Preparing for Spiritual Battle: The Armor of God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new series focusing on the Armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6. This series will delve deeply into each piece of the armor, emphasizing the importance of understanding the spiritual battle we face and the necessity of preparation before donning the armor. The key message today is about the foundation of our readiness, which is akin to the undergarments worn beneath a football uniform. Just as athletes need to be conditioned and understand the fundamentals before putting on their gear, we too must understand the real battle and be spiritually prepared before putting on the Armor of God.
We explored the concept of spiritual undergarments, which are essential for our readiness. These undergarments represent our foundational faith and righteousness, which must be in place before we can effectively wear the Armor of God. The analogy of football training was used to illustrate the importance of preparation and understanding the battle plan before engaging in the actual fight. Just as football players need to know the plays and be conditioned, we need to be spiritually conditioned and understand the real battle we are facing.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of being strong in the Lord, which involves an infusion of God's power. This strength is not from within ourselves but from an external source—God. The Greek word "endanumu" was explained, which means to be infused with God's dynamite power. This infusion is like an IV that provides strength and sustenance from an outside source. We must continuously seek this infusion of God's power to be effective in our spiritual battles.
In conclusion, the foundation of our readiness is our spiritual undergarments—faith and righteousness. We must be strong in the Lord, continuously seeking His power and preparing ourselves for the spiritual battles we face. This preparation is essential for putting on the full Armor of God and standing firm against the enemy.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding the Real Battle: Before putting on the Armor of God, we must understand the real battle we are facing. This involves recognizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Preparation and understanding are key to being effective in this battle. [02:17]
2. Spiritual Undergarments: Just as athletes wear undergarments for comfort and protection, we need spiritual undergarments of faith and righteousness. These foundational elements must be in place before we can effectively wear the Armor of God. [05:06]
3. Infusion of God's Power: Being strong in the Lord involves an infusion of God's power. This strength comes from an external source—God. The Greek word "endanumu" means to be infused with God's dynamite power, which is essential for our spiritual battles. [26:10]
4. Continuous Preparation: Spiritual readiness is a continuous process. We must constantly seek God's power and prepare ourselves for the battles we face. This involves daily prayer, studying the Word, and maintaining a close relationship with God. [39:30]
5. Manifestation of God's Power: The power of God is evident and visible in our lives. When we are infused with His power, it manifests in ways that others can see. This visible change is a testament to the strength and effectiveness of God's power in our lives. [46:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Introduction to the Armor of God Series
[02:17] - Understanding the Real Battle
[03:04] - Spiritual Oppression vs. Possession
[04:05] - Encountering Giants
[05:06] - The Foundation of Readiness
[06:02] - Football Analogy: Preparation Before the Battle
[09:07] - Importance of Spiritual Undergarments
[10:49] - Putting on the Complete Armor of God
[12:41] - Standing Firm in the Evil Day
[13:56] - The Lance of Prayer
[15:02] - Paul's Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel
[17:36] - The Reality of the Battle
[21:00] - Satan's Faithfulness to His Mission
[22:17] - Remembering to Be Strong
[25:03] - Infusion of God's Dynamite Power
[26:10] - Understanding "Endanumu"
[28:03] - Personal Testimony: Infusion of Strength
[33:09] - Continuous Infusion of God's Power
[39:30] - Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
[46:13] - Manifestation of God's Power
[49:04] - The Anointing Breaks Every Yoke
[50:21] - Personal Encounter with God's Power
[56:28] - Standing Firm in the Lord
[01:00:04] - Assurance of Salvation
[01:03:49] - Closing Prayer and Declaration
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- 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 does Paul urge believers to do in Ephesians 6:10-18 regarding the Armor of God?
2. According to the sermon, what are the "spiritual undergarments" that must be in place before putting on the Armor of God? [05:06]
3. How does the sermon describe the source of our strength in spiritual battles? [26:10]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to explain the importance of preparation before engaging in spiritual battles? [06:02]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand the real battle we are facing before putting on the Armor of God? How does this understanding affect our spiritual readiness? [03:04]
2. How does the concept of "spiritual undergarments" of faith and righteousness relate to the effectiveness of the Armor of God? [05:06]
3. What does the Greek word "endanumu" mean, and how does it relate to being strong in the Lord? [26:10]
4. How can continuous preparation and seeking God's power impact our ability to stand firm in spiritual battles? [39:30]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a spiritual battle. How did understanding the real nature of the battle help or hinder your readiness? [03:04]
2. What are some practical ways you can strengthen your "spiritual undergarments" of faith and righteousness in your daily life? [05:06]
3. How can you seek an infusion of God's power in your life? What specific steps can you take to ensure you are continuously receiving this strength? [26:10]
4. In what ways can you incorporate daily preparation, such as prayer and studying the Word, to enhance your spiritual readiness? [39:30]
5. Think of a recent situation where you felt spiritually weak. How might seeking God's dynamite power have changed the outcome? [26:10]
6. How can you make the manifestation of God's power visible in your life so that others can see the change? What actions or behaviors might demonstrate this power? [46:13]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to stand firm against the enemy. What specific piece of the Armor of God can you focus on to help you in this battle? [12:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Spiritual Battle
Understanding the real battle we face is crucial before we can effectively put on the Armor of God. This battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Recognizing this helps us prepare mentally and spiritually for the challenges we will face. Just as a soldier must understand the enemy and the battlefield, we too must understand the nature of our spiritual adversaries. This understanding is the first step in our preparation for spiritual warfare. [02:17]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How might recognizing it as a spiritual battle change your approach to dealing with it?
