TITLE: "Shield of Faith"
INTRO: July 1979, candidate for President Ronald Reagan visited NORAD (North
American Defense Command in Colorado Springs, CO. inside Cheyenne, MT.) This visit changed his life, changed the future of our country. Learned how we could detect any launch from around the world. He saw how we would react when we detected a launch, deciphering if it was an ICBM, Rocket test, or some other type of missile. Finding out exactly where it was launched and where it was going to detonate, he saw the red phone direct line to the President. He heard about doctrine of MADD (Mutually Assured Destruction) were anyone attacking us, we would retaliate with everything we have, both parties totally destroyed. Reagan saw how our bombers would scramble, submarines, & ICBM would react in such an emergency.
He asked question, what will stop these incoming missiles & he was shocked to hear nothing. March 1983 President Reagan came up with (SDI) - Strategic Defense intuitive better known as Star Wars, system that would basically provide a shield over our nation to protect us from incoming missiles (wonderful concept). - Christ come up with this concept centuries before "Shield of Faith"
I. Shield of Faith - Eph. 6:10-11, 16 (read)
- God has given us a way of fire-proofing our spiritual wardrobe because the enemy will be attacking you (pleasant thought)
Peter puts it this way I Peter 4:12 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you!!"
- Typical day in the life of a Christian so fire-proof your wardrobe.
A. What is this shield - 2 kinds the Romans used
1. Small round Frisbee type shield - strapped to arm (Sparticus movie
2. Door like shield - GK thyrion 2 ft. wide by 4 ft. long. Two thick boards were put one on top of the other, Outwood wrapped in leather, inner wood wrapped in metal.
- This shield was a mighty weapon kind of like a tank.
- This shield of Faith is what Paul is encouraging us to pick up.
a. Notice verse 16 (read insert some for all) - NO
1. What are these fiery arrows - constantly shoot at Christian soldiers, forms of lies Satan whispers in your ears, evil thoughts, accusations, doubts (ever have any of these)
- Take up the Shield of Faith but many of us have come to church with arrows sticking out of us and we’ve been burned or scorched (Why: Because we have not picked up the Shield of Faith).
b. Why isn’t the Shield of Belief - difference between faith & belief
- Belief is an inward conviction, faith not only inward conviction but also an outward action.
- Belief is excepting the promises of God that you have in Bible
- Faith is acting on the promises of God
- Belief is what we base our life on
- Faith is how we live out our Christian life
- Believe is putting Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of Peace on.
- Shield of Faith not only picking it up but also moving out (faith in action - not just believing.)
ex. Baseball player have basic equipment (glove, shirt, cleats, sox, pants) but when go into action into different positions and start playing (that’s taking your Shield of Faith & start advancing)
- Many have been sitting on the bench but I feel stir in the dugout!
1. Review - Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel Shoes of Peace - GK grammar past tense - (meaning receive Christ we have these) but Shield of Faith different, we have to step out! - We have to act (God not going to act for us), some of us have been in a war but some have not been at war. (God wants everyone to join the front lines.)
2. Paul saying were ready let go, and engage the enemy. Many have arrows because they’ve been in a foxhole, behind sandbags, just hanging on, time pickup shield and move out (won’t have shield unless you move out in faith).
c. What does this mean?
Q: What are you trusting God for in your life, that unless He does it, it’s not going to happen?
- This is what it means to pick up the Shield of Faith.
Sadly: Most of us are not trusting Him for anything (we accept His Son as Savior but that’s as far as we’ve come, got Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of Peace, don’t have the shield because we’re not moving out.
- Have defensive weapons but no offensive. If you’re not trusting God for anything you don’t have the shield & are being hit with flaming arrows.
d. I’m believing
1. 25 groups home fellowship by next year . Goal is to invite friends who do not know the Lord, minister to wounded Saints, time getting to know each other.
-I am believing God is going to raise up godly men & women who will head these groups (lay pastors).
2.I’m believing 150 new souls born into the kingdom by next year as result of faithfulness of people at Word of Life.
3.I’m believing by next year daycare will be at twice the capacity that it is now.
4.I’m believing that we can make such an impact on Owatonna that the gangs fighting over us will lose interest in our young people, because they are not interested.
II.Understanding faith
- Knowing something is going to happen - being sure of it.
A.Slogan - seeing is believing, that people who walk by eyes not people who walk by faith.
B. Saying - little faith is saying God can do it
-great faith says God, I’ll do it
-perfect faith says it is done.
C.Illustration: Bright morning, Niagara Falls, large crowd, watch famous Blondin walk over a tight rope. Tested the taunt strand. Reached opposite bank, took long pole and began walking over Niagara Falls. People watched in amazement. Blondin walked over and back again to admiration of those watching. Turning to the audience he made a sensational offer. He would cross the falls again, this time with someone on his back. No one rushed forward so he picked a man at random (Do you believe that I am able to carry you across - Yes, Sir, well let’s go)....Not on your life. One after another he picked people out of the crowd but they refused. Finally a young man came forward - Blondin asked...Do you believe I can carry you across? Man replied Yes, well come on. Man was helped to his back and he walked across and back on the tightrope. The crowd believed he could do it but only one was willing to step forward and have the faith
D.Only way to please God - Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him".
- God wants to reward us but we first must believe and have faith that God has our best
III. How to get faith - 3 ways to develop faith
A. God’s Word - Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ".
1. The Bible - reading and reflecting on the Word of God. Learn about God and His word. Promises God makes that we can stand on and trust dear to our hearts.
Leadership magazine: Discussed how does the Lord direct people or communicate? #1 response by Pastors is by reading His Word!
B. Looking up to God - expecting an answer from God. Communicating with Him, not just talking with Him when you are in need, but in everyday situations.
ex. Allan alone communicating with God, a lot of time reflecting on God and His awesomeness.
1.Living God as lifestyle - get up think about God, talk with during the day, discuss things at night. He is a part of our lifestyle.
2.Faith will increase - because we not only know about Him from His word but we know Him personally by communicating with Him.
3.Faith - more we use it the stronger it gets - like a muscle.
ILLUSTRATION: Many years ago it was decided to put a suspension bridge across this huge gorge. How could it be built across such a gorge, how to even start. Shot an arrow, attached was a tiny thread and it went to the other side. Thread was tied to a piece of twine, rope, cable, iron chain bridge was built on.
Thread weak in it’s beginning stage, turned to iron chains in the end.
C. Move out for God
1. Notice all the great people of faith - action behind what they did.
(v4) - by faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice
(v7) - by faith Noah built an ark
(v8) - by faith Abraham moved to place knew nothing about
(v29) - by faith Israelites passed through Red Sea
(v30) - by faith walls of Jericho fell
These people did something with their belief, if we want to be victorious in our Christian walk we better move out with the Shield of Faith!
CONCLUSION: Great things happen when God’s people move out in faith.
ex. Turtle formation, Romans with their giant shields, had interlocking pieces on it, on 4 corners they had interlocking pieces, half circles, moons, lock together, became a whole circle. Shields locked in place, have
gaps where they could thrust their swords or dagger to get the enemy. Attack
fortress, shields overhead protecting them from falling arrows. They used it like a human tank.
- That’s what would happen when God’s people come together, we would become a big tank for Jesus, mowing down the enemy!
