The Armour of God
November 2, 2025 Pastor: Rev. Kent Compton Series: The Armour of God
Topic: The Armour of God Passage: Ephesians 6:10–20
In a sermon titled "Living in Liberty" based on Galatians 5:1-15, Reverend Kent Compton expounded on the profound meaning of Christian freedom. He began by highlighting the significance of the timing of his message, falling between Reformation Day and Remembrance Day, both of which commemorate battles fought for freedom—one spiritual and the other temporal. Compton drew a powerful parallel between the finite, earthly liberty secured by soldiers, which constantly needs to be guarded, and the eternal, spiritual freedom purchased by Jesus Christ's immeasurable sacrifice on the cross. He emphasized that while worldly freedoms are precarious, the salvation and liberty Christ offers are fixed and forever. The sermon underscored the urgency of Paul's letter to the Galatians, as the apostle vehemently opposed those who sought to distort the Gospel by reintroducing legalistic burdens. Compton connected this ancient struggle to modern societal challenges, citing the issue of medical assistance in dying as an example of how a "life not worthy to be lived" philosophy can erode human dignity, which is rooted in man being made in God's image.
Reverend Compton then delved into the true nature of Christian liberty, asserting that it is not freedom from God, but rather freedom to serve God and fulfill our divinely ordained purpose. He challenged the contemporary notion of a "free thinker" who operates independently of God, arguing that such a stance ultimately diminishes human dignity and restricts true freedom. Compton likened God's laws to beneficial road signs, designed not to limit but to guide us towards safety and greater liberty. The core of the Gospel, he explained, is that Christ has already accomplished our liberation; salvation is a finished work, not something earned through rituals, good deeds, or personal performance. The undeniable proof of this complete work, he stressed, is the resurrection of Jesus, which solidifies our salvation and makes it eternally secure.
Finally, Compton addressed the threats to this precious liberty, categorizing them as both external, such as legalism within church contexts, and internal, where the devil subtly tempts believers to revert to a performance-based understanding of salvation. He warned that an excessive focus on personal performance or sin can overshadow the liberating truth of the Gospel, leading to a loss of the joy that characterized the early Galatian believers. Compton carefully articulated the harmonious relationship between grace and law, explaining that authentic saving faith—faith that expresses itself through love—naturally leads to the fulfillment of God's law, particularly the command to love one's neighbor. He concluded by reiterating that grace alone empowers believers to live out the law, and that a Christian's ultimate hope and protective "breastplate" is not their daily conduct, but the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.