This is a continuing study. Previous lessons are below. Just scroll down.
Dear Prayer Partner,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
We began a study of Matthew 16:13-20 which has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“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."
My list of the Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
See Ephesians 1:20-21 and 2:6. This is an absolute truth that must transform how we think and how we see ourselves over our enemy.
Weapons
We are presently studying Ephesians 6:10-18. The last lesson we focused on:
The Belt, The Breastplate, Gospel Shoes and The Shield of Faith
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” Ephesians. 6:13
Do you think there is a piece of armor that is not founded on His Word?
To Stand or Not to Stand
Our ability to take up the armor and to use it must rest on what Jesus did for us at the cross. All that we are and all that we have been given is founded on this eternal provision: His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
This is the foundation that we stand on…individually and corporately…
Christ the solid rock!
All of our redemptive rights and benefits must always point to Jesus, for it is through Him that we are to rule and reign as Kings and Priests. Read Romans 5.
All of our existence stands on what He has already accomplished for us.
As a personal reminder, I have written this in my Bible next to Ephesians 6:10:
(See Ephesians 1:17-23, Ephesians 2:6 & 10, and Colossians 2:14-15.)
Whatever we do, we do through Him and for Him.
We are empowered by the knowledge of His sacrifice, His triumph, and His place of dominion at the right hand of God, where He has chosen us to be seated in Him.
John 15:1-10 — Our Rules of Engagement
Jesus lays down a guide for our walk in the Spirit realm, a walk which works from the inside out. If your spirit-man is running out of gas (God’s Word), when you engage your weapons you might be leaning on the flesh for your victory—and what does the flesh produce?
The Holy Spirit — The Helper — Commissioned to Help You in All of Life
He is authorized to be your Companion and remain with you forever!
He is your personal Advocate, Champion, Defender, Supporter, Promoter and Stand-by. He will always lead us in how to triumph! See our lesson from 4-16-13.
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go away. Why? He would send another who would be with us forever. When you are engaged in conflict with the enemy, always remember to go inward and follow the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit, for He is the power source.
The Helper is also the One who strengthens us. He is the one we rely on to:
The Helmet of Salvation
Take it! How? Act on your salvation rights! Speak, confess the scriptures. You’re a citizen of Heaven!
Helmet: encirclement of the head, defensive covering for the head, deliverance for those who are engaged in spiritual conflict
Salvation: to save, rescue…welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, safety
“…that you may be able to stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil.”
See Ephesians 6:11
Once again, let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:
“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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
It takes strength to renew your mind to God’s Word because it takes daily discipline and diligence to study on a continual basis. If a Believer’s thought life has not been in the habit of being controlled, or kept in check, this exercise can be like a cowboy trying to round up a herd of wild mustangs.
The Bouncer
I like the illustration my Pastor gives. Keep the bouncer at the door!
Popular clubs in Hollywood employ a guard or a “bouncer”: a big, strong, brawny- type man to stand at the door. It’s his job to only allow those who are invited or have paid to go inside.
The bouncer controls who comes in. Not everyone is free to come through the door.
Likewise, we cannot be fully effective in our position of authority if we allow every thought to come in and take up residence. You have the mind of Christ, and your thought life must follow His high standards. What you watch, what you listen to, and what you meditate on must go through the Mighty Bouncer, the Living Word! Does this thought line up with scripture? No? Then, “Get out and stay out!”
Lies, Deception, Fear, and Threats
The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe but he has no right to blind the mind of a Christian! Yet, he is an outlaw and a deceiver and a persistent foe. He has no right but a thief never follows the rules.
Remember who you are, and what you have been given. You are a new creation complete in Him, commissioned as an Ambassador of Christ, the righteousness of God in Him. It is His love that compels us forward. We are not to regard ourselves or The Church after the flesh for now all things are of God.
See 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
“Only be strong and very courageous…This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and have good success.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9
Next Lesson: The Sword of the Spirit
Prayer
A strong Believer makes an effective intercessor. Effective intercession will change your city and your state and your nation. Be sure you’re wearing your helmet and the rest of your armor. God is with us!
THE CHURCH — THE LOST — ELECTED LEADERS
Dear Prayer Partner,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
We began a study of Matthew 16:13-20 which has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“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."
My list of the Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
- The Word of God
- The Name of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- Weapons
See Ephesians 1:20-21 and 2:6. This is an absolute truth that must transform how we think and how we see ourselves over our enemy.
