Today's sermon was entitled "The Boots and the Shield." The notes follow:
Take care of your feet.
15 "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:15-16
Have your boots in good condition.
"fitted with the readiness"
Preparation/readiness = "Hetomasia" which means foundation, to stand firm. Without the peace of God, who are we?
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1
Peace knowing God loves us. Most important element of our faith -- connection with God through Jesus.
"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful are the feet of the messenger. Can't carry the message if we don't have peace with God.
"Shield of Faith"
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16
The shield is not attached to you. You have to pick it up daily.
The square in the middle had a handle in the back where the soldier held onto the shield. The soldier could push it and punch with it like a weapon. We can do the same thing with our faith!
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1-2
Cover yourself with the shield of faith. You have no idea where from or what is coming to attack you. Trust in your shield of faith to keep you covered.
Our faith must be taken care of before the battle. Faith will be beaten on. We an built it up now. We can strengthen it. Nothing can take the place of the shield. Guard, protects, deflects. First defense against Satan. Without a strong faith we are just walking wounded people, totally ineffective for Christ. We never know when or where an attack will come. Satan will use anything, all the common everyday things to beat us down.
The shield covers the holes in the armor.
Jesus used His faith and the Sword of the Spirit.
8 "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” Matthew 4:8-10
It is written!
Know the Word.
If we choose not to strengthen our faith, that's our choice and our weakness is on us.
"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?" James 2:20
"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4