Spiritual Warfare (SW-11)
Ephesians 6:15
Shoes of Victory
The Roman armor, weaponry and training was incredibly advanced for their time - they are what gave the Roman militia the victorious edge battle after battle after battle. Each part was deliberately designed and meticulously measured and confidently carried. For the Christian each of those three elements are just as critical. The armor, weaponry and training we talk about are specifically designed to give you the victory battle after battle after battle. As a matter of fact, I would dare say that there is not one single piece that you or I can afford to leave off.
So far we have looked at two pieces of that incredible armor - the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. This morning I want to speak with you about a piece or armor that is incorrectly quoted and inaccurately preached almost every time I have heard it preached. Now while I can understand the motivation to preach it the way we have normally heard it, the tragedy is that unless you actually hear what the passage is saying, you are robbed of a truth that could be critical to your victory. Let me also say that what I have normally heard preached from this passage is not wrong theology - it is good teaching that really comes from other parts of Scripture - and the result of that preaching has been good. As a matter of fact, there is a very similar passage in another part of the Bible that does deal with the gospel using similar figures of speak and terminology. You know - any time you talk about the gospel and the need to be out there sharing your faith it is good.
But folks - that is not what this passage is about - even though you have probably heard numerous sermons telling you it is. Rather, it is about something that is an essential piece of your armor that is critical to your being triarri, to your being praetorian, to your ‘standing firm.’ As a matter of fact, it may be the very thing you have been needing to accomplish the victory you have been looking for. How many of you have been convicted about an area in you life, tried to take a stand and fallen again? How many have made a decision to address an area of sin and then back-slidden again? How many of you have committed to some good habit - you have taken the ground and then lost it again? If you will take what you are going to hear this morning it will significantly change your victory ratio. It will help you stand, and at the end of the battle, to be found standing. It will help you histeimi again and again and again till you start looking like, acting like, feeling like praetorian.
That is why the passage starts with the mandate to ‘take up the full armor of God.’ Some of it is not good enough. Most of it is not good enough. Almost all of it is not good enough. And if we misunderstand a part of it we cannot don the whole of it. It is to be put on completely. It is to be put on precisely. It is to be put on identically. Unlike the gifts that differ from person to person to person - the armor is identical. It is a ‘one outfit fits all’ deal. It has nothing to do with preference, perspective or personality. There are many areas of the Christian life for individuality and self expression - but the armor isn’t one of them.
Everybody, please open your Bibles with me to the book of Ephesians, Ephesians chapter 6 and we will ready from verse 13-18.
Read - Pray
Let me tell you about the Roman shoes.
Far from being a humble sandal, the shoe of a Roman soldier was one of the most high-tech and adaptable pieces of equipment he owned. The soles where made from layers of metal and leather. The sole also could have spikes of varying lengths attached to allow the soldier to grip. Some even came with toe-spikes and spurs to allow the shoe to have offensive capability. The also had detachable greaves to protect the shin and knee and another metal covering to protect the foot from above. The invincibility of the Roman Republic Army depended on their ability to engage in battle as well as to move swiftly over some distance.
Many of these legionnaire’s shoes or caligae have been discovered in archeological digs dating back to the first century - here is a photo of an actual caligae
No go back with me to our passage if you will. Let’s look at verse 15 again.
Here is what the passage actually says - Eph. 6:15
I want to give you something you may never have heard concerning this passage before - but it may change the way you look at it from here out. This passage is not speaking about being prepared to go and take the Gospel of Peace to others - but rather the preparedness or readiness that you have because the Gospel of Peace has come to you.
The word for ‘preparation’ (‘hetoimasia’) literally means ‘readiness’ or ‘firm footing’. It refers to the basis of something, to the foundation of something, to the firm footing of something. The reference is to the confidence and conviction that you and I have because the Gospel of Peace has impacted our lives. When you hear preachers telling you this is about taking the Gospel of peace to others they are confusing this passage with Romans 10:15 "How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’" That is a reference to the gospel going out - but not this passage. I will tell you about what it means spiritually soon. First I want to giver us some historical perspective on this passage you need if we are going to understand what it says.
