Summer Preaching Series: Ephesians 6:10–13

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Happy Fourth of July Hey, hey, hey, hey. Happy Fourth of July weekend, everybody. Let's go ahead and weekend, everybody. Let's go ahead and weekend, everybody. Let's go ahead and stand together and we're glad that stand together and we're glad that stand together and we're glad that you're here. Uh my name is Will. If we you're here. Uh my name is Will. If we you're here. Uh my name is Will. If we haven't met before, I serve as our haven't met before, I serve as our haven't met before, I serve as our worship leader here. And wherever you're worship leader here. And wherever you're worship leader here. And wherever you're coming in from uh this morning, whatever coming in from uh this morning, whatever coming in from uh this morning, whatever your background is, if this is your your background is, if this is your your background is, if this is your first time here or you're here every first time here or you're here every first time here or you're here every week, we are really glad that you're week, we are really glad that you're week, we are really glad that you're here. And I believe that the Lord has here. And I believe that the Lord has here. And I believe that the Lord has something in this morning for you. something in this morning for you. something in this morning for you. Nobody's here today on accident. And so Nobody's here today on accident. And so Nobody's here today on accident. And so I'm eager and excited to see what he has I'm eager and excited to see what he has I'm eager and excited to see what he has in store for us today. We get an in store for us today. We get an in store for us today. We get an opportunity this morning to start by opportunity this morning to start by opportunity this morning to start by singing to him and telling him that he's singing to him and telling him that he's singing to him and telling him that he's holy, that he's set apart. And I was holy, that he's set apart. And I was holy, that he's set apart. And I was reminded this week uh yesterday reading reminded this week uh yesterday reading reminded this week uh yesterday reading my Bible just all over again that there my Bible just all over again that there my Bible just all over again that there really is nobody like Jesus. He is really is nobody like Jesus. He is really is nobody like Jesus. He is merciful and he's also just. He's merciful and he's also just. He's merciful and he's also just. He's gracious and he's also truthful. He's gracious and he's also truthful. He's gracious and he's also truthful. He's high and exalted. He's also meek and high and exalted. He's also meek and high and exalted. He's also meek and lowly. And so we get to tell him this lowly. And so we get to tell him this lowly. And so we get to tell him this morning that he's holy and join in with morning that he's holy and join in with morning that he's holy and join in with the song that all of heaven is singing the song that all of heaven is singing the song that all of heaven is singing to him. That he's holy, holy, holy. So to him. That he's holy, holy, holy. So to him. That he's holy, holy, holy. So I'm going to pray for us and then we'll I'm going to pray for us and then we'll I'm going to pray for us and then we'll jump in and we'll sing together.

Holy Spirit of God, would you do what Holy Spirit of God, would you do what only you can do this morning and stir up only you can do this morning and stir up only you can do this morning and stir up worship in your church? Open our eyes to worship in your church? Open our eyes to worship in your church? Open our eyes to see all over again that Jesus is so good see all over again that Jesus is so good see all over again that Jesus is so good and that there's nobody like him. and that there's nobody like him. and that there's nobody like him. Would you remind us of the gospel Would you remind us of the gospel Would you remind us of the gospel that it's good news for us today? that it's good news for us today? that it's good news for us today? There are new mercies waiting on us There are new mercies waiting on us There are new mercies waiting on us today. Help us not to hold back in song and in Help us not to hold back in song and in prayer prayer prayer and would you do what only you can do and would you do what only you can do and would you do what only you can do this morning. Meet us where we are this morning. Meet us where we are this morning. Meet us where we are today. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. today. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. today. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. Let's sing together. falling down in worship falling down in worship to sing the song of ages to the lamb.

And all who've gone before us and all And all who've gone before us and all who will believe who will believe who will believe will sing the song of aes to the land. will sing the song of aes to the land. will sing the song of aes to the land. He's telling this today. Your name, He's telling this today. Your name, He's telling this today. Your name, your name is the highest. Your name is your name is the highest. Your name is your name is the highest. Your name is the greatest. Your name the greatest. Your name the greatest. Your name stands above them all. Yes. stands above them all. Yes. stands above them all. Yes. All thrones and dominions, All thrones and dominions, All thrones and dominions, all powers and possessions. all powers and possessions. all powers and possessions. Your name Your name Your name is it stands above them all. And the is it stands above them all. And the is it stands above them all. And the angel, come on, tell him he's holy, angel, come on, tell him he's holy, angel, come on, tell him he's holy, holy, all creation. all creation. Christ Christ Christ holy. You are lifted high, You are lifted high, holy, This is our story in Christ today.

This is our story in Christ today. If you've been forgiven If you've been forgiven If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed. Yeah. and if you've been redeemed. Yeah. and if you've been redeemed. Yeah. Sing the song forever to the lamb. Walk Sing the song forever to the lamb. Walk Sing the song forever to the lamb. Walk in his freedom today. in his freedom today. in his freedom today. And if you walk in freedom And if you walk in freedom And if you walk in freedom and if you bear his name, come sing the and if you bear his name, come sing the and if you bear his name, come sing the song forever to the lamb. Oh, we'll song forever to the lamb. Oh, we'll song forever to the lamb. Oh, we'll sing. sing. sing. We'll sing the song forever and amen. We'll sing the song forever and amen. We'll sing the song forever and amen. And the angels cry, And the angels cry, And the angels cry, "Holy, all creation all creation cries, cries, cries, holy. You are lifted high, You are lifted high, holy, holy forever.

holy forever. We sing to you, Lord. We sing to you, Lord. We sing to you, Lord. Hear your people sing. Hear your people sing. Hear your people sing. Holy to the King of Kings. to the King of Kings. You're holy. You will always be You will always be holy. Your name above all names. Tell them Your name above all names. Tell them today. today. today. Your name is the highest. Your name is Your name is the highest. Your name is Your name is the highest. Your name is the greatest. Your name it stands above the greatest. Your name it stands above the greatest. Your name it stands above them all. Lord Jesus. Yes. them all. Lord Jesus. Yes. them all. Lord Jesus. Yes. All thrones and dominions. All thrones and dominions. All thrones and dominions. bows and positions. Your name, oh it bows and positions. Your name, oh it bows and positions. Your name, oh it stands above them all. Oh Jesus, your stands above them all. Oh Jesus, your stands above them all. Oh Jesus, your name is the highest. Your name is the name is the highest. Your name is the name is the highest. Your name is the greatest. Your name, it stands above greatest. Your name, it stands above greatest. Your name, it stands above them all.

them all. them all. Oh, above all thrones and dominions, Oh, above all thrones and dominions, Oh, above all thrones and dominions, all powers and positions all powers and positions all powers and positions your name. It stands above them all. your name. It stands above them all. your name. It stands above them all. And the angels cry, "Holy, And the angels cry, "Holy, And the angels cry, "Holy, holy, all creation in Christ, all creation in Christ, holy, you are lifted high, you are lifted high, so holy. You're holy forever. You're holy forever. Let the people of God sing. Let the people of God sing. Let the people of God sing. Hear your people sing. Hear your people sing. Hear your people sing. You're holy to the King of Kings. to the King of Kings. So holy. You will always be You will always be holy.

You will always be You will always be holy. Can we agree today that there's nobody Can we agree today that there's nobody like our Lord? Amen. I hear the Savior say, I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength "Thy strength "Thy strength indeed is small. indeed is small. indeed is small. Child of weakness, Child of weakness, Child of weakness, watch and pray. watch and pray. watch and pray. Find in me Find in me Find in me all in all.

all in all. all in all. Cuz Jesus Cuz Jesus Cuz Jesus paid it all. paid it all. paid it all. All to him. Sin Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it had left a crimson stain. He washed it had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow. Now, now Now, now indeed I find indeed I find indeed I find thy power and thine alone thy power and thine alone thy power and thine alone can change the lepers spots can change the lepers spots can change the lepers spots and melt the heart of stone. and melt the heart of stone. and melt the heart of stone. >> Jesus >> Jesus >> Jesus paid it all.

paid it all. paid it all. Oh, to him I owe. Oh, to him I owe. Oh, to him I owe. >> Sin >> Sin >> Sin had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed it white as snow. And when And when before the throne before the throne before the throne I stand I stand I stand in him complete. in him complete. in him complete. Jesus died my soul to save. Jesus died my soul to save. Jesus died my soul to save. My lips shall still repeat. My lips shall still repeat. My lips shall still repeat. >> Your lips repeat today.

>> Your lips repeat today. >> Your lips repeat today. >> Jesus >> Jesus >> Jesus paid it all. paid it all. paid it all. Oh to him I owe Oh to him I owe Oh to him I owe sin sin sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it had left a crimson stain. He washed it had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow had left a crimson stain. He washed in had left a crimson stain. He washed in white as snow. white as snow. white as snow. Yes, he Yes, he Yes, he all your sins, all your shame. Oh, he all your sins, all your shame. Oh, he all your sins, all your shame. Oh, he washed washed washed white as snow. Oh, praise the way you paid my debt and Oh, praise the way you paid my debt and raise his life up from the Come on. Oh, raise his life up from the Come on. Oh, raise his life up from the Come on. Oh, praise the one you paid my dead and praise the one you paid my dead and praise the one you paid my dead and raised this alive up from the dead. Oh, raised this alive up from the dead. Oh, raised this alive up from the dead. Oh, raise the one new. Pray my dead and raise the one new. Pray my dead and raise the one new. Pray my dead and raise his life up from the dead. Oh, raise his life up from the dead. Oh, raise his life up from the dead. Oh, raise the word.

raise the word. raise the word. Bring my dead in. Raise this life up Bring my dead in. Raise this life up Bring my dead in. Raise this life up from the dead. Oh, praise the way. You from the dead. Oh, praise the way. You from the dead. Oh, praise the way. You paid my dead in. Praise the life paid my dead in. Praise the life paid my dead in. Praise the life from the dead. Oh, praise the one who from the dead. Oh, praise the one who from the dead. Oh, praise the one who paid my dead and raises life up from the paid my dead and raises life up from the paid my dead and raises life up from the dead. >> This is our story, church. It's what he >> This is our story, church. It's what he did for us. Sing it together. Jesus Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe everything. All to him I owe everything. Sin Sin Sin had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed it white as snow.

sin sin had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed had left a crimson stain, but he washed it white as snow. Jesus, we remember what kind of a God Jesus, we remember what kind of a God you are. You are a man of sorrows, acquainted You are a man of sorrows, acquainted with our suffering and our grief. Who else would do what you have done? Who else would do what you have done? Lord, you you entered our world broken, Lord, you you entered our world broken, Lord, you you entered our world broken, fallen, fallen, fallen, tasted what it was like to suffer Oh, the perfect son of God Oh, the perfect son of God in all his He knows what living is.

