Acclimating to Faith: The Shield of God's Love
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of acclimation, both in the physical and spiritual sense. Just as I find myself naturally drawn to the cold and snow due to my upbringing, we too become acclimated to the spiritual environments we immerse ourselves in. This acclimation shapes our expectations, perceptions, and ultimately, our lives. As followers of Christ, we are called to acclimate ourselves to His love and forgiveness, allowing His grace to reshape our lives and identities.
We delved into the Armor of God, focusing on the shield of faith. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, reminds us that the Christian journey is fraught with spiritual battles. Faith, as our shield, is not merely a defensive tool but a proactive force that allows us to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. It is through faith that we are protected from despair, given purpose, and shielded from the temptations that seek to pull us away from God.
Faith is central to our walk with Christ, described in Hebrews as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is a gift from God, cultivated through hearing His word and experiencing His presence in our lives. This faith empowers us to endure trials, knowing that God is faithful to His promises. It shields us from the fiery darts of doubt and fear, enabling us to live boldly and purposefully in a world that often opposes our beliefs.
As we navigate the challenges of life, we are encouraged to take up the shield of faith, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow believers, advancing together in the spiritual battle. This faith not only protects us but also propels us forward, allowing us to live out our calling with courage and conviction. In doing so, we reflect the love and power of Jesus to a world in need of hope and redemption.
Key Takeaways:
- Acclimation to Christ's Love: Just as we become accustomed to physical environments, we are spiritually shaped by what we immerse ourselves in. By acclimating to Christ's love and forgiveness, our lives are transformed, and we begin to see ourselves as new creations in Him. [07:22]
- The Shield of Faith: Faith acts as a shield, protecting us from despair and temptation. It is not just a defensive tool but a proactive force that allows us to stand firm against spiritual attacks, reminding us of God's promises and our eternal purpose. [32:43]
- Faith as Assurance and Conviction: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is cultivated through hearing God's word and experiencing His presence, empowering us to endure trials and live boldly in a world that often opposes our beliefs. [34:19]
- Endurance Through Faith: Our ability to endure life's challenges is fueled by faith. It assures us of God's faithfulness and His promises, enabling us to face trials with confidence and hope, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. [47:31]
- Living Out Our Purpose: Faith gives us an eternal purpose, guiding us to live out our calling with courage and conviction. By taking up the shield of faith, we reflect the love and power of Jesus to a world in need of hope and redemption. [51:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:09] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
- [06:17] - Embracing Winter and Spiritual Acclimation
- [07:22] - What Are You Acclimated To?
- [08:13] - Acclimating to Christ's Love
- [09:26] - Prayer and Greeting
- [25:05] - The Armor of God: Ephesians 6
- [28:16] - The Reality of Spiritual Battles
- [32:43] - The Shield of Faith
- [34:19] - Understanding Faith
- [36:32] - Faith Comes by Hearing
- [37:26] - The Importance of Community
- [38:46] - Faith and God's Power
- [40:38] - Faith Shields from Despair
- [43:02] - Overcoming the World Through Faith
- [45:04] - Faith in the Midst of Struggles
- [47:31] - Endurance Through Faith
- [50:31] - Faith in Community
- [51:48] - Faith and Purpose
- [54:26] - Call to Battle with Faith
- [55:11] - Offering and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-20
- Hebrews 11:1
- Romans 10:17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 6:10-20, what are the different pieces of the Armor of God, and what is their purpose in the life of a believer?
2. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith, and what does this definition imply about the nature of faith in our daily lives?
3. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the shield of faith as a proactive force. How does this concept differ from a purely defensive understanding of faith? [32:43]
4. What role does hearing the word of Christ play in the development of faith according to Romans 10:17?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of acclimation to Christ's love and forgiveness transform a believer's identity and daily life? [08:13]
2. In what ways does the shield of faith protect believers from the "fiery darts" of doubt and fear, as mentioned in the sermon? [40:38]
3. How does the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen, as described in Hebrews 11:1, empower believers to endure trials?
4. What does it mean to live boldly and purposefully in a world that often opposes Christian beliefs, as discussed in the sermon? [43:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual environment. What are you acclimated to, and how does it shape your expectations and perceptions? [07:22]
2. How can you actively take up the shield of faith in your daily life to stand firm against spiritual attacks? What practical steps can you take this week? [32:43]
3. Consider a recent challenge or trial you faced. How did your faith influence your response, and what might you do differently next time to rely more on your faith?
