The Spiritual Armor (Part 5)

By Pastor Young Joon Park

4-18-10

Review

I. Our Enemy – satan, but not man

II. Our preparation for the war – put whole spiritual armor

III. The Spiritual Armor (영적 무기)

1. Personal combat Armor (개인 전투 장비)

Armor #1: The Helmet of Salvation (the hope of Salvation)

Armor #2: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Armor #3: The Belt of Truth

Armor #4: The Shoes with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

Armor #5: The Shield of Faith

Armor #6: The Sword of the Spirit = The Word of God

Armor #7: Cloak with Zeal

Isaiah 59:17
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Our Father God puts the spiritual armor on Himself, so He will repay, according to their deeds,

Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; To the coastlands He will make

recompense.

1) The Garments of Vengeance

This is the reality of the war.

If our Father God put the spiritual armor on Himself to destroy the enemy, then how much more do we have to taking up the whole armor of God to against our enemy? God’s plan is to revenge the enemy who is wicked, has been doing all wicked deed among God’s people with wicked deception since God had created Adam & Eve.

God will not tolerate the enemy’s wicked deed any more.

It is very easy to be against those who are against or harmful to us, but our fight is not against those people. We have to recognize our real enemies who are behind them.

Ephesians 6:12

For we are not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers (master spirits) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. (KJV + AB)

So we have to understand what to do when we have a desire to fight against those who are real enemies.

Romans 12:19

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

We have to practice

· Blessing them

· Being humble

· being at peace with all men If possible

· Help those who are in need

· Loving them

· Do not be defeated by evil, but overcome with goodness

Remember that our wrestle is not against the flesh and the blood, but the principality

2) The Cloaks with Zeal

The cloaks used by ancient armies had a variety of uses that you still can relate to even today. That is; not just purpose in military, but as an invaluable tool in our constant war against Satan.

The cloak served multiple important functions for the Roman soldier.

· It provided warmth which was important to defend against the cold.

· Just like rain coats, Natural oils were used to make it nearly waterproof which was important during rains.

· It also served very important piece of item during long marches; makeshift bedding which was.

Without his cloak, a soldier was subject to bitter cold, freezing rain and painfully uncomfortable nights. These unfortunate conditions would give a noticeable edge to a better equipped enemy, since a cold, wet and sore soldier can easily be a de-motivated soldier. And a de-motivated soldier, while not incapable of fighting, will not be performing at his peak.

What is zeal?

Zechariah 8:2
Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her."

God Himself is zealous and fervently passionate about His people and His plan. In simplest terms, zeal is fuel. It is anything that drives people: their passion, their purpose, what they live for. For Christians, zeal is a burning desire to do God's will and to live according to His purpose.

Two different kinds of zealousness

1) Godly zealousness

John 2:17
Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."

The example of zeal of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ

When He saw that money changers and sellers of livestock had overrun God's temple and were cheating people (in Matthew 21:13 Christ said they had made it a "den of thieves"), He had made a whip of cords and drove them out. "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

The disciples recognized this as a case study in being motivated by godly zeal.

People sacrifice their life for their zeal for foot ball game.

They cancel all their plans and take a time out to watch the ball game, because they have a great zeal for watching the games.

Do you have a zeal for the Lord? Are we on fire for God's way?

Do you have zeal for entering into the secret room alone with the Lord?

Do you have zeal for following the Lord?

Do you have zeal for jumping into the Word of God to get into deeper level?

Do we care deeply about our brothers and sisters? Are we willing to serve, to act and to live as God would have us live?

In the practical question:

Every Sunday without any exception, do you have zeal in coming to church on time to worship the Lord and fellowship with the saints?

Do you have zeal in offering to the Lord? Do you have zeal in having a fellowship with other brothers and sisters in the small cell group fellowship?

Without this zeal our Christian life is dead.

1 Timothy 4:15

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

2) Ungodly zealousness

  1) Under the Name of the Lord

Philippians 3:6a

as to zeal, a persecutor of the church…

Paul himself was zealous in persecuting the Church, until he learned that was not what God wanted. When he made his goals aligned with God's plans, his zeal became very effective.

2) Under own selfishness

Romans 13:14b

… and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

In the morning, put this on after getting dressed

We have to wear these spiritual armors all the time to enter into the battle ground. All of these spiritual armors are very important in our daily life.

The real essential in wearing this spiritual armor is this; you have to live truly in every area of this armor everyday.

It does not help you for the spiritual warfare if you do only prophetic action everyday, but you do not live the true Christian life daily.  

2. Military Spiritual Armor

In the beginning of the war

They do not send troops into the front line right away.

According to the intelligence report, airpower strikes the major important target and the bombardment from the heavy artillery in the warship. They also destroy the main stronghold by the artillery before they send any army troops into the battle ground.

