The Armor of God
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Spiritually Dressed For Success
Pr 20:18 (NIV) Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.
The purpose of this Bible Study is to consider and meditate on the Scriptural meaning of each piece of the armor of
God, so that we might stand firm in the battles of life.
Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can
take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your
waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from
the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Why Spiritual Armor?
Rom 13:12 (NIV) The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and
put on the armor of light.
Jer 46:3-4 (NIV) "Prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle! Harness the horses, mount
the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armour!"
1 Cor 14:8 (GLT) For if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get himself ready for war?
Stand!
Luke 21:36 (NIV) "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and
that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Mal 3:2 (NAS) But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?..
1 Cor 10:12-13 (NIV) So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized
you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Jude 1:24 (Wey) But to Him who is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and cause you to stand in the presence of
His glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy...
Jas 4:7 (NAS) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The Belt of Truth
Eph 6:14 (NRS) ...fasten the belt of truth around your waist...
Isa 11:5 (NIV) Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash round his waist.
Ex 12:11 (NIV) This is how you are to eat it [the passover lamb]: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals
on your feet and your staff in your hand...
1 Kings 18:46 (NIV) The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab
all the way to Jezreel.
Eph 4:25 (NKJ) Therefore, put away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiritually Dressed For Success
Pr 20:18 (NIV) Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.
The purpose of this Bible Study is to consider and meditate on the Scriptural meaning of each piece of the armor of
God, so that we might stand firm in the battles of life.
Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can
take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your
waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from
the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Why Spiritual Armor?
Rom 13:12 (NIV) The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and
put on the armor of light.
Jer 46:3-4 (NIV) "Prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle! Harness the horses, mount
the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armour!"
1 Cor 14:8 (GLT) For if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get himself ready for war?
Stand!
Luke 21:36 (NIV) "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and
that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Mal 3:2 (NAS) But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?..
1 Cor 10:12-13 (NIV) So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized
you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Jude 1:24 (Wey) But to Him who is able to keep you safe from stumbling, and cause you to stand in the presence of
His glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy...
Jas 4:7 (NAS) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
The Belt of Truth
Eph 6:14 (NRS) ...fasten the belt of truth around your waist...
Isa 11:5 (NIV) Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash round his waist.
Ex 12:11 (NIV) This is how you are to eat it [the passover lamb]: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals
on your feet and your staff in your hand...
1 Kings 18:46 (NIV) The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab
all the way to Jezreel.
Eph 4:25 (NKJ) Therefore, put away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor."
The Beatitudes - Blessed are the Merciful
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The Beatitudes demonstrate the way to blessedness in Christ's kingdom
is far different from what the world perceives of righteousness.
The Study "Blessed are the Merciful" covers the following topics:
is far different from what the world perceives of righteousness.
The Study "Blessed are the Merciful" covers the following topics:
- Blessed are the Merciful.
- The Source of Mercy.
- The Significance of Mercy.
- The Substance of Mercy.
- The Sequel to Mercy.
III. The Significance of Mercy.
Mercy is special. It is more than forgiveness. It is less than love. It is different from grace. And it is one with
justice. The merciful one not only hears the insults of evil men, but His heart also reaches out to them in
compassion.
It was mercy in Abraham after he had been wronged by his nephew Lot that caused him to go and secure
Lot’s deliverance. Genesis 13-14
It was mercy in Joseph after being treat so badly by his brothers that caused him to accept them and meet
their needs. Genesis 37-42
It was mercy in Moses, after Miriam had rebelled against him and the Lord had given her leprosy, that made
him cry, “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.” Numbers 12:13
It was mercy in David that twice caused him to spare the life of Saul. 1 Samuel 24;26
The merciful are those who reach out, not those who grasp and take. God help us to hear the voice of our
God who tells us to be merciful.
IV. The Substance of Mercy.
How can we be merciful? By looking after the spiritual needs of others through pity,
prodding, prayer and preaching.
We must look at the lost with pity, not lording it over them or thinking ourselves better. Stephen said as they
cast stones and crushed out his life, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” Acts 7:60. He was pitying their
souls.
Next we can prod. Prodding means to confront people about their sin in order that God might give them
forgiveness. They have got to hear the gospel. Mercy prods. There has to be confrontation about sin before
there can be the realization of sinfulness.
Next we can pray. Prayer for the souls of those without God is an act of mercy. Do we pray for the lost? Do
we pray for Christians who are walking in disobedience. Our prayer is an act of mercy; for it releases God’s
blessings.
Finally, we can preach, Preaching the gospel is the most necessary and merciful thing we can do for the
lost soul.
V. The Sequel to Mercy.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
The sequel to mercy is obtaining mercy. What a beautiful thing. Do you see the cycle? God gives us mercy,
we are merciful, and God gives us more mercy. Second Samuel 22:26 says the same thing, that it is the
merciful who receives mercy. James 2:13 says it negatively, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that
hath shewed no mercy.”
But now we must be warned of something, and this is critical: Some people think being merciful is how we
get saved. This is the error of the Roman Catholic Church, that God is satisfied and gives mercy when we do
merciful deeds. We do not get mercy for merit.
The one who has received mercy will be merciful. The one who has received forgiveness will be forgiving.
Mercy is special. It is more than forgiveness. It is less than love. It is different from grace. And it is one with
justice. The merciful one not only hears the insults of evil men, but His heart also reaches out to them in
compassion.
It was mercy in Abraham after he had been wronged by his nephew Lot that caused him to go and secure
Lot’s deliverance. Genesis 13-14
It was mercy in Joseph after being treat so badly by his brothers that caused him to accept them and meet
their needs. Genesis 37-42
It was mercy in Moses, after Miriam had rebelled against him and the Lord had given her leprosy, that made
him cry, “Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.” Numbers 12:13
It was mercy in David that twice caused him to spare the life of Saul. 1 Samuel 24;26
The merciful are those who reach out, not those who grasp and take. God help us to hear the voice of our
God who tells us to be merciful.
IV. The Substance of Mercy.
How can we be merciful? By looking after the spiritual needs of others through pity,
prodding, prayer and preaching.
We must look at the lost with pity, not lording it over them or thinking ourselves better. Stephen said as they
cast stones and crushed out his life, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” Acts 7:60. He was pitying their
souls.
Next we can prod. Prodding means to confront people about their sin in order that God might give them
forgiveness. They have got to hear the gospel. Mercy prods. There has to be confrontation about sin before
there can be the realization of sinfulness.
Next we can pray. Prayer for the souls of those without God is an act of mercy. Do we pray for the lost? Do
we pray for Christians who are walking in disobedience. Our prayer is an act of mercy; for it releases God’s
blessings.
Finally, we can preach, Preaching the gospel is the most necessary and merciful thing we can do for the
lost soul.
V. The Sequel to Mercy.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
The sequel to mercy is obtaining mercy. What a beautiful thing. Do you see the cycle? God gives us mercy,
we are merciful, and God gives us more mercy. Second Samuel 22:26 says the same thing, that it is the
merciful who receives mercy. James 2:13 says it negatively, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that
hath shewed no mercy.”
But now we must be warned of something, and this is critical: Some people think being merciful is how we
get saved. This is the error of the Roman Catholic Church, that God is satisfied and gives mercy when we do
merciful deeds. We do not get mercy for merit.
The one who has received mercy will be merciful. The one who has received forgiveness will be forgiving.
I. Blessed are the Merciful.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
The word itself, merciful, is from the Greek eliamosuna, from which we get the word eleemosynary, which
means benefactory. The word is used in this form only one other time in the New Testament. The other is in
Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest.” Jesus Christ is the great illustration of mercy. He is the high priest who
intercedes for us, and it is from Him that mercy comes.
The verb form of mercy is very common in Scripture. In Matthew 6:3 it is used concerning almsgiving. The
Hebrew synonym would be chesed, which means “to have mercy on, to succor the afflicted, to give help to
the wretched, and to rescue the miserable.” Anything you do that is of benefit to someone in need is mercy.
