It’s Time- Suit Up! Text: Ephesians 6:10-18NLT
God’s armor is tailor-made for you, but you must put it on. When playing football for a team one is always wise to use all the assigned equipment, it might seem awkward and clumsy; however it’s designed to protect you against serious injury.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we face a more dangerous foe- a spiritual enemy who seeks our downfall and destruction.
Fortunately, our Lord has provided us with protection, and He challenges us to suit up for spiritual battle.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
The true believer described in Ephesians chapter 1 through chapter 3, and those who live a spirit controlled life as described in chapter 4 through chapter 6, are going to be targeted by satan- the god of this world. Paul specifies six necessary pieces of spiritual armor with which God Himself equips His children with.
Ephesians 6:10AMP In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Recently National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now--before the wars begin.
The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they’re needed.
Listen to Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13KJ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
Ephesians 6:11-12TM So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
“Every Christians should suite-up daily with God’s attire.” P.H.
* A few powerful facts about spiritual warfare. *
“There’s an invisible world that’s eternal, and offers greater reality through truth or untruth” P.H.
The devil hates you, because in and through your authority, in Jesus’ name, you can release the captives and set them free.
Listen to Ephesians 2:6NLT For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:13TM Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.
We are involved in an invisible war, a cosmic conflict that has eternal implications.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6NKJ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6TM The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
“As you obey God’s Spirit that’s always inline with His word, you’ll send demons to flight.” P.H.
Our foe is powerful and his goal is to destroy us and discredit the cause of Christ.
Ephesians 6:14TM Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
Satan attempts to: 1. Tempt. 2. Pervert the truth. 3. Oppose God’s purposes. 4. Assumes many disguises. 5. Hinders the Gospel. 6. Creates doubt, denial and confusion. 7. Blinds multitudes to the truth. 8. Seeks to destroy faith. 9. Seeks to discredit Christ. 10. Makes sin attractive. 11. Tries to break up families. 12. Tries to give the world another gospel (humanism, moralism, universalism, ritualism, evolution). 13. Seeks to discredit the Church.
Satan is held-at-bay as believer’s stay-in and are rooted and grounded through God’s word.
Ephesians 6:15AMP And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
Notice, God’s word is called- the gospel of peace!
5. Satan refused faith while allowing pride to over-take him; therefore, faith becomes primary for your victory.
Ephesians 6:16AMP Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
In Roman days, as the enemy shot fiery arrows through the air, the Romans would fend them off by staying under this (faith) shield.
Ephesians 6:17-18TM God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
M.O.A.B.- the Massive Ordnance Air Burst Bomb. It’s the most powerful conventional (non-nuclear) bomb ever developed and it was used in Iraq by Allied forces.
Sometimes in war, the situation calls for the most powerful weapon at your disposal.
However, in this battle against the spiritual forces of evil . . . this battle for the souls of men and women- the most powerful weapon at our disposal is prayer.
Prayer is...
P owerful
R eality
A gainst
Y our
E nemies
R oar
The first 3 pieces of armor (girdle,breast plate and shoes or boots were worn continually on the battlefield; the last 3 (shield, helmet and sword) were kept ready whenever a battle occurred, but because of the fall of man everyday is a battle!
“Crane Eater Community Church stands after 99 homecomings, because of mighty prayers mixed with loving deeds.”
Benediction.
