Ephesians 6:16 Individual Pieces of Armor-Shield

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

A. The whole armor is needed to fight the spiritual war.

Ephesians 6:11–12 NKJV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Eph 6.15

B. The shield of faith is an important part of the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2. The word ‘faith’ is used primarily in two ways in the Scriptures.

A. One—“the faith”

Jude 3 NKJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude

Galatians 3:23–25 NKJV

23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 3.23

1. The phrase “the faith” refers to the Gospel.

A. Jude recorded that the faith was “once for all delivered to the saints.”

1. God’s Word(the Gospel) was first delivered to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.

Matthew 10:5–7 NKJV

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Matt 10.5-

2. After God’s Word (the Gospel) was delivered to the Jews, it was then delivered to the Gentiles.

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

B. Paul recorded that the Galatians were kept “for the faith which would afterward be revealed.”

1. Paul would talk a lot about the faith kept secret from those under the law but revealed to Christians through the Scriptures.

Rom

Romans 16:25–26 NKJV

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

1 Corinthians 2:7 NKJV

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

Ephesians 3:9 NKJV

9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Colossians 1:26 NKJV

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Colossians 1:24–27 NKJV

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Col 1.24-

B. Two—“our faith.”

1 John 5:4–5 NKJV

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 jn 5

1. Our faith is our confidence and trust in God.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Mark 16:16 NKJV

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

A. A Roman soldier had the greatest faith that Jesus had seen.

Matthew 8:5–10 NKJV

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” 7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

Matt. 8.5

1. This type of faith comes from God’s Word.

Romans 10:17 NKJV

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. This type of faith is then demonstrated by obedience to the faith.

Romans 1:5 NKJV

5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Rom 1.5

Romans 16:26 NKJV

26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

3. In order to have the shield of faith, both “our faith” and “the faith” are needed.

A. Today’s lesson is two points.

1. The protection of the shield of faith is “The Faith.”

2. The confidence to use the shield of faith is “Our Faith.”

BODY:

1. THE PROTECTION OF THE SHIELD OF FAITH IS “ THE FAITH.”

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

A. When the devil lets loose a fiery arrow, it cannot penetrate the faith.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1. God’s Word is a barrier which anything false cannot puncture.

John 17:17 NKJV

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

A. It would not matter if the devil dropped a nuclear bomb shell; sound doctrine will protect you.

1 Timothy 1:8–11 NKJV

8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

1 Timothy 1.8-

B. If the brethren are instructed in the good doctrine, the shield of faith will protect them.

1 Timothy 4:4–7 NKJV

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

1 Timothy 4.4-

Titus 2:1–2 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

C. If they are not instructed in the good doctrine, then they will turn away from the shield of faith.

2 Timothy 4:1–4 NKJV

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2 Tim. 4.1-

D. Paul was protected by the shield of faith, even though the fiery darts of the devil took his life.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2. OUR CONFIDENCE TO USE THE SHIELD OF FAITH IS “OUR FAITH.”

2 Timothy 4.6-

A. Paul was confident to use the shield of faith because of his faith.

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

1 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

2 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

2 Timothy 1:12–14 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

1. Paul was able to have this confidence in God, because he held to the pattern of sound words, and he encouraged Timothy to do the same.

1 Timothy

2 timothy 1.12-

1. Know

2 Timothy 1.13-

2 Timothy 1:13–14 NKJV

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

A. The more we know about God’s Word, the stronger the shield of faith is in our hands and the more confident we are to use it.

Titus 1:9 NKJV

9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus

Titus 1:7–9 NKJV

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

1. This is accomplished by the elder and the member in the study of God’s Word.