Stand On It 2: Whole Armor of God

Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand of Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7–9; Philemon 1:10–12). It was during this time that Paul sat in Rome undergoing his first Roman imprisonment (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1), making Ephesians one of the four epistles commonly known as the Prison Epistles. The others are Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Why is Ephesians so important?

Second Corinthians and Galatians abound with personal touches from Paul, either about his own life or that of the recipients. 

Ephesians, on the other hand, stands at the opposite end of the spectrum as one of Paul’s most formal letters. While Galatians offers instructions particularly important for those churches overrun with legalism, 

Ephesians deals with topics at the very core of what it means to be a Christian. – Chuck Swindoll, Pastor

—both in faith and in practice—regardless of any particular problem in the community.

Central to the very core of what it means to be a Christian is the call to outlast and outlive the attacks and the trials that come after all of us. 

Central to the very core of what it means to be a Christian is to remain loyal to King Jesus and committed to the things God trusts us with no matter the cost.

Fundamental applicable Christianity is to risk personal gain and selflessly sacrifice for Kingdom gain and the cause of Christ. 

This theme can found in the Bible in words like standing, persevering, enduring and overcoming.

God wants you to know He is a BIG rewarder for those brave, selfless people who can outlast, hold on and stay committed to King Jesus and His agenda. BUT this reward is for people who finish what they started. 

James 1:12

 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Hebrews 10:23

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

James 1:2-4

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Galatians 6:9 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Hebrews 10:36

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

Matthew 24:13

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

So in Ephesians chapter 6, Paul tells us that if we are going to stand, we have to possess what he calls “The whole Armor of God.” 

Today in part two, we are going to be looking at the tactical armor we need to be able to stand.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

1 Chronicles 16:11

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (STAND FIRM) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

BELT OF TRUTH

Like Batman’s utility belt. Holds everything in place. The battle for what is real.

Evil One’s Weapons: lies, falsehood, misinformation, disinformation, miscommunication

God’s Weapons: integrity, honesty, we humbly take the high ground because Jesus is already victorious

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Righteousness = Right Relationship with God and Others

The battle for your heart. Who is on the throne of your heart What are your primary motivations in all you do?

The Evil One: wants broken relationships. Anyone or anything on the throne of your heart other than Jesus. For your primary motivation to be a heart of war, looking at people and treating people as if they are not people. Go to war with flesh and blood.

God’s Weapons: Jesus on the throne of our heart. Our primary motivation is a heart of peace, looking at people and treating people as people.

SHOES FOR THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

How and why we move. Battle for our Mission and Priorities.

Weapons of the Evil One: Busy, distracted, chasing entertainment or comfort, using our time talent and treasure for missions not of God.

God’s weapons: Bringing glory to God, building up others, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We do this by making peace and offering the Good News of Christ’s peace. 

SHIELD OF FAITH

We hold onto faith like we hold on to a shield. Extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy and protects our heart.

The Evil One: will throw everything at us in order to get us to give up; give up the mission, give up our heart, believe a lie instead of trusting God.

God’s Weapons: We claim who we are in Christ. We claim the promises of God. We hold on to faith and hope. We persevere. We endure. We believe the word and the finished work of Christ.

HELMET OF SALVATION

Battle for your thoughts, your mind.

The enemy: We ruminate and replay situations over and over in our heads. We talk to “snakes” and do not go to the word of God. This is not of God. Jesus take the wheel of my monkey brain!

Philippians 2:5

Let the same mind be in me that was in Christ Jesus 

The devil wants us distracted, discouraged, and despairing.

I know who I am in Christ: I am a child of God. I am beloved and blessed of God. I am made in the image of God and nothing can separate me from the love of God and my salvation in Jesus Christ. I know it in my head and my heart. Salvation means wholeness and I am whole in Christ.

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 

The Evil One wants us to use the weapons of the world.

Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

We claim the Word of God and pray in the Spirit for ourselves and others. It is always scripture and prayer. Always and forever.

WHEN YOU STAND IN THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, THE DEVIL CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND GOD ALMIGHTY. YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HIM BECAUSE YOU ARE WEARING HIS ARMOR AND IT FITS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!

When you stand, you are determined that everything is going to land on the place you are standing. 

“Now I’m making a stand! This is how this is going to go. This is the outcome I am fighting for. This is the narrative I will speak and this is why. I am fighting for the direction this thing is going and its destination is right here.” 

If you STAND for children. 

…FOR KING AND KINGDOM 

…For your family 

….For your nation

I will defend this territory and I will not be moved. You shall not pass!

The situation on the ground is usually very intense and often results in severe casualties for the defending force. 

This can take many forms, including holding an advantageous position or just persisting and not giving in to the enemy. In combat situations, the stand is usually employed in times of distress when there is no other tactic to save the day. 

It is best used when the defending force has no option to surrender to the attacking force.

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  – James 4:7

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. – Romans 12:2

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. – James 4:10

THE ONLY PERSON WE SURRENDER TO IS JESUS: And he said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

You’ve got to hang on hard. You’ve got to hold fast.

Even if this is my last stand, God can count on me to stand. 

The Alamo, Israel’s Masaba, Thermopylae.