Shielded by Faith

On April 20th, 2010 the worst oil disaster in history unfolded before the world stage. The offshore oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon exploded due to a series of catastrophic failures. Billions of dollars of damage, thousands of animals killed, and billions of dollars in fishing loss occurred.

Deepwater Horizon exploded because there were 8 main failures that when combined caused the disaster. The crew was trying to plug the well so the rig could move away and the pumping rig could move in its place. To do this they had to plug it with cement and the cement they used was shoddy, . There were 2 valves that were used as backup to keep oil and gas from flowing to the rig these also failed. Earlier that day the crew performed a pressure test and the results of that were misinterpreted. There was a massive scissor like valve called a blowout preventer that was to be used in an event like this. It’s designed to cut the pipe off and shut the well. This too, failed to close the pipe. There was a system that could divert oil and mud off the rig, it was not turned on. There was a system of fans that could divert flammable gas away from the rig. These did not turn on. Lastly, the battery backup for the blowout preventer which was designed to close the pipe without manual permissions was dead.

Deepwater Horizon failed because the rig was not prepared to go to battle with the earth. It didn’t have every source of protection possible to resist the pressure of the earth.

In every job there are important areas that require preparedness and should never be overlooked. The cost of not preparing for potential disaster can be catastrophic.

Need-

When Paul writes of putting on the armor he was writing to an audience which understood the importance of a prepared soldier. No soldier would hesitate to put on his armor but the shield in particular was an important tool was not used just for self protection but for the protection of others.

The Roman soldier used their shield in conjunction with his fellow soldiers. The shield reaching from their chest to their ankles could be used to create walls, barriers, and even a mobile bunker of sorts called The tortoise for protection from spears, and arrows or rocks.

The shield was often soaked before battle so that if fiery arrows or other flaming objects were shot at the Romans they would be extinguished easier and thus protect the army better as a whole.

A soldier without his shield was useless to protect himself or his brother in battle. Paul plays on this importance in Ephesians Chapter 6 when he applies the concept of faith to the Romans Soldiers shield. It is on page 1245 in your pew Bibles.

Please stand as we read

Ephesians 6:10–16 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

You can be seated

Romans 6:10–16 ESV

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

You can be seated

So how do we carry over this imagery to reality? To do this we need to define faith, we need be reminded of how Satan works, and then we need to think of ways to apply faith to our daily living.

We must know that faith is confidence in God’s work of salvation

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Has done in our lives

This is worked out in two areas.

Confidence in what He has done in our lives

1 Corinthians 15:3–11 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

1 cor

Taking up the shield of faith means remembering and resting in our salvation. When Paul writes to the church in Corinth he reminds them of the foundation for their faith which is the Gospel. Let us never forget that Jesus being God died as our sacrifice. He rose again as the conqueror of sin and death and it is by the grace of God that we don’t have to pay for our sin but instead our guilt was placed on Christ and Christs righteousness was placed on us. There is nothing in the universe that is greater than God and there is nothing that we should fear because we are forgiven. We have a faith that is rock solid to defend us because our faith is in Christ alone.

Confidence in what He continues to do in our lives

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2

Not only do we know that God has saved use but we carry our shield with hope for the future because we know that in our salvation God will continue to sanctify us. Earlier in our study of Ephesians we saw that when God saved us it wasn't the end of his work in us. Rather, God saved us and will continue to make us more righteous. In other words we have faith because we know that God saved us with the intent of making us new, holy, and righteous in our daily living.

We must know how Satan attacks with doubt

Doubt

A few weeks ago Pastor Jason and Pastor Matt taught us about the work of Satan in the world. Paul returns to warning of the work of Satan in verse 16. Paul reminds us that the shield of faith is to be used to protect against the flaming darts of Satan. It would not be unusal in warfare of the day to use arrows dipped in pitch and lit on fire to divide troops, discourage advance, and kill members of the infantry. We know that Satan attacks with fiery darts today with the intent to steal kill and destroy and with Christians he often works with the intent of causing doubt. John Piper of Desiring God wisely points out ways Satan causes doubt.The first would be....

Through Life Circumstances

There is no question I hear asked more often in the midst of difficult life situations than “Why do bad things happen to good people.” It can be asked and phrased in so many different ways but in the end we often come back to asking God “Why”? when things are hard. When people suffer they eventually seek answers. I pray that today you know that asking questions is not wrong. However, we can ask questions and seek answers from God and his word or we can seek answers in our own power and knowledge. When Satan tempted Adam and Eve they could have gone back to God and sought truth from Him but instead they moved forward in their own knowledge and chose to be deceived. They chose to doubt the Lord. In your pain I encourage you to seek answers from the Lord

Causing division

Satan also attacks believers by causing division. Satan can tempt believers to be divided in Bitterness, anger, frustration, and disagreement . Rather, we are called to be united in united under Christ. It times of disagreement Christians should raise their shield of faith and agree on the core truths of what united us in the first place. Christ has saved us from sin and the Holy Spirit unites us as one church with the purpose of glorifying God. Let us be wary of attitudes and actions that divide rather than unify. That is the work of Satan and has no place in the fellowship of believers.

Bringing Temptation

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Satan also uses his fiery darts by tempting sinners as he did Eve. Often we are presented with the choice to honor God by faithfully acting in a way that brings Him glory or to question and doubt Gods best for us and to sin against Him.

Speaking Lies

John 8:44 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan speaks lies. As Christians we lift our shield of faith to oppose that which we know to be untrue. This is why Peter encourages believers to be ready to give a defense for the reason we have hope.

