Review:
Ephesians 6:13-18
Therefore, take up the whole armor of _____, that you may be able to withstand in the _____ day, and having done _____, to stand. 14 _________ therefore, having girded your waist with _______, having put on the breastplate of _________, 15 and having shod your feet with the ___________ of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of ________ with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the _______ one. And take the helmet of ________ and the sword of the Spirit, which is the _______ of _______; praying always with ____ prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being __________ to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the_______--
Ephesians 6:19,20
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, v20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Now that we have tightened and fastened on God's armor, and we've guarded ourselves in prayer, and we guard others in prayer, this next passage has three strong points to think about:
1.Ask others for prayer. Verse 19 continues a request made in verse 18, that we pray for all the saints and (as verse 19 continues) for Paul himself. He's asking the church in Ephesus to pray for him. We need to ask people to pray for us. Who is a
prayer warrior in your family, your friends, your workplace and school, and in your church? Make a list. Place "Prayer Warrior" beside their names in your phone. Prayer from others is a powerful resource. What can break down a wall of prayers? Nothing!
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2. Paul needs prayer to speak boldly of Jesus. Paul was the greatest missionary of the 1st century AD; yet, in humility, he admits that he needs boldness. He mentions it twice in this passage. You're not expected to grab a megaphone and shout at your college campus's street corner, but you can boldly obey the Holy Spirit and share the love of Jesus. You can boldly disagree with a group of friends who are proclaiming falsehoods. You can boldly say, "I am a Christian." You can boldly lead others to know Christ.
3. Paul states he is an ambassador in chains. An ambassador is someone who represents or promotes something. We represent Christ; we are ambassadors for Christ. A few commentaries believe "chains" here meant jewelry worn by diplomats to signify their high status. But chains could also mean to be captive, and the verse would still make sense. As Christians, we choose to live in the parameters of God's word, because this is how we're truly free. So, it's a paradox with an awesome truth: we humbly remain captive to the freedom of Jesus Christ, and it truly is a freedom.
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2 Corinthians 4:8,9
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—