Sermon Details

THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

“As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.” – Ephesians 6:15

Shoes play an important role in our lives. The third piece of armor necessary for our life of discipleship involves footwear. According to Ephesians, you not only need to wear the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness – you also need to put on your shoes. A Roman soldier’s shoes or sandals were heavily studded with nails. These nails were firmly placed directly through the sole of the shoe.  Tony Evans suggests three primary characteristics of the shoes we are to wear: DURABILITY, STABILITY and MOBILITY.

The Roman soldier’s shoes are a great example of our footwear in the 21st century.  A soldier’s very life could depend on his footwear. As the Roman soldier of the    1st century marched on rough roads, climbed over sharp rocks, made his way through thorns, his feet needed protection.  A soldier whose feet became blistered, cut or swollen could not fight well in battle. In addition to being made tough and durable to protect his feet, the Roman soldier’s shoes were studded with nails to give him stability so he would not slip or slide. The cleats also provided for mobility as he climbed slippery cliffs or treacherous paths.

The language of Ephesians 6:15 is very similar to Isaiah 52:7; “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’!”   In Isaiah, a messenger proclaims peace, good news, and salvation – and Isaiah says the messenger’s feet are beautiful. The connection between these verses implies that having our feet sandaled isn’t only defensive but also offensive: sharing the gospel.

Disciples of Jesus are called to always be ready to share the good news of Jesus. We are to teach the Word “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 2:4:2), always being ready to give a defense for our faith (1 Peter 3:15). When we are always prepared to tell somebody about Jesus, we stand against the enemy. A disciple’s footwear is exceedingly important in the battle against the enemy.

We can begin to see the importance of our footwear.  You may have carefully put on the belt of truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness, but if you do not have the proper footwear, you may stumble, fall and suffer defeat.  Are you beginning to see why we must wear the FULL ARMOR OF GOD? Jesus is the TRUTH (John 14:6), our RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Cor. 5:21), and our PEACE (Ephesians 2:14). Knowing him is essential to wearing the belt of truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, and experiencing the gospel of peace.  

Pastor Paul Johansson
AS SHOES FOR YOUR FEET PUT ON......
Read Psalm 1: Where should your feet walk? Where should your feet stand? Where should your feet sit?

According to Psalm 119:105, what guides your feet?

 
Read and reflect on John 13:1-17: What does it mean for Jesus to wash your feet?

 
WHATEVER WILL MAKE YOU READY TO PROCLAIM......
What do 2 Timothy 4:2 and 1 Peter 3:15 instruct us about being ready to proclaim? 

 
What is proclaimed in Isaiah 52:7?

 
THE GOSPEL......
What is the gospel according to:

Romans 1:16

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

 
Ephesians 2

 
Romans 5:6-11

 
OF PEACE!
What do the following verses tell us about peace?

Isaiah 9:6

 
1 Timothy 2:5

 
2 Corinthians 5:21

 
Romans 3:23-26

1 John 2:1

 
John 14:27

 
Philippians 4:6-7

 
Isaiah 26:3

Do you know the peace of God? Do you have peace with God?
 
Colossians 3:15 declares that the PEACE OF CHRIST is to rule in our hearts! The word rule is umpire; what would it look like for Jesus to be the umpire in your life? What does this mean for you?
 
ARE YOU PREPARED TO TELL YOUR STORY?

You might consider reading Paul's story in Acts 26:1-23. What was Paul's life like before he met Christ (verses 1-11)? How did Paul learn that he needed to follow Christ (verses 12-18)? How did Paul's life change when he met Christ (verses 19-23)?
 
DO YOU KNOW THE ABC's OF THE PEACE WITH GOD?
ADMIT to God our sin - Romans 3:23; 6:23
BELIEVE in Jesus Christ - John 3:16
CONFESS your faith in Jesus Christ - Romans 10:9-10

Please do not hesitate to contact anyone on staff at Central if you want to pray about discovering the peace of God in your life.