SANCTUARY | Jesus in the Wilderness: Be Strong Through Struggle

Firefighters are required to put on full Bunker Gear (protective boots, fire retardant pants and jacket, a hood and helmet, a protective mask, a self-contained breathing apparatus, and gloves) when entering a structure in response to a fire alarm, even when no smoke or fire is visible.  90% of all calls are false alarms, but 10% of the time, there is a fire inside that has poisonous gases, fire, and explosion capabilities that can bring harm to first responders.  In every response, full Bunker Gear it to be worn.  For the Christian, there is often no warning when a crisis might occur in life.  That is why we are to “put on the full armor of God”: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted for readiness that comes from the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  If a believer is not spending time in the Scripture and does not have an active prayer life, it is like setting aside the sword of the Spirit and picking up a pocketknife to defend oneself against the devil.  Now is the time to be strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God. Sermon text: Ephesians 6: 10-18