Cornerstone Church With Dustin Bates

What I'm Most Thankful For

Thankfulness changes as you age…

• Stuff
• Relationships
• Health

KEY QUESTION:

Why is Thankfulness/Gratitude so important?

• Not your easy Sunday school answer
• Why do we teach it to our kids?

Because…

Being thankful is POWERFUL
It is well-documented that GRATITUDE and ANXIETY cannot exist in our brains at the same time
It also…

• Releases Toxic emotions
• Reduces physical pain
• Improves sleep quality
• Regulates stress
• Reduces depression

This shouldn’t surprise us…

Psalm 92:1–4

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, 2 to declare your faithful love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, 3 with a ten-stringed harp and the music of a lyre. 4 For you have made me rejoice, LORD, by what you have done; I will shout for joy because of the works of your hands.

 

True thankfulness is pointed at God
A study at Pepperdine University found…

First, those with religious gratitude reported markedly higher levels of nonreligious gratitude.

More centrally, however, religious beliefs may provide unique opportunities to experience gratitude. While interpersonal gratitude (i.e., gratitude to another human being) can occur in the absence of religion, gratitude towards God can, by definition, only occur in the context of religion or spirituality. Further, even positive happenstance (e.g., finding money on the street) or the simple recognition of blessings in one’s life (e.g., the capacity to walk) may be catalysts for gratitude towards God, though such events are less likely to facilitate interpersonal gratitude. Religion may thus uniquely facilitate the emotion gratitude through the perception of a larger set of agents, and the broadening of circumstances in which gratitude can occur.

It was further observed that the religious gratitude group fared better on measures of happiness, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and mental health than those with secular gratitude. All differences between groups were moderate to large in magnitude…
God created us with the CAPACITY and the NEED to be thankful

• It finds its fullness in Him

DEFINITIONS

Gratitude + Thankfulness

It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do. ~ Pastor Timothy Keller

 

Title of this message is…

“What I’m MOST Thankful For”
The challenge for us is to think DEEPER about thankfulness

• How it should SHAPE OUR LIVES

1: I’m Thankful for the GIFT of Thankfulness

Let’s look at a quick story…

Genesis 4

Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? 7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
Unthankfulness is a DOORWAY for the Enemy to come in and take advantage in your life
The opposite of thankfulness isn’t just “Ingratitude” or “Unthankfulness”…

• Bitterness
• Jealousy
• Hatred/spite

This is why Paul teaches Christians…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I’m thankful for the GIFT of thankfulness because it reminds me of God’s GOODNESS and MERCY as well as keeps me from the SIN of INGRATITUDE and SELFISHNESS

 

2: I’m Thankful for the DISCIPLINE of Thankfulness

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The Bible taught the benefits of thankfulness LONG before philosophers or psychiatrists
Paul says… “BUT IN EVERYTHING”

• Relationships
• Tasks
• Job
• Health

Being grateful doesn’t mean you pretend that everything is good

• We’re grateful DESPITE everything being good

“BUT IN EVERYTHING…”

• This is DISCIPLINE
• Training our hearts and minds to healthy habits

This is how we pray

• Don’t start with “GIMME!”
• Start with “THANK YOU”

3: I’m Thankful for the MATURITY of Thankfulness

Philippians 4

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

What we are thankful for shows our MATURITY in the LORD

• What a child is thankful for vs an older Saint

Maturity is realizing that thankfulness is not dependent on a SEASON or CIRCUMSTANCE
Maturity is also knowing that…

Thankfulness is a WEAPON in our battle for SIN and for the SOULS OF OTHERS
2 Corinthians 2:14-15

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Fighting For A Lost Cause

Thriving In Babylon | Thriving Nations

Last Week – Living in the tension
We do that by understanding the NATURE of politics in this world…

Politics are downstream of philosophy (how we think) and morality (what we do)

Sum up of Daniel’s story

Chapter 1: Captivity

• Introduced to Daniel and his friends
• Captives take from their home by invading Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar
• Given new identities – Names of new pagan Gods
• Educated in the ways of Babylon but remain faithful
• God rewards them…

Daniel 1

17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.

