faith10
Today we’re going to continue right where we left off last time. We were on the subject of faith, even more specific, on the subject of “standing in faith.”
I. Turn with me to EPH 6:10-17.
A. For us to have the victory over the adverse situation and to see things change, we need to put on the Armor of God and stand.
1. The NIV translation of (Ephesians 6:10-11) Says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (NIV)
a. Notice that he says, in (V11) “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand.”
i. You’re not going to be able to stand without your armor on.
b. Then in (Vs 13-14) the NIV says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (14) Stand firm then...” (NIV)
B. Before we go on we need to look at this armor that we need to put on. What is it?
1. 1st (V 14) Says, “Having your loins girt about with truth.”
a. That means, “have and know the truth of God’s Word.”
2. 2nd he says, “Having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
a. We need to be living a holy live.
b. If a person is living in sin, they will not be able to stand against the attacks of the enemy.
i. Thank God that if we have blown it there is (1 John 1:9) which says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (KJV)
ii. If we do confess our sins then we are back in rightstanding with God, we will be able to stand against the forces of darkness.
3. The 3rd piece of armor is found in (EPH 6:15) “Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
a. The NIV Says, “With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
i. We’re instructed to be ready.
ii. We need to be prepared, because the attacks are coming.
iii. Paul is telling us that this “readiness” only comes from the Word of God or the Gospel of peace.
4. 4th he says, in (Eph 6:16) “Above all, taking the shield of faith.”
a. We’re talking about ‘How to stand,’ and he says “Above all taking the shield of faith.”
b. We need to stand in faith against the enemy, knowing that God will provide the answer.
5. . 5th he says in (Eph 6:17) “Take the helmet of salvation.”
a. That means that we should know that we are saved, but also know who we are in Christ.
b. Know the authority that we have because we are in Christ.
i. We have authority over every principality and power in the name of Jesus.
6. 6th he says (Eph 6:17) “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
a. We have to know the Word of God, confess the Word of God, and know how to use the Word of God against the Devil.
7. And #7, found in (Eph 6:18) he goes on to add “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
a. Prayer is your communication with God.
b. It’s vital for you to continue to stand and receive.
i. Jesus said in (Matthew 21:22) “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (KJV)
C. We need to have this armor on or to put these principles to practice in our lives, in order to stand and get the victory.
II. When everything around you indicates that you can’t possibly win, STAND.
A. In the life of faith, there is no room for compromise.
1. When you compromise your stand of faith, you’re wavering.
2. Look at JAMES 1:6-7.
a. The word “wavering” means “doubt.”
b. You need to stay in faith,
i. Knowing 4 thing, that God is willing to get you through, that God is able to get you through, that God is going to get you through, and #4 that God has already done it in the spiritual realm.
B. Look at 1COR 16:13.
1. The NIV says “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
a. When those attacks come we need to men or woman of courage, be strong, and STAND FIRM.
2. Look at 2 COR 1:23-24.
a. Notice that Paul said, “You Stand in faith.”
b. Remember what Paul said in (EPH 6) “Above all, we stand with the shield of faith.”
C. PHIL 4:1
1. “Stand fast” means “Stand firm or to keep on standing.”
2. It says just about the same thing in (GAL 5:1) “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
a. Stand fast and stand firm no matter what.
III. How long do you have to stand?
A. Until we win.
1. When you’ve done all that you know what to do to stand, keep on standing.
B. Many times’ people don’t know how to stand because the world has programmed them to be quitters.
1. The world says, “When things start getting tough, QUIT.”
a. Some Christians still do that.
i. Weather it in the spiritual realm, from an attack of the enemy, to receiving God’s promises or in the natural realm from the work place to the institution of marriage.
ii. The world says, “When things start getting rough, Give up.”
b. But the Bible says, “When things start getting tough, STAND.”
C. Look at HEB 10:35.
1. “Confidence” means “Faith.”
a. Don’t cast away your faith.
2. Many of the greatest blessings come after you’ve had to stand firm for the longest time.
a. When Satan continues to send those attacks, when he continually tries to stop you, it’s because God has something big in store for you.
D. When you’ve done all to stand, keep standing.
1. “But how long do I stand?”
a. Until you see the victory in the natural realm, and then you stand to keep it.
2. Turn to HEB 10:23.
a. The phrase “without wavering” means “firm, unmoved”
b. “Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith, standing firm, unmoved.”
E. If you become so weary, or even lazy that you take your faith off the job, you will let the problem overtake you.
1. But as long as you offer that resistance through that fight of faith, victory is not far off.
a. Paul told Timothy in (1 Timothy 6:12) “Fight the good fight of faith.” (KJV)
2. In (Ephesians 6:13) Paul said, “Having done all, to stand.” (KJV)
a. But the J. B. Phillips translation says this, “When you have fought to a standstill, still stand your ground.”
b. A standstill happens when 2 opposing forces refuse to move.
i. When you reach this kind of a standstill with the enemy, 1 of you are going to have to compromise.
ii. Who’s it going to be? Who’s going to give in.
c. If you stand in faith and keep standing, Satan can’t win.
IV. Keep standing, keep quenching those fiery darts with your shield of faith.
A. If Satan can’t get through to you with His attacks, he’ll try to bring someone your way that will bring you down.
1. I don’t mean a sinner; he’ll send a tongue talking, church going saint who doesn’t know anything about standing.
a. They’ll come telling you about all the bad things that happened to them when they tried to stand in faith.
i. Or they will tell you about someone else that died when they were trying to stand.
2. What they’re trying to do is to get you to doubt and change you confession.
B. Kenneth Copeland said there are 3 keys to success.
1. Find out what the will of God is.
2. Confer not with flesh and blood.
3. Get the job done at any cost.
a. Some times we need to put #2 to practice a little more.
b. When Satan sends the negative person, confer no more with flesh and blood.
i. When they come with a negative report you might have to say to them, “I’m not moved by what I hare, I’m not moved by what I see, I’m only moved by what God says.”
ii. There either going to leave you alone or they’re going to start agreeing with you.
C. (Deuteronomy 32:30) says that, “One can put a thousand, and two can put ten thousand to flight.” (KJV)
1. You need to be around people that are going to agree with you and gang up with you against the Devil.
a. When you have those reinforcements, you’re going to fine it much easier to stand.
i. Your faith will come through, you will see the victory, but keep standing.
WOLCC SUN AM 12/13/94