Dress For Battle
Spiritual Warfare • Sermon • Submitted
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Title: "Dress For Battle"
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
INTRODUCTION:
Video : Dress For Battle
A- Background
1.Where we have been so-far:
a. The war is real - NOT imaginary!
b. There are spiritual enemies all around us.
B- Application
1. We must remember who our real enemy is - Satan!
a. Not the people who misbehave.
b. Not the circumstances we face.
c. Not the uncertain future that we fear.
* Picture of Gator on bridge to 2021
TS: In our the Apostle Paul describes the spiritual weapons that believers must use. This description is based upon the weapons used by the Roman soldier of Paul's day.
I- THE PLAN FOR THE ARMOR (Ephesians 6:13)
I- THE PLAN FOR THE ARMOR (Ephesians 6:13)
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
A- The purpose for the armor:
A- The purpose for the armor:
1- To enable believers to stand and engage in battle against the enemy!
*** The weapons we are to use must be spiritual weapons that are energized by God.
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.
4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
2- To enable us to successfully invade enemy territory and destroy the spiritual strongholds of Satan.
a. Strongholds of human reasoning and false arguments that prevent people from entering a relationship with Christ.
b. Pride and rebellion that prevent acceptance of the Gospel message.
B- The problems of leaving out some of the armor. (Ephesians 6:10-12)
B- The problems of leaving out some of the armor. (Ephesians 6:10-12)
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
1- It affects the effectiveness of the warrior.
2- It alters the strength available to fight.
II- THE PARTS OF THE ARMOR (Ephesians 6:14-17)
II- THE PARTS OF THE ARMOR (Ephesians 6:14-17)
A- The belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14 a)
A- The belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14 a)
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
B- The body armor of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)
B- The body armor of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
The Roman soldier wore metal body armor that protected his vital organs from injury by enemy attack. Swords, arrows, spears, and other weapons were ineffective against the breastplate of the Roman soldier.
What the body armor was to the roman soldier, righteousness is to the believer who would be a soul-winner. It is impossible to be effective without righteousness.
Righteousness comes from the Greek word dikaiosunh , meaning, “ the condition acceptable to God.” It speaks of a person being in a “right relationship” with God.
C- The shoes of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15)
C- The shoes of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15)
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
D- The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)
D- The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
E- The helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)
E- The helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
F- The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)
F- The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(Hebrews 4:12)
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
CONCLUSION: