Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
An Expository Sermon Series By Warren W. Wierdsbe, B.A., M.A., Ed.D, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Min My brothers and sisters, and those who hope to become True Christians™, Spiritual Warfare is what we have inherited when we were chosen and Saved™ by God. I plan to work through the sixth chapter of Ephesians to hopefully explain what it is we need to fight the good fight. This will require a series of sermons, first an overview of the concept, then an introduction dealing with the entire chapter, then an item-by-item exposition of the "whole armor of God." In other words, I plan to explain each piece of the "whole armor of God" and its place in a True Christian's™ life. How do we use the "whole armor of God?" What makes up the "whole armor of God?" What will we gain with the "whole armor of God? Introduction Ephesians 6 (AV1611 King James Bible) Quote:
Verses 1-3 admonish children to honor their parents, and fathers to raise their children right. Quote:
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The next admonition is to servants (slaves): Quote:
Paul is telling them in no uncertain terms, that they are to remain obedient to their masters, Saved™ or unsaved, as they would be toward Christ! This pretty much proves that the abolition movement in America was not from God, but from the Devil! Encouraging slaves to run from their slaveholders has no basis in the Bible! For True Christian™ masters, the admonition is to do good to one’s slaves (not FREE them!) and not to threaten them. In other words, threatening is a proof of lack of control. How many parents have you heard tell unruly children, “Wait until we get home!” Why do they threaten? Because the children are in control. If the parents were in control, there would be no threat, just instant correction from the back of the hand. So do not threaten your slaves. Beat them. We can’t train a dog or any other animal with threats. There must be rewards and punishments. So don’t think you can train your slaves with threats. All of these things lead up to the admonition God gives to the Ephesians through his meat puppet Paul: Put on the "whole armor of God" to make you strong enough to stand in the world. The "whole armor of God will make you strong enough to stand against the Devil. The "whole armor of God will make you strong enough to stand, young person, against the temptations of popular culture with its emphasis on sex! Strong enough to stand, children, against the evils of the public schools and “Heather has Two Mommies!” Strong enough to stand, young parents, against the temptations to love your children too much, so that you cannot be the Godly example for them! Put on the "whole armor of God," so that you, too, may become a True Christian™ and enjoy all that there is to learn about God and His Favorite Church Landover Baptist! Put it on to make you strong enough to stand against the liberals who call themselves Christians but are not: Liberty Baptist Church and “University,” and Bob Jones “University” being two of the most egregious offenders here. Young people, come to Landover Baptist University for the Saved™ instead of some God-hating lieberal school like those! Over the next few messages, we will be studying more closely what the whole armour of God is, how it works, and how without even one piece, the whole thing fails. We will discuss how men and women can each make this armour their own so they can be True Christians™ in every sense of the word! In Christ, Warren |
Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
Amen! Preach it, Brother! :yahoo:
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Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
Don't forget, friends, to provide your little ones some peace of mind and a sermon they can wear! Get your Armor of God pjs now!
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Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God: Why We Need It
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Ephesians 6 (AV1611 King James Bible)
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. So finally, God’s Meat Puppet Paul gets to his point: God is encouraging the Ephesian church members to be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might,” or, as we would say, to become True Christians™ and unable to sin. So many who call themselves Christians continually fail to make the grade, to overcome sin and temptation and the devil and never become True Christians™, it would be a saddening thing if we did not know that all the true Elect will become True Christians™. But we keep preaching the truth, knowing that God knows his sheep, and His sheep know Him. (John 10:14-16) 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Why is God telling us about armour (armor) here? During this part in his life, Paul was a prisoner of Rome. It was a unique method of imprisonment, since as a Roman citizen he couldn’t really be locked up unless he had done something serious. No, instead he was chained to a Roman soldier 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In that situation, he became very familiar with what armor Roman soldiers wore, and God gave him a good illustration which makes a great sermon outline for us. Next: Principalities and powers! In Christ, Warren P.S. Hey Kids!! Be sure to print this picture and color it for Jesus! Make sure you put some of Satan's guts on the end of the sword! |
The Whole Armor of God-Principalities and Powers
Beloved in Christ, As we go on thinking about our spiritual warfare, we have to know our enemies! Who is it that oppose us on all hands? Men? Liberals? Baby killers? No, believe it or not, they are only acting at the behest of agents of the Devil himself! Quote:
Principalities http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sp...angelssad2.jpg Powers http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sp...elus10crop.jpg Rulers of Darkness http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sp...-america-4.jpg Spiritual wickedness in high places http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sp...-090906-01.jpg These are not just different names for earthly powers. They are ranks of celestial beings, being fallen angels who serve Lucifer, the fallen great angel who is also known as Satan, the Deceiver, Morningstar, etc. Where demons afflict humans in our own sphere of influence, Principalities and Powers are set over entire geographical areas or nations. Rulers of Darkness are the next tier in the hierarchy, and spiritual wickedness in high places refers to that small echelon directly beneath Satan. Make no mistake! The warfare for God hangs in the balance! Quote:
In Christ, Warren |
Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
The Whole Armor of God: The Belt of Truth Quote:
So what is the truth with which we must tie our loins? Jesus Himself said, Quote:
Be careful! What did you just read? “Contain?” “Contain” the Word of God? Let me ask you this—if the Bible “contains” the Word of God, what else does it “contain?” If the Bible “holds within it” the Word of God, then it ISN’T the Word of God. Because the container cannot be the same as that which it contains! So the Bible IS the Word of God. Next: Why only the King James Bible? In Christ, Warren |
Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
Why the King James Bible? Why the AV1611? Texts, Tranlators, Technique, and Theology!
Four main reasons: 1.Superior Original language Texts: In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the original language texts used by the translators were far superior to what we even have today. Were they the “original manuscripts?” Don’t be silly! They were copies of copies, but God preserved them specifically for this Bible in this time. 2.Superior translators: These men were not only learned, they were Godly! I quote from Dr. D.A. Waite (oh, how that man could alliterate!): Quote:
4.Superior Theology: This is a study in and of itself, but suffice to say that modern translations drop a great deal of theology, or change it. Say what you will, the Authorized King James Bible of 1611 is all the Truth you will ever need. It’s your belt on which to hang every weapon. It’s what will make or break you! Learn your AV1611! Memorize great long passages of it! Bind it around yourself as you prepare for Spiritual warfare! There's a great deal more to be said about why the King James Bible of 1611 is the only true Bible and the literal Word of God, but that's best saved for another series of sermons. Next: The Breastplate of Righteousness In Christ, Warren |
The Whole Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness
The second portion of the True Christian’s™ armor mentioned is the “breastplate of righteousness.” Many types of armor breastplates have been used over the centuries. In Sparta, they were molded to the shape of the human form. We believe this is wrong because it shows the ideal human body and can put wrong thoughts into the minds of weak Christians. You can see from the breastplate on this warrior woman, how it emphasizes her naughtier bits, and covers little else. Little is left to one’s imagination as to what is in there. The second one shows an even briefer garment exposing disgusting, albeit well-toned, abdominal muscles. Her companion has even less on. Terrible. She is completely vulnerable to almost any attack from the devil, even to having her clothing ripped right from her body and having unspeakable things done to her body! She is completely unprotected because she has no breastplate.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sq...naCoaster6.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RYkUyGaiubg/Sq...0/xena6big.jpg The breastplate was the final protection for the soldier, and if all else failed, it had to prevent the arrow or sword from penetrating. In other words, if the breastplate failed, it meant the death of the soldier. There were no emergency rooms or antibiotics or surgical experts like today to take our valiant soldiers and patch them up so they can go on to live full lives except for the missing arms, legs, hands, feet, eyes, scalp, organs, or such. If the breastplate failed, the soldier would die, but usually very slowly and painfully. Righteousness Note this breast plate is of righteousness. Righteousness means, “rightness,” or getting one’s self “right with God.” The most important organ in the chest is the heart. If the heart is broken, the life must end. God tells us how important the heart is. So get your heart right with God and keep it there! Next: What kind of breastplate? In Christ, Warren |
The Whole Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness
So if the breastplate of the True Christian's™ armor is the breastplate of righteousness, then how is that righteousness obtained? Let's look to that archetype of faith, Abraham. Righteousness by faith—Abraham Romans 4 (AV1611 King James Bible) Quote:
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Genesis 25 Quote:
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And as Abraham got older, of course he had to dispose of the great wealth that God gives to all who follow Him, and he showed not only his righteousness but his Christian love: Quote:
So righteousness comes not by works, not by something you can do, and not by anything anyone might tell you to do. It comes from believing God! Now even believing isn’t something you can do. That is God’s gift of grace. And works mean nothing with regard to righteousness. So don’t go out working to try to believe, or to try to attain righteousness. If you are a True Christian™, it will simply be there. So what can we take from this? We already have this breastplate of righteousness, it’s already on you! God gave it to you, and nothing you can do will make that happen or make it go away! Be righteous! Believe God! Make lots of baby Christians! In Christ, Warren |
Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
Dr. Warren, 'the warrior woman' depicted in the breastplate is New Zealand born unsaved trashy actress Lucy Lawless, best known for appearing as a lezbean in the blasphemous tv series 'Xena Warrior Princess'. The series promoted Greek paganism and feminazism. Lawless is now making an explicitly pornographic tv show called Spartacus: Blood and Sand. The following link is only for those strong in the Faith:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment...awless-TV-show |
Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
