November 26, 2023
Sermon Part 2: “The Whole Armor of God Is Made Effectual Through Continual Prayer With God In The Spirit!”
Saints, let’s make it our sole quest in life to talk with God in the Spirit all day long, and be Strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might! Ready always to pull others out of the fire in their time of need.
WARNING: This Sermon Series serves as “Basic Training for all born-again Christian Soldiers to prepare them for Spiritual Combat against Satan and the forces of darkness. In teaching these Sermons, we are not giving any place to fears of sparking negative emotions or feelings that gender strife and offense.
Hebrews 4:12 says,
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
As such, we are examining ourselves in light of the Word of God, and making changes where needed so that we may test what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives—and that is, to be like Jesus Christ in this untoward world. God expects for us to be “Good Soldiers” that are fit for battle, locked, and loaded with the Word of God and prayer to defeat the enemy. No matter the hardship encountered, we are determined to fight the “good fight” of faith until Jesus Christ, The Lord, returns.
Good Morning Saints of God and Happy Thanksgiving!
Introduction/Review
Last week, we established, as born-again Christians, we are "Soldiers" in the Army of Jesus Christ. (II Tim. 2:3-4) Not by our own election, but by the Will of God, He made us His Soldiers. Indeed, it is an honor and privilege for us to be chosen of God to be “In His Service,” and we decree by faith that we are “Good Soldiers” in the Army of Jesus Christ. For this is what pleases God!
Come on right now and make your confession known throughout all the earth that you are: “Good Soldier in the Army of the Lord!”
A Good Soldier, with humility of heart, bows to the Will of God, keeps and obeys “All” of the Lord’s Commands, and endures all hardship, if necessary, even unto death. In brief, our Mission as Good Soldiers of Christ Jesus is to (1) love God and one another as Christ loved us, (2) go into the world and preach the gospel to every person to win the lost to Christ, and (3) make disciples of Christian converts, who in turn become Good Soldiers alongside of us.
Satan and the wicked spiritual beings under his control, however, hate God, His Soldiers, and our mission; and seek to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, and retain in his custody the unsaved. Daily, the enemy seeks to bombard us, personally and corporately as the body of Christ with temptations, persecutions, and accusations to hinder our progress in carryout God’s Mission. But greater is God in us than he (Satan) that is in the world. (I John 4:4) We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved us. (Rom. 8:37)
In this life, if you will, we are spiritual “professional wrestlers” who have been given the ability to resist and take down all the ability and attacks of Satan and his forces with God’s Whole Armor.
The “Whole Armor of God” consist of six pieces: (The belt of truth, [Word] the breast plate of righteousness, [Word] special sandals for the preaching of the gospel of peace, [Word], the shield of faith, [Word] the helmet of salvation, [Word] and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God) (Eph.6:10-17) The Whole Armor of God worn by God's Soldier has the ability to release the “Strength” and “Might” of God, which no foe can resist nor stand against. This is truly wonderful!
However, I have a news flash for you. In Christian Circles, we often preach and teach and encourage one another to, "Put on The Whole Armor of God, so that we may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.” For sure this is what the Bible says we must do. But let me tell you a secret—the secret is in the heading of the theme of the next Section.
The Whole Armor of God Does Not Work Just Because You Put It On!
Let’s be clear. When the Soldier of God, puts on The Whole Armor of God, it will not work (become effectual/powerful) by itself.
Tell me Saints, what good does it do just to carry the Bible (The Whole Armor of God) and study notes around with you, if you never use it?
Think of it this way. In the natural, an Army Soldier can dress-up for battle—put on the full combat gear, equipment, and arm themselves with weaponry. But until the Soldier marches out onto the battlefield and engages the enemy, the combat gear and weaponry are of little or no use; it’s rendered ineffective until used to fight against the enemy.
Moreover, the Soldier’s absence from the battlefield—where they belong—is an open invitation for the enemy to advance and gain advantage. In this instance, the Soldier’s Mission would never be accomplished, despite being equipped with everything needed to fight and win the war.
So likewise in Christ—in spiritual warfare—with the Whole Armor of God on, we must make our way onto the battlefield and fight against the enemy. Or else, Satan will continue to steal, and to kill, and to destroy mankind. (John 10:10) This is all the devil knows how to do! Again I say to you, the Whole Armor of God is ineffective at combating devilment until used on the battlefield.
Um, so the question(s) become: (1) where do we conduct spiritual warfare with the adversary the devil, and (2) how do we activate the Whole Armor of God to fight against Him? The answers are:
- All Spiritual Warfare is conducted in the theater of our brains (thought-life), and
- We activate the Whole Armor of God to fight against Satan and every demonic foe in Prayer with God and in the Spirit (The Word of God).
