The Armour Of God

THE ARMOUR OF GOD – BMF Sermon Notes 03/07/21

A message exploring the meaning and purpose of the Armour of God and the Weaponry at our disposal and the Attitudes we should have

Message Headings:

Finally…

The Armour of God

Weaponry & Attitude

Opening Prayer

Reading: Ephesians 6: 10-20

Finally…

That Little Word…Finally (v. 10)
- Last Words are often important
- Paul had a great love for the Ephesian church
  - On Paul’s second missionary journey (A.D. 52), he visited Ephesus after leaving Corinth, and evidently planted the church there (Acts 18: 19)
  - On Paul’s third missionary journey (A.D. 54-56), Paul spent between two and three years teaching in the city (Acts 19: 8-10) – he spent his time addressing false doctrines and pagan practices and his teaching was so successful that those who practised magic brought their books and burned them as an act of repentance (Acts 19: 18-20) – then, as the sale of silver idolatrous images declined, the silversmiths caused uproar (Acts 19:26-41) and shortly after this Paul left for Macedonia
  - Several months later (A.D. 57) Paul met with the Ephesian elders on the nearby island of Miletus and made his farewell address to them (Acts 20)
  - Their mutual love is evident as these tender-hearted men weep over what God has done – and they know they will not see Paul again
  - The Church at Ephesus has been carefully nurtured to the point of vitality by Paul
- The letter to the Ephesian Church was written by Paul from prison in Rome sometime between A.D. 60 and A.D. 62 (Acts 28: 16-31 )
- Finally…Paul writes this after writing what?
  - About our Redemption in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3-14)
  - A Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (Ephesians 1: 15-22)
  - About Grace and Faith (Ephesians 2: 1-10)
  - About Gentiles and the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2: 11-22)
  - About the Mystery of God’s Redemptive Plan (Ephesians 3)
  - About Walking in Unity (Ephesians 4: 1-5)
  - About God’s Gifts to the Church – People Gifts…apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4: 6-16)
  - About Putting on the New Man (Ephesians 4: 17-32)
  - About Walking in Love, Light and Wisdom (Ephesians 5: 1-21)
  - About the Mystery of Marriage (Ephesians 5: 22-33)
  - About Relationships (Ephesians 6: 1-9)
- The Ephesian letter is a ‘How To’ letter…how to live the Christian life – a manual of essential reading and study for the disciple
- So ‘Finally’… Paul writes about Spiritual Armour!

The Armour of God

This Armour is Personal
- The focus of Paul’s teaching here is on personal spiritual armour – the individual spiritual protection that each disciple should put on
- We are not talking here about ‘spiritual warfare’ – that is the subject of Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6
- Armour is essentially defensive – it is meant to stop you getting hurt, injured or killed
- Paul does however mention weaponry with which we should each arm ourselves

Where our Strength Comes From (v. 10)
- Be Strong ‘In the Lord’ – we have no strength other than that which comes from Yeshua…from the very throne room of heaven
  - Our salvation depends entirely on Him – we are saved
  - So does our daily walk – we are being saved
  - And so does our ultimate inheritance – we will be saved

‘Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.’ Hebrews 7: 25

He is praying for us, for you, today…now…how can we fail?

In the Power of ‘His Might’ – He, Yeshua, is Elohim (Mighty God) and El Shaddai (Almighty God) – it is His Might which is our power…we have none of our own
- He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last
- He is the firstborn from the dead
- He who lives, and was dead, and is alive forevermore
- He who has the keys of Hades and of Death
- He who is the ruler over the kings of the earth
Paul’s message is…be completely reliant on the Lord… for your daily walk, for your spiritual strength and wellbeing

We are in a Battle (vs. 11-12)
- The Wiles of the Devil
  - The Greek word is methodeia, meaning trickery or lying in wait – the devil’s schemes and methods of attack against the individual disciple
    - This armour is to prevent us being deceived spiritually
    - This armour is to protect us from being caught unaware
  - The Devil is a roaring lion trying to devour us (1 Peter 5: 8)
  - Clothed in the Armour of God we can resist him, steadfast in the faith – so says Peter (1 Peter 5: 9)
- A Spiritual Wrestling Match
- Not Flesh and Blood – even though it often seems it is people or circumstances coming against us…it is spiritual…the demonic is behind every attack on the disciple
  - It is a close contact battle – a wrestling that is ‘up close and personal’ – it is literally hand-to-hand combat
  - No need to fear – Yeshua, our strength and might, has already overcome

