Whose Armor Are You Wearing: Ephesians Pt. 10
Sermon Summary
Pastor Jeremy King revealed that the Armor of God in Ephesians 6 is not just a metaphor but the Father's own armor, the very protection God wore when He fought for His people in Isaiah 59, now given to us as sons and daughters adopted into His family through the blood of Jesus.
Yet many believers still struggle to walk in that armor because they are still wearing the armor of their old kingdom, the kingdom of darkness. Using David's refusal of Saul's armor, we must pick up what God has anointed, repent and renounce the old patterns to walk in freedom. Whether addiction, anxiety, generational sin, unforgiveness or shame, it is Christ that has set us free from these things and accomplished what we never could on the cross.
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 6:10-17 (ESV) "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV) "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Isaiah 59:16-17 (ESV) "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak."
1 Samuel 17:37-40 (ESV) "And David said, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you!' Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, 'I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.' So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine."
Colossians 1:13 (NIV) "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."
For Your Group
Choose a few questions from the categories below to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You do not need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study and Deeper Understanding
In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul uses the imagery of a Roman soldier's armor. What do each of the six pieces represent, and what do they tell us about the nature of the spiritual battle believers are in?
The message pointed to Isaiah 59:16-17 and noted that God Himself is described wearing armor similar to what Paul describes in Ephesians 6. What does it mean that this is the Father's own armor? How does that context change the way you understand what it means to daily put it on?
In 1 Samuel 17, David explicitly refuses Saul's armor and says, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." What was significant about Saul's armor in that moment? What does the phrase "so David put them off" communicate about the choice we must make as believers?
Encouragement, Challenge and Personal Testimony
The message described the gospel not primarily as "a free ticket to heaven" but as "a changing of your family." How does understanding your adoption into God's family shape the way you see your purpose and identity day to day?
The message named several armors of the old kingdom, including anxiety, unforgiveness, addiction, generational sin and shame. Is there one you have seen God break off someone's life, either your own or someone close to you? What did that freedom look like?
Some things must be renounced spiritually and some things require learning and walking in truth, and often both are needed. Which of these have you seen in your walk with Jesus?
Putting It Into Practice
The sermon gave a practical daily rhythm: each morning, prayerfully put off the old self and put on each piece of the armor. What would it look like for you to build that into a consistent morning practice this week?
Pastor Jeremy challenged the group to identify the specific “Goliath” God has called them to face. Is there a Goliath in your sphere, whether in your family, workplace, community or area of influence, that you sense God has positioned you for? What might it mean to stop using Saul's armor and pick up the stone God has prepared for you?
Prayer
We are going to take a focused moment to listen to what the Holy Spirit wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to put off the old and put on the armor God has for you?