Ephesians 6:10-20 Ready For Battle #5 The Gospel of Peace

Ephesians 6:10-20          Ready For Battle #5   The Gospel of Peace

Having Shod Your Feet with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace.

Roman sandals were strapped up to the knee and tightly fastened to the soldier's leg. The soles had knobs and sometimes nails protruding from them—an ancient version of athletic cleats. Alexander the Great is said to have invented these or at least championed them. He gave credit for many of the Greek army's impressive victories to the firm footing of its forces. When soldiers have a solid foundation, they can stand unmoved against their opposition. They don't slip or lose their balance very often if their feet are gripping the ground. That's the picture Paul wants us to have of ourselves: soldiers with feet solidly planted in certainty.

DURABILITY    STABILITY       MOBILITY         ADAPTABILITY

1. DURABILITY

The shoes had firm durable metal often in the souls. There was a very good reason for this. Often the opponents would place sharpened stakes in the ground covered by leaves. SO when an enemy came in a charge towards the opposing army, the first line would tread into the shallow pits with sharpened stakes in the bottom.  They would be taken out by the stakes in the bottom of the shallow pits.

Lilies  by Ceasar  The Battle of Alesia or Siege of Alesia (September 52 BC)

Punji sticks, tiger trap

wolf hole    trous de loup

In English history there was one battle one by the English against the Vikings by this tactic.

"Preparation" = Establishment – the means of a firm foundation; also conveys the idea of readiness to share the Gospel which brings peace between man and God. 

Satan not only uses deception and condemnation to neutralize believers, but also specializes in casting doubt on the very basis of God's goodness and the means by which we have received it – the Gospel. 

Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
This is the "different gospel" that Paul addressed in Galatians: "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another. . . . Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Gal. 1:6–8). Later in the same letter, Paul calls the Galatians fools. They had begun in the Spirit and then thought they could be Christians by human effort. They had fallen for a lie (Gal. 3:1–14).

Satan loves to cast doubt by offering another gospel—another Jesus or another way to salvation. Jesus may be a part of the scheme, but not as the Son of God who paid it all. That makes the false gospel even more deceptive. Jesus is in the middle of it, but his atoning work is ignored. Satan adds to the gospel of grace through faith, making it a gospel of grace through faith plus works. And then he convinces us we've never done quite enough works.

The tactic of another gospel is the essence of 2 Corinthians 11:3–4. Satan comes to us as an angel of light. He makes the lie look good. It seems to be Christian or deeply spiritual or charitable and compassionate, and it's usually mixed with a whole lot of truth. But it's still a lie. And Satan offers his alternatives right after he lays the groundwork with his whispering doubts. "You don't really believe all this, do you?

 

Eph 2: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

 

2. STABILITY

Eph 2: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

 

Col 1:22,23…. he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard,

The Gospel of peace means, firstly, peace with God.

This always makes one ready. If I am in any doubt about my salvation I shall not be able to fight the enemy. I shall have to spend the whole of my time struggling with myself. The soldier has to be clear about certain things; and the Christian must be clear about his relationship to God. 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand' (Romans 5:1, 2). It is only as we are clear about the fundamental fact that our sins are forgiven and that we are reconciled to God, that God can do His gracious work of sanctification in us.

It also means peace with others.

Eph 2: 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

Christianity is Supra Cultural

It supersedes all cultural barriers.

Jew and Gentile.. the greatest cultural barrier removed by the cross. How? Our peace with God is no longer through the temple sacrifices but through the one sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. That means anyone of whatever cultural background, who trusts Christ is now part of the "new humanity" "One new man" "making peace."

What does this mean in practice in the local church? Lourens Nels made it wonderfully clear at the men's breakfast recently. He reflected on his heritage in South Africa. The Afrikaans, Boers, Dutch South Africans who with the Dutch traders of the 16^th Century came to trade in The Cape of Good Hope.  Through the ages the British had been at War with the French for dominance over Europe.  Often the British Protestants had been allies with the Dutch Protestants against the Catholic French and Spanish. But sometimes for strange reasons they found themselves at war in Europe. And so sometimes the British oppressed the Dutch in South Africa. Sometimes they killed farmers. Hence the Boer war. For Lourens laying aside the prejudices was  so important for his growth as a Christian. Folks, anything that elevates any culture above another within the new humanity of the Christian Church is anti-gospel. Anything that promotes exclusivism ("we and we only") is alien and opposed to the gospel of Christ.  Back in 2009 I had the privilege of speaking at the first combined ministers conference of black and white pastors in the area of the Russell factory in Alexandra City Alabama. 2009!  The Lord made us one new humanity in 33AD.

 

Faith is based on facts, not feelings.   This is true for your salvation. It is also true for our unity as a church.

Often those who are not sure of their eternal security and the assurance of your salvation will seek it elsewhere.

Some seek it in the security of a monoculture!

"Believe as I do politically! Do as I do culturally! Talk as I talk language wise." Yes it brings security! But!

That is a false security that can lead to immense wickedness and sin.

Thomas Holt in 2015 found security and comfort in a cultural group in our Western Suburbs. He bought in on a form of Christian Nationalism that he supported by manufacturing fire arms for them. They wanted to protect themselves against government intrusions. He supplied many guns used here in the Western Suburbs. His main information and his "conversion" came from Christian Nationalist groups in the USA that produce many youtube videos. So he planned a massacre of random  people in Tuggerah on the Central Coast. He intended to murder more people than Martin Bryant killed at Port Arthur in 1996 in protest at the government's intrusions. 

