Shoes of Peace
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
I don’t know if I should be offended or not at the topic I was given in our series
I don’t know if I should be offended or not at the topic I was given in our series
Spencer gets to talk about belts… I only have 2 of those … black and brown because that’s all you need
Chris gets to talk about the breastplate… listen I don’t own armor so...
I get the shoes… haha!
Now to say I have a slight shoe obsession would be an immense understatement
Now to say I have a slight shoe obsession would be an immense understatement
Now I am not sure how many guys, other than me and Ryan can relate to this but I have a show for every occasion.
Crossfit
Basketball
Softball
lounging
YOU GET THE POINT
I like shoes
But there is one particular pair of shoes that I am fond of but they aren’t mine.
These are my dad’s boots
He wore them everywhere, except to church.
from the woods to the farm to just going to the store these were his footwear of choice
These particular boots are about 25 years old.
They just sit in my mom’s room as a constant reminder of what an amazing man he was
But the paths these boots have taken...
You can tell a lot about somebody by their shoes.
You won’t find a construction worker walking around in loafers
Certain shoes are designed for a purpose
Cleats come in all different types
Soccer, football, softball, baseball etc
But a soldier’s shoes are probably more important than most out there.
They have to be able to be used in many situations.
Whether in combat, or formation or wading through the roughest terrains, they have to keep the soldiers foot safe and ready for anything.
As Christians we have been given a special kind of footwear
As Christians we have been given a special kind of footwear
If we clothe ourselves in the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness but forget to outfit our feet, then the battle that we have(Ephesians 6:12) will be very difficult
Ephesians 6:15
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
We have to put on our shoes to be ready for the battle ahead
Many confuse this passage as being ready to preach the Gospel
Many confuse this passage as being ready to preach the Gospel
While that is important (THE MAIN THING) I don’t believe that this is what Paul meant
This is a direct contradiction to what I have thought and been taught my WHOLE LIFE!
I always thought that Paul was talking about the shoes being meant to share the gospel
And we should do that!
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus tells us to go and make disciples!
You can’t walk around all the time barefoot (although some of you probably think you can!)
Romans 10:15 tells us
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
But Paul doesn’t spend all this time talking about putting on the armor of God to not be talking about preparing to fight!
And a fight is what we have on our hands!
And a fight is what we have on our hands!
The question is are we ready.
You see all of these shoes serve the purpose of being ready… crossfit, basketball, going out
But just because you have these shoes on, doesn’t mean you are ready!
I had a guy challenge me to a game of 1 on 1 in college
He thought he could beat me because I never played. (I wasn’t very good)
He had the shoes and he thought he was ready… he wasn’t
We have to clothe ourselves with the RIGHT shoes...
The shoes of the Gospel
We have to be strong in our faith and belief in Jesus.
We have to be strong in the TRUTH that spencer talked about 2 weeks ago
If we have not solidified ourselves in our relationship with Jesus then we are running in to battle wearing flip flops.
1 Joh 2:6
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 Peter 2:21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
We put on the right shoes by making ourselves like Jesus.
Have you lost your step?
It’s easy to do in these days...
We might even not realize that we have.
All the turmoil going on around us it can make it easy to get our focus off of being ready.
We can get apathetic towards life and even the things of Jesus - no church, feeling disconnected ( THIS ALSO MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP IF WE ARE DEPENDENT ON A BUILDING TO KEEP OUR RELATIONSHIP GOING STRONG)
There is no doubt that a battle is going on around us (Ephesians 6:12)
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.
WE have to be STRONG in our relationship with Jesus if we are going to be prepared to fight and be victorious!
WE have to be STRONG in our relationship with Jesus if we are going to be prepared to fight and be victorious!
WHY DO WE NEED TO BE STRONG IN OUR WALK?
We have to be able to STAND FIRM against the attacks of the enemy.
Verse 15 references those who have “PUT ON” which is translated to mean bind to
If we went into a basketball game with our shoes untied lots of things could happen...
If we go into the battle around us not having bound ourselves to the gospel then this is where we slip up!
When we are strong in our relationship with God we can stand in the confidence in God’s love for us and the fact that he will/has/is fighting for us - WHICH BRINGS US PEACE
When we are strong in our relationship with God we can stand in the confidence in God’s love for us and the fact that he will/has/is fighting for us - WHICH BRINGS US PEACE
If you are being honest with yourself, how many of us could use some peace??
It seems like the battles around are endless...
Seems like there is no way out.
But knowing that God is fighting for us brings that peace we long for
IF we went into a battle knowing that we were going to win if we just stayed strong we would gladly walk into that battle.
WE WIN!!
That doesn’t make this any easier but if you want peace, know that GOD’S GOT THIS!
Children of Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14)
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
We don’t have to be afraid!
That is one of the enemy’s greatest tools
When we are afraid we doubt (LOSE THE TRUTH)
When we are afraid we start to question that we are good enough, God is big enough...
When we have bound the Gospel to our feet and we are standing firm in God we don’t have to be afraid!
But what about you in the room that aren’t there...
No relationship, seeking, straying
If we are not committed to Jesus, if we have not “Died with Christ” we are not firmly rooted in him therefore there can’t be peace
We don’t trust or believe because we don’t know!
If you are living in turmoil and a life completely empty of peace then the first thing you need to do is firmly plant your life with the gospel of Jesus!
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
We can live in peace because we don’t have to be afraid if we are bound to God!
Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So What
So What
Paul says to stand firm 4 times in Ephesians 6
This is not a passive stance but an active stance
An active stance to fight the battles that are all around us.
WE KNOW THIS WORLD NEEDS JESUS!
The fact that there is a lost and dying people outside our doors (CHURCH AND HOMES) should motivate us
2nd AVE STORY??
There is a sinful world who needs the soldiers in the Army of Jesus to stand firm and fight!
This should be our motivation!
This should be what keeps us going!
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?
These shoes are temporary
wear out, break give way
But my dad’s boots, although tattered and worn are still strong!
They have been many places and gone through many things but are still standing firm
SO if you are in here today and you don’t know a peaceful life...
Where is your relationship with God… slipped away, never had one, got distracted?
Then it’s time to decide to trust
The way you’ve been doing life hasn’t been working so why keep doing it the same way.
Commit your life and all your chaos to him and let him show you his love that brings a peace that passes all understanding!
Trust that God will fight for you!
IF you are in here and you have had a relationship but your shoes are untied...
It’s time to tighten those shoe laces
Tighten the relationship with God up tighter than it has ever been.
DO NOT FEAR!
God has got you
Lean in to the love of a savior and TRUST
Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Let your roots grow deep so you can be at the ready for what lies ahead!
For those of you who are fighting the fight...
Although you may feel like your shoes are worn and wearing down, don’t grow weary in doing good
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Don’t quit!
We need you!
Just keep going!
Communion - Commit to this gospel