Armor All Shield of Faith
Notes
Transcript
Legend has it that a man was lost in the desert, just dying for a drink of water. He stumbled upon an old shack - a ramshackled, windowless, roofless, weatherbeaten old shack. He looked about this place and found a little shade from the hear of the desert sun. As he glanced around he saw a pump about fifteen feet away- an old, rust water pump. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, and began to pump up and down, up and down. Nothing came out.
Disappointed, he staggered back. He noticed off to the side an old jug. He looked at it, wiped away the dirt and dust, and read a message that said, “You have to prime the pump with all the water in this jug, my friend. P.S.: Be sure you fill the jug again before you leave.”
He popped the cork out of the jug and sure enough, it was almost full of water! Suddenly, he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live. Ah, but if he poured all the water in the old rusty pump, maybe it would yield fresh, cool water form down deep in the well, all the water he wanted.
He studied the possibility of both options. What should he do, pour it into the old pump and take a chance on fresh, cool water or drink what was in the old jug and ignore its message? Should he wast all the water on hopes of those flimsy instructions written, not telling how long ago?
Reluctantly he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grabbed the handle and began to pump, squeak, squeak, squeak. Still noting came out! Squeak, Squeak, squeak. A little git began to dribble out, then a small stream, and finally it gushed! To his relief fresh, cool water poured out of the rusty pump. Eagerly, he filled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and once again drank its refreshing contents.
Then he filled the judge for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, popped the cork back on, and added this little note: “Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back.- Charles Swindoll, Living above the Level of Mediocrity.
We move on to the last grouping of armor. We have all ready suited up with the preparational armor that will never be taken off for the duration of the conflict.
Now the second grouping of three pieces of armor are different from the first group.
These three pieces of armor are in the moment of readiness when the battle begins thus the verb “taking” in verse 16 or take in verse 17. The dressing of the soldier inches closes to the battle.
Many ideas come to mind when we mention shield.
One type is like Captain America’s shield which is used almost like another offensive weapon. Two leather straps keep the shield in place for defense perrying against a sword.
another type of shield is the shinning one that a knight might carry while riding on a horse.
Paul is speaking about a different one than comes to our thinking.
Paul is speaking about a wooden shield about two feet wide and four feet high. This shield would have protected the entire body.
Let’s take a closer look at this shield and why it is so important for the believer.
I. The Shield Faith is forged by Father
I. The Shield Faith is forged by Father
A. Faith that is Growing closer to Christ.
Our Faith is what got us to this point from the beginning. We recieved the gift of faith in Jesus Christ and know we are on a side. Diagnose what type of faith you have. Dr. Harmon speaks of James saying there are three types of faith spoken in the word of God
1. First is Dead faith: This faith is dead on arrival it was never alive. This person may have a belief in something, but because it is so broad it actually becomes worthless because it believes in everything so believes in nothing. The other extreme is to be so hostile to God that your heart is hardened to the things of God you become so smart you are stupid.
2. Second is Demon faith. Even the demons believe and tremble. They believe Jesus is real they just don’t believe in Him being the Messiah the son of God. Look at Judas! I’m sure each of us knows a Judas. Judas tasted thing things of God. Hymaneus and Alexander who ship wrecked their faith. They when out from us because they were not of us. Many goat are among the sheep wheat among the tares. The question who are you. Who cares what your mom and dad grandma or grandpa is deacon pastor or whatever the question is what about you.
3. The final type of faith is dynamic … real. That is the type of faith spoken of in James the one that is proves by the works but also the object of the faith is powerful and will never faith. Always consider the object of your faith. Is it you? That is doomed to fail. Jesus is the only one that is worthy of your today and tomorrow. It’s real because it is lived out by obedience.
Paul put it another way in I Corinthians Natural, Carnal, Spiritual. Which one are you?
Natural receives not the things of God
Carnal- Saved but lives like the world and misses the blessings of God to which God has grown silent to.
