Oil The Shields

I. EXORDIUM:

Is your shield always oiled?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to be always ready with our faith and the HOLY SPIRIT. (by praying in tongues)

IV. TEXT:

Isaiah 21:5 (New International Version)

They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!

V. THESIS:

We need to be always ready with our faith and the HOLY SPIRIT. (by praying in tongues)

VI. TITLE:

Oil the shields

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Isaiah, the prophet, son of Amoz

B. Date written: anywhere from 681 to 740 B.C., uncertain

C. Purpose: To reveal salvation is both physical and spiritual coming from the LORD

D. To whom written: Nation of Judah

E. Keyword: Salvation. Isaiah means "Salvation of Jehovah"

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Get up, you officers

"Get up, you officers,"

Officers are leaders. In the Hebrew, the word used is "princes" meaning "head person", "chief", general, governor, keeper, lord, master, prince, ruler, steward. It's us or the LORD JESUS CHRIST within us.

Sad to say, leaders are ones who are corrupt among us. They need some slapping for them to wake up.

Micah 7:3 (Amplified Bible)

Both their hands are put forth and are upon what is evil to do it diligently; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire. Thus they twist between them [the course of justice].

Amos 1:15 (Amplified Bible)

And their king shall go into exile, he and his princes together, says the Lord.

Hosea 7:3 (Amplified Bible)

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

If you happen to see a lax church member, who can't even keep their attendance in Sunday worship services complete in a month, then don't be surprised look at their leaders and you'll know, that you will know the tree by it's fruits.

Luke 6:43-44 (Amplified Bible)

For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decayed (worthless, sickly) tree bear good fruit.

For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush.

So make the leaders good leaders, they need to start as good followers and if they can't follow a simple attendance protocol, then remove them, don't wait till all your members are like them.

B. Oil the shields

"oil the shields!"

Oil resembles the HOLY SPIRIT. Shield can be our faith.

Ephesians 6:16 (Amplified Bible)

Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

Ephesians 6:18 (Amplified Bible)

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

By oiiling it, your shield of faith, you immerse it in the HOLY SPIRIT's oil by praying in tongues just like what Ephesians 6:18 told us and the context is the armor of faith. Our faith is effective as an overcomer, but it's less compared with the HOLY SPIRIT but more powerful if combined with the HOLY SPIRIT's Presence. To oil is to "consecrate" is not a coincidence but us, needs to be consecrated to Him by PRAYING IN TONGUES, no other way to do it.

Jude 1:20 (Amplified Bible)

But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

1 John 5:4 (Amplified Bible)

For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.

Zechariah 4:6 (Amplified Bible)

Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.

Actually the greatest weapon is to distrust ourselves and let CHRIST do it by HIS Grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified Bible)

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!