Explore and understand Ephesians 6:13-17, emphasizing the importance of putting on the full armor of God and standing strong in faith through prayer and understanding of the Word.
Good morning, family of faith! Today, we're going to be diving deep into Ephesians 6:13-17, an empowering part of the Word that speaks about the Armor of God, the power of prayer, and the strength of our faith.
As Billy Graham once said, "Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God." So, let's open that conversation today and explore what it means to put on the full armor of God and stand strong in faith.
Now, let's read our passage for today:
"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." (Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV)
Before we delve into these powerful words, let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father, as we explore your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds, that we may understand and apply these truths in our lives. Help us to put on the full armor you've provided, and to stand strong in faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's dive in, shall we?
The Armor of God is a metaphor that illustrates the spiritual defenses we have at our disposal as followers of Christ. It's not a physical armor, but a spiritual one, designed to protect us from the attacks of the enemy and to equip us for spiritual warfare.
The belt of truth: In the Roman soldier's attire, the belt was a crucial piece of their armor. It held the other pieces in place and provided a place to secure their weapon. For us, truth serves a similar purpose. It holds everything together. Our faith is grounded in the truth of God's Word, His promises, and His character. When we are girded with truth, we are secure, and our other spiritual defenses are held in place.
The breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate protected a soldier's heart and other vital organs. Symbolically, righteousness protects our hearts. It's not our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ that guards us. When we live righteously, we guard our hearts from the attacks of the enemy.
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace: In battle, a soldier's shoes were vital. They provided stability and traction. Similarly, the gospel of peace gives us stability and readiness in our spiritual battles. It reminds us that we are at peace with God through Christ, and that gives us the confidence to stand firm.
The shield of faith: It's our primary defense against the attacks of the enemy. When doubts, fears, and temptations come our way, our faith in God's promises and His character can extinguish these flaming arrows.
The helmet of salvation: It's a reminder of our salvation, our identity in Christ, and our eternal security. It guards our minds from doubts about our salvation and from the lies of the enemy.
The sword of the Spirit: This is the Word of God and it’s our only offensive weapon. It's how we fight back against the enemy. Jesus used the Word of God when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and we can do the same.
Each piece of the armor is crucial: They all work together. We need truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Without any one of these, our armor is incomplete, and we're vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.
Important to remember that this is God's armor.: We don't have to manufacture it ourselves. He provides it, and our job is to put it on and use it. It's a daily choice to live in the truth, to pursue righteousness, to stand firm in the peace of the gospel, to trust in God's promises, to guard our minds with the assurance of our salvation, and to wield the Word of God in our spiritual battles.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you have utilized these pieces of armor. How have they assisted you and how can your congregation do the same?
The power of prayer is the means by which we communicate with our Heavenly Father, express our deepest desires, and seek His divine guidance ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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