He knows what living is. He's acquainted with our grief. He's acquainted with our grief. He's acquainted with our grief. A man of sorrow, son of suffering. A man of sorrow, son of suffering. A man of sorrow, son of suffering. Think of it today. Oh, blood and tears. Think of it today. Oh, blood and tears. Think of it today. Oh, blood and tears. How can it be? How can it be? How can it be? There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who bleeds. There's a God who bleeds. There's a God who bleeds. Hold face. The one Hold face. The one Hold face. The one who would reach for me. who would reach for me. who would reach for me. Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah to the son of suffering. to the son of suffering. to the son of suffering. Hey, you you are are are removed, removed, removed, but you chased us down in merciful but you chased us down in merciful but you chased us down in merciful pursuit. Thank you, Lord.

pursuit. Thank you, Lord. pursuit. Thank you, Lord. To the sinner you were graced and the To the sinner you were graced and the To the sinner you were graced and the broken you embraced. broken you embraced. broken you embraced. And in the end the proof is in your eyes And in the end the proof is in your eyes And in the end the proof is in your eyes of today. of today. of today. >> Yes. In the end the proof is in your >> Yes. In the end the proof is in your >> Yes. In the end the proof is in your words. words. words. Oh blood and tears. Oh blood and tears. Oh blood and tears. How can it be? How can it be? How can it be? There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who bleeds. There's a God who bleeds. There's a God who bleeds. Oh, praise the one Oh, praise the one Oh, praise the one who would reach for me. who would reach for me. who would reach for me. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. To the son of suffering. Your cross is my freedom. Your stripes Your cross is my freedom. Your stripes are my healing.

are my healing. are my healing. All praise, King Jesus. All praise, King Jesus. All praise, King Jesus. Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is still speaking. Your love's reaching for still speaking. Your love's reaching for still speaking. Your love's reaching for you today. you today. you today. All praise King Jesus. All praise King Jesus. All praise King Jesus. Glory to God forever. Glory to God forever. Glory to God forever. Your cross is my freedom. Your strife, Your cross is my freedom. Your strife, Your cross is my freedom. Your strife, my healing, all praise, my healing, all praise, my healing, all praise, King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is still speaking. Your love is still still speaking. Your love is still still speaking. Your love is still reaching. All praise, reaching. All praise, reaching. All praise, King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. Glory to God forever. Glory Glory and glory to God forever.

and glory to God forever. and glory to God forever. You deserve it, Lord. You deserve it, Lord. You deserve it, Lord. And glory to God forever. And glory to God forever. And glory to God forever. A blessing and honor and glory to God A blessing and honor and glory to God A blessing and honor and glory to God forever. >> Your cross is my freedom. Your stripes >> Your cross is my freedom. Your stripes are my healing of praise. are my healing of praise. are my healing of praise. King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is Glory to God in heaven. Your blood is still speaking. still speaking. still speaking. Your love is still reaching. All praise, Your love is still reaching. All praise, Your love is still reaching. All praise, King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. Can we just sing? All praise, King Can we just sing? All praise, King Can we just sing? All praise, King Jesus. Praise him. All praise Jesus. Praise him. All praise Jesus. Praise him. All praise King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. All praise All praise All praise King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. All praise All praise All praise King. Glory King. Glory King. Glory >> and glory to God forever.

>> and glory to God forever. >> and glory to God forever. All praise All praise All praise King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. All praise All praise All praise King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. All praise All praise All praise King Jesus. King Jesus. King Jesus. Glory to God forever. Oh, blood and tears. Oh, blood and tears. How can it be? How can it be? How can it be? There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who weeps. There's a God who bleeds.

There's a God who bleeds. There's a God who bleeds. Oh, praise the one. Oh, praise the one. Oh, praise the one. Who would reach for me? Who would reach for me? Who would reach for me? Hallelu. Hallelujah. Oh hallelujah Hallelujah. Oh hallelujah to the son of suffering. >> Yes. Hallelujah >> Yes. Hallelujah to the son of suffering. This is the hope of the ages. Lord, you This is the hope of the ages. Lord, you bought it for us by your own blood. that by faith in you, that by faith in you, we would be reconciled to God. We would we would be reconciled to God. We would we would be reconciled to God. We would be forgiven of all of our sin. be forgiven of all of our sin. be forgiven of all of our sin. We'd be given a hope and a future. We'd be given your Holy Spirit to guide We'd be given your Holy Spirit to guide us, to counsel us, to convict us.

us, to counsel us, to convict us. us, to counsel us, to convict us. we would have a covenant relationship we would have a covenant relationship we would have a covenant relationship with you with you with you where you are always and forever for us where you are always and forever for us where you are always and forever for us and never against us. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. Would you speak to us now as we open up Would you speak to us now as we open up Would you speak to us now as we open up your word? We want to hear from you your word? We want to hear from you your word? We want to hear from you today. today. today. Please speak to us. We pray in Christ's Please speak to us. We pray in Christ's Please speak to us. We pray in Christ's name. Everybody sit together. Amen. You name. Everybody sit together. Amen. You name. Everybody sit together. Amen. You guys can have a seat. One, two, test. One, two. We're talking One, two, test. One, two. We're talking about spiritual warfare today. I'm just about spiritual warfare today. I'm just about spiritual warfare today. I'm just saying. saying. saying. All right. My name is Scott Hecman. I'm All right. My name is Scott Hecman. I'm All right. My name is Scott Hecman. I'm one of the pastors here and I have the one of the pastors here and I have the one of the pastors here and I have the pleasure of kicking off our summer pleasure of kicking off our summer pleasure of kicking off our summer preaching series this month. Okay, we preaching series this month. Okay, we preaching series this month. Okay, we got four weeks in July coming at July.

got four weeks in July coming at July. got four weeks in July coming at July. Four of your downtown elders are going Four of your downtown elders are going Four of your downtown elders are going to be preaching a text that means to be preaching a text that means to be preaching a text that means something deeply to them. We're kicking something deeply to them. We're kicking something deeply to them. We're kicking things off as I said with spiritual things off as I said with spiritual things off as I said with spiritual warfare today. And I picked this topic warfare today. And I picked this topic warfare today. And I picked this topic for two reasons. Number one, I think for two reasons. Number one, I think for two reasons. Number one, I think this is a topic we are underdeveloped in this is a topic we are underdeveloped in this is a topic we are underdeveloped in as a Western Christian uh uh as a Western Christian uh uh as a Western Christian uh uh civilization. Candidly, I think relative civilization. Candidly, I think relative civilization. Candidly, I think relative to how much God's word talks about this to how much God's word talks about this to how much God's word talks about this topic of spiritual forces at work, I topic of spiritual forces at work, I topic of spiritual forces at work, I think we're just underdeveloped. That think we're just underdeveloped. That think we're just underdeveloped. That makes us a little shy about talking makes us a little shy about talking makes us a little shy about talking about it. So, I want to help us in that. about it. So, I want to help us in that. about it. So, I want to help us in that. Number two, Lydia and I, my wife, have Number two, Lydia and I, my wife, have Number two, Lydia and I, my wife, have been experiencing this last six to eight been experiencing this last six to eight been experiencing this last six to eight months what we would describe as some months what we would describe as some months what we would describe as some more spiritual warfare. And and we just more spiritual warfare. And and we just more spiritual warfare. And and we just want to share from a place I want to want to share from a place I want to want to share from a place I want to share from a place today of conviction. share from a place today of conviction. share from a place today of conviction. I think these are the best sermons that I think these are the best sermons that I think these are the best sermons that help form us as a people. help form us as a people. help form us as a people. The passage we're going to be reading The passage we're going to be reading The passage we're going to be reading from is Ephesians 6:10 through13. And it from is Ephesians 6:10 through13. And it from is Ephesians 6:10 through13. And it goes like this. Finally, be strong in goes like this. Finally, be strong in goes like this. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his the Lord and in the strength of his the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God might. Put on the whole armor of God might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against that you may be able to stand against that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not the schemes of the devil. For we do not the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but wrestle against flesh and blood, but wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the against the rulers, the authorities, the against the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present cosmic powers over this present cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces darkness, against the spiritual forces darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

