Introduction: 1. God sends us forth to live for him. 2. He outfits us to fight for and with him against the devil. 3. Eph. 6:14-17. I. Gird your loins with truth. A. The girdle is the belt that held all of the armor in one place. B. One view-this fastens around our character. It is principles of integrity, honesty, and sincerity (1 Jn. 2:4, 9; Titus 1:16). C. Second view-We belt ourselves with Bible (Jn. 17:17) by studying (2 Tim. 2:15); worship (Jn. 4:24), walking (2 Jn. 4), obeying (1 Pet. 1:22), believing (2 Thes. 2:10), loving (2 Thes. 2:10), knowing (Jn. 8:32), never erring (Ja.. 5:19). II. Breastplate of righteousness. A. The breastplate is from the neck to the waist and protects the front and back. Satan attacks the heart as he confuses morals, snatches the word of God from individual’s hearts, and color the mind with false teaching. B. We are to live right (Dt. 6:25; 1 Jn. 3:7, 10). It involves walking (Ps. 15:1, 2). It is the holiness of the Christian life (1 Pet. 2:1; 2 Cor. 10:5; Col. 3:2). III. Feet shod with the gospel. A. Shoes of the soldier were sandals that had hob nails to hold their feet secure on the ground. B. Gospel of peace (1 Cor. 15:3, 4), which allows us (Rom; 5:10,11). We are to be prepared-readiness 1. Fight the fight-live the life (Phil. 1:27) and 2. Share the message (2 Cor. 5:18-21). IV. Shield of faith. A. Shields were small 92 ft across) or the bigger ones were 2 ft wide and 4 ft. tall and were used on the front lines for the soldiers to hide behind. B. Faith is essential (Heb. 11:6). It causes us to act (Gen. 12; Josh. 6; Mt. 1:18). C. While Satan attacks man’s faith with doubt, disbelief, and distrust ours is a faith that wins (1 Jn. 5:4). Our faith thwarts the devils arrows of worry (Mt. 6:24-34), fear (Mt. 8:26), doubt (Mt. 14:31), human reasoning (Mt. 16:8). V. Helmet of salvation. A. The helmet covered the head. B. Salvation means rescue. God rescues us from the past (Rom. 3:24, 25), present (Heb. 10:17, 18), and future (1 Jn. 3:2). VI. Sword of the spirit. A. The sword was 6 to 18 inches long and was both an offensive and defensive weapon. B. God’s word (Rev. 2:16). It is powerful (2 Cor. 10:4-5), pricking (Acts 2:36-38), piercing (Heb. 4:12) and penetrating (Acts 7:54). Conclusion: Wrapped totally in prayer.
Entered on 11/30/2008
| Email Us! | © 2003-2010, Pomona Church of Christ |