Intro: What is the secret to winning at spiritual warfare? Does success in spiritual warfare come from knowing the enemy? Do we merely need to know what types of tactics we need to use? We must of course realize the reality of spiritual warfare. That life from beginning to end is a battle. What you must know is you are fighting either with God or with Satan. If Satan is not sending fiery darts in your direction it is probably because you are both headed the same way.
The armor of God is defensive except for one piece. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon we have as a believer. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. As we saw last week we spend more time digging in and resisting than we do attacking. Truth is what holds all of our armor together. It is the objective truth of Jesus as He is and what he does for us, subjective truth how we live the truth out in our daily lives. If you have trusted in Jesus’ finished work on the cross you are right with God and the breastplate of righteousness protects your heart from the tactics of the Devil.
There is only one negative I can think of to living in America. Many though not all Americans have become accustom to a life of relative ease. Around the world people from all different races, countries, religions etc struggle not for a better job, not for a better home, not for a better car, but struggle for mere existence. Preachers have done many a disservice because to come to Christ is to truly begin a life of struggle. When you accept peace with God you fire a shot across the bow of the devil. Declaring dependence on God is an act of war to the enemy Satan.
Know that Satan does not attack nominal Christians. Satan is limited in his power, in his knowledge, in his resources. The Devil has devices and tactics that can scare anyone and make tough battle tested Christians turn tail and run. What helps us stand? Having our feet prepared with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I. The shoes of Peace
A) A reliable foothold
The word translated peace here is where we get the name Irene. I ray’ nay. If we are to stand submitted to God and resist the devil we must have a firm foundation in the Gospel of peace. Roman soldiers wore shoes that had nails or spikes driven into the soles. Some of the sandals we see today that are woven of leather would be a close replica of the Roman soldiers footwear. However imagine them with 100 nails driven in the sole of the sandal. This provided the soldier with a very effective traction on the field of battle.
Our reliable foothold in the spiritual field of battle is having our feet prepared with the Gospel of peace. In Christ peace is offered. The Prince of peaces makes us stable. It is the peace that Jesus had when he slept during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. It is the peace he offers when He said to the storm peace be still. It is the peace that He offers when we acknowledge we are at odds with God and recognize the Prince of peace and say I don’t want to fight any more.
Jesus said in John 14.27 “"I’m leaving you peace. I’m giving you my peace. I don’t give you the kind of peace that the world gives. So don’t be troubled or cowardly.”
I have set you at one with God the father again, wholeness what you have been looking for all your life.
God offers us stable footing in the spiritual warfare. However, what is the stark reality in our culture today?
All around us we see social turmoil, and much if not all of it is due to people hungering for peace. For the wholeness that comes only from the Prince of peace. According to Ronald Hutchcraft, the Director of Youth for Christ in New York and New Jersey, in the next thirty minutes – 57 kids will run away from home, 20 children will attempt suicide. 22 girls under 19 years of age will receive an abortion. 14 teenage girls will give birth to an illegitimate baby. 685 teens will uses some form of narcotic. These are just a few of the staggering statistics that remind us we are engaged in an epic spiritual battle.
Peace I give to you. The presence of God’s peace is practical it gives us a wholeness that doesn’t need things feel complete. His peace prepares us to face life not hungry but full.
In the NT, the word for peace means “to reconcile or join.” Some missionary Bible translators were working very hard to find a word for peace in a particular tribal language. At last, a native who was working with them found a combination of words that captured the concept—“a heart that sits down.” When the heart sits down with Jesus—when we join with God through his Son—there is peace.
B) A readiness to advance
What is our greatest opportunity to turn the culture around? Offer peace, God’s peace. That doesn’t come from a lack of confrontation instead it comes from a supernatural compassion for those at war with God.
I have heard and have even given sermons in my short time teaching and preaching that harass, hit, embarrass and chastise people for their lack of evangelistic zeal. I have figured out though that you cannot embarrass people into sharing Christ. You cannot harass people, or even educate people into sharing Jesus.
I encourage and challenge you to ask God to get your feet ready with the Gospel. It is a picture of the people of this church standing ready at the doors of this building, of your homes, of you place of business as God says Go! Make disciples of all nations. Out of the presence of that Gospel of peace you go, you share, you offer an end to their war with God. You introduce them to the spiritual battle with the true enemy.
John Piper had an amazing statement about sharing the peace we have in Christ with others.
He said “That our personal sense of the reality of Christ would be so deep and confident and satisfying that we could scarcely keep from commending him to others.”
That is part of standing in our spiritual conflict. It is the reality of the peace of Christ in our lives that causes us to stand. It is also the reality of the peace of Christ in our life that causes us to share.
What is your story? How did you come to Christ and come to know His peace that satisfies all the hungers of your life? Ask God for an opportunity to share it. Ask Him to put you on the front lines of the spiritual conflict. There is a great old hymn rescue the perishing, care for the dying.
That is part of what we are trying to be Ambassadors for Christ.
2 Cor 5.18-21 We are representing Christ as we personally and practically live in the presence of Jesus.
Personally we live in the peace, reconciliation, wholeness that Jesus offers us. Practically we seek to build relationships with others based on our relationship with Christ.
Prepared for battle with the shoes of the gospel, and protected with the shield of faith.
II. The shield of faith
How can I know that my belief is a saving belief? Is it enough for you to say I believe? Will that kind of faith protect you from the arrows of the adversary? What does the Bible say about faith and what on earth is the shield of faith?
Faith is not mere belief. Faith is belief plus trust. When David faced Goliath he said you come against me with shield and spear, but I come at you in the name of the Living God. Belief says I come at you in the name of the Living God. Trust puts down Saul’s armor picks up 5 smooth stones and runs to face the giant.
Belief says “the fervent prayer of a righteous man is effective” trust bows its knee every night to plead for the lives of family, friends and others. Belief says love your neighbor, trust cleans, clothes, and cares for those in need.
Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. I don’t get it but I’m in it God. I don’t understand why you have led me through this lean time, this tough time, this hard time, but I trust it is for my good.
A) Faith is taking God at His word
What promises do we find in God’s word that we can trust? Fear not, I am with you. The promise of God’s presence is the greatest we have. With God’s presence comes God’s protection. Fear not I have overcome the world. He tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, why? Because God is with us!
George Mueller was a man of faith. He did not become a child of God until in his twenties.
Mueller was driven by a passion to “live a life and lead a ministry in a way that proves God is real. God is trustworthy, God answers prayer.
We have become far too comfortable in America to have to depend on God for our needs.
And my God will supply all your needs from His riches in Glory. Mueller believed this and never asked anyone but God for money.
Faith is not merely saying I believe. It is connecting belief with trustful obedience. I believe therefore I behave as God directs me.
Where there is no trustful obedience there is no true faith.
“The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” — George Muller
Mueller was onboard a ship that was lost in fog, he comforted the anxious captain by saying, "My eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life." They came out of the fog, and that captain later gave his life to Christ.
Faith is our shield it protects us from the fiery darts of the Devil
What are his most potent projectiles? Doubt of God’s goodness and His Word. Distraction, Division, Distrust.
The only way Immanuel Baptist Church is going to be something great for God is if we all get a glimpse of the greatness of God and His ability to supply all our needs.
(Unity so we can reach this community)
What is another way of saying it, God I want you to be well known if possible through my life.
(Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God)
B) Faith is looking beyond situations to see possibilities
Conclusion: We are constantly involved in a spiritual battle. The Gospel, the good news that God offers peace in Jesus Christ gives us stability to face any situation. Our shield of faith comes from taking God at His word and looking beyond what we see to see what God has prepared.
