July 10, 2016

Putting on the Gospel Armour

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17, Luke 4:1-13
Service Type:

Bible reading until 1:40

Introduction

  • Looking in detail at the six pieces of armour
  • Not dealing with prayer tonight
  • We need great balance when dealing with spiritual warfare
    • We should not see the devil around every corner
    • We should not blame our sin on the devil
  • The Bible is balanced
    • It does not say too much about the devil
    • As Christians we are to fill our minds with Godly things
    • There are dangers to over and under emphasise the devil
      • He is a defeated foe
      • There is not automatic victory over the devil
      • "Lest him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall"
  • The Christian life is described in various ways
    • A daily walk
    • Occasionally described as a fight or a race
    • Here more of a war zone
      • There is an "evil day" [v13]
    • The Christian life is not a holiday
  • This passage is suitable for all types of Christian
    • The weak and doubting Christian - you have been given a complete armour
    • The overconfident Christian - just stand in the Lord
    • A word for all of us
  • The six pieces of armour
    • The first three mentioned as if they have already been put on
      1. Belt of truth
      2. Breastplate of righteousness
      3. Shod with the gospel of peace
    • The last three must be taken up
      1. Shield of faith
      2. Helmet of Salvation
      3. The Sword of the Spirit
    • The first three are essential things that we must have on at all times
      • To be ever grounded in the word of God
      • Trust in Christ
      • The gospel of peace to undergird us
    • The last three are things must be taken up when needed
      • Daily must walk in faith
      • Daily must hold onto the hope of salvation
      • Daily must take up the sword of the Spirit

Belt of Truth

  • Example of the Roman Soldier - a thick belt
    • Essential for warfare
  • The first point of reference is to be grounded in the word of God
    • Read it
    • Meditate upon it
    • Understand the principles
    • Apply it
  • The first thing to overcome the devil's lies
    • It speaks against false doctrines and ideologies
    • It speaks to every area of life
    • Understand where there can be differences, tolerance and unity
  • The only piece of equipment to be mentioned twice

Breastplate of Righteousness

  • The devil will attack your mind and feelings
  • The breastplate covers the heart and the most vital organs
  • We can lift up our heads through the righteousness of Christ
  • His righteousness has covered all our sins
  • Imputed righteousness
  • Imparted righteousness
    • 1 Thess 5:8 - "putting on the breastplate of faith and love"

Shod with the gospel of Peace

  • The right shoes are an essential piece of equipment
    • The Roman Soldier had a hob nail/half studded boot but lightweight
  • It talks about readiness or preparedness - about stability and mobility
  • Stability:
    • We have peace with God
      • This has come to us through the gospel of peace
      • Therefore the enemy is rebuffed
    • We know the peace of God
      • It rules in our hearts and gives us stability in our Christian lives
  • Mobility:
    • The Church needs to be nimble footed
      • When there are attacks upon the church we need to be there
      • When we need to restore a brother we need to be there
      • When someone is rebellious or opposed we must be there
      • When there are attacks on unity we go back to the gospel
  • The verse also surely reflects on evangelism
    • Though there are those who would disagree (cf Rom 10)
    • Whilst it is mainly about defence the Church must always be on the move
    • Surely it is when we are on the move that we are attacked
    • The apostle Paul knew when it was time to move on
    • The apostles were instructed to shake the dust off their feet

Shield of Faith

  • The Roman Shield was 4ft by 2ft, oblong and curved
    • The soldier could stay behind the whole shield
    • Made of metal but had leather daubed in oil to extinguish fiery arrows
  • We are to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (v16)
    • The devil stirs up passions from our old nature
    • He would seek to stir us up to sin - he cannot make us sin
    • If we sin it is our own responsibility
  • It means to take God at His word
    • Live a life of trust in Him
    • Look to Him, honour Him, please Him
    • Live a life of faith
  • Consider the example of Jonathan and his armour bearer, David over Goliath, Paul
    • Hebrews 11
    • If we live in faith, we can overcome
    • Abraham, Rahab
    • 1 Cor 16:3

Helmet of Salvation

  • 1 Thess 5:8 - it is the "hope of our salvation"
  • The devil will come with doubts
  • Remember God's promises
    • John 10:27-28
    • John 6:40
    • Phil 1:6

The Sword of the Spirit

  • A short sword for close combat
  • Think of Christ in the wilderness and the close battle he had with the devil
    • The devil [deliberately] misquotes scripture
  • The word of God is living and powerful
    • Prov 30:5
    • 2 Tim 3:16
    • Heb 4:12
  • The Spirit of God helps us to understand the word of God
    • He brings the word of God to mind when we need it
    • Example of John MacArthur
  • We never make comprises and truces when the enemy
    • We do not back down
    • We stand (v11)
    • We withstand (v13)
    • We stand (v13 & v14)

Closing Remarks

  • The challenge for us is to put on the whole armour
    • Apply the word of God to every situation
    • With prayer God will give us grace to stand
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