Shield of Faith
Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What is a Shield?
What is a Shield?
Aspis- A Small shield
Thureos- Full body shield
Most of us will never carry a literal shield. We really have no need. Most of us will not be active combat in the physical sense and really have no need for shields. In fact, even people like law enforcement officers and soldiers do not commonly use shields these days. With the advancement of things like armor for cars and vehicles, and kevlar the use of shields is mainly only part of extreme situations like riots and other large crisis events.
But in Paul’s day shields for the solider were common and part of the daily garb. But the shields that those soldiers used might be different that what we think of. Many of us might have the image of a shield like Captain America that is small and easy to maneuver. However, the shield of the Roman was likely much different that this. It was likely made of wood with leather. The shield was likely a lot bigger than many would think- in fact the Greek word for shield comes from the root word door. These shields were likely large and meant to cover almost all of a soldiers body.
The Scriptures tells us that our faith is like a shield. That all the vitals of our lives are to be protected by the shield.
But friends, the shield cannot project what you do not put behind it. This is problem that we face many times- we leave our faith at home when the battle begins. Or we do not allow our faith to be a protective force for the things that matter to us.
PICTURE 1
In Hebrews 11 there are 16 occurences of the phrase “by faith” it is the jumping off and landing point of every story in the passage. And right in the middle of the entire passage we see- without faith it is impossible to please God.
Do you carry your shield?
Flaming Arrows
Flaming Arrows
And why do we need this shield? So that we can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. I have never been shot at, but I imagine that being shot at has to be one of the most horrible feelings in the world.
But you know what would probably make it even more horrifying? If the things being shot at you are on fire. This was a common battle technique in early centuries. Armies would take their arrows, wrap them in pitch with oil, and set them on fire.
The point of that was to make the arrows even more devastating. If it just an arrow it can harm one thing and you must hit it; but the fire could do more. If the arrow hit the ground it could catch the vegetation on fire and cause panic; they could be fired at homes or crops and set villages on fire. Then as people hurried to run out of the burning building or run to put out the fire they were easier targets.
So the counter of this was to take the shields and soak them in water. The soaked shields could be used to deflect the arrow and then extinguish it.
You know, Satan is trying to destroy you- and he isn’t just firing at you; he is firing at all that is precious to you. He is firing at your family, your job, your friendships- anything that can cause chaos for you and make you an easier target.
Faith is not just what you believe, but what you do
Faith is not just what you believe, but what you do
Well, in one sense faith is a noun. In today’s passage Jesus tells us that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed. Faith in this sense is something that we possess. In this sense someone can ask us “do you have faith” and if we believe in Jesus’ power and his gospel we can say “yes!” This is the kind of faith that the father of the sick child in Mark 9 had when he cried- I believe, help my unbelief.
The idea of faith as a noun is also why we say things like passing our faith down to our kids.
But faith is not just a noun- faith at some point becomes a verb. It is not just something that you have Faith becomes something that you do.
Noah’s noun became verb when he started to nail the first piece of gopher wood.
Davids noun faith became David’s verb faith when he launched the stone at Goliah
Peter’s noun became verb when he stepped out of the boat
We still have these moments today.
Our noun faith becomes a verb when financial times as rough but we write the tithe check anyway.
When you could be doing anything else 52 Sunday’s a year and you come to church
Or this morning we will stand with 3 people who’s noun becomes verb as they come forward to be anointed.
There was also a third Roman shield- it was a ceremonial shield.
Roman Ceremonial Shield:
• for public parades and ceremonies
• small round shield
• decorative piece of equipment
• decorated with etchings, engravings, beautiful to see
• never used in battle, just too small
• offered little to no protection
• not designed for battle, but for show
You can have faith that is pretty but not protective.
Shield Wall
Shield Wall