Battle Ready | Week 6

SERIES: Battle Ready
MESSAGE: Shield of Faith
DATE: March 13, 2022

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.   – C.S. Lewis, “The Screwtape Letters”

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not  against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation 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. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
Ephesians 6:10-20

In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Ephesians 6:16

Faith – “pistis”; used 240 times in the New Testament

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

“Faith is acting like it is so, even when it is not so, in order that it might be so, simply because God said so.”  – Tony Evans 

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did.  Hebrews 11:4

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family.  Hebrews 11:7

 

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.  Hebrews 11:8

 

By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the one who had promised was faithful.  Hebrews 11:11

 

Where do you have fear, anxiousness, doubt or uncertainty?  

And what step of faith do you need to take today? 

Saving Faith

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.  Romans 10:17

Growing Faith