Gear Up!

Introduction

Sometimes these simple little songs that our children sing are good for us to sing as well. As long as the sister and the brother and the sinners in the way that we don’t roll right over them. You know, I worry about that with that song. We don’t want to roll right over them. That’s the devil that we’re going to roll right over. And it does pertain to the thoughts that I want to present to you briefly tonight. You’ve heard this expression. Out of sight, out of mind. Thought of a lot of ways in which this is relevant. I mentioned the names.

They’re not here today. You didn’t even notice. Out of sight, out of mind. Wait a minute. The Eagles are here. Watching the Wiggins children that are here. Okay, so that’s not a good illustration. There is a particular woman who, when she’s in Tampa and I’m here, I’m worried that this could be the case. My mom. My mom. Talking about my mom who lives in Tampa. But on to a more serious application of this expression. I grow concerned that sometimes I’m not as perceptive of the invisible adversary that I have. And that you have. Because we don’t see him, we might not regard him as real, as the formidable threat that he is. There is one passage that’s very compelling in this regard. It is 1 John chapter 5, verse 19.

There’s a lot going on in 1 John that is really explained by this statement, but he’s talking about the things that they knew for sure, certainties that they could hold on to. And he says, We know that we are children of God, but there is something else that is happening that is opposed to that. And that the whole world, the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding. We were talking in Bible class this morning about how knowing who Jesus is gives you a proper worldview, a proper view of yourself, a proper view of religion, of his people. We know also that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true.

And we are in him who is true by being in his son, Jesus Christ, by sustaining a relationship with the risen Lord and King. He is the true God and eternal life. And just in these verses alone, while the word is not mentioned, it is written all over it that we are in an intense warfare and battle. Because we live in a world that is dominated by the adversary.

Our enemy is very real. He is very active in this world. The warfare is intense. And that’s why we must put on the full armor of God. Caden, thank you, came to me a couple of weeks ago and requested that I preach a sermon on this passage from Ephesians 6. I tried to get Caden to read these verses, but he frighteningly declined. In Ephesians 6 and verse 10, finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. The conclusion of all that Paul has been telling the Ephesians about salvation in Christ and what they’re called to be as his disciples. The conclusion of it all is you need to muster strength in the Lord. Strength in his might and put on this is your activity.

This is your mission. Put on the full armament, the full armor of God. Why should you do that? That you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the one who controls the world. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. I don’t know about you, but that sounds scary, intense. Therefore, he says it again take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, having done everything to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one, the fiery darts, the King James Version says, And take the helmet of salvation with, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and to couple that verse 18 with prayer and petition at all times.

1. The Adversary Is Intent on Your Spiritual Demise

Several things leap out at me here. Number one, the adversary is intent on your spiritual demise. And don’t think for one second that because you are in Christ or you’ve been in Christ for some time, that you’re somehow exempt from his efforts. What in the world? How should we, why should we ever think that? There is warfare going on, it is intense, it is in the spiritual realm, it relates to the salvation of your soul, and he wants to destroy you.

And this battle is not against flesh and blood. Okay, it’s a spiritual battle. Got it, got it. No problem. Some of the people in this audience have experienced warfare to some degree, and they could tell you, they could tell you how intense that is. How alert you have to be when you’re going up against flesh and blood in warfare. The adrenaline that is pumping through your veins as you face the adversary, because this is life and death. Do you see what Paul is saying in Ephesians 6? As horrific as that is, as challenging to our mind the alertness and the adrenaline and everything that happens in that kind of circumstance. This is life and death. What we’re talking about tonight isn’t against flesh and blood. This is spiritual life and death.

2. We Are Sufficiently Equipped

And whereas you see the enemy on the battlefield who is real when he is physical, this enemy is sometimes not even perceived. Yet he is there. But know this. Yes, three things. Number one, this is a serious engagement. Spiritual warfare is deadly serious. Ephesians 6 makes that abundantly clear. The second observation I would make about this text, and this is the wonderful part about it, is that we are sufficiently equipped. I was reading about World War II. And the Russians were just throwing everything they could at the Germans to stop their advance into Russia. And so depleted were their resources and their armies that they would actually send men into battle without weapons. Can you imagine being sent up against the German foe without weapons? Massive casualties took place.

