Wage War

Last week we began a new series at Pursuit, Wage War. This series is all about how to declare war against satan and sin and live our lives in victory! Last week was also busy so I wasn't able to post so I'll combine weeks 1 & 2 today :)

We kicked off week 1 discussing WHO we need to wage war against -- being satan. He's real but he isn't all-powerful, all-knowing, or everyone at once. 

"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." 

Ephesians 6:12

• Christianity isn't a playground -- it's a battleground! 
• You're either on God's team or on satan's team. You can't play both teams. It's one or the other!
• We can be overtaken by temptation because we flirt too often with the enemy!
• God doesn't send anyone to hell. We send ourselves there!
• If God loves you, the enemy hates you.
• Satan HAS to have permission from God for everything he does!
• The enemy lost when Jesus rose from the grave!!
• If you're lost, satan will try everything to keep you that way!
• God has given us the ultimate authority over satan! ("I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." Luke 10:19)
• Heaven isn't for people that are scared of hell -- it's for people who LOVE JESUS!

Last week we saw 182 students, 17 new guests, & 3 REDEDICATIONS!

Week 2 we were challenged to not only dress our outsides but our insides! It's more important to dress our hearts (spiritually) before leaving the house every day than worrying so much about our outward appearances!

"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."

Ephesians 6:10-13

• We set ourselves up for defeat when God & I don't meet!
• God's word is for direction AND protection.
• If we want to walk in victory, we have to spend time with the one who won the victory!
• God's more interested in WHO you're becoming than what you look like.
• Some of us dress our outsides but never dress our insides. Dress your heart!
• We have to combat the devil's LIES with God's TRUTHS (Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7)
• God's word (the sword) wasn't meant to cut people down, but set people free!
• It's hard to stand before men without first kneeling before God.
• When you're inconsistent, He will seem distant.
• The enemy likes to make strong men weak. God likes to make weak men strong!
• It's not the amount of our strength, but the source of our strength that makes a difference! We can't battle satan in our own strength but only in God's strength!
• If the enemy doesn't take a day off...why would we?
• We can't go to war without our battle equipment or our armor!

Last night We saw 197 students, 18 new guests, & 1 SALVATION! Celebrate!