The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
The warfare and its intensity - the Devil is the enemy
The mention of each part of the armor is intentional, every part is important or the soldier risks fatal blows from the enemy.
Focus on verse 15:
“and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
Caligae - Sandals
Thick leather soles, embedded with hobnails or pieces of rock for increased traction. Tied to the feet with numerous leather straps. Fit for marching and fighting. Became more comfortable with constant wear.
From the English Standard Version:
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
There should be a readiness in us from the gospel of peace.
Shoes are important. If your feet hurt, or if you’re wearing the wrong kind or size of shoes.
Shoes must be comfortable and breathable material so the soldier can stand and march for miles without pain.
Can you imagine a barefoot soldier? All the enemy have to do is to keep themselves in a rough patch and they will have the advantage over the Roman army.
The pain for a father stepping on Lego in the dark.
First command from the apostle is to stand and we should be able to stand firm. The spikes under the soldier’s shoes allow him to be SUREFOOTED no matter what kind of ground.
We wear the shoes of the Gospel:
To stay grounded on the Gospel.
To advance the Gospel.
To Trample the enemy.
We wear the shoes of the Gospel:
To stay grounded with the Gospel.
The Gospel brings us peace.
Two kinds of peace:
a. Peace of God.
b. Peace with God.
a. Peace of God - is the inner peace that God brings through Jesus Christ.
The peace that makes us unafraid:
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE
If your heart is in turmoil today, remember the words of Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled”, “Do not be afraid.”
The lack of peace is an occasion for warfare. — “nothing to see here while the world around you is burning.” Fight, fight, fight
When you know the Prince of Peace, you understand and know true peace. there are times that peace is challenged.. walk in the spirit and not in the flesh
I have this experience of being anxious for no reason,, but there is a stirring up of the Spirit, and in your spirit — you have to pray! yesterday was one example.. the enemy is cooking something to cause confusion. WALK IN THE SPIRIT and you SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH
b. Peace with God.
The world who rejects God is in hostility with God.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
The ministry of Reconciliation:
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
We wear the shoes of the Gospel:
2. To advance with the Gospel.
“Roman soldiers would march for dozens of miles during any given stretch, and their shoes would not only have to conquer rough terrain, but do as little damage to their feet as possible.
There are careers, of people and walking several miles a day, (Nurses like Pastor Peter)
you realize footwear matters. ... your work will be derailed as you can only think about how much your feet hurt.
The Christian journey is long and hard, but God gives us these shoes to help us go great distances in our walk.
We are accompanied by the Prince of Peace. Our feet must be protected to remain beautiful.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
I love how Paul quoted this Isaiah passage, it gives us a sense of urgency
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Just look at the world around you. There is no peace.(talk)
We are Christ’s ambassadors, we have to act:
“If not now, then when?”
“If not us, then who?”
Also a metaphor of taking the Gospel to long distances, to far flung places of the world
We wear the shoes of the Gospel:
3. To Trample on the Enemy.
Be mindful of the enemy.
Yes there are people controlled by the enemy.
Prince of the power of the air --- sons of disobedience..
Trample on you,, putting you down.. especially the young people.. your self worth comes from God and not from the world — you are beautiful, a workmanship of God
A lot of times the battles will be in enemy territory.. if our shoes cannot work on enemy terrain, or if you are barefooted.
As they slay the enemies, the spikes would help them not only to stand their ground but also stamp on the fallen enemy.
“Especially when a Roman army advanced, enemies would be trampled by the puncture wounds from several soldiers marching together.”
There is a picture that came to me
“The God of Peace will trample Satan under our shoes of the Gospel of peace.”
20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.