The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-11-19
The SUNDAY SCHOOL.
international Lesson Tor Nov~mber
~, IsO7-The Chrtstian Armor-
Ephcsinns Giio-!o.


7 The Need of the Ilour.-Ns. 10. II.
III we notice the structure Of the main
hody of this letter. we shall find that it
consists @ { two great divisions. The first
three chapters are doctrinal. laying
down great principles aud truths; the
last three chapters are full of practical
precepts for daily life. The standard
and aim is given Alb: "A perfect man
unto the measure OF the stature Of the
fulness of Christ" Details of the pic
ture are given with fulness. The Chris
tian must be loving. humble. a new
man. truthful. honest, unseltish. tender
hearted, full Of the fruits of the Spirit.
Astounding in home virtues. free from
uncleanness. covetousness. bitterness.
evil speaking. pride.
10. FINALLY. he strong in the Lord"
This strength must be the internal
strengthening principle in you. The
strength that alone is stronger than
the world is strength from above,
strength in the Lord. 1t comes by faith,
faith that takes hold upon the un-
seen. that communes with Heaven. that
leans upon the eternal promises. that
endures as seeing Him who is invis-
ible"
H. The Enemy TO BE Overcome.-Vs
II. 10. IL. The wiles:" The strata
gems. plausible DISCUSSES, the crafty
plans. The plural marks both the null
tiplicity of the concrete cases. and the
obstinacy OF the repeated attack. "Of
the dcvil:" Satan. the great adversary
Of God and man. IL is always danger
Gus to underrate IN enemy.
-. For we wrestler" The contest
In its essence. is a single-handed strur-
gle in wrestling. in which each for him
self is attacked. Not against flesh and
blood" 1t isa spiritual warfare on the
battle field Of the heart. But against
princiralitics, against powers:" The
word is used TO express the united. con-
trolling mighty influences against
which the Christian has TO contend.
The customs. and habits. and fashions
Of evil worldliness. sclf;shness. ungodli-
ness, lust. hate. expressions. every form
Of pcryasive evil used by the princes
Of darkness. THE rulers Of the dark
hess Of this world" Properly the
world-rulers Of this darkness.
III. Our Armor Of Defense.-vs. 13-
10. 10. Where fore:" That is. because
you have such formidable enemies. ard
becausethc conflict is inevitable. Take
unto YOU. the whole armor:" The fun
REQUIREMENT. i. e.. shield. helmet.
breastplate. greaves. sword and lance.
"Of God:" Supplied by God; altogether
of Divine kind. in contrast to the
arms Of the opponent. THAT We may
be able TO withstand" To resist sue
ccssfully the attack Of the enemy I'm
the evil day" OF violent temptation.
The war is perpetual but the fight RACES
less on one day. more on another. "Hav-
ing done ALL" Having accomplished
all things requisite to the conflicts be-
Ing fully equipped. and having bravely
fought. ITO stand" To hold your
ground as n victor. and not be driven
away defeated.
II. stand there:" Stand your
ground. be ready for the battle. Stand
in your proper place. Having your
loins girt:" The girdle did three things
Tor the soldier. "a 1t kept together
his dress and accoutcrments: (2) il was
used TO support the sword (3) II sup
ported che body and gave it, firmness
and vigo-. with truth" Truth does
for us what the girdle does for the sol
dier. ~ II binds the life together in
one. fer truth is one. Fa.seness d.
Il g..
The truth holds the sword Of the Spirit.
which Is the Word of God. CD 1t gives
vgor and firmness to the soul The
breastp,ate covered vital parts. the
lungs and heart.
IS. "Your feet shod with the prem rn-
tion:" Readiness. or firm footing. or
equipment for firm foothold. Gospel
OF peace" The good news Of peace. the
gospel that brings peace: peace with
God. the peace of God in the soul. the
peace OF forgiven sin, the peace Of as
sured victory, peace with man. Such
peace gives one a firm footing in the
warfare Of life and makes one glad and
swift and sure in his steps in carrying
the gospel Of peace to al the world
lS. above all. taking the SHE'D OF
fa.th:" Perfect confidence in our lead
er. perfect trust in God. rest upon His
promises. trust that accepts the truth
and obeys itwith all the heart. where
with We shall be able:" The promise is
sure. the defense never fails ITO quench
OIL the fiery darts of the wicked" es-
pecially the wicked One"
IL. Take the helmet" The defense
Or the head. the seat of sight. ofhear-
ing. OF intellect. by which the whole
batte is guided. "Of saivation:" Not
merely hope of salvation. as n Thes-
salonlans SIS. but present salvation.
SINS actually forgiven. the power OF sal
walton experienced in the soul. the new
heart. the new life. which is the state OF
salvation.
~. Our Wcapon.--"And the sword Of
The spirit:" The one offensive weapon
In the picture. The fight Is stationary
ana defensive. but IL continually re-
CURES the thrust and cut OF the de-
fender. The asealant is himself 10 be
nssailed. "Of the Spirit" the great con-
veyor. insplrer and user Of the Word
or God" the great weanon NJ the Chri.