Part 6 - Shoes Of Gospel Series

The Whole Armor of God Series

Part 6 – The Shoes of Preparedness

SCRIPTURE READING

Ephesians 6:15

“15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

PRAYER

SHOES SLIDE

King James states, “And your feet shod” (Strong’s #5265) hupŏdĕô – hoop-od-eh’-o which means ‘To bind under ones feet’ bind on – (be) shod

The shoes of the Roman soldier were made with special care. They were designed to protect the soldier as well as enable him to travel long distances. The sole was designed with layers of metal and leather and had “hob-nail” spikes about ½ to 1 inch long sticking out from the sole so the soldier could plant his feet into the ground so they could not be moved. Some had toe spikes or spurs as well. Some were armored to protect the shin and knee as well.

Paul was more than likely quoting one of his favorite verses from Isaiah when he wrote this part of Ephesians.

Isaiah 52:7

“7 How beautiful on the mountains (Lands, Difficult Terrain, Hard Climb, Upward)

are the feet of those who bring good news, (Active, Moving, Going Messenger)

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation, (News of Christ)

who say to Zion, (Jerusalem or City of David) to all, Jew & Gentile!

"Your God reigns!"

So today we ask ourselves the following;

Have I put on the “Belt of Truth?” Have I accepted Christ?

Have I put no the “Breastplate of Righteousness?” Have I accepted that Christ died for my sins and I am forgiven and have been given God’s righteousness to protect my heart and weak areas of my life from Satanic attack?

Have I put on my “Shoes of Preparedness?” Have I made myself ready to share Christ with others?

How do the Shoes of preparedness protect me?

Why is this considered the armor of God? To prepare ourselves we must study God’s word. In this studying we will become more knowledgeable about the will and character of God, as well as give ourselves ammunition against the devil.

Remember, the scriptures say;

Many of my people DIE because of lack of knowledge.

Lack of what knowledge? Christ and the Holy Word.

In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are told “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

How can we share God if we don’t understand His word?

(Jehovah Witness Story)

I was ready for a relaxing evening of working on my RV.

My mind was not on the word of God, but on where I left my Phillips screwdriver because I was replacing a mirror inside the bathroom of the RV.

A young man named James showed up and asked if he could speak with me.

It didn’t take long and I knew he was a witness.

I asked him if he was and he said yes.

I told him that I appreciated the witnesses because they were pretty close to the truth, but there were a few errors, and I would listen to him if afterwards he would listen to me.

He agreed.

After he told me his beliefs I asked him a few questions. I had just finished a study on the Holy Spirit in my Seminary.

I asked if he believed in the Holy Spirit. He said yes, but it was a power like electricity not a person.

So I showed him in his bible (because theirs is different from the King James everyone else in the world uses, re-written to fit their beliefs.)

Ephesians 4:30

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God...”

And I asked, “How does electricity grieve?” he didn’t know how to answer.

Or how about;

John 15:26

“26. but when the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

“HE shall testify of me.”

So know I had him thinking… So I went on,

I asked, “Do you believe in Jesus?” He said yes.

I asked, “Do you believe He is God?” He said no.

I asked, “Who do you believe He is?” and he said the archangel Michael.

I asked him to read from his bible;

John 1:14

“14. and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

I asked, “Do you believe Jesus is the word made flesh?” He said yes.

I asked, “Was Michael the ONLY angel?” He said no.

I said, “But this scripture says “ONLY begotten of the Father”

Again he didn’t know what to say.

So I gave him one last scripture,

JOHN 1:1-3

“1. in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.