A. Where did He come from?
John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was
in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without
him was not any thing made that was made."
Note: This is a reference to Jesus. Everything
that was made was made by Him. This indicates ownership and authority.
Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all
things and by him all things consist."
Note: The idea is that all things are held together
by Him.
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: "
II Samuel 7:22 "Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears."
I Chronicles 17:20 "O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears."
Psalms 86:10 "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone."
Isaiah 46:9-10 "Remember the former
things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there
is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient
times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and
I will do all my pleasure:"
Note: Nothing compares to God.
Mark 12:29 "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:"
I Corinthians 8:4-6 "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Note: God never changes.
Psalms 47:2 "For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
Psalms 75:6-7 "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
Daniel 4:17 "This matter is by
the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to
the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom
of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the
basest of men."
Note: Governments and world leaders rise and
fall, but God remains the soverign forever.
Elohim = object of worship (plural form). Genesis 1:1, from "Alah" = meaning to swear. This form is listed 2,570 times (Genesis 1: 26, Psalm 110:4, Titus 1:2). Believers understand that there is one God made known in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
"I AM" (English rendering for "self existing one" see "Jehovah") = Exodus 3:14.
Jehovah (Hebrew =Yehweh) = "the One who is" = LORD = KJV Please understand that the Israelites were afraid to speak the name of God for fear of using His name in vain. Therefore, there was a substitution with "LORD".
Jehovah-jireh = God who provides. Geneisis 22:14 (Philippians 4:19).
Jehovah-rapha = God heals. Exodus 15:26 (Deuteronomy 7:15).
Jehovah-nissi = God is my banner. Exodus 17:15 (II Chronicles 20:17).
Jehovah-m'kaddesh = God who sanctifies. ("to sanctify" means "to set apart" usually for service) Leviticus 20:7.
Jehovah-shalom = God of peace. Judges 6:24 (Isaiah 26:3).
Jehovah-tsidkenu = God our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:5-6 (Galatians 3:6).
Jehovah-rohi = God my shepherd. Psalm 23:1.
Jehovah-shammah = God who is there. Ezekiel 48:35 (Psalm 139:7-8).
"Eternal God" = Deuteronomy 33:27.
"Father of Lights" = James 1:17.
"Fortress" = II Samuel 22:2.
"Heavenly Father" = Matthew 6:26.
"Holy One of Israel" = Psalm 71:22
"Judge" = Genesis 18:25
"Living God" = Joshua 3:10
"Lord of Host" = I Samuel 1:11
"Lord of Lords" = Deuteronomy 10:27
"Lord of Sabaoth" = James 5:4.
"Most High" = Deuteronomy 32:8
"Our Father" = I Chronicles 29:10, Matthew 6:9
"The King of Glory" = Psalm 24:9-10.
Luke 1:77-79 "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (II Corinthians 4:6)
John 10:10 "The thief cometh
not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (Ephesians
3:14-21)
*Notes: the term "more abundantly"
literally means "above measure". We can only measure to the brim of
the glass. I can't measure a glass that is overflowing. One can have
Christ, but not be filled with the Spirit. One can be filled with the
Spirit, but not overflowing. Jesus came that we have life and also that
we might have an overflowing life.
*This is His purpose:
1. God opens the minds of unbelievers.
For a detailed study on angels go to my page
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Angels, Angels, Angels,
Angels, Angels
c. He encourages us in our strengths. I Timothy 4:14, II Timothy 1:5-6.
d. He uses love. Matthew 5:44, Galatians 5:6
e. He plants the good seed in our hearts. Matthew 13:18-23, James 1:21.
f. He provides the body ministry. Romans 12:4-8, I Corinthians 12:24-25.
g. He heals and promises health. I Peter 2:24, III John 1:2.
h. He initiates life and prosperity. John 10:10, Luke 12:31-32, 18:28-30.
i. He frees us from condemnation. Romans 8:1, Hebrews 12:31, I John 4:18.
j. He provides peace of mind. John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7.
Note: "be strong" means to be empowered or having power from within. The way we get power within is be "in the Lord". In other words, we get our defensive power by being in the Lord.
a. "having your loins girt about with truth" = protection for our walk.
b. "having on the breastplate of righteousness" = protection for our heart.
c. "your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace" = protection for
our witness.
d. "above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked" = general overall
protection.
e. "take the helmet of salvation" = protection from evil thoughts.
f. "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" = both armor of defense and weapon of offense.
g. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" = call for defense.
