Armed For Battle, Part One Series

Turn your Bibles to Ephesians 6:10-18

Title: Armed for Battle, Part One

Theme: Successfully Dressed in this Earthly Realm

Topic: Kingdom Authority

Series: Grasping Our Authority in Christ

Introduction: In grasping our authority in Christ there are six key topics that must be addressed, the first being “Grasping Kingdom Authority.” On this topic we have had our “Enemies Exposed,” come to realize that “A Battle Rages,” discovered “Surviving Satan’s Realm,” come to understand all that was “Conquered at the Cross,” and over the next couple of messages we are getting “Armed for Battle.”

People who are not surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ have chosen to put their trust in other things to solve the trials of life. These things include: asking a friend’s advice, education, money, worldly wisdom, and self-improvement seminars.

Proposition: I would propose to you that none of these is wrong in themselves. However, they will not bring the satisfaction our souls desire unless they are applied within the whole counsel of God’s Word and blanketed in prayer.

Interrogative Sentence: Just how do Christian soldiers prepare for the battles that must be fought in this sin trodden world? What is their armor and how does it make the difference in their walk with the Lord?

Listen as I read Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Let us Pray!

Transitional Sentence: The exhortation from the written Word of God is, “…put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. (Ephesians 6:13)

The Word is clear. Christians have an adversary who is fully able to incite men of God to sin. (1 Chronicles 21:1) The Apostle Peter, remembering the time Satan “sifted” him (Luke 22:31) warns of this roaring lion and exhorts the Body of Christ to be self controlled and alert. (1 Peter 5:8) This why the Apostle Paul was led of the Holy Spirit of Christ to write down the full armor of God, thus informing the Body of Christ of all that is available to equip them in their struggles against evil spiritual forces.

Christians who grasp their authority in Christ know the believer’s life is a battlefield. Immediately upon receiving Christ into their spiritual heart and life, there is that constant struggle, an unceasing fight, an unending war while living on this earth. From the cradle to the grave there is a constant struggle for the spiritual hearts of mankind. Satan engulfs us in this war, using the weakness of the flesh and the lures of the world.

There are two ways of learning while watching the actions of mankind. One is to learn from the success gained from doing what is right and the other is observing what happens when mankind does what is wrong. Christians who observe the lives of those who have chosen to live for self live in reverent fear of:

*Not enjoying the abundant life promised in Christ.

*Not enjoying the Lord’s enablement for overcoming sin.

*Not enjoying the certainty of their future in God’s will.

*Not enjoying the acceptance of God through Christ.

Christians who enjoy their authority in Christ understand the truths of needing to put on the full armor of God so they can stand their ground in those on-going battles for the souls of mankind and to maintain their intimate walk with the Lord.

Transitional Sentence: Mature Christians know that we have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves. Being fully armed for our battle begins with putting on Christ Jesus as personal Savior and Lord. Romans 13:14 has a truth that must be grasped, “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”