The Whole Armor of God | Part 2

Review:

Life is hard - God has given what we need.

He strengthens us by his might

Life is hard - difficulty from within and difficulty from without

Life is hard - The best offense is a good defense

Transition: So we have the Armor of God

Explanation: What is the Armor?

The following components are: Aorist - State of being; Indicative - this is who we are!

Indicative

Belt of Truth

What holds everything in place

When the truth is absent there is dissaray

Breastplate of Righteousness

Protects what is vital

Shoes equipped with the Gospel of Peace

Beautiful feet (; ) The feet were beautiful because of the news they brought.

The Purpose of God: Ephesians Chapter 10: Christian Warfare (6:10–24)

In the ancient world it was customary, in some places, that if the messenger brought bad news, he was punished with death. If it was bad news, then, he would be burdened by the news that he was carrying, and fearful of what treatment he might expect. As each city posted lookouts to watch the approaching runners, it became almost a science whereby the lookout could determine whether the messenger was bringing good news or bad news, just by his feet. If the messenger was bringing good news of victory, his feet would be flying and he would be kicking up a lot of dust. There would be an exuberance and an enthusiasm in his gait, as he approached the walls of the city. Hence the phrase, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

The Purpose of God: Ephesians Chapter 10: Christian Warfare (6:10–24)

In the ancient world it was customary, in some places, that if the messenger brought bad news, he was punished with death. If it was bad news, then, he would be burdened by the news that he was carrying, and fearful of what treatment he might expect. As each city posted lookouts to watch the approaching runners, it became almost a science whereby the lookout could determine whether the messenger was bringing good news or bad news, just by his feet. If the messenger was bringing good news of victory, his feet would be flying and he would be kicking up a lot of dust. There would be an exuberance and an enthusiasm in his gait, as he approached the walls of the city. Hence the phrase, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

Prepared (or ready; ESV) Properly equipped shoes are vital in warfare.

Two meanings here:

“They must go forward with the gospel. Part of their necessary equipment, therefore, is the readiness at any moment to take out the good news of peace to others.”

“Another meaning of the Greek noun hetoimasia, however, is ‘preparation’ in the sense of a ‘prepared foundation’, and thus it appears to be used in the Greek of (88:15 in LXX). This would give the meaning here that the knowledge of the dependence on the gospel that gives a person peace in heart and life is a necessary equipment (like the hobnailed sandals of the Roman soldier) if he is to have a firm foothold in the conflict.”

Argumentation: We must remember that the Gospel is what brings peace in the hostility of this life. As believers we are not only warriors, but we are messengers. It is the truth of this message that

Illustration: “Trancendentals” - True, Good, and Beautiful. These are the baseline realities for the believer. You must be defined by and committed to what is good, beautiful and true.

Shield of Faith

Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 180.

Shield of Faith

Active

Above all (KJV) In addition to all (NASB, NIV) In all circumstances (ESV) In every situation (CSB), In everything (NET)

Argumentation: We must always have faith. There are times when we do not know what to do or where to turn but we must always cling to the object of our faith. There is a difference in the reality of our faith and the object of our faith. Faith from me is not the answer - what my faith is in is the answer.

Explanation: The enemy fights dirty - fiery darts were the highest damage any artillery could do at that time: puncture, burn, maximize impact. They were the first line of attack as well.

Argumentation: we must keep our guard up - our shield - at all times to defend against the penetrating and decimating attacks of the enemy. The object of our faith is greater than then most sophisticated attack of our enemy.

Application: Are you actively “taking up” your faith? In the good times? In the hard times? In the mundane? In the tired times?

The following components are: Aorist; Imperative

Imperative

Helmet of Salvation

God’s work of salvation is the ultimate imperative in this life - his decrees motivate us in the battle of this life. (1:3-14)

This is not get re-saved, this is take confidence in your God. He is the essential source.

Illustration: The helmet of a centurion showed identity (Rome) duty (centurion) and rank. You knew who were fighting often by the helmets that they wore. Many fighters symbolized in addition to the red plumage by wearing feathers or horse hair from the top of their helmets.

Sword of the Spirit - Word of God

Argumentation: We cannot live this life apart from the power and work of the Spirit and the

Argumentation: We are called to be defenders of Christianity - we are the front-line against the attacking foe. We must be prepared to stand. We will not be ready to stand if we are not equipped with the essential components of Christianity.

These components are the DNA of all believers, we must have all of them - not perfectly because we are not perfect; but at least dependently.

Explanation: Take Up - Analambano

Means to take up or equip yourself with. This word is often used when describing the act of receiving a gift. You take the gift in your hands.

Illustration: Have you ever received a gift and thought “ this was a thoughtful gift but there is no way that I will ever use this? This is not that kind of gift - it is a gift to be received and used.

Argumentation: To re-state our emphasis from last week with further proof from the text - them emphasis is not on the believer as the strong defender, but on the Savior who has provided the armor. We must look to Jesus who has given all that we need to endure in this life and we must ask him for the faithfulness to equip ourselves with it.

We must know the truth, surrender to the truth, and live out the truth.

We must know the righteous one, surrender to the righteous one, and live out his righteousness.

We must know the Gospel, surrender to the Gospel, and live out the Gospel.

We must know the object of our faith, surrender to the object of our faith, and live out our faith in Jesus.

We must know the source of salvation, surrender to the source of salvation, and live out our salvation from the Lord.

We must know the truth, surrender to the truth, and live out the truth

We must know the Spirit, surrender to the Spirit, and live by the power of the Spirit.

We must know the Word, surrender to the Word, and live out the Word.

Explanation: Take Up - Analambano

Means to take up or equip yourself with. This word is often used when describing the act of receiving a gift. You take the gift in your hands.

Argumentation: To re-state our emphasis from last week with further proof from the text - them emphasis is not on the believer as the strong defender, but on the Savior who has provided the armor. We must look to Jesus who has given all that we need to endure in this life and we must ask him for the faithfulness to equip ourselves with it.

The Whole Armor of God | Part 2

What do you think is the most important part of the Armor?

Conclusion