Stand But Be Ready

Ephesians 6:14-15 (ESV)

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Intro video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maX6kDKcMAY

Stand

Who are we standing against

The Enemy

Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

War is not against man but supernatural evil

Revelation 12:7-9 (ESV)

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him

the devil accuser

Satan adversary God’s enemy

Tempter adam and eve

Matthew 4:3  (ESV)

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.

Murder and liar John 8:44

John 8:44  (ESV)

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies

Our job is to stand In God’s strength

David Goliath

1 Samuel 17:26 (ESV)

26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

.. I might die, I might lose a friend.. I might be persecuted

Luke 9:25 (ESV)

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Before we stand we must put on the armor

Romans 13:11-14 (ESV)

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Before we stand we must

Fasten the belt of truth

Ephesians 6:14b (ESV)

having fastened on the belt of truth

Holds everything together

Utility belt batman belt pic

What is your truth fastened to?

Politics rebulican pic democrat pic on the same slide

Heroes Jordan buckle pic

Nationalism American belt buckle

Possessions camaro belt buckle

Religion rellgion buckle

Bible bible belt buckle. Then Jesus belt buckle

John 14:6 (ESV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

greatest defense against false teachers

Truth allow us freedom not to worry or doubt

Psalm 25:5 (ESV)

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,     for you are the God of my salvation;     for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 43:3 (ESV)

3 Send out your light and your truth;     let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill     and to your dwelling!

Truth guides us and keeps us secure

Matthew 22:16 (ESV)

16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

What is your truth tied to today?

Before we stand we must

Put on the breastplate of righteousness

Ephesians 6:14c (ESV)

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate is one of the most important pieces of defensive armor. It protects a lot of the major organs including the heart. It is God’s righteousness that ultimately defeats our enemy. God is perfect, holy, and unblemished. He is everything that our enemy is not. Without God’s righteousness we could not have been saved. Without this we are defenseless.

Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Prayer and going to God being thankful with where he has you seeking His desires.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

So once we know the truth and are attached to it, we will must now live it out. In our every day lives It is there that we our putting on the breastplate of righteousness, living like Jesus did.

In our strength…

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV)

6 We have all become like one who is unclean,     and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

In Christ….

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

John 15:5  (ESV)

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Spending time with Christ Keeping our lives in him

Peter and Jesus water..

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 John 3:7 (ESV)

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Before we stand we must

Put on shoes

Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)

as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Shoes

Nothing will hurt you

Psalm 91:13

Isaiah 43:2

Put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 4:27 (ESV)

Do not give the devil a foothold.

The gospel gives us peace

Romans 8:38 (ESV) Nothing can separate us from God

Romans 8:28 (ESV) for those who love God all things work together for good

Romans 5:1 (ESV)

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Take the Gospel everywhere we go

2 Corinthians 5:18-21  (ESV)

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Lukes last stand video

Romans 16:20 (ESV)

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

communion