Stomp The Enemy Series

When the enemy attacks series #3

Stomp the Enemy

Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:20

Introduction-Good Morning and we are glad that you are here.

We again this morning we will be looking at the armor of God. If you would turn to Ephesians 6:10-18 and as you do that can we pray that the word of the Lord would go deep into our hearts.

Prayer-

Ephesians 6:10-18

The armor of God protects the believer, and by “submitting yourself to God” and putting on the armor of God, you can resist the devil and the Word of God says he will flee from you.” Some will say amen.

Submitting yourself means to surrender and surrender is not a term you use often when talking military strategy.

We have looked at two pieces of the armor so far.

The first piece is the belt of truth- the belt of the Roman soldier holds everything together. It held the sword and it connected the second piece we looked at- the breastplate of righteousness.

The breastplate of righteousness protected the soldier’s chest area and served to keep all of his vital organs safe.

Like a police officer’s bulletproof vest

We need to keep this simple.

Without Christ in our lives- you cannot put on the armor of God.

Our faith is a link that connects our breastplate with God’s infinite power.

NO CHRIST- NO RIGHTEOUSNESS

NO CHRIST- NO BREASTPLATE TO SPIRITUALLY PROTECT OUR VITAL ORGANS OF HEART AND SOUL.

Life application

Are you still trying to be good by your own righteousness? It’s only in Jesus.

Are you trying to wear God’s armor without God? King Solomon tried to fit David with his armor and it did not fit. Worldly armor does not protect us spiritually.

Are you using all the spiritual armor that God provides for believers?

You see spiritually wearing each piece of God’s protective armor assures us of being a warrior in God’s army.

The great thing about that is the battle is the Lord’s not ours.

“That is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.”

We fight in a battle, but the battle is the Lord’s

This morning we are going to center in on the third piece of armor: (v15) “…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

Not too many want to talk about shoes- least not spiritually speaking!

The Battle Shoes

We have a belt

We have breastplate

We have battle shoes

Footwear provides protection, support, traction, and comfort for our feet.

The soldier fighting shoes

He wore thick soul sandals that had nails coming out of the bottom of them.

They were comfortable enough so the soldier could march up to 20 miles in them.

Combat ready enough that the soldier had a firm footing when he was in hand-to hand combat.

He wore brass shin guards that went from his knee to his ankles. Together they protected the soldiers feet.

Those soldiers stepped in and out of rocky areas and walked through thick brush that would have ripped up his legs.

This protection kept him combat ready at all times.

Back to the text- “his feet were fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

What does that mean?

That means that Christian soldiers had to have their sandals on, be ready to proclaim the gospel of peace to the world.

Greaaaaaaaaaaat!

Here goes the preacher today telling all of us to be ready to preach the gospel.

This just turned into an evangelistic message.

Yes, it will get evangelistic for a moment.

Illustration:

Institute for American church growth asked 10,000 people this question-

What was responsible for your coming to Christ and to this church?

Answers:

I had a need- 3%

I just walked in – 3%

I like the preacher-6%

I am just visiting-1%

I like the Bible study-2.5%

I attended a gospel meeting-2.5%

I like the programs- 3%

A FRIEND OR RELATIVE INVITED ME- 79%

Now tell me how does God get His gospel out to those that need it? Answer… Through His people.

Almost 8 out of 10 will come from an interest in someone and inviting them to church.

It is God’s work

One plants,

one waters

God caused the growth.

He chose to use His people to get the process started.

Family, Friends, Neighbors. These are our responsibility to at least attempt to reach them.

Acts chapter 10

Peter is recorded as preaching a message where 1000’s came to faith. More than 8000 in several combined services. Let me tell you someone who also has great reward in heaven for those souls, his brother Andrew. Andrew heard John the Baptist preach, responded to the call and went home and told his brother Peter- “we have found the Messiah.”