The Shield of Faith Take up the shield

The Shield of Faith Take up the shield of faith to be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. A 10 -1 -16, S 10 -15 S 12 -18 -05 1` T 10 -06

Attention soldier! • 2 Timothy 2: 3 -4 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants to please his commanding officer. 2

God’s Armory • God has armor and weaponry reserved for us. • Jeremiah 50: 25 The LORD has opened his arsenal and brought out the weapons of his wrath, for the Sovereign LORD Almighty has work to do in the land of the Babylonians. • ISA 59: 17 The Lord put on righteousness as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak. 3

Why the fourth armor piece? 1. The belt of truth is the foundation to approach God. 2. Breastplate approach God with Jesus’ Righteousness. 3. Once you have the Gospel you Go! Prepare to share. 4. The shield is your protection to stand in adversity. It is how you repel the negative attacks. It is powered by faith. Remember: It is God’s point of view. The enemy wants to hurl terrible attacks to stop you. This is why you need the shield. EXAMPLE attack 4

The buckler 5

Modern Shields. 6

One shield everyone loves 7

shield Thureos from Thuro (door) = Large oblong 4 cornered shield Example Shield 8

Faith Shield Relationship • Genesis 15: 1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " • NIV Psalm 91: 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. • 1 Pet 1: 5. . . you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time 9

What is Faith? • The book of faith: Heb 11: 1 • Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. • Romans 4 defines faith as knowing God will do what he promises. • Are you Sure and Certain? Enough to build an ark, face dungeons and fire? • How big is your shield of faith? 10

Faith is your power source. • How much power? • By faith the worlds were framed. Heb 11: 3 • Mustard seed to move a mountain. • There are measures of Faith. How can it grow? • Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word! • Not hide behind, grow inside! 11

Measure Rom 12: 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Example measure of shield 12

Satan wants you to drop power. • 2 Thess 2: 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. • What if I don’t have/want it? Heb 11: 6 13

Why do we need a shield? • Revelation 12: 9 The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. ” • I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me John 14: 30. (also John 12: 31) • 1 John 5: 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. • The enemy is hurling his weaponry, and we cannot be ignorant. 14

Fiery Darts of the enemy • These were not normal arrows. The greek word is: Belos (to throw/pour) which is a long hollow projectile dart. Close range anti-shield weapons. • Psalms 101: 3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Roman fire darts – Molotov cocktail – Napalm Satan wants that shield out of your hands, whatever it takes! We will cover some common anti-shield attacks. 15

Doubt 16

Doubt • Doubt is the devil's first weapon. Remember how the Serpent succeeded in planting doubt in the mind of Eve about God's word. “did God really say? ” • Doubt was the first attack on Jesus. “IF you are the son of God” Even on the cross: “Come down IF you are. ” Consider how doubt destroys marriage, by turning to apathy. • Doubting your role or value in the church could lead to apathy and disinterest. Be wary of casting doubt on the word. Be especially wary of casting doubt on your brothers and sisters. • Matt 14: 30 -31 But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand caught him. "You of little faith, " he said, "why did you doubt? " Doubt shrinks your shield. Is it going to hold up? 17

Fear 18

Fear • The initial volley comes like flaming rain. • 1 Thess 5: 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. • Rom 8: 15 not a spirit of fear, but of love. • Your first line of defense. • Others rely on shielders. Stand your ground! • Revelation cowardly in the bad list! Fear makes you turn to run. Retreat 19

Lies 20

Lies Col 3: 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. . The attack on eve was a short lie. The insertion of one word in a sentence. John 8: 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Do you lie and deceive yourself? Lies trick you into lowering your shield. 21

Ego 22

Ego • ISA 13: 11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. • 1 Timothy 6: 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Ego is really idolatry. It makes you put your shield down for something else. You think you are too good for the shield. You think you can handle it on your own. 23

Laziness 24

Laziness • 2 Thess 3: 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. • Laziness is a withdrawable offense? • Ecc 10: 18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. • If you are Lukewarm God wants to spit you out. • Laziness leaves you open for attack. Shield down. 25

Lust 26

Lust 1 • Ephesians 5: 3 -4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. • 1 Corinthians 6: 18 -20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. • Romans 13: 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. • This sin you run from, you don’t “try to handle it” 27

Lust 2 • James 1: 14. . . but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. • Some images burn you forever. Can you clearly describe images that you saw when you were growing up in perfect detail? Beta Movie scenes, Porno. Novels Lust burns your shield and leaves it weak. You have already turned attention away from the battle. Problem behind the shield. 28

Media 29

Media 1 • 1 Corinthians 15: 33 "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character. " • If you think you can go out alone and stand for God in an ungodly situation YOU ARE MISLED. • How was it handled in scripture? Two by Two. Paul and his companions. (acts 16: 6, 19: 29) Even Jesus when tested in the garden tried to draw from his companions! • 1 John 5: 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 30

Media 2 The world wants you to rush in. They think it strange you don’t follow entertainment and such. • Jesus addressed this. A little leaven will spread to the whole lump. • Media pollutes the message. Media belittles God’s awesomeness. Media shrinks your shield, makes it look weak. 31

Root dart = Self 32

Selfish "What's in it for me? " "What will I get out of it? “ In the garden Satan’s offer: grab the fruit, and you will become like God. It looks really tasty. Satan tried to coerce Jesus to use His Godly powers to satisfy personal desires. . stone into bread. Jump off. . knowing that God promised to rescue. See how important you are to God will save you. Satan offered Jesus the whole world. Jesus made the drastic point about cutting off your eyes and hands to demonstrate a complete break. The method is a radical, painful and costly sacrifice. Selfishness makes you think you can handle the dart. Catch one? 33

No armor for the backside? 34

Rear Guard 1 Pro 2: 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 2 Thess 2: 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 35

Rear Guard 2 ISA 58: 6 -9 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. 36

Clearer Understanding: • Eph 6: 16 above all, taking the shield of faith which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. • • • Like standing behind a wall Choose to equip yourself With God’s Shielding Faith As your power source (dunamis) To withstand every attack Fiery darts cling 37

Conclusion Satan wants to devour you, and IS launching darts. Be aware of the dart types that hit your Faith. Satan wants you to drop the ability to advance. Satan wants you to drop your power source. Resist him. Make him flee! God’s faith is your rear guard. Use, repair, and grow your shield. 38

39