Chapter 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

• Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream
• He orders all his “wise men” to interpret, but they cannot
• Decrees…

 

Daniel 2

5 …“My word is final: If you don’t tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump.
Daniel gathers his friends to pray for God to give them wisdom and direction

• God answers by giving Daniel both the DETAILS of the dream and the INTERPRETATION
• Daniel Goes before Nebuchadnezzar…

Daniel 2

26 The king said in reply to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me the dream I had and its interpretation?”

27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, medium, magician, or diviner is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days.
Daniel give the correct interpretation

Daniel 2

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell facedown, worshiped Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

Chapter 3: Fiery furnace

But How quickly kings forget…

Sometime in the future…

• Nebuchadnezzar builds a gold statue of himself for people to worship
• Makes a decree that all must worship it at a specific sound, and those who do not will be killed
• Some wise men plot against the Jews and tell the king of their rejection of worship
• Nebuchadnezzar confronts them…

 

Daniel 3

15 Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire—and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Chapters 4-5: King’s judgment

Story of what happens to those who worship power and authority

• Turns them into beasts
• Nebuchadnezzar turns into one

Chapter 6: Lions Den

New King

• Daniel was put into one of the highest seats of authority
• Causes jealousy in his peers
• They trick the new king

Daniel 6

10 Daniel went into his house when he learned that the document had been signed. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
We know the rest of the story

• Daniel doesn’t get eaten
• The king turns to the Lord

The book of Daniel ultimately teaches us a PATTERN and a PROMISE

Pattern:

Worldly people and kingdoms become BEASTS when they don’t acknowledge God’s rule and Kingdom

 

Promise:

God will one day DEFEAT the beasts and rescue His world

• This is the tension…

We should be asking this question…

HOW could Daniel live in this TENSION?
Find that answer here…

Daniel 9

2 In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy. 3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
This is what Daniel was reading…

Jeremiah 29:1

1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. 3 …The letter stated:

4 This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. 7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

12 You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”…

How do Christians help the nations to thrive?

1: Christians help nations thrive by understanding Authority

1st, Christians understand that ALL authority begins with God

 

John 19

10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” 11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above.

 

2nd, Christians understand that God has given rulers/governments authority

 

Romans 13

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

 

We understand that God uses both the righteous and the wicked for his purposes

 

BIBLICAL DISOBEDIENCE

• We follow God’s authority over ANY OTHER AUTHORITY
• Even at a great cost

 

3rd, Christians understand that authority should be used to help nations flourish but should never be worshiped

• Daniel did not run from authority
• But he did not trade his character to keep it

When the city we are in thrives, we will thrive

• We pursue human flourishing ANYWHERE, and ANY TIME we are

There is always a risk that those who are given authority will bend to worshiping it

• we are not those people

2: Christians help nations thrive by being a prophetic voice

Prophetic: Speaking the revelation God’s truth, word, and way
Daniel spoke the truth to EVERY KING IN POWER

• Even at the cost of his life

We speak truth to ALL those in charge and remind them WHO they will be accountable to

• God’s kingdom over political affiliation

We do not cozy up to those in authority, but ALWAYS SPEAK TRUTH TO THEM

• We are bound to God’s truth

This is the LIGHT IN THE DARK

• Salt of the earth

Thriving In Babylon | Living In Tension

We are looking down onto our current moment from a Biblical perspective

If you are already offended, this conversation is not for you

 

Two-week series called:

THRIVING IN BABYLON
What is Babylon?

Historical city of beauty, power, and evil

• God used the city as judgment on the People of Israel
• Destroyed Jerusalem and carried off much of its people
• Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Babylon became a SYMBOL

Babylon is used as a symbol to represent the center of human society that is hostile to God

• Babylon symbolizes Rome in 1 Peter 5:13 and Revelation, referring to the church in Rome as “she who is at Babylon.” Like ancient Babylon, Rome was immoral and idolatrous, oppressing Judean exiles and persecuting Christians.

