i may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery; i may never soar oer...

• “I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the cavalry, Shoot the artillery; I may never soar oe’r the enemy, But I’m in the Lord’s army.”

• “I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the cavalry, Shoot the artillery; I may never soar oe’r the enemy, But I’m in the Lord’s army.”

• That song implies that Christianity is like being in a battle.

• “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy the stronghold” (2 Cor 10:4, ESV).

• “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy the stronghold” (2 Cor 10:4, ESV).

• Timothy was to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tm 1:18, ESV).

• “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy the stronghold” (2 Cor 10:4, ESV).

• Timothy was to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tm 1:18, ESV).

• “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tm 6:12).

WE ARE AT WAR!

• Satan bombards us with temptations.

• Satan bombards us with temptations.

• Yet, we must stand firm against these temptations.

• Satan bombards us with temptations.

• Yet, we must stand firm against these temptations.

• The armor of God helps us stand against these temptations.

THE PURPOSE FOR THE ARMOR

Vv 11-12

• “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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”(vv 11-12, ESV).

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.– The Gr term refers to scheming or craftiness.

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.– The Gr term refers to scheming or craftiness.

– Satan has many schemes he uses against us.

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.– The Gr term refers to scheming or craftiness.

– Satan has many schemes he uses against us.• He deceived Eve.

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.– The Gr term refers to scheming or craftiness.

– Satan has many schemes he uses against us.• He deceived Eve.

• He caused Peter to deny the Lord out of fear.

• We need to put on this armor to stand against the devil’s schemes or wiles.– The Gr term refers to scheming or craftiness.

– Satan has many schemes he uses against us.• He deceived Eve.

• He caused Peter to deny the Lord out of fear.

• He used lust to conquer David.

• Our struggle is not against flesh & blood.

• Our struggle is not against flesh & blood.– We struggle against demonic forces.

• Our struggle is not against flesh & blood.– We struggle against demonic forces.

– “Rulers, authorities, & cosmic powers” likely refer to a hierarchy of demons.

WE ARE LOCKED IN A REAL BATTLE!

THE PLACEMENT OF THE ARMOR

Vv 13-17

• “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 up the helmet of

• “salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (vv 13-17, ESV).

• We shouldn’t be surprised that Paul uses the imagery of a soldier’s armor.

• We shouldn’t be surprised that Paul uses the imagery of a soldier’s armor.– Paul wrote this epistle from prison.

• We shouldn’t be surprised that Paul uses the imagery of a soldier’s armor.– Paul wrote this epistle from prison.

– He saw soldiers’ armor daily!

• We must take up the whole armor of God.

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• Leaving off part of the armor will make Satan’s work much easier.

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• Leaving off part of the armor will make Satan’s work much easier.

– One out of every 400,000 babies is born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID).

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• Leaving off part of the armor will make Satan’s work much easier.

– One out of every 400,000 babies is born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID). Leave the body unable to fight off infection.

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• Leaving off part of the armor will make Satan’s work much easier.

– Paul refers to this armor as the “armor of God,” i.e., the armor God provides his people.

• We must take up the whole armor of God.– Paul twice encourages the Ephesians to take up the whole

of God’s armor (vv 11, 13).• The emphasis is that we cannot leave off part of the armor.

• Leaving off part of the armor will make Satan’s work much easier.

– Paul refers to this armor as the “armor of God,” i.e., the armor God provides his people.

– “The evil day” likely refers to a time of temptation.

• We are to stand, i.e., be in a position to fight.

• We are to gird our waists with truth.

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

– Our belt is truth.

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

– Our belt is truth.• “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

– Our belt is truth.• “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

• Scripture helps us overcome temptation.

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

– Our belt is truth.• “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

• Scripture helps us overcome temptation.– “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin

against you” (Ps 119:11, ESV).

• We are to gird our waists with truth.– The belt was used to keep the soldier’s clothing from

getting in the way as he ran.

– Our belt is truth.• “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).

• Scripture helps us overcome temptation.– “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin

against you” (Ps 119:11, ESV).

– Jesus used Scripture to overcome his temptations.

WE MUST KNOW SCRIPTURE!

WE MUST KNOW SCRIPTURE!Have you applied the belt of truth?

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.– Covered the soldier from the neck to the thighs.

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.– Covered the soldier from the neck to the thighs; used to

protect the heart.

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.– Covered the soldier from the neck to the thighs; used to

protect the heart.

– Righteousness refers to right living.

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.– Covered the soldier from the neck to the thighs; used to

protect the heart.

– Righteousness refers to right living.• “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do

not go on sinning” (1 Cor 15:34, ESV).

• We are to wear the breastplate of righteousness.– Covered the soldier from the neck to the thighs; used to

protect the heart.

– Righteousness refers to right living.• “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do

not go on sinning” (1 Cor 15:34, ESV).

• “As for you, O man of God, flee from these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Tm 6:11, ESV).

WE MUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”– In the Roman army, a soldier’s sandals were a sign of

readiness.

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”– In the Roman army, a soldier’s sandals were a sign of

readiness. These sandals had nails that gripped the ground so the soldier could have sure footing.

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”– In the Roman army, a soldier’s sandals were a sign of

readiness. These sandals had nails that gripped the ground so the soldier could have sure footing.

