Shield of Faith

Intro

*door illustration*

I am a tall guy, I know it. When I am out in public I am always asked “how tall are you?” My temptation is to come up with some crazy height to confuse them a little, or even sometimes respond with “about as tall as they come!” but I often refrain and just tell them “I’m 6’6””.

When clothes or shoe shopping, even car shopping, I usually run into issues with the right fit. It has been this way since middle school!

So, this week I have been thinking, if I were a Roman Soldier needing to be fit for all of this armor we have been talking about, how difficult would that have been?

I mean, I can handle a smaller set of armor if I had to, however, when it came down to the shield… I don’t think I would want to sacrifice size..

When you think of a shield, we often think about this (show picture of small circular shield)

This is always my go to when I think of a shield in battle.

However, when we read scripture, we must understand it in the first century context, Roman context in this case.

Check out the shield that the Roman soldiers used in the first century. (show picture of larger shield)

That shield would still not be very … me sized I am sure. So, this week I went on a hunt to find a shield that could cover me!

*get someone to help get the door on stage*

What do you think? Do you think this you be okay? I feel like I am pretty covered by it!

However, as we will read today, as covered as we can be by physical objects, nothing covers us more or better than the shield of Faith!

*have an image of a small circular shield and then one of a large roman shield*

Ephesians 6:10–16 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

What is Faith?

We hear about faith all of the time. Even our belief system is called “the faith.”

But, as we get into the shield of faith, it is vital that we know what faith is to begin with.

With each piece of armor, understand with me that the belt, breastplate, shoes, and now shield are not what protects you. Rather, it is the second part of each sentence, the descriptive word if you will, that protects you.

It isn’t a belt, it is the Truth. It isn’t a breastplate, it is righteousness. It isn’t footwear, it is the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. This morning, it isn’t my shield, no, rather it is my faith that protects me!

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

In short, faith is the noun for the verb “believes.”

If you believe, you have faith. If you believe and repent, you have a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith is not a construct of man. Faith, saving faith especially, is not something that mankind can find or create on his own. It is solely from God.

If there is no faith, no belief, no repentance, then there is no salvation, no gospel, no Jesus in your life.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. It is substantial. It it mighty. It is our living hope in an alive Jesus. It is the evidence through Christ and nature that our God is real.

It is a belief in a counter-cultural understanding of this world, of creation, of people, and even of death and beyond into eternity.

Faith is our core as Christians.

Faith is not mere belief in a god. It is the radical belief in a loving and saving God that then leads to a decision to follow Him through repentance. It is life changing belief. It is eternity shaping belief. It is not just saying “I believe” to try to check off a box to get to heaven. It is a full-bodied, soul changing, mind altering belief that you are sinful and God is not. God died to save you from that sin. You must repent.

Faith is our belief in and decision to follow God.

But, why is faith important?

Why is Faith Important?

Why does it matter that you have faith?

First,

Faith Saves

The foundation of the Word of God is that faith, by the grace of God, saves our soul from eternal punishment in Hell and a life here lived without communion with God; the two worst things imaginable to man, yet the two things guaranteed for each.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Our faith in God brings us from death to life, it brings new life within us, it mends the gap between you and God that sin and the enemy have formed.

Communion with God and the promise of perfect paradise for all was lost when sin entered into the world; however, because of Jesus and His death on the cross, these can be renewed. You can be restored. You can be redeemed.

Your sin has already been paid for, all you have to do is believe and repent. Choose to turn away from your sin and follow the one who died for you. To love God and love those around you.

This is what faith followed by repentance can and will do in your life.

Remember, what God gives us is for your good and his glory, even when the Scripture says “do not” it is for the good of the reader, that is you.

Saving faith is not an obligation, but a true and wonderful gift given to all who believe and choose to follow Jesus.

But, it doesn’t stop there.

Faith isn’t a one-time decision or something we call on to get us out of trouble, rather faith is a lifestyle, it is the constant decision to choose our Jesus each and every moment.

Faith continues to work in our life.

Faith Sustains

In other words, faith sustains you!

Psalm 46

Throughout all of life, our faith in God sustains us. How?

