Footwear Of Peace: Forgive And Cut Them Out Series

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE LIES OF THE ENEMY

Footwear of Peace: Forgive and Cut Them Out

Ephesians 6:10-18

#armorofGod

INTRODUCTION… A Most Dangerous Pastime (p)

Sprained ankles and wrists. Skinned knees and elbows. There is also the possibility of breaking wrists or ankles along with an arm or rib depending how one falls. Slamming into walls creating huge bruises. A person could also fall and smack their head leading to more serious issues. Twisted knees. Back issues. Bruised tail bone. Blisters also form on the feet. Ligaments swollen or torn. Then, on top of all of that, normally a person is subjected to bad 70s disco music and pizza that is cheese on cardboard. This is called fun by some people.

Even the guy who invented this regretted his invention. John Joseph Merlin was a Belgian inventor and clock maker who designed these after he moved to London in 1760. Unfortunately, his invention lacked brakes and he lacked any sense of balance. As he attempted to use his invention through a masquerade party while playing a violin, he promptly plowed into a 500-pound mirror, shattered the mirror, broke his instrument, and ended up with severe injuries.

Roller skates are dangerous. Pulling splinters out of a finger is more enjoyable than roller skating. Eating burnt toast is more enjoyable than roller skating. Roller skating is a dangerous pastime that should be banned in all 52 states and in Hawaii. The reason roller skates should be banned is because strapping wheels to our feet is not a good idea under any circumstance. Even the inventor himself was severely injured when he used them. Our feet need to be firm and secure and not rolling round.

All kidding aside, a firm foundation is needed in most things. Building houses, running a marathon, war, investments, education, and so many other areas. A firm foundation is needed practically and metaphorically.

A solid foundation is important and is mentioned in Scripture and specifically mentioned by Jesus in a small parable in Luke 6:

READ LUKE 6:49 (ESV)

“But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 and in Ephesians 2:20 mentions to us that Jesus is the ultimate foundation for those of us who believe in God and is our cornerstone:

READ 1 CORINTHIANS 3:11 (ESV)

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

READ EPHESIANS 2:20 (ESV)

“built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone”

My point as we begin this morning is that foundations are important.

SERIES REMINDER

Today, we are continuing a series of messages about a word picture of a Roman soldier that the Apostle Paul uses in Ephesians 6 that is quite popular among devotional writers and I am sure has whole devotional books dedicated to it: The Armor of God. Our plan has been to look at each item in Paul’s description for two weeks and to unpack why we need such spiritual armor in our lives. Verses 10-13 makes it very clear that we have an enemy that wars against us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and that we need to stand firm against all his schemes which often come to us as lies, deception, false beliefs, worldly philosophies, and even beliefs from other religions.

Thus far, we have looked at the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness along with two schemes of Satan relating to the truth and two schemes of Satan relating to our hearts. We continue today to look at the Apostle Paul’s metaphor of the armor of God and look at the foundation of the soldier at their feet which is verse 15.

Let’s jump in and read from Ephesians 6, and again, we’ll take special notice of verse 15:

READ EPHESIANS 6:10-18 (ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…”