CFTN | Week of December 11th | www.cftn.com | Dr. Michael Maiden

Ephesians 6:1-24 1 Children, obey your par-ents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 5 Bondservants, be obe-dient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trem-bling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeser-vice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, do-ing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill do-ing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving

up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no par-tiality with Him. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wres-tle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breast-plate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 pray-ing always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, be-ing watchful to this end with all perseverance and suppli-cation for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a be-loved brother and faith-ful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose,

that you may know our af-fairs, and that he may com-fort your hearts. 23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Je-sus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Power (Kratos) – “Domin-ion, strength, manifested power, power shown, a reigning authority.”

Whole armor (panoplia) – “Panoply” – “The full battle and display armor of the most heavily armed infantry in the Roman Army.”

Wiles (methodia) – “Schemes, trickery, lie in wait.”

Wrestle (pale) – “Hand to hand combat, struggling. Palestra comes from this word. The Palestra was a beautiful palace-like struc-ture in the center of most Roman cities. It was entirely dedicated to the cultivation of athletic skill.”

Shield (thureos) – “Door” – “A large door-shaped shield.”

GIRD YOUR WAIST WITH TRUTH

I John 1:9-10 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent

prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Matthew 5:8Psalm 66:18Mark 3:1-5Psalm 25:21

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

II Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 5:17 For if by the one man’s of-fense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

II Peter 2:9Romans 5:1Isaiah 61:10

SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

The Roman Soldier’s Shoes:• The shoes of Roman sol-

diers were vicious weap-ons.

• They extended from theknee to the foot.

• The part that covered theknees to the feet, “greaves,” was made of metal and wrapped around the calves.

• The shoe was made ofheavy pieces of leather or metal, tied together with leather straps that were intermingled with bits of metal.

• Thebottomoftheshoewasmade with heavy leather and pieces of metal – af-fixedwithsharp,dangerousspikes.

• Twosharplypointedspikesextendedbeyondthefrontof each shoe.

• The soldier would stomp

CFTN | Week of December 11th | www.cftn.com

his shoe down so that spikes on the bottom would go into the ground allowing him to ‘stand’ against his adversary, because his feet were planted.

• In battle the soldier wouldalso use his shoes as vi-cious weapons by kicking at his combat adversary. The long spikes at the front of his shoe were sharp and deadly weapons in battle.

Philippians 4:6-9 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for noth-ing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all un-derstanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, what-ever things are true, what-ever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any vir-tue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and re-ceived and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 (MSG)Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT)

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

John 14:27 (NKJV)John 14:27 (NLT)Romans 5:1Romans 8:6Psalm 29:11Psalm 55:18Psalm 119:165Isaiah 26:3, 12

Isaiah 55:13Romans 15:33Isaiah 9:6Judges 6:24Ephesians 2:14II Thessalonians 3:16Hebrews 13:20-21II Peter 1:2-4I Corinthians 14:33II Corinthians 13:11

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

The Roman Soldier’s Shield:• A Roman soldier’s shield

was composed of multiple layers,usuallysixlayers-ofthick animal hide that had been specially tanned.

• This process made theshieldextremelytoughandexceptionallydurable.

• TheRomansoldier’sshieldrequired daily maintenance inordertokeepuptheex-cellent condition.

• Early morning, when theyawoke, the soldier would take a piece of cloth and completely saturate it with oil. Then he would begin to rub the oil into the leather portion of the shield to keep it soft, supple and pli-able.

• If not properly maintained,the leather would harden and crack when put under pressure and finally fall into pieces. It could easily cost a soldier his very life if his shield was not properly maintained.

• Before battle the soldierwould soak his shield in wa-ter until it was completely saturated. It was then able to quench every fiery arrow of the enemy.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is im-possible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

I John 5:4 For whatever is born of

God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Romans 12:3Romans 10:17Hebrews 11:1Mark 9:23Mark 11:22-23Acts 27:25Jude 1:20

THE HELMET OF SALVATION

The Roman Soldier’s Helmet• TheRomansoldier’shelmet

was a fascinating and flam-boyant piece of armor, very ornate, but intricate.

• Itwashighlydecoratedwithall kinds of engravings and etchings.The helmet looked more like a beautiful piece of artwork than a simple piece of metal formed to fit the head of a soldier.

• ItwasnotuncommonforaRoman helmet to be dec-orated with depictions of pastoral farm scenes, com-plete with all kinds of ani-mals.

• Frequently, the entire hel-met was fashioned to look like an animal, such as an elephant or a horse.

• A huge plume of brightlycolored feathers or horse-hair stood straight up from the top of the helmet.

• The helmet was made ofbronze and was equipped with pieces of armor that were specifically designed to protect the cheeks and jaws.

• It was extremely heavy,therefore the interior of the helmet was lined with sponge in order to soften its weight on the soldier’s head.

• Thispieceofarmorwassostrong, so massive, and so heavy that nothing could pierce it – not even a ham-merorabattleaxe.

Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore,

brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be trans-formed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Proverbs 23:7(a)Psalm 1:1-3II Corinthians 10:3-5I Thessalonians 5:8Proverbs 4:20-23Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)Colossians 3:1-3Mark 5:15II Peter 1:2-4I Corinthians 2:16

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalm 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Isaiah 49:2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, and made Me a polished shaft; in His quiver He has hidden Me.”

Matthew 8:8-9I Samuel 17:50-51Matthew 4:3-10Judges 7:20Luke 19:30-34Psalm 103:5Ezekiel 37:1-10