Sermon Central
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Standing In The Armor Of God
Contributed by Scott Epperson on Mar 15, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: OUT OF 6 OBJECTS OF WAR ONLY 1 IS USED FOR OFFENCE AND 5 IS USED TO DEFEND AND GUARD ONES SELF. FIGHTING IS NOT AS MUCH ABOUT FIGHTING AS MUCH AS IT IS JUST STANDING YOUR GROUND.
STANDING IN THE ARMOR OF GOD
REV. SCOTT EPPERSON
3/15/07
(Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Eph 6:13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand
INTRO.
I would like to remind you tonight that we are in a fight , we are in a fight for our life.
(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
I don’t know were you are in your fight tonight but if you will allow me with the word of God I would like to give you some fighting lessons.
I don’t know if you have ever been to a good fight or not, in fact I am not sure there is such a thing as a good fight, but if you have ever been to a fight you will hear a few things screamed out to the fighter.
1) Keep you hands up or keep your guard up!
Those words are usually coming from the coach in the corner of the ring. He is their to remind his champion of what we all so easily forget. That’s keep your guard up!
A fighter cannot just fight but he must also protect himself and if he is not careful he will get so caught up in fighting that he forgets to protect himself from the fatal blows of his opponent. It is when a fighter loses his head that he usually loses his head. His opponent is counting on him to fight in anger or fear because then he forgets to keep his guard up.
2) Look out for his left.
It is when a fighter thinks he has his opponent figured out that he usually gets the left.
Many times we as Christians get to thinking we got the Devil or Sin figured out and that is usually when we get a left. Be ready for anything.
(1Co 10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Ware him out
Sometimes you can ware your opponent out. Many fights have been won because a opponent thought he had the advantage of strength or mass and because the other fighter kept himself guarded rather than trying to match his strength the larger opponent wore himself out trying to knock him out.
It is the same for our fight and our adversary. Satan thinks he has more power and strength but do not focus on that but simply guard yourself and allow him to ware himself out.
(Rev 12:12) for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he Chynoweth that he hath but a short time.
(Mat 10:22) but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The Apostle Paul gave a different illustration but used the same principal.
(Eph 6:13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore,
Not so much about the fight as much as it is standing.
V.15-18 list 6 things used for warfare, only five of those are used for defense and only one was used to actually attack or offend. That tells me that about 83% of our fight is defending or standing firm, and only 17% is actually about offending.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
TRUTH - Most everything a soldier carries in anchored on his belt.
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.
(Eph 4:14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
We must not anchor our defense to any other doctrine other than Jesus Christ and him crucified. Many have fallen away because they forgot truth.
