Uniforms have two purposes

1: Identity

Emergency situations

professional situations
2: Practicality

Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose
Series:

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Week 2…

We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark
Today we are talking about…

The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life

Background:

Paul in Ephesus

Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers
know for its practice of “dark arts”

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here…
Armor – Something they were very familiar with

Don’t get lost in the analogy

Armor is what you actively choose to use

it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God
Don’t have to Pray “today i put on…”

The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM

“Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship

Learning to follow Jesus

Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…

1: Fight for your life with TRUTH (Belt)

What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling?
Each piece of armor we’ll break into 2 parts…

Foundation – What we think
Direction – What we do

Foundation: Believing in the TRUTH

We are all building our lives on a truth
You wear a truth, whether you realize it or not

It surrounds and envelopes you
It is what will allow you to walk trip or run

Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin”
There is always a counterfeit

The Enemy’s “TRUTH”
Culture’s “truth”

Direction: Walking in the TRUTH

We speak the truth as we live in the truth

Partner with truth
It guides us
We choose to be guided by it

Declaration of Truth

I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life

2: Fight for your life in RIGHTEOUSNESS (Breastplate)

What does he mean by righteousness?

Foundation: I am made righteous through Jesus Christ

My old self is GONE

New Creation
Not who I was

Guard your heart… (proverbs)

We are made righteous, so now act righteously

Direction: My actions reflect my new status

My behavior

Righteousness guards us
Your actions from your heart
Rightness leads to rightness
Righteousness leads to Righteousness

Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack

Seasons of doubt connected to sin
Living a right life protects us (doubt, shame)

What does it look like to live righteously?

To live for righteousness means we wholeheartedly realize that sin does not please God

we pursue holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and actions
We submit even our thought life to what is righteous

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
To Fight For My Life…

I choose to make the right choices in alignment with God’s word and will. I can trust that the righteousness of Christ guards my heart.

3: Fight for your life by carrying THE GOSPEL PEACE (Shoes)

What is the gospel of Peace in the context of the story the Bible is telling?

Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus is Peace to the world

Rebellion against God = Chaos
Sin = Separation, violence, loss, etc

Gospel = Jesus is king

We are no longer separated from our father
We have been made right
We have access to God
Our sins are forgiven
PEACE CAN NOW BE HAD

Direction: I carry the best news the world must hear

It’s not whether you will go or not

But whether you will carry the PEACE OF THE GOSPEL or BROKENNESS
Taking the gospel where there is chaos

Isaiah 52:7

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

To fight for my life…

I choose to be a peacemaker and a peace bringer by carrying the good news of grace and salvation. I can bring peace to chaos through the light of the gospel of Jesus

4: Fight for your life in FAITH (Shield)

What is faith? Why a shield

Faith is TRUST and HOPE in someone or something

Foundation: My faith in God protects me

Protection from circumstances and lies

Trials
Protects us in hard times
Doubt and internal turmoil

Shields us and stops the darts of doubt and temptation
Sounds like…

What God has for me is better than this temptation.

Direction: I keep the faith no matter what

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
We don’t panic when things get tough

God is FAITHFUL to we can TRUST HIM
HOPE IN HIM

Our trust in the Lord is stronger than our struggle
To fight for my life…

I choose to trust God and not lies, deceit, or circumstances. I can hold strong in any storm because my God is with me.

5: Fight for your life through SALVATION (Helmet)

What does he mean by “Salvation?”

Foundation: I am secure in Christ through His salvation
Get a head blow, and you are dead

satan attacks the mind

Knowing what you believe

Who you belong to
Who you are in Jesus
Christianity 101 – simple gospel
“I am not who I was”
I am Saved by GRACE

Direction: I live with confidence because I know who I am and WHO’S I am

When the enemy attacks your mind, you remind yourself who saved you

You are not Who you were

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
To fight for my life…

I choose to rest in the knowledge that I am loved, redeemed, and called by God. I can understand my place in God’s family and plan for the world.

6: Fight for your life with THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT (Sword/Word of God)

Study about reading the Bible

https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf

3 days or less per week = No significant effect
4 or more per week:

Getting drunk = 57% lower odds
Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds
Pornography = 61% lower odds
Gambling = 74% lower odds
Any of these habits = 57% lower odds

Also increased…

Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds
Discipling others = 231% higher odds
Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds

Foundation: God’s word is my weapon against evil and temptation

God’s word is how we fight

One offensive tool

The gospel and all of scripture
Jesus fought this way

In the desert temptation

How is it effective?

Gives discernment
Promises we can claim
We need the word of God

Direction: I fight the enemy with the Truth of God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:15-17

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

To fight for my life…

I choose to rebuke evil through the word of God’s truth. I can fight with a victory mindset because nothing overcomes my God and his revealed word.