“THERE GOES A FIGHTER…”

The “Whole Armor of God”Ephesians 6:11-18

BINGE-WORTHY!

Giving up?Throwing in the towel?

The Christian life is not a playground, but a

battleground.

The enemy is real… The feelings are real… The forgetfulness is real…

to believe that it’s over….

BUT!

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!

The example…

What does Rocky have to do with the Christian life?

We’re the UNDERDOG!

The Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

Good news? --We’re not doing this alone.

Better news?--We’ve got instructions!

Subtitle:

“How to be like Rocky in a World of Apollo Creeds”

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,

against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

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 firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

--Ephesians 6:11-18

A brief history of Ephesus:--Roman town--Understanding the metaphor (the language of the day)

Let’s make it relevant… to 2014…

7 steps…7 pieces

The “Whole Armor” Training Camp

“…having put on the belt of truth.”

--Support to keep you from getting jacked up!

--It’s about readiness, making a plan (putting on the belt) then following with purpose

(lifting the weight)

The Belt of TRUTH

--Greek: aletheia1 word, 2 meanings

1. The actual content of what is true.--What’s true is true, and that’s

how it is.--Our truth: The Word

--The Word provides an anchor to keep us from being swept away by false doctrines

-- The more you’re rooted in truth, the less likely you are to sway when life throws punches

2. The quality of truthfulness--Refers to “the whole truth”--About authenticity,

commitment, “living it”--Secures all the other pieces of

armor

How to wear the belt?

“Then you know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” –John 8:32

--Spending time in scripture

--being a hearer and a doer of the word

--making truth and authenticity the fabric of our being

Why?

For support when life gets heavy…when thoughts are weighty, we have a place foundation to lift from

The Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

“…having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

--Protection for the vitals!--Our vital parts are under

constant attack…especially the heart

Righteousness: The quality or state of being

morally right or justifable

What it’s not:--A “puffed up” sense of self

satisfaction; --“holier-than-thou” (pssst—that’s pride)

In this context:

The righteousness we receive the MOMENT we receive Christ into our hearts

Did you catch it?

The thing that protects our hearts actually comes from our hearts!!

Our righteousness in the eyes of God was bought with a price…

Jesus Christ

The Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

“…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

What’s the footwear for?--Preparedness--Willingness, evento respond in a manner

consistent with Christ’s teachings

The “gospel of peace”

Knowing we are “children of God”—zealously held in His arms by grace through faith

The “gospel of peace”

Knowing we are “children of God”—zealously held in His arms by grace through faith

Does Rocky defeat Ivan Drago by punches alone?

NOPE! Fancy footwork too…

The Christian life takes footwork too…

Going, doing, being, thinking, immersing, speaking…the list goes on and on and on

Why does it matter?

The Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

--Following the gospel of peace is the first defense

--Standing and moving in confidence of God’s love, His union with us, and His commitment to fight for us

“…In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

In New Testament times…

Not Chariots, but ARROWS OF FIRE!

Hand wraps…shields…how’s that work?!

You’ve got to look at the purpose…

The function of hand wraps:--Compress--Support--Protect

The “shield of faith”--Compress (confine) the

negative attacks--Support our purpose --Protect our hearts

Satan’s purpose—To drive a wedge between the

Creator and the createdFaith’s purpose—

Stand confidently in the promises of God

The Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

“…and take the helmet of salvation.”

Our heads… the source of all our can’t

do’s…all our not good enough’s…our perceived failures…shortcomings…

Satan’s target? Your mind.

Satan’s weapon? LIES.

To discourage us, he points to our failures, our sins, our unresolved problems, our poor health, or to whatever else seems negative in our lives.

Satan’s Goal?For us to lose confidence in the

love and care of our heavenly Father.

What will knock you loopy in a fight? A blow to the head

What will knock you loopy in life? A blow to the mind

We’re left reeling, upended, unable to make sense of the world around us…

Our minds=Satan’s playground

The head gear may lessen the damage…but it doesn’t mean the punches don’t come…

but we’re prepared anyway

A helmet of salvation

What does salvation really mean?

Salvation is 3 parts:--Past--Present--Future

Past=Justification“to be made right”--Deliverance from sins from the

moment we accepted Jesus--For most of us, that’s past--It’s a FOREVER gift

Present=Sanctification“to be made holy”--this is about time on Earth-- “set apart” for a purpose--the cross before me, the world

behind me

Future=Glorification--arrives at the second coming of

Christ--I’m outta here!--ETERNAL worship…awesome!--The hope of things to come

The future facet of salvation is why the helmet is so strong…

It’s about hope.

Salvation (and the promises therein)—keep up from going crazy when things get crazy!

THE WORLD IS SCREAMING!

AND NO ONE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS HARD!

The Christian life is not a playground…it’s a

battleground.

And then there’s hope…

“Get up…try one more time.”

Our hope is in Christ…and the knowledge that we are

going to ultimately be given the opportunity to worship Him forever…

Don’t leave here unless you’re sure…

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Dual purpose:--Protect from the hits--Lay the smack down! (metaphorically speaking)

Only piece of armor with both defensive and offensive purposes

The Word of God (Scripture)

Defensively:--Best weapon to deflect--It requires precision--Have to know it well to use it

well

Satan attacks where we’re weakest…in the places we lack knowledge.

“Did God REALLY say don’t eat that apple?!”

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness…his comebacks were exact.

We’ve got to be precise…

Offensively:--Only weapon (purposefully)--Word of God=our offense--Being an offensive weapon ≠

being offensive

The Word of God is a powerful weapon…

A weapon of CHANGE….A weapon of SALVATION…

Why?

The Christian life is not a playground…it’s a

battleground.

“… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

Prayer is the final piece…--Ability to communicate--We’re given a special gift

A bit from Rocky III…

“When I do leave you, you’ll not only know how to fight, you’ll be able to take care of yourself outside the ring too…”

Sounds a bit like this…

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive

because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

--John 14:16-17

Helper=Holy Spirit

Not only to help us fight, but help us live outside the ring…

Why?

The Christian life is not a playground…it’s a

battleground.

When we’re discouraged, downtrodden, beaten and worn—just like the trainer in the corner cheering us on—we have the Holy Spirit to get us through. As a departure gift.

This life…comes with “challenges” and difficult matches…

And there will be temptation to give up…

BUT!

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!

Your story isn’t over.Your life isn’t over.Your dream isn’t over.You are never too far gone.You are never out of this fight.

More from Rocky V…

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

“But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward! How much you can take and keep moving forward! That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you are worth, go out and get what you are worth.”

If you leave with nothing else…

YOU. ARE. WORTH. IT.

This Christian life is not a playground…but a

battleground.

And you are equipped.

Questions, Comments, Disagreements?