This sermon was preached at Union Croft Chapel on Sunday, 6th August 2023.
Sermon Bible Texts
Definition: Faith.
“Faith is both a decisive act and a sustained attitude. It begins as an act, by which we abandon reliance on ourselves to merit salvation, have a firm conviction as to the truth of God’s promises of mercy in Jesus Christ, and depend sincerely upon them. After this, faith becomes a habit of our life.” (Derek Prime)
Main Text: “In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” (Eph 6:16).
The enemy with whom the Christian and the Church is at War (Text 1&2)
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy; because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” (Eph 2
“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.” (Eph 6:11-12)
The Christian life summed in 4 simple words (Text 3)
“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)
What God can’t do (Text 4)
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word3 through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;” (Titus 1:1-3)
Verses describing God and his protection as a Sheild
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (Gen 15:1)
“Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty!” (Deut 33:29).
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2, see also v30, v35)
Conclusion: “So what is the shield of faith? It’s believing and trusting in God’s promises, and it depends upon God/looking to God by faith to protect us from the attacks of the enemy. To trust in God and believe in his Word is to raise our shields to extinguish the devil’s arrows.”
Additional Text
Psalm 35: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”
Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”