The Belt Of Truth Series

GEARING UP FOR WAR - The Belt of Truth

September 11, 2022

Ephesians 6:10-14

Introduction:

In the book “Pastoring the Powerful.”

Lloyd John Ogilvie, chaplain of the United States Senate, recalls:

Senator Max Cleland, who lost both of his legs and his right hand in Vietnam, came to the Bible study withdrawn and tired. Another senator said, “Max, are you all right?”

“Not really,” he said. “I’ve been having the same dream for 30 years. I accidentally drop that grenade, and I leap on it, and it explodes and blows my legs off.” That night, the study group gathered around Max and prayed that the Lord would heal that memory.

Two days later, the History Channel broadcast his story just as he remembered it. A man from Annapolis saw it and phoned Max: “Senator, you have the story all wrong. That wasn’t your grenade. It was a young recruit behind you who had opened the pins on his grenades before jumping out of the helicopter. One of them popped out of the belt and rolled on the ground. You leaped on it to save us all. I wrapped you up myself and got you to the hospital. I was on the helicopter; I know how it happened.”

Max came to the next Bible study a new man. He said a gigantic load had been lifted off his shoulders.

The study group had been studying Romans 8:28, where in the Greek, God (Not “all things”) is the subject of the sentence: “God works all things together for good.” So now, when Senator Cleland is hurrying around in his wheelchair, he’ll call out to the Senate Chaplain, “Remember, things don’t work out; God works out things.”

Truth isn’t subjective…Every one of us here this morning have believed something to be true…only to find out…its not.

Satan is a liar…Here’s what Jesus Himself said, “He was speaking to a group of people who thought they had a special relationship with God the Father through Abraham.

Jesus shares the profound truth that God has sent Him into the world…and then He says:

JOHN 8:42-47

Satan is a deceiver. He gave birth to lying in the Garden of Eden and has continued to perfect this evil weapon.

His goal “To kill, steal and destroy people…to enslave, oppress and cause despair.”

Jesus has clearly stated “If you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Not only does He proclaim “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life…No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:7)

But He also says "come so that we might have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Folks, our enemy is real. He mixes truth with lies. He convinces us we dropped the grenade and deserve the nightmares and pain…The time to prepare for war is not when the enemy is smashing the gate. The time to prepare is long before he leaves his camp.

Paul says, “when the day of evil comes…not “if” the day of evil comes.

If you want to stand your ground. If you want firmly planted feet on a solid foundation…

I. TRUTH GIVES US A SOLID FOUNDATION

In the analogy of Armor, the Apostle Paul starts with the belt of truth because every other part of the Armor depended on it…It secured all the other pieces to make it tight and useful. It was the foundation that held all the other pieces in place.

SHOW PIC OF BELT OF TRUTH

[Dr. J.H. Jowett writes: “Loose Armor was troublesome and disturbing. It makes a soldier feel soft and awkward. He felt unready to fight…giving, a sense of going to pieces. The belt bound everything together giving the soldier a sense of firmness. It made him felt secure and able to meet the enemy with confidence…It held his sword, secured his breastplate, protected his abdomen and groin.”]

No soldier would enter the battle without this piece of armor securely in place.

And I’d share with you…no soldier of the cross can do battle with the Evil One and the forces of this present darkness without being supported and tied together with truth.

Satan would have us look for truth in my other place than the Word of God. Pop philosophies, feelings, polls and worldly friends…Satan is more than willing to provide you with a bungee cord for a belt…all comfy and spongy, until you need it to hold your life together.

Here’s what Jesus said:

MATTHEW 7:24-27

The teachings of Jesus are a rock solid foundation. A place you can stand your ground…and feel firmly in His will…A belt of truth that can hold everything together.

As most of you know I love history. And one of the most famous battle fought division, the 100 year war (actually lasted 116 years) between England and France was in a narrow valley near the village of Agincourt.