WEAR the Full Armor of God
Fighting an Invisible War • Sermon • Submitted
1 rating
· 11 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
HOOK
HOOK
Last Sunday we started a new series— Fighting an Invisible War
I talked to you about the Invisible Kingdom fighting an Invisible War— Are we designed for War?— Are we even supposed to be a part of it?— Is it right for us to fight back?
There’s a right way for us to fight back— And there’s a wrong way for us to fight back!
From last Sunday we are told to put on the full armor of God—
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
Human reasoning and false arguments— we’re having so much of those specially in this season of politics when the people are deeply divided
The stark contrast between the left and the right is like the very clear contrast between light and darkness— which cannot share the same space because whenever they did— there will be shadows— the purifying work of God continues
He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance— within your sphere of influence— in your circle of friends— you’ll receive a great chance to stand out and be the light for them if you know what, and how to do it
Not understanding matters concerning how we should respond on situations such as where we are now as a nation could paralyze you— ending up doing nothing which is a disservice to God, disservice to His church, and a disservice to the people
Now, how do we get into the game?— You have to be ready!— You have to WEAR the Full Armor of God! [SHOW IMAGE]
To better understand why Paul used the metaphor of the Armor of God to illustrate preparedness for every battle— I’ve gone through his letter to Ephesus— I’ve read this epistles many times over, but going through it again, gave me a fresh outlook about readiness to face our battles
Wearing the full Armor of God consistently reminds how we shall conduct ourselves as Christians— In Paul’s letters to our early brothers and sisters in Ephesus, he talked about Faith & Salvation— he used the helmet to represent salvation as a constant reminder to us that our salvation is secured in Christ— just as a helmet protects a soldier in battle, our assurance of salvation protects us from doubts, from worries, from uncertainties or fear
Mindfully aware of the graciousness of God protects us from the deceiving strategies of the enemy— the devil wants us to be fearful, worried and afraid— but the helmet that represents salvation gives us confidence that leads us to take the high road
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Remembering that we are saved and now living by grace will keep us steadily in focus [speaking of focus— I had a bike accident last Tuesday night]— We must stay focused on what we are doing
Faith and salvation gives us assurance
Paul also talked about Word & Peace— he talked about unity and maturity in the Body— he said that we must be completely humble and gentle; patient and bearing with one another in love— Paul said..
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Unity through the bond of peace— there is one body [the word became flesh]— we are the body of Christ— we are heirs together with Israel that shares together in the promises in Christ
In chapter 3:6, the word “together” was mentioned three times— heirs together, members together and sharers together— Paul knew that we are stronger when we are together— “Stronger Together”
Word and Peace brings unity— He said those when he explained to them the marvelous plan of God for the Gentiles
And then when Paul instructed them how how to live as Christians— he talked about Truth & Righteousness— Paul said…
21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Underscore that “Truth that is in Jesus” and “created to be like God in true righteousness”
How do you feel when you put on after shower the same clothes you were wearing before you took a bath?
Truth and Righteousness brings transformation
Paul knows that, just like us— our early brethren in Ephesus tends to forget— so he summarized his letter using an armor to constantly remind them and us, on how we should readily face our day to day battles— how we fend off the attacks of the enemy— how we secure ourselves in His care
Using the belt that keeps the armor together— the breastplate that guards the chest where your heart is— the helmet that protects the head [mind] of the soldier— with his feet fitted with the sandals— holding up a shield to deflect the arrows from the enemy— and the sword to fight back [SHOW IMAGE]
Read with me in EPHESIANS 5:13-17
BOOK
BOOK
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
WHY do we have to put on the Armor of God?
So we may be able to stand our ground [the high ground] when the day of evil comes
These days are the days of evil— The Satanic Temple (TST) announced that it has sued Lamar Advertising company [Salem, Massachusetts] because it refused to display their billboards promoting their ritual that allows abortion
The law suit accuses Lamar Advertising of religious discrimination— members of TST are now invoking our first amendment to circumvent laws against abortion
The group describes their ritual as a “sacramental act that confirms the right of bodily autonomy.”
WHERE of from WHOM do you think these are coming from?
It’s coming from our invisible enemy!— Are we not suppose to do anything about this?
WHAT shall we do about this?
First of all, we need to WEAR the full Armor of God
WHEN do we have to wear this?
NOW and always
Let me unpack for you the passage that the Lord led us to look into today
LOOK
LOOK
STAND FIRM WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH
The belt around the soldier’s waist held the breastplate in place and provided an attachment for the sword
It is the truth that hold things together— the truth will keep your life together— the lies on the other hand will break it apart!
WITH THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN PLACE
Not our own righteousness— but the righteousness of God— it is very easy to claim that you’re right and the person next to you is wrong— but that’s now how it works!— true righteousness is only found in God
Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness [Genesis 15:6]— it is in the gospel that the righteousness of God is revealed [Romans 1:16-17]— through Jesus we might become the righteousness of God [2 Corinthians 5:21]
YOUR FEET FITTED WITH READINESS THAT COMES FROM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
When Jesus first appeared to his disciples His first word “Peace”— he offered them His peace
It is only the peace of the Lord that will transcend all understanding— that will guard your hearts and minds—
TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH
A fortified shield made of strong steel fends off the arrows from the evil one— a fortified faith deflects temptations
Faithfulness leads to righteousness [Habakkuk 2:4]— it is our faith that gave us the right to become children of God [John 1:12]— it is our assurance about what we do not see [Hebrews 1:1]
TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION
It is our assurance of salvation that protects us— Paul used helmet to illustrate salvation because our mind [which is inside our heads— hopefully!] is where the battle begins
According to Luke, salvation is found in no one else other than Jesus [Acts 4:12]— When the jail guard asked Paul how he may be saved, they replied, “believed in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved— you and your household” [Acts 1630-31]— Jesus died so that we may be saved [Romans 5:8]
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD
The soldier fights back using his sword— we fight back using the Word of God— I posted about the official ballot I received, so I thought— I’ll share my wisdom about it— somebody engaged me in an exchange of words— so whenever he said something, I’d get back to him using the Word of God— then he stopped! Probably he ran out of things to say!— nobody and one can outsmart the Word of God
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God endures forever [Isaiah 40:7-8]— The same Word that became flesh [John 1]
The Word of God is alive and active— it is sharper than any double-edged sword— it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit [Hebrews 4:12-13]
ALWAYS WEAR THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
ALWAYS WEAR THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
TOOK
TOOK
WATCH OUT FOR THE ENEMY
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
ENRICH YOURSELF WITH GOD’S WORD
16 Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts.
ALWAYS BE ON THE SIDE OF PEACE AND TRUTH
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
RESIST TEMPTATIONS AND SIN
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
SING
SING
Phil Wickham— Battle Belongs