Sermon Central
-
Equipping God's People
Contributed by Pastor Bruce A. Shields on May 3, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Educating the Body of Christ to the power of the Holy Spirit and the whole armor of God as well as understanding that life isn’t perfect after we accept Christ.
Equipping God’s People
1. Beyond Salvation – Isn’t Life Perfect Now?
1 Peter 3:17 – Suffering for what is right
“17. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
Hebrews 10:32 – Persecution of new converts
“32. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
Matthew 13:19 – Attacked for hearing the Word
“19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”
‘This is War!’ - ‘Salvation = Enlistment into Gods army’ - ‘Christian Soldiers’
2. Who is our Enemy?
1 Peter 5:8-9 – Satan seeks out who he can devour
“8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
‘This is War!’ – Where do enemies attack? They attack weakest walls, where you least expect it, the greatest threat.
Ephesians 6:12 – Other enemies
“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.”
What does this mean? It means we have a powerful enemy with many devices.
He has rulers, authorities and powers under his command.
There are many Pagan leaders and nations still in darkness in this world today.
And there are spiritual forces that are evil in the high places, or spiritual realm.
They are unseen, always working enemy. You could say, the Secret Service of Satan.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – Our battle is spiritual
“3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
What are spiritual attacks?
Ephesians 6:11 – Wiles of the Devil
“11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Wiles of the Devil – Separate you from God’s People
Envy
Strife
Bitterness
Hatred
Gossip
Ephesians 6:16b – Fiery darts of the Devil
“Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
They don’t necessarily kill, but the fire grows with time.
Fiery Darts of the Wicked – Separate you from Relationship with God
Sin
Backbiting
Sickness
Poverty
Pain
‘This is War!’ – Attack the threat / weaknesses – areas of sin, children, loved ones.
3. How do we protect ourselves and our family?
“10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
David & Goliath
The king of the land offered his armor for David’s protection. But David was strong in the LORD and HIS power and might, putting on the whole armor of God to defeat his adversary Goliath.
Gideon
Through seeking the Lord and obedience to Him, Gideon and 300 men delivered Israel from the Midianites.
Joshua & Jericho
Successor to Moses, faithful to seek the Lord’s direction won many military battles.
We need the WHOLE armor of God. We need to seek the Lord for His direction.
Deuteronomy 4:29-31 – Seek the Lord and He will be Faithful
“29. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;31. (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he promised unto them.”
“14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,”
Satan fights with lies, but believers have God’s truth. Truth is Christ, and Christ is the foundation.
“and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
The breastplate protects a vital part of our body, our heart. Our heart where God’s word is.
“15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
