Ultimate Spiritual Fighting - Gods Provisions Part 1

Ultimate Fighting

God’s Provisions - Part 1

"Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I

want to run a mission a yard from the gate of hell."

- C.T. Studd

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

• Overview of the Armor• The Belt of Truth• The Breastplate of Righteousness• The shoes of peace• Conclusions

‚I will not risk open war.‛ - Theoden

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

‚Open War is upon you, whether you like it or not.‛ - Aragorn

‚We do not frighten those we prospect.‛

-Partial recorded transcript from the exorcism of JamsieZ

(Hostage to the Devil)

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

The Amor of God"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. "(Ephesians 6:13-17)

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

The Commands• Take up the full armor of God, (imperative: a command)

• Resist (be resistant to power) in the evil day,

• Having done (accomplish something) everything

• Stand (stand against and hold one’s ground) firm.

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

The Belt of Truth‚Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth…"(Ephesians 6:14)

In Paul’s day, soldiers wore a tunic that had holes for the head and arms, which hung low and loose. When they were about to fight, they would take the four corners of the tunic so that they were able to freely move and so the enemy could not grab hold of the tunic and pull them down. To slacken the belt was to go ‘off duty’. Essential part of armor

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

What is “Truth”?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Greek word for ‚truth‛ “ alētheia

Literally means to ‚un-hide‛; ‚hiding nothing‛. It indicates that truth is always there, but

must be revealed or discovered.

Hebrew word for ‚truth‛ - emeth

Literally to have a ‚firmness‛, ‚constancy‛ and ‚duration‛. It implies an everlasting

substance.

What is “Truth”?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

1.Truth is that which corresponds to reality.

2.Truth is that which matches/corresponds to its object.

3.Truth is simply telling is like it is “ what is really real.

Truth From God

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Before Salvation After Salvation

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to

those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that

they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image

of God." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

"I have not written to you because you do not know the

truth, but because you do know it" (1 John 2:21)

How Truth Protects

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

• Enables true salvation• Guards against false teaching, disguises, and deceit

• Protects against consequences from error

• Removes doubt about God’s character and salvation

• Enables security in God’s plan

• Frees a person to live as God intends

To strike through the loins was

to strike a fatal blow

How Truth Protects

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

The Breastplate of Righteousness

‚having put on the breastplate of righteousness…‛

The "breastplate" (thorax) covered the body from the neck to the thighs. Polybius tells us that it was known as a heart-protector. Usually it was made of bronze but the more affluent officers wore a coat of chain mail. The front piece was strictly the breastplate, but a back piece was commonly worn as well.

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

What is “Righteousness”?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Greek: ‚righteousness‛ “ dikaiosynēs

The quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility with focus on fairness,

justice, equitableness, fairness; quality or state of juridical correctness with focus on

redemptive action; the quality or characteristic of upright behavior,

uprightness, righteousness

What is “Righteousness”?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Greek: ‚righteousness‛ “ dikaiosynēs

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing

Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but

rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness

which comes from God on the basis of faith," (Philippians 3:8-9)

Righteousness From God

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Before Salvation After Salvation

‚For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against

all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who

suppress the truth in unrighteousness,"

(Romans 1:18)

"For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more

those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will

reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

How Righteousness Protects

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

• Guards from being a slave to sin; saves from the consequences of sin

• Ensures devil does not get a foothold in life

• Eliminates guilt in life; devil cannot accuse

• Enables the witness of a transformed life to be seen; draws people to Christ

How Righteousness Protects

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

VS.

The Shoes of Peace‚having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace …"(Ephesians 6:15)

The Roman soldier wore sandals which were bound by throngs over the instep and around the ankle, and the soles were thickly studded with nails. This would give him a firm footing in case of attack.

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

What is Peace?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Preparation: hetoimasia: readiness. Here it refers to the establishment of a

firm foundation.

Gospel: euangelion: God’s good news

Peace: eirēnē: harmony; state of well-being

What Peace?

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

The shoes of peace do not speak of the spreading of the gospel, for Christians are pictured in vv. 10-16 as standing, not advancing. Instead this refers to a believer’s stability or surefootedness from the gospel which gives him peace so

he can stand in the battle.

Peace with God

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Before Salvation After Salvation

‚He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged

already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

(John 3:18)

‚Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our

Lord Jesus Christ," (Romans 5:1)

"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."

(Hebrews 10:14)

How Peace Protects

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

• Eliminates anxiety and fear in life; God’s perfect love casts out fear

• Removes thought of God being an enemy; judgment and wrath are removed

• Enables believer with confidence; they smile at the future (Proverbs 31)

• Provides ability to face death with no fear or grief

• Readiness ensures ability to share gospel

True Might

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

"Thus says the Lord, ‚Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man

boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I

am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I

delight in these things,‛ declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Practical Tips

- God’s Provisions - Part 1

Truth Righteousness PeaceEnsure that you test everything against the Word of God and constantly pray to be filled with the Spirit of truth so discernment will be yours in everything. "But examine everything carefully‚(1 Thessalonians 5:21)

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,‚(Galatians 5:22)

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.‚(Philippians 4:6-7)

Ultimate Fighting

God’s Provisions - Part 1