Like Daniel and many others, we are called to live in the tension between God’s Kingdom and worldly kingdoms.

More on Daniel next week

 

How do we do that?

By Living in the tension…
Living in Tension

Rubber Band
Tension Point #1:

Regardless of who is elected, Jesus is still in charge

Matthew 28:18

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This means:

We care about nations and their people, but never forget where our future lies…
Philippians 3:20

20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We keep our eyes on the CORRECT THINGS in mind

The is only ONE messiah
We can take a lesson from Joshua

Joshua 1

7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.

• Not our opinions of emotions that direct us, but God’s instruction

 

Let’s talk about an important question…
Should Christians care/be involved in our government?

• The answer is YES, but why…

Tension Point #2

Christians should care about government and politics because they affect Human Flourishing

 

Leadership Matters…

• Poor leadership leads to poor outcomes

 

This is part of the TENSION

Many of us may have differing views on WHO or WHAT makes a good leader…

 

Let’s talk about HOW WE GOT HERE…
Culture is downstream of cult

Cult – The overall belief and actions of the whole
To say it another way…

Politics are downstream of philosophy (how we think) and morality (what we do)
The Culture determines the politics

• If the culture moves in one direction and politics in another direction, Culture will OVERWHELM the politics

 

Our current political environment is a product of the last 30-50 years of moral and philosophical changes in our culture
So here are some critical questions?

1: How do Christian believers need to influence our current culture to honor God more in the 20 years that it does now?

2: Who’s policies will slow or increase our society’s decay?

 

Christians have been the best source of THRIVING (human flourishing) over the last 2000 years

• Not perfect, but the best thing for society

 

>What are some examples of HISTORIC Christian Values and Morality?
Christians believe that the family unit is an essential part of God’s plan for human flourishing

 

Matthew 19

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, 5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
What are policies that affect the family?

• Divorce policies (no-fault divorce)
• Redefinition of marriage
• Incentives that keep families intact

Who benefits from healthy families?

• Children
• Women
• Orphans
• The church

Another historic Christian value is…

Christians believe that ALL human life reflects God’s image in creation
Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.
James 3:9

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.
This has led to…

• End of slavery in the west
• Medical care (nurses)
• Social programs
• Women’s rights
• etc…

It also led to our country’s founders writing…

Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

• Have not lived up to that standard, but it is still unique to our country
• The value is the ideal, regardless of how well or poorly it has been followed

In any country that they live, Christians should be about trying to make a “RIGHT” society

• A society that does right both before God and for its people

>>A right society protects the most vulnerable

• Poor
• Broken
• Orphans
• Widows
• Unborn

>>A right society teaches and promotes the responsibility of the individual for the collective

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

• Why we do the things we do matters…

>>A right Society instructs and enforces righteous morality

 

Don’t get gaslighted by saying like:

“Don’t try to legislate your morality!”

• All legislation IS MORALITY
• It’s WHO”S MORALITY

The Morality a Government endorses has consequences

Good – The FLOURISHING of people and society (especially women and children)

Bad – Crime, instability, destruction (especially women and children)
All morality is imposed through Violence

• The thief imposes violence on the victim
• The state imposes violence on the thief
• There is righteous violence and unrighteous violence

 

What is the Role of Government

• Maintaining law and order
• Protecting rights
• Promoting social justice
• Law-making and policy implementation

Romans 13

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason.

 

Why should we care about politics as Christians?
Matthew 5:13-14

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.
It is a significant way to love our neighbor

We care about government and politics because they affect Human Flourishing

Politics matters because policy matters because people matter. ~ Allie B Stuckey

 

The problem isn’t that the church has gotten more “political” but that the government has gotten more Philosophical

 

Things to think pray through the country votes:
1. Our identity in Christ determines our view of politics. Politics do not determine our identity. ~ Derwin Gray

• Most Christians in history have never heard “Democrat” or “Republican”

2: A vote is NOT a valentine ~ Josh Howerton

• You are voting for POLICIES, not just the person

3: You are called to love your neighbor/enemy on Wednesday the same as you are today
Romans 14

For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Fight For Your Life | A Plan For Battle

Week 1…

Know that you are in a spiritual battle

Week 2…

Walk in the light because the dark creates monsters

Week 3…

Wear the “uniform/armor” of the Christ Believer

Week 4:

Pray to know God and advance His kingdom

 

Ephesians 6:10-18

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

 

How do we stand? How do we fight for our life?

