Speaker: Cliff Kittle

Key Scripture (Matthew 28:19) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

While physical threats aren’t as prevalent today as they were for prehistoric man, Revelations tells us that will change. 

Today our threats are predominantly spiritual threats and those will continue to escalate as Satan has his way in this world.

Studying God’s Word in the environment of Bible study has significantly contributed to my growth in my faith.

Each of your mindsets can be changed and improved through the in-depth study of God’s Word, the promises He makes, and the blessing we can receive through that faith. Our ability to make better decisions is the result of that change.

God has given all righteous people a mission; Pastor Neil spoke to it in his sermon November 2^nd.

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

A key lesson from Matthew’s life is “Christianity” is not for people who think they’re already good. It is for people who know they’ve failed and want help.

Scripture is our set of orders. While there is no requirement to memorize them, significant familiarity with them is necessary if we are to carry out the mission we have been assigned. 

2 Tim. 3: 16,17 “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Battles will only escalate in intensity as you obey Matthew 28:18. We cannot underestimate the importance in a strong and continuously increasing strength in our faith.

Situational awareness has eluded America, in general, and, more specifically, a large percentage of those claiming to be Christians.

Genesis 18:19 God said of Abraham, “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Likewise, the Lord has chosen us, just as He did Abraham, to teach righteousness (live in conformity with the will of God) and justice (make righteous decisions based on God’s will).

Isaiah 8:16 “Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instructions among my disciples.”

Through our faith, we protect ourselves from the attacks of the enemy as well as everyone in our tribe.

That is why Paul, in Ephesians 6:16, referred to it as the Shield of Faith. He was providing a metaphor of our shield of faith to the shield used by Roman soldiers.

So much of scripture uses analogies and metaphors familiar to the audience of its time. While they may be dated, the concept is relevant in any age. Bible study provides the context.

• Metaphor - a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of

something else, especially something abstract.

• Analogy - a thing which is comparable to something else in

significant respects.

The Shield Analogy

To grow by faith, we must begin with the Truth of God's Word.

A faith that causes us to live in conformity with the will of God and make righteous decisions based on God’s will is mandatory.

Taking up the shield of faith requires commitment.

Are you prepared to commit to do what is required to accomplish the mission we have been given in Matthew 28:19?