12_24_2023 - Ephesians 6:13-17 - Unwrapping the Armor of God

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue our “Ephesians” series.

(Ephesians Context)

The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are what we call the “Prison Epistles.”

Paul is writing Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60 AD (recorded in Acts 28).

Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (Eph. 6:20-21).

This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.

On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

On his third missionary journey Paul pastored the church of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31).

Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.

(Series Recap and Sermon Title)

Since July, we have been going through the Bible book of Ephesians.

In Ephesians 1-3 we focused on the importance of understanding the gospel and how we are “in Christ.”

In Ephesians 4-6:9 we spoke about the importance of walking out our new life “in Christ.”

Last week in Ephesians 6:10-12 we discussed, the importance of having a “Foxhole Faith” that is tested, resists the enemy, and relies on Jesus Christ.

Today on this Christmas Eve morning we are “Unwrapping the Armor of God” as we focus on Ephesians 6:13-17.

Ephesians 6:13–17 (ESV)

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 firm.

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.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

1. The Armor of God Works Together

Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)

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 firm.

(Unwrapping the Importance of the Whole Armor - Part 1)

I have read and heard the Armor of God taught so many times.

I have been reading from the New Living Translation recently but today I read from the English Standard Version as it is more traditional for how we have heard the Armor of God read.

However, I want to read it again from the NLT so that you can hear it a little differently.

Ephesians 6:13–17 (NLT)

13 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.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

(Unwrapping the Importance of the Whole Armor - Part 2)

I have often heard the Armor of God pieces taught individually rather than as a whole.

Although we are going to talk about what each piece represents, I don’t want to miss the importance of what Paul said here.

He tells the Ephesian church to “take up the whole armor of God” or to “put on every piece of God’s armor.”

This tells me that much of our success in facing the Enemy has to do with the wholistic nature of the applied gospel to our hearts.

(Unwrapping the Importance of the Whole Armor - Part 3)

Think about how prepared a soldier would be with a belt but no shield or a helmet but no shoes, or a breastplate but no sword!

Each piece of the soldier’s equipment is important.

(Unwrapping the Importance of the Whole Armor - Part 4)

I find that just as an unprepared soldier is vulnerable and ineffective so is an unprepared Christian.

A Christian who can wield the sword of the Spirit but does not wear upon their head the helmet of salvation has no understanding that the word that is implanted can bring salvation to them.

A Christian that has a shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy but has no belt around their waist will find themselves with an uncertain shield of faith and full of embarrassment.

A Christian with shoes of peace upon their feet but no breastplate covering their heart will find themselves able to stand for only as long as it takes for their heart to be crushed by weight of the stones flung in their direction.

2. The Armor of God Applies the Gospel

Ephesians 6:14–17 (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.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Belt of Truth)

Pilate asked Jesus during His trial, “What is truth” (John 18:38)?

The world says that we can each have our “own truth.”

The Bible says, differently.

We are told in John 14:6 that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life.”

The belt of the Roman soldiers equipment was more than the belts we have today.

Their belts were the connecting piece between their pants and the breastplate.

You could say that the belt anchored the rest of their armor in position.

Without truth we are all lost.

The reason there is a “true north,” is because by it we know where west, south, and east are.

Truth is the anchor that keeps us from drifting out to sea.

Hebrews 6:19 (ESV)

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Breastplate of Righteousness)

There is great importance in recognizing that our heart is deceitful and utterly wicked.

Romans 3:21–24 (NLT)

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Jesus Christ left heaven to be born as a baby, to live a perfect life, die upon a cross, and rise from the dead so that we could be born again with a new heart.

We are not righteous because of ourselves but because of Him.

This truth covers our hearts, that Christ has made us righteous.

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Shoes of Peace)

Jesus gives us His peace through the gospel which means “good news.”

John 14:27 (ESV)

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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

When troubles come we know that we can stand with Him and not fear because His gospel brings peace to our soul.

It can truly be well with my soul because of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Shield of Faith)

Jesus said that the work of God is to believe in the One that is sent, to believe in Him.

Faith is belief that trusts.

We trust in Jesus Christ and know that He can be trusted.

When we believe and trust in Jesus and His gospel message we are covered by Him and protected from the attacks that would have our soul.

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Helmet of Salvation)

Jesus came “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

The Enemy would love nothing more than to remind us of the things that we have done and how powerless God is to save us through Christ.

The battlefield of the mind is where the Enemy loves to attack us.

It is of great importance that we guard our mind against his attacks and remind ourselves of God’s power to save.

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 10:13 (ESV)

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(Unwrapping the Pieces of the Armor - Sword of the Spirit)

The Apostle John reminds his readers in John 1 that Jesus is the “Word of God.”

It is true that the Scriptures are the Word of God, but we must remember Who spoke the words to the authors as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

John 1:1–4 (NLT)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

John 1:14 (NLT)

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Jesus is the Word and used the word to combat the Enemy during His temptation in the wilderness.

(Instrumental Music)

Jesus Christ is coming again and will bring the Word/Sword of His mouth to finish off the Enemy (Rev. 19:21).

(Closing Tension)

We are called to stand our ground in the power of the gospel, given to us by our Savior Jesus Christ.

We are to unwrap these gifts that God has given us and apply them all through the work and power of the Gospel in our lives.

The Enemy desires to destroy us, but the Lord God has given us what we need to stand against Him by the power of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.

The Lord wants us to apply the gospel to our lives today and stand in the victory that His Son has given us.

(Sermon Recap)

Unwrapping the Armor of God

The Armor of God Works Together

The Armor of God Applies the Gospel

(Response Card)

(Closing Challenge)

(Response)

(Invite Altar Team)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.