Episode Details

Uniforms have two purposes

1: Identity

Emergency situations

professional situations
2: Practicality

Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose
Series:

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Week 2…

We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark
Today we are talking about…

The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life

 

Background:

Paul in Ephesus

• Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers
• know for its practice of “dark arts”

 

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

 

Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here…
Armor – Something they were very familiar with

• Don’t get lost in the analogy

Armor is what you actively choose to use

• it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God
• Don’t have to Pray “today i put on…”

 

The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM

 

“Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship

• Learning to follow Jesus

 

Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…

 

1: Fight for your life with TRUTH (Belt)

What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling?
Each piece of armor we’ll break into 2 parts…

• Foundation – What we think
• Direction – What we do

Foundation: Believing in the TRUTH

We are all building our lives on a truth
You wear a truth, whether you realize it or not

• It surrounds and envelopes you
• It is what will allow you to walk trip or run

Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin”
There is always a counterfeit

• The Enemy’s “TRUTH”
• Culture’s “truth”

Direction: Walking in the TRUTH

We speak the truth as we live in the truth

• Partner with truth
• It guides us
• We choose to be guided by it

Declaration of Truth

I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life

 

2: Fight for your life in RIGHTEOUSNESS (Breastplate)

• What does he mean by righteousness?

Foundation: I am made righteous through Jesus Christ

My old self is GONE

• New Creation
• Not who I was

Guard your heart… (proverbs)

 

We are made righteous, so now act righteously

 

Direction: My actions reflect my new status

My behavior

• Righteousness guards us
• Your actions from your heart
• Rightness leads to rightness
• Righteousness leads to Righteousness

Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack

• Seasons of doubt connected to sin
• Living a right life protects us (doubt, shame)