(Armor of God 1) Dressed to Stand
Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Today we start our series on the Armor of God. (Text is Ephesians 6:10-18)
Before we begin to unpack the Armor of God in the weeks ahead,
we must first understand why the Armor of God is essential.
To grasp why the Armor of God is so vital,
we must be awaken to the reality that there is a spiritual battle between good and evil.
There is an active war being waged — truth against deception, death against life, light against darkness.
This battle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the powers of the kingdom of darkness that wage war
against the Kingdom of Light.
Right now, we are in the midst of a spiritual war — a cosmic clash that rages with great intensity.
This conflict is evident throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation,
and it is a reality that believers cannot afford to ignore....
To ignore the reality of spiritual warfare is not neutrality—it is surrender.
The enemy does not wait for our acknowledgment to wage war; he only gains ground when we refuse to stand.
Dr Lloyd-Jones writes,
“I am certain that one of the main causes of the ill state of the Church today is the fact that the devil is being forgotten.”
It is important to understand that,
up until the 18th century, the church largely held what theologians call a supernatural worldview—
a belief in the active power of God as well as the real influence of Satan in the world.
But in the 18th century, the world entered what is known as the Enlightenment period,
which sought to eliminate the possibility of the supernatural in the physical world.
This shift in worldview had a profound effect on the church,
as even supernatural events in the Bible began to be explained away or even removed.
Around the same time, Deism began to influence the church greatly.
(Deism is the belief that God created the universe with its natural laws, but then stepped back, allowing the world to run on its own.)
Thomas Jefferson was a deist.
He created what is known as the Jefferson Bible,
in which he literally cut out the supernatural parts of the Gospels,
reducing Jesus to nothing more than a moral teacher...
Though Jefferson’s work is an extreme example of the byproducts of the Enlightenment,
its influence remains today.
I will say that though most people in the church would not entirely remove the supernatural completely,
there is certainly a downplaying of the supernatural in many church’s today…
Because of this, I believe that,
out of curiosity about the supernatural,
many church members—being naive—have begun to engage with material linked to cults and witchcraft,
opening the door to deception and spiritual bondage… (be careful what you open the door too)
I also want to add that we can go to one extreme to the other when it comes to understanding the supernatural and spiritual warfare.
On one side we can ignore the reality of demonic influence in the world,
but on the other hand we can think everything is demonic…
(funny example Elizabeth)
As we unpack this series in the weeks to follow I want to challenge you in your thinking....
I want you to wrestle with what the Bible says in this area of spiritual warfare.....
In my biblical hermeneutics class.... (We all go into text with filter on our eyes)
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,
The Armor of God equips the believer to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
(how many know we are called to stand?)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
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,
God’s people are called to stand for truth and righteousness,
even when it costs us something.
The call of the believer is to stand unshaken by the world,
firmly planted in the Word.
Believers must build their lives on the firm foundation—the Rock, Jesus Christ—in order to remain standing through every storm and battle...
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
15a So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us,
12b I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
We don’t bow to the idols of this world…
We don’t fall on our knees to appease the culture…
We don’t slip in mixture to sound more appealing…
We stand firm in the truth of God’s Word!!!
You need to understand….
To lose your footing in battle was to lose your life;
thus, the biblical text employs this analogy of standing firm to underscore the critical importance of holding one’s ground in the faith.
The Armor of God is this divine equipping of the saints for war,
enabling us to remain standing in every season,
in every circumstance, and in every battle.
The Armor of God equips the believer to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
The devil’s ultimate goal is to destroy that which is good.
Thus, whatever scheme he devises is directed toward bringing destruction.
God created the heavens and the earth and said it is good.
He placed Adam in the garden to work it and to keep watch over it.
Yet Adam did not remain fully engaged in the responsibility entrusted to him,
and thus he stood by as his wife Eve was deceived by the serpent, the devil.
As a result of this deception, Adam and Eve fell into rebellion, and the earth consequently experienced the corruption of sin.
Throughout the history of the universe,
the devils goal has remained the same,
and that is to destroy that which is good...
The devil wants you either to bow to his plan of destruction willingly,
or to stumble and fall unwillingly—but what the devil fears the most is when you remain standing.
The devil wanted Jesus to willingly bow His knee to the kingdom of darkness.
To accomplish this,
The devil offered Jesus all the riches and pleasures of this world.
It would have been especially enticing for Jesus because it promised not only treasure of this earth,
but also to avoid the road to Calvary—bypassing pain, suffering, rejection, and ultimately death.
But how many are thankful today that Jesus remained standing!
Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were commanded to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue...
(symbolized bowing to the empire and its power) [allegiance]
They remained standing...
In Scripture we see many who stood firm in their faith,
but also many who did not remain standing...
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Peter knew there was a real devil who is trying to destroy the people and work of God,
therefore he says be sober-minded, be watchful.
