May 30, 2020
Next Sabbath – June 6th – is the 76th anniversary of D-Day - Operation Overlord. It was the largest amphibious invasion in military history and one of the greatest achievements of the war – According to the History Channel:
• The Combined Forces of the US, Britain, Canada = 156,115 men – stormed 50 miles of heavenly defended beaches – a part of Hitler’s Atlantic wall {5 beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword} on France’s Normandy coast.
• Approximately 13,000 paratroopers jumped and 4,000 glider troops landed behind enemy lines in the hours leading up to the beach landings.
• 6939 – Ships and landing craft.
• 2395 – Aircraft.
• 867 – Gliders
By June 11 all 5 beaches were secure – less than a year later Hitler was dead by his own hand and the war in Europe was over.
As great as the achievements were on that day and the days following, D-Day didn’t happen by chance – it was intentionally planned and prepared for. From nearly the start of the war, allied leaders knew that a massive invasion of mainland Europe would be necessary to win the war – but early on the allies were not prepared for a large-scale invasion. Planning began in earnest in January 1944 for what would become known as D-Day.
• For the paratroopers jumping behind the lines there was an additional level of preparedness needed. They had to assume that they would be on their own or fighting in small groups for an extended period of time, so they carried every possible thing they MIGHT need – Some paratroopers report carrying an additional 100 lbs of equipment when they jumped into France.
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Paul alludes to Spiritual warfare in the book of Ephesians, but in the heart of chapter 6 he finally comes right out with it:
• Be strong {from which we get the word Dynamite} in the mighty power of God – who’s explosive power? GODS.
• Put on the full armor of God – don’t leave off one piece.
• Stand {eyeball to eyeball} against the devil’s schemes.
BECAUSE
• Ephesians 6:12 - Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Paul wanted his readers to know that they are facing an ANGRY foe who is REAL and POWERFUL.
With relentless consistency, Satan will bombard every Christian with temptations, trials, and persecutions. In short, we have an enemy who is in the destroying business and he has declared war on us.
One of the greatest weakness within the Christian World is the belief that Satan is fictional or just a weird guy who wears red PJ’s – that he is NOT all that powerful – and that is a part of his “craftiness” {see Genesis 3} – after all if he isn’t all that powerful, then there is no need to prepare for battle against him….
• Ellen White {4T 212} – We must put on the armor and be prepared to successfully resist all the attacks of Satan. His malignity and cruel power are not sufficiently estimated. When he finds himself foiled upon one point he takes new ground and fresh tactics, and tries again, working wonders in order to deceive and destroy the children of men.
The context of these verses makes clear that humans CANNOT resist Satan in their own power and if they try, they WILL be overcome {See Genesis 3} Knowing this, God says:
THEREFORE
• Put on the WHOLE ARMOR of God,
SO THAT
• when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand – Ephesians 6:13.
Christian Victory doesn’t happen by accident. It must be actively and intentionally planned and prepared for and it’s important to note that we are not told to put on our own armor but GOD’S armor – in other words, we do not have to go to the military surplus store and buy our own armor. God has provided it for us. It is armor that He himself has worn that he provides for his people:
• Isaiah 11:5 - Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
• Isaiah 52:7 - How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
• Isaiah 59:17 - He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
It’s God’s Armor but we have to put it on – He will not do that for us.
• Ephesians 6:14 - Stand firm then, with the Belt of Truth buckled around your waist……..
4 times we are told to stand. You would think that God would have said fight, run, move like a butterfly, sting like a bee! But no, He says, in the middle of our battle with the devil, just stand there!!
Be immoveable!
Anchored!
Secure in Christ!
• Exodus 14:13- 14 - Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
• Deuteronomy 3:22 - Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."
• 2 Chronicles 20:17 - You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"
STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE. {James 4:7}
When you are standing in the truth of Jesus Christ and in His authority, the devil must flee!
Okay – Let’s get dressed
Armor has 2 applications – it is both defensive and offensive
Belt of Truth
Truth is found in the position of “a belt.” Why? Simply stated, “The belt holds everything together.” The belt held a Roman soldier’s tunic tight and his breastplate in place giving him mobility as well as a providing a place to put his sword.
Likewise, Truth holds everything together. Truth is foundational in the Christian life and without it, the enemy has an advantage over us because without spiritual truth, things don’t stay where they are supposed to stay. Truth is an internal reality. It is a lifestyle. It is more than just simple belief --- it is active. Truth doesn’t just “hear” it “does”. {see 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 and Luke 6:47-49; James 1:22}
The Greek word for “truth” {alethia} refers to something that has been “laid tangibly and clearly before our eyes.”
In God’s grace He chose to take the Words of His mouth and make them “alethia” – visible.
• Psalm 15:2 - He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
• Psalm 25:4-5 - Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
• Psalm 26:2-3 - Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
• Psalm 86:11 - Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
• Psalm 119:30 - I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
• Isaiah 45:19 - I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
• John 8:31-32 - To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
• John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• John 17:17 - Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
• Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
• 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
The Bible then, is more than a mere book – it is a WEAPON of spiritual warfare and if we are going to do battle against Satan, we MUST be living the active Truth found within its pages {see Hebrews 4:12}. When we do that Truth will become “alethia” – visible in our lives.
Why is Truth so important?
Because the devil’s most effective weapon is DECEPTION and he will use it more than any other weapon in his arsenal.
• John 8:44 - You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
• Revelation 12:9-10 - The great dragon was hurled down-- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
• Ellen White {CON 35.3} – But his most successful scheme in deceiving man has been to conceal his real purposes and his true character by representing himself to be man's friend--a benefactor of the race. He flatters men with the pleasing fable that there is no rebellious foe, no deadly enemy that they need to guard against, and that the existence of a personal devil is all a fiction; and while he thus hides his existence, he is gathering thousands under his control. He is deceiving many as he tried to deceive Christ, telling them that he is an angel from heaven, doing a good work for humanity. And the masses are so blinded by sin that they cannot discern the devices of Satan, and they honor him as they would a heavenly angel while he is working their eternal ruin.
The devil’s biggest lies:
• I’m not as BAD as God says I am – trust me.
• Jesus ISN’T who He says He is.
• Eternal burning HELL.
• You won’t DIE – immortality of the soul.
• There is NO mercy – only justice / judgment = God delights in punishing people.
• There is NO Justice / judgment – only mercy = God is too old and senile to remember our guilt – it doesn’t matter what we do ‘cause grace covers it.
• There are MANY ways to God.
• There is no ABSOLUTE truth.
• What day you WORSHIP on doesn’t matter.
• The Bible is just a BOOK.
Wrapping up –
Satan is a powerful foe and he wants to destroy you.
You cannot stand toe to toe with him – he will eat you for lunch.
God has provided you with battle gear – you have to put it on.
The {Belt} of Truth – Who God IS, WHAT He has done and what He has PROMISED to do – holds the rest of our spiritual armor in place and makes it secure. So, before you do anything else, put on your Belt of Truth.
