Ephesians 6:12 The Strong Knight of God-Part 3
Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
1. Continuing last week’s introduction to the Armor of God...
1. Continuing last week’s introduction to the Armor of God...
A. We have been looking at .
A. We have been looking at .
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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.
1. There are four lessons we need to remember from .
1. There are four lessons we need to remember from .
A. We need to be strong in the Lord.
A. We need to be strong in the Lord.
1. As Christians, it is our responsibility to be Godly leaders the world can follow.
1. As Christians, it is our responsibility to be Godly leaders the world can follow.
NKJV14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. The church needs strong leaders (Elders) who can lead them into the promise land.
2. The church needs strong leaders (Elders) who can lead them into the promise land.
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
NKJV2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and whe
3. The church needs strong members to inspire people to follow God.
3. The church needs strong members to inspire people to follow God.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
NKJVLet no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
4. Where is this strength to come from?
4. Where is this strength to come from?
NKJVI can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
5. How are we strengthened by the Lord?
5. How are we strengthened by the Lord?
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
NKJV19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
B. , We need the whole Armor of God in order to stand.
B. , We need the whole Armor of God in order to stand.
1. In order to be able to stand against the devil, the whole Armor is needed.
1. In order to be able to stand against the devil, the whole Armor is needed.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
13 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.
2. Jesus used the Armor of God to cause Satan to flee.
2. Jesus used the Armor of God to cause Satan to flee.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
5. The devil tempted Jesus in every way that he could.
5. The devil tempted Jesus in every way that he could.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
6. As Christians, Christ is our Armor because apart from Him, we can do nothing.
6. As Christians, Christ is our Armor because apart from Him, we can do nothing.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
7. In order to have the Armor of Christ, you must be in Christ.
7. In order to have the Armor of Christ, you must be in Christ.
Gal
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
8. The way we keep the Armor on is by remaining faithful.
8. The way we keep the Armor on is by remaining faithful.
12 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.
C. We need to realize that the Armor does not protect us from flesh and blood.
C. We need to realize that the Armor does not protect us from flesh and blood.
1. This is where we start the lesson today but first, let’s finish remembering the rest of the lessons.
1. This is where we start the lesson today but first, let’s finish remembering the rest of the lessons.
D. We need to do all that we can to stand.
D. We need to do all that we can to stand.
BODY:
BODY:
1. WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT THE ARMOR DOES NOT PROTECT US FROM FLESH AND BLOOD.
1. WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT THE ARMOR DOES NOT PROTECT US FROM FLESH AND BLOOD.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
A. God’s intent with the Armor is not to stop mankind's physical suffering.
A. God’s intent with the Armor is not to stop mankind's physical suffering.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
1. The Armor is to provide spiritual protection from the spiritual war.
1. The Armor is to provide spiritual protection from the spiritual war.
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world .
A. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world .
Rom 8
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
1. The war we fight as Christians is spiritual, because we do not fight for a worldly kingdom but a heavenly kingdom.
1. The war we fight as Christians is spiritual, because we do not fight for a worldly kingdom but a heavenly kingdom.
2. We are told to love our enemies, not go to war with them personally.
2. We are told to love our enemies, not go to war with them personally.
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
3. This does not mean that war between countries is wrong and that a Christian cannot serve in the military.
3. This does not mean that war between countries is wrong and that a Christian cannot serve in the military.
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Rom 13.1-
4. Christ healed the servant of a centurion, who was a soldier.
4. Christ healed the servant of a centurion, who was a soldier.
8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
Luke 7.
5. Jesus said that this soldier has great faith; matter of fact, He said He did not find such great faith in all of Israel!
5. Jesus said that this soldier has great faith; matter of fact, He said He did not find such great faith in all of Israel!
