Put on the full armor of God.

1. The Belt of Truth
a. Truth is essential. We must be rooted and grounded in truth, or else our lives are meaningless.
b. Truth is Immutable. New discoveries or new information never change that which is true.
c. Truth is Incorrigible. God's truth cannot be improved.
d. Truth is Objective. If we are to stand firm in spiritual warfare, we must be immersed in the objective truth, the Word of God.
e. Truth is Practical. Not only are we to know truth, we are to exhibit truth as a lifestyle.


2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
a. understanding righteousness
does not refer to self-righteousness
does not refer to imputed righteousness
does refer to practical righteousness
b. putting on righteousness
Put on the outer form, and you will find that God will fill it in.


3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
The gospel is something that is to be carried, transported or advanced.
Because of the gospel, we have peace with God.

Three verbs of Ephesians:
Sit (chap 1-3)
Walk (4:1-6:9)
Stand (6:10-24)


1. Our struggle in spiritual warfare (12)
a. Our struggle is real.
b. Our struggle is personal.
c. Our struggle is supernatural.
d. Our struggle is against powerful enemies.
e. Our struggle has serious implications.

Satan's schemes:
#1 Diversion
#2. Division
#3. Deception


2. Our power in spiritual warfare (10)
a. The enemy defeats us when we rely on our own power.
b. We defeat the enemy when we rely on God's power.


3. Our protection in spiritual warfare. (11)
a. Put on the whole armor of God.
b. Protection requires making a stand.
Remember we have been delivered.
Remember we can't just send demons away.
    We defeat the enemy by being filled with the Spirit.
​Remember we are strongest when we are weakest.

1. From the beginning of Bible history, there has always been a physical place where mankind has been able to view as the dwelling place of God.
a. In the beginning it was the Garden of Eden.
b. In Abraham's day, it was the altar.
c. In Moses' day, it was the tabernacle.
d. During the monarchy, it was the temple.
e. In Jesus's day, it was Jesus.
f. In the church age, it is in the body of the believer.


2. Our bodies are the link between the spiritual dimension and the world around us. (I Corinthians 6:16; Luke 11:24)
a. What we do while we are in this body determines our eternal reward .(II Corinthians 5:10)
b. If you are saved, you have the foundation. (10-11)
c. Once you are saved, it is up to you to build upon that foundation. (12-15)
d. Some people spend their Christian lives doing things that are earthly and temporary.
e. Others spend their time doing things with eternal and spiritual value.


3. For whatever dwelling place of God we are talking about, a sacrifice was necessary for that place to be sanctified.


4. Christians must present their bodies as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1)
What does that mean? (I Corinthians 6:18)
a. Honor God with your body.
b. Any addiction is a sin against your own body.
​c. God has given us boundaries for these mortal bodies.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were facing death for the third time.
The idea of worship is really what is at the crux of the matter.

The time to be counter-culture is when to integrate into the culture would mean to disobey the commandments of God.
The strength of their faith was not what determined the outcome.
A sovereign God will do whatever He wills and whatever will bring Him glory.

Most of the time, when we lose our temper, we don't act righteously. (James 1:19)

Christophany- an appearance of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament
God had intervened, He was able to save them and they were not alone in their situation.
Despite all appearances, God controls the affairs of mankind.
Our job is to trust Him.
a. We should be faithful to Him, no matter what.
b. We should be fearless of man, no matter what.

The older generation wept when they saw the foundation of the temple being laid, while many others rejoiced.

Wrong expectations lead to disappointment, and disappointment leads to despair.


How the Israelites overcame disappointment
1. They had a new dedication when they rebuilt the altar.
The altar was the link between God and man.
For Christians, that means returning to the cross.
(Micah 7:18)

2. They had a new obedience when they re-laid the foundation.
a. They committed themselves to following the Lord in the details of life.
b. They re-laid the foundation in spite of the enemies all around them.

3. They had a new priority when they resolved to praise the Lord.
Praise is a choice, not a feeling.
The young need the old to remind them of the past.
The old need the young to encourage them about the future.


Lessons to overcome disappointments
1. Yield your memories and dreams to the Lord.
2. Accept your present situation as from the Lord.
3. Resolve to obey God right where you are.
4. Praise God for His goodness, in spite of your circumstances.


It is better to begin small with God than not to begin at all.
It is better to rejoice over what you have than to grieve over what you have lost.