NOTE: The Bible says that there are weapons. What are they? The Bible gives us the list of armor:
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
THE WEAPONS:
1. The Word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God." The Word is listed as the major offensive weapon.
Jesus uses the Word as a weapon. Revelation 19:15
"And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the
nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Jesus used it against
the devil. Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said,
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:7 "Jesus
said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Matthew 4:10 "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get
thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve." Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame
him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they
loved not their lives unto the death."
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." These were some of the instructions that God gave to Joshua before he was to lead the people into battle in the promise land. Meditation gives us time to hear from God and make strategic plans against the enemy. Psalms 119:98 "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me." We become wiser than the powers of darkness as we meditation on the Word. Psalms 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Please note the use of the word "redeemer". Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." The mind is where the battle takes place.
3. Revelation knowledge.
Daniel 11:32 "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." First, we must in a general sense know God. I Peter 1:13 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" Second, we must have a revelation of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 8:12 "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions." Proverbs 24:5 "A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength." Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Third, we need a revelation knowledge to stand against the enemy. Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
4. The prayer of faith.
James 5:15 "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." We can take back ground the enemy has taken through sin by praying in faith.Matthew 17:20-21 "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." We should enter into spiritual warfare only when we have faith. We are to speak against the enemy in faith. Matthew 21:21-22 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." We are to speak to the mountains in our life and also to pray believing.Ephesians 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Faith is also our shield against the enemy.
5. Praise.
Psalms 149:6-9 "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD." Praise is described as an offensive weapon used against the powers of darkness (compare with Ephesians 6:12). Acts 16:25-26 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." As Paul and Silas praised, the Lord did warfare for them and opened the doors of the prison.
6. In Name of Jesus.
John 16:26 "At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you." Here we find that we can pray in the name of Jesus. However, we can also command the enemy in the name of Jesus. Acts 16:18 "And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Therefore, we are to be active in using the NAME of Jesus.
7. The Blood of Jesus.
Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." The Saints overcame the accuser of the brethren through the blood. Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." One can also be free from the guilt from the accuser through applying the blood.I John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." When we do warfare for others, we can use the blood of Jesus, declaring that they are under the blood.
8. Submitted life.
Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." In any battle, we must know what the will of God is. However, we must submit our will to His to receive His will. II Timothy 2:4 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." Our attention must be upon Him. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Here is the promise. I Peter 5:6-9 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
9. Obedience.
Deuteronomy 28:1 "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth." Deuteronomy 28:7 "The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways." Deuteronomy 28:13 "And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them." This is just one example of obedience. God promises prosperity, health, and victory through obedience.
10. A pure conscience.
I Timothy 3:9 "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." A pure conscience mean that no one (man or God) can truthfully say that we have offended them and have not made effort to make it right. Acts 24:16 "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Romans 2:15 "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)." I Timothy 1:18 "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck." Hebrews 10:2 "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."
11. Unity.
Deuteronomy 32:30 "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" Note that there is an increase in power when two fight together. Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Jesus had the Disciples to go out two by two. Mark 6:7 "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits." Psalms 133:1-3 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." An anointing and blessings of God comes out of unity.
12. The Fulness of the Spirit.
Exodus 14:24
"And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the
host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled
the host of the Egyptians," We find the cloud as a type of the Holy Spirit.
God came against the enemy out of the cloud. Zechariah 4:6 "Then
he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel,
saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
The principle may also be applied to spiritual warfare. Acts
6:8 "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and
miracles among the people." Stephen took back ground that the enemy
had taken. Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
Also, we need prayer support from others.Ephesians
6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." This is like troops having
air support.
A general outline
Note: The general principle to close the doors is to confront the lie with the truth of the Word of God.
a. Acknowledge forefathers sins.
1. The basis for our destination.
A. Taking Spiritual Ground.
1. Looking at the Old Testament principles.
a. God instructed Adam. (Genesis 1:28)
(1) He was to subdue the earth.
(2) He was to have dominion over the earth.
b. Joshua was instructed to take the land of Canaan.
(1) He was to possess the land wherever his feet trod. (Joshua 1:3).