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Well the important thing is that we True Christians™ have a real breastplate of righteousness. Thank you, Brother Bryan. I will have to be a bit more careful in my choice of illustrative photos. In Christ, Warren |
Re: Spiritual Warfare: The Whole Armor of God
Well Dr. Warren,
to be frank the whole decadent tv series tend to aggravate my gag reflex :bad: - but if you google 'Xena' and 'pictures', there are plenty of photos of Lawless and her female co-star embracing each other and engaging in other forms of depravity :swoon:! The series is also freely available on dvd. Otherwise I like the thread as Ephesians Chapter 6 is one of my favourite parts of the New Testament. In Christ, Bryan. |
The Whole Armor of God: Shoes of Preparation Gospel
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Ephesians 6 (AV1611 King James Bible)
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Let’s look at this verse. So many preachers, without care for the perfect, inerrant nature of the King James Bible of 1611, fail to properly understand its import. I want all True Christians who hear this or read this sermon to understand exactly what is at stake here! I’ve heard sermons from so-called Christian preachers, going on and on about the “gospel of peace” and “good news to all” and other such tripe. The true meaning of this verse is very liberating to True Christians™. To properly understand this verse, we need to go to the Textus Receptus from which the King James Bible was translated. So bear with me, please. For those of you who cannot read Greek, I have transliterated so you may read along. και υποδησαμενοι τους ποδας εν ετοιμασια του ευαγγελιου της ειρηνης (TR) καιυποδησαμενοι[kai hupodisamenoi] (υπο [hupo] among, by, from, in, of, under, with, and δησαμενοι [disamenoi] from δησαι [disai] to bind, be in bonds "having underbound the feet;" that is, having bound on the shoes, or sandals, or whatever was worn by the ancient soldier.) τουςποδας [tous podas] (of the feet of all of you). Realize that these are your feet. (τους ποδας [tous podas], “the feet of you all or all y’all”). All of you must have your feet shod to fight. Some have mistakenly called these “greaves,” which were the shin armor that went from the top of the foot to the top of the knee for some Roman soldiers. But this verse isn’t talking about “greaves” or “shins.” It’s talking about sandals, or shoes, that undergird the foot to walk, march, or run to the fight. These don’t belong to Billy or Bobby or Someone or No One or Any One. “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” I now tie my own shoes. And so must you! τουευαγγελιου [tou evangeliou] the Gospel or good news or glad tidings. This is important! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is always good news! We will come back to this. τηςειρηνης[tis eirinis] of peace. So, the full, best translation is, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Do you see the beauty and wisdom of the King James Bible? When you study the Textus Receptus, the best translation is always with the King James Bible! Next: What do we mean by the "Gospel of Peace?" In Christ, Warren |
The Whole Armor of God: Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; What does it mean, to wear the shoes of the preparation of the good news of peace? So many churches have gone off the track here over the centuries that it is just a travesty. “Salad Bar” Christians who want to take what is appealing and leave the rest, read this to say that the ”good news” is news that will bring peace to the world. Nothing could be further from the truth! I said we’d get back to the “good news” of the Gospel. It’s good news for those who will hear it, because those who believe are those for whom Christ died. It’s good news for the bearers even when the hearers will not heed it, because it lets us know that some hard ground exists in which the seed may not take root. 2 Thessalonians 2 Quote:
So why is it called the Gospel of Peace? Is it intended to bring peace with unbelievers, or peace to the international scene? Of course not! What did Jesus say about peace? Matthew 10 Quote:
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John Gill, the great expositor of the same church as Charles Spurgeon but from a hundred years before, put it this way: Quote:
May God grant to each of you the grace and will to have your feet shod with the preparation of the “gospel of peace,” in other words, that God has chosen you from the foundations of the earth, and any not so chosen will spend an eternity in hell because God causes them to believe a lie. Next: The Shield of Faith In Christ, Warren |
Re: The Whole Armor of God: Gospel of Peace
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16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
