(Armor of God 5) Shield of Faith
Notes
Transcript
Today we continue with the 5th sermon in the series titled “The Armor of God”
Ephesians 6:11 describes why we as believers need to be dressed for battle..
Paul writes “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
The first piece of armor Paul list is the Belt of Truth...
The Belt of Truth Holds Everything Together. (faith secure in truth)
The Belt of Truth Brings the Freedom to Fight (free to swing my sword)
3. The Belt of Truth Must Be Worn, Not Just Known (know about Christ vs living in Christ)
The 2nd piece of armor is the Breastplate of Righteousness.
The Breastplate of Righteousness Marks My Identity (armor is unique to the army you fight for… Righteousness is unique to us...)
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness Protects My Heart (assurance and security in knowing I am right with God)
3. The Breastplate of Righteousness Gives Me Courage to Stand (Accepted by God vs man)
The 3rd piece of armor is the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Empower Me to Stand Ready (Ready to go wherever the Holy Spirit leads)
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Give Me Stability in the Battle (I am not moved by the battle as I am firmly planted in the Gospel)
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Allow Me to Have Rest in the Storm (I have rest in the shelter of the most high)
Today we will unpack the 4th piece of the Armor of God, the Shield of Faith.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
I will be unpacking 3 points today...
1. The Shield of Faith Is for All Circumstances
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Faith cannot be conditional,
faith must be foundational. 2x
Conditional VS Foundational.…
(Conditional Faith God’s response in the moment)
[Foundational Faith is grounded in what he has already done]
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Explain...
Paul says “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith”
I have grown up in the church and have noticed that...
Some people press into faith,
only in storms and seasons of intense pain. (Explain)
But Others, press into faith,
only when they are on the top of the mountain,
when breakthrough becomes a common place. (Explain)
My thoughts are this:
The enemy knows exactly which fiery darts to launch to cause the greatest damage.
For some, it’s the lure of gold and glory that pulls them away from the faith.
For others, it’s the weight of famine and heartache that tempts them to give up on believing.
That is why Paul says “ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith…
(Extinguish those flaming darts) [don’t let your faith be circumstantial]
2. The Shield of Faith Extinguishes the Flaming Darts
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Roman soldiers were equipped with large rectangular wooden shields that were 4 feet high.
These shields were wrapped in leather on the front of them.
And before entering battle,
they would soak the leather in water,
allowing the shields to extinguish or “quench” the fiery arrows launched by their enemies.
Paul tells us that the shield of faith will extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
That means when the accuser of the brethren brings his accusations,
the shield of faith stops them in their tracks.
That means when the devil’s scheme is to bring condemnation,
the shield of faith removes the false guilt that tries to trip you up.
That means when the enemy tries to bring up your past,
the shield of faith extinguishes those fiery darts of shame.
That means when the enemy fires his flaming arrows of confusion,
the shield of faith will stop it from penetrating your soul.
That means when evil one sends his arrow’s of temptation,
the shield of faith will not allow them to strike your heart.
When you raise the shield of faith...
the devil’s lies,
whatever they may be,
cannot and will not break through.
When your faith is firmly set on Christ,
the devil’s schemes cannot spark doubt,
his fiery arrows are quenched,
and you stand victorious in the strength of the Lord...
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
It is not faith in itself that has the power to overcome the world,
but rather the object in which our faith rests.
Faith is the instrument through which we are connected to God and His limitless power,
enabling us to stand victorious over every challenge.
example of Faith in itself....
It is faith in God that has the power to stop the attacks of the enemy.
It is faith in God alone that empowers me to keep going.
It is faith in God alone that gives me assurance that I can remain standing in victory
Therefore, take up the shield of faith in all circumstances,
that you are able to extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one....
In the Old Testament God is referred to as our shield.
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
5 Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
Chehaw Zoo
(Cheetah kept following me)
[God is our protection]
When I take up the shield of faith...
It extinguishes the Flaming Darts...
lies, fear, anxiety, depression, doubt, shame, condemnation, whatever it might be...
(Take up the shield of faith, that you might be protected. Amen!)
3. The Shield of Faith Unites Us in the Battle
The enemy seeks to cause the greatest harm in the church by sowing division.
Therefore, the shield of faith must be raised to protect and preserve the unity of faith among the believers.
As I said earlier, when Roman soldiers went into battle,
their enemies would set arrows on fire and shoot them at the soldiers.
The purpose of these flaming arrows was to create confusion and disorder,
Thus breaking the Romans’ formation and stopping them from advancing to attack.
The enemy knew that if the Romans were able to properly set up their shields side by side,
they would form an impenetrable wall.
But, if the formation could be broken,
the enemy would have an opportunity to penetrate their line of defense,
and thus turn the tide of battle.
To combat the enemies strategy of these arrows picking off solders and bring disorder,
the Romans created a formation called the testudo.
Roman soldiers used the testudo formation to advance under fire.
The word “testudo” is Latin for “tortoise,”
which is a perfect description of what the soldiers were attempting to accomplish…
explain… wall on sides and create a roof on top...
This disciplined, highly trained formation could withstand flaming arrows,
and stretch up to a mile.
For this formation to work though,
each member of the army would have to walk in step with one another.
Therefore, if one person was out of sink of the formation,
it would have a profound effect on the entire army’s protection...
When Paul writes to the church of Corinth,
he gives this example of the body in correlation to the church… Jesus is the head...
(one person doing there own thing hurts the entire church...)
[stop doing you own thing… won’t be effective]
The Shield of Faith unites us in the battle,
because we stand as one people,
with one faith,
serving one God…
This faith,
was purchased with a great price...
28a “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood...
(Christ blood bought the church)
Jesus blood is more powerful to unite us than the things the enemy uses to divide us.
The Holy Scripture continually calls for unity in the church....
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Hear me today:
It is not the color of our skin that unites us.
It is not our political ideology that unite us.
It is not our church traditions or backgrounds that unite us.
It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that binds us together!
It is Christ’s death and resurrection that makes us one!
It is being born again into the family of God that unites every heart, every life, as a united people called by His name!
Today we are united as one...
because we have been purchased by the one gave his life for me and you...
Take up the shield of faith today,
stand side by side,
as we march together as an army united as one.… Amen!
Close this morning,
by challenging you to take hold of the shield of faith...
Take up The Shield of Faith in all all circumstances. (Faith cannot be conditional, no faith must be foundational)
No matter what life throws at you—trials, doubts, or fear—your faith needs to be the foundation of your life.
Take up The Shield of Faith that will extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Every lie, every attack, every fiery dart from the enemy is stopped,
by our God in whom we have placed our faith.
Take up The Shield of Faith as we stand united in battle.
Together as one we are united by our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Membership class… felt like home.
(all these different backgrounds… denominations… upbringing...)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
At the Lord’s Table we...
Unify
Examine
Remember
Proclaim
