How do we put on the armor of God to protect us from Satan?
Armor of God
song: Oceans - Hillsong United
Outline:
- Introduction
- Defining Wholeness
- The Book of Ephesians
- Belt of Truth
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Gospel of Peace
- Shield of Faith
- Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- 4AM Revelation Outro
Scriptures:
- Ephesians 6: 10 - 17
- Ephesians 4:20-25
- Ephesians 4: 8-11
- Ephesians 2:13-15
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8
- Hebrews 4:12
- John 14:10
Introduction
Ephesians 6: 10 - 17
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We Have an Invisible Enemy
A physician told the other physicians that they needed to wash their hands before doing surgery… They told him he was crazy
physician Ignaz Semmelweis
In 1847
Fatal childhood fever occurred more from medical students than midwives
He discovered that medical students who assisted in childbirth often did so after performing autopsies on patients who had died from sepsis (of bacterial origin).
After insisting that the students wash their hands mortality rates dropped from 7.8% to 1.8% within 3 months
The other doctors thought he’d gone crazy
Washing hands in 1870s -19th century
1800s by Louis Pasteur
- Pasteurized milk
They discovered
- Microbes
- Germs
- There are living organisms that we can’t see smell or taste that can be impacting our health
There are things that we can’t see or even perceive that are impacting our lives
Armor of God Intro (Hand Washing)
Spiritual Warfare
Similarly Paul tells us that we have enemies in an unseen realm that we are fighting
Example: Job didn’t know about Satan
Paul didn’t call the Christian to enter into spiritual warfare.
- He just stated as a fact that you are in it.
Enemies
- Satan
- Fallen angels
- Demons
How We Fight
Paul doesn’t give instructions on:
- Casting out demons
- Using olive oil
- Laying of hands
- Pleading “the blood of Jesus”
- Creating a Deliverance ministry
- He doesn’t tell us to bind and rebuke Satan
Not that any of those are wrong, but that’s not what Paul tells us to do in this passage
We fight the enemy with
- Righteousness
- The gospel
- Faith
- Truthfulness
- The Hope of salvation
- The word of God
The battle is in our minds
Warfare relates to
- Thoughts
- Strongholds
- Memories
- Mindsets
- Beliefs
- Unhealed trauma
The biblical response to the fact of spiritual warfare.
Defining Wholeness
Wholeness is about being _______ healthy
- spiritually
- emotionally
- mentally
Free from oppression of
- Our past
- Bad thinking
- Strongholds
- The enemy
We’re talking about
- dealing with life’s current stresses
- being healed from experiences/wounds of the past
We’re promised eternal life
- We’re also supposed to have: joy, peace, patience, and self control here on earth
Through this 4 year series we have identified traits that we defined as the goal for wholeness
Traits of Wholeness
- Authenticity
- Honesty
- Kindness
- Behavior not influenced by external approval / validation
- Living by values and principles
- Setting Boundaries
- Taking ownership of your responsibilities
- Living with purpose and passion
- Optimism
- Confidence
- Not losing control of your emotions
- Free from addictions
- Addressing Conflict with truth and love
- Vulnerability
- Not critical or Judgemental
- Not jealous of others
- Forgive those who have wronged you in the past
- Know that you’re worthy of receiving love
- Not afraid to fail
- Able to manage irrational fear, worry, and anxiety
- Selfless encounters with others
- Not manipulating others trying to control their actions
- You care about how others feel
- Patient
- Don’t give into peer/social pressure
- Can communicate without antagonizing others
- Recognize, manage, and take responsibility for your own thoughts and feelings
- Slow to anger
- Ability to maturely express your wants, needs and desires
- Can listen without reacting
- Can respect others without having to change them
- Can function well… Alone or with others
- Able to take responsibility for our own destiny in life
- Able to maintain a non-anxious presence in the midst of anxiety and stress
- Able to ask for what they need want or prefer clearly, directly and honestly
- Has the capacity to resolve conflict maturely
- Being led by the Spirit
The Book of Ephesians
Ephesus was the first mega church outside of Jerusalem
- Paul wrote 1 Timothy to tell him how to administer this church
- Gentiles
Paul wrote this letter to encourage Gentile believers, and to make it clear that Jews and Gentiles have been brought together as part of one body in Christ. Paul is also concerned that his audience be made aware of the moral laws they may have been lax in following (or that they were unaware of).
—Bible Gateway blog
The book of Ephesians is a separated into 2 halves
- Our Calling
- Our conduct
The first half has indicatives. The second half has imperatives.
We are called to these things in the second half based on what Christ has already done for us.
