Standing Firm in the Gospel of Peace
Notes
Transcript
Good morning! It’s a joy to see each one of you here, ready to embark on this collective journey through The Armor of God — our series called The War for Your Soul: Defending the Faith. Your presence and active participation are not just appreciated, but they are what make this journey truly enriching.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been studying how God, in His infinite wisdom and love, equips His people for spiritual battle — not with the weapons of this world, but with truth and righteousness. We've explored the significance of truth as a belt and righteousness as a breastplate. Each piece of the armor is a testament to His provision, reminding us that we are not alone in this battle.
Today, we come to the third piece of the armor-the shoes of the gospel of peace. These seemingly ordinary shoes are, in fact, of immense importance. They are not just a part of the armor, but a crucial element that can determine the outcome of our spiritual battles. Understanding their significance will enlighten us and empower us in our spiritual journey.
Before we open God’s Word together, let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts.
Each of us has come here from a different week — some with joy, others carrying burdens. But wherever we are, we can find comfort in the fact that God meets us here, right where we are, ready to guide us.
This series has reminded us that we’re in a spiritual battle — not against people, but against the powers of darkness that try to steal our peace and shake our faith. This battle is not fought with physical weapons, but with spiritual ones such as prayer, faith, and the Word of God. Today, as we talk about the shoes of the gospel of peace, I want us to begin by centering our hearts on the One who is our peace.
Let’s go to Him now and ask Him to steady our steps and prepare us to hear His Word.
Father, we thank You for this day and for the privilege of gathering as Your people.
You are our refuge and our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble.
Lord, as we open Your Word today, we ask that You quiet every anxious thought and calm every restless heart.
The world around us is loud — full of conflict, fear, and confusion — but in You we find peace that cannot be shaken.
Teach us today what it means to stand firm, not in our own strength, but in Yours, to hold onto our faith and trust in You even in the face of adversity.
Anchor our feet in the gospel of peace — the good news that we have been reconciled to You through Jesus Christ.
Remind us that this peace is not fragile or fleeting, but firm and unbreakable, because it is grounded in Your victory at the cross, a victory that can never be undone.
Lord, prepare us for whatever battles we may face.
Help us to be ready — ready to endure hardship, prepared to serve others, ready to share the hope that we have in You, knowing that You have equipped us for every battle.
And as we learn to stand firm, help us to do so with grace, with gentleness, and with unwavering confidence in Your promises, knowing that You are faithful and true.
We give You all glory, all honor, and all praise, for You alone are our peace.
In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he was chained and imprisoned. Day after day, he saw a soldier’s armor — the shield, the sword, the breastplate, the helmet. But one piece often overlooked was the soldier’s sandals.
Those heavy leather sandals weren’t designed for comfort — they were designed for combat. Their soles were studded with nails or spikes, giving the soldiers firm traction on rough terrain. In battle, footing was everything. A soldier could have the strongest sword and the sharpest reflexes, but if he lost his balance — even for a second — he was vulnerable.
And that’s why Paul uses this image for us. The Christian life isn’t a sprint or a parade; it’s a battle. The enemy wants to knock you off balance — to make you stumble through fear, anxiety, or conflict. But Paul says we are to have our feet “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Notice that: the gospel of peace. Not panic. Not pressure. Not striving. The soldier's heavy, spiked sandals were for physical combat, but our battle is spiritual, and our weapon is peace.
Peace.
In other words, our stability, our readiness, and our ability to endure come from one place: being grounded in the peace of Christ.
We’re not called to charge into chaos, but to stand firm in the peace that Christ has already won. This peace is not just a concept, but a reality we can stand on, a fortress that cannot be shaken.
Because a soldier’s stance determines his survival, and ours depends on peace. It's not just a luxury or a comfort, but a necessity for our spiritual survival.
Stand Firm: Holding Your Ground in God’s Peace
Stand Firm: Holding Your Ground in God’s Peace
Today, we are looking at verse 15. However, it is part of a longer sentence that began in verse 14 with these words.
Stand therefore
Paul issues a powerful command to start this section — “Stand therefore.” This simple yet potent directive empowers us in our spiritual warfare. It's not about charging ahead or retreating in fear, but about standing firm.
It’s simple, but it’s powerful. The Christian’s call in spiritual warfare isn’t to charge ahead or to retreat in fear — it’s to stand firm.
When the battle intensifies, when life grows uncertain, when doubts begin to whisper — God’s command remains the same: Stand.