Because true faith recognizes God as our one and only refuge and strength. A very present help in times of trouble and pain!

He isn’t just the one we call on in our neediness, but he is the one who, no matter what we face is with us.

We are emotional creatures, and as such, often allow our emotions to become our idols, our driving force. We tend to allow our feelings to control our thoughts and actions.

So, even as Christians, we tend to allow our emotions to determine when and how we talk with our God.

This does not please God. Why?

Because this is not true communion! True communion is a marriage where both parties are interested in the other, love the other, and are devoted to the other completely and entirely.

That kind of communion brings constant sustenance.

When we are in true communion with God, we will be sustained by God.

When Callee goes out of town for a work trip, I miss her entirely. I miss what she does for me. I miss what I do for her. I miss her presence.

When we neglect God, we cannot expect to be sustained in our faith.

We cannot expect to feel close to God.

Our faith in God sustains us. But, it is our responsibility to choose a devoted faith every day that lives for the Lord.

Our God and our communion with Him is what keeps us going through the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is the very bread and water by which we live. It is the very breath we breathe.

Even when it feels like our faith is shaking, we must choose to have faith in God and trust that He will bring us through to solid ground once again.

So, how can faith shield us?

How Can Faith Shield Us?

What does a shield do? It covers you.

1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Represents God

The first thing a shield does is represent who you are fighting for and with.

Shield, more times than not, had an emblem which signified which country or king you found for.

Your faith is the very same.

When you wear your faith proudly as an emblem, you show evidence not only of who fight for you, but also, that you are covered.

The enemy is not as strong as our Lord, so when he sees a Christian who is unashamed of his faith, yes he will attack, but he will know who he is up against.

Having faith as a shield shows the world that you have Jesus always.

Gives You Direct Access to Jesus

Having faith as your shield means that you have direct access to God as your savior.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

We, as those of the faith, have direct access to the one who is fighting our battles, the one who already won the victory, the one who the enemy fears.

You can be shielded when you have you have 24/7 access to God.

When you are on the battlefield, you need access to the general, to your commander, to whoever has the battle plans so that you are not left in the dark.

And, when it seems like you still may be in the dark, you trust your commander, you trust that the plans are being revealed in due time.

You go to the one who knows when you are in the battle. The one who knows can shield you.

Protection

The most obvious way that faith can shield you is by protecting you.

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

The enemy is firing at you. Through temptation, through distraction, through sinful desires, through bad relationships. He is targeting us all, those with the shield of faith and those without.

Will you be caught without protection?

Having faith in Jesus means that you are being protected from the enemy, though he may still fire those darts at you, the Lord is there to be your strength and shield. To fight battles that you may be unaware of. To stay ahead of your battles with his love, mercy, and protection.

The Lord fights for you.

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Be still, this says, and the Lord will protect you. Though you may experience the battle, the Lord is at the head of the army, shielding you from what is to come.

And, still yet, you may feel the pain of battle. However, knowing how much pain you feel, imagine what pain you would feel if the Lord wasn’t fighting ahead of you, protecting you as a shield.

You are protected by a loving and caring God who fights battles for you that you may not even know about!

Take up your shield. Take up your faith. And allow God to be all that you need!

SONG

Psalm 46

Conclusion

You need protection.

You need faith.

You need to allow God to fight for you rather than you fighting God.

In my short life I have learned a few things. One of those things is our fleshly inability to allow God to fight because we want to be in control. What I mean by that is we ask God, “fight for me please!” And, when He does. When He does give peace in the storm, or helps you to overcome, you fight. You go right back to the turmoil because it is the only thing that feels familiar to you. The peace of God is unfamiliar to a sinful being, however, as we mature in Christ, we have to allow that peace to become more and more natural. We have to allow God to fight our battles without reverting to our sinful ways.

And, the only way to do this is to have faith.

To realize the truths of Scripture, His life for yours, and to remember them.

*salvation plea*

Maybe you just need to come pray and seek the Lord’s forgiveness in your lack of allowing Him to fight or even strength to let go and let God fight for you.

Faith saves. Faith sustains. It represents God in your life. It gives you constant communion with him. And it protects you.

Have faith in God