All Dressed Up: Part 3
Message Summary:
In Sunday’s message, Pastor John Carter continued to teach us about the power and authority of the Church. We have been delivered from the power and the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of God’s Son. But the moment we enter the kingdom of light, we become the target of the enemy. We enter into a war and we need to get dressed up for battle. If we are in a wrestling match with an enemy (Eph. 6:12), then we need to learn how to suit up in the armor God has given to his children to fight their battles. That is why Ephesians 6 commands us to stand strong in the Lord and the power of His might by putting on the full armor of God – the belt of truth (John 17:17), the breastplate of righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), shoes of the gospel of peace (Romans 16:20), the shield of faith (1 Cor. 16:13), the helmet of salvation (1 Thess. 5:8), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Heb. 4:12). Some pieces of the armor defensively fend off attack and others help us to go on offense against our enemy.
The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit are spoken of in connection with one another. The helmet is designed to protect the head, wrapped completely and tightly wrapped around its entirety. As a spiritual weapon, salvation protects our minds and our thought lives. Your salvation must be kept in your mind, at the forefront of your mind, because it will protect you on the battlefield of your mind. As your mind is being renewed (Rom. 12:2), remembering what Jesus did to save you will protect your mind. When this life tries to attack your mind, remembering your salvation pushes back that attack. And we also fight back with our offensive weapon – the Word of God, which is the Sword of the Spirit. We need to know what the Word of God says so that we can wield it (speak it with authority) like a weapon to fight back when the enemy tries to attack us. We cannot just sit by and let our enemy win. We have been given divine authority to push back the devil, and we must learn how to fight back against his tactics with the weapons the Lord has given to us.
Scriptures:
[Ephesians 6:10-19 NKJV] 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.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 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel…
[Romans 12:2 NKJV] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
[Hebrews 4:12 NKJV] 12 For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Discussion Questions:
What is the helmet of salvation, and why do you think it is described this way?
How does the helmet protect our minds and our thought lives?
Why do you think Paul called the Word of God, the “Sword of the Spirit?”
Why is the Word of God our offensive weapon?
How do we use the Word of God to fight?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, examine your life and ask yourself this question: Are you protecting what you allow to play on the movie of your mind? Are you careful to protect your mind with your salvation? Are you using the Word of God to fight back? Do you know what the Word of God says so that you can wield it with authority? The Word of God is your weapon! I can protect your mind and it can fight back against the enemy! What scriptures do you need to be standing on and speaking in this season of your life?