of evil in the heavenly places. of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, Therefore, Therefore, take up the whole armor of God. Why? So take up the whole armor of God. Why? So take up the whole armor of God. Why? So that you may be able to withstand in the that you may be able to withstand in the that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand evil day and having done all to stand evil day and having done all to stand firm. This is God's word. And if you are firm. This is God's word. And if you are firm. This is God's word. And if you are here today and you are somebody who here today and you are somebody who here today and you are somebody who would not call yourself a Christian, we would not call yourself a Christian, we would not call yourself a Christian, we are so glad that you are here and that are so glad that you are here and that are so glad that you are here and that you have found yourself here this you have found yourself here this you have found yourself here this weekend. My encouragement, my invitation weekend. My encouragement, my invitation weekend. My encouragement, my invitation is that you lean in and that maybe the is that you lean in and that maybe the is that you lean in and that maybe the rest of this sermon, you begin to be at rest of this sermon, you begin to be at rest of this sermon, you begin to be at least a little persuaded into seeing least a little persuaded into seeing least a little persuaded into seeing that it is God who rules spiritual that it is God who rules spiritual that it is God who rules spiritual forces and that if you receive him, he forces and that if you receive him, he forces and that if you receive him, he invites you not just to be protected invites you not just to be protected invites you not just to be protected from them, but to join him in the fight from them, but to join him in the fight from them, but to join him in the fight to push back brokenness in the world. to push back brokenness in the world. to push back brokenness in the world. for the Christians in the room here in for the Christians in the room here in for the Christians in the room here in particular is how we've thought about particular is how we've thought about particular is how we've thought about I've structured this sermon today. I've structured this sermon today. I've structured this sermon today. Number one, three points. Who are our Number one, three points. Who are our Number one, three points. Who are our true enemies? Number two, how do we true enemies? Number two, how do we true enemies? Number two, how do we recognize the devil's schemes? And most recognize the devil's schemes? And most recognize the devil's schemes? And most importantly, three, how do we stand importantly, three, how do we stand importantly, three, how do we stand against the devil's schemes? First against the devil's schemes? First against the devil's schemes? First point, point, point, who are our true enemies? Now, initially who are our true enemies? Now, initially who are our true enemies? Now, initially when I was working on this sermon, I had when I was working on this sermon, I had when I was working on this sermon, I had this section entitled, "Who are our this section entitled, "Who are our this section entitled, "Who are our spiritual enemies?" But I don't think spiritual enemies?" But I don't think spiritual enemies?" But I don't think that's an accurate question to ask that's an accurate question to ask that's an accurate question to ask because I think this text actually because I think this text actually because I think this text actually broadens it and saying, "Hey, Christian, broadens it and saying, "Hey, Christian, broadens it and saying, "Hey, Christian, here's who your true enemies are." Let here's who your true enemies are." Let here's who your true enemies are." Let me show you what I mean. Verse 11, put me show you what I mean. Verse 11, put me show you what I mean. Verse 11, put on the whole armor of God that you may

on the whole armor of God that you may on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of be able to stand against the schemes of be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. the devil. the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and For we do not wrestle against flesh and For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against blood, but against the rulers, against blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities and the cosmic powers of the authorities and the cosmic powers of the authorities and the cosmic powers of the over this present darkness, against the over this present darkness, against the over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the the spiritual forces of evil in the the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. See, Paul isn't heavenly places. See, Paul isn't heavenly places. See, Paul isn't limiting this topic he's talking about limiting this topic he's talking about limiting this topic he's talking about here to just spiritual enemies. In fact, here to just spiritual enemies. In fact, here to just spiritual enemies. In fact, he's saying, "No, no, no. Look at 12. We he's saying, "No, no, no. Look at 12. We he's saying, "No, no, no. Look at 12. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood. don't wrestle against flesh and blood. don't wrestle against flesh and blood. These are not your true enemies that you These are not your true enemies that you These are not your true enemies that you see. In fact, the ones we really wrestle see. In fact, the ones we really wrestle see. In fact, the ones we really wrestle against are these these spiritual against are these these spiritual against are these these spiritual enemies. The ones we see in our daily enemies. The ones we see in our daily enemies. The ones we see in our daily lived experience, to repeat it, the ones lived experience, to repeat it, the ones lived experience, to repeat it, the ones the individuals who maybe just for an the individuals who maybe just for an the individuals who maybe just for an instant feel like an enemy who cuts the instant feel like an enemy who cuts the instant feel like an enemy who cuts the individuals who cut us off when we're individuals who cut us off when we're individuals who cut us off when we're trying to get somewhere important. Maybe trying to get somewhere important. Maybe trying to get somewhere important. Maybe a boss or a co-orker or a fellow student a boss or a co-orker or a fellow student a boss or a co-orker or a fellow student who's acting like a bully to us or who's acting like a bully to us or who's acting like a bully to us or people that we love in those spaces, not people that we love in those spaces, not people that we love in those spaces, not our true enemy. or even in the context our true enemy. or even in the context our true enemy. or even in the context Paul writes in governmental forces he's Paul writes in governmental forces he's Paul writes in governmental forces he's in prison as he writes this letter he's in prison as he writes this letter he's in prison as he writes this letter he's saying this Roman organiz this empire saying this Roman organiz this empire saying this Roman organiz this empire they're not the enemy who is the enemy they're not the enemy who is the enemy they're not the enemy who is the enemy then then then he's saying our enemies you can't see he's saying our enemies you can't see he's saying our enemies you can't see with your eyes they're existing in the with your eyes they're existing in the with your eyes they're existing in the background they are spiritual in nature background they are spiritual in nature background they are spiritual in nature and they want your destruction and they want your destruction and they want your destruction he's also very subtly describing the he's also very subtly describing the he's also very subtly describing the organization of these spiritual forces organization of these spiritual forces organization of these spiritual forces Look again at 11. Put on the whole armor Look again at 11. Put on the whole armor Look again at 11. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand of God that you may be able to stand of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

against the schemes of the devil. against the schemes of the devil. Only this first enemy listed of the five Only this first enemy listed of the five Only this first enemy listed of the five includes the singular article the and includes the singular article the and includes the singular article the and the singular form devil. All the rest the singular form devil. All the rest the singular form devil. All the rest forces, authorities, powers, rulers, forces, authorities, powers, rulers, forces, authorities, powers, rulers, they're indivi they're not individuals. they're indivi they're not individuals. they're indivi they're not individuals. They are collective. They're they're an They are collective. They're they're an They are collective. They're they're an organiz they're an entire group, not a organiz they're an entire group, not a organiz they're an entire group, not a generic force. generic force. generic force. The devil contrast to these forces which The devil contrast to these forces which The devil contrast to these forces which are named a handful of other places in are named a handful of other places in are named a handful of other places in the New Testament. He is named 33 times the New Testament. He is named 33 times the New Testament. He is named 33 times in the Greek New Testament. And if you in the Greek New Testament. And if you in the Greek New Testament. And if you read all 33, you begin to see this read all 33, you begin to see this read all 33, you begin to see this characterization. Okay, this is the characterization. Okay, this is the characterization. Okay, this is the decisive agent organizing and directing decisive agent organizing and directing decisive agent organizing and directing the spiritual forces that want our the spiritual forces that want our the spiritual forces that want our destruction. destruction. destruction. But if these evil spiritual beings But if these evil spiritual beings But if these evil spiritual beings aren't human, are led by a devil who aren't human, are led by a devil who aren't human, are led by a devil who also isn't human, a spirit, we read in also isn't human, a spirit, we read in also isn't human, a spirit, we read in Ephesians 2 just a few chapters earlier, Ephesians 2 just a few chapters earlier, Ephesians 2 just a few chapters earlier, he's the spirit that is over the humans he's the spirit that is over the humans he's the spirit that is over the humans around us, right? The the people pre around us, right? The the people pre around us, right? The the people pre Christ, Christ, Christ, then how do they interact with us? How then how do they interact with us? How then how do they interact with us? How does this happen? Go to the text again.

does this happen? Go to the text again. does this happen? Go to the text again. Put on the whole armor of God that you Put on the whole armor of God that you Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes may be able to stand against the schemes may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, take up the of the devil. Therefore, take up the of the devil. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able whole armor of God that you may be able whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand. That's the second time in to withstand. That's the second time in to withstand. That's the second time in the evil day. And having done all, to the evil day. And having done all, to the evil day. And having done all, to stand firm. stand firm. stand firm. See, here's our goal in spiritual See, here's our goal in spiritual See, here's our goal in spiritual warfare. It's to stand. Dr. John Piper, warfare. It's to stand. Dr. John Piper, warfare. It's to stand. Dr. John Piper, who I read some commentaries of his on who I read some commentaries of his on who I read some commentaries of his on this passage, says about this passage, this passage, says about this passage, this passage, says about this passage, when it starts with a word like stand when it starts with a word like stand when it starts with a word like stand and ends with a command like stand, that and ends with a command like stand, that and ends with a command like stand, that is the primary and ultimate argument of is the primary and ultimate argument of is the primary and ultimate argument of this text. This is our goal. It's real this text. This is our goal. It's real this text. This is our goal. It's real simple, right? So, contrast to that is simple, right? So, contrast to that is simple, right? So, contrast to that is what the schemes of the devil are after. what the schemes of the devil are after. what the schemes of the devil are after. It is to make us fall. It is to make us fall. It is to make us fall. How does that work? What does falling How does that work? What does falling How does that work? What does falling mean, right? Well, it does not mean, mean, right? Well, it does not mean, mean, right? Well, it does not mean, Christian, that Satan can take your Christian, that Satan can take your Christian, that Satan can take your salvation from you. We know that from a salvation from you. We know that from a salvation from you. We know that from a myriad of other texts, right? If you are myriad of other texts, right? If you are myriad of other texts, right? If you are in Christ, Christ says, "No one can get in Christ, Christ says, "No one can get in Christ, Christ says, "No one can get snatched from my hand." But here's the snatched from my hand." But here's the snatched from my hand." But here's the clue. His name, that word devil clue. His name, that word devil clue. His name, that word devil is translated from the original Greek is translated from the original Greek is translated from the original Greek diabolos as more literally in the diabolos as more literally in the diabolos as more literally in the English slanderer, English slanderer, English slanderer, false accuser.

false accuser. false accuser. Because this is what he does. He's not Because this is what he does. He's not Because this is what he does. He's not an equal and opposite force to God. He's an equal and opposite force to God. He's an equal and opposite force to God. He's a corrupting force that can try to to a corrupting force that can try to to a corrupting force that can try to to deceive us through discouragement, deceive us through discouragement, deceive us through discouragement, through numbing us, even inflating our through numbing us, even inflating our through numbing us, even inflating our sense of self. Why? Not because he can sense of self. Why? Not because he can sense of self. Why? Not because he can remove our faith. No. But he can remove our faith. No. But he can remove our faith. No. But he can neutralize it. He can render us useless neutralize it. He can render us useless neutralize it. He can render us useless in the spiritual battlefield. in the spiritual battlefield. in the spiritual battlefield. Have you ever felt this way? Have you Have you ever felt this way? Have you Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt like I'm just lying down in ever felt like I'm just lying down in ever felt like I'm just lying down in the spiritual battle? Christian, it is the spiritual battle? Christian, it is the spiritual battle? Christian, it is not too late to get up. That's what I'm not too late to get up. That's what I'm not too late to get up. That's what I'm going to be encouraging us towards as we going to be encouraging us towards as we going to be encouraging us towards as we move forward. Lydia and I, as I move forward. Lydia and I, as I move forward. Lydia and I, as I mentioned, this last six to eight months mentioned, this last six to eight months mentioned, this last six to eight months have felt some spiritual warfare have felt some spiritual warfare have felt some spiritual warfare ourselves. And when you hear that, maybe ourselves. And when you hear that, maybe ourselves. And when you hear that, maybe you've heard a person around you say you've heard a person around you say you've heard a person around you say that. Here's what I think they mean. that. Here's what I think they mean. that. Here's what I think they mean. Here's what I mean. Here's what I mean. Here's what I mean. Since the new year and leading up to Since the new year and leading up to Since the new year and leading up to about two weeks ago, we've just felt a about two weeks ago, we've just felt a about two weeks ago, we've just felt a really busy season. We had four kiddos. really busy season. We had four kiddos. really busy season. We had four kiddos. It's just been a really busy season. And It's just been a really busy season. And It's just been a really busy season. And in that, a ton of really great stuff.

