The Shoes Of Peace Sermon #4 Series

Sermon June 14, 2009

Sermon Series: Sermons on Spiritual Warfare

Sermon #04: The Shoes of Peace

Scripture Ref: Ephesians 6:10-18 Verse #16:

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.’

Introduction:

This morning we’ll take a look at the 3rd PIECE of SPIRITUAL ARMOR we’re admonished to put on before we DO BATTLE against THE DEVIL.

The 1st PIECE of ARMOR was the BELT of TRUTH. SATAN’S MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPON is DECEPTION & the only way to COMBAT DECEPTION is with TRUTH.

The 2nd PIECE of ARMOR was the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS. COVERED By the RIGHTEOUSNESS of JESUS CHRIST enables us to LIVE a GENUINE CHRIST-LIKE LIFE.

The 3rd PIECE of ARMOR is the SHOES of PEACE.

We LIVE in such a WEARISOME & a TROUBLESOME DAY. I’ve given this quite a bit of thought this past week & I cannot think of anyone who ISN’T FACING some sort of TROUBLE or TURMOIL either in their OWN LIVES or in the LIVES of SOMEONE CLOSE & DEAR to them.

JESUS referred to SATAN as a THIEF. He comes to STEAL from us & WHAT the DEVIL would LOVE to STEAL ----- & WHAT he PLANS & WORKS toward STEALING from each of us is, OUR PEACE. To have a HEART FILLED with PEACE is WORTH MORE than SILVER & GOLD. If we have PEACE we are RICH & if we do not WIN this WAR against the DEVIL he will ROB us all of our PEACE & our SERENITY.

All over OUR NATION FAMILIES are PRAYING for their LOVED ONES to come home from a TROUBLED MIDEAST. This FINANCIAL CRISIS that we are FACING today has so many people WORRIED about what the NEAR FUTURE is going to bring.

In the COMMERCIAL FIELD there are HORDS of PEOPLE who are becoming WEALTHY by selling their WARES to people who are TROUBLED & DEPRESSED. Their ADVERTIZEMENTS promise them a BETTER & HAPPIER LIFE but leave them EMPTY & DRY.

Luke 21: 26 JESUS said in the LAST DAYS men’s HEARTS would FAIL them for FEAR & from LOOKING at those things which are COMING upon the EARTH.’

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The BIBLE does say that there is a PEACE to be HAD in this WORLD but it is TEMPORARY at its best.

How many of you KNOW that ALMOST ANYONE can have SOME SENSE of PEACE when THINGS are going THEIR WAY? However, IF THOSE TIMES do come, they DO NOT LAST very long!

BUT when the STORMS COME & the RAINS FALL & the HOWLING WINDS SOAR (& they will) there is ONLY ONE PEACE that can really SUSTAIN US & I speak from a PERSONAL EXPERIENCE & that PEACE is ----- the PEACE of GOD!

JESUS told HIS DISCIPLES in John chapter 14: (paraphrase)

‘I am going to LEAVE with you MY PEACE & the PEACE that I GIVE you is NOTHING LIKE the PEACE which the WORLD has to GIVE.’

& I SPEAK once again from a PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ‘The PEACE of GOD by far SURPASSES ALL HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.’

Many have been the TIMES when if NOT for the PEACE of GOD & the CALM from the LORD – I don’t know WHAT I would DO or HOW I would have COPED.

I don’t have ANY DOUBT of the REALNESS of GOD. GOD has so MANY TIMES been my STRENGTH & my FORTRESS & my HIGH TOWER & my REFUGE. I have stood behind this PULPIT in the past 10 YEARS with a SMILE on my face but UNKNOWN to you –the ONLY WAY I was ABLE to STAND was DUE to the STRENGTH & the PEACE of GOD!

Some 700 YEARS before the birth of CHRIST ISAIAH wrote of HIM, Isaiah 9: 6 “& HIS name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty GOD, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.’