Real Christians Keep Their Boots On
Sunday Morning, 01-30-11
Text Ephesians 6:10-17
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 therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Introduction:
I want to relate something to you I consider remarkable and that is I had a dream last week. What is remarkable is that I can probably count on one hand how many dreams I have had...and remembered them. Now the experts say we all have dreams and who am I to disagree. Some people can recount every detail of the dreams they have and can do so on a daily basis. Not me, I suppose I do dream every night, I just don’t remember any of them. Last week was different, because I do remember. I remember because I truly believe this dream was from God, for you and me today.
I was in a huge military like complex. In the center of this place was a building much larger than any of the others. This building sloped upward and outward at the center. In the middle, it had massive doors that had several layers before they were completely open, much like those in movies where the slide, pivot, swing, slam, etc. until all levels are open.
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This opening was for some sort of large defensive weapon, like a cannon. I never saw the gun, just the opening. I was able to look out and see the country side; it all appeared to be peaceful. I understood, or was told, not really sure that the enemy was indeed headed our way; and they were huge so I needed to get ready. Here was my problem...I had everything I needed, helmet, firearms, ammo, everything except something on my feet. I desperately started searching for boots to put on, looking and looking. Finally up on a high shelf behind some other stuff I found boots to fit me. I hurriedly put them on not wanting to be taken by surprise and not ready....then I woke up.
The very first thing I thought of when I awoke was our passage of Scripture we read this morning, especially verse 15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” and that got me to wondering what does this mean? Why did I have this dream?
Well, through this past week the Lord has revealed to me what I believe all of this meant. Many of us know this passage by heart, or have used it to gain strength in difficult times. That is good, that is what it’s for, and it’s also for us to know how we are to prepare for battle with the enemy. But there is something I believe we miss in our preparation. Most of the time we focus on the helmet, the sword, or the shield; however I believe the Lord would have us look closely at the feet this morning.
Just like in my dream, we can have a huge complex, the latest greatest weaponry, even all the equipment we need. But, if we don’t have the right footwear, we are in trouble. The imagery Paul uses here is that of a soldier of his day dressed for battle. That soldier was most likely a Roman, part of the most efficient, deadly fighting force known to man. Everything on him was tried in battle; he had nothing on him that was not essential to him being victorious. We are to be no different.
What does it mean though?
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
For us to understand we need to know something about the Roman soldier’s footwear. It was solid, firmly attached by laces or straps. It had a sole that was studded with nails to ensure solid, firm footing on slopes or slippery ground. It enabled him to travel quickly and surely no matter the surface. In other words he had a mobility advantage over his enemy.
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As Christians, we are as the Word tells us to, “put on the whole armor of God.” We can’t leave any of it off, just like in the dream. I had everything but boots. How could I have fought without them? Not very well I think.
These shoes of the “preparation of the gospel” are absolutely necessary. You can not march through the rugged terrain of this sinful world barefoot. If you stub your toe, or worse get a cut or smashed or stepped on, you’re out for the count, of no use, worthless. You cannot advance, or even retreat, you’re stuck. That is where the enemy wants you, stuck unable to move. We are not to be stuck, we are to stand, and withstand the attacks of the enemy. Now, as Christians, we don’t fight for fighting’s sake, we fight to usher in Peace. Not just any peace, it’s the peace that only Jesus Christ can bring because He is the Prince of Peace. Remember what Phi 4:7 says... And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Matthew Henry says, “The preparation of the gospel of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers that may be in it.”
Wow! Never getting ahead or getting behind where our Lord would have us be, but on a steady pace proclaiming the gospel no matter the danger; with a resolved heart not wavering.
Praise God I was able to do just that this week. I was able to witness to a young lady; God placed me in the right place at the right time to minister to her. I did so at work, when I call in I never know what school will be open, or if they even have any openings for that day. As God would direct it I went to a school I had worked at before Christmas. There are a couple of Godly women working there who have already been witnessing to this particular young lady. Well, at break time God opened the door and we were able to get some things cleared up she was having trouble with. She is a Catholic but very close to becoming saved. While she did not come to salvation then, or yet, all three of us are just like what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians Chapter 3, one plants the seed, one waters, one tends the plant...but it is Jesus who bring the increase. None of which would happen if we had not been obedient and had,
“feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
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You see, Paul is saying we need to do more than just be obedient to the gospel; we need to publish it abroad, letting the world know.
Isaiah 52:7 tells us...
How 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!
Jesus had this to say about the gospel...
Mar 8:34 And 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.
Mar 8:35 For 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.
And this...
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Jesus also said...
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The preaching of the gospel, the proclaiming of it is every Christian’s duty. In order for us to do our duty we must be ever ready to go and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. In so doing, by marching in step with Jesus, we send fear and trembling into the ranks of Satan’s army. With every step we take more ground for the Kingdom. With every step we bring the blessed return of our Savior ever closer. By our having on the “full armor of God” on, never taking it off, never letting our guard down, we will be victorious! We can do none of this if we are not ready. If we don’t keep our marching boots on, we will be overcome. That’s why real Christian’s keep their boots on. So, are you with me? Are you prepared with the “full armor” on? Will you march with me? Will you march with Christ? The days are short, just look at the news and you should know. Let us join together in the mighty name of Jesus and having our “ feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” let us take this world for Jesus.
Close as the Spirit leads...
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