Shield of Faith - Part 3

The Shield of Faith

This the third Sunday that we have looked at faith in the Christian life.

Romans 1:17 NKJV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11 NKJV

But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38 NKJV

Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Faith is central to the Christian life

We are saved by faith

We are sustained by faith

And we will swing out into eternity by faith

Christian Faith is based upon the person of Jesus Christ

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus is the way: without Him there is no going

Jesus in the truth: without Him there is no knowing

Jesus is the life: without Him there is only death

Christian Faith looks beyond self for assurance

We find confidence in what Jesus has done

We do not estimate ourselves based upon our selves, but upon the sufficiency of Christ

It is not so much who am I in Christ, it is who is Christ in me

There is much truth in our station and adoption into the kingdom of God

Isaiah 44:6–8 NKJV

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’ ”

Isaiah 45:5 NKJV

I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,

What is the Shield For?

Ephesians 6:10–16 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Above all

Above all trust God

Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

John 8:44 NKJV

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

the devil steals be distraction: he pulls your attention away from what God wants for you

the devil kills by illusion: he gets you to walk into the trap

the devil tears down by a false narrative: he gets you to look at the world through a perverted sense of reality.

To interrupt the world with your eyes instead of your understanding

That is the reminder the passage, we wrestle not against flesh and blood!

Circumstance, other people, your own frail heart can and will lie to you

Who am I?

What has God said?

Where am I going?

What has God said?

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

A Shield is for Pushing

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We are Stronger together

Deuteronomy 32:30 NKJV

How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had surrendered them?

2000 years ago God showed up in the midst of a church service

Acts 2:1–2 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:42 NKJV

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

We are about truth (Apostles doctrine)

We are about a common cause, with a common effort (fellowship or koinonia)

“breaking of bread”, knowing one another, engaging

All things must be done in prayer.