Jesus Saves!
Becoming the Family of God • Sermon • Submitted
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Armor of God
Armor of God
This is my last Wednesday night with you
So… this is also our last Wednesday in Ephesians
Have a student wear pads
PLAY VIDEO
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
eph 6:10
Why do goalies wear pads?
For protection!
But goalies don’t hide, they TRY to get hit!
Story: Didn’t hurt
Get a volunteer to wear pads
Lesson: The type of armor you wear is important!
We are going to break down the armor of God and test each piece
REMEMBER: This is so we can make a stand AGAINST the devil!
This is key, watch this...
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm.
eph 6:12-
There is a spiritual battle going on!
It’s all around you, even now
Do you ever think about that?
If you aren’t engaged in that battle, you might be losing!
Imagine a goalie just sitting there - ignorant to the game
Is he going to be a good goalie? NO!
You have to engage in the battle
The most important spiritual victory has been won
Jesus dropped the atom bomb on the cross
But we still have a role in the fight as well
Satan’s army can still capture you, and he is going to try
So what do we do?
Take up the whole armor of God and prepare to fight!!
Get a volunteer to wear pads
We are going to break down the armor of God and test each piece
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Put on pants/girdle
Belt of Truth
Belt of Truth
Covered abdomen
What does your belt do?
Have you every forgotten a belt and your pants keep falling?
Belts hold everything together - that’s what truth does
Ever see a fat guy on the couch undo his belt?
They’re not going to be moving any time soon
Truth is what it is, it cannot change
Once you know the truth, you can be confident
If you believe the wrong thing, you’ll caught with your pants down
eph 6:1-
Put on chest protector
Breastplate of Righteousness
Breastplate of Righteousness
Goalies don’t want to use their own chest to block a puck
Inside are our most vital organs
Guy named Nathan Crowell blocked a shot in 2007
He died of cardiac arrest
We need to use something else for our chest...
We don’t use our own flesh and bone, we use a protectot
For righteousness, we don’t use our own - we use Christ’s
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Put on leg pads
Shoes of Readiness Given by the Gospel of Peace
Shoes of Readiness Given by the Gospel of Peace
Have you ever walked on something painful without shoes?
You can’t really get around well
Can you imagine fighting a battle on a floor covered in Legos?
You can’t be ready for anything!
When I put on shoes, Betty knows I’m ready to go
What does the gospel make us ready for?
Evangelism, death, anything this life can throw at us
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
eph 6:1
Put on gloves
Shield of Faith
Shield of Faith
Roman armies used shields that covered their whole body
Shields were used in the most chaotic moments
Flaming arrows were fired from all sides
Put your head down and keep moving
When our lives get chaotic, we have to rely on our faith
Satan wants to confuse you and threaten you
We put our head down and just keep pressing forward
Trusting with faith that we will make it through
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Put on the mask
Helmet of Salvation
Helmet of Salvation
A helmet is the most basic form of protection
Bicycling, lacrosse, football, baseball, rock climbing...
Getting chewed out by my coach for not wearing a helmet
You would have to be an idiot to not wear a helmet!
Goalies didn’t wear masks until Jacques Plante
Got a broken nose and stitches
Wore his practice mask or wouldn’t play
Show Plante and mask
Coach asked to go without against Detroit, and they lost
Then mask was back for good
Today it is mandatory
Today we think, you’d have to be an idiot to not wear one!
Paul would say the same about salvation
You wanna go against Satan without salvation?
BAD IDEA!
Being saved is the most basic protection against the enemy
Roman helmets were often customized
Shows the regiment or personal accolades
Goalies customize masks too
Our salvation is also personal
This is where we share our story for the benefit of others
Hand over the stick
Sword of the Spirit
Sword of the Spirit
Until now, everything has been for mobility or protection
But this part is offensive
I have never scored a goal
I did have 9 assists in 11 games my Junior year
Some NHL goalies have scored
Ron Hextall scored 3 times
Chris Osgood has 2
Explain 2 ways to score
In 2001 Jose Theodore of the Canadiens won all by himself
He scored and got a shut out
The Word of God is meant to be our best offensive weapon
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
The Word of God provides us with every answer we need
If you want to win battles for God, you have to know His Word
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
CLOSING
Once you have the armor of God, you can prepare to be tested
God wouldn’t set all this stuff up for you, and have you not use it
We are not God’s decorations… we are His warriors!
And just like the armor of God is to be used, our goalie will be used
Throw stuff at goalie!