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New Life Ministry teaching

FINALLY WE CAN STAND EPHESIANS 6

July 10, 2025

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Teaching summary

In this powerful message, Pastor Leonard Rola explains what it truly means to "stand" in the strength of the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God. Drawing from the full context of the book of Ephesians, he reveals how Paul’s use of the word "finally" points us back to everything previously written—especially about God’s exceeding power and our identity in Christ. The sermon breaks down each piece of the armor by connecting it to earlier chapters in Ephesians, affirming that we are not fighting demons but resisting wrong mindsets and adversaries to the gospel of grace. Pastor Leonard challenges traditional teachings and redirects focus toward understanding our union with Christ, the finished work of the cross, and the gospel of grace.

Bible verses referenced

  • Ephesians 6:10 – "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."

  • Ephesians 6:11 – "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

  • Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

  • Ephesians 4:24 – "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

  • Romans 10:9-10 – "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

  • Romans 10:4 – "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth."

  • Ephesians 1:7-10 – "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."

  • Ephesians 2:4-6 – "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

  • Romans 1:16-17 – "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

  • Ephesians 4:23 – "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

  • Ephesians 5:19 – "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

  • Ephesians 6:12 – "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

  • Romans 6:4-5 – "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

  • Ephesians 2:5-6 – "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

  • Colossians 2:14-15 – "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

  • 1 Corinthians 6:17 – "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

  • 1 John 4:17 – "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

  • Galatians 3:1 – "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you?"

  • Numbers 33:55 – "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."

  • Judges 2:3 – "Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you."

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7 – "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure."

  • Matthew 16:23 – "But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."

Teaching notes

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: Why “Finally” Matters
  2. Be Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might
  3. Girded with Truth: The Gospel of Grace
  4. The Breastplate of Righteousness
  5. Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace
  6. Shield of Faith: Our Righteousness Through Belief
  7. The Helmet of Salvation: Renewing the Mind
  8. Praying Always: The Unity of the Saints
  9. Wrestling with Principalities: The True Meaning
  10. Understanding Adversaries, Not Demons
  11. Thorn in the Flesh: What Paul Meant
  12. Saul Was Once the Adversary
  13. Principalities, Powers, Rulers: What These Really Are
  14. Christ Has Triumphed: Walking in Victory

Introduction: Why “Finally

Pastor Leonard opens the sermon by emphasizing the importance of the word “Finally” in Ephesians 6:10: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." He teaches that proper hermeneutics requires understanding the context of the entire letter to the Ephesians. The word "finally" is a conclusion drawn from everything Paul had previously written. Pastor Leonard urges believers to grasp the full theology and consistency of Paul’s gospel before interpreting the armor of God.

Be Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might

Paul reminds believers of the “exceeding greatness of his power” discussed earlier in the letter. Pastor Leonard connects this to Ephesians 1:19-20: "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead…" This same resurrection power that raised Christ now strengthens believers. Being “strong in the Lord” is not about human strength—it’s about relying on the divine power that seated Christ “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion”.

Girded with Truth: The Gospel of Grace

The “loins girt about with truth” refers to being rooted in the unshakable truth of the gospel. Paul previously outlined this in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Pastor Leonard explains that this immovable truth—that salvation is by grace, not by works—should anchor the believer’s identity.

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Paul describes the breastplate of righteousness as guarding the heart. Pastor Leonard links this to Ephesians 4:24: "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." This righteousness is not earned; it is a gift received by faith. Supporting this, he cites Romans 10:10: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace

Peace comes from knowing and proclaiming redemption through Christ, as laid out in Ephesians 1:7-10: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…" This gospel of peace brings reconciliation, not fear. It is not a message of striving but of God's purpose and pleasure fulfilled in Christ.

Shield of Faith: Our Righteousness Through Belief

Pastor Leonard shows that the shield of faith protects us by affirming our position in Christ. He refers again to Ephesians 2:4-6: "But God, who is rich in mercy… hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Faith is what activates and shields our understanding of righteousness. This is echoed in Romans 1:16-17: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…"

The Helmet of Salvation: Renewing the Mind

The helmet protects our thoughts and beliefs. Pastor Leonard reminds us of Ephesians 4:23: "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." He urges believers to be mindful of their identity in Christ, rejecting mixture (law + grace) and focusing on the finished work of Jesus.

Praying Always: The Unity of the Saints

The final armor piece is prayer—constant communion with God and the body of Christ. Leonard references Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." This spiritual community is part of standing strong together.

Wrestling with Principalities: The True Meaning

Paul warns in Ephesians 6:12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Pastor Leonard explains, “high places” refers to the Jewish temple system and priesthood, not cosmic demons. He stresses that Christ has already seated us far above all these things.

Understanding Adversaries, Not Demons

Leonard clarifies that the Greek word for “devil” is diabolos, meaning “slanderer” or “false accuser.” Satan, or satanas, simply means “adversary”—one who opposes a person’s purpose. He explains that many challenges Christians face stem from inferior mindsets, not demonic power.

Thorn in the Flesh: What Paul Meant

In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul writes: "And lest I should be exalted above measure… there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me…" Pastor Leonard explains this “thorn” was opposition from Judaizers, not demons. Supporting this, he quotes Numbers 33:55 and Judges 2:3, where “thorns” represent adversarial people, not supernatural entities.

Saul Was Once the Adversary

Leonard points out that before becoming Paul, Saul was himself a thorn to the early church—imprisoning and persecuting believers. The irony is that what Paul once did to Christians, he later endured from religious legalists. This contextualizes his teaching on spiritual warfare—not as ghost hunting, but as resisting religious pressure and false doctrine.

Principalities, Powers, Rulers: What These Really Are

Paul’s use of “principalities” (arche), “powers” (exousia), and “rulers” (kosmokratoras) refer to political, judicial, and religious leaders—those who opposed the gospel of grace. Pastor Leonard ties this to Colossians 2:14-15: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances… And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Christ Has Triumphed: Walking in Victory

Pastor Leonard closes by reiterating that Christ has already triumphed over all adversaries. Ephesians 2:5-6: "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ… and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This is our current reality. We must not empower a defeated enemy by believing lies or falling back into works-based theology. We stand in grace, finished work, and truth.

We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs to hear about the finished work of Jesus, the power of the gospel of grace, and the truth of who we are in Christ. Let the whole armor of God remind you of what Jesus has already done—and let us all finally stand.