Welcome to Saturday, August 21st!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

The Christian's Armor

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Gospel Lesson - Ephesians 6:10-20.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle, Minnesota - United States.

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The Christian's Armor

Take a moment now to pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing.

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Saturday Bible Study, we will consider the words of this week's Gospel Lesson: Ephesians 6:10-20.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper analysis of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

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I begin this coming Sunday's Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-20 with the following illustration.

Picture a knight in medieval times . . . let's call him Sir LostALot - being told that his mortal enemy is coming up the road to his castle.

This fact brings terror to his heart. He wonders aloud, "What's he doing here? Why has he come?"

Though not wanting an answer, his page pipes up with, "Don't you remember; he said he would be back to kill you."

The knight then asks for his armor. His page comes running back, "Your armor is missing!"

Then picture the knight running around hollering at his page and everyone else, "Where in the world is my armor? Do you remember where I put it?"

Closing his eyes and slapping his hand to his forehead, he tries to remember back to the last time he wore his armor but he draws a blank!

All the while his mortal enemy is getting closer and closer to the castle.

He, his page, and others rush around looking in every room in his castle hoping to spot his armor. This scenario is not very realistic because a knight's armor was his full-body life protection and was well-cared for at all times.

Repairs were made after each battle. It was kept in the castle armory well-oiled and ready for its next use.

We often experience the same problem as this knight. Our mortal enemy, Satan, approaches and we are found to be without our armor.

We remember being told to put it on and keep it in good working order, but we fail to do so for some reason.

As a result, we end up being spiritually wounded and/or almost destroyed.

Unlike the knight who could take off his armor between battles, we must wear our armor at all times.

We cannot see our enemy coming up the road! More importantly, he shows up at the most unexpected times.

This week's Epistle lesson is well-known by most Christians. However, our implementation of what it encourages is another thing.

Listen as I read this week's Epistle Lesson Ephesians 6:10-20.

Ephesians 6:10-20 NAS95

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  [11]  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  [12]  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  [13]  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.  [14]  Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,  [15]  and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;  [16]  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.  [17]  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  [18]  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,  [19]  and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,  [20]  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Since the Sunday sermon addresses the overall need for the armor, in this Bible Study I will share a little on each piece of the armor.

Often, when presenting this section to a Sunday School class, a Roman soldier in full armor is used to illustrate each piece.

Verse 14 speaks of being girded with truth. The KJV notes it as the belt of truth. A soldier's belt kept his clothing under control so that it did not interfere with his fighting.

Our belt of truth is Jesus Christ and the Word. When we are foundationally solid in these areas, it keeps us from being tossed around by Satan.

Verse 14 also references the breastplate of righteousness. The Roman soldier's breastplate protected his heart and vital organs from his neck to his thighs. When we remain focused on Jesus Christ and His righteousness, it keeps our heart from being wounded and losing its proper focus.

Verse 15 talks of the soldier’s sandals as the preparation of the Gospel of peace. The soldier’s sandals were created with nails protruding from the sole that gripped the ground. We are to be ready to march into battle bearing witness to the gospel.

Verse 16 moves onto the shield. His shield was used to protect him from fiery arrows, fiery gobstickers. The Roman soldier’s shield is thought to have been able to even ward off a modern small arms bullet. This shield covered him from his head to his feet. They could even be linked together with other shields for safety in certain battle conditions. Our shield of faith protects us from Satan’s fiery darts.

Next, in verse 17, we are told of the helmet, the helmet of salvation. We know that if our head is damaged in battle, we can either be killed or brain-damaged.

We need to protect our mind keeping it focused on our leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. The mind of the saved man is focused upon Christ and His mission of sharing the good news of life, both life abundant and life eternal.

Because of this, Satan launches his fiery darts of temptation against the mind of the believer, trying to draw his thoughts and attention off of Christ and his ministry to souls. The Christian soldier desperately needs the helmet of salvation. The helmet of salvation means the knowledge and hope of salvation. Knowing that we are saved and hoping for the glorious day of redemption.

Finally, in verse 17, we are told of the sword. The sword was a weapon used for both defense and offense. The sign of the Christian soldier is his use of the Word of God. By living in God’s Word, he protects himself from the assault of the enemy; and he fights and wins battle after battle, day after day. The written Word is the one weapon that assures victory for the Christian soldier.

Hebrews 4:12 NAS95

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

We must also never forget the necessity of constant prayer.

As always, read and reread this passage several times in order to fully appreciate its content.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We often forget how important it is to put on the full armor You have provided.

May we realize we cannot pick and choose which pieces are convenient for us to use.

Strengthen our walk with You.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!