Let’s again examine Ephesians 6:10-18, in which the Apostle Paul provided encouragement and instructions to the Saints at Ephesus in warring against Satan and the kingdom of darkness. But this time we will focus on how the Whole Armor of God is made effectual (powerful/activated). Paul wrote:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Note in Verses 17 and 18, Paul says “…take the sword of the Spirit, which the Word of God and pray always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Jesus Christ said, His words are Spirit and are Life, (John 6:63)
Paul was telling the Christians at Ephesus, to conduct spiritual warfare in prayer with God, using the Word of God—always against the enemy! We are to use all forms of prayer all day: Praying in your native language; praying in tongues of angels or of men; praying in divers tongues; praying standing, sitting, walking; praying with your eyes open or closed; praying with your hands lifted, down or folded together, loudly or softly; praying speaking to yourself and meditating; as well as praying petitions, supplications, confessions, professions, decrees, or declarations. You got it? All day long, in every form of prayer with God, do it in the Spirit—do it with the Word of God!
This makes sense. God is Spirit, Satan is a spirit, and we are spirit beings in Christ—therefore the battle is fought in the spiritual realm with the Word of God —and not against flesh and blood. (II Cor.5:16, & Eph. 6:12) Please note for yourselves that:
All spiritual warfare takes place in prayer with God and the Word of God in the theater of our brains, where Satan and his forces have access! The battle must first be won in our thought-life to keep the Commandments of God, and then go forth into the world and do them to fulfill the Mission of Christ’s Army.
For consider that Jesus Christ reminded Satan when He was tempted to turn a stone into bread, saying “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4) Since we live by every Word of God, then we must also pray by every Word of God! Jesus said “…men ought always to pray, and not faint.” (Luke 18:1)
In Isaiah 43:26, the instruction we have is to remind God of His Word, saying:
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
This is what we are to do in prayer, to remind God of what He has said, and what He has done. It's not that God has forgotten His Word. God already knows what He has said and done.
However, God wants to make sure that you remember what He has said and done, and God wants you to put Satan on notice that he must bow down to the Word of God and get out of your way! Every time Satan attacks us with his lies, we must tell him it is written!
When we go to God in prayer with His Word, it affirms and magnifies the faith of Jesus Christ in us, and causes the Holy Ghost to witness within in us the “Truth.” Prayer witnesses to God that we are standing together on His promises, and fighting with Him, against the enemy Satan. This is how we become, “Strong in the Lord” and in the “Power of His Might!” In prayer, in the Spirit, God shields us and fights for us against the enemy. (Ps 27:5-6)
Frankly speaking, the reason why we see calamities in families, neighborhoods, and nation(s) ever increasing in intensity, is because the Church of Jesus Christ corporately, locally-based churches, as well as Christians individually have failed to engage the enemy Satan in prayer with God, in the "Spirit." (Word of God) without ceasing. We have to pay very close attention to exactly what we are saying when we pray, and only pray the Word, and make petitions consistent with the Word of God and stand on them without wavering.
Examine your own prayer life for a moment. Are you praying all day with God in the Spirit (Word of God)? Or, do you just get up in the morning and say a 2 to 10-minute prayer and go about your business and routine in your natural ability; leaving God and the Word of God at home? Media reports that the average Christian prays less than 5-minutes a day.
In the light of God’s Word, we ought to be talking with God about “everything” we think about, and do all day long. This was the success of the Israelite Jabez. (See I Chron. 4:9-10) God called him “more honorable” (more distinguished, respectable, and reputable) than his brethren. Why? Because Jabez called on (prayed with) the God of Israel. Jabez petitioned God to bless him, enlarge his lands, to be with him in “all” that he did, and to keep him from “all” trouble and pain! In other words, Jabez invited God to be his constant companion in all things! And, God granted every request of Jabez!
Similarly, as Good Soldiers of Christ operating under the New-Covenant, we need to pray with God, saying, “Lord I thank you, that you have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I thank you, that you have enlarged my lands. Tell the Lord, that you want Him to be involved in every matter of your life (your ministry, family-life, business, education, finances, relationships, vacations, recreation, etc.). Tell the Lord, that you need His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in all things that you undertake; and that you don’t want to do anything apart from Him!
Also, tell the Lord, that you are open and available for conversation about anything He wants to talk about, and wants you to do; and that you freely and humbly desire to share with Him all matters that are on your mind. Further, raise your hands and voice, and thank the Lord for keeping you from all evil; every wicked work the devil has planned for your demise. Lastly, remind the Lord that He granted all of Jabez’s requests, and that you know all of your petitions made in faith have already been granted too by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross!