We’re not sent into this battle with insufficient weaponry and armor. We are given all that we need for success. Ephesians 6 suggests. And we have superior ends in view. This cause is like no other. There are superior aims in this fight. What are people fighting over in world wars? People that are fighting over territory and money and all sorts of motives might be in play in physical warfare. This is a warfare that has to do with superior aims, superior goals, the salvation of souls and eternity and immortality is on the line in this warfare. Brent mentioned last Sunday night that the imagery of Ephesians 6 is actually drawn from Isaiah 59. As God is painted as the divine warrior, and you look at some of the imagery of Ephesians 6, and it comes directly from that text in Isaiah 59.

3. Gear Up: Put On the Full Armor of God

And so I want to encourage you tonight to gear up. And victory is ours if we would put on the full armor at our disposal. Okay, Caden, here you go. This is what we read in Ephesians chapter 6. This is the armor that we are to don. You have to put this on. I can’t do it for you. I think it’s one of the frustrating things that Brent and I experience as we preach. We’re trying to help people to do the right things that will cause them to know divine favor and get divine blessing, and yet you can’t force it on people. You can’t make them do it. No one can do this for you. All the right words that come out of this pulpit will not necessarily get it done.

It depends on you. Have you put on the full armor of God? And I’m just going to talk about some things briefly in regard to each one. If you get some different thoughts, share those with me. This could turn into a series. There’s a couple of things that I thought about. At the basis of all of this, he says, Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth. This is supplied by the person who made the graphic, absolute truth. I mean, what is truly real, like we were reading about in 1 John chapter 5. This is the basis for our defense. It is truth that brings salvation and freedom. And so the thing that ties it all together is the truth of God. We are born of that truth.

We live spiritually because of that truth that we embrace, that truth that is in Jesus. And then he says, we are to put on the breastplate of righteousness. That is absolutely non negotiable. The believer in God pursues what is right. He or she learns about what is right. And then tenaciously sets himself or herself to the task of implementing that in their thinking and conduct. And their feet are protected by the gospel of peace. Oh, so much could be said here, but I just thought about the fact that we are so equipped in this warfare that the gospel of peace ought to bring us delight and joy. That we have access and knowledge of this priceless information, this good news. And we have donned because of this gospel, the shield of faith.

Oh, the shield’s important, is it not? Because the fiery darts, or as the new American standard says, the flaming missiles are coming at us. It’s a shield of faith. What is that saying? Our divine connection is a part of this victory. It’s not just about you by the strength of your own might putting on armor. It’s about my relationship with God. My trust in Him. Remember, He is the divine warrior of Isaiah 59, divine assistance. And this is my part in the shield of faith, and that is my daily devotion unto him. We’re only going to survive in this battle if we keep that connection strong on a daily basis. This full armor passage is telling you that you can’t walk out these doors tonight and put your religion in a box and take it out again on Wednesday night.

Or worse yet, not until next Sunday. Rolling the gospel chariot along is not just about what we do in this building. The shield of faith is about daily devotion to God. And what fuels it all? Well, it’s because of where we’re headed. The treasure, the prize, what’s at the end of this glorious battle? It is beyond our mind’s ability to fathom the depths of the joy that awaits us. What it will be like to bask in the glory of the presence of God and all that attends that scene, all the glory and the bliss and the joy that attends being in the presence of God. And that also speaks to our exalted purpose.

Again, this extends far beyond life here to another world. To a new heavens and a new earth. It will be all about righteousness, just like our pursuit here, where God is and the sword of the Spirit. Not only do we have all the wherewithal to defend ourselves in this fight, we can be proactive in the battle. We’ve been equipped with the powerful and amazing two-edged sword of the Spirit. Thus we are equipped with great power. And so we have to gear up for battle. And one of the things Ephesians 6 is doing in 1 John 5 is doing, and Paul is doing in 2 Corinthians when he says, we are not ignorant of his devices.

4. You Have an Enemy

And so this is what I want you to know about the practice of your faith tonight. And this is extremely important. That is that you have an enemy.

