Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 20, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD: THE SHIELD OF FAITH
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Text: Ephesians 6:16
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Introduction: I’ve emphasized all year the theme, “Prepare for War in 2004.” I personally believe that we have made the devil angry, and the Lord is allowing us to be tried, in order to purify us and silence the devil’s accusations.
Satan is pursuing you!
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
However, I have good news:
1 John 4:4b … greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
You and I do NOT have to lose the battle to the devil! I know it can be discouraging to see another Christian fall. It reminds me of the song, “Hold the Fort,” which contains the words: “mighty men around us falling, courage almost gone.”
However, YOU do not have to fall. It’s up to you. God has provided the power for you to succeed.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
God has provided the armor you need, described in the scripture reading for this message.
Perhaps the most IMPORTANT part of the armor is the shield of faith. I say that because of the words of our text, “Above all.”
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
If you neglect any part of God’s armor, don’t neglect this one. Above ALL, take the shield of faith.
God uses faith to save a sinner, and God uses faith to shield a saint.
Probably no person in the Bible was attacked more by Satan than was Job, yet Job came out on top. He went through TREMENDOUS trials, to the point of losing almost everything for a time, but God blessed him twofold more at the end than at the beginning. I may refer to Job and scriptures from the book named after him as examples of faith quenching the fiery darts
of the wicked.
This morning’s message is about the pieces of the armor God has given you, and specifically
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
God gave you the shield of faith that you may be able to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
What are these darts? How does faith quench them? I think we will see that when Satan hurls a dart, you just need to TRUST GOD.
Satan uses division, deception, disappointment, discouragement, delay, and other things against the Christian, but his MAIN weapon is DOUBT. That is, if he can divert you away from the truths of the word of God, he’s won. You need to put up the shield of FAITH and BELIEVE GOD’S WORD!
I. WHEN SATAN HURLS A DART OF PERIL, TRUST GOD FOR PROTECTION
Satan says, “I’m going to destroy you!” Trust in God’s protection!
Psalms 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Psalms 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
A. He saved you from HELL
B. He can save you from HARM!
II. WHEN SATAN HURLS A DART OF PRESUMPTUOUS FRIENDS TRUST GOD FOR HIS PRESENCE
Job 16:2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
Psalms 142:4-5 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
A. Friends may find FAULT, but God is FORGIVING
B. Friends may FORSAKE you, but GOD is always FAITHFUL
1. There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother!
III. WHEN SATAN HURLS A DART OF PROBLEMS, TRUST GOD FOR PEACE
Job 3:25-26 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
A. Recognize that problems are a part of life
B. Rely on God that problems need not stop you
IV. WHEN SATAN HURLS A DART OF PAIN, TRUST GOD FOR HIS PLAN AND POWER
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
A. Trust God for purification
B. Trust God for power to do His will
V. WHEN SATAN HURLS A DART OF POVERTY, TRUST GOD FOR PROVISION
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
A. Trust Him with gratitude for provision in the past
B. Trust Him with gladness for provision in the future
Job 13:15a Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him …
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |