Sermon Central
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The Belt Of Truth Series
Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on May 30, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 2nd sermon in the series Spiritual Warfare. The Belt of Truth is the 1st part of God’s armor we are to put on. Truth is important because deception is Satan’s favorite weapon.
Sermon May 31, 2009
Sermon Series: Spiritual Warfare
Sermon #02: The Belt of Truth
Scripture Ref: Ephesians 6:10-18
10: “Finally, my brethern, be strong in the LORD & in the power of HIS might. 11: Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12: For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of GOD, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, & having done all, to stand. 14: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with the TRUTH, & having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15: & your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17: & take the helmet of salvation, & the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the word of GOD: 18: Praying always with all prayer & supplication in the SPIRIT, & perseverance & supplication for all saints.’
II Corinthians 10: 3-4 3: ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do war after the flesh: 4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds.’
Introduction:
In this sermon series on Spiritual Warfare our text is taken from the book of Ephesians, chapter 6.
The author of this N T epistle is the apostle Paul. Now Paul was familiar with Ephesus because he was the one who went to Ephesus & planted the local church there. The Ephesians were acquainted with Spiritual Warfare for the city of Ephesus was filled with demonic powers.
Paul came to Ephesus & there he found about 12 men who were believers in JESUS but they did not know anything about the Holy Ghost.
In Acts chapter 19 we find Paul laying hands on these men & they were baptized with the Holy Ghost & they began to speak in tongues & prophesy. & a GREAT REVIVAL broke out in the city & many souls were won to the LORD. & PAUL continued there in Ephesus for about 3 years.
Acts 19: 11-12 ‘& GOD wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul; So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, & the diseases departed from them, & the evil spirits went out of them.’
This is where we get the matter of PRAYING OVER ANOINTED CLOTHS.
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When the HOLY SPIRIT begins to BLESS MIGHTILY & we’re EXPERIENCING REVIVAL --- it’s THEN ----------- we’d better be PUTTING ON the WHOLE ARMOR of GOD because SATAN is NOT going to SIT BACK TWIDDLING HIS THUMBS & WATCH WHAT --- GOD IS DOING without him TRYING to TEAR IT DOWN & DESTROY IT.
This genuine MOVE of GOD stirred up the power of the devil & there was Spiritual Warfare that broke out – in the heavenlies. There was the power of God against the power of Satan.
How many this morning ---------- KNOW that GOD is always the VICTOR.
In ACTS chapter #19: A group of DEMON POSSESSED EXORCISTS tried to CAST OUT DEMONS in the NAME of JESUS & it BACKFIRED on them & the DEMONS JUMPED on the EXORCISTS. The DEMONS TORE OFF their clothes & they RAN them out of the HOUSE of GOD buck naked & SHOOK UP.
The APOSTLE PAUL was always SO BOLD & SO DEPENDENT upon the LORD & upon GOD & that is HOW GOD brought about so many SUPERNATURAL DELIVERANCES in people’s lives. The power of the devil was no match for the name of JESUS & the power of the Holy Ghost.
The devil was defeated in Ephesus. Praise the LORD!
Acts 19:20 ‘So mightily grew the WORD of GOD & prevailed.’
The DEVIL’S plans BACKFIRED. What he thought he would DESTROY (the WORK of GOD & the local CHURCH there in Ephesus) ---------- GREW mightily.
Now some years after Paul had left Ephesus --- he takes the opportunity from his PRISON CELL to write this letter to the church there. Paul doesn’t need to convince them of Spiritual Warfare but he REMINDS THEM that the ENEMY -----WHO was AT WORK to DEFEAT the BEGINNING of that local church was STILL AT WORK trying to DEFEAT & to DESTROY not only that local church but also each one of them & their lives.
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That is the reason WHY Paul writes to them in the 6th chapter of this letter:
‘Be STRONG in the LORD & in the POWER of HIS MIGHT --- BECAUSE we are continually WRESTLING with the DEVIL & all his POWERS as they are trying to DEFEAT us & DESTROY us.