With a plan for Battle!

• How do you stand when things aren’t going well/your way?
• When life is unusually difficult

 

A plan for battle…

Step 1: Recognizing the season you’re in

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Your season dictates your capacity

Recognize your season so you can fight the enemy properly
Some seasons are inward

• Distraction
• Weakness
• Fear
• Weariness
• Unbelief
• Denial
• Frustration
• Grief/hurt

Some seasons are Outward

• Season of life
• Work time/stress
• Kids
• Physical issues

 

Your season can make it seem like you are drowning

• Your enemy will use this to his advantage

 

A plan for battle…

Step 2: Address Continual Sin

Sin Separates

• People from God
• People from People
• People from the Spirit’s power in their life

James 1:14-15

14 Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you. ~ John Owen (1600’s)

• Don’t be convinced that your sin is “neutral”

**SOME Examples of Sneaky Sin**

• What we think
• What we see
• How we respond

John Owen’s “The Mortification of Sin”

1. Diagnose sin’s severity
2. Grasp sin’s serious consequences
3. Be convinced of your guilt
4. Earnestly desire deliverance
5. Consider the relationship between your sins and your natural temperament
6. Avoid occasions that incite sin
7. Address sin’s first signs
8. Meditate on God’s glory
9. Don’t rush to comfort yourself

 

Romans 8

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Be Killing Sin of it will be killing you…

 

A plan for battle…

Step 3: Know Who You Are

Romans 8

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
You are Sons and Daughters of God

 

“MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR DAD…”

MY DAD CAN BEAT UP MY DEVIL”

 

Children expect good things

Children trust their father

 

Some of you did not have healthy relationships with you fathers, but God is not that kind of father, He is a GOOD FATHER

 

A plan for battle…

Step 4: Grab a Hand and Lend a Hand

Genesis 2:18

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”
No solo fighters

• Strength in numbers
• Alone and vulnerable
• Your faith as a shield protects me, those next to me, and those wounded around me
• Mentor/training

 

Hebrews 10

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

 

Romans 8

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Take Courage

• Fight the good fight!

Fight For Your Life | Victory Through Prayer

Silence in your prayer life is hard…

• Many of us have laid prayer aside

Prayer is a POWERFUL weapon against Darkness
Series:

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…

Know that you are a part of a spiritual battle
Week 2…

Walk in the light because there are monsters who destroy in the dark
Week 3…

Wear the “uniform” of the Christ believer
Today, we are looking at how PRAYER plays a part in spiritual warfare
The Spiritual Warfare in Ephesus

• Let’s look at what was happening during Paul’s ministry

Acts 19

23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods. 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.
This is the context of Paul’s letter

• This stuff is real

Our culture has its own “Artemis”

• Power
• Sex
• Wealth
• Etc

 

What part does prayer play when fighting for our life?

 

Ephesians 1:16-23

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

1: Prayer Keeps us in the Know

Paul breaks down knowing God into important sections

Knowing God

Prayer and scripture study are the PRIMARY ways we know God

• Know His heart

Must have a balance between Scripture and Prayer

• Not one or the other
• Both Important

Knowing The Hope Of His Calling

 

The hope of his calling looks to the time when God will fully redeem us
Prayer keeps us focused on what really matters

• because God changes our hearts

Knowing Of His Glorious Inheritance

 

Prayer helps us keep the things of God in our hearts and minds
The things of God, both in this life and the next, are far MORE VALUABLE than what this world offers

Prayer reminds us of this
Don’t trade your favor for junk…

Knowing The Greatness Of His Power

 

We are only able to fight against the kingdom of darkness through the Power of the Holy Spirit

 

This is what Paul says about the power of the Spirit…

Ephesians 1:19-23

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Prayer connects us to the power of Heaven
Don’t fight alone — Battle in prayer!

