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 GOOD Evening. We thank God…

Introduction Please repeat after me: “But that on the good ground are they - which in an honest and good heart - having heard the word - keep it - and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).

Introduction We are thankful for the men who have gone before us thus far… We are thankful for this congregation… VISITORS: you are our welcomed and honored guest.

Introduction We are humbled and excited to again be blessed to preach the Good News of Jesus and His love.

THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD - 5 (THE Shield of faith) In our last Sunday evening lesson, we looked at our feet being “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD - 5 (The Shield of faith) “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16; Romans 1:16; 10:17).

faith is our shield We should have the faith of the young man David (1 Samuel 17:22-26, 32, 37, 41-47). Loved ones, would you like to quench or extinguish every flaming dart the devil ever tries to shoot in your direction? (Ephesians 6:16).

faith is our shield “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). [by which ye shall be able]. Gk. DUNAMIA – dynamic or explosive power.

faith is our shield Paul says, “Above all else….” Faith, hope and love will continue till the end of time (1 Corinthians 13:13).

faith is our shield “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).

faith is our shield “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

faith is our shield Taking a walk-through the Book of Romans… (Rom. 5:1; 5:2; 5:3-5; 8:28; Revelation 3:12). The shield of faith is so powerful that it makes you fortified, invulnerable, and armed to the teeth!

faith is our shield The word “quench” in our text is the Greek word “sbennumi,” which means to quench by dousing or to extinguish by drowning in water.

faith is our shield How does this apply to Christians?

faith is our shield In Romans 10:17, the Bible says our faith is increased by hearing the WORD of God. In Ephesians 5:26, the WORD of God is likened to “the washing of water.”

faith is our shield When our faith becomes WORD-saturated or WORD-soaked, it becomes just like the soldier’s water-saturated shield.

faith is our shield The words fiery (Gk. puroo) darts (Gk. belos) refer to a long slender hollow arrow with its tip wrapped with fabric soaked in flammable fluids so it would burn with hot and angry flames. Upon impact, it could explode into a raging fire.

faith is our shield Spiritually, Satan’s “fiery darts” probably refer to the temptations of the great adversary, which are like fiery darts.

faith is our shield Please understand that you personally have a responsibility to soak your faith in the WORD. The Christian is running in a race (1 John 3:4).

faith is our shield "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

faith is our shield 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 3:12-15).

faith is our shield Brethren, we must run our race to win and by faith determine to resist the temptation to sin (1 Cor. 10:13; James 1:13-16).

faith is our shield Like King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, some Christians have been deceived due to a hard- heart full of pride (Daniel 5:20; Obadiah 3).

faith is our shield Do you not remember the results of the sin of Achan in the valley of Achor? (Joshua 7). Are you spending enough time in the WORD to see that your shield of faith is soaked and saturated with the water of God’s WORD?

faith is our shield We are sure you are noticing our Word-soaked lesson outlines (2 Timothy 2:15; Rom. 13:14).