Ephesians 6:15 Individual Pieces of Armor- Shoes

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

A. The whole armor is needed to fight the spiritual war.

Ephesians 6:11–12 NKJV

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.

B. The gospel of peace is an important part of the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:15 NKJV

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

1. We are going to talk about this verse in three points:

A. What is the importance of wearing proper shoes in war?

1. Then and today

B. What is our proper shoe?

C. What is the gospel of peace?

BODY:

1. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING PROPER SHOES IN WAR?

A. A soldier has to have proper footwear in order to traverse all terrain.

Psalm 73:1–2 NKJV

1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.

Psalm 73:18 NKJV

18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

Ps 73.1-

1. When it comes to battle, the warrior does not need to be without sure feet.

Ps 73.18

Psalm 73:18–19 NKJV

18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalm 73:18 NKJV

18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

A. In hand-to-hand combat, one slip because of faulty or improper footwear could be fatal.

Psalm 35:6–9 NKJV

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, And let the angel of the Lord pursue them. 7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life. 8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall. 9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

Ps 35.6-

1. In these verses in the Psalms, the men were metaphorically wearing the wrong shoes and it was fatal.

1. The writer of these Psalms understood to be in war without traction on a slippery slope was fatal.

2. The Psalmist understood that to be in a slippery circumstance in war with no foothold was fatal, and he asked God to place his enemies there.

2. The writers of the Psalms understood that they wanted their feet on sure ground.

Psalm 31:8 NKJV

8 And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.

Psalm 26:11–12 NKJV

11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

A. One of the ways we can make sure our feet are on stable ground is to make sure we are wearing the proper shoe for war.

2. WHAT IS THE PROPER SHOE?

A. Answer: Preparation of the gospel of peace.

1. In this spiritual war, being able to answer people’s questions and doubts about the gospel is sure footing.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Colossians 4:6 NKJV

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

A. If someone attacks the Word of God, can they push you backwards or can you hold your ground?

Jude 3 NKJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

B. If someone attacks your faith, can you fight back with traction?

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

C. If a false teacher attacks, will they toss you to and fro with every wind of doctrine or will you be able to stand firm in the wind?

Ephesians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 4.15-

3. WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF PEACE?

A. Does this mean we are to be at peace with all people, no matter the cost?

1. No, it does not!

Matthew 10:34–38 NKJV

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Matt 10.34-

Matthew 10:34 NKJV

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

2. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that not everyone is going to like the true Christian.

Luke 6:26 NKJV

26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

A. If the cost is sacrificing Godliness, then the cost is too high.

Acts 5:29 NKJV

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

1. The Bible says if it is possible, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:18 NKJV

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

B. The Gospel is described as the gospel of peace because...

1. It was developed by the God of peace.

Romans 15:33 NKJV

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

2. It was given by the Prince of peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

3. It gives peace to all its adherents.

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

4. It leads to eternal peace in heaven.

John 14:1–6 NKJV

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14.1-6

Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

CONCLUSION:

1. Are your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace?

A. In this war, will you…

1. stand firm with sure footing or

2. will you lose your footing, slip, and fall to your destruction?

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