The Start of The Journey

INTRODUCTION: Sermon Series “Armor of God”

Joke: A boss asked one of his new employees “Do you believe in life after death?". "Yes, Sir." the new employ replied. "Oh, well that's okay then!" said the boss. "Because after you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral,  ………. she stopped in to see you!"

TITLE:

The Start of the Journey

SEGWAY:

We are starting a new series today …..

We found in the letter from Paul to the church in Ephesus what many of us know as the ARMOR of GOD!

Over the next three weeks we will be studying this interesting aspect of the Christian walk.

BODY:

Talk about Keith’s Appalachian Trail hiking expedition journey. (Picture from FB)

Once he made his decision to do this hike there were steps (Check List) that needed to be reviewed in order for it to be success.

Due to the seriousness of this journey a certain tone had to be set.

This was not just a stroll around the neighborhood

You had to get into a certain frame of mind

Instruction’s had to be adhered to

Difficult sections needed to be pointed out

Finally, warnings needed to be brought to their attention and followed.

If all of this was not followed then you might have ended up looking like this …… Picture

All of this had to be done in order for a successful journey!

Wouldn’t it be great if we had something like this to help us navigate through the trails of life, so that we might have a successful Journey?

What if I told you there is such a check list, road map, guide, and equipment that can help guarantee this.

Its revealed to us in Ephesians 6:10-20.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

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. 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, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

As I looked at this passage of scripture I started to see some steps Paul was pointing out so that those who are followers of Christ would be successful on this journey called life.

Church, we are all on a journey.

Paul understood this and in turn he gives us some steps to take in order to finish the journey well or be successful in it.

Paul reveals to us 4 things, to start us off, that will help us on our journey.

1. Set the Tone (Vs 10)

Paul doesn’t state a specific battle but he lets the reader know there will be a battle.

He sets the tone by revealing 2 things ….

He reminds the reader of their position of Strength (In The Lord)

“Be Strong” is not the idea of a weightlifter who must work out in order to “GET STRONG.”

“Be Strong” indicates this comes from an external source (the Lord)

“Be(ing) Strong (In the Lord)” is based on a Spiritual Position not Physical condition.

Col. 1:11 says, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might”

And their source of Strength (His Power)

This verse is reminiscent of some OT passages.

Joshua 1:6, 7 & 9 “Be strong and courageous.”

I Samual 30:6 “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

We, as believers, can access this power and strength by a personal relationship with Christ.

John 15:5 says, “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.”

But Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Its not a conditional thing its a positional thing.

Illustration

When Logan played football his freshmen year he said something to me, “I hope I don’t make a mistake tonight.”

I said, “Son, that’s the wrong attitude (position) to have!”

If You run out on that field thinking YOU WILL screw up….. you will.

The attitude you should have is “I believe we are going to win tonight.”

Church, if we wake up every morning thinking that the battle might be too much for us or it will defeat us….then it will.

But if our attitude is “we are going to win any battle that comes against us,” then we have SET THE TONE for the journey!

The second thing that will help us on our Journey is ….

2. Adhere to Instruction (Vs 11a)

Paul shows us something that many believers miss …..

If we are to prevail against the attacks of Satan we must put on the “Full Armor” of God.

“Full Armor” is the term used for the full equipment, both defensive and offensive, of the heavily armed foot soldier.

“Of God” indicates who supplies it? (GOD)!

The idea of putting on the full armor of God is equivalent to putting on the new self that was mentioned in (Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.)

If any of you played sports (especially football) you understand putting on the equipment.

It was to protect you

It was given to you by the coach

And you, mentally, transformed into another person.

But we have to be careful and realize that life is not a game.

Putting on that equipment was temporary (for the game)

Putting on the “Full armor of God” is for the journey of Life.

In verse Ephesians 6:11 we are told “TO STAND” ……… not fight!

The decisive victory has already been won. (By God in Christ)

The task of the believer is not to fight (win) but to stand

It’s because the victory has been won that we (believers) are involved in the battle in the first place.

Putting on the Armor of God will help us to prevail!

This is through the protection and power of God himself.

(2 Cor. 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.)

The third thing that will help us on our Journey is ….

3. Define the Enemy (Vs 11b-12)

I know some of you may be saying, “DUH, it’s Satan!”

And you’re right!

Paul points out who this battle is against. (The Devil)

His “Schemes” (Methodeia)

This word is only used twice in the NT

Ephesians 4:14 - so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ephesians 6:11

The two schemes Paul warns us about is human and demonic.

Both originate from the same source (Satan)

Paul defines the source in Ephesians 6:12 - 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.

All of these have been mentioned earlier in this letter (1:21, 2:2, 3:10)

The final thing that will help us on our Journey is ….

4. Don’t become Complacent (Ephesians 6:13 “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.”)

The reader has now been warned!

Earlier in this letter Paul dispelled any need for fear.

Reminding them of ….

…. their relationship to Christ

…. and His all-powerful rule

…. the benefits of their salvation

…. And their part in the church.

All we, as believers, have to do is “Take Up” the full armor of God to utilize the resources (God’s power and strength).

CONCLUSION:

Church, as was stated at the beginning of this message, we are all on a Journey.

That journey will have its fair share of battles/attacks.

But if we go down the check list Paul has given us …..

Set the Tone (Setting our mind on Christ)

Adhere to instructions (Bible)

Focus on the true enemy (Satan)

Stay alert and not become complacent (putting on the full armor every day)

We will be able to stay the course (Maintain the Victory)! Live the Journey and succeed.

For some of us here this morning we might be thinking ….

I have not set the tone!

I have not been adhering to the instructions (Bible)!

I have been blaming everyone else but the one who deserves the blame!

I have become complacent!

You can start today …..

Dear Lord, I declare today that I will start setting the tone for my life. I will be in your word gathering the necessary instructions needed for a successful journey in this thing called life. I will acknowledge who the real enemy is and stand in the face of his trials and entrapments. I will not become complacent and will put my trust and faith in You. This I declare in Jesus Name! Amen!