(Start making a pair of sandals).  I am going to make some sandals.  When I was a young child and we bought shoes, the shop assistant had a metal plate that he used measure the length and breadth of our feet.  He then went and searched for a pair that matched these measurements.  They generally fitted quite well .....

But, it was much more fun to go and stand on the special X-ray machine that showed an eerie green picture of your feet.  You could see how the shoes fitted, but best of all you could see the bones inside your feet and that you had ten green toes!  We couldn't wait for the next shoe- buying expedition.  It was exciting!

Romans 10:15 says that the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace are beautiful, and bring glad tidings of good things!  In Ephesians 6:15 Paul said:



"Stand firm then ... with your feet fitted
with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace."

This firstly means that we need to have accepted Jesus as our Saviour, so that we are ready to go to Heaven and live there for eternity when we die.

Secondly, in Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gave us the Great Commission - that we should go and make disciples of all nations, and to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded us.  Paul said that our feet need to be fitted with sandals.  I need a volunteer to help me (Fit a sandal to one of his bare feet).  This sandal also means that we need to be ready and willing to share Jesus with others, and to tell them that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Saviour.

You do look funny with only one sandal, so I had better make you another one! (Make the second sandal while you talk).  Someone shared Jesus with us and as a result we accepted the Gospel, and received Jesus into our hearts as our Saviour, Lord and Best Friend.  Here, let's fit your other sandal (Fit the other sandal to your volunteer).  That looks better and now you have very colourful feet!

And so, if all of you would like to have beautiful feet, then go and tell your friends that Jesus loves them!  Isaiah 52:7 says:

"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!'"

Now we have all the armour - the Helmet of Salvation, the Belt of Truth, the Sword of the Spirit, the Shield of Faith and the Sandals of being ready to share the Gospel that Jesus saves.  We are now properly dressed in armour and can fight the fight of faith as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

Do you have on all the armour?  If you don't, read Ephesians 6:13-18, and pray and ask Jesus to help you put on each part of the armour.  And then one day you will be able to say like Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8):

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness."

Fight on - there's a Crown waiting for you!

God bless.