επι πασιν αναλαβοντες τον θυρεον της πιστεως εν ω δυνησεσθε παντα τα βελη του πονηρου τα πεπυρωμενα σβεσαι Once again, not only has the King James Bible perfectly translated the text, it has also proven to ring like poetry, resonating with the soul of the reader. τον θυρεον- "The Shield"--There were several types of shields commonly seen in Roman times, and many folks walk around with the mistaken notion that this is speaking of the "Spartacus"-type shield shown below. Nothing could be further from the truth. This word originally came from "door," meaning a large stone placed over the opening of a grave. In the New Testament, it came to mean the tall, door-shaped shield which the soldier could hide behind. The shield that Paul had in mind here is not the small, round buckler, but the oblong, door-like shield, measuring 4' x 2 ', curved to the shape of the body and carried by the Greek and Roman soldiers, as also seen below. When placed side-by-side for the front rank, and held overhead together (for those behind), these large shields formed a wall behind which a body of troops could hide themselves from the rain of the enemy's arrows. These military shields were made of wood, covered on the outside with thick leather, which not only deadened the shock of the arrow, but protected the frame of the shield from the fire-tipped darts used in the artillery of the enemy. Have you ever been told that you are "hiding behind your faith?" Especially when dealing with the lies of the aborticiders and evolutionists? I pray to God that more True Christians will "hide behind their faith!" What need do you have of arguments, or logic, or evidence? God said it, we win! The funny thing is, the shield was not only a defensive weapon. In close combat, it could be used to knock the enemy off balance or even bludgeon them senseless! This is exactly what we must do with our faith! When some militant atheistic scientist challenges you to prove what you are saying without using the Bible, you must go on the offensive! "God said so (and quote the relavent King James passages), and that's that." Or you might hold your faith up and point out loudly and insistently how you are being persecuted for your faith. It's a sure way to knock the sinners off balance! Do we need evidence? What is faith, anyway? της πιστεως "Of Faith"--What does the Bible say about faith? Anything at all? What is Faith? We have already discussed Righteousness, and what it was that counted as righteousness, or "rightness" for Abraham...and we know that it was his faith. How did we define that? Quote:
επιστευσεν (episteusen) "Believed"--This word is interesting in its construction. Technically it is a Verb in the third person (he or she) singular aorist (past snapshot, meaning it happened once). Abraham believed God. It only needed to happen once. He believed God and that belief was accounted to him as righteousness. Now the root word here is πιστις (pistis) which is translated throughout the King James Bible as "faith." So faith is believing God. One of the greatest discussions of faith is found in Hebrews 11. I recommend every True Christian™ not only read this regularly, but commit it to memory. Hebrews 11 Quote:
(And it was counted unto him for Righteousness) Quote:
(The only answer any True Christian needs for the Evolutionist! There was nothing, and God spoke it all into existence!) Quote:
So without faith it is impossible to please God, and what is faith? Believing in what you cannot see, believing in a hope! If you believe in dogs, what great thing is that, since you can see a dog? If you believe in a church, what great thing is that, since you can see a church and be a member of it? It is rooted in this world and you can see it, touch it, know it. There is no value in believing what can be proven! Faith is not believing in the manner of "I believe I'll have more pie." Nor is it belief in the manner of "I believe that Barack Obama is a Musliim born in Africa." The first is no more than an opinion, an appetite. The second can easily be proven or disproven. The value of faith, without which it is impossible to please God, is in believing in that which can never be proven! So why do you need arguments? Why do you need "creation science?" God said He created the world in seven days, about 6,000 years ago (counting all the generations and historical events recorded in God's Word). Why do you feel the need to try to prove it? If you can prove it, it no longer requires faith, which then makes it impossible to please God. If we say we believe in the fall of Jericho, that is faith. If archeology proves it happened, it no longer requires faith. So the only subject of faith that pleases God is that which defies reason, which contradicts rational thought, which denies the natural laws which govern our world. The only faith that can please God, my beloved in Christ, is that which makes no sense in the earthly sense of the word. In other words, the truth of God is nonsense to man. 2 Timothy 3 Quote:
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And so on and so forth. Do not cling to reason. Do not cling to facts, or evidence, or reason, or sensibility.Take your shield of faith. Hold it high, hide behind it, use it to bludgeon the enemy into submission! Thank God for that gift of faith! In Christ, Warren |
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