Spiritual - Saved and living in obedience to the Spirit of God and the Word of God.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
B. Faith that is Going forward for Christ.
Faith must be alive: Picking up where we just left off. Our faith should have a root system that reveals obedient Spirit-filled fruit. James lays it out that faith has to work if it is going to be effective. It is not for salvation, but because of salvation. What are some tells of faith.
Obedience to God’s Word.
A love for God and others.
Spiritual Success.
2. Faith must be active. says But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Faith grows, but it also grows. it doesn’t stay motionless or stagnant it grows or it shrinks. God can or God can’t we decide by our actions all the time.
so move in obedience to God’s word
so show a love for God and others.
so reveal spiritual success.
II. The Shield of Faith is Free from Fire
II. The Shield of Faith is Free from Fire
A. The Winning in the Way
1. A plan is given here for overcoming the fiery darts of wicked. To hide behind the shield of faith.
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2. A person is provided for your victory in the way. and Jesus Christ is the key to our Victory. Faith is the Victory that overcomes the World.
2. A person is provided for your victory in the way.
3. A person is provided to your guidance the parakeletos Holy Spirit of God that comes along side and guides you in the truth. Seals you to the day of redemption can never allow anything to influence you from the inside. Ephesians 5:18
B. The Wounds from the Weapons
1. A bow in arrow in this case. The bow used to hurl the arrow in your direction. These arrows were designed to take you out of the battle.
2. The arrow in battle would often be dipped in something called pitch which was a flammable liquid that when it his any object would disperse on any object or person standing near. This would take out the target, but also anyone around the target.
a. Have you considered what your sin may do to someone that really loves you?
b. Have your thought through how it might affect them?
c. Most of the time we think in singular terms what do we want.
d. Satan is counting on this mentality. The shield is to heavy or it’s to outdated or it doesn’t work in today society. We become a hostage in this battle.
C. The Wiles of the Wicked
1. The wicked is referring to your enemy Satan.
2. The wicked is mentioned in as being the one that take away the seed.
3. The enemy is corrupt and wants to corrupt you as well. He as lost the war he is just interested in the battle and stealing blessings from you.
4. In this world of being taken morally hostage by the corrupt thinking and cheering of the crowds condoning Homosexuality which God calls a perversion and Abortion which is the greatest terrorist attack on this country of all time. Rampant lying because of a disregard for the truth whether from a kindergartner or Congressman. A blat ten attitude of lasciviousness- to quote my phone a girl chasing old man, inclined to lustfulness, wanton, lewd a let it all hang out. So easy to become a target and victim if you are not ready.
what is the Christian’s coat of arms? Well, good Joseph Irons used to say it was a Cross and a crown, with the words “No Cross, no crown”—a most blessed coat of arms, too! … Some of the old Reformers used to have an anvil for their coat of arms ,and a significant one, too, with this motto, “The anvil has broken many hammers.” By which they meant that they stood still, and just let men hammer at them till their hammers broke of themselves! - Spurgeon
1. A bow in arrow in this case. The bow used to hurl the arrow in your direction. These arrows were designed to take you out of the battle.
2. The arrow in battle would often be dipped in something called pitch which was a flammable liquid that when it his any object would disperse on any object or person standing near. This would take out the target, but also anyone around the target.
a. Have you considered what your sin may do to someone that really loves you?
b. Have your thought through how it might affect them?
c. Most of the time we think in singular terms what do we want.
d. Satan is counting on this mentality. The shield is to heavy or it’s to outdated or it doesn’t work in today society. We become a hostage in this battle.
Ashamed of Christ they make no profession of Him, or having professed Christ, ashamed of the profession, they hide themselves by deserting their colors, by conformity to the world. Perhaps they are even called to preach the Gospel, but they do it in so quiet and gentle a way, like men who wear soft raiment, and ought to be in kings’ houses. Unlike John the Baptist, they are “reeds shaken with the wind.” Of them no one says anything bad because they have done no ill to Satan’s kingdom! Against them Satan never roars—why should he? He is not afraid of them, therefore he need not come out against them. “Let them alone,” he says, “thousands such as those will never shake my kingdom!” Spurgeon
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