in that, a ton of really great stuff. in that, a ton of really great stuff. Our preschooler graduated, our youngest, Our preschooler graduated, our youngest, Our preschooler graduated, our youngest, our eighth grader graduated from eighth our eighth grader graduated from eighth our eighth grader graduated from eighth grade, doing great. She's into high grade, doing great. She's into high grade, doing great. She's into high school, excited about it. And our two school, excited about it. And our two school, excited about it. And our two middle kids got baptized just a couple middle kids got baptized just a couple middle kids got baptized just a couple of months ago. And I got to do that. We of months ago. And I got to do that. We of months ago. And I got to do that. We got to celebrate. There's so many good got to celebrate. There's so many good got to celebrate. There's so many good things about this. Amen. Yay. Uh it was things about this. Amen. Yay. Uh it was things about this. Amen. Yay. Uh it was a huge highlight. And yet we're at a a huge highlight. And yet we're at a a huge highlight. And yet we're at a date at Madame Mam's in in April, my date at Madame Mam's in in April, my date at Madame Mam's in in April, my wife and I. And I just had to confess. wife and I. And I just had to confess. wife and I. And I just had to confess. I'm like, all these good things I'm like, all these good things I'm like, all these good things happening. Why do I just feel a happening. Why do I just feel a happening. Why do I just feel a heaviness? Why do I feel like things are heaviness? Why do I feel like things are heaviness? Why do I feel like things are so hard right now? And she reciprocated so hard right now? And she reciprocated so hard right now? And she reciprocated and said, "Yeah, I feel that too." But and said, "Yeah, I feel that too." But and said, "Yeah, I feel that too." But we just felt in that moment and later we we just felt in that moment and later we we just felt in that moment and later we just need to pray. God, would you break just need to pray. God, would you break just need to pray. God, would you break through this moment? This feels like through this moment? This feels like through this moment? This feels like spiritual warfare. This is how he works. spiritual warfare. This is how he works. spiritual warfare. This is how he works. The spiritual being, Satan, and his The spiritual being, Satan, and his The spiritual being, Satan, and his forces, they take these physical, these forces, they take these physical, these forces, they take these physical, these circumstantial things we encounter and circumstantial things we encounter and circumstantial things we encounter and they bring us down to the world of they bring us down to the world of they bring us down to the world of meaning and try to corrupt us into a meaning and try to corrupt us into a meaning and try to corrupt us into a false interpretation of meaning. Okay? false interpretation of meaning. Okay? false interpretation of meaning. Okay? Now, do not let this mean as it was Now, do not let this mean as it was Now, do not let this mean as it was tempting for me to believe, right? In a tempting for me to believe, right? In a tempting for me to believe, right? In a season of heaviness, something hard at season of heaviness, something hard at season of heaviness, something hard at work, something hard at home is an work, something hard at home is an work, something hard at home is an excuse for you not to do the hard work excuse for you not to do the hard work excuse for you not to do the hard work of seeing, wait, have I actually sinned?

of seeing, wait, have I actually sinned? of seeing, wait, have I actually sinned? Has somebody sinned against me? I have Has somebody sinned against me? I have Has somebody sinned against me? I have four unique experiences in my mind. I four unique experiences in my mind. I four unique experiences in my mind. I can remember this last semester. I'm can remember this last semester. I'm can remember this last semester. I'm like, that one was me. That one was me. like, that one was me. That one was me. like, that one was me. That one was me. That one was me. And that was that was That one was me. And that was that was That one was me. And that was that was me. I do not want a newfound or renewing me. I do not want a newfound or renewing me. I do not want a newfound or renewing awareness of your spiritual warfare awareness of your spiritual warfare awareness of your spiritual warfare today to prevent you from doing the hard today to prevent you from doing the hard today to prevent you from doing the hard work of repenting of sin. That is work of repenting of sin. That is work of repenting of sin. That is essential. But when the impact of essential. But when the impact of essential. But when the impact of emotionally taxing seasons comes from a emotionally taxing seasons comes from a emotionally taxing seasons comes from a circumstance that's not that circumstance that's not that circumstance that's not that proportionately heavy and you've done proportionately heavy and you've done proportionately heavy and you've done the spiritual work, you've done the the spiritual work, you've done the the spiritual work, you've done the confession, there's still this confession, there's still this confession, there's still this heaviness. I want you to consider you do heaviness. I want you to consider you do heaviness. I want you to consider you do in fact have true spiritual enemies that in fact have true spiritual enemies that in fact have true spiritual enemies that are led by a hyperintelligent ancient are led by a hyperintelligent ancient are led by a hyperintelligent ancient foe who wants to render your faith foe who wants to render your faith foe who wants to render your faith useless without you ever being the useless without you ever being the useless without you ever being the wiser. And I want you to consider, is he wiser. And I want you to consider, is he wiser. And I want you to consider, is he involved in this situation? His schemes, involved in this situation? His schemes, involved in this situation? His schemes, his agents who carry them out. They are his agents who carry them out. They are his agents who carry them out. They are our true enemies, Christian. Not that our true enemies, Christian. Not that our true enemies, Christian. Not that busy season of work, not that heavy busy season of work, not that heavy busy season of work, not that heavy things that's going on right now. But things that's going on right now. But things that's going on right now. But how does he do this? How do we recognize how does he do this? How do we recognize how does he do this? How do we recognize that work of the devil?

that work of the devil? that work of the devil? I think the key word, we'll put that I think the key word, we'll put that I think the key word, we'll put that verse up again. 6:12. For we do not verse up again. 6:12. For we do not verse up again. 6:12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood in a wrestle against flesh and blood in a wrestle against flesh and blood in a it's a sport wrestling that requires it's a sport wrestling that requires it's a sport wrestling that requires patience and technique, not just brute patience and technique, not just brute patience and technique, not just brute force. I know this a little force. I know this a little force. I know this a little experientially. I did two weeks in 10th experientially. I did two weeks in 10th experientially. I did two weeks in 10th grade, got my shoulder sprained. I know grade, got my shoulder sprained. I know grade, got my shoulder sprained. I know it's hard to believe. A guy with my it's hard to believe. A guy with my it's hard to believe. A guy with my frame got injured wrestling. Um but even frame got injured wrestling. Um but even frame got injured wrestling. Um but even Paul when he me when he uses this word Paul when he me when he uses this word Paul when he me when he uses this word wrestle, it means essentially that same wrestle, it means essentially that same wrestle, it means essentially that same thing. You cannot use brute force to win thing. You cannot use brute force to win thing. You cannot use brute force to win in wrestling. It's a dependent sport on in wrestling. It's a dependent sport on in wrestling. It's a dependent sport on studying your opponent's instincts, studying your opponent's instincts, studying your opponent's instincts, tactics, what they're doing to use the tactics, what they're doing to use the tactics, what they're doing to use the hope they make a mistake and then use hope they make a mistake and then use hope they make a mistake and then use their strength against them to get them their strength against them to get them their strength against them to get them pinned to the ground. This is what he pinned to the ground. This is what he pinned to the ground. This is what he does. Up close battle is what Satan does. Up close battle is what Satan does. Up close battle is what Satan does. He knows he has to. He does it in does. He knows he has to. He does it in does. He knows he has to. He does it in two ways. by whispering self-pity when two ways. by whispering self-pity when two ways. by whispering self-pity when we're weary and whispering self-reliance we're weary and whispering self-reliance we're weary and whispering self-reliance in our winning. And if you hear or sense in our winning. And if you hear or sense in our winning. And if you hear or sense either of those kinds of whispers in either of those kinds of whispers in either of those kinds of whispers in your ear, maybe you're hearing them your ear, maybe you're hearing them your ear, maybe you're hearing them today, you can be sure that's at least today, you can be sure that's at least today, you can be sure that's at least consistent with the work of the devil.

consistent with the work of the devil. consistent with the work of the devil. Or it may be a work of his or one of his Or it may be a work of his or one of his Or it may be a work of his or one of his agents directly. And it is time to agents directly. And it is time to agents directly. And it is time to fight. fight. fight. Let's start with the first one. The Let's start with the first one. The Let's start with the first one. The devil whispers self-pity and our devil whispers self-pity and our devil whispers self-pity and our weariness. About two years into my time weariness. About two years into my time weariness. About two years into my time on staff, 2015, on staff, 2015, on staff, 2015, I found myself in my first truly I found myself in my first truly I found myself in my first truly complicated pastoral situation. Uh I was complicated pastoral situation. Uh I was complicated pastoral situation. Uh I was leading our small groups, what we now leading our small groups, what we now leading our small groups, what we now call our disciplehip communities, and call our disciplehip communities, and call our disciplehip communities, and one of them really got some some situ one of them really got some some situ one of them really got some some situ just some drama going on. People just some drama going on. People just some drama going on. People accusing others of some things, the accusing others of some things, the accusing others of some things, the leaders this and that, right? Had to leaders this and that, right? Had to leaders this and that, right? Had to step in and with another elder of ours. step in and with another elder of ours. step in and with another elder of ours. I was not an elder at the time. I'm just I was not an elder at the time. I'm just I was not an elder at the time. I'm just learning, okay, what how do we do this? learning, okay, what how do we do this? learning, okay, what how do we do this? I'm we're praying, we're planning, we're I'm we're praying, we're planning, we're I'm we're praying, we're planning, we're mediating. what did you say? Okay, what mediating. what did you say? Okay, what mediating. what did you say? Okay, what does God's word say? It was very does God's word say? It was very does God's word say? It was very intense, very challenging to work intense, very challenging to work intense, very challenging to work through. And I remember as it started to through. And I remember as it started to through. And I remember as it started to resolve as I thought, okay, we're we're resolve as I thought, okay, we're we're resolve as I thought, okay, we're we're there. We are we are cross the the there. We are we are cross the the there. We are we are cross the the hardest point of this situation. I hardest point of this situation. I hardest point of this situation. I really think that I had a phone call really think that I had a phone call really think that I had a phone call with one of the people that had felt with one of the people that had felt with one of the people that had felt most hurt after dinner one night and and most hurt after dinner one night and and most hurt after dinner one night and and try to encourage in a particular way.

