Untitled Sermon (25)

Fighting Back

Ephesians 6:10-17

Ephesians 6:11

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Whole – full complete set

Ephesians 6:11

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Wiles – scheming, strategies, trick, deception

Ephesians 6:13

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstandin the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Withstand – Resist

James 4:7

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I Peter 5:8-9

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

I) Belt of Truth

A.Defined

Truth - (aletheia) sincerity, integrity. Indicates the quality or state of being real or genuine—often in the sense of visible and verifiable reality, demonstrated by facts, actual events, or proven character.

Sincerity (sine cera – No Wax)

The term comes from ancient Rome where dishonest sellers would hide cracks in valuable porcelain with a white wax to make it appear perfect. Reputable dealers would mark their genuine goods "sine cera" or "without wax," meaning they were of true and unblemished quality.

B. Defends Against Pride

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

I Peter 5:5

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Romans 12:3

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

II) Breastplate of Righteousness

A.Defined

1. Permanent Righteousness – Affects my Standing

II Corinthians 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 5:19

19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (Made – assigned to a position)

2. Practical Righteousness – Affects my Fellowship

I John 1:3-4

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

B. Defends Against Past Guilt and Present Distance (Separation)

Revelation 12:10

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

III) Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

A.Defined

Gospel of Peace – the good news that you have made peace with God

(Knowing I am in good standing with God)

Rom 5:1

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:10

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Colossians 1:20-21

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

B. Defends Against Fear and Doubt

Romans 8:31

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

II Timothy 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind