The Chosen One's: Dress Code
Sermon Title: The Chosen One’s: Dress Code
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to stand firm against the schemes of Satan and demonic forces, by dressing daily in the Armor of God.
Sermon Proposition: There are 3 commands related to standing firm.
I. The command to stand firm in the strength of God. V.10-13
1. Here the apostle looks at the Christian’s responsibility of living in the world from a broader view, that is cosmic perspective.
Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go…9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Zechariah 10:12 "So I will strengthen them in the LORD, And they shall walk up and down in His name," Says the LORD.
Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, . . . 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
2. The Isaiah references depict the Lord of host as a warrior dressed for battle as He goes forth to vindicate His people.
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Isaiah 59:17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
3. God provides the weaponry for believers, its God’s own Armor.
1 Corinthians 10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
1. Now, by detailing the armor to be worn, he is developing the idea of putting on the new. Essentially then, to put on the new man is the same as putting on the armor of God.
Psalm 65:6 Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power;
Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect…39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
2. God’s own armor has been forged and furnished by God for our use, so that we may obey the command to stand firm. Only spiritual weapons are of value in this deadly cosmic struggle.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
3. When believers have done everything, that is, made all the necessary preparations for the battle, and are fully armed, Christians can stand firm against the onslaught of the evil power.
Isaiah 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
Philippians 1:4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
C. Pray for the speech of God. V.20
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.