It is so easy to hear something and consider it to be true. If we have any doubt of this we can just look to the rise of fake news. There are clearly documented accounts of people being told something is news when in reality it is not. If it is that easy to lie to culture as a whole then Christians must take seriously the lies that have tried to enter the church.

Lastly Satan causes doubt by...

Masquerading as truth and light

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ESV

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Satan will attack with fiery darts disguised as gifts from the enemy. A trojan horse of sorts. It can be so tempting to try and justify some sin as doing good. Beware church of this deception. Do not fall to the temptation to justify wickedness as holiness.

While we should be aware of Satans battle tactics this passage is really pointing to the need to carry the shield of faith. So how do we do this?

We must use faith

Watching out for one another and encouraging one another to fight sin

Paul again points to the importance of shielding on another in Galatians. Galatians 6:1-2 says.

1 Corinthians 15:3–11 ESV

Knowing what God has done

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Cor 15:3-

Hebrews also states

Watching out for one another and encouraging one another to fight sin

Hebrews 3:12–13 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

We can carry our shield of faith by seeking to defend not just ourselves but our fellow believers. There are some questions for you to look through at the bottom of your notes. The questions are meant to encourage you to consider how you can be encouraging one another towards righteousness.

Hebrews

By Praying for one another

We can all carry our shield in defense by carrying the every day needs of others to God in prayer. Prayer is important because it is the act of going to God in faith trusting that he will provided for our every need. It is literally practicing having faith. Crosspointe has a set time to pray together each week. On Wednesdays at 6:30 Crosspointe comes together to worship in prayer. Would you consider going to God as a church praying for needs of our churchgoers and those they know? Paul encourages us to pray in when he reminds us to...

Colossians 4:2 ESV

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

We can also carry our shield of faith

By submitting to the will of God. James tells us to

By submitting to the will of God

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Obedience is the outward action of lifting ones shield to resist Satans darts. Obedience is relying on God and trusting that what He asks of us is what is best for us.

I have two year old son. A few weeks ago I was home alone with him which is already a harrowing experience. I decided that I would get us some ice cream to share. Which really means my son will wear some ice cream and I will get to eat a little. I asked my son to stop playing with whatever toy was occupying his time. I didn’t communicate that we will be getting to eat/wear something delicious. He began to do a very strange twisty thing on the floor that involved some emitting sort of sound that I believe is meant to attract house centipedes. He threw a tantrum because I asked him to set aside one thing in order to enjoy something that was so much greater than what he was doing. It wasn’t until I showed him the ice cream in the bowl that he immediately popped up off the floor and suddenly was ok with not playing with whatever he was playing with.

The point is I had something wonderful for him to enjoy and he needed to have faith that I didn’t just want to take away his fun but rather wanted to give him the best I had to provide.

Obedience is faithfully doing what God asks because we believe that He has the desire to give us what is best.

The point is

We must carry faith with usat all time in every circumstance

It is no mistake that Paul emphasizes the shield being carried at all times. The idea carries weight in that if we approach any aspect of life without faith we leave ourselves and our church at risk of deception.

As the band comes I’d like for us to take time to think about how we can be living a life guarded by faith.

I believe some in here need to step out in faith to trust God in the midst of a hostile work environment

Perhaps you are grieving and doubt God’s love for you. Can I encourage you to go to God and ask him to help your unbelief

PErhaps

Perhaps you know of someone grieving but you are tentative to show care because you don’t know how. Have faith and show the love of Christ to those you know are grieving

To the individual feeling the unbearable weight of sin, can I exhort you to take the step carrying the shield of faith to trust God in seeking help for your sin

To the parents who are overwhelmed, at wits end, and exhausted, can I reassure you that by faith you can continue to parent in a way that honors the Lord.

To the single person longing to find relationship, know that God cares for your needs and I encourage you wait on the Lord and his direction

To married couple wrestling to keep your marriage going, go to the Lord with the shield of faith believing that God’s design for your marriage is the best design you will ever find.

Conclusion

I believe that God is calling some to step out in faith

I believe there are some that are grieving and doubt God love

I believe there are some that know of others grieving and are afraid to grieve with them because…

As the band comes forward I’d like to take a moment to encourage you to begin using the shield of faith right now.

I believe there are some that feel the unbearable weight of sin, you must take the steps with the shield of faith to trust God in doing right.

As the band comes I’d like for us to take time to think about how we can be living a life guarded by faith.

There may be some here that listened to this sermon and thought “ I have no idea what this faith is that has been talked about” May I plead with you that you communicate this with someone such as one of our staff members or a friend you know here and seek answers for having faith is Jesus Christ.

I believe some in here need to step out in faith to trust God in the midst of a hostile work environment

Perhaps you are grieving and doubt God’s love for you. Can I encourage you to go to God and ask him to help your unbelief

Perhaps you know of someone grieving but you are tentative to show care because you don’t know how. Have faith and show the love of Christ to those you know are grieving

To the individual feeling the unbearable weight of sin, can I exhort you to take the step carrying the shield of faith to trust God in seeking help for your sin

To the parents who are overwhelmed, at wits end, and exhausted, can I reassure you that by faith you can continue to parent in a way that honors the Lord.

To the single person longing to find relationship, know that God cares for your needs and I encourage you wait on the Lord and his direction

To married couple wrestling to keep your marriage going, go to the Lord with the shield of faith believing that God’s design for your marriage is the best design you will ever find.

To the person who feels their situation cannot be understood, I would ask that you consider the faithfullness of the Lord and trust that he will continue to be faithful to you

As Ed leads us in a song of belief I would ask that you pray in faith over any area of your life that lacks faith and when you are able to stand in faith you can join in worship.

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