‘Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [the cross].’ Colossians 2: 15

‘ [Christ] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.’ 1 Peter 3: 22

The Demonic Hierarchy – Paul speaks of four designations which describe the different strata and rankings of those demons with whom we wrestle, and the evil supernatural empire in which they operate
- Against principalities (Greek: archē, implying commencement) – magisterial initiators of attacks… the demonic brains behind evil strategies
- Against powers (Greek: exousia, implying ability) – demons who have power and force, who exert the authority or right delegated
- Against rulers of the darkness of this age (Greek: kosmokratōr, implying a world power) – rulers operating though things like Occultism, Witchcraft or Divination; or Spiritual Deception (e.g. Word of Faith or Hyper Charismatic teaching)
- Against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Greek: pneumatikos ponēria, implying supernatural depravity) – malicious forces of iniquity; such as materialism, corrupt power, deceitfulness or pornography

Put on the Whole Armour of God (vs. 11 & 13)
- It is God’s Armour – He supplies it… it’s not our manufactured defence
  - God’s armour is perfect…it’s the best…it has no weaknesses
- The Whole Armour – Every piece is important
  - Put on every piece
    - The first three pieces of armour (girdle, breastplate, and shoes/boots) were worn continually on the battlefield
    - The last three (shield, helmet, and sword) were kept ready for use when actual fighting began
  - Don’t leave any gaps in your defence
- Put On – You have to do it!
  - Daily – remind yourself
  - Piece by Piece – remind yourself
- Use the Weaponry & Have the Right Attitude
  - Every soldier has a sword (scripture)
  - Every soldier has communication with his officer (prayer)
  - Every soldier keeps his wits about him (watchful)
  - Every soldier keeps going until the battle is won (persevere)
  - Every soldier works in cooperation with, and support of, his fellow soldiers (pray for each other)

Winning the Wrestling Match (vs. 11, 13 & 14)
- The Battle is Won by Standing – notice how Paul repeats this
  - It’s So Simple – the Armour and the Weaponry and the Attitude enable us to stand… to be steadfast…to withstand
  - The winner of the wrestling match is the one who has withstood in the evil day
- It is in Gods strength (submitting to Him) that we can successfully resist the devil

‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’ James 4: 7

It is an Evil Day
- It is today – increasingly dark – as the Lord’s coming again draws near
- It always has been – ever since the fall

A Review of the Armour
- The Girdle (Belt) of Truth (v. 14)
  - A loose fitting tunic and particularly, a belt around the waist – basic covering and encircling to enable one to fight
    - A belt is necessary to hold together loosely hanging material
  - Truth – the Truth of God – is basic and essential to be able to stand
    - The devil is a deceiver – God’s Truth defeats the devil’s lies and trickery

‘Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”’ John 8: 31-32

Truth holds everything together and in place
Weaponry (a sword) hangs from the belt
Know the Truth – Know Him Who is The Truth – relationship is vital

The Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14)
- Righteousness, or holiness, is the distinctive characteristic of God Himself – no wonder that it is the Christian’s chief protection against Satan and his schemes
  - A soldier’s full torso, heart and other vital organs are protected by this breastplate
- God’s breastplate armour or righteousness is impenetrable!
- We are clothed in the Righteousness of Christ

‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful 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 with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.’ Isaiah 61: 10

It is personal – my own and your own right relationship with the Lord
It is personal – my own and your own willingness to submit to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit – washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5: 26)

The Footwear of the Gospel of Peace (v. 15)
- This is not about being ready to share the gospel with others (though we are)
- It is personal – it is my feet and your feet shod with footwear that enables us to stand firm
  - Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat
- We can stand firm if we know that, through Christ, believers are at peace with God – and He is on our side!

‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ Romans 5: 1-2

We stand, shod with Peace with God – it is the confidence of knowing we are His and He is ours

The Shield of Faith (v. 16)
- FAITH – Forsaking All I Trust Him
- A believer’s continual trust in God’s word and His promises is the necessary and sure protection against temptations and doubts
- Faith protects against the fiery darts of the enemy – from all angles
  - The Greek word used for ‘shield’ (thureos) refers to the large shield that protected the entire body
- The Shield of Faith enables us to stand strong and not be driven back or defeated

‘Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.’ 1 Corinthians 16: 13

The Helmet of Salvation (v. 17)
- This Helmet is the Assurance of Salvation – protection for the brain and mind which the enemy targets to cause us to doubt and to weaken
  - Paul is not referring here to attaining salvation but to the hope (certainty) of salvation
- Salvation is our sure and certain hope

‘But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 8-10

Paul is alluding to the prophetic word of Isaiah about the Lord Himself

‘For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.’ Isaiah 59: 17

The helmet protects the head, always a major target in battle
The devil seeks to attack our Thinking – to bring doubt and confusion in our minds and in our spirits.

Weaponry & Attitude

Paul turns to the Weaponry of God with which we should be equipped and the Attitudes we should have in battle
- There are Five which Paul Lists
  - The Sword of the Spirit
  - Prayer – Always
  - Watchfulness
  - Perseverance
  - Prayer for the Saints

The Sword of the Spirit (v, 17)
- This is the Word of God – Scripture
- The sword was the Roman soldier’s only weapon
- God’s Word is the principal, but not the only, weapon which the disciple needs
  - It is infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s weapons

‘For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ Hebrews 4: 12

The Greek word translated sword (machaira) refers to a small sword like a dagger or a dirk – it is more of a defensive weapon than an offensive one

God’s Word in the hand, thoughts and speech of a disciple is not only a defence against enemy attack, but is a powerful offensive weapon also

Prayer – Always (v. 18)
- Paul speaks of all prayer and supplication – prayer is a weapon He gives
- It is All Types of Prayer
  - Some prayer is declamatory – proclaiming God’s truth
  - Some prayer is petitionary – asking the Father
  - Some prayer is authoritative – asserting God’s will in a situation
- Prayer, like the Sword, is both a defensive and offensive weapon
- It is Prayer Always – Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: ‘pray without ceasing’ (2 Thessalonians 5: 17)
  - Prayer should be the disciples instinctive reaction to enemy attack

Watchfulness (v. 18)
- Being Alert is an important attitude for the disciple to have
- Being Alert not Asleep is essential to the soldier and the disciple
  - Lack of Watchfulness enables the enemy to gain a position – so true of the church’s attitude to moral issues today
- Yeshua reprimanded His sleeping disciples in Gethsemane

‘“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”’ Matthew 26: 41

Perseverance (v. 18)
- Endurance until the battle is done is another important attitude for the disciple
- It is about being persistent – never giving up or giving in – staying strong – keeping going – standing firm
- A Crown of Life awaits those who persevere

‘Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.’ James 1: 12

Prayer for the Saints (vs. 18-20)
- Although our battle is personal – we do not fight alone
  - Every soldier helps his fellow soldiers in his brigade – for he knows he needs help if he and they are to win the battles
- We cannot do it on our Own – we must pray for each other
- Paul desires that the Ephesian church pray for him – as also he wrote to the church at Philippi

‘For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.’ Philippians 1: 19-20

Remember – the strength is the Lord’s; the might is the Lord’s; and the armour is the Lord’s

Wearing the armour, using the weaponry and having the attitudes of watchfulness and perseverance and prayer for the saints – these things will, without a shadow of doubt, enable us to stand and withstand…and having done all, to stand!

Putting On the Armour – Daily

It is not the physical act, or pretence, of puting on a belt, or helmet, etc

Putting on the Armour is reminding ourselves of the armour that the Lord has already given us – it is what the belt, helmet, etc represent.

Reading or reciting appropriate scriptures is a help in putting on God’s Armour

The Belt of Truth

‘Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”’ John 8: 31-32

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The Footwear of the Gospel of Peace

The Shield of Faith

‘Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.’ Ephesians 6: 16

‘For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.’ 1 John 5: 4

The Helmet of Salvation

Reading or reciting appropriate scriptures is a help in taking up God’s Weaponry

The Sword of the Spirit

Praying Always

‘Pray without ceasing,’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 17

‘And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.’ John 14: 13-14

Reading or reciting appropriate scriptures is a help in having the right Attitude

Watchfulness

‘“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”’ Matthew 26: 41

‘Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.’ 1 Corinthians 16: 13

Perseverance

‘Blessed is the man who endures temptation [trial]; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.’ James 1: 12

‘Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,’ Hebrews 12: 1-2a

Praying for Fellow Disciples

‘And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.’ Acts 2: 42-43

‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.’ Ephesians 6: 18-20