Monday, May 5, 2008

Well Armored

(pastor Alan at the easter egg hunt--a true soldier of the Cross)

Ephesians 6.11-18
Eph 6:13 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,
I. Well Armored Soldier (vs11, vs13-18)
a. Belt of truth
i. Truth is more than just not telling lies. It is doctrine it is what we believe. The way you live life will be determined what you believe. Truth only comes from Christ. He is the maker and creator of truth. He is truth. This is the root of our strength. Being girded or surrounded by the truth of God will help us to refrain form liberalism and uncertainties. So the Question is this, is our life held together by God’s truth, or are we simply relying on our own version of truth? What are some ways we can wrap our lives in the truth of God?
b. Breastplate of Righteousness
i. We must literally put on the righteousness of Christ. This guard the vital organs and the vulnerable areas of our life. God’s righteousness allows us to boldly go into the heat of battle, because of HIS RIGHTTEOUNESS. We cannot depend upon our own. What are some areas in life when we need God’s righteousness?
c. Gospel of Peace-makes ready
i. Our lives must be prepared by the gospel of peace. This allows our lives to be at peace with God, ourselves, and man. Living with the Gospel of peace will prevent us from falling into the temptation of dishonesty and strife between each other. This peace of armor gives the individual a frame of mind that allows for patience, virtue, and longsuffering for Christ. Notice it prepares us. This means that provision has been made for the time of preparation. In other words time has been spent and made for your relationship with Christ. ( How can we prepare our life with the Gospel of Peace? Why do you think Paul calls it the Gospel of peace?)
d. Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit
i. These three are the final peaces of armor. They are also the most important. In fact Paul says they are the most important (verse 16). Faith is mentioned first. It is compared to a shield. A shield is movable in all directions, able to deflect and defend. Our faith is the same. We should be comfortable with our faith. It should be our own. In the days of the roman and greek soldier shields signified were you were raised, were you lived and whose you were. The soldiers actually painted and decorated their shield sot make it personal. The same goes for our faith. It should be personal our own. ( How can we make our faith our own?) Salvation comes next in the form of a helmet. This speaks of minds. Salvation will protect your mind. You see the way you think of problems will either strengthen you relationship with God or hinder it. When we put all problems, situations, and experiences under the umbrella of Biblical salvation we begin to have a hope. Knowing that God has plan should comfort and protect us during life’s problems. If God had a plan to save you he has a plan for all things. Without putting on the helmet of salvation the devil would have a foothold on our minds. He would create doubt, fear, despair, and suffering. But when we Put on salvation all these troubles are deflected by our salvation in Christ. (How does salvation in Christ ease our mind?) Finally the sword of the spirit. This is the Word of God. The sword is the most effective part of our armor. It is the most versatile of all the pieces of armor. It is able to defend and offend. It was used by Christ against the devil. We must be masters of the word of God. He should be hid in our hearts and close to our hands. We should be quick with it. We also should be familiar with it. As Christians we are very poor with the Word. Many Christians even use it the wrong way. The word will also affect us. It will cause us to grow, and change. (How can we become better with the word of God? What are some ways the word can help us in this life? Why are so many Christian’s poor with the word of God?)

Biblical examples, 3 Hebrew children, Elijah, Joshua, Gideon, Peter and John, Jesus

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