Men’s Ministry - Shoes of Readiness

9.30 - People arrive: food & social

9.50 - Welcome people

So, let’s look at God’s Word now together. Let me pray for us as we start.

PRAY

We’re looking at the next piece of the armour of God from Ephesians 6. And again - we saw last time that this armour of God comes from the OT, particularly the prophet Isaiah. And we see in Isaiah that it’s the Messiah, God’s chosen King, - the Lord Jesus - who wears these pieces of armour.

And so, as we go out to do spiritual battle, those who trust in the Lord Jesus get to wear His armour!

So, what is the piece we’re looking at today? Let’s come to Ephesians 6. And let me start from verse 14:

Ephesians 6:14–15 (ESV)

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.

Gents, believe it or not… We’re going to talk about shoes! But not just any shoes - the shoes of readiness.

Now, what is Paul talking about when he talks about readiness? Ready for what?

I think God, in His Word, wants us to be ready for three main things: Jesus’ return; suffering; and sharing the good news about Jesus.

Now, there’s a lot to be said about being ready for Jesus’ return. After all, Jesus said He would come back and put the world right. And whether or not we believe in Jesus is going to make all the difference in the world as to what happens to us.

But I believe that Paul is particularly concerned with the last two here. After all, Paul is saying that those who follow Jesus are in a spiritual battle.

And what can we expect in the spiritual battlefield? Well, we can expect to take some hits - so we need to be ready to suffer for the Lord Jesus.

But we can also expect to come across people who need rescuing - so we need to be ready to share the gospel of peace.

That’s what we’re going to think about this morning. If you can, please come to the letter of 1 Peter. And we’re zooming in on chapter 3 verses 14-15.

Let me read that for us.

1 Peter 3:14–15 (ESV)

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”

Now, the apostle Peter is writing to Christians in general who are suffering persecution from the Roman Empire. They are literally suffering for following Jesus.

And Peter is telling them “Look, even when you suffer for following Jesus, don’t be afraid. Don’t quit on Jesus.”

And if you look over the previous verses, you’ll see why: don’t be afraid; don’t quit because God is watching and you can come to Him. He is with you!

And that’s why Peter can also tell them to always be ready to “make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”

In other words, even as you suffer for following Jesus, be ready to share the good news about Him. Be ready to give a defence.

And the word used here for defence carries the idea of being in a courtroom. As in, you are presenting evidence. Not just saying “Hey, it works for me.” Or “It’s true because I feel like it’s true.”

So, in summary, Peter is saying: “Be ready to suffer for Jesus, knowing that God has your back. And be ready to share the good news about Jesus.”

Now, I suspect we might be thinking that suffering like this is not the case for Christians anymore. After all, here in 21st century, we don’t see Christians being persecuted right?

Well, in places like China and Nigeria, they do literally get persecuted and put to death.

But I’d argue that even in our very civilised West, Christians are still persecuted!

There was a Christian in Australia who only got to serve as president of a local football club for 1 day! Why? Well, because he went to an Anglican church that stood up for what the Bible says.

Or what about Christian speakers who get cancelled from speaking at universities and schools?

On a more daily scope, what about the Christian worker or student who gets in trouble at work or school for telling others about Jesus?

Friends, make no mistake. Those who follow Jesus still suffer for their faith! And we need to be ready for that.

But here’s the good news: God has our back!

He’s not sitting in a throne, far away, saying “Come on, try harder. Do better. Don’t give up you coward!”

He is close to us. He has His ears open to listen to you and me and to comfort us when we suffer.

So yes, be ready to suffer for Jesus. But know that you can always count on God. Keep coming to Him as you head out to the battlefield!

But let’s be ready to share the good news about Jesus too. Not with a sense of arrogance or superiority. Let’s do it - as Peter says in those verses - with gentleness and respect.

Because we know that EVERYONE needs to hear about Jesus. Just like we did.

I think the temptation for us when we tell others about Jesus is to put on some boxing gloves and start a fistfight.

But brothers, remember what Paul says in Ephesians: we are those who must speak the truth IN LOVE.

I remember my days of telling University students about Jesus. I always constantly looking for weaknesses in their arguments.

It took me a while to realise “I care a lot about the truth! But do I care as much about the people I’m speaking to?”

If all we want is to win arguments for Jesus, then we’re doing something wrong. We want to win people for Jesus.

We want to show people how wonderful He is, how much His message is good news! But that won’t work if all we care about is winning arguments.

So yes, let’s be ready to share the gospel and to give a reason for our faith. But let’s do it with gentleness, patience and love.

Let me pray and then there are some questions for us to think about in our groups.

PRAY

Questions:

1. How might suffering cause you to doubt that God is with you? Did you ever experience that?

2. When you do suffer for following Jesus, what helps you to keep going?

3. What has helped you to be ready to share the good news about Jesus? Do you have stories to share about things you did well or could have done better?

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