Shield of Faith

We are continuing our series this morning in the Ephesians. Titled the Body Armor/ Armor of God.

In the same way someone would not go into battle without equipment or play football without a helmet and pads, Christians must put on the armor God has given us to withstand evil temptations that come our way. Over the course of six weeks, this series will explain and apply each article in the armor of God—as described by Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18.

If you have bible turn to Hebrews 11:4-7. If not you can follow along in a few on the screens.

We have look at three piece of the armor so far. Do you remember what they were?

Week 1 Belt of truth- the truth Jesus is who he says his is. The is be building Block for all the rest of the arm. WIth out this piece we will not be able to run the race that God has for us.

Week 2 Breastplate of righteousness- The piece protects our vulnerable area but it more then that. it reminds us to always live up to the the Righteousness of God. It reminds us that we must live i life pure and holy. A life worth living for God.

Week 3 Shoes of the Gospel of Peace- The shoes is what Jesus has done for you and I. That he died rose on the third day. He concered death so we do not have to worry about death. We can live a life with living with Christ. These shoes prepare us to run and share what Jesus did for us.

This week we are look at the next piece. The Shield of Faith.

Ephesians 6:16 CSB

16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

What is this Shield and why should we use it. Before we look at this question I do have another question for you. So think for a moment.

Have you ever had to take shelter for something?

form a storm. Back home we had to take shelter alot during the spring and fall months. We would get the storms that had the possible of have tornadoes in them. So every time one would come through we would hind. I remember a couple. One being in 8 graded. My class was in gym and all the sudden teacher said head to be bathroom or washroom. We were in the cutting up not not knowing what was happen. Then we found out that it was a tornado and everyone got quite. The other was about a year before we left Ruston. Nikki and I woke up to the sierns going off. I called my dad and he said there was a tornado just south of us. Need to say we got everyone up and head in the hall.

The thing is no matter were we where there really was not a safe place to be. Yes the was a build or a house around us but that really doesn’t protect you from must.

You do not have to go though life unprotected. God has give us a tool to us to help us.

Shield of Faith

This piece is first defensive piece. All the others piece have been about protecting us. Getting us ready to fight. This piece can and will push back against the evil one.

Faith is something that we all have. You have faith in your car will start in the morning. You have faith that you will weak up in the morning. Faith you have great friends around you. Faith that you are surrounded by people that love you.

Do you have faith in God?

Do you have faith in Jesus?

Hebrews 11:4–7 CSB

4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Abel

We see Abel faith in Genesis. God ask Cain and Able to bring a offering to him. Abel bought the best of the garden he had. While Cain offering was seconds. This story has been told for years and still being told. Abel had faith that God would help provide for him.

Enoch

Was a man that walked with God. In Genesis it states twice that Enoch walked with God. in only three verses. He was take up by God which point to him not dying. He had faith in order to please God enough to take him before he died. Wow thats some faith.

Noah

We all know the story of Noah. He had faith in God with the crazy thing that God was about to send a flood. At that time the people had never seen water like that. He built the ark to deliver is family and the animals to safety.

That was a quick over view of all three of this men but what does that have to do with our faith.

How can you have faith in the unseen?

there are two definitions of “believe” that Christians get confused. It’s not enough to believe that God exists. You must also believe in God, that is, trust Him. Do you trust God? If God asked you to do something, would you trust that it was a good thing to do?

Having faith in something is trusting that it is real and true to what it say. We trust that the build will protect us during the storm. We trust that we have friend to rely on.

Do you trust in God?

The enemy will try to destroy your faith by causing you to trust your own self, rather than God.

You can’t genuinely follow God without putting your trust in him and his promises

This is the shield of Faith. Your faith comes for the trust you have with God. That he did all that he said he would.

This week has I was preparing. I start sing

Give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den

give me hope like Moses in the wildersness.

give he a heart like david.

This song reminds me to keep my faith. to trust that God will take care of me.

Will you put your trust in God this morning