Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: The Armor of God
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the theme of spiritual warfare and the importance of being equipped to resist the attacks of the enemy. We began by emphasizing the omnipotence of God with the repeated declaration, "Who can stop the Lord Almighty?" This set the tone for understanding that our strength and victory come from God alone. We then transitioned to discussing the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6, highlighting the necessity of putting on the full armor to stand against the devil's schemes.
We explored the concept of resistance through various historical and contemporary examples, such as the D-Day landings and the Mothers of the Disappeared, to illustrate the importance of standing firm in the face of evil. The sermon also delved into the nature of our enemy, the devil, who is described as a liar and a murderer. Despite his defeat through Jesus' death and resurrection, the devil continues to wage battles against us, trying to lead us astray.
The importance of knowing our Captain, Jesus, was stressed. We were reminded that our strength comes from Him and that we should focus on His goodness and promises rather than the enemy's lies. The practical outworking of this involves declaring God's work and promises in our lives and communities.
Finally, we examined three pieces of the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the gospel of peace. Each piece was explained in terms of its spiritual significance and practical application in our daily lives. The belt of truth holds everything together, the breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts, and the shoes of peace prepare us to share the gospel and stand firm against the enemy.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Omnipotence of God: The repeated declaration "Who can stop the Lord Almighty?" serves as a powerful reminder of God's unmatched power and sovereignty. This truth should anchor our faith, especially in times of spiritual warfare, reminding us that no force can thwart God's plans or diminish His power. [23:40]
2. Understanding Our Enemy: The devil is described as a liar and a murderer, whose primary aim is to lead us away from God. Recognizing the nature of our enemy helps us to be vigilant and discerning, understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. [46:19]
3. Knowing Our Captain: Jesus is our Captain, and our strength comes from Him. By focusing on His promises and declaring His work in our lives, we can resist the enemy's lies and stand firm. This involves a daily commitment to align our lives with Jesus' teachings and to trust in His leadership. [53:05]
4. The Belt of Truth: The belt of truth is essential for holding our spiritual armor together. It represents the foundational truths of the gospel that keep us grounded and prevent us from falling into the enemy's traps. Living in the truth of Jesus Christ sets us free and equips us to resist the devil's lies. [57:55]
5. The Shoes of Peace: The shoes of the gospel of peace prepare us to share the good news and stand firm against the enemy. They symbolize readiness and stability, enabling us to bring peace and reconciliation in a world filled with conflict. Being prepared with our testimony and the message of peace is crucial in our spiritual battle. [01:04:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:40] - Who Can Stop the Lord Almighty?
[31:40] - Armor of God Introduction
[41:12] - Ephesians 6: Spiritual Warfare
[42:19] - Red Rovers and Resistance
[43:18] - Historical Examples of Resistance
[45:46] - Knowing Our Enemy
[47:24] - Jesus as the Victor
[49:27] - Chronicles of Narnia: Spiritual Battle
[53:05] - Knowing Our Captain
[57:26] - Knowing Your Armor
[57:55] - The Belt of Truth
[01:00:45] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[01:04:01] - The Shoes of Peace
[01:07:16] - Final Battle in Narnia
[01:19:51] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
> Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different pieces of the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the belt of truth in our spiritual armor? ([57:55])
3. How does the sermon describe the devil and his tactics against believers? ([46:19])
4. What historical and contemporary examples of resistance were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate standing firm against evil? ([43:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil? How does this perspective change the way we approach spiritual warfare? ([41:12])
2. How does knowing Jesus as our Captain help us resist the enemy's lies and stand firm in our faith? ([53:05])
3. What does it mean to declare God's work and promises in our lives and communities, and how can this practice strengthen us in spiritual battles? ([54:49])
4. How can the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness practically protect us in our daily lives? ([57:55] and [01:00:45])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually attacked. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently with the knowledge of the armor of God? ([41:12])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of knowing our Captain, Jesus. What are some practical ways you can focus more on Jesus' promises and less on the enemy's lies in your daily life? ([53:05])
3. The belt of truth is essential for holding our spiritual armor together. What are some truths from the Bible that you can hold onto to resist the devil's lies? ([57:55])
4. The shoes of peace prepare us to share the gospel and stand firm. How can you be more prepared to share your testimony and the message of peace with others? ([01:04:01])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of declaring God's goodness and promises. What are some specific promises of God that you can declare over your life and community this week? ([54:49])
6. Think about the historical examples of resistance mentioned in the sermon. How can you apply the same principles of standing firm and resisting evil in your own life and community? ([43:18])
7. The breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts. Are there areas in your life where you need to choose righteousness over convenience or personal gain? How can you make those choices this week? ([01:00:45])
Devotional
Day 1: The Unstoppable Power of God
Our journey begins with the profound truth of God's omnipotence. The declaration "Who can stop the Lord Almighty?" serves as a powerful reminder of God's unmatched power and sovereignty. This truth should anchor our faith, especially in times of spiritual warfare, reminding us that no force can thwart God's plans or diminish His power. When we face challenges and spiritual battles, it is crucial to remember that our strength and victory come from God alone. By focusing on His omnipotence, we can find peace and confidence, knowing that He is in control and nothing can stand against Him. [23:40]
Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God's unstoppable power? How can you actively trust in His sovereignty today?