Continual Prayer with God in the Spirit (Word of God) Surrounds the Enemy and Sets Captives Free
The Saints of the early Church of Jesus Christ understood the value of continual prayer with God in the Spirit. (Acts 2:42) They fully committed themselves to God, in the teachings of Jesus Christ, fasting, prayer, and fellowship. The early Church had all things in common and were successful in spiritual warfare; bearing great signs and wonders that glorified God in Christ.
I reference this gallant warfare of the early Church with the example of when the Apostle Peter was wrongfully seized and imprisoned by King Herod, who planned to have him executed before the Jews. The story is told at Acts Chapter 12:1-17. By natural appearances, Peter's demise was all but certain. King Herod had decided to vex certain members in the Church, because he saw that it pleased the Jews. Herod had already executed James the brother of John by sword and planned to do the same with Peter before the people, after Passover.
So Herod had Peter arrested and imprisoned with several layers of guards standing watch in the prison until he would be brought before the people on Easter and executed. Now let's pick up the story from verses 5-17, and watch how the Church responded to Peter's arrest.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Notice, the Bible says when Peter was arrested and imprisoned, the Saints made prayer unto [with] God "without ceasing" for Peter. There was a unanimous decision by the Saints to pray with God; not some, but all of the Church prayed! Praying in the Spirit for the Saints is an act of love that meets and fulfills the commandment of Christ that we love one another as He has loved us. Jesus for example, prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail, as Satan desired to own him; sift him like wheat. (Luke 22:31) Jesus prayed for all of His disciples, and everyone who believes in Him, that we all would be ONE in God in Christ and receive His glory! (John 17:20-22) Jesus denied his own self, and prayed for the execution of God’s Will to be done for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:42)
The Saints acting in love, entered into spiritual warfare on behalf of Peter with perseverance. This is what the “Good Soldiers” of Jesus Christ do. They put the adversities of another Saint(s), ahead of their own troubles and watch and persevere in prayer with God in the Spirit—the Word of God. They watch over all the Saints with the Word of God in prayer.
Paul said at Philippians 2:3-4, that we are to esteem each other higher than ourselves. At Romans 12:10, Paul also wrote that we are to be devoted to one another in love. You see Saints, you can be certain if you will pray “without ceasing” for someone else in their day of adversity, someone else will be praying without ceasing for you in your time of trouble too! Yes, love does spiritual warfare!
Moving back into the story, Luke the writer of the Book of Acts does not tell us the number of days Peter was detained in the prison during Passover. The holiday season for Passover lasted 7-days. However Luke does tell us that the Saints were praying with God for Peter, “without ceasing” pleading before God apparently for several days. Luke also does not provide details of the specific prayers (petitions) that were made for Peter.
But tell me this. What do you think the Saints were praying about with God, for Peter? Think about it. The Apostle Peter, was one of the most prominent and dynamic leaders of Christ's early Church, and had been arrested, and Herod was planning to kill him. What do you think the Saints were praying day and night without ceasing for God to do for Peter? Without ceasing prayer is not just about the length of time/days spent in prayer, but also it speaks to what they were continually asking God to do for Peter.
We can safely surmise, that the Church was praying that Peter would be spared from death and delivered safely out of the hands of Herod. They were praying that God would "bind" the hands of Herod (Satan working in him causing the evil) and loose Peter (chained by the hands) and go free.
Well, in order to bind any enemy that has taken captives, you have to surround the enemy, take away their ease of movement and ability to hurt you; and then secure them tightly. So that you can set the captives free. This is what intercessory prayer made by the Saints for others in time of trouble does. Prayer made with God in the Spirit—in the Word of God—surrounds and binds all the ability of the enemy, and then (With the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God) breaks the chains off and sets the captive free.
The Apostles and early organizers of the Church, in making disciples as commanded by Jesus Christ; taught the Saints the teachings, principals, and practices of Jesus Christ. I am sure for example, that Peter and the Apostles taught the Saints, and they put into practice in prayer, without ceasing, the Words of Jesus in conducting spiritual warfare:
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt. 18:18)
I'm sure the Apostles told the Saints about how when they went out and preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God, that the devils were subject to them through the name of Jesus Christ. And Jesus told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.” (Luke 10:17)
I am certain the Apostles shared with the Saints the Words of Christ recorded in Matthew 28:18-19:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
On behalf of Peter, in prayer with God, without ceasing, the Saints of the early Church had every right to exercise full authority over the works of the enemy, according to the Word of God. In prayer, they were acting as learned disciples, for which Peter and other Apostles had been given the commandment by Jesus Christ to go and make disciples in every nation. And, so it was that the prayers of the Saints were answered.
God dispatched an angel from heaven and awakened Peter fast asleep, his chains were broken, and they swiftly walked through the layers of garrisons of soldiers unharmed and unnoticed. His knock at the door of John Mark's house, where the Saints were gathered, shocked them, as they were sorely amazed to see Peter released from prison. They could hardly believe their prayers had been answered. But, Peter the learned teacher having all confidence and boldness in God, admonished the Saints not to be amazed that the Lord had delivered him out of the prison. I should add, that even though the Saints’ confidence in prayer was less than perfect, God still answered their prayers, because God is faithful to reward those who diligently seek Him. (Heb.11:6)
Peter's story of deliverance out of the hands of King Herod teaches us today as Good Soldiers of Christ, to never lose confidence in God, to never cease from praying no matter how dark the day or night may seem. Never quit praying for people’s deliverance from evil.
Prayer without ceasing on behalf of a person does not just mean that 24-hours a day someone has to be physically making intercession for the person in trouble. Rather, prayer made without ceasing also includes talking with God all day long in the Spirit—in the Word of God—holding fast without wavering to our confessions of a promise(s) written in the Word of God for a person in distress, until we see the promise come to pass in their lives. Examine Hebrews 10:23, it reads:
Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
This is what the Good Soldiers of Exousia Ministries must do for every person whose name is listed on our weekly God’s List (Prayer List); as well as each other. We take the Word of God in prayer with God, which makes complete and effective use of the Whole Armor of God to wage war against Satan and win every battle; setting the captives free.
As an example, our intercession for Brother Pete, a former member of our Church, comes to immediate mind. How the whole Church rallied together to be instant, and without ceasing, in prayer for him. Brother Pete as a middle-aged man suddenly was attacked by the enemy with a severe stroke, leaving him near death in an ICU ward of Holy Cross Hospital.
But all of us made intercessory prayer with God in the Spirit for Him. And, Brother Pete was completely healed. His doctors first told his wife it was doubtful he would live. Later, they said it was doubtful he would regain the ability to talk and walk. But God had the final say so! Brother Pete came back to our Church and personally told his testimony of how God raised him up from his death-bed.
Always, remember this about “death-beds. Just because it's a death bed, doesn't mean the person has to continue to lie in it! Jesus can heal the person and cause them to take up their bed and walk away! (John 5:8-16)
Oh, and by the way, as a side note. Here is a Thanks-Giving Holiday Testimony for you. Prior to Brother Pete’s illness, shortly after he had joined our Ministry, he told me one Sunday after Service that he had not experienced the receipt of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. He told me he wasn’t sure that he believed in speaking in other tongues.
I immediately shared with Brother Pete several Scriptures, such as Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 2:38-39, 11:1-15, Mark 16:15-16, John Chapters 14, 15, and 16, and I John 4:15; and I told Brother Pete that because he is a believer in Jesus Christ and baptized with water, that he already had the Holy Ghost, and needed only to open up his mouth and let the Spirit of God speak through him. Brother Pete just nodded his head and said okay Pastor. I told Brother Pete I would be praying for him and he left.
But, several weeks later, I believe it was the day after Thanksgiving, Brother Pete called me on the phone and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. Then he busted out laughing and great joy. He said, Pastor I have to give you my testimony. He said on Thanksgiving Day, when I sat down with my family to offer the blessing over our meal, “I opened my mouth to pray and immediately I began to speak in other tongues!” He said, Pastor I could not stop, as the Spirit of God was flowing out of me so much that I had to leave the room! What a mighty God we serve!
In closing, as Good Soldiers who war against Satan with the Whole Armor of God, we are to continually watch over all the Saints in prayer with God in the Spirit—in the Word of God. Take the promises of God, which are all, “yes and Amen,” and pray with God for everyone in the body of Christ, especially for those members who are joined in our Church and that you know personally, and then for the unsaved. This is all a part of fulfilling the Mission of Christ that we love one another as Jesus Christ has loved us.
Pray the promises of God in Christ that keep the Saints from evil; like that of II Thessalonians 3:3.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil.
With confidence pray for all of the Saints, that daily Jesus is doing a good-work in them, according to Philippians 1:6.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Be moved with bowels of compassion and pray for all of the unsaved people in the world to come and know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and receive salvation. Acts 4:12 states:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
II Pet. 3:9 reads,
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Be filled with the compassion of Christ and desire that everyone receive the Peace of Christ, not as the world gives but only the Peace that comes from God.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
You see, this is praying in the Spirit—praying with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Taking the promises of God and presenting them before God, and talking with God about His promises. This releases the Strength and Might of God in the lives of others, and yours too! This is what Satan and every demonic force fears about the Good Soldier, is that they will come to the battlefield ready to destroy the works of the devil. God is well pleased when His Good Soldiers are mentally fit to handle and destroy all of the attacks and works of Satan, with every Word of God. Amen for the preaching of the Word of the Living God!
Next week, we will focus on the conduct of spiritual warfare in our personal lives.
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