Dear Partner in Prayer,
This is a continuing study of Matthew 16:13:20. Scroll down for previous lessons.
May the word of Christ, (the anointed One and His anointing,) dwell in you richly in all wisdom. May whatever you do in word or deed be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19
Keys of Heaven
I hope you have gone before the Lord to inquire what these keys are. They provide the ability to stand against a defeated, yet cunning enemy; one who cannot and never will prevail over Christ’s Body, The Church! After all, we are resurrected representatives of an Almighty Kingdom and our faith is the substance that overcomes the world! Praise the Lord!
If this deceptive, malicious enemy can hide the knowledge of The Body’s rights and benefits from us, he will have more of an entrance to steal, kill, and destroy.
Jesus came to give us LIFE abundantly and His Holy Spirit is sent as The Teacher and Administrator of the New Covenant, purchased not with the blood of bulls and goats, but bought with the Son’s pure and holy Blood.
He that was slain from the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ, is now seated at God’s right hand! He came that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
He is The Lion of the tribe of Judah who holds the keys of death and Hades in His hand, gloriously seated in the heavenlies:
“... far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:21-23
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
“All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” See Colossians 1:15-20.
Wow! There is so much to dig into here, Beloved.
Meditating on these scriptures will cause them to abide, or be activated in your spirit man. They will transform old “illiterate ways of thinking” so that you will be a powerful enforcer of the Word of God.
Meditating on scripture can be very effective in gaining ascendancy and holding your ground to dominate the ways of the enemy. But like most things in God’s Kingdom, we have our part, He has His part.
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”
What would you say is our part?
Back to The Keys of Heaven
Keys are given to bind up and to loose.
Here is a look at my list which we have previously studied:
God’s Word
The name of Jesus
The power of the Holy Spirit
When they are used and directed together as a weapon against the kingdom of darkness, they are the highest power that produce spectacular victory!
How would you define power?
One might quickly think of those things on earth that are powerful.
But what would you say God’s power is?
Perhaps we might answer God’s power is His glory or ability; His might, strength, mighty works, and miracles; His freedom and right to act; His absolute majesty and unrestricted authority; His angels, force, and dominion.
Would you also say God’s power and dominion are resident in the new creation man who is empowered by the Holy Spirit?
Unseen Weapons
“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 strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It takes supernatural power to take every thought captive to the Word!
Definition of weapon: armament; instrument of war; lethal instrument; deadly weapon. Used for defense, offense, protection, guarding, attacking and countermeasures.
Our weapons were not to be left as just reading material in the Book. They are for our use and should be activated daily so that we become more skillful.
The U.S. Army would never consider sending out soldiers without supplying them with military weapons and training them in combat procedures. Jesus has provided weapons for His Church that when used properly are guaranteed to enforce and nullify the enemy’s assignments.
“... that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” Philippians 1:27-28
Fear and timidity are never an asset to a soldier.
Jesus said, “I give you the authority to trample…over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
God’s Armor—A Requirement for The Church
We are to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Whose might?
He is The Commander in Chief who has all power, knowledge, and experience in how to triumph over all the power of the enemy. Why?
“He disarmed principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 For by Him they were created and by Him they were disarmed!
“The message of His cross is the power of God. Our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Read 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.
He is the One who clothes us. He is the One who equips us with His own unseen armor. We rely on His expertise to guide us and to keep us protected always.
It's an Inside Job
Remember, Jesus knows best how spiritual things work. His Holy Spirit is sent to teach and guide you and me in spiritual warfare. We should start each day yielded and submitted to His leading so that the victory is guaranteed.
David, before going into any battle, inquired of the Lord. Why? Because different battles required different strategies. This is vital to our safety, Saints, especially in the time we are living in.
As we mature in spiritual things, we become more powerful the more we yield to the Lord.
Fun Assignment
Read Ephesians 6:10-18.
Can God’s armor and weapons be seen? Can your enemy be seen?
Make a list of the armor and how each piece functions.
Prayer
Ephesians Chapter 6.
Have you noticed God's armor precedes the instructions for prayer?
“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people.)”
Ephesians 6:18 AMP
THE CHURCH — THE LOST— ELECTED OFFICIALS
This is a continuing study of Matthew 16:13:20. Scroll down for previous lessons.