Day 2: Recognizing the Enemy
Understanding our enemy is crucial in spiritual warfare. The devil is described as a liar and a murderer, whose primary aim is to lead us away from God. Recognizing the nature of our enemy helps us to be vigilant and discerning, understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. By being aware of the devil's tactics, we can better prepare ourselves to resist his schemes and stand firm in our faith. This awareness also helps us to focus on the true source of our strength, which is found in God alone. [46:19]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: How can you be more vigilant in recognizing the enemy's tactics in your life? What steps can you take to resist his schemes and stand firm in your faith?
Day 3: Following Our Captain, Jesus
Jesus is our Captain, and our strength comes from Him. By focusing on His promises and declaring His work in our lives, we can resist the enemy's lies and stand firm. This involves a daily commitment to align our lives with Jesus' teachings and to trust in His leadership. Knowing our Captain means understanding His character, His love for us, and His ultimate victory over the enemy. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and hope, knowing that He leads us to victory. [53:05]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can focus on Jesus' promises and leadership in your daily life? How can you declare His work and promises in your community today?
Day 4: The Belt of Truth
The belt of truth is essential for holding our spiritual armor together. It represents the foundational truths of the gospel that keep us grounded and prevent us from falling into the enemy's traps. Living in the truth of Jesus Christ sets us free and equips us to resist the devil's lies. By embracing and living out the truth, we can stand firm in our faith and navigate the challenges of life with integrity and confidence. The belt of truth is not just about knowing the truth but also about living it out in our daily lives. [57:55]
John 8:31-32 (ESV): "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
Reflection: How can you ensure that you are living in the truth of Jesus Christ daily? What steps can you take to prevent yourself from falling into the enemy's traps?
Day 5: The Shoes of Peace
The shoes of the gospel of peace prepare us to share the good news and stand firm against the enemy. They symbolize readiness and stability, enabling us to bring peace and reconciliation in a world filled with conflict. Being prepared with our testimony and the message of peace is crucial in our spiritual battle. By wearing the shoes of peace, we are equipped to navigate the challenges of life with a sense of purpose and mission, bringing the light of the gospel to those around us. [01:04:01]
Romans 10:15 (ESV): "And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Reflection: In what ways can you be more prepared to share the gospel of peace with others? How can you bring peace and reconciliation to a specific situation in your life today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Paul's message to us this morning in Ephesians is all about resistance. To prepare for and expect a battle and to be equipped to resist the attacks that come and to stand our ground. I think we can safely say we're all a wee bit battle weary as a church after the knocks we've had. We've had significant losses over the last few months. Loss of health for some, loss of people we love through ill health, death or broken relationships. And with all that comes an attack on our resilience, our faith, our hope, and our joy." [45:13](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Know your enemy, yes. But know and declare your captain, our captain, much much more. And thirdly, Paul in this jam-packed letter tells us to know your armour. Know and put it on. In order to resist the devil and follow our captain, we need to know the armour we can wear in the battle." [57:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The belt of God's truth is what holds our lives together and stops us falling into the enemy's hands. Because what do you need to resist the father of lies? You need the truth. Tom Wright says this: The primary thing about the Christian message is that it is true. If it isn't, it's meaningless. Never give up on the sheer truth of the gospel." [58:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus is the Captain who will never force allegiance upon us, will always give us a choice. But when we give him our allegiance, he will lead us, even in the midst of a battle, to quiet waters, green pastures, and who will restore our souls." [54:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The greatest victory we can have is leading someone into a relationship with Jesus. But it also brings the biggest warfare. So grab those shoes of peace, celebrate your testimony, celebrate our testimony as the people of God." [06:09](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We can see both now and in history where people have allowed the devil to incite their hearts with hatred, with greed, with power to cause devastation and catastrophe. I've already mentioned those two examples of how easy it is for hearts and minds to wander so far off course from the way of Jesus. And today there's sickening wars raging across our world and threats of many more. We have systems and corporations that are institutionally racist, misogynistic, greedy. And we in the west are in a culture obsessed with materialism which has been built on and funded by the exploitation of others." [48:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In spiritual warfare, we need our eyes trained on Captain Jesus rather than on our enemy. Pete Gregg also recounts a story of a missionary group who began meeting in Amsterdam's Red Light District. The building where they met was sandwiched between a sex shop and a satanic church. They could have spent most of their time denouncing the enemy who was clearly alive and well in both those spaces. But instead they chose, in Pete's words, to worship Jesus and live out his holiness day to day." [55:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we give our yes to following Jesus, we're given this breastplate of righteousness which means we can stand before God without shame or fear. With this armor, we're given the strength to choose and to keep choosing righteousness, which means doing the right thing and the right thing by others. Doing the right thing isn't about earning our place with God. It's about keeping our hearts healthy and it helps us resist and stand against the devil who loves to cause strife and disunity in our relationships." [01:01:16](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The enemy is all too ready to steal and destroy the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Don't let him. And when it's hard, and when doubts crash in, and circumstances explode, fasten your belt tighter by getting around the rest of God's army who can declare the truth on your behalf. You, we are not alone as the enemy likes to tell us. We are the church and we have continued to grow for over two thousand years. Put that belt of truth on so that you can stand and not trip over the enemy's lies." [01:00:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Know your captain in this battle and let's declare his goodness all around us, in us, in creation, in the simple joys of life. Declare his promises, his power, and let's with prophetic vision declare God's potential over every person, every community, and every situation that we face. Declare that he has won the war even though the battle is still raging." [56:38](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?