This morning we will finish our look at Paul’s Letter to the Ephesian Church, with the last of the pieces of armor that make up the full armor of God. It is God’s desire for each one of us to be able to stand firm in this dangerous world, to be able to stand our ground, able to keep the faith, to be able to move effectively through the battlefield of our world to serve others. For that purpose he has given us all the armor we need: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, foot covering of the readiness to proclaim the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and now, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, the Bible. Each piece of armor requires some assembly, some learning how to use them. Each one is a gift from God. We can’t manufacture any of them alone. They only work because God provides them and stands behind them. If we switched the analogy from armor to power tools, then God would be the power that makes the tools work. So, one more time, please turn in your pew Bibles to Ephesians 6:10-17, which you will find on page 195 of the New Testament sections. Then please stand for the reading of God’s word.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And how important it is to be able to use God's word. For a Christian to go out into this world without knowledge of the Bible would be like a soldier going into battle and then realizing he had forgotten his sword. What’s he going to do? He's helpless! He’s in trouble.
Did you know that even Jesus used the Bible? One day the devil attacked him very directly with 3 sneaky temptations. And the devil came at him when his body was very weak after fasting in the wilderness and while he was working to sort out what his ministry needed to be.
‘Jesus, if you are the Son of God, use your powers to turn one of these stones into bread so that you can eat.’ Jesus had been fasting for days. That sounded very plausible and attractive. But Jesus knew the scripture that would block the temptation, “It is written” he said, “One does not live by bread alone.”
The devil tried again. ‘Jesus, you are here to rule the earth. Let’s make it easier for you. Just bow down and worship me and I’ll give you authority over every country on earth.’ That’s a temptation. Just think of all the pain that would have saved Jesus. But he knew the answer, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” And just imagine a corrupted Messiah leading the earth, but loyal to the devil.
The devil tried one more time. He took Jesus up to this really high point of the temple and said, ‘You know, Jesus, if you are the Son of God, you could jump off and the angels will catch you. There’s a Bible verse that says that.’ The devil can use the Bible, too. But Jesus saw through it and answered with the right verse for the occasion. ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” And the devil gave up. He was defeated. He can’t stand up against a proper use of the Bible.
When the devil attacked, Jesus used the sword of the Spirit, the word of God to parry his thrusts. How can we think that we can do better than he did? If Jesus needed to know the scripture, how much more do we?
But the devil attacks us with more than just temptations. He also works to deceive us with false teachings. It seems that every year a new book comes out and makes a lot of money with a different theory about who Jesus was. And the confusion that creates can paralyze us.
Who is Jesus? If our answer is, ‘Well, that’s hard to say, some people say he was the son of God, but others say he was just a man who was a good teacher and others say he was a miracle worker and others say he was a social reformer’ And the devil has you paralyzed. He especially attacks us at the point of what we believe about Jesus.
Kathy and I study our Bibles together most mornings. We are going through the Book of Acts right now. Friday we read about Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica. He went to the synagogue and announced to them that Jesus was their Messiah. Some believed right away. But then other Jews resented the change and said Jesus was just a trouble maker. And they stirred up a riot and much of Paul’s work was ruined.
Their next stop was the city of Berea. And Acts tells us that the Bereans handled the news much better because they “examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.” Paul claimed that the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah matched up with Jesus. So they looked it up and checked it out.
We all hear strange teachings about Jesus or the Christian faith. Are we studying the scriptures faithfully to see what is true, to see what fits with the scriptures? If not, the devil will paralyze us with confusion and uncertainty. How can you speak up with a word about Jesus to your friends if you aren’t even sure who he is?
You may have heard the word ‘canon’ used about the Bible. We’re not saying that it’s a big gun. The word “canon” comes from the Greek word for a measuring stick. Today we might call it a yard stick. And the early church wrestled with the issue of which of the many religious texts that were floating around should be used for measuring what to believe. They picked out the books that are in our Bible as books that measure up, that are to be used for evaluating our conduct, our ideas and teachings. Are you using the Bible to clarify your thinking? That’s our best defense against false teaching. It cuts through false arguments and shows us the truth.
How does God speak to us? Primarily he speaks to us through scripture. If we are reading and studying and memorizing, he will have a lot of material to speak to us. The Holy Spirit will make something we are reading jump out to our attention. Or a week or a month later he'll bring it back to our mind. He'll help us know what to do. And the more scripture we have in our minds the more material he has to work with. He'll give us a vision for what our life can be. He'll be equipping us to serve effectively. If there is no scripture in our minds, God will seem very silent.
You can read from the Bible at bedtime or, in the morning, or after lunch each day. You can write out a Bible verse and carry it in your pocket to memorize through the day, or post it at your workplace or above the sink or on the dashboard. Join a Bible study class. There are so many ways to use God’s word so that his Spirit can speak to you. The Bible is a wonderful gift from God. It's what his Spirit uses to make us strong.
What do the Bible writers themselves say about this Bible? Kathy and I will read you a selection of scriptures that say what it has meant to them. Many of us will recognize much of what they say because we have experienced similar things.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11
Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29
I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. Psalm 119:14
Your decrees are my delight, they are my counselors. Psalm 119:24
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119:34
I find my delight in your commandments, because I love them. Psalm 119:47
When I think of your ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. Psalm 119:52
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55: 10-11
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. Psalm 119:93
Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:144
The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. Psalm 119:160
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17
God offers it to you. Take it up. Get real good at using it. Make it your own. AMEN
