Spiritual Armor

Stand Firm: The Armor of God

Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:13–24

Summary: The passage details the spiritual armor that God has provided to believers to stand against the schemes of the devil. It emphasizes the importance of putting on the full armor of God to withstand spiritual attacks and to remain rooted in faith through prayer and perseverance.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to actively equip themselves with spiritual tools to face daily challenges and temptations. It reminds them that they are engaged in a spiritual battle and must rely on God's strength and protection to overcome their struggles and maintain their faith.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God has provided spiritual armor that is essential for believers to defend themselves against evil forces. Each piece of the armor symbolizes specific attributes of faith that offer strength and fortitude in times of trial, ultimately leading to victory through prayer and reliance on God.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible, Christ embodies the fulfillment of the armor of God. He is the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God, which enables believers to stand firm against the adversary, showing that our strength comes from His victory on the cross.

Recommended Study: Consider utilizing your Logos library to explore the implications of each piece of armor in Ephesians 6:13-24. Look for commentaries that delve into the original Greek terminology and its theological significance. You might also study how this passage correlates with other New Testament references to spiritual warfare, examining how they all point toward our need for reliance on Christ.

Story about playing football with gear vs no gear.

When I was a kid I used to like playing a very aggressive sport known as American football. It has been compared to modern day gladiators. Men who for the sake of enjoyment through their entire bodies at one another completely disregarding their own health for the sake of either reaching the other teams end zone or stopping the opposing team from getting to the end zone.

When I played as a kid I started off playing on blacktop tackling other kids and getting tackled suffering many injuries and injuring others. When I first officially began to play with a “real team” I was introduced to my helmet, my shoulder pads, pants, a belt, cleats.

At first I hated these things because they felt like they were constricting my movement. Like I could not move freely and then I got hit and I realized how much harder I could play while finally playing with almost truly no fear of injury.

The passage we will be talking about today is the Armor of God, at times in our walks with Jesus we either forget or refuse to put on the armor of God because it feels contrary to what we naturally want.

Big Idea: By putting on the full armor of God, believers can stand firm against spiritual attacks, drawing strength from Christ who equips and empowers us through His sacrifice and resurrection.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 6

The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course.

1. Equip with Essential Armor

Ephesians 6:13-16

The belt of Truth

What is Truth? God

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

Who is a liar? The Devil

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

By walking in truth you will be able to discern the lies of the enemy better.

Old eg: Dollar bills v fakes

Sons of Disobedience (Eph 2)

Psalm 5:9 “For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”

breastplate of righteousness,

whose righteousness do we put on? Self v Gods

Self

Luke 18:9–14 “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.””

Gos is HOLY HOLY HOLY

Psalm 115 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. May the Lord give you increase,…”

shoes of peace help believers stand firm in the spiritual battle.

The Gospel helps us stand, the Gospel is our footing.

Romans 1:16 “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.”

Emphasize that truth, righteousness, and peace are attributes found fully in Christ, who equips us for this battle.Because the Enemy is full of lies, unrighteousness and chaos.

Encourage the congregation to actively seek these virtues through prayer and study, making them foundational in their lives.

2. Protect and Proclaim

Ephesians 6:17

Perhaps dive into the significance of the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Helmet of Salvation

Discuss how salvation in Christ protects our mind and grants us assurance

Psalm 68:20 “Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.”

Rebuking Israel for forgetting

Isaiah 17:10 “For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of a stranger,”

Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah”

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

the Word, as an offensive weapon, enables us to counter deceit.

1 Peter 1:24–25 “for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

John 1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,…”

The concept of peace as a shoe should shape our interactions, with others to not return evil for evil but instead to return evil with love and forgiveness.

Romans 12:14–21 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Urge believers to meditate on scripture and guard their thoughts with the hope of salvation.

3. Persevere through Prayer

Ephesians 6:18-24

Maybe highlight the crucial role of prayer in spiritual warfare, as Paul instructs to pray at all times in the Spirit. Emphasize that through constant prayer, believers remain vigilant and reliant on God’s strength. Point out that Paul's final greetings reflect the interconnectedness of faith, community, and strength in Christ, suggesting believers actively engage in prayerful support for one another.

Questions

What is the significance of the Gospel in the context of the Armor of God?

How can understanding the truth impact our ability to discern lies from the enemy in our daily lives?

What practical steps can we take to put on the breastplate of righteousness every day?

How does the concept of peace as a shoe shape our interactions with others, especially in conflict?