Don't Yield Take Up Your Shield

May 27, 2018 Speaker: Tara Detiveaux Series: Suit Up

Topic: Faith Scripture: Ephesians 6:10– :16

Don’t Yield, Take Up that Shield

Ephesians 6:10-16

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In ALL circumstances TAKE UP the shield of faith, with which you can EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS of the evil one;

Paul puts more emphasis on this piece of armor (besides prayer) than any other.  He adds things before the “shield of faith” and after the statement the “shield of faith.” 

With the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace, it is explained as a uniform that should be worn by believers at all times. Minute by minute.  Day by day.  But he approaches this piece of equipment differently. 

The shield of faith is something that is to be taken up.

A nurse could be in scrubs, nurse’s shoes, have her uniform on but is required to “take up” their stethoscope in order to perform her job most correctly.  A welder could have on their steel toe boots, starched welding shirts, and his helmet on, but he still must take up his welding torch to get anything done.  So is true with a soldier, he could have on his uniform but has to take up the shield!

The shield of faith is something that is to be taken up.

The shield of faith, there were two during the time frame Paul was writing about, but the one that the apostle Paul is describing is not a small round one – about the size of a small trash can, he was referencing a larger shield that was typically two feet wide and four feet long, shaped almost like a door, consisting of planks of wood fused together. Historians say these shields were so large that they were capable of covering the whole body of a soldier when he was crouched down.  Sometimes they would connect them together and move forward.  At times if a flaming dart would come in they could quickly extinguish them.

https://sep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-87491460501412/roman-legionary-shield-3.gif

So, we understand the shield, we understand that we are to take it up, but what is FAITH?

Faith is one of the most overused and yet underutilized expressions in Christian circles. 

Definition of Faith – Acting like God is telling the truth.

Faith is acting like it is so, even when it is not so, so that it might be so, simply because God said so.

Talking about Faith is NOT THE SAME as having faith!! Faith is an Action!!

Here are two disclaimers about faith.

  1. First faith does not control God.  It doesn’t make God do something.

A better understanding of what happens when we exhibit faith is that it gives us access to what God has already intended to do for us.  Paul made this point in Ephesians 2, for example, in talking about the role of faith in our salvation.  God is the One who graciously made salvation available to us; faith is simply what allows us to gain access to it.  Our faith doesn’t manufacture our salvation.  Salvation is a gift, but faith allow us to receive that gift by grace.

  1. Secondly, what we mean by “having faith” actually says far less about us and a whole lot more about God.

Faith does not focus on the quality or quantity of human belief. It focuses on how trustworthy, true, and loyal the object of that belief has proven Himself to be.

(Ex. Of us purchasing our dream house and picking out a designer and paying him a check)

If you are struggling to move forward in obedience to God, you do not need bigger faith.  You just need to realize how big your God is. The more faithful and strong you believe Him to be, the more willing you are to depend on Him. 

Your level of faith will always be tied to your perception of God. 

If your perception of Him is faulty, your faith will be faulty.  If your perception of Him is on point, your faith will be too.  You don’t need more faith; you need a more comprehensive and accurate view of the faithfulness of your God.

Jesus tells a story of a mustard seed and that we have faith the size of it we could move mountains into the sea, he is not saying at all that is the size of our faith, he is saying it is in who he is.  Your perception of who he is.  How willing you are to believe that He who he says he is.

So, taking up our shield simply becomes becoming confident of who he is and ACTING ON IT!

And how do you get more confident of who He is and how He has acted in the lives of believers..

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17

God doesn’t change.  Our faith changes as we begin to hear and act on the word of God. 

Simon Peter is fishing, he has caught nothing, Jesus the “word of Christ” tells him to fish on the other side of the boat.  THAT MAKES NO SENSE.  IN THE FISHING WORLD THAT MAKES NO SENSE.  But Peter has been around to know who Jesus is, hearing his words and steps out in faith!!

Do what God has asked you to do, no matter how risky or intimidating the circumstances.

It’s a commitment to quickly engage this piece of armor. 

It is translating your beliefs to active faith acting on the promises and directive of God, not just talking about them.  While faith often requires risk, it also incorporates wisdom.  A wise person will seek sound direction, clarity, and confirmation before moving forward so that you are not making impulsive or even foolish decisions. 

Our action or inaction is the test!!  Faith without works is dead.

Don’t tell me you are full of faith and have no action to prove it.

I’m just believing God for my family, but you don’t show up to pray through the night.

I’m believing that God will move in my finances, but you are not tithing which is an action. 

I know that you are called to be active at Hope Community, but don’t go to anything.

I want to affect the nations, but you are not telling anyone here. 

God has told you to talk to someone, but you have yet to open your mouth.

You want to start that new thing, but you are controlled by fear, laziness, complacent.

Faith requires you to move forward despite what you feel!!!

What are you willing to do in obedience to God?

When you are willing to take up your shield with the rest of your armor in place…

the God whom you serve says…

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Deut 7:9)

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  (Psalms 118:6)

And that our faith would move us

That our faith would activate us

That by taking up our shield of faith

We would EXTINGUISH every dart fired at us by the enemy.

There is nothing more exciting than living by faith.

There are no greater stories to tell than living by faith.

Don’t yield…take up that SHIELD!!

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