Trusting God: Strength for Life's Battles
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God turns all things for good, even the battles and burdens we face in life. We began by reflecting on the weight we carry, both physically and emotionally, and how it can hinder our journey. Just as a coach demands our full attention and effort, God asks us to give Him everything we've got, not in terms of material possessions, but in our focus and trust.
We delved into the practical teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly from Ephesians 6, where he emphasizes the importance of putting on the full armor of God. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each piece symbolizes a crucial aspect of our spiritual life and our relationship with God.
Paul's message is clear: life is filled with battles, both seen and unseen, and the only way to stand firm is by being strong in the Lord and His mighty power. This strength comes from a consistent, daily walk with God, trusting Him to lead us through every challenge. We are reminded that our battles are not just against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that seek to pull us away from God.
The sermon concluded with a call to trust God fully, to let Him fight our battles, and to live in perfect submission to His will. This trust is not about adding more tasks to our already busy lives but about making God the center of our lives. We were encouraged to participate in communion as a tangible act of remembering and receiving God's grace, reaffirming our trust in Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Life's battles and burdens can be overwhelming, but God turns all things for good. Trusting in His sovereignty means believing that He is in control and that He will lead us through every challenge. This trust is not passive but requires active submission and focus on God. [38:25]
2. The Armor of God: Paul’s teaching on the armor of God in Ephesians 6 is a practical guide for spiritual warfare. Each piece of armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—represents a vital aspect of our spiritual defense and offense. Wearing this armor daily helps us stand firm against the enemy's strategies. [49:11]
3. Consistency in Faith: Being strong in the Lord requires consistency. Just as physical exercise needs regularity to be effective, our spiritual strength grows through daily practices of faith, such as prayer, reading the Word, and living out God's truth. This consistent walk with God fortifies us against life's battles. [50:54]
4. Right Relationships: Righteousness involves right relationships with God and others. Living in right relatedness brings peace and integrity, which protect us from accusations and falsehoods. This relational righteousness is a shield that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [01:00:10]
5. Faith as a Shield: The shield of faith is crucial in extinguishing the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith is built one step at a time, through trusting God in small and big ways. Sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness strengthens our faith and encourages others, creating a community of believers who support each other in their spiritual battles. [01:08:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:16] - God Turns It for Good
[38:25] - Trusting God's Faithfulness
[39:25] - Greeting and Personal Reflection
[40:12] - The Weight We Carry
[41:08] - Giving Everything to God
[42:25] - Life's Battles and Focus
[44:14] - Practical Teachings of Paul
[45:43] - Ephesians 4: Practical Living
[48:37] - Ephesians 6: The Armor of God
[49:11] - Be Strong in the Lord
[50:54] - Consistency in Faith
[52:26] - Cultural and Spiritual Battles
[54:25] - Putting on God's Armor
[55:45] - The Belt of Truth
[59:22] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[01:05:00] - Shoes of Peace
[01:07:15] - The Shield of Faith
[01:10:25] - The Helmet of Salvation
[01:12:00] - The Sword of the Spirit
[01:12:36] - Praying in the Spirit
[01:17:08] - Trusting God with Our Battles
[01:21:19] - Communion: Remembering God's Grace
[01:30:07] - Closing Blessing
Study 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.
2. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
> And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
3. James 4:7 (NIV)
> Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
### Observation Questions
1. What are the different pieces of the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18, and what do they symbolize?