The main targets are the main communication system, important military facilities …

The purpose is to give the maximum damage to the enemy’s ability to mobilize their military power and ultimately to paralyze the entire enemy’s military power mobilization.

When all of the major targets are hit and destroyed, that’s when the troops enter into the enemy’s territory and make a final confrontation to win the control of the enemy’s territories.

Our prayer is powerful weapon to paralyze our enemy’s mobilization against us, the Army of God.

Let’s meditate about the prayer through the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:18-20

^{Eph 6:18} Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

^{Eph 6:19} And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

^{Eph 6:20} For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A) Prayer is communion with the Lord

Prayer is an important part of our day-to-day lives. But how often do we think of it in association with the armor of God? Turns out, it's one of the most vital parts!

Many people have a wrong concept about the prayers. They all complain about their prayers not being answered. There are many, many and various reasons why prayers go unanswered.

I do not have time to get into it today, but let me just says that there is definitely misconception of the prayers.

Every prayer will be answered from the Lord, with no exception.

Our misconception is to be answered in exactly what we prayed for.

But God’s view is lot different than ours. He answers our prayer “Yes,” “No,” or “wait.”

Prayer is not just one way communication, but a two way communion, between God and us. In general when we pray to the Lord we just keep talking to God and then we finish “In Jesus’ Name.” This is not a prayer, but just a murmuring. There is no understanding, because you are the only one that spoke and the conversation is over. That is no different than talking to the wall. There is no wonder that you do not receive any answers from the Lord.

When you speak to God, then you have to expect that He will respond to you.

God wants to communicate with you dearly with a good intimate loving relationship.

But we are not giving the Lord any chance or time to respond back to us.

When you pray, you are actually speaking to God, and one can expect to believe that God listens to prayers.

If you believe that, you should expect that God is going to speak to you in a response. That also means that you have to wait for Him to respond before you end your prayer. Sometimes He responds to you right away, other times, He takes His time to respond.

Practice waiting on the Response from Lord;

Be quite and listen to what the Lord has to speak you when you pray to the Lord.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ always had communion with His Father and yielded Himself to Father’s Will only.

B) The promises of the prayer

Matthew 7:7 - Answer

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 11:13 – Give the Best Gift

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

John 15:7 – Special God’s favor

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

C) What we pray

(1) Supplication in the Spirit – special petition according to the Will of God

Ephesians 6:18a

^{Eph 6:18} Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

I John 5:14

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

We know what God’s Will is when we abide in Him truly, and our will will be aligned with the Will of the Lord.

So we know what and how we have to submit the petition to the Lord

(2) For the Saints

Ephesians 6:18

^{Eph 6:18} Praying always …watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

(3) For the mission and the leader for the Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 6:19-20

^{Eph 6:19} And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

^{Eph 6:20} For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

D) The Condition of prayer

1)	always without ceasing – spiritual breath
2)	Perseverance – We have to keep praying until His Will be done

Intercessors for us

1)	The Holy Spirit -
	The Spirit [itself] makes intercession for us with groaning that cannot be uttered
2)	Jesus Christ

Conclusion

All military personnel are under the one commander in chief, the President of the nation, and our Lord Jesus Christ is the only One and the Highest Commander in Chief for us.

We have to follow His Command that is His Will. Jesus Christ is the Best Commander for all of us, and His plan is perfect and victorious. We deny ourselves 100% and submit our will to Him.

We have to pay attention to Him alone.

There are a lot of people who say, “I join this church to support you,” or “Help you to build up church.”

Church is God’s Kingdom business. We have to focus on Him alone, and it is not about us, but about the Lord.

You have to follow the plan the Lord has for your life instead of your trying to do your own plan.

What you really need to do is to submit yourself to the Lord and the leadership and learn from them first, and then God is going to raise you for the place in church and train you for special purpose in coming months and years for the Kingdom of God.

You have to be at the position in the place where the Lord leads you and commit yourself fully to the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:3-4

³ Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

⁴ No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

We have to know who we are and what my calling is for the Kingdom of God. God raises the people who really want to follow the Lord alone with humble heart according to their calling.

We cannot do anything, but we have to listen to the Lord and follow His Will alone. God wants us to be one with the Lord and with the saints of His Church. In the Local Church God gave us the leaders in church for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, in building up the body of Christ;

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Jesus Christ our Lord should be in the center of your life as your Lord and Savior daily.

Jesus Christ is not your Savior nor your Lord if He is not in the center of your life in daily.

Remember that our victory is already predetermined when you encounter the enemy. As long as you keep fighting, you will win. When you resist the devil, there is no such thing as losing the war against our enemy.

 You only lose when you quit. Satan does have the power to over-power us. But he does not have the authority to do so. Authority commands power. You must be tenacious, determined, persistent and relentless in your battle against the strongholds.