Topic: The Armour of God
Speaker: Michael Frost
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20
Before the foundation of the world, God
allows you to hear about Jesus. This was His plan all along, the eternal plan
of God. A world restored, renewed and repaired.
We need to read chapter 1-2 Ephesians
before Ephesians 6:
Ephesians 1:18-23: That power is the same
as the power that rose Jesus from the dead. A magnificent vision of our
identity in Christ.
When we face the schemes of the devil/deceiving
forces:
V10: be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power. Jesus wins, because we inherit the same power as the power which
rose Jesus from the dead.
Schemes of the devil:
1)
Attempts to destroy the unity
of the church.
Disunity, factionalism, etc. See Ephesians
4: There is one body and one spirit. People get worried about people getting
sick because they offend the god of the fertility, etc. There is only one God.
Any fracturing amongst Christians is a scheme from the devil. Do not be angry
and give the devil a foothold.
2)
False teaching.
Hold fast to the truth in Christ. Then we
will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves… Ephesians
4:14-15.
3)
Temptations to ungodly living.
Live in fidelity to the values of Jesus. You
can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person… has any inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5-7.
Paul’s message: Keep calm and armour up!
V11: Therefore, put on the full armour of
God…
V14:
Belt of truth: The truth about Jesus: there
are no other gods!
Breastplate of righteousness: From Isaiah
59:17. Our God Yahweh is righteous, and He is the one who saves. Put on the
character of God! Ephesians 4:24, put on the new self! Build a rhythm of life
about service, sacrifice, etc.
V15:
Shoes of readiness (gospel of peace): Jesus
came and preached peace. It’s a gospel of peace. From Isaiah 52:7. Root your
life in the person of Jesus, share the gospel with every chance you get. If you
really want to learn something, teach it.
V16:
Shield of faith: it’s faith that will repel
false teaching, temptations to ungodliness, etc.
V17:
Helmet of salvation: Ephesians 2:4-5. It is
by grace you have been saved.
Sword of the spirit: Which is the word of
God. Word that build us up to follow Jesus. Hold on to the words of God. Luke
4:3-4, Jesus replied 3x using the words of God.
Be rooted in the truth about King Jesus,
holding onto faith in his kingship no matter what; be shaped by the hope of
salvation through his work on the cross, in order that you live holy lives that
reflect his reign; be always ready to tell others about him, as revealed to us
in his Word… so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand!
There are two letters to the Ephesians:
This one, and one by John of Patmos 35 years after: I know your deeds, your
hard work and your perseverance…
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken
the love you had at first.
Revelations 2:2-5.
Take your stand… but don’t lose your first
love for Jesus! Seek Him, yearn for Him, desire more of Him! Knowing is one
thing, but loving the King with all your heart, that is our
destiny/vocation/calling above all else.
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