Day 2: The Foundation of Faith and Righteousness
Before we can effectively wear the Armor of God, we need to have our spiritual undergarments in place—faith and righteousness. These foundational elements are akin to the undergarments athletes wear for comfort and protection. Without a strong foundation of faith and righteousness, the Armor of God will not be as effective. This foundation ensures that we are spiritually prepared and protected from the inside out. [05:06]
Isaiah 61:10 (ESV): "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual foundation. Are there areas where your faith or righteousness needs strengthening? How can you begin to address these areas today?
Day 3: Infusion of God's Power
Being strong in the Lord involves an infusion of God's power, which is not from within ourselves but from an external source—God. The Greek word "endanumu" means to be infused with God's dynamite power. This infusion is like an IV that provides strength and sustenance from an outside source. Continuously seeking this infusion of God's power is essential for our spiritual battles. [26:10]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel weak and in need of God's power? How can you actively seek His strength today?
Day 4: Continuous Spiritual Preparation
Spiritual readiness is a continuous process. We must constantly seek God's power and prepare ourselves for the battles we face. This involves daily prayer, studying the Word, and maintaining a close relationship with God. Just as athletes continuously train and condition themselves, we too must be diligent in our spiritual preparation to stand firm against the enemy. [39:30]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to improve your spiritual readiness? Consider your prayer life, Bible study habits, and relationship with God.
Day 5: Manifestation of God's Power
The power of God is evident and visible in our lives when we are infused with His power. This visible change is a testament to the strength and effectiveness of God's power in our lives. When others see the manifestation of God's power in us, it serves as a witness to His greatness and encourages them to seek the same power in their own lives. [46:13]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: How has God's power manifested in your life recently? How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith?
Quotes
1. "We have to drive into our spiritual battle. And I'm not saying, well, I don't understand sometimes, Pastor. You've got people that are saved. And why are we just at odds? Well, are you saying they're possessed? No, I will say they're oppressed. We have to be able to understand what Paul urges us to do. When he says, understand what the real battle is. What is the real battle that we're about to face?" [03:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Before you put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, grabbing the sword of the spirit, the feet shod with the gospel of peace, and a shield of faith, and a lance of prayer, before you go into battle, you got to understand I write 42. I write 42. You get in, what is I write 42? Well, some of you, what does I mean? Who said that? Greg, what did you say? Say it loud. It's an I formation." [07:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Therefore, put on the complete armor of God. I just want to, I want to just, we're going to hit all this for many a weeks. But I just want you all to notice, it says put on the what? Complete, the full armor of God. How many times do you go into, I don't know about you, but man, if my linemen, I say my linemen, if my linemen started leading with their head on blocking, you know what I did? I their helmet off." [10:49] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So stand firm and hold your ground. Having tightened the wide band of truth. That personal integrity, that moral courage around your waist. And having put on the breastplate of righteousness. An upright heart. And having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace. In preparation to face the enemy with firm footed stability. And the readiness produced by the good news. Above all, lift up the protective shield of faith. Which you can extinguish many, some, a few, or what? The flaming arrows of the evil one." [12:41] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you say be strong. I think of this. My brother preached a sermon. And I'm not preaching this one. I could. I've got to be careful. He's talking about you can be strong. When I think of strong, you're not a whiner. When I think of strong, you're not a wimp. When I think of strong, I'm not even thinking of a warrior. When I think of strong, I think of a winner. You can be a warrior. You can be a wimp. You can be a whiner. Or you can be a winner." [24:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So when it says strong, the word endanumu means to be infused with God's dynamism, which is the power from an outside source. So when it says, hey, remember this, be strong, hey, of strength from an outside source. You cannot lean on your understanding. You cannot lean on whatever you think is inside of you. It says for you to be strong, you have to what? Receive strength internally from an outside source. You have to have an infusion of God, that word strong means, an infusion of God." [27:08] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When I read, hey, remember this. Be strong in the Lord. Remember this. Be strong. Remember this. Have an infusion from an outside person, which is God, that will be in your body. Because it says, be strong. What? In the Lord. In the Lord identifies where it's coming from. It's in the Lord. The source is what? The Lord. Sometimes we're being strong in our own knowledge. Sometimes you're being strong in the ways of the world instead of the ways of God." [34:09] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Every day we have to put on the full armor of God with the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, feet shot in the gospel of peace, have the sword of the spirit, the shield of faith, the lance of prayer. We have to do that. But the Bible says, choose this day. Who are you going to serve? I choose you, Lord Jesus, as my personal Lord and Savior. I choose you for this infusion." [44:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you keep reading this. And we're going to hit the other two parts of this garment and break it down next week what it means to be in the Lord in the Lord is totally different than what you really think in the Lord is literally means clothed in righteousness. We're going to show you that when it says be strong in the Lord and in the power, that word power is crotos. That word crotos means a demonstrating power, a manifested power that has an effect. It also means that you will be able to literally see it." [46:13] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. There's going to be an evident change. People will be able to see it. Because I know where my strength comes from. Because I'm having an infusion. An infusion that no one can take out of me. I know how to stand. I know how to stand up. And say, Lord, I thank you for dying on the cross. For your blood was shed for the remission of my sins. I thank you for your body that was broken and bruised for me. I know by your stripes I am saved. I am healed." [50:21] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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