Ephesians Study Week #47 The Shield of Faith, Part II Ephesians 6:16

Transcription

1 Ephesians Study Week #47 The Shield Faith, rt II Ephesians 6:16 I. Introduction and review A. At our last session, we considered the Shield Faith B. ul uses the lar Roman thureos to picture this shield 1. A legionnaire could hide behind it 2. In formation, it protected several warriors C. This shield is essential to defend against the projectiles that Satan launches at us 1. We identified what a number these projectiles were 2. But we also learned that every projectile that Satan can be defeated by the shield, that not one can t through D. We then considered that the Shield Faith was constructed a faith that demands or takes action 1. The foundation faith is a belief in the object it is in 2. That belief then translates into a trust or reliance on such object 3. And finally, that reliance produces some form action on our part II. The key to wielding the shield is faith A. First, is understanding that faith requires action 1

2 B. Second, we must determine what our faith is to be in, that is the object our faith 1. Faith in God 2. Faith in His character and nature: who and what He is a. The attributes God (1) sovereignty, (2) holiness, (3) justice, (4) love, (5) eternality, (6) omniscience, (7) omnipresence, () omnipotence, (9) immutability and (10) veracity b. Also known as Divine Essence 3. Faith in His name a. His name allows us a look into the inner beauty His holiness 4. Faith in His promises and precepts 5. See Pro 30:5 and Psa. 1:30 a. tsaraph {tsaw-raf'} Meaning: to smelt, refine, test C. The shield faith pictures a life protection based on our faith in God s 2

3 character, word, and deeds; 1. It intercepts Satan s doubts, denials, deceptions, and discouraments, making them ineffective. 2. That prevents an opening for the more potent weapons D. When should we take up the shield? 1. On the day the fight 2. When is that the evil day (see 6:13) 3. That s the day that all hell breaks loose in your life 4. There can be days all out warfare, such as a. when finances have dropped to a danrously low amount and you don t know how you are going to make it b. when you ve lost your job, and there s no new employment opportunities in sight c. when you re breaking down emotionally and have lost your passion for life d. when your marria seems hopeless and that you can t go on e. when your kids have turned away or left you f. when your future looks bleak, and there is no positive outlook g. when your friend has betrayed you 5. The there are days skirmishes or hit and run type battles 6. But on those occasions we must take up your weapons and be prepared to fight III. Opportunities for introspection 3

4 A. Can you think areas in your life where you have been believing Satan s lies or where his darts or arrows have gotten through your defenses 1. What should you do 2. There are two answers: a. Seek, or b. Build B. We have to understand there are two opinions on this matter 1. One says all you need is a little bit faith and that is supplied by God a. In other words, you have all the faith that you will ever need b. For support see Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you. c. Its like the commercial says: A little dab will do you d. You don t need more faith, you need more truth 2. Others say faith is built a. They look to Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires your heart. b. Also Mark 9:17-27 c. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlard [grows exceedingly NKJ ], and the love each one you toward one another grows ever greater; 4

5 3. I side with the second view a. The mustard seed example speaks to the object the faith, not the strength the faith b. But I think that the strength our faith is important c. Why did some saints t into Hebrews 11 while others did not 4. Building faith How? a. Being faithful. (1) How faithful have you been with what God has given you or asked you to do? (2) see Luke 16:10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. (3) And Deuteronomy :2 You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (4) testing reveals what is in your heart and produces stronr faith (5) James 1:3, 12 knowing that the testing your faith produces endurance. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown life which the Lord has promised to those who 5

6 love Him. b. Knowing Him. (1) That involves spending time in His presence (2) understanding who and what He is and is about (3) 2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowled Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. c. Feeding your faith. (1) Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word Christ. (2) Faith does not come from begging or fasting or some other similar means (3) It comes from hearing and applying God s word (4) The continual practice that causes faith to grow d. Being filled with the Holy Spirit. (1) Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 ntleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (2) Remember Eph. 5:1 e. Fellowship with our Lord. (1) Matthew 1:20 For where two or three have gathered tother in My name, I am there in their midst. 6

7 IV. Conclusion A. Admiral Lord Nelson 1. He was as great a naval commander and strategist, and Napoleon was land military neral 2. In the early 100s, Nelson understood that invasion by France was the least Britain's worries - the real threat was the destruction her global commercial system. 3. When Spain decided to ally herself with France, including her navy, things became serious 4. In an attempt to destroy this alliance and the naval strength amassed against him, Admiral Nelson attacked the combined fleet France and Spain f the Cape Trafalgar 5. Following the battle Trafalgar and before his death from wounds he recievied in the battle, Nelson is reported to have sent a messa back to the British Admiralty in England, that said: victory is too weak a word to describe the scene. B. Romans :37-39 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 3 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor anls, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1. Super conquerors a. u`pernika,w hupernikao {hoop-er-nik-ah'-o} 7

8 (1) Meaning: 1) to be more than a conqueror, to gain a surpassing victory (2) Origin: from (a) u`pe,r huper {hoop-er'} Meaning: 1) in behalf, for the sake 2) over, beyond, more than 3) more, beyond, over (b) nika,w nikao {nik-ah'-o} Meaning: 1) to conquer 1a) to carry f the victory, come f victorious 1a1) Christ, victorious over all His foes 1a2) Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power their foes, and temptations and persecutions 1a3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one's cause 2. That is what God has in store for us