The Whole Armor of God: Sword of the
Spirit
I. Intro. A short reminder:
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1. Belt of Truth 2. Breastplate of Righteousness 3. Shoes of readiness of the Gospel of Peace |
4. Shield of Faith 5. Helmet of Salvation |
II. Sword of the Spirit – Word of God.
The Whole Armor of God: Helmet of Salvation
Service can be reached here (go to mark 30:00)
I. Intro. A
short reminder:
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of readiness of the Gospel of Peace
Shield of
Faith
Helmet of
Salvation
II. Helmet
covers head – protects mind.
St. Paul
talks about the main difference between the believers and Gentiles – mind and
speech. (Eph.4:17-19)
Talk is a
reflection of inner patterns – we believed that’s why we speak
Either all
the dirt of life,
example, (1) news is mostly negative. Regardless of
the fact that “God daily and richly blesses me and all creatures” (SC II:1).
(2) within
the community of believers, see the Jews who followed Jesus, John 6:41-42.
Or the salvation that will work for the
benefit of the church. Eph. 4:25-27, 29-32
Application
of 8th commandment! SC I:8
III. Take away: What do you say about Zion when you
leave the sanctuary
a. Do you mention Zion at all?
b. Spill the problems?
c. Zion is great – for an obvious reason: not because
you or me –
but because at Zion God
offers salvation,
assists in growth,
and leads us to maturity.
The Whole Armor of God: Shield of Faith
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of
readiness of the Gospel of Peace
Now a
“special” piece of armor. Why special? Because St. Paul preceded with a caution
or a warning, then provided with a description of purpose. Eph. 6:16: In all
circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all
the flaming darts of the evil one.
II.A. Warning
– the most important warning before sending his brothers into the battle.
Example: Lt. Dan instructing Forrest Gump
and Bubba. What did he tell them?
II.B. The
Shield of Faith – Eph. 4:4-6
Trinitarian
faith – basis for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3)
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Spirit –
builds up the Body (the Church) – one hope, one call. Lord/Son –
faith, comes in one baptism. Jesus discusses the basics with the crowd after the
feeding of 5000. John 6:28-29:
they: what shall we do? Jesus:
believe! Have faith! In Him whom He (Father) has sent. God and Father – over all, through all, and in all. See Small Catechism, part II |
III. Take away:
Three types of darts/arrows of the evil one:
a.
I’m not good enough
b.
They are not good
enough
c.
God is not good
enough
Shield of
Baptismal faith [in God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit], nurtured by the
Word and Sacraments, extinguishes ALL these arrows!
