The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19)

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Today we’re continuing in our series on Spiritual Warfare. Last Sunday, we talked about temptation in the message “The Serpent’s Strategy.” We looked at the very first temptation in the garden of Eden, where the serpent tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. Many people today regard the story of the first temptation as a myth and think that it really didn’t happen. Yet the Bible records and comments on it as a very real event, the first instance of spiritual warfare. Who was involved in the spiritual warfare? Human beings, Adam & Eve, and the tempter or serpent, Satan.

Several weeks ago, we spoke on Jesus’ temptations by Satan himself. While many people don’t believe in Satan, the Bible tells us that Satan is a very powerful and cunning enemy who is bent on our destruction. We mustn’t be ignorant of his schemes

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV)  in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

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The Serpent’s Strategy (Genesis 3:1-7)

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We’re in a message series called “Spiritual Warfare.” Our warfare is a battle between obeying God and obeying Satan. Behind every significant decision in your life is a choice to obey God or the devil.

How does this play out? As a believer, God is speaking to you through His Spirit as you ponder a decision in life. But there is something else going on with every decision. Satan is seeking to inject his direction and ideas into your mind. He can do that in a number of ways.

Satan can directly tempt you in your mind. Or he may use something that you read or watch. Or he may use a friend or relative to tempt you to follow his guidance. Oftentimes, the obvious choice is the wrong one, the one that Satan is pitching to you. He’s hoping that you don’t take the time to pray and find out what God is saying. So, it comes down to a choice. A choice to follow God and reject the temptation. Or a choice to follow Satan and reject God’s direction.

When you choose to follow God’s direction, the result is blessing in your life. When you choose to follow Satan’s direction and sin, the result is curses upon your life.

1 John 2:16 (NIV2011)  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

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Facing Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)

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We’re in a message series called “Spiritual Warfare.” The Bible teaches that as believers, we are in a battle against unseen evil spiritual forces. Behind every conflict in the world, whether armed battles or cultural battles between right and wrong, are invisible demonic beings. The recent Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriages is a recent example of the unseen battle coming out into the open.

Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)  Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

In this decision, that which the Bible clearly calls evil has been celebrated as good. The institution of marriage created by God has been perverted by applying the concept to unholy unions.

Proverbs 17:15 (NASB)  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

When our judges justify and promote sinful lifestyles and condemn those who follow God’s truth, it is an abomination to the Lord and judgment is sure to come. God’s Word is truth and true believers follow God’s truth in all of the Bible. When Jesus Christ changes a heart and someone becomes a new creation in Christ, they then understand what is true and what is false, what is blessed and what is cursed. As we proclaim God’s truth, sinners will repent, hearts will change and ultimately, society will come to its senses once again. …

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Detecting the Deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:2-15)

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December 7, 1941 started as a peaceful Sunday morning, but at 7:55 am, Pearl Harbor was attacked by 200 Japanese aircraft. People often say that the attack was without warning, but that’s not the case. In the months leading up to the attack, the Pearl Harbor commanders were warned three times to prepare for war, as negotiations had ceased. Little was done to prepare. On the morning of the attack, a decoded Japanese message indicated that war was at hand. Four hours before the attack a Japanese submarine was sighted, but no report was made. On the morning of the attack, radar operators saw a large blip which they considered a squadron of aircraft approaching Pearl Harbor. Their report was not heeded. As a result of ignoring the attack warnings, 2300 Americans were killed, 1300 injured and 1000 were missing.

Today, we begin at new message series called “Spiritual Warfare.” The Bible warns us repeatedly to prepare for spiritual warfare. However, many ignore those warnings and as a result, Satan’s attacks kill, injure and lead astray friends, relatives and neighbors.

In this series, we’re going to look at questions, such as:

  • Who is our real enemy?
  • What is their plan of attack?
  • How can we defend ourselves in battle and be victorious?

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)  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.

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Statement Regarding the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision

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Yesterday, the Supreme Court released their decision to allow same-sex marriages in all states, regardless of the decisions of individual states. This decision has profound negative implications, far beyond what most people understand today. The dissenting opinions on the Supreme Court give an indication of the total disregard for law and thousands of years of history by the majority judges in the 5-4 decision.

It is important for the church to respond to this decision and give a clear understanding of what God’s Word has to say concerning these matters. Churches have an obligation to speak up for the God-ordained institution of marriage between one man and one woman, which remains blessed by God. Churches that celebrate this lawless decision are obviously not true churches of Jesus Christ. We call on believers who are unfortunate enough to be part of such false churches to leave and find a church that stands on the truth of God’s Word and offers love and forgiveness in Christ. Churches that are silent on the issue are hiding their light under a basket and not taking this opportunity to stand for the truth of God’s Word. We call on believers in churches that are silent on the issue of same-sex marriage to encourage their leaders to speak out for righteousness in this critical time.

Following is an official statement from the Assemblies of God, the largest Spirit-filled denomination in the world, concerning the recent Supreme Court decision. As part of the Assemblies of God fellowship, Life Church St. Louis will be speaking out and giving further clarity on godly responses to this decision in the future.

George O. Wood, AG general superintendent, releases a statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to allow same-sex marriages.

Read: Statement Regarding the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision | PE News

Fight the Battle (Ephesians 6:10-19)

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 Fight the Battle Message Introduction

Today, we’re continuing our message series called “Bondservant.” A bondservant, serving the Lord lays their life on the line for their master. A servant is also a warrior or soldier for their Captain. Today, our message is entitled “Fight the Battle.”

Around the world today, there are many armed conflicts. Last year there were 4 conflicts with more than 10,000 deaths. An additional 10 conflicts had more than 1000 deaths and 18 conflicts that had more than 100 deaths. These physical armed conflicts are simply outwards symptoms of a spiritual battle. The unseen war between the kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan.

Every person, whether they know it or not is aligned with one side or the other in this unseen spiritual battle. On the side of the kingdom of God are believers, and those who are not believers are aligned with the dominion of darkness. The Bible talks repeatedly of our responsibility as warriors in this conflict.

1 Timothy 6:12a (NIV)  Fight the good fight of the faith.

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