Imagine you’re in the heat of the battle, supplies are running out, ammo is depleted, the enemy is advancing, and the radio is out. Can’t call for additional support, can’t call for supplies. No ammo—not help—you are at the mercy of the approaching enemy—no way to call for help. In spiritual warfare it is also true. Without communication with the Father you are spiritually disabled—fear overpowers your mind—hopelessness your thoughts. Without comprehensive prayer we become as before we were saved: —“without Christ, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (v.2:12). Not being able to communicate with our Father leaves us alone—without the hope, without wisdom and the knowledge that He is always there to help and guide us.

Zeal is an important component in the life of every Christian. Zeal for repentance (2 Cor. 7:11), zeal for God’s house the church (John 2:17; Col. 1:18), and God’s “own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Or like Epaphras who fervently for you in prayers, and has a great zeal for the church (Colossians 4:12-13). 

Tragically many today have a great zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2), and for that reason fail their souls. How is your zeal? Where does your zeal come from? Yourself, or God?  

In this lesson Titled Helmet and Sword we will further build our armor with two more pieces: the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. This comes from verse 17 where Paul says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Eph. 6:17). 

We are building our armor to win the battle for our soul and God says salvation is a piece of armor. How is salvation a piece of armor? God called this “the helmet of salvation”.  Consider the physical helmet in its many forms and what it does. Football—Construction—Bicycle—Motorcycle—War: What do all these have in common? They all protect the head / brain from injury. Each gives hope of protection. 

Spiritually the knowledge of our salvation gives us hope which in turn guards our hearts, our minds. When we have this hope of eternal life–we are empowered to stand firm against the devil’s schemes–knowing what’s at stake. . .

In our society we have moved so far from even the hint of innocence in our schools, homes, and workplace. It is so bad that I somedays think that there will be a time when you look up the definition of innocence in the dictionary and it will not be there, blotted out, or changed completely. 

You might remember movie ratings. G, PG, PG-13, R, etc. Invest a little time studying these and you’ll see the specifications have shifted. What used to be PG had zero language, zero innuendo, zero sexual content–but has changed. Society has embraced filth and moved so far from innocence that what used to be unacceptable morally–is now seen in cartoons–molding the minds of your young, eliminating any innocence from their existence.

The apostle Paul describes why we need the shield, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6:16). Paul describes the shield of faith as a powerful tool in our stand against the devil and the evil forces of darkness…

The Devil wants nothing more than for Christians to complain, mop, be stressed out, lack confidence, question faith, be depressed, and let all external, physical experiences drive their emotions so that when “bad things happen”, they will complain, mop, be stressed out, lack confidence, question faith, and be depressed. 

God has a better plan. To the saints Paul wrote, “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20), and “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:9). The God of peace has through the blood of Christ Who is our peace (Eph. 2:14),  has given us a way to have peace that the world will never have — with a promise that “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7)…

Never leave the house not having prepared yourself by the gospel of peace. Nearly every Sunday we have our children over for lunch and time to reflect, and for some to watch football, basketball or golf. But, when it’s time to go—one phrase is always spoken, that is, “Put on your shoes—it’s time to go”. You would never leave the house without your shoes, and the right shoes matter. When it’s below freezing and the snow is 2 feet deep your first choice to shod your feet wouldn’t be flip-flops. You chose the right shoe for the right situation. 

To shod your feet, is the part of the armor that makes us ready to go out and fight against our enemy—the devil. If when you leave home you shod your feet with modernism, with modern philosophy you will loose every spiritual battle against the devil. But the right shoe for Christians is the gospel of peace which will enable you to receive peace between yourself and others, and more importantly—peace between you and God. 

Isaiah declares to Israel, “For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money” (52:3)

Our sins made us to be at war with our God—His love for us purchased peace, not with money but through the death of His Son.

War is a terrible thing. It has caused the deaths of millions, and forever separates us. Albert Einstein was reported to say, “The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking… the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker.” The bomb has not changed the hearts of man. The millions of lives lost has not changed the hearts of man. So what can change the heart of man?

THE AMAZING GOD!  More powerful than the atom bomb is the word of God. It has the power to change thinking (Rom. 12:2), the power to change man’s heart (Ezek. 36:26) and the power to save souls (1 Cor. 1:18, Rom 1:16).

And “…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Not only that but the Word that came down from heaven to walk with man, by His word, made the blind to see, the lame to walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf could hear, and the dead were raised up to life… 

Remember Paul said, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6.13). By saying the whole armor—Paul is telling us that every part of the armor is necessary if we want to with the battles against the devil and his schemes. Last week we learned about the first part of the armor were Paul said, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth…” (v.14), which begins with learning objective truth via the word of truth—God’s breathed word. But knowing the truth in not enough—there is more and today we’ll examine the second piece of armor we must take up—which is “…the breastplate of righteousness”. Righteousness is necessary for this fight—but what is the righteousness Paul is speaking of here? Is it our own righteousness, is it the righteousness related to our salvation, our sanctification? Or, the righteous manner in which we are commanded to live out our daily lives? 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus astonished the people with His teaching. He astonished them in the synagogues (Mark 1:21-22; Mark 6:2). The question might be raised, “Did Jesus have the authority to speak this way?” He may have taught with authority, but was it His right to do so? Should we, who read that which He taught, give heed to obey what He said?
In this study, we shall review the authority that Jesus has, beginning with THE INHERENT RIGHT OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY BY VIRTUE OF BEING THE CREATOR. All things were made through Him…