1. The Historical Meaning
Gospel
The Romans used the word "gospel" to refer to the good news of the emperor’s accomplishments. The Gospel of Augustus was the good news of his military defeats. The gospel of Flaviius was the good news that he had defeated his enemies. It was the news of something to celebrate concerning the king or the emperor.
Peace
To the twenty-first century mind we think of peace as the absence of war. We think of peace that has a purpose into order to save lives and produce equality.
But not so to the Roman mind. The Roman concept of peace was the peace which resulted from war and conquest. It was the result of military action, not diplomacy. It was not politically negotiated or voluntarily adopted. Peace was enforced submission to Rome.
The great historic Pax Romana, the peace of Rome, was also called Pax Augustus. Augustus conquered all the surrounding nations, subjugating them to Rome, bringing about this peace. Peace was brought about by war to the Romans.
Now put that together. The Gospel of Peace, by historic reference, is the news that a reigning king or emperor had waged war effectively to the point of destroying them or subjugating them. What is Paul saying here? The Gospel of Peace is the Good News that Jesus has put a whipping on the forces of darkness, on the demons and Hell and on Satan himself. He has made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them at the cross.
The Historical Meaning
2. The Spiritual Significance
The significance of this is that as I engage in battle I have a readiness, a sure footedness, a preparedness that comes from knowing the battle is already one. It is not spreading the gospel out that is the issue here, it is the confidence that I have in battle knowing the Gospel or Good News that my King Jesus has already defeated my enemy.
Now I would ask you to give your undivided attention to Byron as he unpacks this further for us. Then I will wrap it up and bring it to a close.
Eph 6.13-15 "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE."
What kind of shoes? Shoes of peace??
Who has ever heard of shoes of peace??
A. What is Peace?
Peace only comes through Victory
God’s Peace through Victory vs. John Lennon’s Peace Movement
We have peace through the victory Jesus bought us on the cross!!
Peace though the blood of Christ -
Col 1.20 "and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."
Chastening for our peace
Isa 53.5 "But He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed."
B. Why Is Peace Important to the Believer in Battle?
We put on the shoes of peace and we can stand on them wherever we are called to go to enforce the victory Christ has won for us.
Romans 10:15 "How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
Without peace to stand on we have only worry and doubt and lose all our effectiveness in the battle. God will never be moved by doubt, because He is only moved by faith.
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
When you know you’ve already won - nothing matters!
With peace you know the END in the BEGINNING!!
Know we ALWAYS TRIUMPH!!
2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ."
C. How Do We Apply the Good News of Peace in Our Battle?
You must put on the good news of peace by faith
Speak It: We can’t see our peace with God, but we believe we have it because God’s word says we have it. When we confess that we are putting on the battle shoes (and the rest of the armor), we are speaking them on in faith. Here is an example prayer/declaration to do so.
"I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. I have peace with God through my faith in Jesus and I have access to God. I have His resources at my disposal for the battles I may face today. Father, please guide my footsteps and secure me on your path of righteousness today. Thank you, Father!"
Learn God’s word: The Bible is the reference book for the Gospel of Peace. By studying the Bible and even memorizing key scripture passages, you will establish a foundation in the Gospel of Peace. You will be less likely to slip off God’s path of truth. You will be firmly standing in good shoes! The psalmist declared in Psalm 119:165 NKJV, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."
Don’t be anxious about anything. Take all your needs and concerns to God in prayer: The devil will try to steal our peace, using the cares of the world, the desire for riches, fear and any other tool to get our minds off of God. If we give in and begin to worry and get anxious about things, we’ll lose the protection that comes with God’s peace. Paul wrote:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
We must not tolerate a mild case of worry and settle for a life without peace. If we can stand to go around without the shoes of peace (like we do in our own homes) then we are obviously not on the battlefield where we are called to be!
The Historical Meaning
The Spiritual Significance
3. The Practical Application
You Stand with Confidence
Histemi
You Engage with Authority
David and Goliath
You Fight From Victory
Romans 8:37 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
* * * * *