We think of mercy so much in terms of forgiveness in salvation, but it is really a much broader term. It goes
beyond compassion. It goes beyond sympathy. It means sympathy and compassion in action toward anyone
in need. When our Lord talks about it here, the real eliamosuma is not the weak sympathy that carnal
selfishness feels but never does anything about. It is not that false mercy that indulges its own flesh in
salving of conscience by giving tokenism. It is not the silent, passive pity that never seems to help in a
tangible way. It is genuine compassion with a pure, unselfish motive that reaches out to help.
In other words, Jesus was saying to them, “The people in my kingdom aren’t takers; they’re givers. The
people in my kingdom aren’t the ones who set themselves above
everybody--they’re the people who stoop to help.”
Mercy is seeing a man without food and giving him food. Mercy is seeing a person begging for love and
giving him love. Mercy is seeing someone lonely and giving him company. Mercy is meeting the need, not
just feeling it.
II. The Source of Mercy.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful., Luke 6:36
Nothing can rival the Cross for mercy, for it fulfilled Christ’s role as a merciful High Priest. Hebrews 2:17
The mercy of God is manifested:
1. In the sending of Christ. Luke 1:78
2. In salvation. Titus 3:5
3. In long-suffering. Lamentation 3:22; Daniel 9:9
4. To His people. Deuteronomy 32:43; 1Kings 8:23
5. To them that fear Him. Psalms 103:17; Luke 1:50
6. To repentant sinners. Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Luke 15:18-20
7. To the afflicted. Isaiah 49:13; 54:7
8. To the fatherless. Hosea 14:3
9. To whom He will. Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:15,18
10. With everlasting kindness. Isaiah 54:8
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
The word itself, merciful, is from the Greek eliamosuna, from which we get the word eleemosynary, which
means benefactory. The word is used in this form only one other time in the New Testament. The other is in
Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest.” Jesus Christ is the great illustration of mercy. He is the high priest who
intercedes for us, and it is from Him that mercy comes.
The verb form of mercy is very common in Scripture. In Matthew 6:3 it is used concerning almsgiving. The
Hebrew synonym would be chesed, which means “to have mercy on, to succor the afflicted, to give help to
the wretched, and to rescue the miserable.” Anything you do that is of benefit to someone in need is mercy.
We think of mercy so much in terms of forgiveness in salvation, but it is really a much broader term. It goes
beyond compassion. It goes beyond sympathy. It means sympathy and compassion in action toward anyone
in need. When our Lord talks about it here, the real eliamosuma is not the weak sympathy that carnal
selfishness feels but never does anything about. It is not that false mercy that indulges its own flesh in
salving of conscience by giving tokenism. It is not the silent, passive pity that never seems to help in a
tangible way. It is genuine compassion with a pure, unselfish motive that reaches out to help.
In other words, Jesus was saying to them, “The people in my kingdom aren’t takers; they’re givers. The
people in my kingdom aren’t the ones who set themselves above
everybody--they’re the people who stoop to help.”
Mercy is seeing a man without food and giving him food. Mercy is seeing a person begging for love and
giving him love. Mercy is seeing someone lonely and giving him company. Mercy is meeting the need, not
just feeling it.
II. The Source of Mercy.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful., Luke 6:36
Nothing can rival the Cross for mercy, for it fulfilled Christ’s role as a merciful High Priest. Hebrews 2:17
The mercy of God is manifested:
1. In the sending of Christ. Luke 1:78
2. In salvation. Titus 3:5
3. In long-suffering. Lamentation 3:22; Daniel 9:9
4. To His people. Deuteronomy 32:43; 1Kings 8:23
5. To them that fear Him. Psalms 103:17; Luke 1:50
6. To repentant sinners. Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Luke 15:18-20
7. To the afflicted. Isaiah 49:13; 54:7
8. To the fatherless. Hosea 14:3
9. To whom He will. Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:15,18
10. With everlasting kindness. Isaiah 54:8
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- Laminated in plastic for durability.
- Two sided (front and back)
- CD's are available containing all charts in this series
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17