Weapons
We are presently studying Ephesians 6:10-18. The last lesson we focused on:
The Belt, The Breastplate, Gospel Shoes and The Shield of Faith
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” Ephesians. 6:13
- Take up the whole covering of armor, not just one piece of the armor. Each piece of armor works in harmony with each other to reinforce the spirit-man, the soul and the body to remain standing in authority.
- The evil day: there are times of conflict when we contend to press in to Jesus to triumph over the plans of the enemy. See 2 Corinthians 2:14
- All of the fight is over your position: your seat of authority that Jesus has placed you in.
Do you think there is a piece of armor that is not founded on His Word?
To Stand or Not to Stand
Our ability to take up the armor and to use it must rest on what Jesus did for us at the cross. All that we are and all that we have been given is founded on this eternal provision: His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
This is the foundation that we stand on…individually and corporately…
Christ the solid rock!
All of our redemptive rights and benefits must always point to Jesus, for it is through Him that we are to rule and reign as Kings and Priests. Read Romans 5.
All of our existence stands on what He has already accomplished for us.
As a personal reminder, I have written this in my Bible next to Ephesians 6:10:
(See Ephesians 1:17-23, Ephesians 2:6 & 10, and Colossians 2:14-15.)
Whatever we do, we do through Him and for Him.
We are empowered by the knowledge of His sacrifice, His triumph, and His place of dominion at the right hand of God, where He has chosen us to be seated in Him.
John 15:1-10 — Our Rules of Engagement
Jesus lays down a guide for our walk in the Spirit realm, a walk which works from the inside out. If your spirit-man is running out of gas (God’s Word), when you engage your weapons you might be leaning on the flesh for your victory—and what does the flesh produce?
The Holy Spirit — The Helper — Commissioned to Help You in All of Life
He is authorized to be your Companion and remain with you forever!
He is your personal Advocate, Champion, Defender, Supporter, Promoter and Stand-by. He will always lead us in how to triumph! See our lesson from 4-16-13.
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He go away. Why? He would send another who would be with us forever. When you are engaged in conflict with the enemy, always remember to go inward and follow the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit, for He is the power source.
The Helper is also the One who strengthens us. He is the one we rely on to:
- Stand against the wiles of the devil.
- Having done all…to stand.
- And to continue to stand.
The Helmet of Salvation
Take it! How? Act on your salvation rights! Speak, confess the scriptures. You’re a citizen of Heaven!
Helmet: encirclement of the head, defensive covering for the head, deliverance for those who are engaged in spiritual conflict
Salvation: to save, rescue…welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, safety
“…that you may be able to stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil.”
See Ephesians 6:11
Once again, let’s read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:
“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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
It takes strength to renew your mind to God’s Word because it takes daily discipline and diligence to study on a continual basis. If a Believer’s thought life has not been in the habit of being controlled, or kept in check, this exercise can be like a cowboy trying to round up a herd of wild mustangs.
The Bouncer
I like the illustration my Pastor gives. Keep the bouncer at the door!
Popular clubs in Hollywood employ a guard or a “bouncer”: a big, strong, brawny- type man to stand at the door. It’s his job to only allow those who are invited or have paid to go inside.
The bouncer controls who comes in. Not everyone is free to come through the door.
Likewise, we cannot be fully effective in our position of authority if we allow every thought to come in and take up residence. You have the mind of Christ, and your thought life must follow His high standards. What you watch, what you listen to, and what you meditate on must go through the Mighty Bouncer, the Living Word! Does this thought line up with scripture? No? Then, “Get out and stay out!”
Lies, Deception, Fear, and Threats
The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe but he has no right to blind the mind of a Christian! Yet, he is an outlaw and a deceiver and a persistent foe. He has no right but a thief never follows the rules.
Remember who you are, and what you have been given. You are a new creation complete in Him, commissioned as an Ambassador of Christ, the righteousness of God in Him. It is His love that compels us forward. We are not to regard ourselves or The Church after the flesh for now all things are of God.
See 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
“Only be strong and very courageous…This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and have good success.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9
Next Lesson: The Sword of the Spirit
Prayer
A strong Believer makes an effective intercessor. Effective intercession will change your city and your state and your nation. Be sure you’re wearing your helmet and the rest of your armor. God is with us!
THE CHURCH — THE LOST — ELECTED LEADERS