The Roman soldier understood this well. His footwear — thick leather boots known as caligae — were designed to anchor him in place. Studded with nails on the soles, they provided traction so that even when pressed by the enemy, he would not lose his footing. Without them, even the strongest warrior could stumble. And so Paul writes in verse 15
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Spiritually speaking, our footing determines our faithfulness.
If we stand on unstable ground, whether it be our emotions, our success, or our own understanding, we will slip. But if we are standing on the firm ground of the gospel — the peace we have with God through Jesus Christ — we can remain unshaken even when the world around us trembles. This stability is a comforting assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties.
The word Paul uses for “readiness” in verse 15 carries the meaning of foundation or firm base. It’s the solid footing that allows a soldier to brace himself and hold steady. Similarly, the gospel of peace provides believers with stability in the midst of conflict. The peace of Christ is not fragile or circumstantial; it’s the firm foundation that keeps us standing when everything else is shifting. This reassurance of a steadfast foundation in Christ's peace is a source of strength in our spiritual battles.
And this image reaches back to the prophet Isaiah, who wrote:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah’s words describe the messenger of God’s salvation — the one whose feet carry peace. Paul applies that same image to believers. We are to stand firm in that same peace, ready not only to endure but also to proclaim the good news that Christ has won the victory.
That’s why Paul echoes this command elsewhere:
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
God doesn’t ask us to win the battle in our own strength. He calls us to hold our ground — to stand firm in the strength that He provides.
Because a soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
Feet Fitted with Readiness
Feet Fitted with Readiness
Let’s look again at Paul’s words:
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
The image is simple but powerful. Paul says that part of our spiritual armor is the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Greek word translated as “readiness” (hetoimasia) conveys the idea of being firmly established or prepared in advance. It describes a foundation that is not just stable, but sure, providing us with a sense of security and confidence.
In other words, this isn’t last-minute preparation — it’s readiness that is already in place before the battle begins.
A Roman soldier would never step onto the field without his footwear being securely fastened. His sandals, called caligae, were thick-soled and studded with nails to grip the earth beneath him. If those sandals were loose or untied, he could lose his balance in an instant. So before the fight began, he made sure his footing was firm.
Paul takes that same idea of a soldier's preparation and applies it spiritually, empowering us with the knowledge that we are not alone in our spiritual battles.
Our ability to stand — our strength, endurance, and stability — all depend on what we’re standing on. If we’re relying on our own strength or emotion, we’ll slip. But when our feet are planted on the gospel — the peace we have with God through Christ, a peace that surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) — we stand secure no matter what comes.
The gospel doesn’t just bring peace to our hearts; it becomes the foundation of our lives. It gives us both stability and mobility — the strength to stand firm and the readiness to move when God calls.
The Old Testament echoes this same truth:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah’s image is of a messenger running across the hills with good news — proclaiming peace, salvation, and the rule of God. Paul takes that same imagery and applies it to every believer. We are to be ready — not only to stand firm in that peace but to carry it wherever we go.
Illustration:
Just as a soldier who fails to tie his sandals properly risks tripping the moment the battle begins, we too, when we neglect our preparation through prayer, worship, and the Word, we’re spiritually unsteady. These are the tools that help us anchor our hearts in the gospel, ensuring we can face anything — temptation, conflict, fear — and remain standing.
That’s why Paul calls it readiness. It’s not self-confidence; it’s Christ-confidence. It’s the quiet assurance that we are secure in Him — fully prepared because of what He has already done.
And once again, we’re reminded of our key truth for this week:
A soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
When our feet are fitted with the readiness given by the gospel of peace, we stand firm, steady, and unshaken — because the peace of Christ holds us fast.
The Gospel of Peace
The Gospel of Peace
Let’s look again at Paul’s words:
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Here, Paul tells us where our stability and readiness come from — “the gospel of peace.”
Those words seem surprising in a passage about warfare. We expect talk of strength, armor, and shields — not peace. But that’s precisely what makes this so powerful. The peace of Christ is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of confidence in the midst of it.
This gospel of peace is the foundation for everything else in the armor of God. Without it, the rest of the armor has no footing. Before we can fight, we must be reconciled to God — and that reconciliation comes through the good news of Jesus Christ.
In Romans 5:1 we read.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
That’s where it begins — peace with God.
Before salvation, we were enemies of God, separated from Him by sin. But through Christ, the war between us and God has ended. The victory is already won. We have peace — not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.
And from that peace with God flows the peace of God — the inner calm that sustains us when life feels like chaos.
In Philippians 4:7 Paul writes:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Notice the word “guard.” The peace of God stands watch over our hearts like a sentinel. It protects our emotions and our thoughts from fear, anxiety, and despair.
