THE ARMOR OF GOD

TEXT: Ephesians 6:13
Introduction: Right now, our nation is fighting wars in two
different nations, Afghanistan and Iraq, with our terrorist enemies. In
fact, the history of our nation can be pretty well summed up by the wars
that we have been forced to fight
There are: the Persian Gulf War, the Vietnam War, the Korean
Conflict, World War II, World War I, the Spanish-American War, the Civil
War, the Mexican War, the War of 1812, and to begin the Revolutionary War
Of course, there have been other wars, including those in the
ancient world—the wars between Persia and Greece, Alexander the Great’s
war of world conquest, the Punic wars between Rome and Carthage,
Caesar’s Gallic Wars, and so on.
Certainly, we recognize some major differences between modern
warfare with its guns, tanks, and bombs, and ancient warfare with its
spears and bows and arrows. But similarities also exist—there are
battles where fighting takes place
Over and over Bible writers use the picture of battles and fighting
to illustrate the spiritual warfare in which Christians are engaged.
Just as ancient soldiers needed armor to protect them in battle, so God
not left us defenseless when it comes to our warfare. Read TEXT.
Let’s consider TITLE.
I. Having girded your waist with truth, v. 14
A. God has always placed a great deal of importance on the truth: Ps.
119:160, Prov. 23:23
B. We also need to understand the value of truth, because only it can
set us free: Jn. 8:32
C. Where can the soldier of Christ find God’s truth? Jn. 17:17
II. Having put on the breastplate of righteousness, v. 14
A. “Righteousness” simply means being right with God—and Christ wants
His followers to be characterized by righteousness: Matt. 5:20
B. Where do we find God’s righteousness? Rom. 1:16-17
C. However, being righteous means that as soldiers of Christ, we must do
what it says: 1 Jn. 3:7
III. Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,
v. 15
A. The gospel is not only the source of God’s righteousness, it’s also
the source of His peace: Rom. 10:15
B. Jesus Christ came to bring peace: Eph. 2:14-18
C. This peace guards and protects the soldier of Christ from the doubts
and fears of life: Phil. 4:6-7
IV. Taking the shield of faith…to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one, v. 16
A. Faith is belief, and Biblical faith comes from God’s word: Rom. 10:17
B. This faith is the spiritual principle by which we walk: 2 Cor. 5:7
C. The whole purpose of being a good soldier of Christ is to please God,
and that requires faith: Heb. 11:6
V. Take the helmet of salvation, v. 17
A. Mankind is lost in sin, but Jesus Christ came to bring salvation:
Matt. 1:21, Lk. 2:11
B. The same gospel which reveals God’s righteousness and brings His
peace is also His power to salvation: Acts 13:26
C. Thus, soldiers of Christ must emphasize the message that saves: 1
Cor. 1:18-21
VI. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, v. 17
A. The only actual weapon that God has given the soldier of Christ in
this spiritual fight is His word: Ps. 119:11, 105
B. The word is our instruction manual to help us fight the good fight:
Acts 20:32
C. It is more powerful than any physical sword: Heb. 4:12
Conclusion: Finally, Paul mentions one other thing that the soldier
of Christ needs to do: Eph. 6:18—as we put on the armor of God and
prepare to wage a good warfare, we need to be praying constantly that we
shall be effective soldiers of Christ
It’s often been noted that this armor which Paul describes doesn’t
protect one who turns his back on the enemy—thus, we must move ever
forward to press the battle and never turn back: Lk. 9:62
There is one more important concept to be emphasized—did you note
that every aspect of this armor is in one way or another related to the
truth—the gospel—the word, which confirms the conclusion that every
provision that God has for the soldiers in His army is to be found in the
scriptures: 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Are you wearing the armor of God? Or, are you even a soldier in the
Lord’s army, which is made up of Christians, those who’ve been saved from
sin and added to the church which is the body of Christ?

By Wayne Walker

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