Point of Grace Worship        1.26.25     Sermon Notes – “Show Up to Armor Up”           

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 
    against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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.
14 Stand firm then,
           with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 
           with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and
           with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 
      In addition to all this,
           take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 
            Take the helmet of salvation and
           the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

We are in a real battle with a real enemy that is real.
            Jesus is the only One that wins against this enemy.
            I am clothed with Christ through faith and get to share in His win.
           As I “show up” to be with Jesus (prayer, word and worship) I “armor up” for the days battle.           

 14 Stand firm then,
           …  with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 
           …  take the helmet of salvation

It is so important to Jesus for us to have “Peace”. 

The truth is “peace” with God through Jesus “unburdens” our life and our living.

Philippians 4
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Soaking in the gospel of “peace” gives us solid footing and agility in battle.

The “burdened” life makes us sluggish, unresponsive and apathetic, lacking zeal and fervor for true life in Jesus.   
Satan tempts us to believe the good news of “peace” is not for us … so that we will lose our footing in the everyday battles.

Isaiah 26:3
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 

“...take up the helmet of salvation.”

It is “humbling” to believe that our thinking needs … saving, … protecting … rescue!

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 8:6
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

Soaking in Jesus as my salvation, rescue and deliverance will, over time, renew my mind about everything.

Jesus, I renounce the devil as the Father of lies and surrender to You as my Truth. 
I confess I am vulnerable to believe lies about You, about me and about how life really works.
I repent of all untruths I have treated as truth and ask You to reveal the lies I have believed that I might renounce them and turn to You as Truth.  I now buckle on You and your Word as my Belt of Truth.

Jesus, You were perfectly righteous on my behalf and I receive your righteousness as my own. 
I turn now from all my attempts to prove my self-worth, validate the value of my existence and author my own version of righteousness. Instead, I now receive your righteous sacrifice for me as an unmerited gift.
A covering of value, worth and righteousness found only in You which protects my vulnerable heart. 
Jesus, I surrender to You and your Righteousness as a Breastplate of worth, value, identity and validation.

Jesus, You are my peace.  I confess that you gave your life for me so that I have peace with You.
You are so gracious to me …  I rest in Your Peace… we are one!
I am not alone to face any challenge or to carry any burden. 
I give everyone and everything to You!  I receive You as my peace. 
I now unburden my soul saying “I give everyone and everything to you!  I receive You as my peace.”
I now fit my feet with the readiness, agility and zeal that comes from the Gospel of Peace.

Jesus, I confess that my thinking is not perfect.  My thinking needs saving.  I surrender my mind to you and You alone.  Holy Spirit, govern my mind that I might have life and peace.  Protect my thinking from the influences of my own sinfulness, the enemy’s deceptions and the world’s perspectives. 
Holy Spirit, search me and know me and renew my mind conforming it to the mind of Christ.
I take up the helmet of salvation and place salvation over my mind as covering and protection.

Jesus, I take my stand today in You and You alone.  Amen