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with doubt or fear. How can you use the assurance and conviction of faith to address these struggles? [34:19]
5. Think of a fellow believer who might be struggling in their faith. How can you stand shoulder to shoulder with them, offering support and encouragement in their spiritual battle? [51:48]
6. What is one way you can reflect the love and power of Jesus to someone in need of hope and redemption this week? [51:48]
7. How can you cultivate a habit of hearing God's word regularly to strengthen your faith, as suggested by Romans 10:17? What changes might you need to make in your routine?
Devotional
Day 1: Acclimating to Christ's Transformative Love
As we immerse ourselves in different environments, we naturally acclimate to them, shaping our perceptions and expectations. Spiritually, this means that by immersing ourselves in Christ's love and forgiveness, we allow His grace to transform our lives and identities. This transformation is not passive; it requires intentional engagement with His teachings and a willingness to see ourselves as new creations in Him. By acclimating to His love, we begin to reflect His character and live out our faith in tangible ways. [07:22]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to immerse yourself more deeply in Christ's love and allow it to transform your identity?
Day 2: The Proactive Power of Faith
Faith is not merely a defensive tool but a proactive force that empowers us to stand firm against spiritual attacks. The Apostle Paul describes faith as a shield that protects us from despair and temptation, reminding us of God's promises and our eternal purpose. This shield of faith is essential in our spiritual battles, enabling us to resist the schemes of the devil and live with confidence in God's faithfulness. By actively wielding this shield, we can navigate life's challenges with courage and conviction. [32:43]
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge or temptation in your life. How can you actively use your faith as a shield to stand firm against it today?
Day 3: Faith as Assurance and Conviction
Faith is described in Hebrews as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. It is cultivated through hearing God's word and experiencing His presence in our lives. This faith empowers us to endure trials, knowing that God is faithful to His promises. It shields us from the fiery darts of doubt and fear, enabling us to live boldly and purposefully in a world that often opposes our beliefs. By nurturing this faith, we can remain steadfast in our spiritual journey. [34:19]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation." (Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does this promise give you assurance and conviction in your current circumstances?
Day 4: Endurance Through Faith
Our ability to endure life's challenges is fueled by faith, which assures us of God's faithfulness and His promises. This faith enables us to face trials with confidence and hope, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. As we navigate the difficulties of life, we are encouraged to take up the shield of faith, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow believers, advancing together in the spiritual battle. This collective faith not only protects us but also propels us forward in our spiritual journey. [47:31]
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did your faith help you endure, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness through it?
Day 5: Living Out Our Purpose with Faith
Faith gives us an eternal purpose, guiding us to live out our calling with courage and conviction. By taking up the shield of faith, we reflect the love and power of Jesus to a world in need of hope and redemption. This faith not only protects us but also propels us forward, allowing us to live out our calling with courage and conviction. In doing so, we become beacons of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's love to those around us. [51:48]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live out your God-given purpose and reflect Christ's love to those around you?
Quotes
Because when we live our life in Christ, when we seek Him and Him alone, when we know His goodness and His grace, our life gets reshaped, amen? And we start to see ourself as worthy, so glad you've come. Whether you're joining us online or in person, welcome home. [00:07:48] (34 seconds)
And I pray today that you just get acclimated. Acclimated to the love of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that's ours in Him. Let's pray. Father, we're thankful. We're thankful that You meet us where we're at. And that in You, the old is gone and the new has come. [00:08:22] (25 seconds)
We are in our series, The Armor of God, and we are going to read again Ephesians 6, 10 through 20. If you want to go there, we're just going to keep hitting that, going back to that each Sunday, and we'll be talking about the next piece of armor. [00:25:05] (16 seconds)
In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. [00:27:56] (14 seconds)
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the convictions of things not seen. So, for instance, in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 3, just two verses after faith is defined, Paul writes to the church, to the Hebrews, he says, By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God. [00:35:21] (18 seconds)
Faith protects you from despair, thinking that you are alone or unloved or unworthy, that God is, it reminds us that God is with us. As Scripture says, He never slumbers nor sleeps. It reminds us, faith reminds us that God adores you, for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. [00:40:57] (20 seconds)
Faith shields us from defeat. Maybe you've been walking, feeling kind of crushed or defeated. But it's faith in Jesus that will shield us from this. In 1 John, chapter 5, verses 4 and 5, 1 John 5, 4 and 5, it says, for everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. [00:42:40] (22 seconds)
Faith praises God even though the struggles are real and the battle is there. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. That's what Scripture tells us. So I invite you to take up the shield of faith and along with us praise the Lord for His mighty works, His goodness, His provision, His power, and His presence. [00:52:28] (14 seconds)
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