1. Loin Belt.

Can you fight a war with only a belt?

2. Paul then talks about the Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14 (last part)

The breastplate covered the top of the neck, chest and stomach, all the way to the knees. The breastplate protected a key organ in the body-the heart- from the blows of the enemy. The heart sends blood to the rest of our bodies and keeps us alive. If our heart is not right with God our body is spiritually dead. The breastplate was one of the shiniest pieces of equipment a soldier possessed. Paul asks us to put on the breast plate of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. When we walk in the righteousness of Christ we are protected from the accusations of the devil. Satan wants us to feel guilty all the time but when we accept Christ, we accept His righteousness as well.

3. Paul talks about the Shoes of Peace Ephesians 6:15.

This weapon was quite dangerous. It came in two parts. One part protected the leg and the other part the feet. This protected the soldier from bruises and cuts. There were also spikes on the bottom that allowed the soldier to maintain his stance and balance to fight on rugged terrain. The shoes were also used to stamp on the enemy. When the soldiers marched, you could here the clicking of the spikes far away. This would send fear through the enemy.

Instead of sending fear to other fellow human beings with our presence Paul wants us to share the peace that passeth all understanding Phillippians 4:7. Where do we get peace? A peace that comes from Jesus John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I gave unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid. The last part of the verse says, "Let not your heart be troubled." Peace will allow us not to be harmed by circumstance or situation. Neither let it be afraid. Peace will enable us to be bold in the midst of trials. Satan will try to stop you but keep marching on.

Would you go to battle with only your shoes?

Can you fight a battle with only a breastplate?

4. Next weapon is the Shield of Faith Ephesians 6:16

The shield protected the Roman soldier from the arrows of the enemy. Hebrews 11:1 says that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Where do we get faith? Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Satan sends temptations our way to discourage and depress us. Our faith in God will help us to see beyond the discomforts of the present life. Our faith in God will help us to be victorious. Faith comes from spending time with God’s words and seeking His will. If we neglect to spend time in His words and in His presence our shield will not be in any good shape when the devil attacks. When threatened by mass opposition the Roman soldiers would connect their shields together to form a wall of protection. As a church we must march together. With unity behind our efforts we can capture enemy territory.

Would you overcome your enemy if you have only a shield?

5. The next weapon that Paul mentions is the Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17

The helmet worn by Roman soldiers was very colorful. It was made from bronze had plumes made from feathers. The helmet protected the head. It protects the eyes and our brain (mind-thinking machine). The mind is the greatest battlefield.

In Messages to Young People pg 60 Ellen G. White says "I was shown that Satan cannot control the minds unless they are yielded to his control. Those who depart from the right are in serious danger now."

In Desire of Ages pg 60 Ellen G White says that "The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong."

We must be alert at all times so that we can differentiate what is right and what is wrong. A mind under the influence of alcohol, drugs over eating cannot think pure thoughts. We must use our brains to seek to understand the great themes of salvation so that the Satan would not be able to deceive us with his lies. Let the mind dwell on noble and uplifting themes.

6. The next weapon that Paul mentions is the Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17

The sword is two-edged and very sharp indeed. The sword was an offense weapon used to remove the head of enemies and to rip their insides out. Hebrews 4:12 calls the word of God a two edged sword. In the 27 Fundamental Doctrines pg 6 it says " the Bible reveals God and exposes humanity. It exposes our predicament and reveals the solution. It presents us as lost, estranged from God and reveals Jesus as the one who finds us and brings us back to God." The theme of God’s love is seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross for us. 2 Tim 3:16 says "all scriptures is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim. 2:15 we are admonished to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Have you ever been cut by the word of God? I have. I have been cut by the word of God. I saw my errors and I also saw hope in the death of Christ.

Can the sword alone protect the soldier? No. Believers God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to surrender our will to him. He will give us everything that we need.

7. Paul also admonishes us to Pray always Ephesians 6:18 The Roman soldier must be aware of the battle plan of his commander. He was an individual but he had to work with the group for the best results. When the commander said charge the Troup went forward. When he says draw back the troops did. If he did not follow he would be left alone. Clear communication with the Commander is key to any victory.

We must communicate with our Commander through prayer. Pray always Paul says. We must communicate with God so that he will reveal to us how to effectively use the armor. When David was going to fight Goliath, he was given Saul’s armor. He tried it on, but it did not fit. 1 Samuel 17:39 it says And David said unto Saul I cannot go with these; I cannot use them. He had not proven them. He defeated Goliath because he had on the armor of God.

Ellen G. White in Signs of the Times, Dec. 5, 1895, says "God has furnished everyone with a full armor, but we are under necessity to put it on". Friends let us review the components of God’s armor.

 

1. Loin belt- representing truth. A truth that we must learn for ourselves and then share with others

    

    

2. Breastplate of righteousness- a breastplate that protects the heart. When we walk in the righteousness of Christ we are protected from the accusations of the devil.

    

    

3. Shoes that bring peace. Peace that will enable us to be calm when the billows roll and give us confidence that we will overcome when the temptations assail us.

    

    

4. Shield of Faith- Without faith is impossible to please Him. Our faith in God will help us to see beyond the discomforts of the present life. We will overcome because Jesus was victorious. He was crucified but he rose the third day.

    

    

5. Helmet of salvation: The helmet protects head. It protects our brain the thinking machine. We must seek to understand the themes of salvation so that we will not be deceived by the devil.

    

    

6. Sword of the Spirit- This is the word of God that reveals who god is and His love for us.

    

    

7. Prayer- we must always be in communication with our source of strength.

    

We have to be on guard at all times because the devil will not tell us when he is going to attack.

Satan does not wait to attack us.

He attacks while the camp feels secure.

He attacks when we are doing the will of God.

He attacks in our time of success.

He attacks in our time of Wilderness.

He attacks a unified Church.

He attacks us when we are weak.

God wants us to be prepared for the battle. He will give us true and proven battle gear. Notice that Paul does not talk about any armor for our back. This is a whole new sermon by itself. When we run from our problems whether it be lying, stealing, adultery, drunkenness, we are exposed to the darts of the devil because we do not have any protection on our backs. When we put on God’s armor, we must be prepared to face the battle. We must be prepared to use any of the components at a beckon call. We cannot be like some of the lights we have here. There are lights that are photosensitive-they come on only when it begins to get dark. There are lights that are motion sensitive- they only come on when motion is detected. There are lights with timers-even when you are not at home you can program them to turn on. Then there are the lights that we turn off before we leave for work and turn back on when we get home in the evening. God wants us to be prepared for battle at all times otherwise the enemy will surprise us. We must train ourselves to use every component of God’s armor. Today, I admonish you brethren to seek God. Ask him for the weapons that you need. No matter the situation, God has provided for us. He provided Jesus. Jesus obtained the victory for us when he rose on the third day. Claim Jesus as your commander today. Amen.