Ephesians 6:10-18 New International Version
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:16 New International Version
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
The Roman shield – scutum
Flaming arrows struck fear in the hearts of soldiers
Faith over Fear
Matthew 8:26 New Living Translation
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
Jesus seems to communicate the opposite of faith is fear, not doubt. Faith is not an intellectual assent whose opposite is doubt. Rather, faith is a reliance whose opposite is fear. – Josh Zarger
Hebrews 11:1-40 New Living Translation
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
2 Corinthians 5:7 New International Version
For we live by faith, not by sight.
To live by faith is to live more fully aware of God’s presence and power than our tangible surroundings (we don’t wrestle with flesh and blood…)
“Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the senses is not real faith” – AW Tozer
Faith must be in God, not in a result
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 New International Version
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Faith is the protective barrier between us and the attacks of Satan
Faith is not passive
Faith is a muscle that must be exercised…and exercise involves pain
Faith is a choice
The example of George Mueller…and Sue McKay
1 John 5:3-4 New Living Translation
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
Kerri Strug knew the voice of her coach and trusted his wisdom
Hebrews 12:1-2 New International Version
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sermon Based Questions
- What was encouraging, difficult, or confusing about the talk on Sunday?
- How much faith do you have that whoever wins the election will accomplish what they are campaigning on?
- During the pandemic, did you lean more toward faith or fear? Why?
- What did you think of the idea that faith must be in the person of God, not in a particular result?
- What are the flaming arrows that Satan fires at you, that strike fear in you, that paralyze you, or separate you from other Christians?
- What do you need to do in this season to take up the shield of faith?