try to encourage in a particular way. try to encourage in a particular way. The next day, I get a call from the The next day, I get a call from the The next day, I get a call from the elder I had been working with on this elder I had been working with on this elder I had been working with on this situation and I expected kind of a like situation and I expected kind of a like situation and I expected kind of a like at a boy, way to go. We're almost there, at a boy, way to go. We're almost there, at a boy, way to go. We're almost there, Scott. Wait, you keep it up. Instead, it Scott. Wait, you keep it up. Instead, it Scott. Wait, you keep it up. Instead, it was right away. Hey, what did you say was right away. Hey, what did you say was right away. Hey, what did you say last night to that person? last night to that person? last night to that person? And I, you know, kind of gathered myself And I, you know, kind of gathered myself And I, you know, kind of gathered myself and explained what what I my side of the and explained what what I my side of the and explained what what I my side of the story, the situation, tried to story, the situation, tried to story, the situation, tried to encourage, and then he said, "Okay, encourage, and then he said, "Okay, encourage, and then he said, "Okay, yeah, that encouragement was was yeah, that encouragement was was yeah, that encouragement was was interpreted as an insult, and this is interpreted as an insult, and this is interpreted as an insult, and this is how it was hurt." And I remember we how it was hurt." And I remember we how it was hurt." And I remember we resolved it, you know, kind of work resolved it, you know, kind of work resolved it, you know, kind of work through that situation. Okay, okay, through that situation. Okay, okay, through that situation. Okay, okay, here's what we'll do next. hanging up here's what we'll do next. hanging up here's what we'll do next. hanging up the phone and feeling not just like sad the phone and feeling not just like sad the phone and feeling not just like sad or angry. or angry. or angry. I felt bad for myself. I felt despair. I I felt bad for myself. I felt despair. I I felt bad for myself. I felt despair. I felt betrayed. felt betrayed. felt betrayed. And I began to hear this whisper. I And I began to hear this whisper. I And I began to hear this whisper. I remember it. Saying, "You're not good at remember it. Saying, "You're not good at remember it. Saying, "You're not good at this. this. this. You shouldn't be in this line of work. You shouldn't be in this line of work. You shouldn't be in this line of work. Two years ago, you left engineering to Two years ago, you left engineering to Two years ago, you left engineering to take this job. You heard wrong. You made take this job. You heard wrong. You made take this job. You heard wrong. You made a mistake. I just had this pit in my a mistake. I just had this pit in my a mistake. I just had this pit in my stomach. What am I doing?

stomach. What am I doing? stomach. What am I doing? See, we do not wrestle against flesh and See, we do not wrestle against flesh and See, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers. blood, but against the rulers. blood, but against the rulers. Luke 4 describes one of the most Luke 4 describes one of the most Luke 4 describes one of the most detailed portraits of how Satan operates detailed portraits of how Satan operates detailed portraits of how Satan operates today in his temptation. Direct today in his temptation. Direct today in his temptation. Direct impacting uplose interaction with King impacting uplose interaction with King impacting uplose interaction with King Jesus himself in the desert right after Jesus himself in the desert right after Jesus himself in the desert right after Jesus has been baptized. And I believe Jesus has been baptized. And I believe Jesus has been baptized. And I believe studying this story has helped me and studying this story has helped me and studying this story has helped me and will help you to get more confident in will help you to get more confident in will help you to get more confident in recognizing the pattern of our enemy's recognizing the pattern of our enemy's recognizing the pattern of our enemy's voice and to respond accordingly. voice and to respond accordingly. voice and to respond accordingly. You may be involved in the flat tire we You may be involved in the flat tire we You may be involved in the flat tire we got on the way home or the air got on the way home or the air got on the way home or the air conditioning that's struggling to keep conditioning that's struggling to keep conditioning that's struggling to keep up or the microphone that barely turned up or the microphone that barely turned up or the microphone that barely turned on. on. on. But I believe he's almost certainly But I believe he's almost certainly But I believe he's almost certainly involved when we hear his voice like involved when we hear his voice like involved when we hear his voice like Satan's to Jesus in this passage Luke 4. Satan's to Jesus in this passage Luke 4. Satan's to Jesus in this passage Luke 4. And Jesus was led by the spirit for the And Jesus was led by the spirit for the And Jesus was led by the spirit for the to in the wilderness for 40 days being to in the wilderness for 40 days being to in the wilderness for 40 days being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were during those days. And when they were during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to ended, he was hungry. The devil said to ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the son of God, command him, "If you are the son of God, command him, "If you are the son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus this stone to become bread." And Jesus this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, man shall answered him, "It is written, man shall answered him, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone."

not live by bread alone." not live by bread alone." What angle of attack does the devil take What angle of attack does the devil take What angle of attack does the devil take to Jesus? He waits until after his 40 to Jesus? He waits until after his 40 to Jesus? He waits until after his 40 days of fasting are over to strike most days of fasting are over to strike most days of fasting are over to strike most directly when he's weary. Not a not a directly when he's weary. Not a not a directly when he's weary. Not a not a sniper shot, but an upclose whisper. sniper shot, but an upclose whisper. sniper shot, but an upclose whisper. Russell Moore in his seminal book, Russell Moore in his seminal book, Russell Moore in his seminal book, Tempted and Tried does such a good job Tempted and Tried does such a good job Tempted and Tried does such a good job unpacking this situation. If you want unpacking this situation. If you want unpacking this situation. If you want more on this topic, I commend it to you. more on this topic, I commend it to you. more on this topic, I commend it to you. It's accessible, but so deep and It's accessible, but so deep and It's accessible, but so deep and helpful. Here's what he says. The issue helpful. Here's what he says. The issue helpful. Here's what he says. The issue was not just about bread. was not just about bread. was not just about bread. It was about fatherhood. It was about fatherhood. It was about fatherhood. That was what was at the root of Satan's That was what was at the root of Satan's That was what was at the root of Satan's temptation. Which is why he prefaced his temptation. Which is why he prefaced his temptation. Which is why he prefaced his offer with the questioning clause, "If offer with the questioning clause, "If offer with the questioning clause, "If you are the son of God, you are you are the son of God, you are you are the son of God, you are starving. But all your father says is starving. But all your father says is starving. But all your father says is let him eat slate." let him eat slate." let him eat slate." I love this insight. Satan isn't just I love this insight. Satan isn't just I love this insight. Satan isn't just attacking Jesus's hunger. No, he's attacking Jesus's hunger. No, he's attacking Jesus's hunger. No, he's taking him to the spiritual realm, the taking him to the spiritual realm, the taking him to the spiritual realm, the realm of meaning realm of meaning realm of meaning underneath the physical, and he's underneath the physical, and he's underneath the physical, and he's attacking him. He's saying, "Do you attacking him. He's saying, "Do you attacking him. He's saying, "Do you really know who you are? Do you really really know who you are? Do you really really know who you are? Do you really know who your father is?" Look at the know who your father is?" Look at the know who your father is?" Look at the pattern he uses in this this temptation pattern he uses in this this temptation pattern he uses in this this temptation to Jesus because he uses the same one to Jesus because he uses the same one to Jesus because he uses the same one with us. When we feel weary, when we with us. When we feel weary, when we with us. When we feel weary, when we feel betrayed, here's what his voice feel betrayed, here's what his voice feel betrayed, here's what his voice will sound like. God and his people have will sound like. God and his people have will sound like. God and his people have left you alone. Poor you. This moment's

left you alone. Poor you. This moment's left you alone. Poor you. This moment's going to go on forever. You're going to go on forever. You're going to go on forever. You're unprotected. You're unprovided for. unprotected. You're unprovided for. unprotected. You're unprovided for. Listen to him. He's starting to take Listen to him. He's starting to take Listen to him. He's starting to take that tether you have to God's word, to that tether you have to God's word, to that tether you have to God's word, to God himself, and he's trying to let you God himself, and he's trying to let you God himself, and he's trying to let you feel like you're you're getting feel like you're you're getting feel like you're you're getting untethered. You're floating out to untethered. You're floating out to untethered. You're floating out to space. He's trying to change how you see space. He's trying to change how you see space. He's trying to change how you see yourself. yourself. yourself. He's trying to help you see yourself. He's trying to help you see yourself. He's trying to help you see yourself. You're not even a person. You're just an You're not even a person. You're just an You're not even a person. You're just an animal who has needs. animal who has needs. animal who has needs. God has left you. This feeling is going God has left you. This feeling is going God has left you. This feeling is going to go on forever. And then watch what to go on forever. And then watch what to go on forever. And then watch what happens next. If you keep listening to happens next. If you keep listening to happens next. If you keep listening to that voice, what comes next? You know, that voice, what comes next? You know, that voice, what comes next? You know, Christian, why not indulge in a quick Christian, why not indulge in a quick Christian, why not indulge in a quick escape, a quick fix? Well, you committed escape, a quick fix? Well, you committed escape, a quick fix? Well, you committed to be fasting, but you've did 40 days to be fasting, but you've did 40 days to be fasting, but you've did 40 days already. You did two days. You did one already. You did two days. You did one already. You did two days. You did one meal. You go just eat. meal. You go just eat. meal. You go just eat. Why not gossip? That friend group of Why not gossip? That friend group of Why not gossip? That friend group of yours, they've left you out plenty. Why yours, they've left you out plenty. Why yours, they've left you out plenty. Why don't you cut that person off with this don't you cut that person off with this don't you cut that person off with this word or that text? word or that text? word or that text? Act on that unchecked anger, a little Act on that unchecked anger, a little Act on that unchecked anger, a little pornography, a little more online pornography, a little more online pornography, a little more online gambling. Don't you deserve this? What gambling. Don't you deserve this? What gambling. Don't you deserve this? What harm is there? You're by yourself harm is there? You're by yourself harm is there? You're by yourself anyway. And that pretty shiny wrapping anyway. And that pretty shiny wrapping anyway. And that pretty shiny wrapping paper solution that inside contains paper solution that inside contains paper solution that inside contains poison when we drink of it every single poison when we drink of it every single poison when we drink of it every single time. And the thing that we thought was time. And the thing that we thought was time. And the thing that we thought was going to make us less weary and less going to make us less weary and less going to make us less weary and less less anxious makes us more weary, more less anxious makes us more weary, more less anxious makes us more weary, more hungry, hungry, hungry, more ready to lie down, get out of the more ready to lie down, get out of the more ready to lie down, get out of the fight. But the enemy speaks not just in fight. But the enemy speaks not just in fight. But the enemy speaks not just in a self-pittitying whisper. No, he comes a self-pittitying whisper. No, he comes a self-pittitying whisper. No, he comes in the form of whispering self-reliance.

