Showing posts with label Dressed for Battle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dressed for Battle. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Attitude of Standing - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday June 22, 2008
DRESSED FOR BATTLE
“The Attitude of Standing”
INTRODUCTION: For several weeks we’ve been in this series titled “Dressed for Battle.”
Recognize you’re in the battle. Recognize who’s in the battle with you. Put on the full Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Four times Paul says, “STAND!”
If you and I are going to win the battle we must STAND!
Paul is not talking about physically standing. But how many of us have heard the word posture which describes the way we stand?
Posture- “A position or attitude of the Body.”
Paul is talking about our spiritual posture. He’s talking about the position or attitude of our spirit man.
When the “day of evil” comes, victory is often determined by our spiritual posture.
Remember, posture is the position or attitude of our body.
TRANSITION: Two spiritual attitudes that determine if we are victorious or not.
When fighting the battle your will either have an ATTITUDE OF DEFEAT or an ATTITUDE OF VICTORY.
Our posture will be one of defeat or victory. Let’s look at the difference between the two.
Nehemiah 4:6-12 Turn and Read
ATTITUDE OF DEFEAT
1. When you’re continually discouraged.
Discouragement drains you of strength.
Discourage- to drain of courage, to deprive of confidence, hope or spirit. To hamper or hinder. To try to prevent by expressing disapproval or raising objections.
God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” The opposite of that would be “be weak and discouraged.”
TRANSITION: If you’re continually discouraged it can be due to and attitude of defeat.
Another sign of a posture of defeat.
2. When you’re more focused on your obstacles than God.
Which can be a result of no strength or being discouraged.
The people said, “There is so much rubble.”
Are you focused on your obstacles? Is that all you talk about? You could have an attitude of defeat.
TRANSITON: If you’re continually discouraged and are always looking at your obstacles it could be because you have an attitude of defeat.
3. When you begin to doubt the Vision
“We cannot rebuild the wall.” Talk about an attitude of defeat! They were already half-way through the project and began to doubt the completion.
A posture of defeat.
4. When you’re controlled by fear
Verse 12- “Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
Talk about fear.
You know you’re controlled by fear when you’re talking more about what the enemies going to do than what God’s going to do.
TRANSITION: An attitude of defeat is an unhealthy posture when faced with a battle. (1) When you’re discouraged (2) When you’re more focused on your obstacles than God (3) When you begin to doubt the vision (4) When you’re controlled by fear
SO WHAT WOULD AN ATTITUDE OF VICTORY LOOK LIKE?
NEHEMIAH HAD AN ATTITUDE OF VICTORY
1. Courage is Evident
With courage comes strength for the battle and the ability to respond to God.
Joshua 1:6,7,9, 18
Joshua 2:11/5:1
TRANSITION: When there’s a posture of victory courage is evident. Next you have an attitude of victory
2. When you’re focused on God no matter how big your obstacle is.
1Samuel 17:45-48
When courage is evident and you’re focused on God no matter how big the obstacle you have an attitude of victory. Next
3. When the vision lives in your heart.
Nehemiah 4:13,14
Courage is evident; you’re focused on God, the vision lives in your heart
4. Faith in God controls your life.
Nehemiah 6:8-16
CONCLUSION: “Having done all to stand, stand!” Stand with a posture that says, “I’m victorious. Have an attitude of victory. Not after the battle but before and during the battle.
1. Be courageous
2. Focus on God no matter how big the obstacle
3. Let vision live on the inside of you.
4. Be controlled by faith in God
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Fathers You're Important - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday June 15, 2008 (Father’s Day)
“FATHERS YOU’RE IMPORTANT
INTRODUCTION: For several weeks now we’ve been in this series titled “Dressed For Battle.”
1. Recognize You’re in the Battle
2. Recognize who is in the Battle with You
3. Put on your Armor
Ephesians 6:10 (AMP)- “Be empowered through your union with God…”
In being prepared for battle we should be strengthened through our relationship with God. You and I can walk with God. And as we do we walk in His strength which empowers us to overcome the enemy.
One person from the Bible that walked with God was Noah.
Genesis 6:9- “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.”
Genesis 6:9- (AMP)- “Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his evil generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God.”
Because Noah walked with God he was prepared for the coming storm and flood.
1. To walk with God you must, walk with God.
2. God has made the way for you to walk with Him, Jesus Christ.
3. Accept the invitation.
Noah had a continuing walk with God.
1. Hear God’s Voice.
2. Obey God’s Voice.
3. Faith in God
TRANSITION: There’s something about Noah that’s important for us to remember. NOAH WAS A FATHER!
Genesis 6:10- (AMP)- “And Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
Noah was a man that walked with God. He was also a Husband and a Father!
As a Father Noah was important to God. TWO REASONS
I. NOAH WAS A PROVIDER
Dads, you know you’re important to God because He’s called you to be the provider for your family!
God has gifted you to be the provider. You’re important to God and your family!
Genesis 6:13-18- Turn and Read
Wait a minute God, if you can cause it to rain so much and so long that it’s going to destroy all mankind can’t you build the boat that we can ride in?
But that’s not the way it was!
Genesis 6:14- “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood….”
Noah, build an ark and provide a place of safety for your family!
Father’s, you’re important to God and your family because God has called you to be a PROVIDER!
And something you might have to do to provide a place of safety for your family is WORK!
DID YOU KNOW WORK IS A GOD IDEA?
Genesis 2:15- “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Now this was before sin ever entered the world.
“Paradise itself was not a place of exemption from work. None of us were sent into the world to be idle. He that made us has given us something to do.”
Work- to work, serve, labor, to worship, minister, work in ministry
Work and worship are directly connected.
Earthly Father’s, one of the purest forms of worship to your Heavenly Father is to work and provide for your family.
1Timothy 5:8- “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Proverbs 12:11- “He who works his land will have abundant food,…”
OR, HE WHO WORKS WILL PROVIDE!
TRANSITION: Noah provided for his family! Father’s your important to God and your family. You’re the Provider!
As a Father Noah was important to God because he was a provider, next reason
II. NOAH WAS A PROTECTOR
Noah built the ark and provided for his family and then he brought them inside the ark to protect them from the storm.
Dad’s, you’re important to God because He’s called you to protect your family.
Dad’s, you need to stand in your home and say no to the enemy!
YOUR ATTITUDE NEEDS TO BE THAT OF JOSHUA!
Joshua 24:15- “…..But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem so the city and its inhabitants will be protected.
At this point in scripture the people working with Nehemiah are being threatened by an enemy.
Nehemiah 4:10-18
The men provided and protected!
TRANSITION: Listen Father’s your important, because God has called you to provide and protect.
Now let me close with the most important thing you can do.
III. WALK IN GOD’S PRESENCE
It’s because Noah walked with God that he could provide and protect.
Fathers, our attitudes should be the same as Moses.
Exodus 33:14,15- “The Lord relied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Then Moses said to Him, If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Dad, the most important thing you can do is walk in God’s Presence.
When you walk in God’s presence you can provide and protect no matter what enemy you face.
Deuteronomy 20:1- “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.”
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Let’s Pray
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Continuing Walk With God - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday June 8. 2008
“Dressed For Battle”
THE CONTINUING WALK WITH GOD
Ephesians 6:10-18- Turn and Read
1. Recognize you’re in the Battle
2. Recognize who is in the Battle with You
3. Put on the Full Armor of God
God is saying-“There’s a battle and you’re in it. But with Me you can be victorious every time!
God’s armor is not heavy!
Matthew 11:28-30- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Ephesians 6:10- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
Then put on the full armor of God!
Ephesians 6:10 (AMP)- “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.]”
AS YOU WALK WITH GOD, BE EMPOWERED!
Ephesians 3:16-21- (AMP)
BECOME A BODY WHOLLY FILLED AND FLOODED WITH GOD HIMSELF!
Doesn’t this sound like someone walking with God!
Does this sound like a God that wants you walking around defeated and upset about gas prices?
TRANSITION: Remember the Steps to walking with God
1. Walk with God:
Amos 3:3- “Do two walk together unless they agree.”
2. God has made the way for you to walk with Him.
Genesis 3:7,21- “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sowed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
God has made the way for you to walk with Him.
“Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.”
3. Accept the invitation!
“Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened.”
TRANSITION: The steps to walking with God. Now Today we’re going to talk about the “Continuing Walk with God.”
Genesis 6:8-15- Turn and Read
Put yourself in Noah’s shoes! You’re going to do what God? You want me to build what God?
Now before you make Noah this super spiritual person who’s out of touch with his humanity look at the following verses.
Genesis 9:20,21 Turn and Read
These verses are in the Bible for a reason. One of among a few is that I believe God wants the story of Noah to also relate to our humanity and help us understand that we too can walk with God.
While all of us struggle from time to time with our humanity allow me to give you some steps from the story of Noah that will help you CONTINUE YOUR WALK WITH GOD.
Listen, a storm was headed Noah’s way but God wanted him to be prepared.
God wants you to be prepared and win the battle.
I. HEAR GOD’S VOICE
Don’t you know Noah had to hear God’s voice! And he had to be confident he heard God’s voice.
John 10:27- “My sheep listen to my voice; and I know them and they follow me.”
How do I hear God’s voice? Spend time with God. The more time you spend with God the more you’ll get to know Him.
Jeanie and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. What if she called me on the phone and I didn’t recognize her voice?
You get to know God by spending time in His Word and in prayer.
TRANSITION: If you’re going to have a continuing walk with God and defeat the enemy who wants to destroy you, you need to hear God’s voice.
II. OBEY GOD’S VOICE
Genesis 6:22, 7:5- “And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.”
John 10:27- “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE STORM, NOAH HAD TO HEAR AND OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD!
THERE’S A REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE.
Deuteronomy 28:1-8- Turn and Read
TRANSITION: Be empowered through your union with God. Gain strength for the battle! Walk with God continually! Hear and obey His voice.
The key to hearing and obeying God:
III. FAITH IN GOD
Hebrews 11:7- Turn and Read
Hebrews 11:5-6 Turn and Read
Faith- A firm persuasion and expectation that God will perform all that He has promised to us in Christ!
Faith demonstrates to the eye of the mind the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the body.
2Corinthians 5:7- “We live by faith, not by sight.”
IT WAS BY FAITH THAT NOAH HEARD AND OBEYED GOD AND HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE PROTECTED FROM THE STORM!
CONCLUSION:
David, a young shepherd boy, arrives at the camp of the army of Israel only to find the army of Israel running in fear from one giant. They faced an adversary!
As many of you know David defeated that giant named Goliath with a sling and a stone.
1Samuel 17:50- “So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
The sling and stone, hearing and obeying God. Because David had faith in God!
It was God who killed that giant that day. Not David, not the sling and the stone.
1Samuel 17:45-49
It wasn’t the boat that saved Noah, it was God who saved Noah. Noah just had faith in His God and heard His voice and obeyed His voice! The boat was just the vehicle God used to save Noah.
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Walking With God - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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NEW LIFE COTR
Sunday June 1, 2008
“Dressed For Battle”
WALKING WITH GOD
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)- Turn and Read
INTRODUCTION: We’ve been in this series titled “Dressed For Battle.”
1. Recognize you’re in the Battle.
2. Recognize who is in the Battle with you.
3. Put on the Armor of God.
But in the Spirit I could see weary, tired Christians trying to put on this heavy armor.
FIRST! God’s armor is not heavy.
Matthew 11:28-30- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
There’s part of Ephesians 6 we miss if not careful.
Ephesians 6:10- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Then it says, “put on the full armor of God.”
FIRST BE STRONG, AND THEN PUT ON THE ARMOR.
Ephesians 6:10- (AMP) - “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.”
Union- The act of uniting or the state of being united.
United- To bring together so as to form a whole. To combine in interest attitude or action. To become joined, formed, or combined in a unit. To join and act together in a common purpose or endeavor. To be bound together by adhesion.
When you and I are united with God we can win the battle every time!
