Stand Firm in Your Faith - October 24, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Stand Firm In your Faith 

Part II 

Text: Ephesians 6:1-20 (vs 13-17) 

Thesis: God has been calling believers to “Stand Firm” from the beginning and not to panic and run. 

 

1. Stand Firm in your Faith in God through Jesus Christ. (Vs 14) 

“By keeping themselves ‘strong in the Lord’, that is equipping themselves with God’s armor, Christians can successfully win the fight against the forces of evil. This is Paul’s assurance.” (BBC, Eph. Page 262) 

1. With God and keeping His battle strategy, we can win! 

            “I have read the last chapter of the Bible and we win” (Unknown) 

              *  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) 

              *  “I can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.” (Philippians 4:13) 

1. Paul proclaims that God commands all Christians to “put on the full armor of God.” (Vs 13) 
2. “The Belt of Truth” (vs14a) 
3. Philosophies, traditions, reason, and creeds fail but the Truth  of God will withstand all opposition and the test of time. 

              *  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your  ways           and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) 

              *  “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25) 

1. Be aware of those who teach “situational ethics.”  
2. Be aware of those who no longer teach the “Absolutes of God” 
3. Be aware of those who teach “secular humanism.” 

              *  “Jesus said, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the           truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell        you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13) 

2. “The Breastplate of Righteousness.” 
3. The only real righteousness we have is due to                                         our relationship with Christ. 

              *  “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts                      are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us     away.” (Isaiah 64:6) 

                        “William Barclay writes, ‘When a man (person) is clothed in righteousness he               Is impregnable. Words are no defense in accusation, but a good live is.” 

1. Guard your heart, it is a vital organ, by putting on                                     the “Breastplate”. 
2. Religious leaders in Paul’s day had great head knowledge but hard hearts. 

              *  Jesus told the religious leaders, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire

              mercy, not sacrifice.’ (Matthew 9:13) 

              *  “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,”

              (Mathew 24:12) 

3. “The Sandals of the Gospel” (vs 15) 
4. A well fit sandal (shoe or boot) gave the soldier a stability that produced peace in battle. (Do not be caught bare footed in  battle.) 
5. The peace of the Gospel allows you to live in a state                             of readiness and not panic when you are called upon to share the   “Good News”. 

              *  “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who            proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7) 

              *  “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful    are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)