in the form of whispering self-reliance. in the form of whispering self-reliance. in that same pastoral situation in that same pastoral situation in that same pastoral situation two years into my ministry right over two years into my ministry right over two years into my ministry right over right after that accusation about a week right after that accusation about a week right after that accusation about a week after that started to resolve ma made after that started to resolve ma made after that started to resolve ma made clear okay this insult was not an insult clear okay this insult was not an insult clear okay this insult was not an insult it was an all that stuff right work it was an all that stuff right work it was an all that stuff right work through that and I remember being at through that and I remember being at through that and I remember being at dinner with my wife and she didn't know dinner with my wife and she didn't know dinner with my wife and she didn't know the details of this thing but knew the details of this thing but knew the details of this thing but knew something was hard happening at work something was hard happening at work something was hard happening at work how's it going and I was like you know how's it going and I was like you know how's it going and I was like you know it's it's kind of resolving and this it's it's kind of resolving and this it's it's kind of resolving and this person understood and this now I began person understood and this now I began person understood and this now I began to get like wow I kind of did that I to get like wow I kind of did that I to get like wow I kind of did that I kind of that was really tense for a bit kind of that was really tense for a bit kind of that was really tense for a bit and now look at this right started to and now look at this right started to and now look at this right started to get puffed up a little bit not an elder get puffed up a little bit not an elder get puffed up a little bit not an elder at the time I remember having the at the time I remember having the at the time I remember having the thought is this the kind of thing that thought is this the kind of thing that thought is this the kind of thing that gets on the application for becoming an gets on the application for becoming an gets on the application for becoming an elder elder elder I don't think I said it ly couldn't I don't think I said it ly couldn't I don't think I said it ly couldn't remember I don't but I remember thinking remember I don't but I remember thinking remember I don't but I remember thinking it how did that happen we went from it how did that happen we went from it how did that happen we went from self-pity anxiety I'm by myself self-pity anxiety I'm by myself self-pity anxiety I'm by myself untethered from God to feeling like look untethered from God to feeling like look untethered from God to feeling like look at me I'm a big deal look what look how at me I'm a big deal look what look how at me I'm a big deal look what look how Jesus Jesus Jesus encounters the same kind of thing from encounters the same kind of thing from encounters the same kind of thing from Satan in the book of Luke and the devil Satan in the book of Luke and the devil Satan in the book of Luke and the devil took him up second temptation showed him took him up second temptation showed him took him up second temptation showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a all the kingdoms of the world in a all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said to him to you I moment of time and said to him to you I moment of time and said to him to you I will give all this authority and their will give all this authority and their will give all this authority and their glory for it's been delivered to me and glory for it's been delivered to me and glory for it's been delivered to me and I give it to whom I will if you then I give it to whom I will if you then I give it to whom I will if you then just worship me it'll all be yours and just worship me it'll all be yours and just worship me it'll all be yours and Jesus answered him Jesus answered him Jesus answered him is written you shall worship the Lord is written you shall worship the Lord is written you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.

your God and him only shall you serve. your God and him only shall you serve. Satan shifts tactics from breathing lies Satan shifts tactics from breathing lies Satan shifts tactics from breathing lies of self-pity of self-pity of self-pity to lies of self-re reliance. to lies of self-re reliance. to lies of self-re reliance. Little slow, steady applause. Wow, Little slow, steady applause. Wow, Little slow, steady applause. Wow, Jesus, I'm impressed. You really turned Jesus, I'm impressed. You really turned Jesus, I'm impressed. You really turned me away back there. I've got forces that me away back there. I've got forces that me away back there. I've got forces that impress me, but boy, you're you're impress me, but boy, you're you're impress me, but boy, you're you're incredible. What if we what if we incredible. What if we what if we incredible. What if we what if we partnered up partnered up partnered up after a victory in your life? Maybe this after a victory in your life? Maybe this after a victory in your life? Maybe this is you right now. Maybe you just is you right now. Maybe you just is you right now. Maybe you just brokered that contract at work. Maybe brokered that contract at work. Maybe brokered that contract at work. Maybe you just helped navigate that family you just helped navigate that family you just helped navigate that family tension really well. Maybe, praise the tension really well. Maybe, praise the tension really well. Maybe, praise the Lord for this, you've overcome an Lord for this, you've overcome an Lord for this, you've overcome an addiction. You've seen victory you've addiction. You've seen victory you've addiction. You've seen victory you've never seen possible. Praise the Lord for never seen possible. Praise the Lord for never seen possible. Praise the Lord for that. that. that. But if that's you, I want to lovingly But if that's you, I want to lovingly But if that's you, I want to lovingly encourage you to be on guard. Sometimes encourage you to be on guard. Sometimes encourage you to be on guard. Sometimes just moments after the waves of just moments after the waves of just moments after the waves of self-pity have tried to knock us down self-pity have tried to knock us down self-pity have tried to knock us down come the waves of self-reliance to try come the waves of self-reliance to try come the waves of self-reliance to try to knock it knock us down the other way. to knock it knock us down the other way. to knock it knock us down the other way. When we feel this is what it looks like. When we feel this is what it looks like. When we feel this is what it looks like. When we feel we are winning the devil's When we feel we are winning the devil's When we feel we are winning the devil's voice sounds like look at you.

voice sounds like look at you. voice sounds like look at you. Did you even have to pray for that to Did you even have to pray for that to Did you even have to pray for that to work? Where would that situation be work? Where would that situation be work? Where would that situation be without you? Look what he's doing in without you? Look what he's doing in without you? Look what he's doing in self-pity in weariness. He takes us as self-pity in weariness. He takes us as self-pity in weariness. He takes us as people, as sons of God, daughters of people, as sons of God, daughters of people, as sons of God, daughters of God. He tries to make us lower as God. He tries to make us lower as God. He tries to make us lower as animals. And in this season, he takes us animals. And in this season, he takes us animals. And in this season, he takes us when when we're in this season of when when we're in this season of when when we're in this season of winning, and he tries to elevate us. winning, and he tries to elevate us. winning, and he tries to elevate us. You're not just a son or daughter of You're not just a son or daughter of You're not just a son or daughter of God. You're like God. God. You're like God. God. You're like God. Sounds like the Garden of Eden Sounds like the Garden of Eden Sounds like the Garden of Eden temptation as well. temptation as well. temptation as well. If you're feeling weary, he often If you're feeling weary, he often If you're feeling weary, he often whispers self-pitting messages. But if whispers self-pitting messages. But if whispers self-pitting messages. But if you're feeling successful, he often you're feeling successful, he often you're feeling successful, he often whispers self-reliant ones. And don't be whispers self-reliant ones. And don't be whispers self-reliant ones. And don't be surprised. surprised. surprised. Those same selfindulgences Those same selfindulgences Those same selfindulgences that appealed to you when you were weary that appealed to you when you were weary that appealed to you when you were weary appeal to you when you're winning for a appeal to you when you're winning for a appeal to you when you're winning for a different reason. You deserve this. different reason. You deserve this. different reason. You deserve this. You're a big deal. Now, those quick You're a big deal. Now, those quick You're a big deal. Now, those quick fixes of pornography, of anger, of fixes of pornography, of anger, of fixes of pornography, of anger, of gambling, of one more drink, they're gambling, of one more drink, they're gambling, of one more drink, they're they're appealing. In either case, he they're appealing. In either case, he they're appealing. In either case, he wants you to take that moment and say wants you to take that moment and say wants you to take that moment and say this goes on forever. This is this re this goes on forever. This is this re this goes on forever. This is this re this is your new reality. He wants to this is your new reality. He wants to this is your new reality. He wants to deceive you into thinking this is all deceive you into thinking this is all deceive you into thinking this is all there is. So how do we stand against there is. So how do we stand against there is. So how do we stand against these lies? Two ways. Last point, with these lies? Two ways. Last point, with these lies? Two ways. Last point, with God's protection God's protection God's protection and for God's purpose. Look at verse 10 and for God's purpose. Look at verse 10 and for God's purpose. Look at verse 10 again.