– Voddie
Chapters 1 - 3
- Doctrine
- Identity in Christ
- The Gospel
Chapter 4-6
- Practical everyday living (application)
- Offices of the church
- Household codes
- Moral conduct
Paul is talking to non-believers. He needs to explain to them that Christians don’t behave the same way as they did in their pagan lifestyle.
Story: Flex Your Faith shirt
- 3 bottles of wine
- “don’t judge me”
We fight the enemy with
- Righteousness
- The gospel
- Faith
- Truthfulness
- The. Hope of salvation
- The word of God
Finally
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
- In conclusion
- In light of all that I just said
Paul isn’t exegeting the Roman soldier’s armor. He’s using it as an analogy to reinforce what he already said.
You need to handle this armor of God in the context of the other 5 1/2 other chapters of Ephesians. The armor of God is a conclusion that summarizes what he has already said.
All six of the elements are mentioned before in the book of Ephesians.
We’re not talking about salvation
- We’re talking about spiritual warfare
Belt of Truth
14Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth,
Physical
They wore tunics
The belt held the sword, a dagger, and had a leather strip that protected the soldier’s “private area”.
Biblical/Ephesians Context
The question is not:
- What does a soldiers belt tell me about truth
- What does the belt tell me about truth,
but what does Ephesians tell me about truth.
Paul isn’t introducing truth and Ephesians 6. He is concluding and summarizing what he has already said.
Ephesians 4:20-25
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25 Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, because we are parts of one another.
- Just like truth is in Jesus…it should be in you
- Don’t lie to your neighbor
- Truthfulness - opposite of falsehood
alétheia: truth
- Reality
- Moral truth
Just like Jesus is the truth…we should tell the truth
Application
When we are not being truthful we become vulnerable
story: interview candidate switch
You always have to worry about getting caught in a lie.
Why people lie
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_Arhi9ip4k/
- People lie because the truth might provoke you to make choices that don’t serve their interest
Breastplate of Righteousness
14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Physical
Righteousness is represented as a breastplate which provides essential protection for the most vital organs.
- Heart
- Gut
- Liver
- Kidneys
Biblical Context
In right standing with God
How Paul used in this letter
Ephesians 5: 8-11
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Test and prove what pleases the Lord.
11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
What did Paul mean when he said “walk in the light“?
This is not talking about Jesus’ imputed righteousness
He’s talking about moral behavior
Application
Example: church scandals centered on a lie
- Hillsong: 150,000 people attend services weekly in 30 countries
- Many of the US churches separated from Hillsong
If you are not living in right relationships then the core of who you are is vulnerable to attacks from the enemy
The deed you do the people see, and the deeds you do that people don’t see
Gospel of Peace
15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace
Physical
Sandals were made of leather and strapped above the ankles
- They were sort of like boots
spikes on the bottom.
- They drove nails through them and cut them off.
- gave them stability
This allows them to “stand firm“
Biblical Context
Ephesians 2:13-16
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.
Peace between
- Jews and gentiles
- God and man
The laws created hostility between us and God
Application
We are now free from the law
- I can’t lose my salvation by sinning
- God isn’t punishing me for my sin
- God loves me no matter what I do
We can now live boldly not having a fear of my future
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Shield of Faith
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Physical
The shield was like a mini door. It was 4 1/2 feet tall.
- It was big enough that you could fit behind it
Romans had contraptions and Bowman that would launch many arrows at the opposing army. This will take out a large percentage of the army.
The shield would be covered in leather. They could dip the shield in water therefore preventing it from catching on fire if fiery darts were thrown.
Application
Story: Indian’s flaming arrows shot stagecoach
- distract
Fiery Darts (Arrows)
- Distractions
- Doubt
- Temptations
- Unbelief
- Thoughts
- Feelings
- Imaginations
- Fears
You aren’t effective if you doubt
- God’s love
- God’’s promises
- Your salvation
the fiery darts will take us out before we even get to the battle
You’ve heard the “good news”, but you have to believe it
Faith is the Conduit
Ephesians 2:8-9^
8 For by grace you have been saved through (diá) faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
diá, dee-ah'; a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
Helmet of Salvation
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Physical
The helmet covers the head, The head covers the brain
Biblical Context
1 Thessalonians 5:7-8
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
We have the hope of eternal life
Application
Story: swimming rats with hope
This is about your thinking
The helmet of salvation protects us against
- Discouragement
- The desire to give up
Knowing that
- I’ll be saved
- Eternal life
- Bright future
- God wins in the end
The Sword of the Spirit
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word[rhema] of God
Physical
Roman Soldiers Weapons
- Javelin
- Dagger
- Sword (Gladius)
The sword is for close combat.