BE EMPOWERED THROUGH YOUR UNION WITH HIM
2Corinthians 2:14 (AMP) “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.”
TRANSITION: When you think of two people being united what do you think of. A man and woman coming together in marriage.
“With this union of hearts and hands, and by the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel, and by the laws of the state of Texas, and in the name of the Almighty God, our Father, I pronounce you man and wife.”
“May this holy union ever be a perfect type of God’s great love. May it be blessed and used that many souls shall find their places in the spotless Bride of Christ.”
Then after the groom kisses the bride and they are announced husband and wife they walk the isle together and it’s God’s plan that they walk together the rest of their lives.
So it is when we become Believers in Jesus Christ. When we believe the Good News of Jesus death and resurrection. When we recognize that we need Him and ask Him to come into our heart and be our Lord and Savior.
At this moment we begin a wonderful journey of WALKING WITH GOD! And it’s as we walk with God that we are empowered with His strength to defeat Satan in every area of our life.
TRANSITION: Steps to walking with God.
I. RECOGNIZE YOU MUST WALK WITH GOD
Amos 3:3- “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
For us to walk with God we must agree with Him!
2Corinthians 6:14-18
You can’t be a partner with God and the world at the same time!
When we walk with God we spread and make evident the fragrance and the knowledge of God!
1John 1:5-7- “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from all sin.”
WHAT BETTER PERSON TO WALK WITH THAN GOD? THERE IS NO DEFECT OR IMPERFECTION! HE IS THE LIGHT!
Colossians 3:5-8- “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
You used to walk in these ways but now your walk has changed.
Here’s my prayer for you:
Isaiah 30:21- “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.”
TRANSITION: If you’re going to win the battle (1) You must walk with God. Or be empowered through our union with Him.
God says, “You must walk with Me.” Then He says, “So I’m going to make a way for you to walk with Me.”
John 14:6- “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The second step to walking with God:
II. RECOGNIZE GOD HAS MADE THE WAY FOR YOU TO WALK WITH HIM
1Timothy 2:5,6- “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all men….”
Because of sin God and man could not walk together.
Genesis 3:8,9- “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, Where are you?”
I wonder how many days Adam and Eve WALKED WITH GOD in the garden instead of hiding from God!
But because of their sin God has to make a Way for man to walk with Him again.
1John 2:1,2,6- “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
God has made the Way for you to walk with Him!
CONCLUSION: Steps to walking with God or in union with God.
1. Recognize we must walk with God.
2. Recognize God has made the way for us to walk with Him.
III. ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO WALK WITH GOD
Who better to walk with!
Revelation 3:20- “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
God invites you to walk with Him!
Maybe you’re hear today and you’ve walked away from God. You’re no longer walking with Him.
I was there once in my life.
1John 1:9- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Walk with God and be empowered through your union with Him. He will give you strength to stand in the battle.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Fight - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR
Sunday May 25, 2008
“Dressed for Battle”
THE FIGHT
INTRODUCTION: Last week we started a series called “Dressed for Battle.” Whether you realize it or not, as Christian’s, we are in a battle. There’s warfare going on all around us.
God wants you and me to win the battle.
Daniel 10:12,13,20,21
This is a clear picture of what is going on in the heavenlies. The Bible clearly informs us of fallen angels over a city. Fighting against believers in that city.
Today there are still demons and there are still angels.
Daniel is praying doing his part and the angels are battling over the answer.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Principalities- a prince over a region, a prince who has authority over a city or a region.
Here’s the New Testament confirming what we read in the Old Testament. Telling us there’s a war going on in in the air. IT IS REAL!
We’re not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities.
Have you ever driven into a city and felt evil? Satan takes advantage of these places.
One of the gloomiest places in America is Seattle. This city has more suicides than any other city.
THERE’S A REAL WAR GOING ON!
TRANSITION: How do you win this battle?
I. RECOGNIZE YOUR IN THE BATTLE
Don’t ignore it. Don’t sit our the battle. If you don’t show up you will loose!
Jude 1:9- “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
2Timothy 2:4- “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer.”
You and I have been enlisted as soldiers.
