Summary No Summary Available at This Time Download Link Right click and "Save as..." to Download

January 23, 2010

-Lots of people and professions have uniforms
-Christians also have a uniform: we must wear ours all the time
-God has issued us HIS uniform to wear; we are likened to soldiers

2 Timothy:2:3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians:6:11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The armor of God: We must put on the whole armor of God in order to stand up against Satan
-Our enemy is not a physical enemy, we fight against sprits of darkness and demonic forces
-God's people must always fight, we cannot ever quit: we are fighting ideas, forces, attitudes, mindsets etc
-If we don't wear all our armor all the time, we are vulnerable
-sometimes it is uncomfortable to be a Christian, but we must bear it because it's right
 

Armor of God
1. Belt of truth
-Soldiers' belts were used to carry sword, etc and was wrapped around their midsections
-The truth needs to be at the  center of our being
Psalm:51:6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
-God hates when people take advantage of others
3 John:1:3-4[3]For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.[4]I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

2. Breastplate of righteousness
-Breastplates usually only cover the front: requires that we stand and face our enemy
-Breastplate protects the heart: law of God is written in our hearts
Matthew:5:6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled., Matthew:5:20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
-Our righteousness must be God's righteousness

3. Shoes and Shin guards of being ever ready to preach the gospel
-Our feet and legs are what moves us: our motivation is wanting to preach the gospel
John:9:4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.  Christ's motivation was preaching the gospel while he was still able
-Are we excited and motivated to preach the gospel and sharing God's word?
Romans:1:6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
 

4. Shield of Faith
-Large oblong shields were used in this time period
Hebrews:11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  -faith saves us
-Shields can be moved around to protect parts of the body not protected by armor

5. Helmet of Salvation
-A blow to the head is fatal: helmet protects the head: we need to protect our minds
-Our minds contain our visions of the future, our knowledge and understanding of God's coming kingdom; we must protect it
 

6. Sword of the Spirit: Word of God
Hebrews:4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  -This is our only weapon, its the only weapon we need
-Means we study and know the word of God
2 Timothy:2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -We are to be studying, analyzing and learning the Word of God constantly

-None of this is of any use unless we have a fighting spirit: this attitude comes through prayer
-We go to God to get our fighting spirit
-Unlike people in the world who wear uniforms to play or to their jobs, we cannot ever take ours off.