The Battlefield Part 3
The Armor of God
- If satan controls our mind he controls every aspect of our life
- We have to become transformers, by being born again and allowing God to Transform us by renewing our mind.
- Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT) 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore(because of this), put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil( when Satan comes to annoy and tempt you). Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness(Breastplate of Righteousness) 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet,and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Belt of Truth
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth?
- John 17:17 (NLT) 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
- Make them Holy – to cleanse inside and outside “we are washed by his words or his truth”.
- Two ways we get the Truth. (Get washed)
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
- Scripture
- John 16:13-14 (NLT) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.
- The Holy Spirit
- The Belt of Truth is not just for wearing.
- 2 Corinthians 11:10 (NLT) 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this.
- We don’t just walk out the truth we tell others about the truth.
- 2 Corinthians 13:8 (NLT)8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.
- We stand for the truth no matter what it might cost us.
- Psalms 119:105 (NLT) 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
- What does it mean to wear the Belt Of Truth.
- Being equipped with knowledge and understanding of the truth, through the bible and through the leadership of the holy spirit so we are able to stand for the Truth and share it with others.
- This is living a lifestyle of Truth.
- If we don’t stand for the truth we will fall for anything.
- The Truth holds it all together…….
- This is why Jesus called him the father of lies
Breastplate of Righteousness
- The body armor of God’s righteousness.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right(righteous) with God through Christ Jesus.
- Righteous – The state of a person who is in right standings with God.
- 1 John 2:29 (NLT) 29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who (live righteously)do what is right are God’s children.
- Romans 6:16 (NLT) 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
- How do we know we are wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness?
- Righteousness (being in right standings with God) is accomplished through reading our Bible and allowing The Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth. Obeying that truth by going where he wants us to go, doing what he wants us to do and saying what he wants us to say.
- This is called righteous living
Shoes of the Gospel of peace
- 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
- Peace and Good news
- Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.(the good news)
- Romans 5:10 – says we were enemies of God.
- Theres another peace we experience.
- When Jesus comes in he brings peace to our soul.
- Fully prepared
- 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
- We should always be prepared and ready to share the Gospel with others.
- The shoes
- 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT) 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
- Romans 10:15 (NLT) 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
- How do we know that we are wearing the Shoes of The Gospel of Peace?
- We are always ready to share The Peace of The Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever the Holy Spirit leads our shoes (feet) to go.
Shield of Faith
- What is faith?
- Hebrews 11:1-3 (NLT) 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
- Proverbs 22:1 (NLT)1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
- Charlie Kirk.
- A good reputation can shield us from certain lies of satan.
- Faith shows us the reality of what we hope for.
- We have a couple examples
- James 2:14-22 (NLT) 14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?(is that how you gain a good reputation?) 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
- First example – Help people in need.
- Skip to verse 21
- 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
- Second example – Trusting and Obeying God
- Our good deeds is evidence that we have complete faith.
- It shields us from fear and doubt.
- Sometimes we wonder……..
- Why am I discouraged all the time?
- Why am I always fearful?
- Why am I so doubtful about what the bible says about me?
- Our faith is not complete
- Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
- Faith is strengthened through experiences.
- Hebrews 11:1-3 (NLT) 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
- How do we know we are holding the Shield Of Faith?
- Trusting what is written in the Bible and what the Holy Spirit speaks to us. When we truly have faith it will produce good works in our life and because of this our faith will be complete.
- When our faith is complete satan can throw all the thoughts he want at us.
Summarize
- Belt of Truth
- Being equipped with knowledge and understanding of the truth, through the bible and through the leadership of the holy spirit so we are able to stand for the Truth and share it with others.
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Righteousness(being in right standings with God) is accomplished through reading our Bible and allowing The Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth. Obeying that truth by going where he wants us to go, doing what he wants us to do and saying what he wants us to say.
- Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.
- We are always ready to share The Peace of The Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever the Holy Spirit leads our shoes to take us.
- Shield of Faith
- Trusting what is written in the Bible and what the Holy Spirit speaks to us. When we truly have faith it will produce good works in our life and because of this our faith will be complete.
- Make it your Goal in life to be so like Christ that people will be attracted to him through you.
