He’s urging believers to strengthen their faith.
Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills urged Christians to spiritually “armor up” as they step into the new year, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for daily spiritual battles. In his final sermon of 2024, Hibbs reflected on the current cultural climate, encouraging believers to live with wisdom and align themselves with God’s will. Drawing from Ephesians 6, where Paul calls for believers to “put on the full armor of God,” Hibbs highlighted the necessity of being spiritually equipped to withstand the challenges Christians face in life.
Hibbs advised his congregation to make putting on the armor of God a daily habit, noting that it is as crucial as any physical preparation for the day. “Wake up, and before you step out, make sure you’re armored up,” he said. He emphasized that spiritual battles are not simply earthly conflicts but part of a greater war requiring vigilance, prayer, and engagement with Scripture.
Highlighting the reality of spiritual warfare, Hibbs warned that while attending church is important, the enemy truly reacts when believers become passionate about their faith and God’s Word. He humorously compared unprepared Christians to participants in the reality show Naked and Afraid, saying that stepping into the world without spiritual protection leaves them exposed and vulnerable. “Don’t go into the new year spiritually naked—armor up!” he stressed.
Hibbs further explained the biblical concept of spiritual armor, referencing key elements from Ephesians 6, such as the helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, and belt of truth. Each piece, he said, plays a critical role in defending believers against spiritual forces that threaten to undermine their faith. He also quoted Romans 12:1, reminding Christians that worship involves offering their lives to God and living in full dependence on His mercy.
To illustrate the importance of faith in action, Hibbs shared a story about his grandson attempting to go up a downward escalator, likening it to a backsliding Christian who, though destined for Heaven, struggles because they are not actively walking with God. He emphasized that faith is dynamic, requiring believers to continually move forward in their spiritual journey, or risk being pulled backward.
Hibbs concluded his message with a call to action, citing John 14:31: “Arise, let us go from here.” He encouraged his congregation to embrace this as their mission for the year, committing to move forward in God’s will daily. “None of us want to miss what God has planned for us,” he said, urging them to stay spiritually prepared and walk closely with Christ in the coming year.