The Shield of Faith - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.

Intro: series recap, read verse

Faith in Concept

1. Faith as a shield: (1) “the door-shield” -- stretcher if killed (2) smoked from flaming arrows after battle (3) one of the pictures of the Christian life is Satan bombarding us with lies, temptations, etc. (4) the Lord has taken great care to provide a defense for us (cf. turtle without a shell) (5) don’t be naïve with regard to our need for a shield
2. Faith in the OT: (1) shield imagery throughout OT points to God as our protector (2) accepting the feeling of being vulnerable, needing protection (3) examples from the psalms (cf. 3:3-4, 5:11-12, 18:1-3, 28:7-9) (4) Abraham -- “saved” in ch.12, followed by fear, getting hosed, going to war, years of waiting on son -- 15:1 promise

Faith in Christ

1. The object of faith: (1) danger of having “faith in faith” (2) faith requires an object and a trust- based response (cf. sitting on chair) (3) Galatians 2:16 (cf. John 3:16) (4) following Christ begins when we stop placing faith in our own efforts and rather place faith in Christ to be made right with God (5) not just believing God exists
2. The effect of faith: (1) HOW faith provides protection -- 2 Peter 1:3-4 (2) first, it points us to the promises of God (3) our faith is fueled by God’s promises (cf. Isaiah 41:10) (4) scripture--
fueling up at the gas station (5) second, it connects us to the power of God (6) prayer (cf. 1 Peter 5:7) -- plugging into socket (7) both individual and corporate

Righteousness in Practice

1. Internal darts: (1) if anyone knew the real you, they would reject you (2) you’ll never be like __________ (3) you’re exactly like __________ (4) no one loves you (5) you don’t belong (6) you’re too messed up to help (7) you ruin everything (8) mine -- you’ll always come up short
2. External darts: (1) the problem you can’t solve (2) the question you can’t answer (3) the wrong that you can’t make right (4) the person you can’t change (5) the future you can’t see (6) the sin you can’t seem to forgive (7) the situation you can’t alter (8) “in all circumstances”

Conclusion: (1) “functional unbelief” -- faith not first reflex (4) misconception that following God = being spared from pain (5) mom of addict