May the word of Christ, (the anointed One and His anointing,) dwell in you richly in all wisdom. May whatever you do in word or deed be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19
Keys of Heaven
I hope you have gone before the Lord to inquire what these keys are. They provide the ability to stand against a defeated, yet cunning enemy; one who cannot and never will prevail over Christ’s Body, The Church! After all, we are resurrected representatives of an Almighty Kingdom and our faith is the substance that overcomes the world! Praise the Lord!
If this deceptive, malicious enemy can hide the knowledge of The Body’s rights and benefits from us, he will have more of an entrance to steal, kill, and destroy.
Jesus came to give us LIFE abundantly and His Holy Spirit is sent as The Teacher and Administrator of the New Covenant, purchased not with the blood of bulls and goats, but bought with the Son’s pure and holy Blood.
He that was slain from the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ, is now seated at God’s right hand! He came that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
He is The Lion of the tribe of Judah who holds the keys of death and Hades in His hand, gloriously seated in the heavenlies:
“... far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:21-23
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
“All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” See Colossians 1:15-20.
Wow! There is so much to dig into here, Beloved.
Meditating on these scriptures will cause them to abide, or be activated in your spirit man. They will transform old “illiterate ways of thinking” so that you will be a powerful enforcer of the Word of God.
Meditating on scripture can be very effective in gaining ascendancy and holding your ground to dominate the ways of the enemy. But like most things in God’s Kingdom, we have our part, He has His part.
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”
What would you say is our part?
Back to The Keys of Heaven
Keys are given to bind up and to loose.
Here is a look at my list which we have previously studied:
- The Word of God
- The Name of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- They each come from a realm of dominion.
- They are not of this earthly world system.
- They each come forth from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- They are all one and are not dividable.
- Each key has more power than thousands of nuclear bombs put together.
- Each one has power over any earthly circumstance.
- They have been given specifically to God’s Ambassadors.
- They provide provision to help accomplish assignments while on earth.
- They can accomplish the will of God, our Father.
God’s Word
The name of Jesus
The power of the Holy Spirit
When they are used and directed together as a weapon against the kingdom of darkness, they are the highest power that produce spectacular victory!
How would you define power?
One might quickly think of those things on earth that are powerful.
But what would you say God’s power is?
Perhaps we might answer God’s power is His glory or ability; His might, strength, mighty works, and miracles; His freedom and right to act; His absolute majesty and unrestricted authority; His angels, force, and dominion.
Would you also say God’s power and dominion are resident in the new creation man who is empowered by the Holy Spirit?
Unseen Weapons
“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 strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It takes supernatural power to take every thought captive to the Word!
Definition of weapon: armament; instrument of war; lethal instrument; deadly weapon. Used for defense, offense, protection, guarding, attacking and countermeasures.
Our weapons were not to be left as just reading material in the Book. They are for our use and should be activated daily so that we become more skillful.
The U.S. Army would never consider sending out soldiers without supplying them with military weapons and training them in combat procedures. Jesus has provided weapons for His Church that when used properly are guaranteed to enforce and nullify the enemy’s assignments.
“... that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” Philippians 1:27-28
Fear and timidity are never an asset to a soldier.
Jesus said, “I give you the authority to trample…over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
God’s Armor—A Requirement for The Church
We are to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Whose might?
He is The Commander in Chief who has all power, knowledge, and experience in how to triumph over all the power of the enemy. Why?
“He disarmed principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 For by Him they were created and by Him they were disarmed!
“The message of His cross is the power of God. Our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Read 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.
He is the One who clothes us. He is the One who equips us with His own unseen armor. We rely on His expertise to guide us and to keep us protected always.
It's an Inside Job
Remember, Jesus knows best how spiritual things work. His Holy Spirit is sent to teach and guide you and me in spiritual warfare. We should start each day yielded and submitted to His leading so that the victory is guaranteed.
David, before going into any battle, inquired of the Lord. Why? Because different battles required different strategies. This is vital to our safety, Saints, especially in the time we are living in.
As we mature in spiritual things, we become more powerful the more we yield to the Lord.
Fun Assignment
Read Ephesians 6:10-18.
Can God’s armor and weapons be seen? Can your enemy be seen?
Make a list of the armor and how each piece functions.
Prayer
Ephesians Chapter 6.
Have you noticed God's armor precedes the instructions for prayer?
“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people.)”
Ephesians 6:18 AMP
THE CHURCH — THE LOST— ELECTED OFFICIALS