Wear the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6 (NCV)
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. 12Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. 13That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. 14So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. 15On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. 17Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.
19Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear. 20I have been sent to preach this Good News, and I am doing that now, here in prison. Pray that when I preach the Good News I will speak without fear, as I should.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.
1. How can you be strong in God’s Power?
‒ Alone you can’t. You need help. God’s armor.
2. Satan is a trickster. He is not about to deal fairly with you. He is the god of Virtual Reality.
‒ Have you ever made a deal with the devil? You say, “No way!” But in subtle ways we do.
1. “I’ll do this just once. You won’t have me after that.”
2. “What’s the big deal it’s only just _____________.”
3. When you say these things Satan laughs and shouts, “I got you now!”
‒ How many lions have you ever seen on those wild jungle shows that make a deal with the wildebeest? They don’t.
1. Satan is the same way.
2. He makes you think you are making all the choices for yourselves.
1. You may say, “Let me make my own choices.” But Satan is lying to you. He has you on a string like a puppet.
3. You see, we think we are fighting more against people than Satan. 12"Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.” (BRING TWO STRONG YOUNG MEN UP ON STAGE TO ARM WRESTLE)(PUT ONE AGAINST A WEAK MAN AND THEN TWO STRONG MEN)
‒ POINT----> We think our fight against Satan is like this. We can just muscle him around. Not true. (Like the War on Terrorism) It’s not that simple.
‒ He is first trying to get us to see that the fight we have is much more serious than we think.
4. Understand that there will be a fight if you choose to join in God’s army. 13That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
‒ He doesn’t say, “If there is a day of evil.” It is going to happen.
Are you ready to fight?
For God we...GO!!! Fight!!! Win!!!
5. The Armor: (GET VOLUNTEERS FOR THE STAGE: ONE AT A TIME) (WHEN I POINT TO YOU SAY YOUR LINES AND DO THE MOTION)
‒ 14So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist (THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH)
1. How many times in your life have you heard that (TEEN LINES) is the best policy? Lots!! Is that true?
2. He says that standing strong requires (TEEN LINES). Any fool can lie!!
3. (TEEN LINES) is the foundation of living for God!!
1. What happens when you try and build a house on no foundation?
2. The same is true for you spiritual lives.
‒ and the protection of right living on your chest. (JUST DO RIGHT)
1. God says that my protection lies in the fact that I (TEEN LINES).
2. How hard can that be to understand?
3. Give Example:
‒ 15On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. (PEACE MAN PEACE)
1. How much real (TEEN LINES) do you have in your life?
2. What is real peace? CALM, SERENE, ABSENCE OF WAR.
1. Peace is the completing of the a broken circle. (ILLUSTRATE USING KIDS)
3. How do you obtain (TEEN LINES)? Seek to do nothing but tell the good news.
4. Only the good news of Christ can bring real (TEEN LINES).
1. It can heal the sick heart.
2. It can help the poor to become rich spiritually.
3. It can mend broke relationships.
‒ 16And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. (I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING)
1. When we say, (TEEN LINES) with our eyes closed, we are placing our confidence in someone else.
1. The evil one can fire all the flaming arrows he wants because (TEEN LINES).
1. Can you say that?
2. You see, faith is that one thing that no one can take from you because (TEEN LINES).
1. Even if I am hurt, (TEEN LINES).
2. Even if you kill my family, (TEEN LINES).
3. Even if I die, (TEEN LINES).
3. Satan has no power over that kind of faith.
1. Even if I am tempted, (TEEN LINES).
2. Even if I sin, (TEEN LINES).
3. Even if I am persecuted and made fun of, (TEEN LINES).
‒ THAT’S FAITH. HOLD ON TO IT, DON’T LET GO, DON’T QUIT.
‒ FAITH IS YOUR SHIELD AND WITHOUT IT, YOU ARE DEAD ALREADY!
‒ 17Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, (GOD SAVES ME)
1. Salvation is on our head. It is the part of us we can’t do without.
2. When we say, (TEEN LINES), we are placing our confidence in Him.
3. (TEEN LINES) is a phrase I can say because of what Jesus did for me.
4. Knowing that (TEEN LINES) is not dependant upon what I do. It is dependant upon Jesus already did.
‒ and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (THE WORD, MY WEAPON)The Word is our LIGHT SABER (Yoda, “Much to learn you have.”)
1. In every war, there is the need for a weapon. Ours is (TEEN LINES).
2. How many of you have your weapon with you today? NO SONG BOOKS
3. Let’s take an exercise in using (TEEN LINES).
4. How fast does a soldier have to be with his weapon?
5. How well does he have to know how to use his weapon?
6. What happens if he is slow and does not know about his weapon?
1. The Enemy just tempted you to do drugs. Use you weapon.
2. Satan just tempted you to have sex. Use your weapon.
7. You see, without (TEEN LINES) you don’t stand a chance.
Conclusion: How well equipped are you to stand against Satan right now?
When we have God’s equipment, we can stand up for Jesus!
