The Victory Is In Jesus

A study in Ephesians: Learning to live in victory over ‘strongholds’.

Presuppositions – June1, 2008

Stronghold: a way of thinking or acting that is contrary to the will and the ways of God, that is built on a deception, nourished by an emotion, and injected with self-will.

  1. There is a Biblical basis for our study.

II Corinthians 10:3-5

Ephesians 4:27

  1. There is a Biblical definition: ‘ochuroma’: a castle… that upon which one relies for personal safety and advancement and ‘topos’: an area or tract of ground.
  2. There is a Biblical approach.

Ephesians 6:10 ff

  1. There is an assignment: Memorize Ephesians 3:20-21

Ephesians 1:1 – June 8, 2008

God begins the Book of Ephesians by introducing us to a man who had learned how to walk in victory over 'strongholds': Paul (Saul), the apostle.

  1. Saul strayed into darkness: Philippians 3:4-6, Matthew 6:23

Saul could have strayed into darkness through one or more possible ways:

  1. …thorough his body
  2. …through his freedom
  3. …through his popularity
  4. …through his social status
  5. …through his worldliness
  6. …through his self-reliance

Ephesians 1:1 Cont. – June 15, 2008

  1. Saul stayed in the darkness: Acts 7:54-8:3
  2. Saul was singled out by the Light: Acts 9:1 ff
  3. Saul sought the Light: Acts 26:1-23
  4. Paul was set free by the Light: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
  5. Paul was never the same: Acts 13:9

Ephesians 1:1 Cont. – June 22, 2008

God now introduces us to a group of people who had begun to learn how to gain victory over strongholds: ‘saints’ and ‘faithful ones’. They had had a:

  1. …ruined past: I Corinthians 15:39, I Corinthians 16:9, I Timothy 1:3
  2. …religious past: Acts 19:1-4
  3. …redeemed past: Acts 19:5-20, Acts 20:17-38
  4. recurring past: Revelation 2:1-7

Ephesians 1:3-14 – June 29 – July 6 – July 13, 2008

I. Allow the truth to work in you.Ephesians 1:3-14, John 6:13

1. We know that all godly change begins and is dependent on God, because…

  1. Only God deserves praise
  2. Blessings come from God alone.
  3. Every necessary help God alone supplies.
  4. Change occurs in God’s exclusive provision.

2. God’s loving work opens the way to victory. Ephesians 1:4-8

  1. God ‘chose’ us in Christ. (Election – cf: Genesis 1:1 ff, Hebrews 10:19 ff)
  2. God ‘adopted’ us in Christ.
  3. God ‘redeems’ us in Christ.
  4. God ‘makes known’ His plan in Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-23 – July 20– July 27 – Aug 3, 2008

II. Approach God in humility. Ephesians 1:15-23

Since God IS God, our next step to freedom is humility. James 4:8, Matthew 6:33, 7:7-8

1. We need the spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to know Him better.

John 3:3, Hebrews 5:13

2. We need the eyes of our hearts be enlightened so we can know…

Luke 24:28-32

Ephesians 2:1-10 – Aug 17 – Aug 31, 2008

III. Deal honestly with all issues. Ephesians 2:1-10

Before Christ, we were, by nature, objects of wrath. Ephesians 2:3, Revelation 6 & 9

1. ‘…dead in trespasses and sins.’ Genesis 3:1 ff, Ezekiel 18:4

2.‘…living like the world, the devil and the flesh: gratifying cravings and following desires / thoughts.’ Ephesians 2:1-3, James 1:13-15, Romans 6:15-23

But, in Christ, God lovingly and mercifully, made us alive. Ephesians 2:4 ff,

James 1:13-15, John 3:36, I Thessalonians 1:9-10, Lamentations 3:19-26

Now, YOU ARE HIS! Ephesians 2:10

3. Make NO provision for the flesh. Romans 13:14

4. Resist the devil. James 4:7, I Timothy 4:7

5. Love not the world. I John 2:15, Titus 2:11-14

Ephesians 2:11-3:21 – Sept. 14 – Sept. 21 – Sept. 28, 2008

IV. Seek reconciliation with God. Ephesians 2:11- 3:21

When I receive reconciliation, I...

1. '...am "brought near"; no longer separated, excluded, hopeless and Godless

Ephesians 2:11-13,Isaiah 59:1-2, I Peter 3, Hebrews 12:14, Colossians 1:21, Psalm 51, Psalm 103, Psalm 146

2. '...am "at peace with God":Ephesians 2:14-18: participating submissively with the presence of God (Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:18) and participating obediently in the plan of God. (Genesis 3, {where and who} John 14:15-21,Revelation 3:19-20,Matthew 22:36 ff, John 13:24) Application: Matthew 6:9ff, Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 3:12-13, Galatians 5:6, I Timothy 1:5, I Peter 1:22

Ephesians 2:19-3:21 – Oct. 5, 2008

V. Live forgiveness out.

  1. A new Identity: Ephesians 2:19-22, Genesis 32:22-30,II Peter 2:22
  2. A new Insight:Ephesians 3:1-6, Jeremiah 33:3
  3. A new Involvement: Ephesians 3:7-9, (a server) I Timothy 1:12 ff, Psalm 119:101, Hosea 5:4, Romans 6:15-23
  4. A new Intention: Ephesians 3:10-13, Colossians 3:17, I Corinthians 10:31

Ephesians 5:5 – Oct. 19, 2008

Pleasing God.

  1. We are His children of light
  1. Good (Psalm 37:3)
  2. Righteous (Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:33)
  3. Truthful (I Timothy 2:3-4)
  1. Find out what pleases God
  1. Personal (II Timothy 3:16)
  2. Pursuit (II Timothy 2:22)
  3. God’s pleasures (Psalm 119:10, Isaiah 55:6)
  4. Examples of what pleases God
  1. Love the Lord your God (Matthew 22:37)
  2. Love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39)
  3. Love the children of God (I John 5:2)
  4. Live a life of love (Ephesians 5:2)
  5. Believe in the Son of God (I John 5:10)
  6. Live for the will of God (I Peter 4:2)
  7. Worship in spiritual truth (John 4:23)
  8. Obey His commands (I John 5:3)
  9. Know the Holy scriptures (II Timothy 3:15)
  10. Seek the Lord (Isaiah 55:6)
  11. Forgiveness (Mark 11:25)
  12. Self-controlled (I Peter 4:7)
  13. Prayer

Ephesians 4:1-32 – Oct. 26 – Nov. 23, 2008

VI. Embrace Christ’s Freedom.

  1. Enter the Victorious Battle: Ephesians 4:1-3, II Corinthians 10:3-5, II Timothy 4:6-8,

John 16:33

  1. Observe the Rules of Engagement: Ephesians 4:3-6, II Timothy 2:3-4, Philippians 1:27 ff
  2. Remember your comrades: If you are going to be victorious in overcoming strongholds, other believers are going to be a part of that process.

Ephesians 4:7-16, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 6:10, Hebrews 6:10

  1. Fight on until the essential becomes habitual: Ephesians 4:17-32, Hebrews 5:14

The greatest potential peril of the church is not persecution by the ungodly because of the lifestyle of the church, but rather the participation of the church in the lifestyle of the ungodly. Guard your mind. Romans 12:2, II Corinthians 10:3-5

The more religiously casual and carnal the mind, the more cold the heart.

Proverbs 23:7, Matthew 24:12, I Timothy 4:1, II Timothy 3:13-16