again. again. Be strong in the Lord and in the Be strong in the Lord and in the Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole strength of his might. Put on the whole strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God. armor of God. armor of God. Be strong. When you read that that line Be strong. When you read that that line Be strong. When you read that that line and you are weary. I have been there. and you are weary. I have been there. and you are weary. I have been there. Especially when you're depleted, that Especially when you're depleted, that Especially when you're depleted, that feels even more exhausting, right? I feels even more exhausting, right? I feels even more exhausting, right? I just have to bootstrap this thing with just have to bootstrap this thing with just have to bootstrap this thing with energy. I don't have. I don't energy. I don't have. I don't energy. I don't have. I don't understand. How's this going to work? understand. How's this going to work? understand. How's this going to work? Right? But look closer. Right? But look closer. Right? But look closer. Be strong in the Lord, Be strong in the Lord, Be strong in the Lord, in the strength of his might. put on the in the strength of his might. put on the in the strength of his might. put on the whole armor of God. whole armor of God. whole armor of God. This strength that he is calling on us This strength that he is calling on us This strength that he is calling on us to to tap into is the Lord's actual to to tap into is the Lord's actual to to tap into is the Lord's actual strength, his actual might, his armor. strength, his actual might, his armor. strength, his actual might, his armor. One commentator, this to me unlocked One commentator, this to me unlocked One commentator, this to me unlocked this passage is this quote from Fr. this passage is this quote from Fr. this passage is this quote from Fr. Francis Folks. Francis Folks. Francis Folks. People cannot strengthen themselves and People cannot strengthen themselves and People cannot strengthen themselves and when you're weary, you say, "Amen." when you're weary, you say, "Amen." when you're weary, you say, "Amen." They we must be empowered and that not They we must be empowered and that not They we must be empowered and that not once for all once for all once for all but constantly as the tense of the Greek but constantly as the tense of the Greek but constantly as the tense of the Greek indicates be strengthened active ongoing indicates be strengthened active ongoing indicates be strengthened active ongoing and furthermore he says not by the Lord and furthermore he says not by the Lord and furthermore he says not by the Lord though that would be true enough but though that would be true enough but though that would be true enough but again in the Lord when life is lived in again in the Lord when life is lived in again in the Lord when life is lived in union with him within the orbit of his union with him within the orbit of his union with him within the orbit of his will and so of his grace there need not will and so of his grace there need not will and so of his grace there need not be faith failure due to powerlessness.

be faith failure due to powerlessness. be faith failure due to powerlessness. This is not even better. This is I love This is not even better. This is I love This is not even better. This is I love this analogy. This is Pipers. This is this analogy. This is Pipers. This is this analogy. This is Pipers. This is not a relationship between a coach and a not a relationship between a coach and a not a relationship between a coach and a player saying, "I trained you for this player saying, "I trained you for this player saying, "I trained you for this event. Now go out and do it." No. event. Now go out and do it." No. event. Now go out and do it." No. His weapons, God's weapons, his belt of His weapons, God's weapons, his belt of His weapons, God's weapons, his belt of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet truth, the shield of faith, the helmet truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of of salvation, the breastplate of of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, righteousness, the sword of the spirit, righteousness, the sword of the spirit, they supply you with his actual living they supply you with his actual living they supply you with his actual living active strength that was in Jesus. These active strength that was in Jesus. These active strength that was in Jesus. These are the same tools Jesus used in the are the same tools Jesus used in the are the same tools Jesus used in the desert 2,000 years ago. And you have desert 2,000 years ago. And you have desert 2,000 years ago. And you have them today, Christian. them today, Christian. them today, Christian. Our faith is utterly unique in this Our faith is utterly unique in this Our faith is utterly unique in this other faith. They've got heroes that are other faith. They've got heroes that are other faith. They've got heroes that are like Jesus who live inspirational lives. like Jesus who live inspirational lives. like Jesus who live inspirational lives. No, Christianity uniquely has a hero who No, Christianity uniquely has a hero who No, Christianity uniquely has a hero who at the center of it, lives an at the center of it, lives an at the center of it, lives an inspirational life, dies for us, comes inspirational life, dies for us, comes inspirational life, dies for us, comes back to life, and gives us his very back to life, and gives us his very back to life, and gives us his very spirit that we walk in today. The spirit that we walk in today. The spirit that we walk in today. The strength we need, he gives us.

strength we need, he gives us. strength we need, he gives us. This is what our ability to wrestle back This is what our ability to wrestle back This is what our ability to wrestle back to the devil looks like. He wants to use to the devil looks like. He wants to use to the devil looks like. He wants to use our neediness against him. We need to our neediness against him. We need to our neediness against him. We need to use his his self-pity against him. It use his his self-pity against him. It use his his self-pity against him. It looks like this. When we feel weary, looks like this. When we feel weary, looks like this. When we feel weary, when we feel betrayed when we feel betrayed when we feel betrayed and he's whispering, "God's left you. and he's whispering, "God's left you. and he's whispering, "God's left you. I'm trying to untether you, spin you off I'm trying to untether you, spin you off I'm trying to untether you, spin you off into space. You are a cornered, hungry into space. You are a cornered, hungry into space. You are a cornered, hungry creature." God's the real need we after. creature." God's the real need we after. creature." God's the real need we after. We have to admit it. We are needy. We We have to admit it. We are needy. We We have to admit it. We are needy. We can't summon the strength on our own. can't summon the strength on our own. can't summon the strength on our own. God's protection, his provision though God's protection, his provision though God's protection, his provision though has been met, has been offered in Christ has been met, has been offered in Christ has been met, has been offered in Christ because he went hungry in that desert. because he went hungry in that desert. because he went hungry in that desert. We don't have to We don't have to We don't have to praise the Lord for this truth and this praise the Lord for this truth and this praise the Lord for this truth and this protection unlike our aloneeness that we protection unlike our aloneeness that we protection unlike our aloneeness that we feel that self-pity that we feel that's feel that self-pity that we feel that's feel that self-pity that we feel that's not going on forever Christian we will not going on forever Christian we will not going on forever Christian we will have this relationship this power this have this relationship this power this have this relationship this power this supply forever from Christ and what does supply forever from Christ and what does supply forever from Christ and what does that do emotionally for us when we that do emotionally for us when we that do emotionally for us when we consider that gift we can't help but be consider that gift we can't help but be consider that gift we can't help but be thankful we can't help but be humble thankful we can't help but be humble thankful we can't help but be humble sure but we can't help but be thankful sure but we can't help but be thankful sure but we can't help but be thankful for the power God supplies Guys, if for the power God supplies Guys, if for the power God supplies Guys, if you're feeling weary right now, tempted you're feeling weary right now, tempted you're feeling weary right now, tempted towards self-pity, but trying to ignore towards self-pity, but trying to ignore towards self-pity, but trying to ignore it, let me lovingly encourage you. It's it, let me lovingly encourage you. It's it, let me lovingly encourage you. It's not going to help. Cry out to God for not going to help. Cry out to God for not going to help. Cry out to God for strength. Psalms 9 says that that those strength. Psalms 9 says that that those strength. Psalms 9 says that that those who look to the Lord will never be who look to the Lord will never be who look to the Lord will never be abandoned. He comes and answers us every abandoned. He comes and answers us every abandoned. He comes and answers us every time. So, the gospel fuels our stand not

time. So, the gospel fuels our stand not time. So, the gospel fuels our stand not just in weariness, but when we are just in weariness, but when we are just in weariness, but when we are winning. winning. winning. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in Finally, be strong in the Lord and in Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Let's look to the strength of his might. Let's look to the strength of his might. Let's look to them him again because he gives us not them him again because he gives us not them him again because he gives us not just his power, not just his strength, just his power, not just his strength, just his power, not just his strength, but God gives us his purpose, but God gives us his purpose, but God gives us his purpose, his might. Yes, God strengthens his his might. Yes, God strengthens his his might. Yes, God strengthens his gives us his very strength so we can gives us his very strength so we can gives us his very strength so we can fight in that moment. That's true. But fight in that moment. That's true. But fight in that moment. That's true. But don't forget, if it's his strength, then don't forget, if it's his strength, then don't forget, if it's his strength, then we must use it for his purpose, not for we must use it for his purpose, not for we must use it for his purpose, not for ours. How did Jesus demonstrate this ours. How did Jesus demonstrate this ours. How did Jesus demonstrate this kind of humility in the battle of of his kind of humility in the battle of of his kind of humility in the battle of of his fight in the desert? Looked like this. fight in the desert? Looked like this. fight in the desert? Looked like this. If you then, here's the whisper. If you then, here's the whisper. If you then, here's the whisper. If you then will worship me, it will all If you then will worship me, it will all If you then will worship me, it will all be yours. And Jesus answered him, "No, be yours. And Jesus answered him, "No, be yours. And Jesus answered him, "No, it is written, you shall worship the it is written, you shall worship the it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you Lord your God, and him only shall you Lord your God, and him only shall you serve." When offered the great kingdoms serve." When offered the great kingdoms serve." When offered the great kingdoms of the world, Jesus didn't fall. How? He of the world, Jesus didn't fall. How? He of the world, Jesus didn't fall. How? He looked at the enemy and he quoted God's looked at the enemy and he quoted God's looked at the enemy and he quoted God's word accurately.

word accurately. word accurately. Satan in this temptation series, he does Satan in this temptation series, he does Satan in this temptation series, he does quote God's word. He just doesn't do it quote God's word. He just doesn't do it quote God's word. He just doesn't do it right. Jesus quotes it accurately, right. Jesus quotes it accurately, right. Jesus quotes it accurately, consistently, contextually. consistently, contextually. consistently, contextually. A couple of weeks ago, as I was A couple of weeks ago, as I was A couple of weeks ago, as I was preparing the sermon and I got to this preparing the sermon and I got to this preparing the sermon and I got to this part, I was studying this passage and part, I was studying this passage and part, I was studying this passage and just admiring, wow, Jesus's strength in just admiring, wow, Jesus's strength in just admiring, wow, Jesus's strength in that moment after being hungry, how does that moment after being hungry, how does that moment after being hungry, how does he do this? How does he he goes to God's he do this? How does he he goes to God's he do this? How does he he goes to God's word? Yes. And he uses it the right way. word? Yes. And he uses it the right way. word? Yes. And he uses it the right way. I started to really think, am I doing I started to really think, am I doing I started to really think, am I doing this? How well have I been looking to this? How well have I been looking to this? How well have I been looking to God's word in my fight against this God's word in my fight against this God's word in my fight against this enemy of ours? Okay, I've been reading enemy of ours? Okay, I've been reading enemy of ours? Okay, I've been reading most days almost every day I'm getting most days almost every day I'm getting most days almost every day I'm getting up and one of the patterns that I had up and one of the patterns that I had up and one of the patterns that I had started about 10 years ago to read just started about 10 years ago to read just started about 10 years ago to read just a to try to meditate on and and memorize a to try to meditate on and and memorize a to try to meditate on and and memorize just one chapter of Bible a year. Okay, just one chapter of Bible a year. Okay, just one chapter of Bible a year. Okay, I'm like I haven't done that since I'm like I haven't done that since I'm like I haven't done that since February. To think a decreasing going to February. To think a decreasing going to February. To think a decreasing going to God's word in my life is unrelated to God's word in my life is unrelated to God's word in my life is unrelated to increasing spiritual warfare would be increasing spiritual warfare would be increasing spiritual warfare would be silly. silly. silly. Guys, how can I expect how can we expect Guys, how can I expect how can we expect Guys, how can I expect how can we expect to stand against our savior's enemy, our to stand against our savior's enemy, our to stand against our savior's enemy, our enemy, when we're not sure we're heading enemy, when we're not sure we're heading enemy, when we're not sure we're heading the same direction that God is taking the same direction that God is taking the same direction that God is taking us?

