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Ephesians 6:16

“Take up your Shield…”

Shield of Faith…•Ever heard of an Impala?•They can jump 10 feet high and 30 feet in distance!•But they will stay captured behind a 3ft wall…•Why? They will not jump anywhere unless they can see where they will land•Faith is not faith, if you can see it…

Take up the Shield…•Everyday Faith, or Textbook Faith?•“Every-day Faith” is what we need•Without seeing/knowing what God is doing, and simply trusting His Bible promises– that is true faith in God•The 1st armor pieces (Belt, Breastplate, Sandals) never removed; next 3 were taken up only when needed– you’ll see the distinction in V 16…

“14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Ephesians 6:14-16, NASB

“14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Ephesians 6:14-16, NASB

A. The Shield of Faith…•The verse starts with “in addition to…” means we are in a new arena•The previously mentioned armor is worn at all times when we are Christians• It means things are get tough, and you better be ready•Take up the shield now, because you WILL need it

A. The Shield of Faith…•Shields were made of wood, 4’x 2’•Very heavy with a protective metal coating: fireproofing

A. The Shield of Faith…•Shields were made of wood, 4’x 2’•Very heavy with a protective metal coating: fireproofing•While linked together their own archers would fire between the shields– a moving bunker•Flaming arrows were a common military tactic– used to demoralize and confuse

B. Flaming Arrows…•So how do these apply spiritually and symbolically?•Could be darts of immorality, hatred, envy, pride, covetousness, doubt, worry or any other sin•Notice this is the realm of thought•You can be tempted and accused before your feet hit the floor!

C. The Strength of your SoF…•How strong is your Shield?•Strong enough for any demon attack ; total Faith in God?•OR does it look good, but is really paper thin?•How can we strengthen it?•3 Shield-building methods…

C. Three Shield-Builders…1. The Bible, the Word of God•D.L. Moody said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”•By reading, study, memorizing, we learn more faith•Ever notice the cognitive difference between secular and scriptural activities?

C. Three Shield-Builders…2. Through Prayer•Two things to consider here1. Pray for God’s Will– we don’t

see the whole picture in difficulties

• Word of Faith teaches not to pray this way, but to speak your wishes•Audacity, ignorance and blasphemy!

“14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

1 John 5:14-15, NASB

C. Three Shield-Builders…2. Through Prayer•Two things to consider here1. Pray for God’s Will2. Don’t pray with selfish

reasons•God’s Will– the Father knows best!• James 4:3

“3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

James 4:3, NASB

C. Three Shield-Builders…2. Through Prayer•Two things to consider here1. Pray for God’s Will2. Don’t pray with selfish reasons•God’s Will– the Father knows best!• James 4:3•Again– Satan will do anything to stop you from praying

C. Three Shield-Builders…3. Through Church Fellowship•Hebrews 10:24-25

“24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25, NASB

C. Three Shield-Builders…3. Through Church Fellowship•Hebrews 10:24-25•“I don’t have to go to church…”•The true believer wants to do what Jesus tells us to do•What happens to you when you are trying to get ready for Church?•Going to Church is Shield-Linking

D. After Trusting, stuff gets worse…•Did God drop the ball? Never!•Remember the life/death decision Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to make?•Worship the image and live or…

“17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 3:17-18, NASB

D. After Trusting, stuff gets worse…•Did God drop the ball? Never!•Remember the life/death decision Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to make?•Worship the image and live or…•Was ‘But if not’ lacking Faith?•They knew that death was ok

D. After Trusting, stuff gets worse…•Death is not the end for the Believer, 1 Corinthians 2:9

“9 but just as it is written,‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’ ”

1 Corinthians 2:9,

NASB

D. After Trusting, stuff gets worse…•Death is not the end for the Believer, 1 Corinthians 2:9•I can’t tell you how many funerals I’ve been to that were celebrations, not grieving•We may not fully comprehend God’s purpose in our difficulty and suffering , but we cannot stop trusting in Him

Faith Principles to Remember…1. Faith looks beyond

circumstances, beyond ups and downs, feelings. Faith ‘sees’ what God can do.

2. Faith is believing God not only CAN do it, but that He WILL

3. Keep your Shield of Faith up; continuing attacks of Satan are aimed at you