Equipped for Victory Part 2

Previously, we looked at the necessity of prayer for the equipping of believers in the body of Christ. Today we are going to look at the actual equipment the believer has available to them. In Ephesians 6:14-17, the Apostle Paul details the spiritual equipment issued to every person who accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. This equipment is not optional. Its proper and consistent use is required for the believer and the church to walk in victory.

As believers, to have access to resources which can help us walk in spiritual victory and to not use them is foolishness.  Unfortunately, many of us hang our spiritual armor in the closet and leave it there to collect dust. We then struggle daily in our spiritual lives and wonder what has gone wrong. Calling upon God for assistance, when what we need has been in front of us all along.                                                                                                                                                                 

In this chapter, Paul lists six pieces of armor vital to the believer. Each of them is below and linked to a message specifically for it. I encourage you to take the time to listen and learn the importance they play in our spiritual lives.

  1. Belt of Truth (v.14)
  2. Breastplate of Righteousness (v.14)
  3. Feet Shod in Peace (v.15)
  4. Shield of Faith (v.16)
  5. Helmet of Salvation (v.17)
  6. Sword of the Spirit (v.17)


Equipped For Victory Part 1

Any athlete will tell you preparation is the key to success. Practice and hard work, along with properly maintained equipment, are the foundation for victory. Within the body of Christ, we each have a responsibility to prepare ourselves through earnest prayer (Ephesians 6:18) and to maintain and use our equipment, the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).

Preparation: Earnest and Unceasing Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”

First, the Apostle Paul tells us to pray “always.” When I read this verse, I find myself asking, “How can anyone pray always?” I have a busy life. I have kids, a wife, full time job, and my pastoral responsibilities. Where does prayer fit in beyond a few minutes each morning and evening? As if knowing my doubts, Paul reiterates his exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 when he says, “Pray without ceasing.” To me, praying without ceasing means we are not to allow disobedience or rebelliousness to separate us from Him. This allows us the opportunity to call upon Him anywhere at any time. If we have sinned, we immediately ask for forgiveness. If we see someone hurting, we intercede on their behalf without hesitation. We are ready “always” to reach out to Him.


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Working Together In Unity

As a child of God, you and I are part of the Kingdom of Heaven. Each of us has talents, passions, and wisdom to offer the Kingdom (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11, 12), but we must work together to be successful. For example, a team can have a player with phenomenal talent, but if the athlete does not function in unity with other members of the team, winning becomes a lot more difficult, if not impossible. Dr. Tony Evans writes, “One of the elements of God’s rule is His heart for oneness, also known as unity. Unity can be defined in its simplest of terms as oneness of purpose. It is working together in harmony toward a shared vision and goal.”

For believers to operate in unity and to remain in unity, there are three Biblical principles we must apply to our lives.

  1. We are commanded to live in unity with one another (Ephesians 4:3)
The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 4:3, we are to strive in unity with one another. It is not optional, but a command to believers to “make every effort” to live and work in unity with one another.  Even if personalities clash, we always have common ground. We are saved by grace through the gift of Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16) and are tasked by Him to be His “witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

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The Characteristics of the Victorious

Romans 8:37 – Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Have you ever played a team sport or perhaps are a fan of one?  I love football. I grew up watching football, my kids played football and I still watch football every week during the season whenever possible. If you played on a team or are a knowledgeable fan of a sport, you can quickly identify the characteristics or qualities necessary for a team to be successful.

  • They Have Unity
  • They Are Properly Equipped
  • They Have A Clear Vision
  • They Respect Their Coach
  • They Know How to Finish

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Psalm 30:4 & 5

Psalm 30:4, 5 – Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
 
This is such a great passage of scripture because it details the greatness of God’s love for His children.  First, David tells us, God’s anger “is but for a moment.”  What a great truth so easily overlooked in our world of selfishness.  While man holds grudges and seeks revenge on those who have wronged him, the God of all creation desires to show mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  While God’s anger is always justified, He does not delight in it.  He is not an angry cosmic killjoy sitting upon the throne waiting for the tiniest of offenses so He can exercise justice. If that were the case, the world would have ended long ago.  The Bible clearly teaches us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

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