2. According to Romans 8:28, what is the promise given to those who love God and are called according to His purpose?
3. In James 4:7, what two actions are believers instructed to take in their spiritual battles?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 help believers prepare for spiritual battles? [49:11]
2. What does it mean to trust in God's sovereignty, especially in the context of life's battles and burdens? [38:25]
3. How can the practice of daily spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and reading the Word, contribute to being strong in the Lord? [50:54]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent battle or burden you have faced. How did you see God working it for good, as promised in Romans 8:28? How can this experience strengthen your trust in His sovereignty? [38:25]
2. Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to focus on the most in your current spiritual journey? Why? [49:11]
3. Consistency in faith is crucial for spiritual strength. What daily practices can you implement to ensure you are consistently walking with God? [50:54]
4. Right relationships are part of righteousness. Are there any relationships in your life that need mending? How can you take steps towards reconciliation and peace? [01:00:10]
5. The shield of faith is essential in extinguishing the fiery darts of the enemy. Can you recall a time when your faith protected you from a spiritual attack? How can sharing this testimony encourage others in your small group? [01:08:50]
6. How can you make God the center of your life, rather than adding more tasks to your already busy schedule? What practical steps can you take to ensure that God remains your focus throughout the day? [13:46]
7. Communion is a tangible act of remembering and receiving God's grace. How does participating in communion help you reaffirm your trust in God and His promises? [21:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Description: Life's battles and burdens can be overwhelming, but God turns all things for good. Trusting in His sovereignty means believing that He is in control and that He will lead us through every challenge. This trust is not passive but requires active submission and focus on God. When we face difficulties, it is easy to feel lost and burdened, but remembering that God is sovereign helps us to find peace and assurance in His plan.
God's sovereignty is a reminder that nothing happens outside of His knowledge and control. This means that even in our darkest moments, God is working for our good and His glory. Trusting in His sovereignty involves surrendering our fears and anxieties to Him, knowing that He is faithful and will guide us through every trial. [38:25]
Romans 11:33-34 (ESV): "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?'"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively trust in God's sovereignty and surrender this situation to Him today?
Day 2: The Armor of God
Description: Paul’s teaching on the armor of God in Ephesians 6 is a practical guide for spiritual warfare. Each piece of armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—represents a vital aspect of our spiritual defense and offense. Wearing this armor daily helps us stand firm against the enemy's strategies.
The belt of truth grounds us in God's reality, the breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts, the shoes of peace enable us to stand firm, the shield of faith extinguishes the enemy's attacks, the helmet of salvation guards our minds, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, equips us to counter lies with truth. By putting on this armor, we are prepared to face the spiritual battles that come our way. [49:11]
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to focus on today? How can you intentionally "put on" this piece in your daily life?
Day 3: Consistency in Faith
Description: Being strong in the Lord requires consistency. Just as physical exercise needs regularity to be effective, our spiritual strength grows through daily practices of faith, such as prayer, reading the Word, and living out God's truth. This consistent walk with God fortifies us against life's battles.
Consistency in faith is about developing habits that keep us connected to God. It means setting aside time each day to pray, read the Bible, and reflect on His truths. These practices help us to build a strong foundation in our relationship with God, enabling us to stand firm when challenges arise. [50:54]
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 daily habit can you start or strengthen to grow in your faith? How will you commit to this practice consistently?
Day 4: Right Relationships
Description: Righteousness involves right relationships with God and others. Living in right relatedness brings peace and integrity, which protect us from accusations and falsehoods. This relational righteousness is a shield that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Right relationships are built on love, honesty, and respect. When we prioritize our relationship with God, it naturally influences how we interact with others. By seeking to live righteously, we create an environment of trust and peace, which helps us to navigate conflicts and challenges with grace. [01:00:10]
James 3:17-18 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs mending? How can you take a step towards reconciliation and righteousness in that relationship today?
Day 5: Faith as a Shield
Description: The shield of faith is crucial in extinguishing the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith is built one step at a time, through trusting God in small and big ways. Sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness strengthens our faith and encourages others, creating a community of believers who support each other in their spiritual battles.
Faith acts as a protective barrier against doubt, fear, and temptation. By recalling and sharing instances of God's faithfulness, we reinforce our trust in Him and inspire others to do the same. This communal aspect of faith helps to build a strong, supportive network of believers who can stand together against spiritual attacks. [01:08:50]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God was faithful in your life? How can you share this testimony with someone to encourage their faith today?
