Behind Enemy Lines (6)

Step Into the Armory (3)

Text: Ephesians 6:10–20

Ephesians 6:10–20 (ESV)

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.

Focus: Readiness - Shoes of the Gospel

Introduction:

This is the 6th of a 12 sermon series about spiritual warfare. I am preaching this as we move toward our revival in September. We must be ready, we must be preparing, praying for God to do a work in us individually. This is a spiritual struggle, to make the decision to fully and without reserve or hesitation follow Christ into battle.

Many of you are becoming aware of the spiritual war raging around you. God is revealing your need for His armor and you are putting it on and finding that in the midst of the battle you are standing strong in His strength.

Today, we enter the armory of God for the third time. I hope that you are daily cinching on the belt of truth to overthrow the devil’s deceits and putting on the breastplate of righteousness to resist his temptations.

Today, we’ll focus on the sandal—the shoe Paul calls “the readiness of the gospel of peace.”

Show sandal

“The Roman legionaries sandal was made of leather, which left the toes free and open, it had heavy studded soles, and was tied to the ankles and shins with more or less ornamental straps’. These ‘equipped him for long marches and for a solid stance … they were not designed for comfort but to prevented his foot from sliding.”

Imagine the Roman soldier. He marched mile after mile in open sandals—caligae (ca-li-gay)—with exposed toes, thin soles, and hobnails (or cleats) for traction. They were built for standing and holding ground that had been won.

These sandals were effective, but they left the soldier vulnerable: to the cold, to injury, to infection. His feet were always at risk.

And yet, no matter how vulnerable his feet were, the soldier kept marching—because he had been given a mission.

Now let’s shift the image.

Paul tells us the believer’s shoes aren’t made of leather or held on by laces. They are made of readiness—readiness given by the gospel of peace.

This is both sharing the gospel and resting in the promise of the gospel as we face the attacks of the enemy.

That means we walk not by comfort, or ease, but by conviction—by a message worth marching for. And it is a message worth standing for.

The gospel doesn’t promise comfort. It doesn’t shield us from every wound.

But it gives us peace with God (Romans 5:1) and purpose in the battle.

We have the Christian life wrong, God does not give us overcoming life, instead He gives us life as we overcome.

The gospel makes us ready to face the battle, it gives us readiness—because when you know where you stand with God, you’re ready to go anywhere for Him.

Like the Roman soldier, your steps may hurt. The path may bruise you.

But if your feet are laced with the gospel, you can and will stand firm.

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Having the right Sandal gives us A Proper Understanding

Starts with Preparation:

The Greek word for ‘readiness’ means preparation, strapping on the gospel, learning discipleship, obedience to the gospel.

I can teach you what it means to be a disciple but I cannot force you to follow Christ. You must put on the boots of readiness given to you by the gospel.

Much like a soldier cleans his weapon, sharpens his bayonet, oils his boots, and cares for his equipment the gospel must be visited again and again if we are to properly use the equipment God provides.

Secured by the Promise:

Readiness also means to Rest in, be securely standing on a firm foundation.

The gospel is a foundation upon which the believer can rest and which the believer must continually be examining and learning and growing in.

The ground has been won by Christ at the cross, we are called to hold it, to invite others to join us in the battle against the enemy of all men’s souls.

Provided by the Spirit:

The gospel provides that for us.

This armor is divinely crafted, it is forged and furnished by God’s Spirit.

Fitted to the believer exactly the way God intends, but you and I must put it on.

It is what the soldier relied on to keep his feet secure when standing against the enemy and the gospel readies the believer to face an enemy who is quite capable of destroying us if we allow something other than the gospel to be our pure conviction.

Protected by the Saints:

But each of us must strap on the sandal of readiness with the gospel - and defend it against anyone who would change it.

We must always be ready give an answer to all men of the hope that is within us so they too can have a proper understanding.

From verse 11 and ending with verse 14 Paul will write four times to STAND. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul is telling us something important.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand

having done all, to stand firm

Stand therefore

Paul is emphasizing Christian stability. Wobbly Christians are easy prey for the false prophets of Satan.

Today’s church has many messages - unfortunately, too often other gospel messages dominate the pulpit.

I have heard pastors say they will not teach or preach certain things because it will offend certain members of the church they serve.

I want to say that I serve Christ alone, and I will deliver His message regardless of how it makes me or you feel.

The gospel is offensive, it it exclusive but it will save you if you will repent and believe its message.

Here are just a few false gospel messages being preached from our pulpits today.

