Boot Camp 101 (Pack Up & Ship Out Your Civies- Put On Your Uniform!) New Year 2014

The Equipment For The Conflict Ephesians 6:13-17 Vs. 14 – We now come to the body equipment: “Stand” aorist active imperative of histēmi – to stand fast; to hold your ground. May not even understand the source of the attack – but you can stand fast & resist the attack, regardless of its duration or intensity – PROVIDED THAT YOU UTILIZE THE GRACE EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMOR.

The Equipment For The Conflict Ephesians 6:13-17 Now have a series of aorist participles in verses Action of the aorist participle precedes the action of the main verb. Main verb is “stand” in verse 14 & refers to the heat of the battle. The participles specify the preparations which precede the combat – until the Christian Warrior reaches spiritual maturity, they are in constant training.

The Equipment For The Conflict Ephesians 6:13-17 Even when Christian soldiers have reached maturity (Super-Grace – James 4:6) they must strive continually to perfect their initial training until they are proficient in every branch of the art of spiritual warfare. Then, they must constantly train to maintain that proficiency. Christian Warriors can NEVER afford to lower their guard – EVER!

The Equipment For The Conflict Ephesians 6:13-17 For your training, God has provided a drill instructor – your Pastor-Teacher! (Ephesians 4:11, 12) He loves you, & cares for you, & protects you! He wants the best for you! A coach (drill instructor) is someone who makes you do what you don’t want to do so you can be what you want to be! Tom Landry – head coach of the Dallas Cowboys ( ).

Girded with truth – Eph. 6:14 Belt of Truth Practical Military Purpose This was a very important piece to the Roman Soldier's armor. The Roman soldier put around his waist a very wide belt which was the holder for a lot of equipment. There was a loop, for example, for the different swords. Other loops held ropes and a rations sack. When the legions conquered a city, the soldiers would empty out the ration sack to make room for gold, jewelry, and other loot they picked up. There were loops on the belt for darts. The belt was tied in several places to stay in place, so that no matter how the soldier moved about, fell down, climbed hills, etc., the belt was always in place with weapons at the ready. If the belt were not on straight, then everything would be out of place for the soldier. This would cut down his efficiency in battle and may even cost him his life.

Vs. 14 – “having girded” (“gird” – to encircle or bind with a belt or band; to surround; enclose; hem in; to prepare oneself for action). Aorist middle participle of perizōnnumi (peri – around & zōnnumi – to put on) Garments were worn ungirded about the house – girding denotes preparation for activity.

Verse 14 – “after having buckled around your waist” Cf. I Peter 1:13 – “gird up” – aorist middle participle of anazōnnumi. “mind” dianoia – a thinking; a meditation; deep thought; the exercise of thinking. “sober” – present active participle of nēphō – not intoxicated; well-balanced; self-controlled; stabilized. “hope” – aorist active imperative of elpizō – confidence; expectation

Ephesians 6:14 – “with (“by means of”) truth” “Truth” is a synonym for Bible doctrine. Signifies the means by which we reach our spiritual objective. The “belt of truth” comprises the entire realm of doctrine – all its truths; all its categories – as it is assimilated by the daily function of the intake of the Word of God. If the believer wants to attain the high ground of the super-grace status of maturity, they must take up the challenge to expose themselves to the Word of God on a consistent & daily basis – no matter what distractions or temptations would keep them from it.

Breastplate of Righteousness – Eph. 6:14 Thōrax – covered both chest & back Dikaiosunē - Rightousness +R = God’s Rightousness -R = Human Rightousness (Isaiah 64:6) “having put on” – aorist middle participle of enduō - to put on.

Breastplate of Righteousness – Eph. 6:14 Not overt righteousness, but righteousness in the sense of fulfillment of the Divine Standards It is a way of life in the soul It is totally divorced from self- righteousness – It is the product of the Word of God resident in the soul

Breastplate of Righteousness – Eph. 6:14 Dikaiosunē type righteousness is entirely dependent on the accumulation of the Word of God in the soul Overtly, it is manifest – In thoughtfulness of others In a Relaxed Mental Attitude of live & let live In recognition & respect of the freedom & privacy of others It is a nobility of soul that matches our noble station

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace The Roman soldiers footgear was known as caligae Hobnail-studded leather soles 1/2 inch thick Strips of cloth or fur used as a lining

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace The Roman infantry was known as caligati Able to march in common military step 20 miles in 5 summer hours In the quicker full step they marched 24 miles in the same time In full marching equipment!

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace In Scripture feet are synonymous with service. It is the seasoned combat veteran; the spiritually mature Christian Warrior who can serve the Lord to the maximum of their capability & capacity. The wearing of spiritual combat boots indicates readiness to serve our Supreme Commander wherever & whenever He directs. “shod” – aorist middle participle of hupodeō (hupo – under & deō – to bind) – to bind beneath; to put on footwear.