Sermon Central
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The Gospel Of Peace Series
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Sep 18, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: Putting on the gospel of peace is a way for believers to share the gospel to those we come in contact with, but it is also a part of the protective armor of God that we use as a weapon against the enemy of our soul.
The Gospel of Peace
Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:20
Introduction-
We again this morning we will be looking at the armor of God.
How the armor of God protects the believer, and by “submitting yourself to God”, you can resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Some will say Amen to that!
We have looked at two pieces of the armor so far.
The first piece is the belt of truth- the belt of the Roman soldier holds everything together. It held the sword and it connected the second piece we looked at- the breastplate of righteousness.
The breastplate of righteousness protected the soldier’s chest area and served to keep all of his vital organs safe.
Last week we said that we need to keep it simple.
Without Christ in our lives- you cannot put on the armor of God.
Our faith is a link that connects our breastplate with God’s infinite power.
NO CHRIST- NO RIGHTEOUSNESS
NO CHRIST- NO BREASTPLATE TO SPIRITUALLY PROTECT OUR VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND SOUL.
Life application
Are you still trying to be good by your own righteousness?
Are you being beaten up by things of your past and things that you have turned over to the Lord?
Are you using all the spiritual armor that God provides for believers?
You see spiritually wearing each piece of God’s protective armor assures us of being a warrior in God’s army.
The great thing about that is the battle is the Lord’s, not ours.
“That is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.”
We fight in a battle, but the battle is the Lord’s
Illustration-
When our first granddaughter was very young, our son Tony was in the United States Army stationed in Afghanistan. When people asked her where her uncle Tony was, she would always say that he was in “the Lord’s army.”
This morning we are going to center in on the third piece of armor: (v15) “…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The Battle Shoes
We have a belt
We have breastplate
We have battle shoes
Footwear provides protection, support, traction, and comfort for our feet.
Back to the soldier fighting the battle
He wore thick soul sandals that had nails coming out of the bottom of them.
They were comfortable enough so the soldier could march up to 20 miles in them.
Combat ready enough that the soldier had a firm footing when he was in hand-to hand combat.
He wore brass shin guards that went from his knee to his ankles. Together they protected the soldiers feet.
Those soldiers stepped in and out of rocky areas and walked through thick brush that would have ripped up his legs.
This protection kept him combat ready at all times.
Back to the text- “his feet were fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
What does that mean?
That would mean that Christian soldiers had to have their sandals on, be ready to proclaim the gospel of peace to the world.
Greaaaaaaaaaaat!
Here goes the preacher today telling all of us to be ready to preach the gospel.
This just turned into an evangelistic message.
Yes, it will get evangelistic for a moment.
Illustration:
Institute for Americans church growth asked 10,000 people this question-
What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?
Answers:
I had a need- 3%
I just walked in – 3%
I like the preacher-6%
I am just visiting-1%
I like the Bible study-5%
I attended a gospel meeting-.5%
I like the programs- 3%
A FRIEND OR RELATIVE INVITED ME- 79%
Now tell me how does God get His gospel out to those that need it! (answer) Through His people.
Almost 8 out of 1o will come from an interest in someone and inviting them to church.
It is God’s work
One plants,
one waters
God caused the growth.
He chose to use His people to get the process started.
Family, Friends, Neighbors. These are our responsibility to at least attempt to reach.
Acts chapter 10
Peter is recorded as preaching a message where 1000’s came to faith. More than 8000 in several combined services. Let me tell you someone who also has great reward in heaven for those souls, his brother Andrew. Andrew heard John the Baptist preach, responded to the call and went home and told his brother Peter- “we have found the Messiah.”
Check it out for yourself! He told his brother Peter, and brought him to Jesus!
The Bible tells us that we are to be spiritually equipped to battle when the devil comes against us.
We are to be spiritually ready to spread the gospel of Christ when God gives us opportunity.