 

Prayer serves another major purpose…

2: Prayer Moves the Kingdom Forward

Ephesians 6

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Some of us are a “BALL HOG” when it comes to our prayers

• Only about us
• Our problems
• Our needs
• Our Battles

Paul points us to the reality that PRAYER MATTERS for the advancement of the kingdom
Paul instructs us to…

Pray in the spirit

• Knowing God
• Knowing His hope
• Knowing His Inheritance
• Knowing His Power

Pray with Perseverance

• Dedication
• Drive

Pray in Intercession

• For the church
• For other believers
• For those who do not know

Prayer should NEVER be just about yourself but about advancing the Kingdom of God

• Not just your problems

The reason prayer hasn’t seemed to be effective is because you pray SELFISH PRAYERS

 

Prayer is POWERFUL

• It’s effective in our lives and in our WORLD

Prayer is a GIFT

• God calls us to partner with Him

 

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today

Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today

Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In the innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today

Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.
I arise today

Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From everyone who desires me ill, Afar and a near, Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,

Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of women and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today

Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

 

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation

Fight For Your Life | Winning Spiritual Battles

Uniforms have two purposes

1: Identity

Emergency situations

professional situations
2: Practicality

Most are utilitarian – Serve a purpose
Series:

FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
Week 1…

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Week 2…

We must walk in the light because there are monsters in the dark
Today we are talking about…

The “SPIRITUAL UNIFORM” of a Christian in the fight for their life

 

Background:

Paul in Ephesus

• Much spiritual warfare for those Christian believers
• know for its practice of “dark arts”

 

Ephesians 6:10-17

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

 

Let’s first talk about the ANALOGY Paul gives us here…
Armor – Something they were very familiar with

• Don’t get lost in the analogy

Armor is what you actively choose to use

• it’s something that you already have – Gifts from God
• Don’t have to Pray “today i put on…”

 

The armor also testifies to your identity and loyalty = UNIFORM

 

“Take up the full armor of God…” = Discipleship

• Learning to follow Jesus

 

Paul lays out what we need to win for the FIGHT FOR OUR LIFE…

 

1: Fight for your life with TRUTH (Belt)

What does he mean by truth in the context of the story the Bible is telling?
Each piece of armor we’ll break into 2 parts…

• Foundation – What we think
• Direction – What we do

Foundation: Believing in the TRUTH

We are all building our lives on a truth
You wear a truth, whether you realize it or not

• It surrounds and envelopes you
• It is what will allow you to walk trip or run

Non-truth (lies) trips you up like an “ungirded loin”
There is always a counterfeit

• The Enemy’s “TRUTH”
• Culture’s “truth”

Direction: Walking in the TRUTH

We speak the truth as we live in the truth

• Partner with truth
• It guides us
• We choose to be guided by it

Declaration of Truth

I choose to believe the truth about God, His will, my life, and the world I live in. I can walk in confidence because truth is bound to my life

 

2: Fight for your life in RIGHTEOUSNESS (Breastplate)

• What does he mean by righteousness?

Foundation: I am made righteous through Jesus Christ

My old self is GONE

• New Creation
• Not who I was

Guard your heart… (proverbs)

 

We are made righteous, so now act righteously

 

Direction: My actions reflect my new status

My behavior

• Righteousness guards us
• Your actions from your heart
• Rightness leads to rightness
• Righteousness leads to Righteousness

Living holy lives protects us from spiritual Attack

• Seasons of doubt connected to sin
• Living a right life protects us (doubt, shame)

What does it look like to live righteously?

To live for righteousness means we wholeheartedly realize that sin does not please God

• we pursue holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and actions
• We submit even our thought life to what is righteous

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
To Fight For My Life…

I choose to make the right choices in alignment with God’s word and will. I can trust that the righteousness of Christ guards my heart.

