The Wardrobe of Faith
8/30/2022
Ephesians 6:10-20
“Put on the whole armor of God…”
Recently, I have enjoyed seeing “back to school” pictures on Facebook – from preschool to grade 20! These pictures have inspired me to go back to school shopping! My mother loved to take me shopping for a new wardrobe at the beginning of every school year – and I must confess, that even when I was an adult, she would purchase new clothes for me in late August/early September! I can tell you that as soon as my orthopedic doctor permits me to drive, I am headed to Macy’s or Kohl’s – or maybe both! It’s that time of year to get a new wardrobe!
I recently preached a sermon at Bakerstown UMC and the following are some excerpts from my message:
In Ephesians 6:10-20, the apostle Paul encourages his readers to “put on the whole armor of God…,” to be prepared to not just be on the defensive in faith, but to be proactive in how we live out our faith. We are called to be on the offensive line, putting on the right equipment so that we can stand and be strong in our faith. So, I invite you to do some “back to school” shopping with me and “put on the whole armor of God” in the following ways:
Belt of Truth: be honest and truthful in the way you live; remember that we have the Truth in Jesus Christ, so we can live securely
Breastplate of Righteousness: through Jesus, we have been restored to a right relationship with God. As we accept this gift of righteousness, we need to make good decisions about how we live so that our character reflects the character of God
Shoes of Gospel Peace: we need to carry the good news of Jesus in to the world, offering peace in the face of division and disappointment. We are called to be messengers who go and share the good news through our daily words and deeds
Shield of Faith: our faith in Jesus Christ not only deflects the “flaming arrows of the evil one,” but gives us confidence and strength to endure the struggles and tragedies of life and not be crushed by them. Our faith will bolster us and inspire others.
Helmet of salvation: we need to remember the gift of our salvation in the midst of the 24/7 information overload we experience daily. Remembering our salvation in Christ should be the most important thing we remember!
Sword of the Spirit: In Hebrews 4:12, we read “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” We need to know and cherish God’s Word so that it can penetrate into the deepest crevices of our lives, bringing us hope and life!
Be blessed as you put on this wardrobe and faithfully live in the name of our Savior Jesus!
