Faith

Victorious Weapons 

I believe the Lord would have us consider two points today.
First Point:

Jesus’ victory at the cross over sin, sickness and death has ushered us into the family of God as adopted sons and daughters. Therefore, our lives one to be lived in victory not victimhood.

Romans 8:37 (ESV)
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 5:6, 8-10 (NIV)
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly...But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

In order to obtain the victory, Jesus secured for us at the cross He has given us weapons to combat our enemies.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

Mighty in God .
They pull down strongholds.
Casting down arguments [which may also be translated imaginations]. Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Second Point:

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

So, let us rehearse the truth our experience and standing with God.

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)
“...if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV)
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ...”

Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV)
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Romans 8:31 (NKJV)
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Knowing God as Father
What is the Father like? John 14:9 (ESV)

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father’?”

The Father wants to be known by you.

Father God Loves, Always Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV)

“Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Father God Welcomes All Who Turn to Him Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV)

“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”

June 18, 2023 // Pastor Mark Davies

Luke 12:32 (ESV)
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV)
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

2 Corinthians 6:16b, 18 (ESV)
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Ephesians 2:18-19 (ESV)
“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Father God Disciplines For Our Instruction John 15:1-2 (ESV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
“But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

Spiritual Warfare – Part 2

 
Ephesians 1:18-22 (NIV)

“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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 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. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church”

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 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, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Putting On Your Armor

1.      Belt of Truth

Ephesians 5:6-9 (ESV)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)”

Ephesians 4:21 (ESV)
“the truth is in Jesus”

2.      Breastplate of righteousness.

Isaiah 59:17 (NIV)

“He put on righteousness as his breastplate”

3.      Gospel shoes.

Isaiah 6:15 (ESV)

“as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace”

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

“How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation”

4.     Shield of Faith.

Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

“he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 28:7 (ESV)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield”

5.      Helmet of salvation.

6.     Sword of the spirit.

Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

The normal Christian life

1. The Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare.
2. "There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan." - C.S. Lewis
3. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
   “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
4. People are a distraction of the real enemy.
5. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
6. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
   “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood”

3. Satan has plans and strategies to carry out His plan.

June 4, 2023 // Pastor Jason King

Mathew 4:1-11 (NIV)

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty

days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God,

tell these stones to become bread.’

Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

James 4:7 (ESV)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Isaiah 14:13,14 (NIV)

“You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;

I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.

I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”

John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

4. You have everything you need for this battle.

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Faith

Romans 4:17-20 (NIV)

“’I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,”

       I.         The Journey of Faith

-        The Promise (Age 75)

Genesis 12:2 (NIV)
“I will make you into a great nation,…”

-        The Choice 

Genesis 12:4 (NIV)

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;…”

-        The Delay (Age 86)

Genesis 16:1 (NIV)
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children…”

-        The Challenge 

Genesis 17:17 (NIV)

"Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?”

-        The Confusion

Genesis 22:2 (NIV)

"Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—….and Sacrifice him”

-        The Provision

Genesis 22:12 (NIV)

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him….”

Maintaining a Faith that endures. 

1.      Anchor your Faith in God’s ability not yours.

Romans 4:17 (NIV)

“he [Abraham] believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”

Luke 18:27 (NIV) 

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

2.      Rehearse the promises of God. 

Romans 4:18 (NIV)

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,”

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)
“no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Hebrews 11:17 (NIV)

 “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.”

3.      Approach the situation with Faith not denial. 

Romans 4:19-20

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,”

4.     Remember obedience is our responsibility and the outcome is God’s. 

Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

Love Each Other

Romans 13:8 (ESV)
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other”

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
“as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:2a (NIV)
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 

1 Corinthians 13:2b (NIV)
“If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

“If I give all I possess to the poor…but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

“If I give…over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love one another is a choice.

Video Sections:
00:00 Start of Service
01:03 Worship
33:07 Message Start

Message Notes:

King Jesus

Acts 17:1-7 (ESV)
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.’”

Acts 17: 7 (ESV)
”they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

---

“Salvation is to be found in none other than Augustus, and there is no other name given to men by which man can be saved.”

Acts 4:12 (ESV)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

---

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

May 14, 2023 // Pastor Jason King

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (ESV)
“For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

Quote by Jonathan Edwards
“There is a false boldness for Christ that only comes from pride. A man may rashly expose himself to the world’s dislike and even deliberately provoke its displeasure, and yet do so out of pride... True boldness for Christ transcends all; it is indifferent to the displeasure of either friends or foes. Boldness enables Christians to forsake all rather than Christ, and to prefer to offend all rather than to offend Him.”

Video Sections: 
00:00 Start of Service
01:03 Worship
36:16 Message Start

Message Notes:

Uncharted Territory

Acts 16:6-10 (ESV)
“they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Things to remember in uncharted territory.
1. God directs you through both closed and open doors.
2. God leads you personally and communally. 
3. God often will lead you gradually and systematically, as well as suddenly and unpredictably.

Video Sections: 
00:00 Start of Service
01:33 Worship
34:16 Message Start

Message Notes:

Finding Our Identity

1. Measurements of Success

1. Early Years: Academic achievements, sports accolades, and social popularity

2. Middle Years: Accumulated power and money, achievements, and contributions

3. Later Years: Honor, reputation, and legacy

Philippians 3:2-10 (ESV)

2. Failures

1. Past Shame - “I can’t can’t believe I did that I’m just a…”

2. Present Stumbling - “I can’t stop this… I’m just a…”

3. Future Fears - “There’s no way I can… I’m just a…”

3. Citizenship

1. "My country is better than your country.”

2. Our Citizenship is in heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

Where do you get your identity?

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)

Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Colossians 3:3 (NIV)

John 1:12 (NLT)

Romans 8:15 (NRSV)

Galatians 3:26 (NLT)

1 John 3:1a (ESV)

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Colossians 3:1-2 (MSG)

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.”

Video Sections: 
00:00 Start of Service
01:26 Evidence by Ed Cash, Ethan Hulse, Josh Baldwin.
07:12 Great Are You Lord by Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan and David Leonard
13:12 King of my Heart by by John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan
25:04 I Surrender All by Judson W. Van De Venter
28:43 Message Start

Message Notes:

Things to Remember When You Suffer for the name of Jesus

1. Suffering disgrace for His name is not a punishment, it is a privilege.

Acts 5:41 (NIV)

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

1 Peter 4:12-14,16 (NLT)

“don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you...it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!”

Philippians 1:29 (ESV) "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake”

2. God will give you boldness stand for His name sake in the time of suffering.

Acts 4:29-31 (NLT) “O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”

Ephesians 3:9-12 (ESV) “God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

3. God will use your suffering for good and your blessing.

1 Peter 4:14 (ESV) "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Matthew 5:11-12 (ESV) “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven”