Ephesians 6:18-24 

Introduction: In our last lesson, we saw the armor of a Christian Soldier. In this passage of scripture, Paul has written down his closing remarks to the Ephesians. If you notice, Paul makes some practical statements regarding his Christian life, which are examples of a Christian soldier, for us. Paul says in Philippians 4:9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”. Because Paul has made himself an example to the Christian believer and has exhorted us to do likewise, we should look at these closing remarks and practical things that Paul is doing in his life and apply them to our life.   

The Christian: 

1. Prays Always– Vs 18 “with all prayer”. Prayer is how a Christian communicates with God. All prayer is good prayer, God wants to hear from us. All of us here can pray and should pray. The question is, do we pray? We are to “pray without ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17 
   • Prays in the Spirit- vs 18 “in the Spirit”. Romans 8:26-27 the Spirit of God knows exactly what we need and what is best for us. We may not like or agree with the outcome, but that is up to God.  
   • Prays for Others- vs 18 “for all saints”. the Christian soldier is not in the battle alone. We must be praying for each other, so the devil doesn’t knock out one of us. Ephesians 1:15-16 “making mention of you in my prayers”.  I Thessalonians 5:25 “Brethren, pray for us”. 
   • With Supplication- vs 18 “and supplication”. to entreat, to beseech, with earnestness. This person is really trying to get a hold of God.  

2. Watches his Surroundings– Vs 18 “watching thereunto”. To watch is wakefulness, being awake, guarding, carefully observing. 

1. • With Perseverance- Perseverance is persistence and continued pursuit. 
   • The Flesh is Weak- Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. When the flesh is weak, we keep pushing, we don’t let our guard down. 
   • We tend to Faint- Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint”. If we are to watch our surrounding with perseverance, then we shouldn’t faint along the way. 

3. Preaches Boldly– Vs 19 “that I may open my mouth boldly”. A Christian soldier opens his mouth with the gospel, and we need boldness to do so. There are so many things against us preaching the gospel, our flesh, the devil, even other Christians. 

1. • Preaches the Gospel– I Corinthians 15:1-3 the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel is good news or glad tidings. I Corinthains 9:16 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel”. 
   • Preaches with Boldness- Vs 20 “For which I am an ambassador in bonds”. The gospel must be preached with boldness regardless of the negative outcome. 
     • When we preach, we can experience- loss of friends and family, loss of liberty, and even a loss of life. We need boldness to preach the gospel regardless of what might happen to us or who might not want to associate with us any longer.  

4. Is an Ambassador for Christ– Vs 20 “For which I am an ambassador”. An ambassador is a representative of their country, in another country. The ambassador represents the power and dignity of their country or leader. II Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ”.  Are we properly and proudly representing our Lord Jesus Christ to others? 

Do we show Christ’s: 

1. • Love- John 14:28 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. 
   • Mercy- Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” 
   • Goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering- Romans 2:4 “or despises thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”.  

5. Lives out Peace, Love, and Grace– Vs 23 “Peace be to the brethren… love with faith… grace be with all”. Love and Peace are found in the Fruit of the Spirit- Ephesians 6:24 

1. • Peace- Ephesians 6:24 both peace and love are the Fruit of the Spirit. When we abide in him John 15:4-5, then we can produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  
   • Love- Ephesians 6:24 
   • Grace- This is the favor and kindness of God. I Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me”. We recognize the grace of God in our lives and that is what keeps us humble and yet motivated to serve our great God. 

Conclusion: As we have seen, a Christian lives and walks a certain way, with discipline.  He prays always, watches his surroundings, preaches boldly, is an ambassador for Christ, and lives out peace, love and grace.