EPH 6:10-18
Boot Camp
As a kid, my brother and I liked to play ‘army man’. My grandfather had an old steel army helmet that we would wear when we played army man. What you need to understand is that it was a dark steel helmet, and we would play and wear these helmets during some of the hottest days of the year. Like this past week. It could be 100 blazing degrees outside, but we were going to play army. The sweat would be rolling down our faces because of the heat, but we would keep on keeping on.
Funny, I don’t even think I realized just how hot it was. But it didn’t matter. I wanted to be the army man. I needed to wear the uniform.
Paul comes to us and describes another type of soldier. Considering that the Roman soldiers were some of the fiercest in the land, Paul describes a spiritual soldier, in full battledress in comparison to the most of these Roman soldiers.
There is a war going on out there.
These last few weeks for this independence celebration in July, we started with IN GOD WE TRUST. Then, YOU’VE GOT TO SERVE SOMEBODY. And now, ready to serve, Boot camp for SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
Our nation is in need of Soldiers. Yes, We are at war. But the battle is not what it appears. It is a spiritual battle and we need to prepare ourselves now.
Text: Ephesians 6:10-18
-WHAT does this say to the soldier?
BE STRONG, STAND FIRM
Vs 10 – Be strong in the power of his might
Deut 31:6 says With you wherever you go
Joshua 1:6,7,9 Be strong and of Good Courage – He will not fail nor forsake you
Rom 4:19-20 Abraham staggered not. Stood firm. Strong in faith
-HOW can one be strong? – Joshua 1:8 Meditate day and night
Vs 11 – Put on the WHOLE armor of God – WHOLE = whatsoever is good pure
Rom 13:12 Cast off the works of darkness, put on the armor of light
Vs 13 Walk honestly [part of being whole and pure]
Vs 14 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – Garment of righteousness [you must be saved in order to ‘wear’ the Lord Jesus Christ. You must be part of the ensemble]
Clothed. Covered. Protected.
We are to be clothed Gen 3:21 When Adam and Eve sinned, God made coats of skins and clothed them. Made to righteousness. Covered their sin.
-WHY must we put on this armor?
Vs 12 – We wrestle with principalities, powers, darkness, wickedness. Not flesh and blood. Not actual people.
Take a look at Matt 16:18, 21-23 Jesus was with Peter, and had just made the statement to Peter upon this rock I will build my church. He foretold of his upcoming death in Jerusalem and Peter rebuked Jesus. In Christ’s next breath, he, looking at Peter, said, “Get Behind Me Satan.” Not get behind me Peter. He looked beyond Peter’s humanness and saw the battle being waged by Satan himself. He rebuked Satan’s influence right then and their.
It’s not the physical that we battle, it’s the spiritual
Why where the armor?…for protection…but what else?
-STAND!
Vs 11 – Stand against evil
Vs 13 – Withstand – to stand
Don’t sit, lie down, be defeated.
-HOW?
Vs 14 – STAND – Stand Tall!, steadfast, firm, unmoving, not wavering
What is this ARMOR?
-BELT
Belt of Truth [keeps your pants from falling down or don’t get caught with your pants down!] Holds your insides. Supports the belly. Like a girdle. Keeps it in, doesn’t let things fall out!
Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth and teach me. You are the God of my salvation, on you do I wait all the day.
Ps 86 teach me thy way O LORD. I will walk in thy truth. Unite my heart to fear thy name.
-BREASTPLATE
Breastplate of Righteousness – Protecting the chest, your heart. Truth, Purity, Guarding the heart.
Eph 4:24 Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness
Eph 5:8-10 for ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
-SHOES
Feet Shod – protected, and ready to take us over rough terrain. Life is not easy, we need to be able to walk the path. To carry the gospel of peace=word of God. Isaiah 52:7 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. These feet need to be able to Run and not be weary. Walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
-SHIELD
Shield of Faith (above all) shield can move to protect from every angle – be strong in the Lord, in faith, and your shield will protect.
This is so important. Our faith can be used to protected us from every angle: up, down, front, back, top and bottom. It can be moved, while we remain unmoved, STANDING FIRM for the GOSPEL.
Rom 10:17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The Word of God in our hearts is our shield of faith.
Thy word have I hid in my heart. Protection
-HELMET
Helmet of Salvation – Protecting the mind. Guarding the Eyes, Ears, our senses.
Eph 4:23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind
Deut 6:8 let salvation be in the frontlets of your eyes.
Put on the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16 We have the mind of Christ. This Helmet is Wisdom and Protection.
Ps 140:7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. God Covers my head in the day of BATTLE. I’ve heard it said, If the head is covered then the whole body is covered.
