Resilient Faith

I know that Pastor David was very sorry about being sick today, and not being able to share the message he had for us.  We are not always in control of what happens to us.

While many were out trick-or-treating and enjoying the lovely day yesterday, the daughter of a friend of mine who died on Halloween 19 years ago, wrote on her FB wall that she spent the day in the graveyard remembering her mom.

Today is All Saints Day, and we remember those who’ve gone before us, who helped to build the church with their faith & faithfulness.

Their stories of faith have been passed down and have helped to shape and deepen our own, and we need it.

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November 1, 2015
Ephesians 6:10-18, Resilient Faith
Pastor Mary Scheer, Brewster Baptist Church

https://youtube.com/watch?v=V6b0w73zN8Q%3Frel%3D0

Author Cherie Hill said, “We often find ourselves in a state of shock…when the trials of life show no mercy in breaking our hearts and stealing our peace. Our faith is shaken, as we can’t help but wonder, “Where is God?” Yet, His still small voice is loud and clear in relaying, “Where is your faith?”

Helen Keller said; “Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.”

Yet faith can be fragile.

Maybe you know someone who lost their faith after going through a long or difficult stretch.

Resilient faith is a quality of faith that’s able to see us through trouble, temptation and trials and sometimes come through stronger.

Resiliency is the ability to cope with stress and adversity and bounce back to a previous state of functioning, or using the exposure to adversity to produce a “steadying effect” and function better than expected.

The military did a study during a rising rate of suicide and had a surprising find, that the escalading suicide rate wasn’t predominantly from those who’ve gone to war.

It was because of the increased and prolonged exposure to stress.

You don’t have to be in the military or have been deployed to a war zone to know what it’s like to be at war.

For some people life feels like a battle field…and they’re constantly being engaged in conflict or fighting, at work, at school, or at home.

For some folks, the war they fight is within themselves, battling addiction, battling criticism and negativity and fear.

Maybe you know someone who’s tired of the fight,

• tired of getting up everyday to face the left over struggle from the day before,
• tired of the bully at school,
• tired of living with an abusive spouse,
• tired of facing the prejudice of hateful ignorance,
• tired of facing a temptation that’s beat them before,
• tired of facing the failures and mistakes of the past.

Struggles come from all kinds of places.  Yet we don’t often think about the spiritual side.

Paul said, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and authorities, and powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil.

And we can have faith that’s resilient and strong.

God provided some help for us in this area. Listen to the encouragement of Ephesians 6: 10-18.

Sermon SCRIPTURE:   Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

We don’t have to rely on our own strength and confidence to deal with things, strength is built in with each piece of armor.

Before going into battle, every military member goes through a deployment line to receive their specific instructions for the kind of armor and weapons they will receive in the field, each specific for the location and mission.

In a way, this is our deployment gear, it’s specific to our mission.  It helps us with the trial and battles we may face.  We put on:

• The belt of truth. (Learn the truth about the situation.)
• The breastplate of righteousness. (We are covered by the grace of God.  The righteousness of God let’s us come boldly to the throne of grace for help in our time of need.)
• The gospel of peace. (Even in times,  when panic chokes us, there is a peace that we can reach for, the kind of peace that comforts the deep places in our heart.)
• The shield of faith. (Faith that helps us to keep hoping & believing.)
• The helmet of salvation. (trusting salvation is provided by God.)
• The sword of the spirit. (which is the word of God.  Learn the word.  It can’t help us if we don’t know it.  The psalms are a good way to start)
• And pray.  (When we gather with other believers in prayer, we literally link our shields together.)

God’s armor, is not just armor that he fashioned and provided for us, this is armor he wears himself.

The pieces are are character traits of God… truth, righteousness, and salvation.

Powerful things happen when we put the armor on, we are changed, encouraged, strengthened, what seemed impossible becomes possible, comfort is obtained and battles are won.

So, to build resilient faith, it helps to understand the nature of the struggle.

Understand which armor to wear.

Lean on each other and the memory and lessons from those who have gone before us.

The armor is God’s gift to us, but it’s only effective if we wear it.  Then, we will be equipped to face life’s difficulties with courage and faith that’s strong and resilient enough to meet any need.

LET’S PRAY:

Dear Lord, this scripture shows us that there will be tough times in life, and there may be some that we’re not sure we can survive.  But whether tragedy or temptation, you don’t leave us defenseless. Thank you for armor that unleashes you power so we can stand strong.  Help us to be able to recognize the unseen elements at work trying to confuse or deceive us.  Make us wise to things that may distract our focus. Give us power to be alert and vigilant.  Help us to know what your word that we might experience the peace you made possible for us.  May we always remember that picking up our shield is as simple as trusting in you and your promises.  And, may we store up those words in our heart so they will be available for us to quote, even if only to ourselves in times of need.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

BLESSING:  Philippians 1: 27-28

“Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven, live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” In this you have peace.