Pastor Tom pointed out that, much like the grand, ancient temple from the Bible with its various courts and chambers, including the Holy of Holies (where God’s presence dwelled), our minds and hearts hold sacred spaces. The Holy of Holies was once separated by a veil, accessible only by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. But when Jesus died on the cross, that veil was torn, symbolizing that God’s presence now dwells within all believers. As followers of Christ, we must remain vigilant, aware of the spiritual battle we face daily.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul describes the armor of God, a vital defense system for Christians in this ongoing spiritual warfare. Pastor Tom emphasized the importance of the belt of truth—anchoring ourselves in the absolute truth of God’s Word—and the shield of faith, which protects us from the enemy’s flaming arrows. Roman soldiers would soak their shields in water to extinguish those fiery arrows, and Pastor Tom encouraged us to similarly prepare our faith daily through reading Scripture, prayer, and staying grounded in God’s truth.

To illustrate the power of thinking like a champion, Pastor Tom shared the inspiring story of NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins’ journey was filled with setbacks, but his mindset of perseverance kept him moving forward. At just 18 months old, Cousins suffered a severe accident, pulling a pot of boiling water onto himself. His injuries were so bad that doctors warned he may never fully recover, particularly affecting his ability to throw a ball. Yet, Cousins pushed through the pain, defying the odds, and went on to play football in high school.

Even then, more challenges arose. After breaking his leg, Cousins missed his senior football season, but still managed to earn a scholarship to Michigan State. Despite more obstacles, he maintained his champion mindset and eventually made it to the NFL. Even in the professional league, he had to wait his turn, sitting on the bench for several seasons before becoming a starting quarterback. Pastor Tom highlighted how Cousins lived by the principle: “Champions think like champions before they become champions.”

Pastor Tom urged us to adopt this same mindset. Often, we can feel like we should be further along in life, frustrated by setbacks and challenges. But like Kirk Cousins, we need to think like champions and trust in God’s plan, even when the victory seems distant. Maybe you haven’t won your Super Bowl yet, Pastor Tom said, but remember how far you’ve come and keep moving forward with faith and perseverance.

The sermon concluded with a powerful reminder: You are not alone, and you are not your own. God is with you, fighting alongside you in this battle. So, guard your temple—your heart and mind—by thinking like a champion and equipping yourself with the truth of God’s Word.

1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

2 Corinthians 10:4
4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-18
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.