 

3: Fight for your life by carrying THE GOSPEL PEACE (Shoes)

• What is the gospel of Peace in the context of the story the Bible is telling?

Foundation: The Gospel of Jesus is Peace to the world

• Rebellion against God = Chaos
• Sin = Separation, violence, loss, etc

Gospel = Jesus is king

• We are no longer separated from our father
• We have been made right
• We have access to God
• Our sins are forgiven
• PEACE CAN NOW BE HAD

 

Direction: I carry the best news the world must hear

 

It’s not whether you will go or not

• But whether you will carry the PEACE OF THE GOSPEL or BROKENNESS
• Taking the gospel where there is chaos

Isaiah 52:7

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

 

To fight for my life…

I choose to be a peacemaker and a peace bringer by carrying the good news of grace and salvation. I can bring peace to chaos through the light of the gospel of Jesus

 

4: Fight for your life in FAITH (Shield)

• What is faith? Why a shield

Faith is TRUST and HOPE in someone or something

Foundation: My faith in God protects me

Protection from circumstances and lies

• Trials
• Protects us in hard times
• Doubt and internal turmoil

Shields us and stops the darts of doubt and temptation
Sounds like…

What God has for me is better than this temptation.

Direction: I keep the faith no matter what

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
We don’t panic when things get tough

• God is FAITHFUL to we can TRUST HIM
• HOPE IN HIM

Our trust in the Lord is stronger than our struggle
To fight for my life…

I choose to trust God and not lies, deceit, or circumstances. I can hold strong in any storm because my God is with me.

 

5: Fight for your life through SALVATION (Helmet)

• What does he mean by “Salvation?”

Foundation: I am secure in Christ through His salvation
Get a head blow, and you are dead

• satan attacks the mind

Knowing what you believe

• Who you belong to
• Who you are in Jesus
• Christianity 101 – simple gospel
• “I am not who I was”
• I am Saved by GRACE

Direction: I live with confidence because I know who I am and WHO’S I am

When the enemy attacks your mind, you remind yourself who saved you

• You are not Who you were

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
To fight for my life…

I choose to rest in the knowledge that I am loved, redeemed, and called by God. I can understand my place in God’s family and plan for the world.

 

6: Fight for your life with THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT (Sword/Word of God)

Study about reading the Bible

https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf

3 days or less per week = No significant effect
4 or more per week:

• Getting drunk = 57% lower odds
• Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds
• Pornography = 61% lower odds
• Gambling = 74% lower odds
• Any of these habits = 57% lower odds

Also increased…

• Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds
• Discipling others = 231% higher odds
• Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds

Foundation: God’s word is my weapon against evil and temptation

God’s word is how we fight

• One offensive tool

The gospel and all of scripture
Jesus fought this way

• In the desert temptation

How is it effective?

• Gives discernment
• Promises we can claim
• We need the word of God

 

Direction: I fight the enemy with the Truth of God’s Word

 

2 Timothy 3:15-17

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 

To fight for my life…

I choose to rebuke evil through the word of God’s truth. I can fight with a victory mindset because nothing overcomes my God and his revealed word.

Fight For Your Life | Walking In The Light

Week 1, we learned that:

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle
Today, we are looking at an important Biblical theme
The theme is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Scripture uses several themes to separate the THINGS OF GOD and the THINGS NOT OF GOD

• Good and Bad
• Wisdom and Foolishness
• Righteous and Unrighteous

Another of those themes is LIGHT AND DARKNESS
An example of this is…

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This leads to the questions:

What exactly is LIGHT?

What exactly is DARKNESS?
Let’s Start with…

Biblical Theology of Light and Dark

 

Genesis 1:1-4

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
God created light

• The light was GOOD

 

Darkness represents CHAOS

• Formless
• Empty
• Without purpose

So we can say that…

God’s Creation thrives in the light

 

Psalm 27:1

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life whom should I dread?