In the natural the best advice is to walk away form a fight. It will not work in the spiritual.
You are in a fight with a bully, someone who doesn’t fight fair. He will sneak up from behind you and kill you if he can.
He’s the meanest, cruelest, violent, most vicious hateful person whose ever existed.
He’s a kidnapper, rapist, murderer, a thief. HE commits every violent crime. Satan is behind every violent crime.
He’s worse than Hitler and he hates you!
He’s prideful and arrogant and the accuser of the brethren.
He’s a divider and causes strife in the family of God!
AND HE HATES YOU!
TRANSITION: Now that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news!
II. RECOGNIZE WHO IS IN THE BATTLE WITH YOU
Satan is a bully! But big brother is behind you!
Satan is so scared of your big brother!
HERE’S YOUR CHOICE- Are you going to walk with big brother or fight the battle on your own?
Daniel was thrown in a lion’s den, guess who was in the lion’s den with him?
God sent His angel who was probably the Lord Jesus Christ.
The great thing is not that someone shut the mouth’s of the lions but that Daniel was not
alone!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are cast into the fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:24,25 (KJV)- “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto the counselors, Did we not cast three men into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the King, True, O King. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
YOUR CHOICE IS ARE YOU GOING TO WALK WITH BIG BROTHER OR NOT?
It’s not hard for your big brother to take care of Satan! Satan is not a problem with Jesus!
Psalm 18:15-17- God blows His nose and gets rid of Satan!
Luke 11:20- “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.”
Satan is not a problem for God!
1Timothy 6:12- “Fight the good fight of the faith….”
Do you know the difference between a good fight and a bad fight? A good fight is one you win!
Have you ever lost a fight? I have. It was five against two. Those were the toughest two guys I’ve ever met!
YOU AND JESUS ARE THE TOUGHEST TWO GUYS!!!
If you choose to walk with Him!
TRANSITION: If Jesus is in the fight with you, then what’s your part?
III. PUT ON YOUR ARMOR
Ephesians 6:11- “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Why would God tell you to put on armor if you don’t need it.
WHAT IS THE ARMOR? Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, scripture and prayer.
HOW DO YOU PUT IT ON?
PRAY AND OBEY! The Christian Life boils down to that. Hear God and do what He says!
We are in a battle! The only way you are going to win is to go meet with the Captain of the army!
You need to do it every day. Start your day with God!
You choose who you are going to walk with that day. It’s who you put first!
The enemy is waiting out the door for you. Take Big Brother with you!
WHO WOULD YOU SAY THE GREATEST WARRIOR IN THE BIBLE IS?
Most of us would probably say David. What made David a great warrior?
1Samuel 23:2- “he inquired of the Lord saying, Shall I go and attack these Philistines? The Lord answered him, Go attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
1Samuel 30:8- “and David inquired of the Lord, Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them? Pursue them, he answered, You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”
2Samuel 2:1 - “In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah? He asked. The Lord said go up. David asked where shall I go? To Hebron the Lord answered.”
ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE?
2Samuel 5:18,19,22-25
What made David a great warrior? He kept inquiring of the Lord!
GOD WANTS YOU TO RELY ON HIM THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
Every day go into a room and ask God for help!
Every time you meet with God He will give you wisdom and strength!
2Samuel 22:40- “You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.”
Job 12:13- “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.”
If you will meet with God every day He will give you wisdom and strength.
CONCLUSION: What does the word inquire mean? TO ASK!
That’s how deep the Christian life is. It doesn’t get any deeper than this.
Ask God what to do, do it, and you’ll win the battle!
PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD IS A RESULT OF SPENDING TIME WITH GOD!
Remember I told you how bad your enemy is. Now let me tell you how good your God is!
Romans 8:37-39
You and I are in a battle. The devil wants to destroy your life. He wants hell on earth for you. He hates you!
The question is: will you meet with God?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Union With God - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday May 18, 2008
“Dressed For Battle”
Union with God
INTRODUCTION: Today we begin a new series titled “Dressed For Battle.” I hope that you are aware that we are in a battle.
