All Dressed Up: Part 2
Message Summary:
In Sunday’s message, Pastor John Carter continued to teach us about the power and authority of the Church. We have been delivered from the power and the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of God’s Son. But the moment we enter the kingdom of light, we become the target of the enemy. We enter into a war and we need to get dressed up for battle. If we are in a wrestling match with an enemy (Eph. 6:12), then we need to learn how to suit up in the armor God has given to his children to fight their battles. That is why Ephesians 6 commands us to stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might by putting on the full armor of God – the belt of truth (John 17:17), the breastplate of righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), shoes of the gospel of peace (Romans 16:20), the shield of faith (1 Cor. 16:13), the helmet of salvation (1 Thess. 5:8), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). Some pieces of the armor defensively fend off attack and others help us to go on offense against our enemy.
But don’t forget the last command to God’s army. Put on your armor and don’t forget to keep “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end…” (Eph. 6:18). This is our long-distance weapon. Prayer fights for us from afar, offensively and defensively, and invites God into the fight with us (Phil. 4:6-7). It is important that we are watchful and aware that we are at war, and we cannot just sit by and let our enemy win. We have been given divine authority to push back the devil, and we must learn how to fight back against his tactics with the weapons the Lord has given His Church to experience the victory he has already won!
Scriptures:
[Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV] 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
[1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV] 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
[Ephesians 6:10-19 NKJV] 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel…
Discussion Questions:
What is the “whole armor of God” and how do we put it on?
Why are the sandals described as shod in “the preparation of the gospel of peace”?
How does the gospel message root us in peace, but also crush our enemy?
Why is the shield of faith needed above all else?
How does faith shield us?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, examine your life and ask yourself this question: When you feel anxious or worried, do you remember the gospel of peace? Remember, when Jesus died for you, he not only defeated the enemy, but he also won victory for you! You have to learn to learn to walk in the peace of the good news of the gospel message. Jesus has won! No matter what you face, you can walk in peace by faith knowing God is working on your behalf!