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Introduction: Survivalists know that when you find yourself in a threatening situation it is imperative to take inventory of your available resources. Today we are going to “take inventory” of the supernatural resources God has provided every Christian to face the supernatural struggles we encounter every day.

Survival Tip #1: Don’t PanicSurvival Tip #2: Gain Situational Awareness

I. The Importance Of Taking Inventory Of Available Resources

II. The Need For Supernatural Resources: Our Supernatural Enemy (Ephesians 6:13; 1 Peter 5:8)

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Ephesians 6:10-11 10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

"SURVIVAL TIP #3:TAKE INVENTORY"

EPHESIANS 6:10-20

MAY 26, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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III. Taking Inventory Of Our Spiritual Resources: The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-20)

A. The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Ephesians 6:14a “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH…”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

B. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b; 1 Timothy 6:11)

Ephesians 6:14b “…and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,”

Three Kinds of “Righteousness”

1. Self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6a)

Isaiah 64:6a “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;”

2. Imputed righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)

2 Corinthians 5:21 “He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

3. Practiced righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11)

1 Timothy 6:11 “But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

"SURVIVAL TIP #2: TAKE INVENTORY"EPHESIANS 6:10-20

MAY 26, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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C. The Boots of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15)

Ephesians 6:15 “and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”

D. The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16; Hebrews 11:1)

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Ephesians 6:16 “In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.”

E. The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a; Romans 6:6-7)

Ephesians 6:17a “And take the helmet of salvation,”

Romans 6:6-7 6 “Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.”

F. The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)

Ephesians 6:17b “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

IV. An Additional Resource: The People of God (Ephesians 6:18-19)

Ephesians 6:18-19 18 “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 9 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three stands is not quickly torn apart.”

"SURVIVAL TIP #2: TAKE INVENTORY"EPHESIANS 6:10-20

MAY 26, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

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V. A Final Word: A Checklist for Your Spiritual Inventory

• Are you regularly reading, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word (the Belt of Truth)?

• Are you obedient to God’s commands (the Breastplate of Righteousness)?

• Are you committed to God’s mission to reach people with the gospel (the Boots of the Gospel)?

• Is your faith strong enough to deflect satanic attacks (the Shield of Faith)?

• Do you understand that a Christian is saved not only from the penalty of sin but from the power of sin (the Helmet of Salvation)?

• Are you able to recall Scriptures when you encounter temptations (the Sword of the Spirit)?

• Are you involved in church where you can experience the spiritual strength, accountability, and prayers of other members of the body of Christ (Perseverance and Petition for all the saints)?

Conclusion

"SURVIVAL TIP #2: TAKE INVENTORY"EPHESIANS 6:10-20

MAY 26, 2019 | DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS