles? What is our chance against them without the help of God? What does Paul say we must put on? Walk through the meaning of these and how they help us against powers beyond our control.
  
  

• What promise does Jesus give us against such powers? Review the following passages. Colossians 1:13-14, Jeremiah 15:21, Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 91:1-16, 2 Timothy 4:18, 2 Thessalonians 3:2-4, Romans 16:19.
  
  

• Gather with your family/friends and pray for each other to be encouraged and protected in your walk with Jesus.