This is why Paul ties peace so closely to battle imagery. In the middle of spiritual warfare, peace becomes a weapon — not one that wounds, but one that withstands. The enemy thrives on turmoil and confusion, but when our hearts are anchored in Christ’s peace, his attacks lose their power.
And it doesn’t stop there. The peace we receive from the gospel becomes the peace we extend to others.
In Matthew 5:9 we read:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
We are called to carry the peace of Christ into every space we enter — into our homes, our workplaces, and our relationships. Just as Isaiah’s messenger proclaimed, “Your God reigns!”, we proclaim that same truth to a world desperate for peace.
So, the source of our readiness is the gospel — the good news that we are reconciled to God through Christ. That peace steadies our hearts, strengthens our resolve, and shapes our witness.
When you know that your standing with God is secure, no accusation from the enemy can unsteady you.
And that brings us back once again to our truth for this week:
A soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
When your footing is the gospel of peace, you can face any battle with confidence — because your victory doesn’t rest on your strength, but on Christ’s finished work.
Stand Firm and Be Ready
Stand Firm and Be Ready
Let’s reread these verses in their flow:
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.
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.
Everything in this passage leads to one purpose — that we might stand firm.
The armor of God isn’t a call to aggression; it’s a call to endurance. It’s not about taking new ground, but holding the ground that Christ has already won. We are called to remain steadfast, unshaken, and confident in the face of spiritual opposition.
But notice — this readiness isn’t passive. The gospel of peace doesn’t make us motionless; it makes us ready. Ready to obey, ready to serve, ready to proclaim. Peace isn’t a retreat from battle — it’s the calm strength that allows us to stand in it.
When Paul speaks of “the readiness given by the gospel of peace,” he’s describing a believer who is both anchored and available — rooted in the truth of the gospel and responsive to the call of God.
That’s why we can say: the same peace that steadies your heart also propels your mission.
In Colossians 3:15 Paul wrote:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, it directs our actions. It tells us when to speak, when to be silent, when to move forward, and when to stand still and trust. It gives us discernment in a noisy world.
We live in a culture that runs on hurry, anxiety, and outrage. But God calls His people to something different — to a quiet strength, to a peace that can’t be shaken, to a life that stands firm while the world trembles.
That kind of peace isn’t weakness; it’s witness. When others see you calm in the storm, grounded when everything else is shaking, they know the reality of Christ alive in you.
And that’s the point — the purpose of this armor isn’t simply to protect us; it’s to display Him. Our stability reflects His sufficiency—our peace points to His power.
So when Paul tells us to stand firm and to put on the readiness of the gospel of peace, he’s saying: “Let your life be anchored so deeply in Christ that nothing moves you — and let that stability become your testimony.”
Because at the end of the day, this truth remains: A soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
When we stand firm in the gospel, we stand not only for ourselves but as witnesses to a watching world that there is a peace greater than fear, a foundation stronger than chaos, and a Savior who never fails.
Standing Ready in a Shaken World
Standing Ready in a Shaken World
We’ve seen the command to stand firm, the equipment that gives us readiness, and the source of that strength — the gospel of peace. Now the question is: how do we live this out day by day?
Paul’s image isn’t just about armor for the battlefield — it’s about preparation for daily life. Every morning we wake up to a world at war — not just politically or socially, but spiritually. The enemy doesn’t always attack with visible weapons. Sometimes he comes through discouragement, anxiety, temptation, or fear.
So how do we apply what we’ve learned?
1. Stand in God’s Peace Daily.
1. Stand in God’s Peace Daily.
Peace isn’t a feeling we chase; it’s a position we hold. When we wake up each day, we stand in the truth that Christ has already given us peace with God. This peace is not just a mere concept, but a powerful force that secures us and gives us confidence.
Romans 5:1 says:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
That means you don’t have to strive to earn God’s favor or fear losing His love. You already have peace with Him through the cross. Begin your day standing in that truth.
2. Stay Spiritually Prepared.
2. Stay Spiritually Prepared.
A soldier ties his shoes before battle — not after. The same is true for us.
We prepare through prayer, through Scripture, and through worship. These daily disciplines are not just routines, but powerful tools that empower us to strap on the readiness of the gospel, putting us in control of our spiritual preparedness.
In Psalm 119 verse 165 we read:
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
When we neglect time with God, we lose our footing. But when His Word fills our hearts, we stand steady — even when life gets rough.
