We continued our series on spiritual warfare at Gateway in Austin.
Peace from the gospel helps you stand when everything feels shaky.
Discussion Questions:
Work through this Bible study based on the message from Sunday on your own, with your roommates, with your family, or with your community group.
Message Video:
Message Audio:
Message Notes:
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Since college I felt a call to go to India. I wanted to tell people about Jesus who had never heard of him. Never made it until age 50!
And it was amazing and intense. I have never seen people in such extreme poverty.
I have also never seen people whose circumstances were so difficult yet seem so grateful and full of joy!
We would go into villages where our partner Impact India 360 has started churches. These people had so very little, yet they were finding faith and hope and joy and peace in a relationship with God through Jesus!
They were turning away from the angry gods they needed to appease and turning to the God who came to rescue them and gave them new life because He was willing to give up His for us.
After speaking, we were available for prayer. And it was the strangest thing. The people would bend down and kiss my feet. Not sure what was going on, I just let them even though I did not feel comfortable having people bowing down in front of me or kissing my feet! I don’t even like to get massages or hugs that linger too long!
Later I asked one of our hosts why they were doing that, and he explained: “Blessed are the feet that bring good news.”
Anyone who came to teach about Jesus received this sort of welcome.
You see if you grew up in the U.S., you may have had some familiarity with Jesus and Christianity or you may have grown up knee deep in faith. For many of these people in these villages, the message of a loving God who sacrificed His life, defeated death, now reigns at the right hand of God over this new invisible Kingdom, and will come back to bring justice and right all wrongs is such remarkably good news, they cannot help but express their gratitude in this way!
Today we are looking at the shoes of the Gospel of peace.
Let’s read that verse again, this time from the New Life Version:
“Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace.”
Now people wear shoes to protect their feet from injuries like cuts and fractures, prevent infections from harmful bacteria and parasites, and provide support for proper posture, alignment, and joint health. If you grew up in Texas, you wore shoes or sandals in the summer so you could make it across the hot pavement! Well-fitting shoes also cushion the feet, absorb shock, and can enhance athletic performance, while also serving as a means of personal expression and style.
As part of our spiritual armor, we need to wear shoes for the long march required in walking with Jesus.
But these aren’t just any kind of shoes. These are shoes worn by messengers bringing the Good News of peace.
Remember the context of this entire passage is to help us stand firm in the battle we face, and that battle is not against people but against the powers of darkness.
The armor of God includes shoes to help give us stability in the face of the storms and readiness to move forward. In battle, Roman soldiers wore studded sandals to grip the ground.
Paul is saying the gospel gives us stability in a chaotic world. Without it, we slip. With it, we can stand firm.
We also see that these figurative shoes are made up of the Gospel as peace. Notice it doesn’t say “shoes of striving” or “shoes of fear.” It’s the Good News of peace. The gospel gives peace in two directions:
Peace with God (Romans 5:1). We’re no longer enemies; we’re reconciled with God through the work of Jesus.
But also peace within ourselves and toward others. Because Christ took on himself the evil of humanity which killed Him, but then He defeated sin and death and the powers of darkness by rising from the grave, we are rescued spiritually because of what He did not because of what we do or have done. He offers His love and forgiveness freely, and we can do the same to others.
Shoes also represent a readiness to move forward.
The gospel not only grounds us, it propels us. Christians aren’t called to retreat, but to go forward, carrying peace into a violent, anxious world.
You see, most people either fight with arrogance (“I’m right, I’ll win”) or flee with fear (“I can’t handle this”).
The gospel of peace creates a better way: confidence without arrogance, humility without fear. We can face suffering, temptation, or opposition with a peace that comes not from circumstances, but the power of Jesus.
With these shoes, you’re ready to move out into the world, not with hostility, but with the reconciling peace of Christ. The gospel makes you both immovable and unstoppable.
The shoes of the gospel mean you can stand firm when life tries to knock you down, because you already have peace with God.
God brings peace.
You see, too many of us have the wrong view of God. We see God as angry with us. Some of that comes from people who claim to be followers of Jesus who think their job is to tell the world all they are doing wrong. Too many Christians have come across as angry and judgmental and have represented God that way.
In reality, God is love, and His motivation in creating us and giving us freedom comes from His love.
In one of the most famous verses in the Bible that most of us might know, John 3:16, an eyewitness of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection and one of his best friends explains who God really is this way:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The message of God is love as demonstrated in his willingness to come to rescue us and give His life for us!
Notice the next verse:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
God does not come to condemn the world but to save the world through Jesus.
So if Jesus is not condemning the world, why do so many Christians feel they need to do that?
The way of Jesus is so different from the way of the world.
Our culture teaches us to hate others who differ from us.
Our culture tells us to take revenge.
We are the people who forgive. We don’t seek power or prestige. We serve. We give grace because we have received grace.
As followers of Jesus, we have something the world needs.
We have something the world longs for.
We have access to peace through the Prince of Peace – Jesus!
The Gospel demonstrates a completely different way of life.
It’s a far bolder way of life because it requires dying to self. It means both sides will turn on you.
Here’s the thing. We are being discipled or mentored by social media or the news or the internet.
Instead, we need to listen to what Jesus says about our enemies, those who persecute us, those who betray us, those who hate us.
Look at the verse again from a different version:
“with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” – Ephesians 6:15
We are called to be ready because when sharing peace the world will persecute you for it. So we must be ready.
Listen to what Jesus says about being a peacemaker…
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Mt. 5: 7-12
When you bring Godly peace, the world will hate you and darkness will persecute you. This is why Paul says in Ephesians 6:15 to be “fitted with the readiness”, because you must be ready for the trials that come with being an agent of God’s light in the darkness. It will not be easy. If you are doing it right you will be judged, misunderstood, labeled, cancelled, and ostracized at some point in your walk.
But for those of us who have grown up in a country protected by certain liberties and values baked into the fabric of our nation. We really don’t understand persecution the way the rest of the world does. Sometimes what we call “persecution” is Christians not getting a moral victory in politics. Oftentimes what we call persecution is people unfollowing you because you are posting when triggered online.
Real persecution is what our brothers and sisters are facing around the world.
Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48
When he was being crucified on the cross, Jesus prayed:
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34
What a stark difference from the way we want to respond to the darkness.
If we are going to stand firm against the darkness, we need to wear the shoes of the Gospel of peace!
What is the Gospel?
The Gospel of Jesus is the good news that through His life, death, and resurrection, God has acted decisively to rescue humanity and creation. Jesus revealed God’s kingdom, confronted the powers of evil, and through the cross disarmed sin, death, and darkness. By rising from the dead, Jesus launched God’s new creation, showing that His victory is not only about saving a place for us in His presence when we die but also about renewing heaven and earth.
Those who trust in Him are forgiven, reconciled to God, and filled with the Holy Spirit to live as signs of this coming renewal – bringing more of God’s presence to earth – more of heaven to earth. This renewing of all things is already in motion even as it will be fully completed when Jesus comes back.
The gospel is the announcement that Jesus is Lord, and under His reign, all creation will one day be set free from corruption and restored to its intended glory.
So let’s derive a few thoughts on the shoes of the Gospel of peace.
Peace isn’t passive, it’s how you gain ground.
We are invited to bring this message of hope and peace to those around us!
Now, it’s important to understand the difference between peace keeping and peace making. Peace keeping avoids conflict or says nothing and Peace making moves into and through conflict following the example of Jesus.
Listen to how the prophet Isaiah describes messengers of peace….
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” – Isaiah 52:7
Later quoted by Paul in Romans when he writes:
“14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14-15
Who are the people in your life that God may want you to help in their spiritual journey?
Any family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends?
And by the way, people are more open than you may realize!
Just last week I saw this statistic at a pastor’s conference:
“66-72% of Gen Alpha said they would attend a church if they were invited.”
The idea of sharing about Jesus with others may sound intimidating.
Remember the BLESS model.
- Begin by praying for those you know who may need Jesus.
- Listen to their story. Then look for an opportunity to get to know them. Offer to pray for them.
- Engage with them. Invite them over for a meal. Befriend them. Get involved in their life.
- Serve them. Mobilize your small group to mow their lawn. Give them a ride home from the hospital. Whatever it is they are needing, try to help them through that and involve others from our church family to help you help them.
- Share your faith. Ask them to share about their spiritual journey. Then ask if you can share your story. Point out any ways your story and theirs are similar and then share with them how to follow Jesus.
Peace from the Gospel helps you stand when everything feels shaky.
In an anxious world where so many of us have mental health issues and mental health struggles, peace is one of the greatest things we have to offer the world.
We need to be peacemakers.
We need to stay close to God to experience His peace and bring His peace to others.
Start with preaching the Gospel to yourself.
Ephesians 2:1-10 is a great example of this. Paul preaches the Gospel to his friends who are already following Jesus reminding them of what is true in their lives.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:1-10
We find peace when we surrender.
We give up trying to pretend we have it all together.
This passage is pointing to a new identity, seated with Christ in the heavenlies, alive in christ, now partners with Jesus in the kingdom He is building in the earth. This is what brings stability when our circumstances are unstable.
We humble ourselves and acknowledge we need God’s help.
We need His forgiveness. We need His leadership in our lives.
By the way, we don’t just do this once. We do this daily and throughout the day.
Invite people to take steps of peace internally (through Christ) and externally (in conflict or calling).
In the book Peace Child by Don Richardson, he tells the story of his missionary work among the Sawi people of Papua New Guinea, a tribe known for treachery, cannibalism, and headhunting. Richardson and his wife moved into their village to share the message of Jesus, but they soon discovered that the Sawi admired Judas for betraying Jesus. Their efforts had seemed to backfire! Judas was the hero of the story to them since deception was considered a mark of greatness in their culture.
Not sure how to communicate the true meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, Richardson considered leaving—until he witnessed a powerful ritual within the tribe.
When two tribes made peace, one side would give a baby to the other. As long as the child lived, peace would be honored. This “peace child” was a sacred and binding covenant.
Richardson used this tradition to explain that Jesus is God’s ultimate peace child—given by the Father to bring reconciliation between God and humanity, but we killed the “peace child.” And God the Father brought Him back to life through the power of the Holy Spirit and offers to adopt us into His family – even though we killed His Son.
The people now understood betrayal as tragic rather than honorable, and many embraced Jesus!
Isn’t that amazing?!
Our evil choices led to the death of Jesus, and yet He offers forgiveness, new life, adoption into His family, and a purpose – bringing more of His love and peace to the world around us.
Now, some people of faith think their job is to tell people what they are doing wrong and even debate them into doing things the right way. Certainly that may make a difference.
The problem with that though is that we cannot actually change our behavior without God’s help.
We believe we are broken and sinful and in need of a Savior to rescue us.
We cannot tell people to live like Christians when so many Christians are struggling to do it, and we have the Spirit of God to help us!
The key is pointing people towards repentance.
Repentance has been seen as an overly religious word or an angry word, but in reality it is one of the most beautiful words when we truly understand it.
Repentance means to turn the other way.
That means there is hope we do not have to keep going the same way.
We turn to God because the world is out of control and we are out of control, and we need His help.
The Scriptures tell us that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)
So shouldn’t our kindness be what leads those we love to repentance?
Repentance leads to God’s presence.
He is perfect and holy, and we are not.
When we turn to Him, He forgives and draws close.
Listen to what Jesus said in the early stages of His announcement of the new Kingdom of God…
- “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -Matthew 3:2:
- “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'” – Matthew 4:17
Or what the early followers of Jesus said…
- “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” – Acts 17:30
- “…I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” – Acts 26:20
- “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out….” – Acts 3:19
And repentance is not just once and for all, but part of our daily spiritual discipline to stay close to God, just as Jesus’ best friend John says:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
You see, unconfessed sin can lead to more darkness in our lives.
Little cracks in our character gives the devil a foothold to tempt us into darker and worse possibilities.
I want to invite you to do something a bit different than we have done before.
We have always wanted to be a place where you can be anonymous while you are checking things out and exploring faith, and that can certainly still be true for you. But if you have been walking with Jesus, there is no reason to remain anonymous. It’s time for you to step into community and step out on mission as a peacemaker.
But first, we need to make sure there is nothing between us and God.
I am going to invite you to repent right here among friends, among church family.
Here’s how we will do this. With all of our heads bowed down and eyes closed, I am going to create space for you to simply say outloud:
“God, forgive me for _________.”
Just one to two words.
And then all together, we will say: “You are forgiven because of the blood of Jesus.”
