#261 What Not To Wear Series# 8, Shield Of Faith

#261 What Not To Wear Series# 8, Shield Of Faith
By: Pastor Karl Thomas

Ephesians 6:10-13
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,…”   “…against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand.

wrestle:— (pal’-ay) a contest between two in which each endeavours to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck.
Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”

Mankind is to protect (shamar) the eternal purpose of God and to once and for all put the KIBOSH (kabash) on His enemies!!!
In our contending with the devil we have a command to Stand and a command to Wrestle.

Satan’s challenge to Adam and Eve was, how do you become Godly.
The fruit of self was introduced to mankind. INDEPENDENCE
We have the ability to now determine what is right and wrong. We will self govern!

Romans 13:12-14 “…let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, … But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh…”
Putting on the armour of light is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. Place yourself in HIM!

Ephesians 6:14-17
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Notice the different tense:
First three pieces of armour:   “Having put on”   Second three pieces of armour:  “Taking up”
The first three are armour that you establish yourself in continually.

Psalm 85:10 “…righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Isaiah 32:17 (AMP) “…the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.”
Righteousness and peace are connected. No peace check your righteousness

Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”
“Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].” (AMP)

The Roman Battle (Door) Shield:
It was to be both strong and light.        It was made of wood, seven layers of ox hide and metal studs.
It was 2 1/2 ft wide and 4 ft long.   It was cared for daily — rubbed with special oil to keep it fresh and durable and then soaked with water. Especially saturated for battle.

4 Basics Of Faith:   The Shields Material
1. Faith Is A LAW. Rom 3:27 “…but by the law of faith.”
2. Faith Is A Gift. Mk 11:22 “Have (the) faith in (of)God.”
3. Faith Comes By Hearing Word. Rom 10:17 “faith comes by hearing”  GROWS
4. Works By Believing & Confessing Rom 10:9 “…believe … confess…”

Romans 12:3
“God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
“To have faith we must immerse ourselves in the Scriptures. And faith must be exercised to be effective. Faith like a muscle grows by stretching.”  A. W. Tozer

1 Thessalonians .3:2  “…to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith … brought us good news of your faith…”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
“…thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows  exceedingly...”

Romans 5:1-2
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 5:1-2
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

1 John 5:4 (ESV)
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”
(NLT) “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

Essence of all spiritual warfare is to get you to live independently of Christ!!! Your identity as His child.
“When Jesus confronted the devil, He did not confront satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any other voice than God’s.”
Francis Frangipane

Matthew 4:4
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Proceeding word — Abiding relationship

Every flaming missile from the enemy is to get you to stop trusting GOD.
An attack on His character or an accusation concerning your poor performance. When do you need faith in God most? When you screw up.

Luke 8:24-25
“And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’   (DON’T YOU CARE!!!)  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’”     Accused Him of LACK!

Luke 8:42  BLIND BARTEMEUS
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.’”
He lifted faith: above his circumstances – above the religious system – above the crowd -above his self worth

Daily application of Water and Oil.
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,…”
Ephesians 5:18 “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.”  MESSAGE     Continuously be being filled!

John 15:7 (AMP)
“If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.”
In His presence — In His word

Romans 1:17
“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”

Lift up a well maintained shield of faith, well oiled and soaked.
Quench every Molotov cocktail of the enemy that would try to attack God’s character, or your position and rights in Him

261 What Not To Wear Series# 8, Shield Of Faith, PowerPoint Slides

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