1. The Prosperity Gospel (Health & Wealth Gospel)

Message: “God wants you to be rich, healthy, and successful.”

Core Problem: It equates faith with material blessings and teaches that if you're not prosperous, you're not faithful enough.

Biblical Counter: Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Paul spoke of suffering as part of the Christian life (2 Timothy 3:12).

2. The Moralistic Therapeutic Gospel

Message: “God just wants you to be a good person and feel good about yourself.”

Core Problem: It reduces Christianity to good behavior and emotional well-being, without repentance, the cross, or the need for salvation.

Biblical Counter: The gospel is not about making bad people good—it’s about making dead people alive (Ephesians 2:1-5).

3. The Gospel of Self-Empowerment

Message: “You have everything you need inside of you. Just believe in yourself.”

Core Problem: It replaces Jesus with self as the savior. It's essentially humanism with Christian language.

Biblical Counter: Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Salvation is not self-help—it’s divine rescue.

4. The Progressive Gospel

Message: “Christianity must evolve with culture; truth is flexible.”

Core Problem: It compromises biblical authority to fit social agendas, often denying sin, judgment, or the exclusivity of Christ.

Biblical Counter: Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Truth is timeless, not trendy.

5. The Legalistic Gospel

Message: “Do these things and follow these rules, and you’ll be saved.”

Core Problem: It adds human works or traditions to the gospel of grace.

Biblical Counter: We are saved “by grace through faith… not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Legalism undermines the sufficiency of Christ.

6. The Universalist Gospel

Message: “Everyone will be saved eventually. A loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell.”

Core Problem: It denies the reality of judgment and the necessity of faith in Christ.

Biblical Counter: Jesus spoke clearly about eternal separation (Matthew 25:46), and said “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

7. The Political Gospel

Message: “Jesus is on the side of our political party or nation.”

Core Problem: It conflates the Kingdom of God with earthly power structures.

Biblical Counter: Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Allegiance to Christ must come before any flag or party.

8. The Cheap Grace Gospel

Message: “God forgives everything, so live however you want.”

Core Problem: It uses grace as a license to sin and avoids the call to holiness.

Biblical Counter: Paul asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” (Romans 6:1-2).

Here in summary form is the gospel and when we know it, believe it, turn to Christ because of it, and stand firmly on it, we are prepared to face our enemy in the day of evil.

The church has in many ways embraced a perverted gospel and Paul warns us of the danger of any other gospel.

Galatians 1:8–9 (ESV)

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

You and I will not embrace any other gospel except the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel preached and taught by the Apostles and the gospel recorded for us in scripture.

I have created for you a handout and I am asking my deacons to hand these out to you, put it in your Bible, hang it on your refrigerator and learn it well that you may be ready in this evil day.

God is Holy and Just - He is the Creator of all things and worthy of worship.

(Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; 1 Peter 1:16)

All People Are Sinners and Separated from God - Humanity has rebelled against God through sin - The consequence of sin is death—spiritual and eternal separation.

(Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Jesus Christ is the Son of God - Fully God and fully man - Born of a virgin - Lived a sinless life.

(John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus Died for Our Sins - He willingly went to the cross, taking the punishment we deserved - His death satisfied God's justice and demonstrated His love.

(Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus Rose from the Dead - On the third day, Jesus physically and victoriously rose from the grave - His resurrection proved His divinity and secured eternal life for believers.

(1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 4:25; Acts 2:24)

Salvation is by Grace Alone through Faith Alone

We are not saved by works, but by trusting in Christ alone.

Repentance and faith are the appropriate response to the gospel.

(Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31; Mark 1:15)

Jesus is Lord - To believe the gospel is to confess Him as Lord and submit to His rule.

(Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:10-11)

At our new birth we Are Given the Holy Spirit - God dwells in believers, empowering them to live new lives in Christ.

(Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9-11)

Christ Will Return - Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead - Those who trust Him will enter eternal life; those who reject Him will face eternal separation.

(John 14:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 21:1-4)

Without the message of the gospel we have nothing to stand on.

Without the gospel there is no proper understanding and there is no firm foundation.

The gospel is the plan of God to save the nations - to rescue people from certain eternal death.

It is our responsibility to stand firmly on it - boldly declare it - actively live it - and rejoice in it

Conclusion:

Your sins left you exposed and vulnerable—wounded by the world and separated from God.

But Christ walked the path to Calvary barefoot—He bore the full weight of sin and pain so that you could walk in peace.

He gave you new shoes—not of leather, but of grace, forgiveness, and boldness.

So lace ‘em up. Stand firm - Speak out and live the gospel boldly in this evil day.