So that you’ll know what he’s up to, that you’ll see him when he’s lurking nearby as he goes to and fro throughout the earth, as we see in the book of Job. Remember, the whole world is under his sway and control. He wants to destroy your connection with God. He doesn’t want you donning the shield of faith. He wants to tear you limb from limb spiritually. That’s why he’s a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. And you must not let him get a foothold again in your life, like he did before. When you were alienated and hostile in mind. As we studied this morning in Colossians. The prince of the power of the air. That’s how he’s described in Ephesians 2, a passage that was referenced by both Brent and Aaron this morning.

The prince of the power of the air, who works in the spirits of the sons of disobedience. You know, there are some people that it would probably be best for them not to have offspring, genetic offspring. And I don’t mean to judge anybody out of hand, but you’ve seen people, it’s like these people don’t need to be having children. Should I be saying that? Too late, it’s done. But I know you’ve thought it. Admit it. You’ve thought it. It’s not just me. Thank you. Thank you, Jay. But do you see that in Ephesians 2? The spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. That’s an interesting expression. The offspring of disobedience.

They’re just bent on being against God, of rebelling against him. The worst kind of offspring. The sons of disobedience. We were formerly alienated in our minds, but we come to the knowledge of the truth. That’s why our loins are girded now with truth. What’s the devil all about? That’s simple. You want to recognize the enemy? He wants to impede and prevent and oppose everything that God says is good. If God says it’s good, he’s against it. He’s opposed to it. And that’s why Isaiah would say, in critical times when the Lord’s people are going in a terrible direction, headed toward judgment. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. That’s the whole point that he’s making.

The devil has taken control. He’s opposed to all that is good. Whatever God is for, he’s against. We can just say about the adversary, he’s opposite. He’s opposite. That’s who he is. God desires salvation of souls. The devil wants the opposite. God is truth and advances truth. The devil advances error and falsehood. If it’s wrong, if it’s error, you know who’s advancing it. God desires unity and peace.

5. His Pawns May Be Closer Than You Think

So you know what the devil’s after, right? Disunity. Division. Conflict. God wants growth for his church as we taste his goodness. Heard a good lesson on that last week. The devil wants stagnation, lost fervency, and just going through the motions. God promotes a healthy family environment and love in relationships. The devil wants to blow things up. Has he ever been at work in your home? People in your family. He is opposed to all that God declared good. Be watchful of him. Secondly, his pawns may be closer than you think. The people that he uses. You know, we come across some people and we might just clearly simply recognize they’re the devil’s pawns they’re spawn of the evil one. But it’s entirely possible that at times he can even use covenant people.

People within the ranks. We saw recently during the Ralph Walker meeting, the whole thing that happened with Absalom. First of all, we have rebellion within David’s house. Who do you think is behind all of that? And then you have the counsel of Ahithophel versus Hushai. These are people close. Close advisors to David and Absalom. And sometimes the enemy is not perceived. But you thought I was going to a New Testament story, didn’t you? If you didn’t, I am going there now. As Jesus confesses to his disciples, I am indeed the Christ. And then shortly thereafter, Peter is telling him what he is and is not going to do. As he says, he’s going to be put to death and rise again the third day. Peter says, not so, Lord.

Wait a minute. You’ve just acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and now you’re telling him what he can and cannot do. You’re obviously not getting the implications of your own confession. Not so, Lord. And Jesus was able to do the very thing I’m admonishing you to do tonight. To turn and look at Peter and say, get behind me, Satan.

Peter’s probably looking over his shoulder. Me? This is one of his closest followers. This is his right hand man. This is the leader of the group. This is Peter we’re talking about. Is Peter in heaven right now? I’m liking the odds of that being true. But in that moment, he was being used by the adversary. Don’t think you can’t be used. Don’t think somebody close to you can’t be used. That’s how cunning our adversary can be. If only we could be so attuned to what’s really going on in the spirit realm that when things happen that we could say, that’s the enemy. Now, I say that with some hesitation. The next conflict that unfolds in your home. I know the spout. You’re the enemy. You’re the devil.

Okay, got to be careful with that. But his advances are real. His favorite words. Compromise. Rationalize. Justify. He’s just got to get you deviated somehow from the truth. Shortcuts. My own way. Trust or waver. I could not help but think. I knew what I was going to preach tonight. I could not help but think when Brent was talking about Abraham’s journey of faith this morning and the nice little graph that went like this. And there were some dips. Did you notice the dips? Here’s the man of faith presented in the New Testament. There were moments in his life where the devil is chipping away, trying to get an inroad with Abraham in regard to the armor to get between the joints and say, Abraham, don’t trust here.

