Armor of God

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Glad to be back

-Apparently I didn’t say anything heretical or theological incorrect last time, so let’s hope I can keep that up this time.

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Pause and slow down baby

Today we are taling about the Armor of God

-Some may have heard 1000x

-Some of you have no clue what I am talking about

-But we all are all battling something. Some with God and some without.

are all battling something. Some with God and some without.

Ephesians 6:10–24 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. 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

I’d love to read this passage to you and ask you to close your eyes and picture these words in your mind.

Ephesians 6:10-24

Ephesians 6:10-

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.

Before we even get talking about the enemy, how to stand against it and how to take the victory we have to all people, we are reminded where our strength comes from.

This whole passage means nothing without this first verse. Before we can even think about the fight, we HAVE TO establish the source of the power with which we are going to fight with.

You can’t expect to experience victory over an enemy if you don’t know who or what you are fighting.

Paul then focuses on the enemy because you can’t expect to experience victory over an enemy if you don’t know who or what you are fighting.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

What are you fighting against today?

I’m fighting fear and anxiety in my life today. I am so overcome with worry and doubt that I often find myself swinging in the dark at anything and everything, causing more damage to me than my enemy. When we aimlessly fight, we cause more stress to ourselves and those around us.

Symbolism of stand

Belt/Girdle of Truth

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

First, there was the girdle of truth (see note on 6:14), which was to be worn around the waist (6:14b). It was used to protect the thighs and to provide a place to tuck in articles of clothing in order to allow greater freedom of movement. It was a defensive piece of armor. The girding with “truth” may refer to the objective truth of Christianity or the gospel, but more probably refers to the believers’ integrity and faithfulness. This piece of armor is basic to all other pieces because truth and trustworthiness are basic to all the other qualities that believers need in order to withstand diabolical attacks. As the soldier’s girdle gives ease and freedom of movement, so truth gives freedom with self, others, and God.

This concept strikes me to my core. Without truth, the armor meant for protection becomes restrictive. Lacking the ability of movement in battle spells certain death.

Without truth we have no consistency and are unable to live in the way God has created us to live. Without truth there is no freedom. Our faith in Jesus apart from the truth of the victory we have in Him is useless.

We have to begin the process of putting on the armor of God with being honest with ourselves. Where are you at today?

-In the fight of your life?

-Hiding from battles for fear of losing them

-Running from something you feel you could never overcome

-Apathetic and comfortable, ignoring the battle happening in your backyard

Our victory in Christ gives us the truth necessary to conquer any and every lie.

Breastplate of Righteousness

-Breastplate of righteousness

The breastplate is arguably the most vital piece of armor because it covers the vital organs in front and the majority of the back, which is our biggest blindspot as humans.

Living a lifestyle in pursuit of the righteousness of God displayed through Jesus Christ will protect against every attack you can receive. No arrow aimed at your character can kill you when you are protected by the righteousness of God.

Just like a breastplate, a life in pursuit of righteousness, not perfection is a great protection against attacks at our core and our blindspots.

-Shoes of peace

God calls us not to sin because he wants us to conform but because He wants to protect us from things we know will affect us to our core and from things we didn’t even see coming.

Moral high road.

A life of righteousness empowers us to stand boldly in the midst of deadly attacks.

Shoes of Peace

The last piece in the stand portion of the armor is my favorite piece in the whole armor. The shoes of peace are my favorite piece of the armor for a few reasons. Number 1, I LOVE shoes, so much. It’s become something I’ve had to check a couple times because they have hurt my paychecks a few times. However, the true reason I love this piece the most is the way they are described with readiness.

The peace we receive from the gospel is what keeps us ready to stand firm in every situation. Story about Sarah giving peace during flight and me giving peace for her upcoming move.

Since our peace is rooted in the overcoming victory in Christ, there is literally nothing that can defeat us.

The peace found in the gospel of Christ gives us power over EVERYTHING.

Verbiage of stand

We are empowered to stand firm in every situation with the truth of our victory, a heart for protective righteousness, and grounded by the peace of the gospel found in Jesus Christ.

You are given everything needed to stand firm, wether you are experiencing a whirlwind of terror, an onslaught of attacks from every angle or just simply caught in enemy territory.

We are given everythign we need to stand firm wether you are experiencing a whirlwind of terror, an onslaught of attacks from every angle or just simply caught in enemy territory

Symbolism of each piece

The armor of God is first and foremost and all powerful defense in the presence of any offense.

Verbiage of stand and take

Symbolism of stand

Shield of Faith

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

First, there was the girdle of truth (see note on 6:14), which was to be worn around the waist (6:14b). It was used to protect the thighs and to provide a place to tuck in articles of clothing in order to allow greater freedom of movement. It was a defensive piece of armor. The girding with “truth” may refer to the objective truth of Christianity or the gospel, but more probably refers to the believers’ integrity and faithfulness. This piece of armor is basic to all other pieces because truth and trustworthiness are basic to all the other qualities that believers need in order to withstand diabolical attacks. As the soldier’s girdle gives ease and freedom of movement, so truth gives freedom with self, others, and God.