Isa 59:17 for he put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon his head and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
-SWORD
Sword of the Spirit – Word of God The ONLY weapon of our warfare. God’s Holy Word.
Heb 4:12 most powerful 2 edged sword. Dividing soul and spirit. Bone and marrow. Discerning thought and hearts intentions.
God’s Word will set things straight. God’s word will not return void. God’s word will bring discernment, correction, comfort, peace. This is the one sword we must swallow. In order to use the sword you must know your weapon. In order to use your weapons you must be able to take it apart and understand its parts and how it works.
HOW DO YOU DO THAT? You’ve got to read it, study it, meditate on it. Day and Night. Like the Gatorade commercial says…is it in you?
ONCE WE HAVE ON THIS ARMOR. WHAT ARE WE TO DO with it.
Your First Order is to pray.
-PRAY. PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.
Praying Always.
1 Thess 5:17
Praying all the time. Whispering a pray as the song goes. Constant prayer. Lord I praise you, Thank you. Lord Help me. Lord protect. Lord guide. Lord Bless. Self, family, others
We need to not only put on the whole armor of God. We need to Stand Firm in our Faith. We need to allow this protection over us. We need to maintain this armor and keep it in good order. Clean, Polished and Shiny. We need to Keep it right. We need to Pray.
Pray…
Taking all that in, Paul is saying to us today. We need to put on the armor, prepared for battle, and our marching orders are to PRAY, and be PRAYER WARRIORS for the Lords Army.
If there is nothing else you can physically do in this world. You still have a purpose in God’s Army. You are to be a prayer warrior. Pray for your family. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for one another. Pray for your community. Pray for your church and its leaders. Pray for the leaders of the government, and the schools. Pray for our nation. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray that everyone will someday come to join the army.
Pray Pray Pray.
God wants you. Soldier.
Your in the LORD’S ARMY now.
Lets Pray.
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The following is a prayer called the Warriors prayer. There are many versions of this prayer. I do not know the writer of this version, it was given to me as is. + + + + +
Warrior’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I praise and worship you because you are God. I am honored to be your servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family and my ministry. Father, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on me.
Today, I take up the shield of faith and extend it over myself. It extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Today, I put on the helmet of salvation, which protects my mind from the enemy’s attacks. I have the mind of Christ.
Today, I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers my body with the righteousness of God. In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and I am clothed in righteousness!
Today, I gird my loins with the belt of truth. Your word, O God, is truth. Father, sanctify me according to your word and remind me through the Holy Spirit of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.
Today, I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. I have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. I have favor with God and with man. I walk in my inheritance as an adopted son of God and have authority over evil in Jesus’ name.
Today, I will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation I may face today. Father, please remind me of your Word via the Holy Spirit.
Today, I will continue to pray in the Spirit throughout the day, and intercede for all Christians as the Holy Spirit prompts me. I believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on my behalf according to my prayers.
Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God. Please surround me with your hedge of protection as I move forward on the spiritual battlefield today. I praise and worship you now and forever, Amen."
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Scripture references used for this sermon from my study notes.
Matthew 16:15-23
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mark 8:29-35
29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
Romans 5:1-2
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Psalm 25:5
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 86:10-12
10For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Ephesians 4:23-25
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 5:8-10
8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
HELMET
Psalm 140:7
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
BREATPLATE and HELMET
Isaiah 59:17
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
STRONG
Deuteronomy 31:6, 6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
STRONG
Joshua 1:6-9, 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
HOW BE STRONG - MEDITATE
8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Deuteronomy 6:8; 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
PUT ON THE ARMOR
Genesis 3:21, 21Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
We needed to be clothed – as part of forgiveness and to put on righteousness
SPIRITUAL BATTLES – NOT PHYSICAL FLESH AND BLOOD
Matthew 16:15-23
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
STAND -STANDING ON THE PROMISES
FAITH – JUSTIFIED AND STANDING
5:1-2; 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
ACTS 26: 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Jesus speaking to SAUL/PAUL
TRUTH
Psalm 25:5; 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 86:10-12,
10For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Ephesians 4:23-25; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH
Rom5:8-10 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
BREASTPLATE - HELMET
Isaiah 59:16-17, 16And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
FEET
Isaiah 40:31 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
FEET
Isaiah 52:7, 7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
STRONG IN FAITH
Abraham in Romans 4:19-20 19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
FAITH AND THE WORD
Rom10:17, 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
HELMET
Psalm 140:7, 7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
SWORD
Hebrews 4:12 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
PRAY
1 Thessalonians 5:17, 17Pray without ceasing.
