Put on the Full Armor of God

Put on the Full Armor of God - Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace Allen Lo (March 19, 2017)

Ephesian 6:10-18 • 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,[a] 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.

Ephesian 6:10-18 • 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, • 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; • 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. • 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; • 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

The Full Armor of God • Belt of Truth • Breastplate of Righteousness • Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace • Shield of Faith • Helmet of Salvation • Sword of the Spirit

Review - Belt of Truth • WHAT • Belt of Truth is the word of God • Foundation of our service • WHY: • Be not deceived by Satan • Be always ready for the spiritual warfare • HOW : • Discipline yourself to study the Bible • A life that shows the belt of truth is buckled on

Action : Belt of Truth • Read through the Bible in ONE year • Attend Sunday school to study God’s word systematically • Memorize ONE Bible verse a day (or a week)

The Breastplate of Righteousness • WHAT • Self-righteousness • Imputed righteousness • Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) • WHY: • The Breastplate protect our heart • Everything starts from our heart • HOW : • It gives us assurance from inside • It promotes a true Christian life

Action : Breastplate of Righteousness • Admit that we cannot achieve righteousness by ourselves • Accept Jesus Christ as our Lord who cleanse us from our sins • Ask the Holy Spirit to help us live a righteous life everyday • At school, at work, at home, at church • Any place Any time Any person…

Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace • What • Why • How • (Action)

Footware • 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

What is a Caliga? • Using Roman solider as example • Caligae (Latin; singular caliga) are heavy-soled hobnailed military boots known for being issued to Roman legionary soldiers and auxiliaries throughout the Roman Republic and Empire. • An essential piece of the Roman soldiers equipment

What is Caliga for? • Stability • The nails sticking out from the soles of the shoes acted like cleats • Providing firm footing so he kept his feet in battle • Mobility • His feet were protected over rough terrain • The Roman soldier can move quickly and confidently

What is gospel of peace? • Gospel = The good news • The truth (belt of truth) • A righteous life as testimony (breastplate of righteousness) • Share the good news with other • Peace with God (Vertical relationship) • Pace with Men (Horizontal relationship)

Peace of Mind - False Peace • It is a peace that has no repentance involved in it • It is a peace that has no sense of the awfulness of sin • It is a peace that knows no struggling against sin in a personal pursuit of holiness (self-righteousness) • KP: Psychological peace NOT a spiritual peace

Peace with God – Bad News • Man and God had perfect relationship after the creation (Garden of Eden) • Man and God were at war after the fall • Man’s destination is eternal separation from God • Roman 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death...” • KP: Man is not in peace with God

Peace with God – Good News • Rom 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ” • Rom 5:1 “..., we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” • Christ died on the cross for our sins • Christ’s blood cleansed us so we can reconcile with God and have peace with Him • KP: Man is in peace with God thru Jesus Christ

Peace with man • Due to our sinful nature, we don’t have peace with man • Man is often at war with each other • Salvation give us a new life in Christ • 2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” • KP: Peace with other thru spirited filled life

Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace • WHAT • Caliga provides both stability and mobility • Peace with God and peace with man • WHY: • STABILITY as we embrace the Gospel of peace • MOBILITY as we take this Gospel out to the world • HOW : • Stand firm in the truth • Action and speed in sharing the gospel of peace

Why we need Caligae? • It will give us STABILITY as we embrace the Gospel of peace • Gives me strength and confidence • I stand with Jesus Christ in the spiritual warfare • It will give us MOBILITY as we take this Gospel out to the world • Be aggressive - moving into enemy territory • Attack by taking the same gospel of peace

How to prepare our feet… • Gospel is not useful if it is not taken to the people who need it. • Need to stand firm on the truth (Stability) • Belt of Truth (Gospel of peace) • Breastplate of righteousness (Testomony) • Need action and speed (Mobility) • Confidence to share the gospel of peace • Be ready to share anytime anywhere any person

Action : Footware • Memorize “The Roman Road’” (Gospel of peace) • Romans 1:20-21 - God is the creator • Romans 3:23 - We all have sinned • Romans 5:8 - Christ died for our sins • Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death • Romans 10:9-10 - Confess Jesus is Lord • Romans 10:13 - Call upon God and you are saved • Romans 11:36 - Make Jesus the Lord of your life • Share it with at least one person in the next 30 days (Action and speed)

Put on the Full Armor of God