BATTLE READY: Shield Of Faith - a podcast by C3 Church Southwest WA

from 2023-10-22T18:39:25

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Ephesians 6:10–18 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance...

We are instructed to put on the full armor of God.

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;

“All the flaming darts...”

  • Annoying pesky darts of irritation

  • Black eyes

  • “Take you out” missiles

The more threatening you become, the more strategic the darts.

For flaming darts to be effective:

  • Fear - beyond initial reaction, can become a posture

  • Penetratration - the ability to stick to something

  • Flammability - the ability to burn and cosume surroundings

While some have no shield at all, the quality of the shield chosen determines quality of protection.

Shields That Fail:

  • Avoidance - dodging darts will keep you running from the

    battle and away from the good things God has for you

  • Belief in God - believing in God repels evil from your life

  • Knowledge of Biblical Truth - knowing truths mean they somehow apply to you.

  • Christian Karma - previous good behavior guarantees good outcome, a form of self righteousness.

  • Shield of Self Confidence

  • Faith in my Faith - while it is important to have confidence in your ability to handle the shield of faith, your faith cannot be in your ability to handle the shield, but must be in the shield.




























The Shield of FAITH: An Active Revelation Of Him

  • Information vs. Revelation

  • A Revelation Of God: Unlocking and Expanding Truths

    • Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) Finally, be strong (strengthened) in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

      • Strength in Him

      • Strength in His power.

  • Time spent in the Word, Prayer, Presence

  • FAITH is a trust in who God is and what He says.

  • The shields of FAITH is actually God: He Is Our Shield

    • Genesis 15:1 (NIV) "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield...'"

    • Psalm 3:3 (NIV) "But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high."

    • Psalm 28:7 (NIV) "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

    • Psalm 33:20 (NIV) "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield."

    • Psalm 84:11 (NIV) "For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

    • Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

    • Psalm 18:30 (NIV) "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."




























The Shield of FAITH: An Active Declaration

  • Metaphoric shield

  • The power of declaration

    • Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV) Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

    • Balaam - Numbers 22:38 (ESV) The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.”

  • I declare God’s Word to Inform myself, my atmosphere, my circumstances, the spiritual realm, my enemy

  • 1 Samuel 17:42–47 (ESV) And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”




























The Shield of FAITH: An Active Participation In The Battle

  • 1 Samuel 17:51 (ESV) Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

  •  Stepping into dart vs. flee

  • Locking shields with others

























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