All Dressed Up: Part 1
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. He will do whatever he can to tempt you, lie to you, distract you, deceive you, and slander you if he can. He is actively fighting against us, and we must learn how to fight back. We are in a wrestling match with our enemy (Eph. 6:12) and we need to not only exercise our authority against him but also learn how to suit up in the armor that 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, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation. These are our defensive weapons against the tactics of the enemy. And then we must go on the offensive with the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, our offensive weapon. But don’t forget the last command to God’s army. Put on your armor and don’t forget to keep “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end…” (Eph. 6:18). This is our long-distance weapon. Prayer fights for us from afar, offensively and defensively. It is important that we are watchful and aware that we are at war, and we cannot just sit by and let our enemy win. We must fight back against his tactics with the weapons the Lord has given to His Church to experience the victory he has already won!
Scriptures:
[Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV] 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
[Ephesians 6:10-18 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…
Discussion Questions:
What is the “whole armor of God” and how do we put it on?
What is the difference between an offensive and a defensive weapon?
What are the defensive parts of our heavenly armor? How do we use them?
What are the offensive parts of our heavenly armor? How do we use them?
Why is important to remember that prayer is an offensive and defensive weapon? How do we use prayer to fight?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, examine your life and ask yourself this question: What piece of your armor do you need to reinforce? There may be an area where you feel weak and open to attack. You need to remember that God gave you armor to defend yourself in that area of your life. How can the word of God help you grow in your confidence in God and his willingness to fight for you? It is time to suit up for battle and start fighting back against your enemy!