The Shield of Faith Pastor Marc Cargill 8/29/21
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
Understanding Faith
1. Faith Is – trust, confidence, what you believe, firm persuasion, firm conviction, assurance
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
2. Kinds of faith:
• Saving faith – the faith given by God to every person to believe in Jesus for salvation.
• Living faith – the faith given by God to every person to live by faith in this life.
3. The Impact of Faith
Matthew 9:27-30a (NKJV) “When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
28. And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
29. Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened.”
The Shield
1. The shield was layered
2. The shield was encompassing
3. The shield was sufficient
Using The Shield of Faith
1. The Clasp of Faith – taking up the shield; my firm grip on faith.
“take up the shield of faith…”
2. The Conviction of Faith – the unshakeable trust and firm persuasion of my faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith”
3. The Confession of Faith – aligning my words with faith
2 Corinthians 4:13 (NIV) “It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak”
4. The Community of Faith – interlocking my faith in partnership with other faith-filled people
Romans 15:30 (NKJV) “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me”
• “Strive together with me” = contend along with, fight together, assist in battle