Am I someone whose knowledge of this is informed by media stooges? His mother, a member of Vineyard church,  invited me to speak with him at Silverwater Prison in 2016 and I supported his mother and attended his sentencing hearing in 2017.

 The 'preparation of the gospel of peace' means that we understand that we cannot use power in an ungodly way to place ourselves in positions of power in the Christian churches!

It means being loving towards others, whatever their cultural background is.

It means eschewing all cultural privilege in our own lives.

Be shod in that way! Be certain you have peace with God, peace in your own heart, peace with one another. Let the peace of God arbitrate, act as umpire, between you as members of this great army; so that together, and for His glorious name's sake, you may be able to face the enemy and conquer him, and win resounding victories for your blessed Lord and Saviour, the Captain of our salvation.

3. MOBILITY

Sharing your faith is one of the most powerful faith-builders available – Often "the best defense is a good offense."

The shoes of the Gospel give us not only the durability and stability we need to stand our ground in battle but also the mobility we need to fight. Even the best-equipped and best-protected soldier will likely be killed if he stands in one place for too long.

He needs to be able to move so he can attack and can respond to the moves of the enemy.

The Roman soldier's hobnailed sandals were designed for mobility as well as for strength and protection. They were light enough that he could move and turn quickly. He was able to adjust and shift his position readily. They were comfortable so his feet didn't become tired and sore.

We have seen that this whole notion of mobility in warfare came in really with Alexander the Great. It was then practised by the Roman generals at the time when the Apostle lived. Indeed most of the really great captains in war have attached great significance to this matter of mobility. It was a part of the genius of Oliver Cromwell, the thing that made him such an outstanding general. He would suddenly move a section of his troops, particularly the cavalry, halfway through a battle, see an opportunity, and take advantage of it.

The problem in the Church today is that believers are standing still. They are not willing to move from their position. However, you don't wear shoes to stand still. Shoes were designed for walking and running. We wear the shoes of the Gospel, not just to stand our ground but to have the firm footing and mobility we need to respond to the tactics of the Enemy.

I saw something on the football I had sort of noticed before.

The big guy gets the ball and then runs straight into three defenders. He digs his toes in and pushes forwards against the defenders.. and he pushes forwards and pushes forwards more.. and makes at least ten to twenty metres.

The one thing that is hindering the work of God most today is an unwillingness to press forward.

Isa 52: 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."   8 The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy;  for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.   9  Break forth together into singing,  you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.   10  The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations,  and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

 

Romans 10: 13 for "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!"

 

What are we announcing? Paul says it is the "gospel of peace" (v. 15). Isaiah says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (52:7b). Earlier in the book Paul told us that through the blood of Christ, we are brought near to God (Eph 2:11-22). In 2:14 Paul says of Jesus, "He is our peace." We are reconciled to God and enjoy the peace of God through the death of Jesus (cf. Rom 5:1). Paul also says of Jesus, "He proclaimed the good news of peace" (Eph 2:17).

God has objectively defeated Satan and his agenda. He has delivered us from sin's penalty and power and ultimately will deliver us from sin's very presence. In the interim, we are involved in guerilla warfare with demonic forces. 

As believers, we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light with all the rights, privileges, and position that being a child of God entails.

The spiritual battle we fight involves a responsibility on our part to "put on" the spiritual protection that God has provided for us. We can and will resist the enemy's attempts to "deceive", "accuse", and "cast doubt" when we stand firm against him by: 

4. ADAPTABILITY

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison---⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Col 4:3,4,5

There were different types of studs on the boots of the Roman troops according to the conditions in which they were to work.

If they were n stony ground, long spikes in their boots didn't work so well. It tripped them up. I learned something last night during the televised Newcastle ST George game. The radio commentator mentioned that the reason a St George player slide and missed a tackle that allowed a New castle try was that the ST George player was wearing moulded boots that are only sutable for day games. When the temperature goes down at night the humidity affects the grass and moulded boots don't cut it!  They slide.  Similarly the Roman Soldiers adapted to the terrain with their boots.  Spikey boots for climbing and  snow!  Not rocks! 

We need to hold the gospel firmly but adapt our presentation to make the gospel clear for different groups.   A friend, Trevor McIwain, created New Tribes Mission's "Chronological Bible Storying Approach" for sharing the gospel. We sent out his nephew and wife as missionaries from our church in Newcastle many years ago. This approach deliberately shows how the gospel of Christ crucified was related to Israel's history. It was a very effective means of showing the historicity and therefore the truthfulness of the gospel for some tribal peoples.  It works well there.  It takes a year to get to the gospel. But many people movements have resulted.

Here in Westernised technological society, we like everything in crisp short information packages, or on video.  We need adapt our presentation of the gospel to the cultural differences of the people we are communicating to.   Preparation of the gospel, readiness of the gospel, does not negate background cultures. It makes us sensitive to others as we chare the gospel.

 

Are you prepared with the gospel?  Take the gospel with

Durability.

Stability  peace with God and others trans culturally.

Mobility. Take the gospel to others.

Adaptability.  By all means to everyone.