{"id":33104,"date":"2022-09-10T20:35:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T01:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-do-we-gain-ground-for-gods-kingdom\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T20:35:48","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T01:35:48","slug":"how-do-we-gain-ground-for-gods-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/how-do-we-gain-ground-for-gods-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do We Gain Ground for God\u2019s Kingdom?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this world where the culture seems to be dictating what is right and wrong, and we are often taking our cues from Hollywood or Washington D.C., it often feels like the church is losing ground. Instead of influencing society, society is influencing us.<\/p>\n

Some people think that the ultimate solution is to vote the right candidates into office, or to create social reform, or to think more positively, or to boycott this and that.<\/p>\n

In our personal lives, we may find ourselves losing ground as well, and we wonder what it is we\u2019re doing wrong. How do we stop regressing and instead move forward? It is essential in the Christian life that we not only hold our ground, but actually gain ground for God\u2019s kingdom. How do we do that?<\/p>\n

The answer might surprise you because it has to do with footwear!<\/p>\n

The Right Shoes<\/h3>\n

In the Book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul describes the spiritual armor that we must put on if we are to be victorious in the Christian life.<\/p>\n

He mentions the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. All of these things were represented in the various pieces of a Roman soldier\u2019s armor, which Paul would have had ample occasion to study since he was under guard for so long.<\/p>\n

But one other thing that Paul lists\u2014which is every bit as important to a Roman soldier\u2019s armor as a shield or breastplate\u2014was the soldier\u2019s shoes. Paul says that you should have \u201cyour feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace\u201d (Ephesians 6:15 KJV).<\/p>\n

When you or I go to look at shoes, we might put style at the top of the list. But many of the shoes we think look great simply aren\u2019t practical.<\/p>\n

Recently, my shins had been feeling achy and I suspected the problem was my shoes. I went to a store that sells athletic shoes and they got me on a treadmill. After watching me walk for a bit, the shoe guy said, \u201cI know what your problem is. You\u2019re pronating.\u201d I was offended!<\/p>\n

Actually, I had no idea what that meant.<\/p>\n

Then he explained that pronating basically means my foot sort of rolls. He said to me, \u201cYou need more support. You need a firmer sole.\u201d So I got shoes with firmer soles for when I run (which is pretty much never).<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the point: I needed the right footwear for the activity.<\/p>\n

Keep Your Firm Foundation and Remain Ready<\/h3>\n

Hands down, my favorite shoe is the Converse\u00ae Chuck Taylor. I pretty much live in them, despite the fact that they have little to no arch support. But the shoes of the Roman soldier had to be functional. They would have three qualities:<\/p>\n