(2) He was to see the God had given him Jericho. (Joshua 6:1-3).
c. The principle: We must first fight the War
before we can plant the crops.
Joshua led the people into battle to rid the
enemy from the land before they were permitted to plant their crops.
2. Looking at the New Testament Teachings.
a. The violent are to take the kingdom of God.
"And from the days of John the Baptist until
now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by
force" (Matthew 11:12).
(We are to be the aggressors here in taking the
kingdom).
b. The gates of hell are not to prevail against the church.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
c. We are to be the aggressor and bind the
strong man (the devil).
"But it I cast out devils by the Spirit of God,
then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into the
strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?
and then he will spoil his house" (Matthew12:28-29). We must not sit
on our hands or we will hinder the work. "He that is not with me is
against me; and the that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew
12:30).
d. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
3. Jesus gave us some examples.
a. Jesus too the initiative to cross
the sea of the the country of the Gadarenes.
(Mark 4:35-5:20).
(1). He was attacked by a violent storm on the way over to the other side.
(2). He was met by two demon possessed men.
(3). He set them free.
(4). He sent the one man back to Decapolis
(a ten city area) to witness.
b. The early church cried out for God because
they were under spiritual attack.
(Acts 4:29-31).
(1). The church ask God to perform miracles and give the people boldness.
(2). The results was that many believed and gave to the church.
c. The early church was accused of turning the world upside down. (Acts 17:6).
d. The principle: We must first fight the War before we can plant the crops.
4. We must understand that we are solders in
God's army.
a. II Corinthians 5:20-21.
b. II Timothy 2:1.
c. I Timothy 6:12.
d. The principle: We must first fight the War
before we can plant the crops.
5. We must understand that we must enter into
battle.
a. We are to put on the spiritual armor. (Ephesians
6:10-20).
(1). Note: the sword is considered a dagger for
use in close combat.
(2). Note: once we put the armor on, we are to
pray.
b. We are to tear down spiritual strongholds.
(II Corinthians 10:4-5).
c. We are to call for signs, wonders, and miracles.
(Mark 16:17-20).
d. We are to overcome the enemy. (Revelation
12:11).
e. The principle: We must first fight the War
before we can plant the crops.
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B. Witnessing
1. God provides the seed for sowing. (II Corinthians
9:8-10).
a. Seed is precious. Psalm 126:5-6.
b. The seed is the Word of God. Mark
4:14.
c. The seed is everlasting. I Peter 1:25.
d. The seed has power within itself. Romans
1:16.
e. There are different types of seed.
(1). The written Word.
(2). The spoken Word.
(3). The lived word.
(a). Our own.
(b) The testimony of others.
2. It is our responsibility to sow the seed.
a. We must go into the field.
(1). Matthew 28:19-20.
(2). Luke 14:23.
(3). Acts 1:8.
b. We must sow the seed. Matthew 10:8.
c. We are to sow on different types of soil.
Mark 4:3-20.
d. We are to sow continually. Ecclesiastes
11:1-6.
e. We are to be generous in our sowing.
II Corinthians 9:6.
3. How are we to sow the seed?
a. There are two basic approaches. Jude
1:22-23.
(1). Sow in compassion.
(2). Sow in fear.
b. There are three ways to sow.
(1). We are to use the Law. Galatians 3:24.
(2). We are to use the truth found in nature.
John 3:1-8.
(3). We are to use spiritual truth. Acts
17:22-31.
c. We are to sow in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(1). Acts 1:8.
(2). Mark 16:20.
(3). I Corinthians 2:4.
4. It is our responsibility to work toward
the harvest.
a. We are to persuade. Acts 19:26.
b. We are to dispute. Acts 19:8-9.
5. It is God's responsibility to produce the
harvest. II Corinthians 9:10,
Galatians
6:7.
a. We can't save anyone!
b. The Word enlightens. Psalm 119:130,
II Peter 1:19.
c. The Holy Spirit convinces. John 16:8-11.
d. The Father draws. John 6:44.
e. The Spirit gives life. John 6:63.
6. We are to bring in the harvest.
a. We are to reap the harvest. Luke 14:23.
b. We are to win souls. Proverbs 11:30.
c. The harvest is sure. Mark 4:8, John
15:16
7. We are to rejoice in the harvest.
a. Psalm 126:5-6.
b. Philippians 4:1.