– We must be read to teach!

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”– In the Roman army, a soldier’s sandals were a sign of

readiness. These sandals had nails that gripped the ground so the soldier could have sure footing.

– We must be read to teach!• “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19, ESV).

• We are to put on our feet “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”– In the Roman army, a soldier’s sandals were a sign of

readiness. These sandals had nails that gripped the ground so the soldier could have sure footing.

– We must be read to teach!• Mt 28:19.

• “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pt 3:15).

ARE YOU READY TO SHARE YOUR FAITH?

• We are to take the shield of faith.

• We are to take the shield of faith.– Soldiers carried a great oblong shield to protect him from

flaming darts.

• We are to take the shield of faith.– Soldiers carried a great oblong shield to protect him from

flaming darts.

– Our shield is the shield of faith.

• We are to take the shield of faith.– Soldiers carried a great oblong shield to protect him from

flaming darts.

– Our shield is the shield of faith.• “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom

he has sent” (Jn 6:29, ESV).

• We are to take the shield of faith.– Soldiers carried a great oblong shield to protect him from

flaming darts.

– Our shield is the shield of faith.• “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom

he has sent” (Jn 6:29, ESV).

• “Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb 10:22, ESV).

• We are to take the shield of faith.– Soldiers carried a great oblong shield to protect him from

flaming darts.

– Our shield is the shield of faith.• “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom

he has sent” (Jn 6:29, ESV).

• “Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb 10:22, ESV).

• “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb 11:6, ESV).

• With this shield, we will be able to “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

• With this shield, we will be able to “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”– In ancient combat, arrows would be dipped in a

combustible material and set on fire.

• With this shield, we will be able to “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”– In ancient combat, arrows would be dipped in a

combustible material and set on fire.

– Satan sends many flaming darts our way!

ARE WE CARRYING THE SHIELD OF FAITH?

• We are to wear the helmet of salvation.

• We are to wear the helmet of salvation.– In ancient combat, the helmet was made from thick

leather or brass to protect the head.

• We are to wear the helmet of salvation.– In ancient combat, the helmet was made from thick

leather or brass to protect the head. The head is very important—it’s where you develop your strategy!

• We are to wear the helmet of salvation.– In ancient combat, the helmet was made from thick

leather or brass to protect the head. The head is very important—it’s where you develop your strategy!

– “Salvation” seems to reference our knowledge & hope of salvation.

• We are to wear the helmet of salvation.– In ancient combat, the helmet was made from thick

leather or brass to protect the head. The head is very important—it’s where you develop your strategy!

– “Salvation” seems to reference our knowledge & hope of salvation. Knowing we are saved keeps our thoughts on Christ instead of the things of this world.

DO YOU WEAR THE HELMET OF SALVATION?

• We are to take the sword of the Spirit.

• We are to take the sword of the Spirit.– The “of Spirit” references the work of the Spirit in giving

the sword.

• We are to take the sword of the Spirit.– The “of Spirit” references the work of the Spirit in giving

the sword.

– In other words, it is the Spirit who gave us the Word of God.

• We are to take the sword of the Spirit.– The “of Spirit” references the work of the Spirit in giving

the sword.

– In other words, it is the Spirit who gave us the Word of God.

– Unlike the belt, this is an offensive weapon.

• We are to take the sword of the Spirit.– The “of Spirit” references the work of the Spirit in giving

the sword.

– In other words, it is the Spirit who gave us the Word of God.

– Unlike the belt, this is an offensive weapon. You can’t win wars always being on defense.

DO YOU HAVE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT?

PRAYING IN THE ARMORVv 18-20

• “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (vv 18-20, ESV).

ONE WE HAVE ON OUR ARMOR, WE NEED TO PRAY!

• God expects his people to be a praying people.

• God expects his people to be a praying people.– “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17, ESV).

• God expects his people to be a praying people.– “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17, ESV).

– “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2, ESV).

ARE YOU A PRAYING PERSON?

• God expects his people to be a praying people.– “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17, ESV).

– “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2, ESV).

• We’re to be watchful to this end with all perseverance & supplication for all the saints.

• God expects his people to be a praying people.– “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17, ESV).

– “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2, ESV).

• We’re to be watchful to this end with all perseverance & supplication for all the saints.– We are to pray for our brethren!

• God expects his people to be a praying people.– “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17, ESV).

– “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2, ESV).

• We’re to be watchful to this end with all perseverance & supplication for all the saints.– We are to pray for our brethren!

– We all face the same enemy!

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.– The Word of God often offends individuals.

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.– The Word of God often offends individuals.

– It is tempting for the preacher to stay away from controversy!

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.– The Word of God often offends individuals.

– It is tempting for the preacher to stay away from controversy!

• Because Paul spoke boldly, he was in prison.

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.– The Word of God often offends individuals.

– It is tempting for the preacher to stay away from controversy!

• Because Paul spoke boldly, he was in prison.– Paul wished to continue speaking boldly for God.

• Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him that he might preach more boldly.– The Word of God often offends individuals.

– It is tempting for the preacher to stay away from controversy!

• Because Paul spoke boldly, he was in prison.– Paul wished to continue speaking boldly for God.

– Boldly is the only way one should preach.

ARE YOU WEARING THE CHRISTIAN ARMOR?