3. Carry the Peace of Christ Wherever You Go.
3. Carry the Peace of Christ Wherever You Go.
The gospel of peace isn’t meant to be hidden; it’s meant to be carried. Every place your feet take you this week is an opportunity to bring the peace of Christ into tense conversations, divided workplaces, and uncertain moments. For instance, when you encounter a heated discussion, you can bring the peace of Christ by speaking gently and with respect, or when you see someone in distress, you can offer a comforting word or a helping hand.
We read in Romans 12 verse 18:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
When you choose peace over pride, gentleness over anger, forgiveness over resentment, you’re not just living, but actively demonstrating the readiness of the gospel. You’re showing the world that peace isn’t passive — it’s powerful, engaging, and purposeful.
4. Be Ready to Share the Good News.
4. Be Ready to Share the Good News.
Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.”
Our readiness isn’t just about standing still — it’s about being available when God opens a door to share the message of peace.
That’s why Peter write in 1st Peter chapter three verse fifteen:
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; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
When you live with peace, people notice — and when they ask why, you get to tell them about the One who calms every storm.
When we live this way — grounded in the gospel, ready to stand, and eager to share — the world sees something different. They see a peace that can’t be shaken, a confidence that doesn’t depend on circumstances, and a life that stands firm because it’s anchored in Christ.
So remember our truth one more time:
A soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
So What?
So What?
So what difference does this message make in my life if I apply what I’ve learned today?
It changes everything about how I stand.
When I apply this truth, I begin to live from a place of peace instead of panic.
I stop reacting to the chaos around me and start responding with the calm assurance of Christ within me.
It means that when fear rises, I don’t have to run. When the enemy whispers lies, I don’t have to listen. When the ground beneath me feels unsteady, I can plant my feet on the unshakable foundation of the gospel of peace.
It means that the peace of Christ becomes more than a comforting thought — it becomes a daily reality. It steadies my mind, softens my words, and strengthens my faith.
When I apply what I’ve learned today…
I walk into my workplace with confidence instead of anxiety.
I approach my relationships with grace instead of defensiveness.
I face uncertainty with faith instead of fear.
The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace transforms how I live, how I speak, and how I stand.
And that’s the difference this message makes:
It transforms peace from something we discuss on Sunday into a comforting reality we live in every day.
Because — a soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
When we stand firm in that peace, we don’t just endure the battle — we reveal the victory that’s already been won in Christ, filling us with hope and triumph.
The Peace That Holds Us Steady
The Peace That Holds Us Steady
As we close today, I want you to picture the scene Paul must have seen so many times — a Roman soldier, standing firm, his armor gleaming in the sun, his feet dug into the earth. The battle is raging around him, but he’s not moving. He’s planted. He’s steady. He’s ready.
That’s the image Paul gives us for the Christian life.
We don’t find peace by escaping the battle — we find it by standing firm in the midst of it.
The world around us is loud, angry, and unstable. But God’s people are called to something different — a peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances, a strength that isn’t shaken by fear, a calm that comes from knowing we are secure in Christ.
When the noise of the world grows louder, let His peace grow deeper.
When life feels uncertain, anchor yourself in what is eternal.
When you’re tempted to give in, remember that the victory is already won in Christ.
The gospel of peace is more than a doctrine — it’s a daily foundation. It’s the ground beneath our feet, the calm in our chaos, and the assurance that Christ is enough.
So as you step out this week — into your workplace, your home, your conversations, and your struggles — remember this truth that we’ve carried with us all morning:
A soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
And because Christ has already won the victory, we can stand firm in that peace — confident, calm, and unshaken, knowing that His peace surpasses all understanding.
Amen.
Let’s Pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the peace that comes only through Jesus Christ — peace that steadies our hearts when the battle rages, peace that holds us firm when life feels uncertain.
Lord, we confess that too often we’ve tried to stand on our own strength, trusting in our plans, our emotions, or our control. Today, we make a conscious choice to stand on the firm foundation of Your gospel — the good news that we have been reconciled to You through Christ, and we are committed to this choice.
Make us people of peace in a world of chaos. Teach us to walk in readiness, to speak with grace, and to live with calm assurance. When the enemy attacks, remind us that the victory is already won through Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Strengthen our steps this week. Let Your Word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guide us. Let Your Spirit, the Comforter and the Counselor, empower us, and let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, rule in our hearts.
We thank You, Lord, for the armor You’ve provided — for truth that secures us, righteousness that guards us, and the gospel of peace that keeps us standing.
And we pray, may our stance always reflect Your strength and Your serenity, for a soldier’s stance determines his survival — and ours depends on peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Peace, we pray
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)
Amen.
Be blessed to be a blessing.
