Armor of God

THE ARMOR OF GOD - 7

The Sword of the Spirit

Pastor Landon Henry 

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

• The sword is the soldier’s _______________ weapon.

• The sword of the Spirit is the ______ ____ _______.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• The Sword of the Spirit is a two-edged sword that affects things ____________ _____ and it affects things ____ _______.

Ephesians 6:17 …and taking the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

_________ - The ____________ of the Bible

Isaiah 55:8-11 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth, It will not return to me empty,

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

__________ - The _____________ Word

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 15:2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;

Revelation 1:16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

TWO KINDS OF PRAYER

• Prayers that change _________. (faith, agreement, intercession)

Mark 11:22-23 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

Matthew 18:19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

• Prayers that change ________. (Consecration, Committal, Thanksgiving)

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

1 Peter 5:7-8 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

ARMOR OF GOD - Week 6

Helmet of Salvation

Pastor David Henry

Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT 10 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and be may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

1. We should ________________ our thoughts carefully.

What ultimately holds your _____________ will eventually occupy your ______________.

Thoughts are seeds when left alone will eventually ______________.

Thoughts left to themselves become actions. Actions left to themselves become habits.

Habits left to themselves become character. ____________ or ____________.

2. We should ________________ our mind consistently.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

A. __________________

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

B. __________________

1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

C. __________________

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.

D. __________________

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

E. __________________ thoughts

Proverbs 12:15 ESV The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advise.

ARMOR OF GOD - Week 5

Shield of Faith

Pastor Landon Henry

Ephesians 6:10-16 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

The shield is the _________ line of ___________________ against the attacks of the enemy.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Faith “Pistus” - (Appears 240 times in the New Testament) - Acting on the Truth

• Faith is not ______________.

“Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith.” - A.W. Tozer

• Feelings are __________________.

• Faith is a ____________.

“Put on” - ____________ needed

“Take up” - _____ ___________ basis

Faith is a protective ___________ between us and the ____________ of Satan.

A FOUNDATION OF FAITH

1.  Faith must be __________.

Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message us heard through the word about Christ.

• When you take in _________ you deposit _________. When I listen to ________, I deposit ___________.

2.  Faith must __________.

James 2:17 Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

• Faith is a __________ that either declines or develops.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

• When is the last time you _____________ your faith?

3.  Faith must be _______________.

• I activate faith by _______________ God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 4:13 it is written, “I believed, therefore I have spoken. Since we have the same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak.

Joshua 24:15 …But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Matthew 6:26-27 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon forged against you will prosper.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

• I activate faith by _______________ __________ with people of faith.
• I activate my faith by keeping my _________ on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfected of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

ARMOR OF GOD - 4

The Shoes of Peace

Pastor Landon Henry

Ephesians 6:10-15 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:11, 13-14 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Luke 14:23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ephesians 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Peace: Calm and tranquility of __________ amid _________________ circumstances

• Peace should be the ____________ of the believer.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. Peace is what I __________ because Jesus ____________ me.

ABC’s of The Gospel - Admit. Believe. Come. 

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

• When my peace is based on my _______________, I am prone to _________. When my peace is based on my ____________, I can ________ __________.

2. Peace is now what I ___________ because Jesus _________ __________ _____.

Romans 12:8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

• You won’t ___________ peace until you __________ peace.

Shalom - ultimate peace, wholeness.

• Since peace lives _____________ me, I can _______________ peace around me. 

ARMOR OF GOD – 3

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Pastor Landon Henry

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest...

Genesis 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore, I did not let you touch her.

Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Righteousness refers to…

Our ____________ before God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 61:10 … for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

The _______________ of righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The _______________ of righteousness.

Psalm 98:9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Jesus took what ____ ____________ so He could give us what ____ _______________.

Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.

THE ARMOR OF GOD – Week 2

The Belt of Truth

Pastor Landon Henry

 Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ 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 firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God…

2 Corinthians 2:11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLV) For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.

Truth is the absolute standard by which reality is measured.

•  Truth holds everything ___________________.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist…

• We can’t live in enemy ____________________ and resist him without truth.

John 8:31-33 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. ³² You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ³³ “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”

“Everything starts with deceptive ideas, or lies we believe (put our trust in and live by) about reality—mental maps that come from the devil, not Jesus, and lead to death, not life. But deceptive ideas get as far as they do because they appeal to our disordered desires, or our flesh.” —John Mark Comer, Live No Lies

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

• The truth will make you ______ before it makes you free.

1 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days & years of life and peace they will add to you.

• Without the knowledge of truth, you may not even recognize you’re in a battle you are _______________.

Mark 4:13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

Mark 4:15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

Mark 4:20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

THE ARMOR OF GOD – Week 1

The Full Armor of God

Pastor Landon Henry

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

What we’re up against:

1.  ___________ choices.

Romans 7:23-24 (ESV) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

2.  Sin’s ___________.

Romans 8:2 (ESV) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

3.  Satan’s ___________.

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves (the devils) are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” —CS Lewis 

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

Daniel 7:25 (ESV) He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law;

“He is happy for you to picture him as a cartoon character wearing a red jumpsuit with horns and carrying a pitchfork so that you won’t take him seriously. Meanwhile, like an opposing football team, his demonic realm watches your game film. They know your history, your weak spots, and your sin patterns. Their goal is to keep you from experiencing God’s will for your life. You’re not their first assignment. They’re good at what they do.” —Tony Evans

Some of the strategies of our enemy:

•  Satan ___________.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another ​— ​except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

In Acts 5:3 we see that Satan can tempt us to lie

In 1 Pet.5:6-10 we see that Satan can tempt us into despair

And in 2 Cor.2:10,11 we see that Satan tries to lead us to be unforgiving.

•  Satan ___________.

In Revelation 12:10 we learn that Satan accuses us before God- day and night.

•  Satan ___________. 

In Rev 2:10 we see that Satan has believers thrown into prison.

In Matt. 9:32 we see a man who couldn’t SPEAK because of Satans work, and Luke 9:42 we see Jesus delivering a child affected by a spirit that would throw him into convulsions.

Hebrews 2:14 points out that Satan holds the power of death.

1 Cor 5:5 indicates that Satan seems to have the power to destroy the flesh.

In 1 Thess 2:18 Satan hinders Paul’s ministry plans—

1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 … we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you ​— ​even I, Paul, time and again ​— ​but Satan hindered us.

•  Satan ___________and ___________.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Dunamis

Energia

Kratos

Ischus

Exousia

Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV) “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power , and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

Romans 8:11 (ESV) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.