Ephesians 6:13-17
Preached Wednesday February 13, 2013
Introduction:
Last week we learned that the best way to weather an intense barrage from the enemy is just to do what it takes to stay standing. The unseen forces of darkness are working systematically to render born-again believers silent. Satan will deceive, distract, discourage, or discredit a believer in order to keep him form reaching others for Christ. We saw that even if we get knocked down, we must spring back to our feet. We must be prepared to stand.
This week we will learn the practical things that we must do in order to defend ourselves while we take our stand. There are important pieces of equipment we must have in place in order to defend ourselves properly. We will learn the parts and importance of our spiritual armor as well as our issued weapon in the army of the Lord.
I. Protect your loins
Ephesians 6:14 – Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
A. “Loins” pictures the seat of generative power
B. A shot to the pelvic region stops the attacker’s ability to stand or advance
C. Put on truth
1. This belt holds everything else in place
Ephesians 4:14-15 – 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2. Truth and error cannot co-exist
John 8:32,44 – 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
3. Challenge every statement and thought to determine its source
II. Protect your center-mass
A. Breastplate = covers from neck to waist or below
1. This is a vital area to your spiritual health
2. This is a big target. “Aim small, miss small; aim big, hit big.”
B. Righteousness = the character or quality of being right or just
1. Positionally
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isaiah 61:10 – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
2. Practically
Acts 24:16 – And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
III. Protect your feet
Ephesians 6:15 – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
A. Feet = ability to be agile in the battle
Romans 10:15 – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
B. Protected with preparation
1. Preparation = the state of readiness
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2. Gospel = good tidings
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 – 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Peace = harmonious relationship
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
IV. Your most important armor
Ephesians 6:16-17 – 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
A. Shield of faith
1. Faith = firm persuasion
2. Quench Satan’s darts of doubt
Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
1 Peter 5:8-9 – 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
B. Helmet of salvation – vital to life – protect your proper and clear thinking. Filter every attack through the truth of your position in Christ.
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
C. Sword – the Word of God
1. The only weapon of offence
2. A powerful weapon
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.