Quotes
1. "He wants my undivided attention. He wants the focus to be in this moment, right? That's what he wants because he doesn't want me trying to prepare for everything. He just wants me to trust his wisdom in the game. He wants me to trust him that I'm going, that he's going to lead me forward in whatever game I'm playing or however that works in life, all of those kinds of different things." [41:32] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Because I started thinking through some of this stuff because I thought, well, you know, life has its moments. Life has its difficulties. We've been singing about the battle belongs to the Lord. And I started thinking about, you know, all the things that we've got to focus on and all the things that we've got to try and do better and all the ways that we got to live." [42:25] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And sometimes pastors, and then I will admit that I've done this before, we talk a lot about theological concepts, but sometimes we don't often try and make it real practical. The apostle Paul, who happened to be a guy who was going around the whole Mediterranean, kind of on the Eastern side of the world there, the Mediterranean Sea, all that stuff. He was going around planting churches, talking to people about how to live life and how to make it through the battles and how to manage the stress and how to be the better, you know, this or that." [45:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul says, before I let you go, before I move on to my next little escapade, don't forget, be strong. But don't just be strong. Don't just think in yourself, I've got to do this. I've got to make myself work this. I've got to make sure and do this all to me. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Paul's like, listen, there's going to be moments, you're going to want to give up, right? There's going to be moments when you're going to want to throw your hands up and just go, I can't do this anymore." [49:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Faith, he says. Faith is the key. Faith can deal with the fiery darts of temptation because faith is full trust in God. Faith is that thing that, and listen, some of us go, well, how do I know I can trust in God? See, God doesn't expect you to go from zero to 60 in like less than one second. What he does is he says, just trust me. And what that means is it's one step at a time." [01:08:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Paul says, the greatest thing you've got is the armor of God. I got to thinking, and I didn't put on, I didn't put on everything. I even brought up my umbrella that was going to be my shield of faith. It protects you. But sometimes I think in our attempt to be practical, people do is they go, man, now I got to, now I got to add one more piece to my body. I got to add one more thing. I'm already trying to pay the bills. I'm already trying to work hard at work. I'm already trying to be a good parent." [01:13:12] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "It's not about adding more things that we got to do along the way. It's not about saying, you got to carve out time to do this and do this. It's, it's literally all the way through saying, God, what I want to do is I want you. God says, give me everything that you've got. He's been saying that from the very beginning. And now he's trying to work through Paul to say the same thing. God says, give me everything that you've got and I'll lead you through the good and the difficult parts of life." [01:14:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I wrote this down. I pulled out my phone while we were singing. This is how I fight my battles. And I fight them on my knees. I don't fight them because I've got something protecting my chest. The thing that protects me is my relationship with God. I don't fight my battles because I've got the belt of truth and now I'm ready to go whip something. This is how I fight my battles. Every war he wages, he will win. I'm not the one who's doing it. It's God the one, is the one who's fighting my battles. The battle belongs to the Lord." [01:15:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Paul, in his attempt to be very practical, sometimes people go, man, I've got to add and add and add. Paul goes, you don't have to add. You just have to hear God saying, give me everything you've got. Oh, God, do you want the kitchen sink? No, I'm not talking about that. How about the bed? No, I'm not talking about that. Just give me everything you've got. You focus on me. You allow me to lead you and I will lead you through every phase of life. I'll lead you through the, good, I'll lead you through the battles. In fact, I'll fight your battles for you." [01:16:29] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus, you left the splendor of heaven give us the very thing that we're desperate for. And that's life. You laid down your life so that we might have it. So today, Lord, there are many of us who've said, perfect submission, all is at rest. There are others who've said, I'm giving you everything I got, Jesus. Others have said, I'm laying it down because I can't fight this battle anymore. Jesus, we thank you. thank you for the life that you give. I thank you for the way that you've led us through the battles. I thank you that you are always victorious." [01:20:21] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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