Don’t fight Naked: Shoes of Peace
Eph 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; KJV
Above all: upon or unto something already mentioned or implied. That upon which something rests as a basis, foundation, support, to sustain or support life upon, implying hope, trust, confidence upon
It is important for us to realize that there is a continual warfare (conflict) going on either in us or around us
Of the 5 times this word is used, it is never used in connection with the devil. It always refers to the internal or psychological conflict within an individual.
Therefore, is important for us to have a correct doctrinal understanding of how we deal with this internal conflict personally and corporately! Ultimately, it’s about faith!
Last week we learned about the Breastplate of righteousness
The Shoes of Peace
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Shod: to bind under (Shod a horse)
Preparation: the act of preparing, firm footing
Gospel: the announcement of good news
The question I have, who is the good news being declared to?
Peace: tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, security, safety, prosperity, and happiness
Today we will deal with Peace with God, The peace of God, and the Gospel of Peace
Isa 54:9-10
9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. NKJV
Rom 5:1, 2
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. NKJV
Col 1:19-22
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight NKJV
The brain has a built-in "seeking system" that motivates us to explore and seek out new information. The release of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, is associated with seeking, motivation, and reward. It signals when to expect a reward and encourages us to pursue more rewarding things. The constant pursuit of more can stem from a lack of appreciation for what we already possess. This can make us feel dissatisfied, as if something is missing.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. NKJV
Surpasses: to be superior, excel, surpass
Understanding: the ruling faculty, mind, understanding, reason
Guard: protect by a military guard, garrison
Rom 14:17-18
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. NKJV
Rom 10:13-15
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" NKJV
Conclusion: The Foundation of my life must rest in The Truth, God given Righteousness, and Peace! If not, we will never be at rest, never appreciate what we do have, and always feel like we lack something! (anxious)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; KJV
Above all: upon or unto something already mentioned or implied. That upon which something rests as a basis, foundation, support, to sustain or support life upon, implying hope, trust, confidence upon
- My foundation, support and rest come from my understanding of the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness and today’s teaching, the Gospel of peace!
- Without this foundation, all other weapons will come short in their effectiveness in our lives, but understanding these truths permits us to walk in power and authority!
- If God be for me, who can stand against me!
It is important for us to realize that there is a continual warfare (conflict) going on either in us or around us
Of the 5 times this word is used, it is never used in connection with the devil. It always refers to the internal or psychological conflict within an individual.
- It is the unseen world trying to impose its ideas on the seen
Therefore, is important for us to have a correct doctrinal understanding of how we deal with this internal conflict personally and corporately! Ultimately, it’s about faith!
Last week we learned about the Breastplate of righteousness
- Biblical Righteousness is a relational concept
- Jesus didn’t create a loophole, He fulfilled the covenant
The Shoes of Peace
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Shod: to bind under (Shod a horse)
Preparation: the act of preparing, firm footing
Gospel: the announcement of good news
The question I have, who is the good news being declared to?
- This is telling us that peace will cause us to have a firm footing as we take on our journey in life!
- In a world full of anxiety and depression, peace should guard our heart!
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US affecting 40 million adults, nearly 20% of our population.
- Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults and usually begins around the age of 13.
- They are unconsciously following or creating ungodly rules for relationships and sadly, most think God is mad at them!!!!
- Thank God for His Truth, Righteousness and Peace
Peace: tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, security, safety, prosperity, and happiness
- This is a result of Righteousness
- Peace helps us deal with the past and govern the present
Today we will deal with Peace with God, The peace of God, and the Gospel of Peace
- The opposite of tranquil soul is an Anxious soul.
- Peace with God
Isa 54:9-10
9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. NKJV
Rom 5:1, 2
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. NKJV
- Lack of understanding limits God’s grace in our life!
- Why is peace with God important?
Col 1:19-22
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight NKJV
- Peace helps you to deal with the past “wicked works” and govern the present!
- Peace of God
- Many people pursue peace in many ways………substances or work
- In the Construction field, it is common to drink to “relax” after work
- That’s okay until you drink to many and it soon becomes an addiction!
The brain has a built-in "seeking system" that motivates us to explore and seek out new information. The release of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, is associated with seeking, motivation, and reward. It signals when to expect a reward and encourages us to pursue more rewarding things. The constant pursuit of more can stem from a lack of appreciation for what we already possess. This can make us feel dissatisfied, as if something is missing.
- Remember unconsciously we have established our moral right or wrong
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. NKJV
Surpasses: to be superior, excel, surpass
Understanding: the ruling faculty, mind, understanding, reason
Guard: protect by a military guard, garrison
- Gospel of Peace
Rom 14:17-18
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. NKJV
- If we know these truths, how can we keep it silent?
Rom 10:13-15
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" NKJV
Conclusion: The Foundation of my life must rest in The Truth, God given Righteousness, and Peace! If not, we will never be at rest, never appreciate what we do have, and always feel like we lack something! (anxious)