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Ephesians 6:15

“Put On Your Gospel Shoes!”

Shod with the Gospel…•Men’s footwear is relatively simple; shoes, boots, sandals, variations on each

•But I couldn’t begin to name all the types of shoes for ladies, stilettos, sandals, clogs, flats, wedges, heels, boots, tennis shoes….

Shod with the Gospel…

•Forgive me for the bad joke ladies…

•I know ladies who will admit, “If they look good, doesn’t matter if my feet hurt…”

•Haven’t you heard, “When your feet hurt, everything hurts?”

•Shoes must fit well to walk long distances, and move around quickly/effectively–especially for the soldier

“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;…”

Ephesians 6:13-15, NASB

“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;…”

Ephesians 6:13-15, NASB

A. Preparation of the Gospel…1. Stability that comes from prep

•Soldiers’ sandals were simply constructed, but with purpose

•Studs or nails in the soles, differed based on planned fighting terrain

A. Preparation of the Gospel…1. Stability that comes from prep

•The studs or nails had dual purpose– stability and defense

•The strategic successes of both Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar were in large measure due to their armies having well equipped feet

A. Preparation of the Gospel…1. Stability that comes from prep

•They were able to do long marches over rough terrain in record time

• It’s the same for us spiritually

•We need to have firm stability in our spiritual footing with the preparation of the Gospel of peace all the time, or Satan will trip us up

A. Preparation of the Gospel…2. Protection that comes from prep of GoP

• Imagine a soldier decked out for battle, but with bare feet

•Terrain can destroy you fast

•They invented this in the 1st

century– Punji Sticks

•Know how many Baptists convert to Mormonism each year?

B. So what is Prep of GoP?•Preparation, or readiness (NIV) in Greek is ‘heto-imasia’

•It’s a fishing word referring to a ship’s fishing tackle

•Remember Peter and Andrew?

“18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:18-19, NASB

B. So what is Prep of GoP?•Preparation, or readiness (NIV) in Greek is ‘heto-imasia’

• It’s a fishing word refers to a ship’s fishing tackle

•Matthew 4:18-19

•Gospel shoes not only provide stability to help the believer hold ground and protection from enemy ’s traps, but they also provide mobility

•These are NOT drees up shoes to keep tidy/clean

“…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…”

1 Peter 3:15, NASB

B. So what is Prep of GoP?•The words “give a defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” is what we call ‘apologetics’

• It means to be ready at a moment’s notice to defend the Word and/or seize the opportunity to share the Gospel

•Have you ever said/heard this?

• “The Lord never opens up opportunities for me to share my faith.”

B. So what is Prep of GoP?•Sometimes we need to push the “door of opportunity” more open

• I think He gives us tons of oppor-tunities that we just plain miss (Not listening?)

•Talk to people, start conversations

•Woman at the well…

•People rarely ask “How can I be saved?”

•Gospel shoes are also for gaining ground

C. Who should prepare w/GoP?•If you are born again, it is your privilege AND responsibility

“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…”

Matthew 28:19, NASB

C. Who should prepare w/GoP?• If you are born again, it is your privilege

AND responsibility

•Great Commission, Matthew 28:19

•When is the last time you looked for an oppor-tunity to share the Gospel?

•When is the last time you prayed for a lost person by name to come to Christ?

•When is the last time you brought someone to church with you?

•Remember God uses people to save people!

D. How do we have the prep of GoP?•Witnessing has become way over complicated– let me simplify- 2 steps

1. Your Testimony (story)

•The most effective tool in your arsenal is your personal story of how Jesus changed your life

•Don’t preach– say, “Let me tell you my story. I didn’t always believe this stuff either. Here is what my life used to be and this is what it’s like now. This is how Jesus changed everything…”

D. How do we have the prep of GoP?

•Folks can argue with a sermon, but they can’t argue with what God has done for you in personal transformation!

•Use that story to build the bridge

•Practice it with friends and family and get it under seven minutes– longer/lose their attn.

•Don’t exaggerate and remember its all about Him, not you!

•Also, your life must back it up…

D. How do we have the prep of GoP?2. Simple Step-by-step Scriptural

Instruction

•Our words don’t mean much, but God’s Words are a different story– POWER

•Memorize the following verses and make them a phrase in the dialogue of your story– this let’s them know what they need to be saved:

The Roman Road…Romans 3:23, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Romans 6:23, “…For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly , I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only be-gotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way , the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Romans 10:9, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

D. How do we have the prep of GoP?•You must come at this whole thing from sincerity and a real desire to make this person a permanent family member!

•If they balk, leave them with kindness and be courteous; may have its own effect

•Lastly– pray for their soul while you are talking to them, Zechariah 4:6(b)

“ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.’ ”

Zechariah 4:6(b), NASB

Take Home!

1. Ask the Lord to equip you thru His Word, having DAILY devo-tions and DAILY prayer

2. Ask Him for an opportunity to share today! Always be ready to give reasons for your hope!

3. Jesus doesn’t need lawyers, he needs witnesses!!!