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
6. War between individuals, if you are Christian, is wrong.
6. War between individuals, if you are Christian, is wrong.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
7. Jesus said this so that we would understand that our personal possessions are not as important as people’s souls.
7. Jesus said this so that we would understand that our personal possessions are not as important as people’s souls.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
B. God did not even provide His Son armor to protect him from the flesh and blood cruelties but delivered Him up to the Jews to be crucified.
B. God did not even provide His Son armor to protect him from the flesh and blood cruelties but delivered Him up to the Jews to be crucified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8.3
1. We are to be more concerned with the spirituality of the world than even the well being of our own families.
1. We are to be more concerned with the spirituality of the world than even the well being of our own families.
46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” 48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
2. The best thing that we can do for our physical families is provide them access to spiritual Armor.
2. The best thing that we can do for our physical families is provide them access to spiritual Armor.
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
3. There is no physical armor known to man that can protect completely.
3. There is no physical armor known to man that can protect completely.
12 For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
4. God does provide spiritual Armor that, if we will put it on, will protect us from a spiritual war completely.
4. God does provide spiritual Armor that, if we will put it on, will protect us from a spiritual war completely.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
B. Why does God provide spiritual armor and not physical armor?
B. Why does God provide spiritual armor and not physical armor?
1. Why does God allow human suffering?
1. Why does God allow human suffering?
A. Without human suffering, there could be no free will.
A. Without human suffering, there could be no free will.
1. Man had to be given a choice in order to have free will; thus, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
1. Man had to be given a choice in order to have free will; thus, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
2. When mankind ate of it, they chose death but if there had been no tree, there would have been no choice but to obey God.
2. When mankind ate of it, they chose death but if there had been no tree, there would have been no choice but to obey God.
3. It is sin which causes human suffering, not God.
3. It is sin which causes human suffering, not God.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. Suffering is a result of sin.
4. Suffering is a result of sin.
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” 12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” 16 To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” 17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.
Gen 3.11
5. All suffering is a result of sin, which began with Adam and Eve and has continued from there.
5. All suffering is a result of sin, which began with Adam and Eve and has continued from there.
6. This is not to say that everyone suffering today has sinned, but all suffering is a result from the consequences of sin.
6. This is not to say that everyone suffering today has sinned, but all suffering is a result from the consequences of sin.
7. Because of a consequence of sin, Cain and Abel did not get to be raised in the garden; they suffered because of Adam and Eve’s sin.
7. Because of a consequence of sin, Cain and Abel did not get to be raised in the garden; they suffered because of Adam and Eve’s sin.
8. In order for suffering to be removed, sin must be removed.
8. In order for suffering to be removed, sin must be removed.
9. In order for sin to be removed completely, free will must be removed.
9. In order for sin to be removed completely, free will must be removed.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
1. God cannot provide armor to protect you from all physical suffering!
1. God cannot provide armor to protect you from all physical suffering!
A. Why?
A. Why?
1. Because He would have to remove all free will in order to do so.
1. Because He would have to remove all free will in order to do so.
2. God does provide spiritual Armor that does protect from all spiritual suffering!
2. God does provide spiritual Armor that does protect from all spiritual suffering!
A. If we will wear this spiritual Armor properly, it will be strengthened by the physical suffering!
A. If we will wear this spiritual Armor properly, it will be strengthened by the physical suffering!
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
1. Our war is with the devil, not with flesh and blood.
1. Our war is with the devil, not with flesh and blood.
A. Do you know your enemy and are you prepared for the war?
A. Do you know your enemy and are you prepared for the war?
B. When the devil attacks you and his spiritual attacks bounce off, then he will send his minions.
B. When the devil attacks you and his spiritual attacks bounce off, then he will send his minions.
1. But if you understand that the war is spiritual and not physical, these attacks will strengthen you.
1. But if you understand that the war is spiritual and not physical, these attacks will strengthen you.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25.21-
3. Are you the strong knight of God?
3. Are you the strong knight of God?
A. Part of being a strong knight is knowing whom to fight and whom to protect!
A. Part of being a strong knight is knowing whom to fight and whom to protect!