The Shield Of Faith Series

June 20, 2020

With the Belt of Truth holding everything together – the Breastplate of Righteousness protecting our hearts – and the Shoes of Gospel Peace laced up, let’s move to the 4th piece of combat gear – The Shield of Faith.

Why is Faith found in the position of “The Shield”?

2 types of Roman Shields:

• Parma – A smaller round shield used by soldiers on horseback.

• Legionaire Scutum “Great Scuta”– Shaped like a door, which completely covered the soldier – providing protection for his whole body – especially in a kneeling position. It was made of multiple layers of thick hide, which was oiled regularly to keep it soft, tough and durable. The shields could also be linked together protecting an entire group of soldiers {Tortoise Formation - protected the group from frontal attacks and projectiles launched from above - commonly used in a siege situation}.

Ephesians 6:16 - In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you will be empowered to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take up:

In addition to everything else you have put on; Paul says you must also take up the Shield of Faith. Take up is an active word. There is intention behind it - Christian faith is not passive – It’s active. As with every other piece of combat gear, it does no good if it is hanging in the closet – Thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup….. You have to tighten your Belt, adjust your Breastplate, lace up your Shoes and take up your Shield. ----- Hebrews 11

• The world says “creation” took millions of years and I am descended from a monkey – God says it took Him 6 days to create and He intentionally made me – By Faith I believe God is telling the truth.

• Noah had never seen rain – God told him to build an ark – By Faith Noah believed God was telling the truth and built an ark.

• In 75 years, Abram had never left his home town – God said move to a place I will show you – By Faith Abram believed God was telling the truth and he went.

• Sarah was 90 years old – God told her she’d have a son – By Faith Sara believed God was telling the truth and Isaac was born.

• Joseph believed Israel would one day leave Egypt – By Faith he instructed that his bones be taken back to Canaan – they were.

In Hebrews chapter 12, the scene shifts from a faith history lesson to a Greco-Roman racetrack. The readers of the letter are no longer spectators, they are participants in the race of faith. They’re panting, sweating, stumbling and thirsty – it’s a long race and some are even thinking of quitting.

But wait, can you hear it… GO! GO!! GO!! GO!!! Don’t give up!! Keep going!!! Louder and louder and louder until the whole stadium is shaking.

• Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Ironman has been called “the ultimate test of human endurance”. It is a race consisting of a 2.4 mile ocean swim + 112 mile bike ride + 26.2 mile run {Youtube - Kona 2016}

If you want to be an Ironman Triathlete you train… hard. You don’t sit around eating Twinkies --- you train everyday – for hours. You change the way you eat and sleep. That one goal becomes a 24/7 365 commitment – not for winning the race – just for the hope of competing.

In an Ironman race, if you cross the finish line you ARE an Ironman – even if you’re the last one to cross the line!

{I love to watch Ironman….… on my couch…… eating Twinkies!!}

Taking the Shield of Faith means believing God is telling the truth which leads to action.

Shield of Faith:

There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding about faith:

• Nothing more than positive thinking.

• A set of Doctrines or religious beliefs

• A leap into the dark unknown.

• A way to make God do what we want.

Christian Faith is directly tied to the Truth and Faithfulness of God – Who He is, What He says is true, What He’s done, What He has promised to do and What His heart is toward you {For God so loved…}.