“Graduate”

Graduate  

Pastor Tony Salerno 

May 21, 2015

 

Ephesians 6:16 Above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

In context the Apostle Paul is talking about spiritual warfare 

Above all = stresses the importance of faith in the life of the believer 

3.  Shield of faith = a large four cornered shield big enough to cover the whole man 

4. Fiery Darts = methods of the enemy 

5. Wicked one  

The Fiery Darts of the Enemy

 The battle field is the human mind

Temptations come in the form of thoughts wicked thoughts that are allowed to remain become sin 

A Fiery dart is a deception that causes doubt

 Doubt He exists 

 Doubt Salvation 

 Doubt His power to heal provide and protect

 Doubt the validity of His word

1. Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food

2. Graduate from self pity to humility

3. Graduate from a sense of entitlement and a poverty mentality and give

4. Graduate from doubt to faith 

1. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the SUBSTANCE/ASSURANCE of things hoped for the EVIDENCE of things not seen 

1. Now faith IS = a present and continuing reality a way of life

2. The substance =  FOUNDATION of the Christian life

3. Assurance = It is the firm grasp of faith on unseen fact

1. I have not seen God yet I know he exists

1. Hope = looking forward with optimistic expectation  

2. Evidence = Faith is the process by which we test the unseen it is like spiritual sight

1. The Process of faith

1. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from HEARING and hearing by the word of Christ

2. Hearing that results in obedience produces faith

3. Faith Starts small and then it grows over a period of time

4. It is a process that starts by experiencing God and walking with God 

5. Taking steps of faith involves overcoming personal fear of the unknown

6. Experiencing God leads to trusting God, trusting God leads to a growing faith

7. Faith does not grow out of comfort it grows from hard work struggle and hardship

8. Faith thrives in a positive atmosphere or a positive person

1. Faith keeps perspective  

1. Personally there will be mountain tops and there will be valleys 

2. In ministry there will be seasons of joy and seasons of pain

3. Faith does not deny reality you cannot manipulate God 

4. Through it all God is faithful

1. People of faith fulfill their destiny 

2. Matthew 17:20 I say to you if you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain Move from here to there and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you

3.  Faith makes huge issues seem small doubt make small issues seem huge