The shield of faith is symbolic of changing verbs from stand to take but it still is described and explained here for its defensive purposes. Just for context here is an explanation of what this shield looked like.

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

The Roman shield was two-and-a-half by four feet, made of two wood planks glued together with the outer surface covered first with canvas and then with calf skin. There was a metal strip on the top and bottom edges, which protected the wood when it hit the ground and a center iron boss, which caused most stones and heavy arrows to glance off. This shield not only covered the body but also the other parts of the armor described earlier; hence, Paul used the phrase “in addition to all of these.” He further described this shield as a shield “of faith.” Again, it is a defensive piece and represents the believers’ subjective faith, a resolute faith that helps them stand firmly and resist the devil

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians & Philemon Commentary

The Roman shield was two-and-a-half by four feet, made of two wood planks glued together with the outer surface covered first with canvas and then with calf skin. There was a metal strip on the top and bottom edges, which protected the wood when it hit the ground and a center iron boss, which caused most stones and heavy arrows to glance off.

Hoehner, H. W., Comfort, P. W., & Davids, P. H. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. (Vol. 16, p. 130). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

This piece of armor brings me right back to v. 10 where we are told be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.

As Christians we are given everything we need to survive and take what ever beating is thrown at us by the enemy, but God loves us so much that He gives us more than the minimum and supplies us with a shield to take beating for us. Sound familiar?

Helmet of Salvation

What ‘s important to see here is the explanation of this armor was given to people who were already believers, so the salvation referenced here is not only speaking to the initial salvation we receive but to the continual renewing of our mind in the salvation already received. Paul talks about this renewal all throughout his writings: , ; ,

When I was a kid i hated helmets, but now as an adult, I only take risks if I have a helmet securely attached because I know how fragile my brain is and how necessary it is to me living a full life.

Some of our biggest battles happen in our head. Winning the battle in your mind is made possible through the salvation recieved in Jesus.

This is a huge target area for the enemy in my life.

Salvation is accepted once but it is not meant to be left in a conversion moment. Salvation supplies confidence in the midst chaos .

Sword of the Spirit

of the fact of salvation, which affords confidence of deliverance from the assaults of the evil one.

Hoehner, H. W., Comfort, P. W., & Davids, P. H. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. (Vol. 16, p. 131). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

The sword of the Spirit is the offensive weapon, the spoken word of God, to be used against the spiritual wickedness of the devil. In his encounter with the devil, Christ used the written word against him.

Although it is the only offensive weapon listed among the pieces of the armor, in the present context it is not used to make advances by preaching the gospel but to enable believers to stand firmly so that the devil will not gain new territory in Christ’s Kingdom or rob believers of their spiritual blessings in Christ.

This is where I want sit before I close. In preparation for my time with you today I felt strongly about teaching on the Armor of God. I was unsure as to why for a long while until I got to this point of the armor. I have heard countless amazing men and women of God teach about this passage more times than I can count. However, I have always heard this piece of armor be turned into a weapon to strike down non believers and the evils of our culture.

Hoehner, H. W., Comfort, P. W., & Davids, P. H. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. (Vol. 16, p. 132). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

The enemy is smart. He stalks us.

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-Tear us up inside

-Divide us as a family of God

-Alienate and ostracize those not in the church

-Make God look bad with Christians spreading hate and fear

This whole passage is about you and the battle you will have within yourself against the enemy. Your bible should never be a weapon used to tear down people. It is entrusted to us by God so we can survive this life with enough strength to pray for others.

Hoehner, H. W., Comfort, P. W., & Davids, P. H. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. (Vol. 16, p. 132). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

This passage concludes with a convicting plea to pray for yourself and those around you. The word of God is the only weapon necessary to win our battles.

Do you feel as if you are losing battle after battle?

Are you swinging aimlessly at anything you can connect with, casing more damage to yourself and improving nothing?

Are you standing in the midst of a war with nothing but a white flag to protect you?

Are you In the fight of your life?

Are you hiding from battles for fear of losing them

Are you running from something you feel you could never overcome

Are you apathetic and comfortable, ignoring the battle happening in your backyard?

I am hear to remind that God giving us armor means we are created for battle!

We weren’t created to run away!

We were created for victory and power!

I have to constantly remind myself of this. I am so quick to sit defeated before I ever stand firm and take up my armor for battle.

The victory given through this all powerful armor begins with you simply asking for and accepting it. There is a living father eager to give you abundantly more than you need to stand firm in the midst of chaos. You no longer have to run in desperation, you can have the confidence to stand firm, victorious in every battle.

Pray benediction and set up song.

Ephesians 6:23–24 ESV

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Armor of God

Intro

Prayer

Prayer

Armor of God

Armor of God

Prepare v.10-13

Stand and Take

Stand Firm v. 14-15

Take

Take Up v. 16-24

Conclusion