Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God By Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Biblical Text: Ephesians 6:10-20 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the

strength of His might. Put on the full Armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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].

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Ephesians 6: 11-20 – Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil [one].

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Ephesians 6: 11-20 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and [pray] on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Ephesians 6: 11-20 – for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in [proclaiming] it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (NASU)

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Biblical Background – Ephesus was an important Roman city in the province of Asia – A very prosperous commercial city – The “Ephesian Grammata” were six magical terms which were used to empower amulets and part of chants and invocations – The cult to Diana was throughout the entire roman province of Asia – Her cultic influence extended to every sphere of life and culture (Acts 19:23-20:1)

The goddess Diana

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Biblical Background – The name of Diana was called upon by her devotees – She also played an important role in the spirit underworld – According to her followers, she possessed power over spirits of the dead and the underworld – There was an orgiastic celebration and temple prostitution was common

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Stand Firm Against the Schemes of the Devil • Stand Firm On the Evil Day • Stand Firm Using the Full Armor of God

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • Against what? – Schemes or craftiness (μεθοδείαmethodeia) – Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but rulers, powers, world rulers and spiritual forces – Satan is crafty and our enemy – Satan came to steal, kill and destroy

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God When? On the evil day We are not to be an anxious people Israel and the daily manna The Lord’s prayer states “give us our daily bread” Each day has its own challenge We need to take it one day at a time

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God How? Put on the full armor of God The Apostle Paul’s seven ways are listed in verses 14-20 The full armor gives us insight on how to defeat the schemes of the devil and his evil companions This is truly a discipleship passage

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – The Truth – The Breastplate of Righteousness – The Gospel of Peace – The Shield of Faith – The Helmet of Salvation – The Sword of the Spirit – Praying in the Spirit

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – I. The Truth (Eph 6:14a) • The Bible distinguishes between the truth and the lie • There is only one true God • All other gods are false • Satan is the father of lies • The Word of God is true • Jesus referred to Himself as the truth • Pontius Pilate desired to know “what is truth?” • The world wants truth

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – II. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14b) • The breastplate protected the chest but especially the heart from injury caused by an arrow or sword etc. • Righteousness has to do with the correct relationship with God • Adam and Eve broke the communion with the Lord due to their sin and disobedience

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – II. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14b) • Righteousness is linked with reconciliation with God and fellow believers • Only God is fully righteous and He has imparted His righteousness through Jesus Christ to His people • When we believe in Christ and His work, the Father sees Christ and not our sins

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – II. The Breastplate of Righteousness • We must guard our heart (Prov 4:23) • Maintain our relationship vibrant through holy living • We belong to God and are set apart for works of righteousness

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – II. The Breastplate of Righteousness • Believers are to behave according to God’s standard • Holiness is both for the man and the woman • There are no double standards

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – III. The Gospel of Peace (Eph. 6:15) • Gospel means “Good News” • Peace is the Old Testament concept of “shalom” • Peace is not only the absence of war • Biblical peace has to do with “wholistic well-being” in all spheres of life

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – III. The Gospel of Peace (Eph. 6:15) • It is relational i.e., peace with God, with one another and with one’s own self • The well-being is both in the physical and spiritual realm

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – IV. The Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16) • The shield protects the entire body • Πίστις (pistis) - is trusting faith • Faith is not presumption • Faith is not exercised in a vacuum • Trusting faith is exercised in real life contexts

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – IV. The Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16) • Faith is not at the expense of others • Faith is to be exercised at all times and places • Faith is walking and trusting in God in spite of the state of affairs • Faith is utilized against the fiery darts of the enemy

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – V. The Helmet of Salvation (Eph. 6:17a) • Protects the head, face and neck • The head represents the world of ideas • What and how we think are reflected in how we behave • It is the certainty of our salvation in Christ lived out that gives us the final victory

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – V. The Helmet of Salvation (Eph. 6:17a) • Our salvation has to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ • Salvation is a process: I am saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved • Justification, sanctification and glorification

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • A poem about Scripture “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.” Osbeck, Kenneth W.: Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Kregel Publications, 1990, S. 76

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – VI. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17b) • The sword is the only offensive weapon • The Word of God is our weapon against the strategies of the kingdom of darkness

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – VI. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17b) • Jesus Christ quoted Scripture when He was tempted by Satan (Lk 4:1-13) • The Word of God instructs us about: who God is, Jesus Christ and our own identity as children of God

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – VII. Praying in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18-19) • Praying at all times • Being alert • Praying with perseverance • The judge and the insistent widow (Lk 18:1-5)

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • The Seven Weapons (The Full Armor) – VII. Praying in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18-19) • Praying for all the saints • Praying for the Apostle Paul • Praying for the advancement of the Good News • Praying for boldness

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • CONCLUSION – Put on the full Armor of God • Gird your loins with truth • Put on the breastplate of righteousness • Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace • Take up the shield of faith • Put on the helmet of salvation • Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God • Pray for one another at all times

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God • CONCLUSION • Stand Firm: Against the schemes of the Devil-What & Who? • Stand Firm On the Evil Day-When? • Stand Firm: Using the Full Armor of God-How? • Let’s pray

Stand Firm: The Full Armor of God By Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti