THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

EPHESIANS 4:1

A. "WHEREFORE, TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL THIS, STAND."
  1. Experience shows that the condition of a true Christian is one of trial and peril:
    1. He is, in a sense, a mariner, crossing the sea of life, exposed to storms and tempests, wherein many, I fear, have made shipwreck of their faith and a good conscience - 1 Tim. 1:19
    2. He is a spiritual racer, and is running the Christian course, eagerly stretching forth his hand to seize the wreath of glory of eternal life - Phil. 3:13, 14
  2. But our text sees the Christian as a warrior; he is constantly exposed to cunning and brutal foes; "Wherefore", says the apostle, "take unto you the whole armour of God."
B. OBSERVE, PLEASE
  1. The evil day:
    1. Jacob, when relating about his life to Pharaoh, said, "few and evil have the days of the years of my life been" - Gen. 47:9
    2. The preacher writes, "All the days of the afflicted are evil" - Prov. 15:15
  2. Some seek to ignore the certainty of the evil days in this life:
    1. "Ye that put far away the evil day" - Amos 6:3
    2. "All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us." - Amos 9:10
  3. Nature of the evil day:
    1. It is a day of affliction -
      1. Our bodies have the seeds of innumerable diseases in them.
      2. "We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened" - 2 Cor. 5:4
    2. The evil day of temptation - Compare Matt. 4:1-12 with 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:12
    3. So long as Satan and his agents are at large temptation will continue, will even increase - 1 Pet. 1:6
  4. Evil day of persecution:
    1. "Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12
    2. "Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." 1 Pet. 4:12
C. THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD
  1. Note, please, "The Armour of God."
    1. That indicates real warfare for the children of God.
    2. It specifies the kind of armour we are to put on.
      1. No carnal weapons are to be used - 2 Cor. 4:4
      2. But those weapons God has provided us with.
  2. The whole armour of God includes:
    1. The girdle of truth - Eph. 6:14
    2. The breastplate of righteousness - verse 14
    3. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace - verse 15
    4. The shield of faith - verse 16
    5. The helmet of salvation - verse 17
    6. And the sword of the Spirit - verse 17
    7. Last, but not least, constant prayer and supplication in the Spirit - verse 18
  3. What an array of spiritual weapons for the saints!
    1. They are mighty, irresistible - 2 Cor. 4:4-7
    2. They have much evidence for their power -
      1. Think of the conflict of Christ with Satan - Matt. 4:1-12; 22:15-34
      2. Stephen beat back the assaults of the enemies - Acts 6:10
      3. Paul, that mighty warrior, has many laurels for his successful battles - Rom. 8:37; 2 Tim. 4:7-9
  4. That ye may be able to stand:
    1. Stand loyal to the banner of truth.
    2. Be steadfast in adversity.
    3. Stand even at the risk of life itself.
    4. Stand before the Son of man when He comes in the clouds of heaven.


Design © John Bryant 2011