Nothing is impossible: Sermon: "Spiritual Warefare"

Spiritual Warfare

What is spiritual warfare?There is no biblical scripture on spiritual warfare with the meaning. But, spiritual warfare is a pro-active approach to our faith. We actively resist the devil when his “hosts” (demonic forces) harass us. We actively pursue spiritual disciplines that will make us stronger and better prepared. We actively fight the enemy when people are in “spiritual” bondage.
 *Here are the only two verses that I could find in the bible on warfare
1) 2 Corinthians 10.3-6 (Message)
“The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
2) Ephesians 6.10-12 (Message)
“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”
Later in Ephesians 6 apostle Paul talks about the ‘Armor’ of God. We must put this one each day, before we go out into battle!
A) Helmet of Salvation- The first place the devil wants to attack is our mind. This is where our ideas come from, that may lead into temptations, actions, or sins. We must transform and renew our minds daily. (Romans 12.2)
B) Breastplate of righteousness- the second place the devil tries to attack is our hearts. The devil will try to come back, and remind you of past hurts, and wounds that you have had in your heart. But the devil will also bring our “secret sin” out of our hearts and broadcast it to everyone. That’s why we must stay righteous and “clean” our armor daily.
C) The belt of TRUTH- Jesus walks into battle with us everyday! Jesus is the WAY the TRUTH, and the LIFE. (John 14.6) Jesus keeps our lives in order and from being bad! Because He walks with us daily.
D) Sword of the spirit- the spirit and the truth (the sword and the belt) come together as one. We beat down any spiritual stronghold with the word of God (Revelation 19.21)
E) Shoes of the Gospel- We must be prepared in and out of season, to go out into battle and preach the good news. We must have the word of God hidden in our hearts.
F) Clock of Zeal- (Isaiah 59.17) We must wrap ourselves in the cloak of zeal- to show our passion for God

So what does spiritual warfare have to do with us in this time, and in our church? In our American culture “Christians” get so lazy. We just check-in, meaning we just go to church on a Sunday or Wednesday and we think that’s good enough and we have paid our dues, but we really haven’t (just thinking about that thought, scares me!) So many Christians have become so fearful and lazy. This is not the life style that God really wanted us to live at all. He wants us to go out and fill the great commission (Mark 16.15-18) But so many of us have become captives to the devil, and not doing anything about it. Lets take a look at what has happened to “us” as Christians- what we have been filled with.
*The bible talks about Curses that can enter our lives, there are too many to be listed but you can look at the bible passage and look into them. A curse is- a repeated sin that happens over and over- and you don’t repent of it, and it takes foothold in your life. (Psalm 119.21) In Deuteronomy 27:15-26 is a list of sins that release the curses. Deuteronomy 28:15-65 is a list of or the results of the curses. Wow. Can we get rid of curses I am sure is your next question right? YES WE CAN! Breaking a curse come through “true” repentance. Not just asking God for forgiveness but acting out on that repentance. You also need to take spiritual authority over it, and cast it out in the name of JESUS. (2 Corinthians 7:10&11) A lot of times the demonic forces that are in a person- mess with the persons mind telling them “they are okay” and have them think that there is nothing wrong. That’s why people stay in bondage for a long time!
*Now we have a battlefield of the mind. Where the devil comes in and puts, lies, threats, Intimidation, fear, lust, and false accusations in our head. One of the worst examples is: a child being abused. I say this because, a child grows up getting abused, and the devil constantly lies to the child saying “it’s their fault” or “you deserved that.” Which totally are all lies from the devil, but growing up, you my not have known or felt that way. And the child will grow up with, confusion, shame, fear, depression, anxiety ect. The child will start looking at their own shortcomings and perceive rejection from others. Others may not really be rejecting them but the child feels that way, because they have been sound bound with lies in their heads. Then if we look up to our parents lacking the character/ mirror image of God, we see our God as a completely different figure. We see Him as a non-loving God, and one lacking compassion. Then we go into adulthood with extra.. Baggage?! What’s that? The weight of things one carries while the growing up. Of being in controlling situations, in manipulative situations, and in emotional and physical abuse. Wow. That really does take a long time to heal from so dear friends be patient with ones that have been abused! I can promise you God will restore them! And me. This is what happens to a lot of Americans- the grow up hurt from families or something that happened to them as a child and they have something so deeply rooted in them that it’s very hard to uproot yourself. Many adults who are full of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Some time in their life, often in childhood, they have been hurt deeply by someone. The enemy will constantly give them "flashback memories" of that situation in the past. Which constantly stirs everything up again! Thanks devil! Now what do we do to correct or mind that is such a battlefield?
A) Renew our image of God. We must know the “character” of God
B) What is my Identity in Christ. What does God say about me?
C) Fill your mind with Gods WORD
D) PRAY! Romans 12.2 Philippians 4.6&7
*How do we know that we are oppressed or have something wrong with us? We can notice problems in our physical bodies..
1) Extremely low self-image (unworthy, a failure, no good - a constant undermining of the self-identity.)
2) Violent thoughts (suicidal, homicidal, encouraging self-abuse, etc.)
3) Deep depression and despondency (frequently and timely)
4) Irrational fears - panic attacks – phobias
5) Eating obsessions - bulimia, anorexia nervosa
6) Extreme restlessness (especially in a spiritual environment)
7) Voices are heard in the mind (they mock, intimidate, accuse, threaten or bargain)
8) Pain (without justifiable explanation - especially in head and/or stomach)
9) Physical ailments can often be alleviated immediately by a command of spiritual authority (i.e. epileptic seizure, asthma attacks, various pains)
10) Sudden interference with bodily functions (temporary) - buzzing in ears, inability to speak or hear, sudden severe headache, hypersensitivity in hearing or touch, sudden chills or overwhelming heat in body, numbness in arms or legs, temporary paralysis

This is what we must go out and fight against in the spiritual realm this is why apostle Paul warns us to put on our armor daily, and Jesus tells us to renew our minds daily with the word of God, and to pray. So we don’t let curses and strong holds, and oppression enter our lives. Paul was a “spiritual warrior” he was fearless and took the full authority that God had given him and casted things out in the name of JESUS.
How do you command the spirits to leave and get delivered.
A) Identify what the spirits are
B) Repent
C) Cast them out in the name of Jesus or Nazareth
D) Keep your temple clean daily. Renew, renew, RENEW!

**Prophetically speaking- God is raising up an army NOW. To fight in the spiritual realm. For ourselves, for our families, for our friends. We must take all the authority that Gods has given us, and go take authority over what the devil is trying to take from us, and fight back. Yes God can intervine and fight our battles for us, but we learn nothing and will not be called "warriors" when He fights for us.
God showed me a vision a few nights ago when I was having my own warfare- God showed me demons fighting angels, and God spoke to me that " there is not enough people fighting in my army, and that there has to be more leaders "warriors" raised up." Then God woke me up again, and told me to start interceding for our group. Then the next night I come home, and that exact image I saw the night before was on the TV, being referenced from the book of Revelation. Don't lose sight of what God has given or shown you, it will come to pass. Right now, God wants us to fight. God out and fight for other peoples lives, our own, and our families. Yes it's hard, but this is what we are called to do as FOLLOWERS/DISCIPLES of CHRIST. Set the captives free! It reminds me of Gideons army!

Nothing is impossible

Friday, July 8, 2011

Sermon: "Spiritual Warefare"

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