STANDING IN THE ARMOR OF GOD
REV. SCOTT EPPERSON
3/15/07
(Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Eph 6:13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand
INTRO.
I would like to remind you tonight that we are in a fight , we are in a fight for our life.
(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
I don’t know were you are in your fight tonight but if you will allow me with the word of God I would like to give you some fighting lessons.
I don’t know if you have ever been to a good fight or not, in fact I am not sure there is such a thing as a good fight, but if you have ever been to a fight you will hear a few things screamed out to the fighter.
1) Keep you hands up or keep your guard up!
Those words are usually coming from the coach in the corner of the ring. He is their to remind his champion of what we all so easily forget. That’s keep your guard up!
A fighter cannot just fight but he must also protect himself and if he is not careful he will get so caught up in fighting that he forgets to protect himself from the fatal blows of his opponent. It is when a fighter loses his head that he usually loses his head. His opponent is counting on him to fight in anger or fear because then he forgets to keep his guard up.
2) Look out for his left.
It is when a fighter thinks he has his opponent figured out that he usually gets the left.
Many times we as Christians get to thinking we got the Devil or Sin figured out and that is usually when we get a left. Be ready for anything.
(1Co 10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Ware him out
Sometimes you can ware your opponent out. Many fights have been won because a opponent thought he had the advantage of strength or mass and because the other fighter kept himself guarded rather than trying to match his strength the larger opponent wore himself out trying to knock him out.
It is the same for our fight and our adversary. Satan thinks he has more power and strength but do not focus on that but simply guard yourself and allow him to ware himself out.
(Rev 12:12) for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he Chynoweth that he hath but a short time.
(Mat 10:22) but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The Apostle Paul gave a different illustration but used the same principal.
(Eph 6:13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore,
Not so much about the fight as much as it is standing.
V.15-18 list 6 things used for warfare, only five of those are used for defense and only one was used to actually attack or offend. That tells me that about 83% of our fight is defending or standing firm, and only 17% is actually about offending.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
TRUTH - Most everything a soldier carries in anchored on his belt.
(Joh 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.
(Eph 4:14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
We must not anchor our defense to any other doctrine other than Jesus Christ and him crucified. Many have fallen away because they forgot truth.
(Eph 6:14) and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Breastplate- guards the heart the center of the man and the source of life
What is the center of your life? Greed, hate, lust , etc….
or
Integrity and Holiness - which is being one with God.
(Psa 42:1) To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
(Psa 42:2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
(Act 13:22) David was a man after Gods own heart
(Eph 6:15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Soldiers shoes fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to make the hold firm in the ground:
Peace- Is all about being standing still and calm.
(Joh 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(Phi 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Take off your running shoes and put on your standing shoes.
Don’t run from your problems but stand before them with peace.
Many are defeated because they have not a good stance of peace in their lives.
Peace makers-(Mat 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Most of our troubles with people are a result of lack of peace and resolve. When you enter the picture, let your reputation be that of a peacemaker.
(Eph 6:16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(Heb 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
When every thing else is attacked the shield of faith will preserve it.
(Heb 10:35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. (our faith is our confidence)
(Heb 10:36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
(Heb 10:37) For yet, a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
(Heb 10:38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
When you have done all you can do to stand and it seems as if the fiery darts of the enemy will slay you ,and God is no were in sight, then cling to the shield of faith.
Illustration:
The only way to meet them is by the “shield of faith;” by confidence in God, and by relying on his gracious promises and aid. It is not by our own strength; and, if we have not faith in God, we are wholly defenseless. We should have a shield that we can turn in any direction, on which we may receive the arrow, and by which it may be put out.
Heb 10:35
The Lacedemonian women, when they presented the shields to their sons going to battle, were accustomed to say: Ç ôáí, ç åðé ôáò· “Either bring this back, or be brought back upon it;” alluding to the custom of bringing back a slain soldier on his own shield, a proof that he had preserved it to the last, and had been faithful to his country. They were accustomed also to excite their courage by delivering to them their fathers’ shields with the following short address. Ôáõôçí ï̔ ðáôçñ óïé áåé åóùæå· êáé óõ ïõí ôáõôáí óùæå, ç ìç åóï· “This shield thy father always preserved; do thou preserve it also, or perish;” Lacaenarum Apophthegmata, Plut. Opera, a Wittenbach, vol. i. p. 682. Thus spake the Lacedemonian mothers to their sons; and what say the oracles of God to us? Ìç áðïâáëçôå ôçí ðáññ̔çóéáí õ̔ìùí· Cast not away your confession of faith. This is your shield; keep it, and it will ever be your sure defense; for by it you will quench every fiery dart of the wicked one. The Church of Christ speaks this to all her sons, and especially to those employed in the work of the ministry.
If you will preserve faith, then faith will preserve you.
(Eph 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Helmet of salvation- guard your minds
(Rom 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(2Co 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(Phi 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Many have been slain on the battlefild of the mind.( T.V. , books, conversation etc..)
Sword of the Spirit -
Know your Sword
(Matt. 4:1-10) Jesus defeats Satan with word
