THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER’S UNIFORM
Text - Ephesians 6:13-17
Introduction
(Everyone Read) Ephesians 6:13 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. (NIV)
As Christians we are in God’s Army and just like every branch of the service has it’s own particular uniform, God’s Army also has a unique uniform that we need to wear.
To attempt to fight the devil without putting on the armor of God is like attacking a forest fire with a squirt gun. It’s like attempting to kill a lion with a fly swatter. To attempt to defeat the devil without putting on the armor of God is like trying to catch an elephant with a butterfly net.
A Christian who does not put on God’s armor can’t expect to defeat the Devil in battle. That would be like asking a football team to go out and try to beat another football team without wearing their pads, helmet and spikes. But with God’s armor you can be victorious against the devil, but without it you are in danger of going down in defeat. As an old hymn says:
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross,
Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict In this His glorious day,
Ye that are men, now serve Him Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you - Ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger, Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, The next, the victor’s song;
To him who overcometh A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.
A story from the Korean War illustrates the kind of attitude we need to have in fighting against the devil. As enemy forces advanced, Baker Company was cut off from the rest of their regiment. For several hours no word was heard, even though headquarters repeatedly tried to communicate with the missing unit. Finally a faint signal was received. Straining to hear each word, a radioman asked intently, “Baker Company, do you read me?” “This is Baker Company,” came the reply. “What is your situation?” “The enemy is to the east of us, the enemy is to the west of us, the enemy is to the north of us, the enemy is to the south of us.” Then after a brief pause, the sergeant from Baker company exclaimed with determination, “And we’re not going to let them escape this time!”
In order to help make this message as practical as I can I would like you to write down the number one battle you are fighting right now. It might have something to do with your work, your marriage, your children, your finances or it might be a battle that you fight within yourself.
As we look at how to put on each piece of God’s armor I’d like you to consider three things that will help you be victorious in the battle you are fighting.