Armor of God 1

Armor of God 1
      By Gabe Rutledge

Listen to the sermon ARMOR OF GOD

If you’ve ever watched a movie more than once, you’ll know that it’s a different experience the second time around. Why? Because you know how it ends. You see every scene in a new light. In the tense moments where it seems like things might not end well, you can have confidence that it’ll turn out alright. You’ve already seen the ending!

Here’s the thing about following Jesus: WE KNOW THE ENDING! We know that in the end, Jesus will defeat Satan once and for all. The victory is guaranteed because Jesus already won it when he died on the cross and rose again. So, in those difficult parts of life, when everything feels like it’s falling apart, you can be confident that it won’t be like that forever. In those hard times, you can stand up and fight with faith because you know how it all ends. In Christ, we have the victory, which helps us stand firm right here, right now.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Use the 5P METHOD to study this passage and see how Christ’s ultimate victory helps you stand firm.

PURPOSE: Why do you think the author wrote this passage?
Why is it important enough to be in the Bible?

PRIMARY VERSE: Which verse seems to contain the most important thought in the passage? Which one stands out most to you? Write it out.

PROMISES: Make a list of promises you find. Sometimes you need to infer promises from a passage. For example, John 3:16 does not come right out and promise you heaven. But it implies a promise: “If you believe, you will have eternal life.”

PROBLEMS: If you find anything you don’t understand - even if it's just a word - write it down as a question. Then ask your family group leader to help you find the answer.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Based on this passage, what do you need to change or work on so that what you have read is real in your life? Be specific - your application should tell who, what, and when.