Our identity in Christ, The preparation of the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15, “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace”
Sometimes what kind of shoes you wear doesn’t matter that much but there are places and times where the right shoes are essential. Flip flops are fine to wear at the beach but a bad idea for logging. Heavy and dangerous work requires heavy boots. Paul is comparing the Christian life to being in an army, the Lord’s Army. The right footwear for an army is army boots. Army boots are tough and strong for hard use and long marches. They protect the foot and ankle up to mid-shin for walking confidently in rough terrain. Every soldier wears the same type of boot so that they all move forward together. For soldiers, those boots are the foundation upon which they stand.
Our foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation”
Psalm 118:22-23
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This firm foundation prepares us to do as Paul said, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
How is it that we find ourselves standing firm despite the rough terrain of life? We stand firm because, through it all, we have peace with God.
Colossians 1:20
“and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself ,by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
Romans 5:1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Luke 2:13-14
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Gospel means good news. News reporting means telling a story. When reporting the basics are, who, what, where, when, how and why. Let’s write out the gospel story.
Who is involved? What happened? Where did this happen? When did it happen? How did this happen? And the big one, why did this happen?
Soldiers have to practice constantly to be ready for battle. Let’s practice telling the story of the gospel to each other.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures
What are some ways of sharing the gospel?
The four spiritual laws
- God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life (John 3:16)
- We are separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23)
- Through Jesus Christ we can have our sins forgiven and be in right relationship with God (Romans 5:8)
- We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord (John 1:12)
G.O.S.P.E.L.
G od created us for relationship with him
O ur sins separated us from God
S in cannot be excused or erased by good deeds
P aying the price for sin, Christ died and rose again
E veryone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life
L ife with Jesus starts now and lasts forever
The Romans Road
3:23 All have sinned
5:8 Christ died for us
6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord
8:1 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved
As fellow soldiers we march together to the gospel drum. The boots that represent our firm foundation, which is peace with God, stand us in good stead in the day of conflict. Our confidence in the gospel comes through living it day in and day out like a good pair of boots that get worn until they are broken in. Unlike boots, the gospel will never wear out but become more perfectly firm the more we live in it and live it out.
brotherpayne 