Series
Published October 21, 2026 8:50 PM America/Chicago
michael Boyd
AUDIO
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live
Introduction
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. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (EPH 6)
Review
Christian life = battlefield, not playground
Paul’s imagery inspired by Roman armor
We’ve studied:
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of Peace
Helmet of Salvation
The Shield
Roman shield: 2.5 ft × 4 ft, layered wood, hide, iron
Used only when battle began — “take it up”
Arrows were hollow, filled with burning material
Shields were soaked in water to extinguish flame
God Is Our Shield
Genesis 15:1, After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram I am your shield, your very great reward.
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 33:20-21, We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 91:3-6. Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Faith in God's faithfulness provides protection.
You Gotta Have Faith
Hebrews 11:1 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 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Definition and necessity of faith.
Faith as trust in God's promises and character.
Three Possible Meanings of Faith
Saving Faith –
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 10:9-11 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.
The Faith - Jude 3.
Personal Trust in God - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Flaming Arrows
1 Peter 5:8 - Satan's attacks through lies, temptations, discouragement.
Steven Lawson quote on Satan's tactics.
Faith must lead our feelings, not the other way around.
Satan’s Arrows and God’s Truth
• Romans 5:8, Psalm 139:13-14, Colossians 2:13-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:38-39, Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 23:4, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 13:5-6, John 14:4.
• Use Scripture to combat lies and accusations from the enemy.
Application
James - Faith without works is dead.
Start small: read Scripture, pray, attend church.
Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing the Word.
Luke 17:6 - Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough.
Encouragement to seek help and community support.
Tortoise formation - collective strength of the church.
Conclusion
Encouragement to remember God's faithfulness.
Personal story of seminary and God's provision.
Call to action: Go all in with Jesus. Take up the shield of faith.
GRACE BAPTIST PODCAST
HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST
WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live
Introduction
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. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (EPH 6)
Review
Christian life = battlefield, not playground
Paul’s imagery inspired by Roman armor
We’ve studied:
Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of Peace
Helmet of Salvation
The Shield
Roman shield: 2.5 ft × 4 ft, layered wood, hide, iron
Used only when battle began — “take it up”
Arrows were hollow, filled with burning material
Shields were soaked in water to extinguish flame
God Is Our Shield
Genesis 15:1, After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram I am your shield, your very great reward.
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 33:20-21, We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 91:3-6. Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Faith in God's faithfulness provides protection.
You Gotta Have Faith
Hebrews 11:1 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 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Definition and necessity of faith.
Faith as trust in God's promises and character.
Three Possible Meanings of Faith
Saving Faith –
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 10:9-11 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.
The Faith - Jude 3.
Personal Trust in God - Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Flaming Arrows
1 Peter 5:8 - Satan's attacks through lies, temptations, discouragement.
Steven Lawson quote on Satan's tactics.
Faith must lead our feelings, not the other way around.
Satan’s Arrows and God’s Truth
• Romans 5:8, Psalm 139:13-14, Colossians 2:13-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:38-39, Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 23:4, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 13:5-6, John 14:4.
• Use Scripture to combat lies and accusations from the enemy.
Application
James - Faith without works is dead.
Start small: read Scripture, pray, attend church.
Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing the Word.
Luke 17:6 - Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough.
Encouragement to seek help and community support.
Tortoise formation - collective strength of the church.
Conclusion
Encouragement to remember God's faithfulness.
Personal story of seminary and God's provision.
Call to action: Go all in with Jesus. Take up the shield of faith.
GRACE BAPTIST PODCAST
HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST
WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com
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