Putting On The Whole Armor Of God Series

Putting on the whole armor of God

Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:14

Introduction-

This morning I would like to begin a series called “Putting on the Armor of God.”

We have all heard of this passage about being protected from the evil one.

What I don’t think we hear often enough is how important it is to us as believers.

Their seems to be two sides-

(1) sees a demon behind every corner and some become the sword yielding crusader that attacks and destroys all the evil in someone else’s life.

(2) Doesn’t give it much thought, and if it was true, that would be for the more spiritual people and not them.

What does God’s Word say about it?

1 Peter 5:8- Peter tells us that we have an adversary the Devil, roaming around looking for who he can destroy.

That tells me that the devil is real and that he is looking for ways to destroy our walk with God, and cause us to stumble in areas of our lives.

The verse goes on to tell us to resist him, standing in our faith.

We know by Scripture that the devil can only be in one place at one time.

He is not Omni-present, only God is. Only God can be at more than one place at one time.

Our Bible tells us that he is a defeated foe- for the believers, Jesus Christ has defeated and will ultimately defeat him because we know the end of the book. Amen.

So how does that play out In our lives?

We have all felt like we have been beaten up by something bigger than we are.

We have all felt victorious because we sense God has done something tremendous in our lives.

Illustration- (SermonCentral)

A fighter was in the ring and he was taking a beating. The opponent each round was winning, and each time the bell was rung and the fighter went back to his corner, his coach to encourage him would say the fighter was not laying a hand on him. After several rounds like this the fighter came back to his corner, he said to his coach, watch that referee because someone is beating the tar out of me!

How do we live more on the victorious side of life instead of the beatings?

What do we need to do to recognize and defeat the enemy of our life?

Illustration-

At the beginning of World War II, France believed that they were safe

against Germany behind the Maginot line. The Maginot line was a defensive line

built in the 1930’s. It stretched for over 200 miles on the NE border of France. It

was state-of-the-art, built of thick concrete with heavy guns, living quarters, store

houses and underground rail lines. It was designed to hold off any German

attack. The Germans however defeated this fortified defense by simply going

around it through the Ardennes forest, which the French considered

impenetrable. By using superior aircraft and armored tank divisions, something

the French were not prepared for, the German army overcame this defensive

line simply by avoiding it. In the end, the Maginot line was useless and France

surrendered to the enemy.

France fell in defeat because they underestimated their enemy and relied

on the wrong weapons.

They did not anticipate the attack their enemy used.

They thought they were protected. We too are in a war, a war against Satan

We have to not let the enemy of our soul seek in and overpower us because we are not looking for him or we are thinking that it is impossible for him to penetrate our lives.

Paul says-

(1)Be Alert.

(2) Be Aware.

(3)Be Ready.

(4)Resist him and stand in our faith.

We are in a battlefield and we are acting like we are at the playground.

Do you remember the hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers?

Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus, going on before.

Christ, the royal master, leads against the foe,

Forward into battle, see His banner go!

It goes o to say-

Like a mighty army, moves the church of God,

Brothers, we are trading,

Where the saints have trod.

We are not divided, all one body we,

One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Our text this morning, Ephesians 6:10-6:14 is the text we will look at for several weeks.

It is God’s playbook for us to have victory over the enemy and defeat things that hinder our walk with God.

Anybody interested?

Ephesians 6:10-6:14 (Text)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For your 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 realm.”