Sermon Outline

January 25, 2026      

Havasu Christian Church

Are you Battle ready?         

Ephesians 6:10–20

“Are those new shoes?”

INTRO: Footwear is important! What you put on your feet can make all the difference! There are specialized shoes for almost everything you may want to do. There are even special shoes for throwing discus! (Not a huge market for those shoes!) My sons needed special shoes for wrestling, special shoes for football, special shoes for baseball, special shoes for track and field! The shoe bills wracked up pretty fast!

Today, we’ll talk about our “Combat Sandals.” First century combat sandals… The Caliga had thick soles, “hobnails” (round headed iron nails on the bottom of the soles that provided traction, similar to athletic cleats.) and were made from layers of heavy leather. This was a sandal, but it was almost a boot with slits in the sides. It wasn’t as warm as a full boot, but in climates where you didn’t need the extra warmth, they gave the foot plenty of air circulation, and they dried out quickly when they got wet, which made it less likely for the soldier to get foot fungus. These Sandals were good for long distances. A group of Roman Soldiers were expected to be able to cover 25 miles in a day on decent roads, carrying a full pack. These Sandals were important!

For the Christian’s armor to be truly useful, it must include our “combat sandals.”

Ephesians 6:10–20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 

     11   Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

     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. 

     13   Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

     14   Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 

     15    and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 

     16   in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

     17   And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

     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, 

     20   for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

1. What is the “Gospel of Peace?
2. Gospel = “Good news.”
3. So we’re talking about the “Good News of peace!
4. Is this peace in the sense of no conflict?
5. That wouldn’t make much sense when we are talking about putting on armor.
6. Christians that these words were written to were already being mistreated, and it would only get worse.
7. Paul himself calls himself an “Ambassador in Chains.” He’s got troubles of his own.
8. This “gospel of Peace” can’t mean a lack of trouble!
9. Is this peace in the sense of “knowing God is in control, and He’s got things handled?
10. That makes a lot more sense to me.
11. No matter what happens, it’s going to work out for the good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

1. Things may not work out to my liking.
2. Things may not work out to my immediate happiness.
3. Things may not work out the way I want.
4. My life may be painful.
5. My life may be difficult!
6. But God will USE whatever happens to help us grow in Christ!
7. God will use whatever happens to grow His Kingdom!
8. This promise is to Christians, not pagans.
9. God may use the troubles that come as a spur to motivate people towards Jesus, but the promise of Romans 8:28 is not given to them.

1. What does this idea of “preparation” mean?
2. Being prepared or being in a state of readiness is probably a better way of thinking about this.

I was a “Cub scout drop-out” but I did adopt the motto…. Be prepared. I almost always have a pen to write with, and a knife to cut with. In my truck, I have enough rope and twine to tie an elephant so he wouldn’t be able to escape the truck bed. I carry tools in my truck, and of course, I have jumper cables in both of the vehicles I own!

If I go to work on something at the church or elsewhere, I bring every tool I think I might possibly need. I like to be prepared! I want to be ready for whatever comes up.

1. A Christian should be prepared for whatever comes because he has the “Gospel of Peace.”
2. This is possible only if we trust God!

Last week: Genesis 15:6Then he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

1. Believed in = listened, trusted and followed!
2. Not just talking, walking!
3. Satan would like nothing better than to keep us stirred up and anxious. He would love for us to live in fear, always upset about something or other, and waiting for something terrible to happen!
4. Satan wants to steal our Peace!
5. Satan wants us to focus on the bad things that have happened in the past and forget the Good that God has done in our lives!
6. Satan wants us to DWELL on gloom and doom, and forget the power of God!
7. But GOD IS POWERFUL!
8. HE IS ON OUR SIDE!
9. The Holy Spirit lives in us and works through us!
10. We have no need to fear!

1. This peace is something the world does not understand at all!
2. They don’t have it!
3. When they see that we do have it, they are amazed and jealous!
4. Sometimes, we don’t even understand it!
5. But when you trust someone thoroughly, you KNOW they are going to come through!
6. God is ALWAYS there!
7. God ALWAYS keeps His Promises!
8. Even when we feel alone, WE ARE NOT!!!

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me!”

1. WE TRUST GOD!
2. Even in times of sorrow.
3. Even in times of sickness.
4. Even in times of fear.
5. Even in times where hope seems lost.
6. Even when we see no way out of our problems.
7. Even when we fail.
8. Even when others fail us.
9. Our feet have traction, even when the ground we are standing on is uneven.
10. Our feet are shod in the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace!
11. Stand firm!
12. Be prepared to share HOW AND WHY You have this Peace.

I want to read one final Scripture that speaks to this topic, then we’ll be done!

1 Peter 3:13–16 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 

     14   But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 

     15   but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 

     16   and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.