The Armor of God (Part 2)
The Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsThe Belt of Truth/The Breastplate of Righteousness
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INTRO:
INTRO:
This following story is told by Leroy Eims about the time when he was serving in the Marines in the South Pacific during World War II: "Shortly after we hit the beach, our armored amphibious tank took two artillery shells broadside. We immediately evacuated our disabled vehicle and darted from hole to hole toward the enemy airstrip, which we were to take.
"The sergeant began to check on us to make sure that we were OK. He crawled over to me and asked, `You all right, Eims?'
"I answered, `Yeah, I'm OK, Sarge.'
"I answered, `Yeah, I'm OK, Sarge.'
"He looked at me and asked, `Eims, where is your helmet?'
"He looked at me and asked, `Eims, where is your helmet?'
"I felt the top of my head and answered, `Must be in the tank, Sarge.'
"I felt the top of my head and answered, `Must be in the tank, Sarge.'
"`Where's your duty belt?' Our duty belts carried ammunition for our rifles, a canteen of water, and a bayonet.
"`Where's your duty belt?' Our duty belts carried ammunition for our rifles, a canteen of water, and a bayonet.
"`Must be in the tank, Sarge.'
"`Must be in the tank, Sarge.'
"`As a matter of fact, Eims, where's your rifle?' He looked at me with disgust and pity. Because of our hasty departure from the amphibious tank, I was dressed about the same way that I would be dressed for a game of volleyball. And there I was, hopping from hole to hole, from tree to tree!
"`As a matter of fact, Eims, where's your rifle?' He looked at me with disgust and pity. Because of our hasty departure from the amphibious tank, I was dressed about the same way that I would be dressed for a game of volleyball. And there I was, hopping from hole to hole, from tree to tree!
This story reveals the truth about the modern church. Most Christians have forgotten that the Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield. As a result, very few of the Lord's people are armed, equipped and ready to wage spiritual battle. Whether we ever believe it or not, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. If we are to be successful in our work for the Lord Jesus, then we must be prepared for that battle and be ready to go to war.
This morning we are going to answer the question: How can we be prepared for the spiritual battle we face daily?
It’s time to take a Stand!
Heed the warning:
“Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” (1 Pet. 5:8-9)
I) It’s Time to Suit Up (v14)
I) It’s Time to Suit Up (v14)
Since we are fighting against enemies in the spirit world, we need special equipment both for offense and defense. God has provided the “whole armor” for us, and we dare not omit any part. Satan looks for the unguarded area where he can attack. This is why Paul wrote earlier:
“Don’t give the devil an opportunity” ()
“Don’t give the devil an opportunity” ()
Paul commanded his readers:
“Don’t give the devil an opportunity” ()
A) The Belt of Truth (v14a)
A) The Belt of Truth (v14a)
Satan is a liar!
This is why Paul wrote for us to become mature in the faith so:
“Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching by human cunning with cleverness in techniques of deceit” ()
We have been giving the belt of truth to protect us from the lies of Satan. Paul writes:
“Stand therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist…” ()
The standard form of dress in the ancient world for the Jews, as well as for the Romans, was a robe.
***I have never wore a dress, but I would guess if a lady tried to run their legs would be tangled. The same would be try for a soldier in his robe.
When it was time to go into battle, the soldiers pulled their robes above their knees, and gathered the folds of the robe tightly around their waist with a heavy belt.
Imagine a soldier trying to move quickly and deftly in battle, while his legs are getting caught in his robe.
Imagine a soldier trying to move quickly and deftly in battle, while his legs are getting caught in his robe.
Paul is saying the first thing believers need to do is to get ready to move into battle. That which makes it possible to move is: TRUTH!
Q: Today, where do we find truth?
i) The Word of God is Truth
i) The Word of God is Truth
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” ().
Today, we live in a world that does not believe in truth. According to Barna Research:
81% of teenagers believe truth is relative to the individual and to his/her circumstances.
70% of evangelical teenagers believe truth is relative to the individual and to his/her circumstances.
What do this mean? They believe “What is true for you is true for you and what is true for me is true for me.”
Problem: If truth is relative then every view is correct even if they contradict each other.
Jesus statement is clear: “The Word of God is truth” ().
We must possess a Biblical Worldview! This means: We view the world through the lens of Scripture!
This is the opposite of Satan. Satan wants you: To view the Word of God through the lens of the World.
This means we view the world through the lens of Scripture
Let me show you the difference with so common topics today… (Homosexuality, Transgender, etc.)
Satan wants us: To view the Word of God through the lens of the Word.
Satan wants
Q: Do you have a Biblical Worldview? Do you children possess a Biblical Worldview?
Q: What must we do to have a Biblical Worldview? We must Renew our Minds with the Word of God!
Homosexuality:
Transgender:
Q: Do you have a Biblical Worldview? Do you children possess a Biblical Worldview?
Ho
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” ()
Renew our Minds
All day we hear and see the systems of the world. If we don’t renew our mind with the Word we are bound to fall prey.
Renew our minds with the Word
Listen: Satan wants to “Conform us to the World,” but God wants to “Transform us by the Word!” Which is happening to you?
Satan wants to “Conform us to the World,” but God wants to “Transform us by the Word!”
B) Breastplate of Righteousness (v14b)
B) Breastplate of Righteousness (v14b)
Satan is accusing you!
You are a failure who can get nothing right.
You are a mistake and you should have never been born.
You are not loved and never will be.
Those are lies from the depths of hell, but the problem is we buy into them. Praise God he gives us the breastplate of righteousness to protect us from Satan’s accusations.
“Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest...” (Eph. 6:14)
Satan is accusing you!
You are a failure who can get nothing right.
You are a mistake and you should have never been born.
You are not loved and never will be.
God’s love for you is based on your performance.
Those are lies from the depths of hell, but the problem is we buy into them. Praise God he gives us the breastplate of righteousness to protect us from Satan’s accusations.
The breastplate was a sleeveless piece of armor that covered the full torso of the soldier. No soldier would dare go into battle with out his breastplate.
Why? The breastplate was designed to protect the vital organs that are housed in the torso. It protected the heart, the lungs, the liver, the stomach, etc. The soldiers depended on the “breastplate” to protect them from injury or death.
What protects us is Righteous!
i) Positional Righteousness
i) Positional Righteousness
“He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” ().
Martin Luther called this “The Great Exchange.” On the cross, the Father treated Jesus as if he were a sinner even though he never committed a sin. So, He can treat us as if we are righteous though we are not.
Our Righteousness has nothing to do with us, because our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!
Satan can make accusation, but “the one who is inside of me is greater than the one who is in the world.”
ii) Practical Righteousness
ii) Practical Righteousness
Paul’s point is we possess practical righteousness of a life lived in obedience to the Word of God. We are called to walk in obedience to God’s Word everyday.
“Take off the old and put on the new” ()
“Don’t give Satan an opportunity” ()
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
We are at war and we must be ready!
Satan is a liar! Do you have the belt of truth on? Do you know the Word of God? Do you possess a Biblical Worldview?
Satan is an accuser! Do you have the breastplate of righteousness on? Are you living out the Word of God everyday?
This morning:
Surrender your life to Christ!