The Pieces Of The Armor Of God: The Shoes

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, July 11, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD:  THE SHOES

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Text: Ephesians 6:15

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Introduction: Our theme for the year has been, “Prepare for War in 2004.” We are in a battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved.

The devil wants to destroy your fruitfulness, your fellowship with God, and your testimony! The good news is that God has given you all you need to fight him off:

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Tonight I want to emphasize the need of the proper foot covering while we make war against Satan!

Our shoes are to be the preparation of the gospel of peace. That reminds me of salvation, but more importantly of soul-winning. Soul-winning is PROTECTION. Let me point out a few ways in which being a faithful soul-winner protects you against Satan.

I. SOUL-WINNING SHOES WILL PROTECT YOU BY THEIR COVERING AND SHAPE

Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

That was supernatural protection in the wilderness for 40 years. We have supernatural protection in these soul-winning shoes!

A. Against sharp objects

B. Against stones

C. Against slippery surfaces
     1. Bananas – monkey business, playing around with sin
     2. Ice – cold hearts, theirs and ours

II. SOUL-WINNING SHOES WILL PROTECT YOU BY THEIR COMPOSITION AND SUBSTANCE

Deuteronomy 33:25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

A. The sole is the power of the gospel

B. The surrounding is the presence of God
     1. Matthew 28:19-20
     2. Matthew 28:20b … and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

III. SOUL-WINNING SHOES WILL PROTECT YOU BY THEIR CHARACTERIZATION

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

You will be identified and will not suffer so much “friendly” fire. Think of how the kind of shoe a person wears is an indication of:

A. Price
     1. Expensive shoes – paid for with the blood of Christ

B. Person
     1. You might think of Justin because of my physical boots, but if we go soul-winning, our “spiritual” shoes point to JESUS.
     2. Name brands – name above every name (Philippians 2:5-9)

C. Purpose
     1. A person wears different footwear for different tasks.
     2. Soul-winning shoes identify us as ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
     3. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

IV. SOUL-WINNING SHOES WILL PROTECT YOU BY THEIR CHOICE

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

A. Soul-winning over sinful pleasure

B. Soul-winning over selfish pleasure

C. Soul-winning over “sleeping at the switch”
     1. 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

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