Stay alert there is a real enemy at work trying to have you fall.
The enemy sneaks around looking for an easy target to devour...
(Predator Example… Easy Target… fallen away from the heard...)
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
You don’t depart from something you were never a part of.
Don’t think that just because you came forward to say a prayer, you are secure in your faith and can then live like the devil.
Don’t think that because you signed a confession card at a church, you are automatically right with God.
The Bible says, ‘By their fruit you will know them....
By demonic deception, some will depart from the faith,
believing they are still right with God, yet walking a path that leads to hell.
Don’t fall into deception of deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
that justify a sinful lifestyle.
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Paul says the time is coming,
here me… it is here now!
Itching ears have lead people to find a church that will justify,
there homosexuality, pornography, fornication, drunkenness, drug addiction, greed and or whatever other sin you want to put in there. (No one has the guts enough to say your going to hell)
People want to find church’s to tell them what they want to hear,
instead of the truth that they need to hear...
There are denominations that have gone full apostate to fit in with cultural norms,
which was foretold in Scripture.
3a Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first,
Rebellion in the Greek is apostasia
NASB (apostasy) KJV (Falling away)
Jesus said regarding the last days....
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Revelation.… all about enduring until the end...
The Armor of God serves as the equipping of the saints,
enabling believers to endure faithfully to the end and thus be saved.
It is given to the people of God so that we may stand firm in the truth,
and resist being led astray by false doctrines.
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.
(Turn to someone and say stand firm!!!)
The devil does not just want the people of God to fall,
but wants people who are in darkness to stay in darkness...
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
4a Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
Have you ever engaged in conversation with someone and quickly realized that they are utterly deceived and blind to the truth.
It is not a matter of just seeing from a different perspective,
it is a matter of there is something way off that is hard to explain in the natural.
In the past, I will be honest, I would become very angry with the person for the insanity they believed.
But as I have grown in my faith, (still growing),
I have come to realize that these ideas that are so insane, and make no logical sense,
are more than likely not man-instituted, but rather inspired by the activity of demonic forces.
Let me give you some clear examples...
Grown men dressing as women to read to children is, in reality, pedophilia and grooming—yet the deception of Satan has led many to believe it is simply innocent story time.
Adults who assist in transitioning a 7-year-old boy into a girl through drugs and other medical procedures are not showing love and support;
they are engaging in demonic activity.
People who celebrate the cold-blooded assassination of a man because of his beliefs are not merely confused; they are under demonic influence.
Going into a school to shoot innocent children is not just an act of someone merely lost and mentally unstable,
but of someone who is demonized...
I say these things for you to realize,
the activity of the devil is real today.
But I also want us to realize that our battle is not against people,
but against the forces of darkness that are present in this world.
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.
As believers, we must remember that we are not fighting against people, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against spiritual forces.
Therefore, when someone is lost and under the influence of demonic activity,
we cannot forget the mission of God’s children—to bring the light of the gospel into that situation.
We must speak the truth in love, even to those who may appear too far from God,
because in reality no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace to bring about salvation....
For believers to be effective in this spiritual war,
we need to be dress battle...
To stand firm in the faith,
and not back down to the lies of the enemy,
we need to put on the full armor of God.
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,
In the weeks to come as we unpack each piece of armor,
I want us to continually be reminding why we wear the armor....
The Armor of God equips the believer to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
We need to be dressed for this cosmic war between good and evil.
We need to have the full armor so we can engage in the battle against the kingdom of darkness.
Warren Wiersbe writes,
The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battle-ground.
May we go out this week more equipped as saints of God,
to wage war against the kingdom of darkness....
Close this morning with this....
Picture this: Smyrna, A.D. 155.
The arena is packed, the mob hungry for blood.
An old man, nearly ninety, is dragged before the proconsul.
His name is Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, a disciple of the Apostle John.
The Romans offer him mercy if he will only deny Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar.
But Polycarp stands firm, girded with the belt of truth.
He answers with words that have rung through history:
“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
The threats come: wild beasts, the fire.
But with the shield of faith raised, he does not waver.
He tells them the fire they light will burn for but an hour, but the fire of eternal judgment awaits those who reject Christ.
They bind him to the stake.
Polycarp lifts his eyes to heaven, guarded by the helmet of salvation, praying not for escape but that his death would glorify Christ.
The fire is lit. And here’s what witnesses recorded:
the flames did not consume him at once.
Instead, the fire bent back, arching around him like a great sail filled with wind,
as though the elements themselves acknowledged he was a soldier of Christ clothed in heavenly armor.
His body glowed, refined as if not burning but shining.
At last, a soldier ended his life with a sword.
But Polycarp had already won. He had stood his ground.
He did not fall by the schemes of the devil raised against him.
He had remained immovable, clothed in the full armor of God.
And his death became a testimony that strengthened the church and drew many to salvation.
