The Order to Stand

Sermon Summary: The Order to Stand

Text: Ephesians 6:12–13
Speaker: Pastor Bailey

Pastor Bailey delivered a powerful message titled “The Order to Stand,” reminding listeners that serving is never neutral. Every decision, priority, and act of loyalty reveals what spirit we are yielding to. As Jesus declared, “No man can serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24), and Paul affirmed, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are” (Rom. 6:16). In other words, there is no middle ground — we either serve righteousness or sin, God or the spirit of this world.

From Ephesians 6, Pastor Bailey outlined the reality of the conflict. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against unseen spiritual forces. Paul identifies these as principalities (high-ranking rulers), powers (delegated authorities of evil), rulers of darkness (who spread deception), and spiritual wickedness in high places (spirits fueling false religion, temptation, and rebellion). The battle is invisible, but very real.

Because the conflict is spiritual, Paul issues the command to stand. Believers are told to take the whole armor of God — not partial, not occasional, but complete. We must be prepared to withstand in the evil day, refusing to retreat or compromise. Pastor Bailey illustrated this with the Roman soldier who stood his ground; if one soldier broke formation, the entire line was at risk. Standing in God’s strength is an active, disciplined, Spirit-led stance.

The message also emphasized the context of submission. Paul’s teaching on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6 follows his teaching on submission in chapters 5 and 6. Submission to God’s Spirit, and to His order in our relationships, provides spiritual covering and authority. Without it, we are left exposed. Pastor Bailey pointed to the example of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19 — men who tried to invoke Jesus’ name without being under His authority, only to be overpowered. True authority comes through submission.

The sermon closed with a call to decision. Service is the outward expression of submission, and Joshua’s words still ring true: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). There is no neutral option. Either we submit to God and stand clothed in His armor, or we resist Him and stand powerless against the enemy.

Pastor Bailey left the congregation with this challenge: The question is not whether you are serving — the question is whom you are serving. If you will yield to God, then you will stand, and having done all, you will stand in victory.