The Armor!

Introduction:

I remember Friday night football.

Talk about High School “Friday’s” schedule.

Carrying your equipment to the school that afternoon to either ride the bus to the game or head to the locker room for the home game.

Putting on your equipment

(Pregame warm up - No pads)

(Coming back into the locker room and putting on your shoulder pads.)

You were preparing for GAME TIME!

The equipment that you used was given to you by the school/your coach

As a matter of fact the coaches would help you get into your equipment and make sure everything was being worn correctly and fitting you correctly (Tight and Right).

Many of us can relate to this “I am sure.”

For some of you, the same process is done for your jobs.

Firemen, Police officers …… (Tight and Right)

I would eve include those who are in the business arena ….

You have you uniform (suits and such) along with you computer bags securing you equipment …. (Tight and Right)

What we have been looking at over the last few weeks expresses the same concept.

Body:

Ephesians 6:10–20 (ESV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

If you remember, when it comes to the idea of “Spiritual battle” we have to be reminded of a couple of things:

The war has already been won … The Cross!

But the enemy is still battling.

So lets address a couple of Questions ….

What this battle looks like …. He does this by starting out, telling us what it doesn’t look like …. (Ephesians 6: 12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, ……”)

(Not a wrestling match) “For we do not wrestle”

The word “Wrestle” is the Greek word [Pale] pronounced (Paul….Lee)

It means ….. a contest between two individuals in which each tries to throw the other down to the ground and victory is decided when the one is able to hold the other person down with his hand upon his neck.

It gives the picture of engaging in close hand to hand combat.

Paul tells us that this “battle” is NOT A WRESTLING MATCH (close hand to hand combat).

Then he goes on to explain who its not against ……

Who the battle is against …. He does this by starting out telling us who it is NOT AGAINST

- “Not against flesh and blood”

“not against flesh and blood”

Flesh - “Sarx” the substance of the body

Blood - “Haima” When found used with Sarx it represent humanity, these two things are essential elements in mans physical being.

- “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.”

Rulers - “arche” the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, Hence this word is used by Paul to point toward angels and demons holding dominions entrusted to them in the order of things.

Authorities - “exousia” From the meaning of “leave or permission,” or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of “the ability or strength with which one is endued,” then to that of the “power of authority,” the right to exercise power.

denotes the power which may be displayed in the areas of legal, political, social or moral affairs

Looking at this list one could conclude that the majority of a believers battle is going to be with and in the spiritual realm. “….. against cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

I say MAJORITY because the only one that could be argued is “Authorities”

Church, this is who we are battling against.

How we are to battle …. (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.”)

Over the last few weeks you have heard me say that we are not to take up weapons and start stabbing and slicing away.

We are called by God to “STAND”!

How are we to stand?

Look at this passage again …. Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God,…..”

You see where Paul gives a Imperative “TAKE UP”

This is the word “Analambano” which means “to take up” “to take to oneself, receive”

By using this word Paul gives a powerful picture of “How we are to battle”

By receiving the whole armor of God.

Not something we produce ….. but something we receive

We are commanded by God to “RECEIVE.”

Not pick it up ….. just receive it!

And so “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

The word “withstand” (Greek word is Anthistemi - to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose)

So therefore “STAND”

Another command from God. (Beginning of Vs 14)

It means to “ENDURE”

So Church, in these days of battle we are called to STAND and this is to be done by RECEIVING the whole armor of God.

Jesus is the head coach (He has developed the game plan and has given us the equipment for the game)…… The holy Spirit is our assistant coach (He is coming around placing the equipment on us making sure its TIGHT and RIGHT) …..

Its game time …… its time for us to STAND.