We use it as needed
But we have to know how to use it
The Bible
Hebrews 4:12
For the word [logos] of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Bible is referred to as “The Word”
The Bible is the primary way that God talks to us
Word Joke
Joke: what was the first computer program
- Word
- John 1:1 in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God
The Word “word” here is not referring to the computer program
- Even though it’s true that that is how the program is referred
Similarly the word “word” here does not refer to The Bible
- Even though the Bible is elsewhere referred to as “the word”
Rhema Word
It is the same word in English, but they are not the same
John 14:10
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words[rhema] that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works.
rhēma
that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word
“Rhema” not “logos”
Rhema is a Specific Word (not a collection)
Usually real-time
Rhema is what we refer to as “a word in season”
The concept of rhema is that it is something that is given to you “real time”…in the moment you need it.
It should be translated “a word from God”
What is the word of God?
The answer which would most commonly and almost unthinkingly be given is, I suppose, the Scriptures; but while this is on the whole true, it is to be noted that the expression employed here properly means a word spoken, and not the written record. Both in the Old and in the New Testaments the word of God means more than the Bible; it is the authentic utterance of His will in all shapes and applying to all the facts of His creation.
–MacLaren’s Exposition of Ephesians (Sword of the Spirit)
A word of God is whenever God speaks His will
The term rhema of God refers to a specific utterance from God
- Not a collection of sayings and stories
The rhema word of God is a specific communication from the Holy Spirit about a specific situation
Example: I’m afraid during the pandemic
- Not Genesis - Revelation
- But 2 Timothy 1:7
- God has not given me the spirit of fear
A word in season
God Still Speaks Today
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is how God communicates with us today.
The Holy Spirit
- Reveals scripture truths
- Helps us understand scripture
- Helps bring scripture to our memory
- Will draw our attention to a specific bible passage
The Holy Spirit also
- Convicts us of sin
- Prompts us to act
Example: give money to a beggar
- The Holy Spirit can prompt you to give money to a beggar
- This isn’t because you read in the scripture that God wants you to give
- It is a “real time” prompting of the Holy Spirit
- This is a “word from God”
This is not just a passive word from God…it’s active
How God Speaks Today
God communicates with us through:
- Bible
- Prayer
- Pastors / teachers
- Prophetic words
- Tongues / Interpretations
- Dreams / Visions
- Peace
- Unusual circumstances / coincidences
- Fleece
- Opening / Closing doors
- Bringing things to your memory
- Inspired thoughts
- Prompting of the Holy Spirit / Conviction
- Draw your Attention to something
- Nature / creation
- Worship / music
- Emotions
- Writing
- Angels
- Audible Voice
4AM Revelation Outro
The Sword of the Spirit is not the Bible on your bookshelf. It’s not the Bible app on your phone.
It is the specific Bible verse that comes to mind when you are in a situation where you need it.
The sword of the spirit is not the Bible in your hand. It’s the Bible in your heart.
Each utterance of God is a rhema word.
When you’re reading the Bible and a specific passage jumps out at you…that’s a “word from God”.
It’s the Bible passage that “speaks to you”…personally. That is the Holy Spirit quickening the word of God. When the Spirit makes a passage “come alive”.
It’s when you are afraid of your future and the Holy Spirit brings to mind the Bible verse “God has not given me the spirit of fear“.
That is the Sword of the Spirit
It’s when you Are searching for an answer and you read the Bible, and a passage jumps out and solves you issue
That is the Sword of the Spirit
It is any communication from the Holy Spirit.
It’s when you’re driving and you see a homeless person and the Holy Spirit convicts you to go give them money
It’s when you go to church and it seems like the pastor is speaking directly to you. Who told him my business?
Is when somebody makes you mad and you are about to say something , and the Holy Spirit tells you to be quiet.
It’s that dream that you know was a message from God.
It’s when a worship song makes you cry.
It’s when God closes a door and gives you a clear ‘no’
It’s when you say God if this is really you “make this trash can flip over”, and strong wind comes out of nowhere and …
It’s when He draws your attention to something that you need to know.
It’s when the rain speaks to you
It’s when sitting by the ocean hits different
It’s whenever God talks…however God talks.
It’s the working of the Holy Spirit. It’s how the Holy Spirit communicates.
It’s an inspired thought. It’s me waking up in the middle of the night to write these words.
It’s getting a word in season
That’s the sword of the Spirit.
Instructor: Michael Leadon
Extra
Prayer
18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints,
This is a continuation of the thought about “sword of the Spirit”
Prayer is how we get the “Word from God”
The Holy Spirit Helps us Pray
Romans 8:26-27
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Peace.
The truth isn’t always an emotionally satisfying answer
References
How Scandals Drove Hillsong to Lose its American Churches - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Armor of god: spiritual warfare Ephesians 6 | Justin peters and Jim Osmond
S04J TV | show eight
The Armor of God - Dr. Charles Stanley
In Touch Ministries
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