Our key scriptures for this series will be from the book of Ephesians.
I asked some people if they could have only one book of the Bible to read and live by for the rest of their lives what would that book be? Romans was the first response. Psalms was next. Then the book of James. And another was Proverbs.
My choice would be the Book of Ephesians. Let me tell you why.
Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul while he was in prison. Most likely in Rome.
Paul wasn’t trying to bring order to some doctrinal controversy or handle some pastoral problem as he did in some of his other epistles.
He wasn’t trying to bring correction to some church.
***Ephesians conveys the impression of a rich overflow of revelation growing out of Paul’s personal prayer life.
Ephesians is believed to have been written with a wider readership in mind than just the church in Ephesus.
It was possible intended to serve as a circular letter to all the churches in the province of Asia.
Paul’s immediate purpose for writing Ephesians was because he prayerfully longs for his readers to advance in faith, love, wisdom and revelation of our Heavenly Father.
The two basic themes of the New Testament are (1) How we are redeemed by God and (2)How we as the redeemed are to live.
Chapters one through three of Ephesians deal largely with how we are redeemed by God through His Son Jesus Christ and Chapters 4-6 focus on how we are to live as those who now belong to God.
(36) times in Ephesians Paul mentions the phrase “IN CHRIST!”
Every “spiritual blessing” and every practical issue of life relates to us being “in Christ.”
God’s eternal purpose and goal for His church is found in Ephesians.
Paul gives you and me the key to becoming all that God has called us to be!
In Ephesians you understand who you are in Christ and you understand how to live life in (1) Your home (2) the church (3) On you job!
In Ephesians you discover who your are as a child of God and how you should live as a child of God!
TRANSITION: As Paul closes out this book he lets the readers in on some valuable information! There’s someone
1. Who doesn’t want you to know that Jesus has redeemed you by paying a price for you because He loves you?
2. He doesn’t want you to know who you are “IN CHRIST.”
3. He doesn’t want you to have harmony in your home.
4. He doesn’t want you to be the employer or employee God has called you to be.
5. He doesn’t want the church the purpose God has placed it here on the earth for. He doesn’t want the church to be in harmony and unity!
We’re talking about our enemy that we daily do battle with. The devil!
Satan, the devil doesn’t want you to be the person God has called and equipped you to be! In your home, in the church or on your job!
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:10-18 (Message)
It does us well to remember that we are fighting and enemy that wants to destroy the plan of God in your life.
1Peter 5:7(AMP)- “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”
That’s why Paul admonishes his readers with the following verse.
Ephesians 6:10 (Amp) “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [Be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.]
TRANSITON: Four truths to take home with you that will help you get dressed for battle.
I. WE ARE UNABLE TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY, SATAN, ON OUR OWN.
“Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.” That’s why God gives us His armor.
Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
(POLICE OFFICER ILLUSTRATION)
II. GOD DOESN’T WANT US TO DO IT ON OUR OWN
Don’t allow the enemy to tell you that you’re on your own. God doesn’t want you to do it on your own. Again that’s why He gives us the armor and says “be strong in the power of My might.”
Psalm 91:15- “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
(POLICE OFFICER ILLUSTRATION)
III. GOD SELDOM DEFEATS OUR ENEMIES IN LIFE WITHOUT OUR COOPERATION
We need to work with God. “Put on the whole armor of God.”
Joshua 6:2-5- Turn and Read
Jesus defeated the devil in the wilderness when he used the Word of God. The Word of God came out of His mouth.
(POLICE OFFICER ILLLUSTRATION)
IV. GOD AND YOU ARE AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE
If you will cooperate with God you will defeat the enemy!
God is an unstoppable force. You are not an unstoppable force. God and you are an unstoppable force.
“Be empowered through your union with Him.”
James 4:7- “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1. We can’t defeat Satan on our own
2. God doesn’t want us to do it on our own.
3. God seldom defeats our enemies without our cooperation
4. God and you are an unstoppable force.
SO GET DRESSED FOR BATTLE. GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE A CHAMPION! WITH GOD YOU ARE A VICTOR AND NOT A VICTIM.
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!
