The Unseen War- The Armor Of God

The Armor

Story of going out to snow blow for the first time

The steps in getting ready

Before we get to far into the sermon I really want to get to the passage that we are going to be in

Ephesians 6:12–18 NIV

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Lets look at the word Struggle

The greek word for struggle is (Pa-lay)

This is the only place it is found in the bible

it is a word that has to do with wrestling

The idea of fighting intensely

Have you noticed that each time you decide to go deeper with God and get more serious about evangelism and discipleship, the struggle becomes more intense?

We are not fighting against people

It is easy to forget this

Christian’s have sometimes made fights inside the Church that if we are honest, do not glorify God

Difference between Salvational issues and Non-salvational issues

When we fight like this we tend to see the other person as the enemy that we are (Pa-laying) against instead of the “rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

it is just easy to fight against other people even though that is not were our battle is

we have to remind ourselves that these are our family, friends, brother and sisters in Christ

As we get ready to put on our armor I think it is important to remember that Satan is NOT God’s equivalent

What is the Armor

The Belt of Truth

Notice that the first thing is Truth

Breastplate of righteousness

Sandals of peace

shield of faith

helmet of salvation

sword of the Spirit

Today we are going to look at just 2 parts of the armor

First

The Belt Of Truth

I love that the truth is first

This belt was not like our belts today, but rather a belt that also had a protective aspect that protected the thighs

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus is the Truth and we must know Him first to be able to be effective in spiritual warfare

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Pull out the armor

We are to strive for righteousness,

We have to protect our heart from evil, from things of this world

Putting on The Armor

There are several ways to put on the armor

Pray

Start the day off with prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Study the Word

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Be a Living Sacrifice

Ask God to Use you

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prayerfully Put on The Armor

As you are getting ready for your day, as you put on the your clothes use that time to pray and ask God to help you

Putting on my shirt, God please protect my heart, ect.