Spiritual Warfare…
A Cosmic Battle…
Overt and Covert Warfare…
“From the days of John the Baptist
until now, the kingdom of heaven
has been forcefully advancing,
and forceful men lay hold of it.”
Mt 11:12
“…on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell will
not overcome it.”
Mt 16:18
The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the
contrary, they have divine power to
demolish strongholds. We demolish
arguments and every pretension that
sets itself up against the knowledge of
God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10: 4,5
Secondary
Defences
PERSECUTION
Primary Defences
CONTROL
Examples from the book of Acts:
• Acts 2 (Pentecost)
Control
• Acts 3 (healing of cripple)
Breakthrough
• Acts 4: 1-22 (before Sanhedrin)
Persecution
Examples from the book of Acts:
• Acts 4: 23- 5: 10 (boldness, money)
Control
• Acts 5:12-16 (Peter’s shadow)
Breakthrough
• Acts 5: 17,18 (apostles in jail)
Persecution
What does the enemy’s control
system look like?
• Built up over time, often
generations
• A pattern in the way we think or
behave
• Operates in cultural ‘blind spots’
• Leads to unbiblical behaviour
The Biggest Enemy…
…Consumerism
Safety and security – the primary
concern of the middle classes…
…mixes with comfort and
convenience in a consumer society
to become an enemy of the Gospel
(Alan Hirsch)
Typical strongholds in the West
• Security in money (poverty spirit)
• Individualism (private life)
• Fear of ridicule (pride)
• Fear of risk (cowardice)
• Rationalism (unbelief)
• Self-focused leadership (vanity)
• Overwork (Striving)
Have you become a
prisoner of war?
How do we break free?
We act based on…
Visible
Invisible
Our 5 senses,
our experience
and reason
The Bible,
our relationship
with the Holy
Spirit
How do we break free?
"The time has come,” he said. "The
kingdom of God is near. Repent and
believe the good news!"
Mark 1: 15
Kairos
Act
Account I
L
E
E
V
Plan
B
E
R
T
Persevere
Observe
E
P Reflect
E
N Discuss
Walking out Faith…
Hope
New possibilities
enter our mind
from heaven
Faith
We believe the
new possibilities to
the point that they
become our reality
‘Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for.’
Hebrews 11:1
New Possibilities…
‘Consequently,
faith
comes from hearing the
message, and the
message is heard
through the word of
Christ.’
St. Paul (Romans 10: 17)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith
in me will do what I have been doing. He
will do even greater things than these,
because I am going to the Father. And I
will do whatever you ask in my name, so
that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
You may ask me for anything in my name,
and I will do it.”
Jesus (John 14: 12-14)
Breaking Out of the Box…
What are your expectations of God
when it comes to…
• provision?
• health?
• salvation?
• support as you take risks?
Battle
Walking out Faith…
Our Experience
(visible realm)
God’s Word
(Invisible realm)
Battle
‘And we rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God. Not only so, but we also
rejoice in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope. And
hope does not disappoint us, because
God has poured out his love into our
hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he
has given us.’
St. Paul (Romans 5: 2-5)
The Process…
Ask
Seek
?
Persevere!
Knock
God’s sovereignty…
Father – ‘Day of the Lord’ (Acts 2:20)
Spirit – ‘Works in all things’ (Romans 8:28)
Son – ‘Greater things shall you do’ (John 14:12)
Eden
Fallen Earth
New Earth
“…anyone who does not take his
cross and follow me is not worthy of
me. Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it. “
Matt 10: 38,39
“So if the son sets you free, you will be
free indeed.”
John 8:36