 

A new layer of what light is…

Light Represents God and His Salvation

 

Isaiah 9:2

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
Darkness is a state we can live in

• Perpetually

God’s light (SALVATION) pulls us out of Darkness
But this is not a physical darkness…

Romans 1:21-22

21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…
This darkness affects our hearts and minds
But…

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light (Salvation) of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
The light of God’s Salvation in Jesus overcomes the CHAOS and hard hearts of the World

 

What is this Darkness?

Darkness is the fallen state of humanity, the created world, and the kingdom of evil. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues through humankind’s rebellion.

• Darkness refers to falsehood and evil. To live as children of light means to be directed by what is good, right, and true.
• Symbolizes sin, ignorance, and separation from God

This is important because it challenges our modern perception of:
GOOD VS BAD

• God is not some heavenly principle – BAD
• God is not a sky Santa Clause – GOOD

This leads us to say things like…

• “I think I’m a good person who sometimes does bad things…”
• “I’m not perfect, but I know my own heart…”
• “I think as long as you do good things and aren’t mean to people, you are a good person…”

This isn’t what the Bible is trying to say AT ALL

 

Some practical ways to better understand how this darkness affects us

Darkness of Understanding

• Unknowing
• Ignorance

Darkness of Decisions

• Falsehood
• Wickedness
• Bad Choices
• Chaos

Darkness of Separation

• From God
• From Life
• From Salvation

 

Let’s better understand what is in the dark…

There are Monsters in the Dark

There is more to this darkness that scripture speaks about…
Colossians 1:13

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

 

This darkness is a kingdom against God and His creation

 

There is an agency to evil

 

We need to rid our minds of the medieval caricature of Satan. Dispensing with the horns, the hooves and the tail, we are left with the biblical portrait of a spiritual being, highly intelligent, immensely powerful and utterly unscrupulous. ~ John Stott

 

Ephesians 6

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

 

What we need to know about Satan and His kingdom of darkness

1: This “kingdom” is structured to wage war against God and his church

• An organized hierarchy

2: He doesn’t just influence people but also nations

• Idolatry
• Evil on a large scale

The destructive malice of Satan against all humanity, and particularly against the church, is channeled through human agents and the systems and institutions they have built. Humanity in general is afflicted by the destroyer through the structures of injustice and oppression of which the flesh and the devil are joint architects, and Christians are murderously attacked by individuals and governments ultimately directed by Satan. ~ Richard Lovelace

 

Lord’s Prayer:

Your KINGDOM COME…

• We wage war on evil to see this happen

 

3: He would rather you not know he exists

• Like the mob, works in Darkness
• C.S. Lewis – Either disbelieve he exists or excessive interest

Lastly…

4: He does have SOME authority over this world

• The temptation of Jesus

 

There is tremendous hope because scripture teaches…

The Light of God Is Always Victorious Against Darkness

 

Jesus has ULTIMATE Authority and has defeated satan on the CROSS

 

Our Goal is the WALK IN THE LIGHT

 

Ephesians 5

6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Fight For Your Life | Knowing is Half The Battle

Not a PHYSICAL FIGHT — SPIRITUAL FIGHT

Today’s Goal

Know that we are a part of something bigger

Knowing is half the battle
This world is NOT WHAT IT SEEMS

• There is a behind the veil

We live in BOTH…

A PHYSICAL REALITY

A SPIRITUAL REALITY

• More than just a body
• A soul/spirit

Naturalistic vs. Theistic Worldview

• Naturalism – naturalism beliefs

Naturalism:

The belief that nature is all that exists and that all things supernatural (including gods, spirits, souls, and non-natural values), therefore, do not exist
Theism:

The view that all things are dependent in some way on one supreme or ultimate reality or being
Naturism is what we have inherited

• Suspicious of anything that cannot be proven by science
• Trust the science

But this has left us with a MEANING CRISIS

• What is the point of life if there is nothing beyond what we can see (naturalism)

The spiritual tide is returning — But bring in with it the sharks

• Not all good things

A recent study of 10,000 Gen Z individuals aged 13 to 25 years:

• 68% considered themselves religious
• 77% considered themselves spiritual

Gen Z individuals define spirituality as:

• Autonomous and faith unbundled, and it is inclusive of all faiths and practices
• All roads lead to the same destination
• Pick your spirituality
• Individualism with a “SPIRITUAL VENEER”

Significant increase in the supernatural

• “Witchtok”
• Wiccan
• Crystals
• Horoscopes
• Palm Readers
• Tarot Cards
• Pagan ceremonies
• New Age philosophies

These are off-limits to Christian believers

• Cannot be a partner with both light & darkness

 

Why does this matter?
It matters because of the CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW

• There is a spiritual reality
• This spiritual reality is composed of EITHER – Light or Dark – Goodness or Evil
• This Spiritual reality has REAL CONSEQUENCES for our PHYSICAL life

 

The Christian answer to this is this

The Christian recognizes that there are Good spiritual forces that come from God our Father, and there are also rebellious, wicked forces that oppose the things of God
How we engage with this reality is called:

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

• We take spiritual warfare seriously because we take the Bible Seriously

 

Paul writes a letter to a church he planted after being a missionary in a place called Ephesus

Ephesus was known as a place that practiced pagan (demonic) magical arts

• Diverse area
• Mixing pot of religion and philosophies

 

To fight for your life, you must first…

1: Know Your Enemy

Ephesians 2:1-3

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.
Paul introduces us to the “UNHOLY TRINITY OF EVIL POWERS”
The Unholy Trinity of evil powers:

The Devil

The World

The Flesh

 

We must take into account all three of these
The Devil

Satan is the personal name of the head of the demons. Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world

• The tempter – in the Garden and of Jesus
• The King of lies
• The enemy of God and his good creation

The World

The political, philosophical, moral, and relational powers and forces of our current age

• What the world strives for
• Tell us is important
• Driven by the enemy of God

We must understand our culture and RESIST its lies, and speak the truth BACK TO IT

• Salt and light

The Flesh

Fallen Human nature with its affections and lusts

• Our natural fallen inclinations/desires
• Not always “The devil made me do it”

 

Satan will use all three to his advantage

• He can only tempt us and lie
• He cannot force us to do anything

This is what we are up against, but we are not POWERLESS and WITHOUT HOPE

 

To fight for your life, you must…

2: Know your allies

Ephesians 3:10-12

10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.
God’s answer is not LONE WARRIORS but THE ARMY OF CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS

• The church of Christ Jesus

The church is BEST THING for the world

• It’s God’s plan for the nations

Spiritual warfare is not a battle we should fight alone but with one another

• Praying for one another
• Encouraging one another

How does a church equip you to fight for your life?

1. Corporate Worship – Declaring God’s victory together
2. Corporate teaching – Understanding the truth of the world
3. Sacraments – Modeling and remembering Christ’s victory (Baptism, communion)
4. Life-Giving Relationships – Supporting one another

A lone warrior is an easy target
Satan will pull you away from people to distract and destroy you
There are no bystanders

• Your church helps keep you strong

 

To fight for your life, you must…

3: Know the enemy’s tactics

Ephesians 4

17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.

 

20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

 

25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity. 28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

 

Playing high school football – Film Day

• Learn from your mistakes from the previous week
• See what you were up against next week

This knowledge lets you go into the game with a STRATEGY
Paul is teaching us to live a SPIRITUALLY STRATEGIC life

 

What are the enemy’s tactics?

Hard Hearts:

A heart that cannot be touched and moved and made to feel tender emotions — empathy, sympathy — toward suffering
Pulling you back to a former way of living

• Returning to the broken thinking and actions that you lived in before coming to Christ
• Habitual sins

Opportunities

• What we do
• How we speak (foul language)
• How we respond
• Bitterness, anger, slander, malice

 

We’re in a fight for our life

• For our culture
• For our families
• For our church

Let’s close with Paul’s words…

Ephesians 5

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Mission Sunday 2024