Armor of God - Shod Your Feet

Video Introduction “What is the Gospel”

Read Ephesians 6:10-17. - Highlight the main points

Picture of the Roman Soldier

Review of the Armor

The Girdle or Belt of Truth

It is the essential in keeping the rest of the Armor in place

There are two aspects to truth

The first was the person of Truth - Jesus Christ

I am the Way the Truth and the Life … John 14:6.

Truth is Who God is, it is part of His Character… Deut. 32:4a “His ways are perfect! meaning truth.

The second was living in Truth

Live a life without lies

Don’t buy into the lies of Satan and this world

Last week we talked about the Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate is directly attached to truth (belt of truth)

Much like the truth, Righteousness in the Armor has two aspects to it.

The first is God is Righteousness … Psalms 11:7, “For God is righteousness, He loves Righteousness.

The second is we as believers are to live righteously. We are to walk right before our Lord.

Today we are looking at how to Shod our Feet! In other words, how to put on our battle shoes and ready for war.

The Roman Soldiers wore what was called “Caligae” it was a type of Sandal made specifically for battle.

Picture of Sandal

The shoe was optimized for comfort

The top layer was made out of one piece of leather, and specifically cut to not rub against any parts of the feet and ankles that would cause sores or blisters. It was not uncommon for the soldiers to go on 25mile marches.

They were laced on top so as to not wear out quickly

There soles had three layers, and the bottom was thick layer of raw hide which was very durable and sturdy

Notice the cleats, they would hammer in iron hobnails into the shoes which served multiple purposes.

It was a barrier to keep the bottom sole of rawhide from wearing out too quickly

They also made a lot of noise as they soldiers walked down cobble stone streets. Their armies would strike fear into their foes, simply by the sound of the soldiers marching.

Most importantly though was it gave the soldier sure footing in battle. They fought in hand and hand battles, often in fields or rough terrains and their cleats gave them an advantage over their enemies. Often times the shear blood from the victims of battle would cause the surface to get slippery and once again the cleats would give them firm footing.

Notice: Paul uses the words “Stand Firm” 3 times in verses 11, 13, 14. He likely was looking at the footwear of the soldiers and applying this to how you and I are to Stand Firm in battle as we wage a Spiritual war against Satan.

This morning we are looking at Ephesians 6:15

Ephesians 6:15 (NASB95)

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

What is the Gospel?

The Greek word for Gospel is “euangélion,” which is the root word that we get our English word Evangelist from.

Thus, the Gospel is Spreading Good News!

A gospel is an announcement of good news. In particular, the gospel is the announcement that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have brought about salvation for Israel and the world.

Just like Monica’s special “Give Me Jesus,” If you summed up the Gospel into one word it would be Jesus or Christ!

Specifically in this chapter the term gospel could be used in Greek as a “technical one for “news of victory.”

As believers we all have been commanded to spread the Gospel. Notice this is a Command, it is not optional. It is not just for the Evangelist or preacher, it is a command to all believers. Matt. 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB95)

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Paul Understood the severity of not sharing the Gospel. He says this to the people of Ephesus in Acts 20:24-27.

Acts 20:24–27 (NASB95)

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.

“Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

Wow! Paul understood, that if he did not share the Gospel, those who did not hear, and not have an opportunity to put their faith in Christ, he would have been accountable for them.

Amazon’s Dedication to Delivering Packages

Amazon is always searching for better and faster ways to deliver products to customers. Never satisfied with the status quo, Amazon has tried several alternatives to UPS and FedEx. The company has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to deliver packages via aerial drones. In November 2014, they were testing cab drivers for delivery in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Romans 10:14 NASB95

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

Believers could learn from Amazon’s dedication. We need to continually be looking for new and different ways to make the greatest delivery of all: the gospel. Like Paul, we should have no bounds on preaching the good news.

—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

What can the Gospel do?

Paul calls it the Gospel of Peace!

Remember folks, according to this passage, you and I are at war with Satan, and we are applying the Armor of God so we are able to fight against Satan’s schemes in verse 11.

Romans 5:10 (NASB95)

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

The Gospel is able to bring peace with God. Every one of us were once enemies of God according to Romans 5:10, and those who are not believers are currently enemies of God.

There are so many who think that just living a good life or there are many ways to heaven, so if we are not out telling people about the Gospel of Peace they are going to be condemned to Hell.

Running the Wrong Course in the Bangalore Marathon

About 10 years ago in October of 2014, three top contenders in the Bangalore Half Marathon were following their pace car when the car missed a turn and led the runners 2.5 miles in the wrong direction. The mistake occurred about nine miles into the 13.1-mile course, and the runners didn’t realize right away that the crowd had disappeared. They had to borrow money from morning joggers in a Bangalore neighborhood so they could buy train tickets to the finish line.

Acts 4:12 (NASB95)

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Just like the runners in the Bangalore Marathon, even though they were running with complete sincerity, they were running the wrong way. There is only one route in a race and they missed it. And even though people may believe something else with all sincerity, the Bible is clear that there is only one route to salvation: Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 (NASB95)

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Notice the word Reconcile? It is mentioned 5 times in 3 verses.

Reconciling is bringing together to factions that were at odds with one another. Or in this case, unbelievers are enemies of God. As believers we have the opportunity to reconcile, to being together lost souls for Christ, by the Gospel of Peace.

If someone asked you today, what must I do to be saved? Could you give them an answer? What would you say?

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB95)

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Perhaps you are ashamed of the Gospel. Maybe you are not living a life that people cannot see the Gospel through your words and actions.

Let us be like Paul and be able to say…

Romans 1:16 (NASB95)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Getting back to putting on the shoes of the Gospel of Peace the Isaiah wrote this… Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah 52:7 (NASB95)

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

How are you doing?

Do you fit with what Isaiah says?

Are you announcing the Gospel of Peace and bring the good news of happiness?

I Have a Two Fold Challenge To You This Morning…

Pray for someone to share the Gospel with this week

If you don’t know how, then don’t be satisfied with not knowing. Come talk to me or one of the deacons and we can assist you on how you can freely share your faith with others.

One thing is certain… we are at War with Satan and he is going to take as many souls with him to hell as he can… at the very least we need to share the gospel with as many as possible so we can say like Paul in Acts 20 “their blood is not on our hands.”

Lets Pray.