Waver. Do it your own way. Try the handmaid. See if that’ll work. Lie. Don’t trust God. Lie about who your wife really is. Why is that story being told us? And it’s not just Abraham. It’s Isaac. It’s Jacob. It’s all throughout the book of Genesis. It’s Joseph’s brothers. The devil is doing everything he can with the seed of woman to try to corrupt God’s purposes and to get them off track in regard to the promise. And that’s why we need to take up the shield of faith because he is relentless in his attacks, and this is how he’s going to do it. Dangerous thought.

A lot of people think like this.

You know why it can’t be wrong? Because I’m doing it. I’m doing it’s got to be right. Not necessarily so. What are some things that can affect our relationship with God? The simple matter of brotherly love can affect your relationship with God. I think we think in terms of a right relationship with God only in regard to certain kinds of conduct, the big things by forfeit sobriety or cater to sexual lusts. And yes, those things can impede a right relationship with God and affect putting on the full armor of God. But there are other things. Just simply hating your brother. How can you love God whom you can’t see if you do not love your brother whom you can see? 1 John chapter 4 and verse 19.

6. He Is Powerless to Defeat Us

The simple issue of espousal neglect. Not dealing with your wife in an understanding way, 1 Peter chapter 3 and verse 7. And so often I think we think that doesn’t matter because it’s not church stuff. Because it’s not church stuff. And I’m generally a good person who claims to believe in God that none of that stuff matters. But there’s all kinds of way, you see, that we can rationalize and justify our conduct and thinking. And finally, the great news is that if we put on the full armor of God, he is powerless to defeat us. And that’s what Romans 8 is telling us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who can separate us? There’s nothing strong enough, not even death is strong enough, not life.

There’s not any power in this world or in the world to come that is strong enough to conquer the one who has donned this armor. I love this statement that was put on our webpage. The devil is not afraid of people going to church. He’s afraid of people starting to look like Christ. That was awesome. People who walk with divine connection, who stride daily in righteousness, who value the spiritual, who look to the reward. We need each other. We absolutely must avoid isolation. There is strength in numbers. Why do you think God has us do this? Why don’t we just practice our religion all off on our own somewhere? Oh, there are people that have been successful in isolation and fighting battles for the Lord.

I think of Jonathan. He wasn’t completely alone. He had his armor bearer with him. But his armor bearer was sort of back by when Jonathan strikes the Philistine garrison, when the armor bearer sees how this is going to go, he jumps in and he slays a few as well. Jonathan, if the Lord is with us, we can do this. He didn’t need an army behind him. And then there was Benia, the son of Jehoida, who went down into the middle of a pit on a snowy day and took out a lion. He didn’t need anybody else.

There was Elias, the son of Dodo. I love that name. Who struck a great slaughter when everybody else was running? And so many among David’s mighty men. Singular warriors who were victorious in battle. Sometimes we will fight our battles when we are alone. But we will not be alone with God’s help. But he has also brought us together so that we could find strength in numbers. Awesome thing about putting on the full armor of God. That everybody who is here tonight has enough wherewithal, is talented enough to win in this warfare. I don’t know about you. I like losing. Do you like losing? I get excited when my team lose. Don’t you? If you’re an Aggie or a Longhorn, you experienced it this weekend. Your team lost.

This is when you still stick with baseball because the Astros are winning. But we’ve all experienced none of us like losing. You ever like being in a competition or a game and, oh, I lost this time. This is great. Just ask Alyssa when she plays me in Words with Friends. Oh, did I go there? Daniel’s even joined. Nobody likes losing. In this battle, we win. Run in such a way that you win. Isn’t that great when Paul says that in 1 Corinthians chapter 9? He’s telling his audience, it all depends on you as you keep this relationship with God. The shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, your loins girded with truth. You stay at this. You’re in battle, you stay fighting. And you win. Winning is within your grasp.

Conclusion

And whatever you do, don’t let the devil whisper in your ear. You can’t do this. Because you can. You must never give up. Be courageous. Are you in the battle? There’s someone in this audience tonight who’s not yet enlisted as a soldier of the King Jesus Christ. We invite you to come. Let’s stand and see.