Battle Ready | The Goal

October 18, 2026 | Matt Hessel

In week two of Battle Ready, Matt reminds us that Ephesians is a letter full of good news: grace, mercy, identity, and inheritance in Christ. Yet Paul closes it with a call to “suit up,” because the spiritual battle is real. We don’t need to fear it or obsess over it, but we can’t ignore it either. The enemy’s goal is to destroy individuals and churches, and his methods (“schemes”) are aimed right at our weak spots, especially idolatry: loving anything more than God. The outcome is already decided. Just as D-Day sealed the end of WWII before the fighting stopped, Jesus won the victory at the cross, and the enemy is now trying to cause as much damage as he can before Christ returns. That’s why we put on the armor of God. We fight by how we live: stirring our affections for Jesus, living a life of repentance, and building up the Church.

Messages in this series

Battle Ready | Know the Battle

Daniel Susenbach

October 11, 2026

Scriptures

Ephesians 2:4–5 (NLT): “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.”
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…”
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT): “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ephesians 6:10–13 (NLT): “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
Romans 8:38–39 (NLT): “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Colossians 2:15 (ESV): “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
Matthew 16:18 (ESV): “…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Psalm 106:35–38 (ESV): “…they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons…”
Romans 12:1 (NLT): “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Small Group

Discussion Questions

Paul fills Ephesians with encouragement, then ends with “put on your full armor.” Why do you think he chose to close the letter that way? What does that tell us about the Christian life?
Matt described a spectrum: believing spiritual warfare doesn’t exist, or believing everything is spiritual warfare. Which end do you naturally lean toward, and how can you stay balanced and aware?
How does knowing Jesus already won at the cross change the way you face struggles today?
“If I were the enemy, how would I attack me?” Where are you most vulnerable (discouragement, distraction, envy, or something else), and how can this group help you stand firm?
Idolatry is anything we love or depend on more than God. What gives you a sense of security or control apart from Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to stir your affections for Him or help build up the Church?

Extended Study

Battle Ready, The Goal

Use this through the week to go deeper into Sunday’s message.

Day 1: The Enemy Is Real
Read: 1 Peter 5:8–9; John 10:10
Peter says the enemy prowls like a lion, and Jesus says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came to give life to the full.
Reflect: Where have you seen the enemy try to steal your joy, peace, or faith? What does “life to the full” look like for you right now?

Day 2: The Victory Is Won
Read: Colossians 2:13–15; Revelation 12:10–11
At the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness. Revelation shows God’s people overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
Reflect: How does knowing the outcome is settled give you courage in your current battles? What is part of your testimony of God’s faithfulness?

Day 3: Know the Schemes
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:10–11; Genesis 3:1–6
Paul doesn’t want us to be unaware of Satan’s schemes. In the garden, the enemy’s first method was to make Eve doubt God’s word and His goodness.
Reflect: How does the enemy still use doubt to pull you away from God? Revisit Sunday’s question: “If I were the enemy, how would I attack me?”

Day 4: Guard Against Idols
Read: Exodus 20:3–6; 1 John 5:21; Deuteronomy 18:10–12
God calls His people to have no other gods before Him. That includes the subtle idols of comfort, money, and self, as well as the practices of divination that seek guidance apart from Him.
Reflect: What would you struggle most to give up? Ask God to show you anything you’re holding more tightly than Him.

Day 5: Fight by How You Live
Read: Romans 12:1–2; James 4:7–8; Hebrews 10:24–25
Worship, repentance, and building up the Church are all part of the fight. James promises that when we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee.
Reflect: What is one way you can stir your affections for Jesus this week? Who in your life could you encourage or pray for today?

Going Deeper

Read all of Ephesians in one sitting. It takes about 20 minutes. Notice how much Paul says about who we are in Christ before he ever mentions armor.
Memorize Ephesians 6:10–11 as a group this week.
Prayer focus: Pray for our church to stay united, faithful, and strong against the schemes of the enemy.