2020 10 18 - Armor - The Shield of Faith

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Today’s Passage

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SERIES INTRODUCTION

Information about the current series

Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

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.

Ephesians 6:12–13 ESV

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.

We are on a battlefield where we will have victory if we...

Fight the right battle (SPIRITUAL)

Use the right equipment (THE ARMOR)

Have the right goal (STAND)

SHARE:

Name all of the pieces of armor you can remember. (Hint: There are 6)

RECAP PREVIOUS WEEKS IN SERIES

Recap previous week’s messages

Ephesians 6:14–15 ESV

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.

Ephesians 6:16–17 ESV

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,

THE BELT OF TRUTH - Ties up the loose ends that could trip us up

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS- Protects our hearts

THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE - Makes us ready to stand firm and step freely

CONNECT THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE

Now we turn to the largest of the pieces of equipment: the shield

EXPLORE

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 6:16 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE

6.40 θυρεός, οῦ m: a long, oblong shield—‘shield.’ ἀναλαβόντες τὸν θυρεὸν τῆς πίστεως ‘taking the shield of faith’ Eph 6:16. In some languages ‘shield’ is described as ‘protection one carries when one fights’ or ‘protection carried to prevent blows from the enemy.’ The phrase ἀναλαβόντες τὸν θυρεὸν τῆς πίστεως may thus be rendered as ‘take hold of faith as a protection against the enemy’ or ‘regard your faith as a protection to prevent the attacks of the enemy.’

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 57). New York: United Bible Societies.

MAIN IDEA

Transition from scripture to main idea

THE MAIN THING:

God’s faithfulness is a shield that protects YOU when WE hold up faith together.

Explore the Main Idea

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What is something that makes you feel safe?

1. God’s faithfulness is our shield

Every instance of my shield or our shield in the Old Testament refers to God.

Similarity to the Breastplate of Righteousness. All of these pieces of armor are something that God gives us, not something we could create.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Truth or Reflection

Application:

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Fill in the blank with the encouragement you need right now? “God is faithful to_________________”

2. Our faith holds up God’s faithfulness as a shield.

Text

Hebrews 10:22–23 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

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

Truth or Reflection

Application:

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3. Our protection comes when we hold up the shield of faith together.

Text

Turtle formation ( picture)

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:13–14 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ephesians 4:15–16 ESV

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Truth or Reflection

Application:

SHARE:

Transform

Coming Back to the Main Thing:

God’s faithfulness is a shield that protects YOU when WE hold up faith together.

Bring to Primary Application

Who are you standing in formation with?

Lead Application to Commitment

Commitment steps

Invitation

Announcements and Service Closing