us? us? Are life circumstances treating you Are life circumstances treating you Are life circumstances treating you well? If so, praise God. well? If so, praise God. well? If so, praise God. But I want to lovingly ask you next, how But I want to lovingly ask you next, how But I want to lovingly ask you next, how near to God's word do you feel? near to God's word do you feel? near to God's word do you feel? If I asked you, what text from God's If I asked you, what text from God's If I asked you, what text from God's word is helping fuel and refine your word is helping fuel and refine your word is helping fuel and refine your purpose right now? purpose right now? purpose right now? It's okay if you don't have a ready It's okay if you don't have a ready It's okay if you don't have a ready answer. But I want to warn you lovingly answer. But I want to warn you lovingly answer. But I want to warn you lovingly from this text. If you're not sure what from this text. If you're not sure what from this text. If you're not sure what text is fueling your purpose tied to text is fueling your purpose tied to text is fueling your purpose tied to God, don't be surprised if you're God, don't be surprised if you're God, don't be surprised if you're lacking power in your fight against our lacking power in your fight against our lacking power in your fight against our enemy. Let me offer you one text that enemy. Let me offer you one text that enemy. Let me offer you one text that always helps me when I struggle to always helps me when I struggle to always helps me when I struggle to think, do I have purpose today? think, do I have purpose today? think, do I have purpose today? Ephesians 2:10. For we are his Ephesians 2:10. For we are his Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Why? For lots of reasons, but here's Why? For lots of reasons, but here's Why? For lots of reasons, but here's what the reason is right here. For good what the reason is right here. For good what the reason is right here. For good works, works, works, which God prepared beforehand that we which God prepared beforehand that we which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Do you know that should walk in them. Do you know that should walk in them. Do you know that God had in mind right as Will started God had in mind right as Will started God had in mind right as Will started our our service today? he had in mind.

our our service today? he had in mind. our our service today? he had in mind. There's no accidental people in this There's no accidental people in this There's no accidental people in this room. Your good work of showing up this room. Your good work of showing up this room. Your good work of showing up this weekend to learn and to worship is one weekend to learn and to worship is one weekend to learn and to worship is one of the good works God had in mind before of the good works God had in mind before of the good works God had in mind before he made you. That is encouraging. Look he made you. That is encouraging. Look he made you. That is encouraging. Look what it looks like in sequence here. what it looks like in sequence here. what it looks like in sequence here. Here's how we use the devil's Here's how we use the devil's Here's how we use the devil's self-indulgence, his self reliance. He's self-indulgence, his self reliance. He's self-indulgence, his self reliance. He's trying to get you to his side, right? trying to get you to his side, right? trying to get you to his side, right? Here's how we use his strength against Here's how we use his strength against Here's how we use his strength against him when we feel we're winning and he's him when we feel we're winning and he's him when we feel we're winning and he's trying to get us untethered from God. We trying to get us untethered from God. We trying to get us untethered from God. We don't need him. Look what you did. You don't need him. Look what you did. You don't need him. Look what you did. You didn't pray. Where would this situation didn't pray. Where would this situation didn't pray. Where would this situation be without you? You're you're like God. be without you? You're you're like God. be without you? You're you're like God. The real need we have to admit that The real need we have to admit that The real need we have to admit that we're after. We need purpose. We're made we're after. We need purpose. We're made we're after. We need purpose. We're made for it. But we have the best purpose. for it. But we have the best purpose. for it. But we have the best purpose. One that's way beyond solving a One that's way beyond solving a One that's way beyond solving a situation, fixing a microphone. We are situation, fixing a microphone. We are situation, fixing a microphone. We are called to live as his ambassadors. We called to live as his ambassadors. We called to live as his ambassadors. We are called to be his warriors. What does are called to be his warriors. What does are called to be his warriors. What does that do emotionally for us? It gets us that do emotionally for us? It gets us that do emotionally for us? It gets us more ambitious, more zealous. more ambitious, more zealous. more ambitious, more zealous. But not for our glory, for God's.

But not for our glory, for God's. But not for our glory, for God's. In weariness, we need a gospel tether to In weariness, we need a gospel tether to In weariness, we need a gospel tether to Jesus's actual power. In winning, we Jesus's actual power. In winning, we Jesus's actual power. In winning, we need a gospel tether, a godly tether to need a gospel tether, a godly tether to need a gospel tether, a godly tether to Jesus's actual purpose. And though our Jesus's actual purpose. And though our Jesus's actual purpose. And though our battle is different than the one Jesus battle is different than the one Jesus battle is different than the one Jesus fought in that desert, it is the same fought in that desert, it is the same fought in that desert, it is the same war. It is the same enemy. And he's war. It is the same enemy. And he's war. It is the same enemy. And he's giving us that purpose. He's given us giving us that purpose. He's given us giving us that purpose. He's given us that purpose today. that purpose today. that purpose today. What is shaping your sense of What is shaping your sense of What is shaping your sense of protection, your sense of purpose today? protection, your sense of purpose today? protection, your sense of purpose today? Are you hearing whispers of self-pity? Are you hearing whispers of self-pity? Are you hearing whispers of self-pity? Are you hearing whispers of Are you hearing whispers of Are you hearing whispers of self-reliance? self-reliance? self-reliance? Perhaps that's due to your own sin or Perhaps that's due to your own sin or Perhaps that's due to your own sin or the sin of others. But I want to the sin of others. But I want to the sin of others. But I want to lovingly encourage you as you walk out lovingly encourage you as you walk out lovingly encourage you as you walk out of here that you might be a little more of here that you might be a little more of here that you might be a little more equipped to ask, is that actually the equipped to ask, is that actually the equipped to ask, is that actually the whisper of my spiritual enemy, my actual whisper of my spiritual enemy, my actual whisper of my spiritual enemy, my actual true enemy? And not only could you true enemy? And not only could you true enemy? And not only could you identify that whisper, I hope you can identify that whisper, I hope you can identify that whisper, I hope you can walk out of here a little more able to walk out of here a little more able to walk out of here a little more able to courageously remember I could fight him courageously remember I could fight him courageously remember I could fight him like Jesus did. like Jesus did. like Jesus did. Protected with the very strength he has, Protected with the very strength he has, Protected with the very strength he has, armed with the very same purpose.

armed with the very same purpose. armed with the very same purpose. I'm going to close with this story. A I'm going to close with this story. A I'm going to close with this story. A few weeks ago, I took my 14-year-old, my few weeks ago, I took my 14-year-old, my few weeks ago, I took my 14-year-old, my oldest daughter, to a volleyball oldest daughter, to a volleyball oldest daughter, to a volleyball tournament in Houston, and it was tournament in Houston, and it was tournament in Houston, and it was special. I haven't gotten to do a lot of special. I haven't gotten to do a lot of special. I haven't gotten to do a lot of these uh trips. My wife does most of these uh trips. My wife does most of these uh trips. My wife does most of these. Um and we're we're driving and I these. Um and we're we're driving and I these. Um and we're we're driving and I I kind of say, "You know what? Be fun in I kind of say, "You know what? Be fun in I kind of say, "You know what? Be fun in the hotel to pick a movie to watch the hotel to pick a movie to watch the hotel to pick a movie to watch together." We do a little Googling and together." We do a little Googling and together." We do a little Googling and the top two daddyaughter movies listed the top two daddyaughter movies listed the top two daddyaughter movies listed that came up. Number one, Father of the that came up. Number one, Father of the that came up. Number one, Father of the Bride. No shock. Number two, a little Bride. No shock. Number two, a little Bride. No shock. Number two, a little more surprising, Interstellar. more surprising, Interstellar. more surprising, Interstellar. Um I've never seen it, so I was like, Um I've never seen it, so I was like, Um I've never seen it, so I was like, "Great, we'll try this." Um and we watch "Great, we'll try this." Um and we watch "Great, we'll try this." Um and we watch it and if you've seen it, you understand it and if you've seen it, you understand it and if you've seen it, you understand why it's one of the best fatherdaughter why it's one of the best fatherdaughter why it's one of the best fatherdaughter movies. And I mean, I'm weeping the movies. And I mean, I'm weeping the movies. And I mean, I'm weeping the entire movie, right, as Matthew entire movie, right, as Matthew entire movie, right, as Matthew McConnA's just crying to to his daughter McConnA's just crying to to his daughter McConnA's just crying to to his daughter and she's, you know, um, and I see and she's, you know, um, and I see and she's, you know, um, and I see Violet notice I'm crying, right, Violet notice I'm crying, right, Violet notice I'm crying, right, multiple times during it. And I ask her multiple times during it. And I ask her multiple times during it. And I ask her after we're done. I'm like, is it does after we're done. I'm like, is it does after we're done. I'm like, is it does it ever make you uncomfortable how how it ever make you uncomfortable how how it ever make you uncomfortable how how much I cry much I cry much I cry during sad movies? Said, "No." And she during sad movies? Said, "No." And she during sad movies? Said, "No." And she she kind of turned it around. She said, she kind of turned it around. She said, she kind of turned it around. She said, "No, I don't I don't usually cry "No, I don't I don't usually cry "No, I don't I don't usually cry watching movies, but you know what? You watching movies, but you know what? You watching movies, but you know what? You know what I cry almost every time is know what I cry almost every time is know what I cry almost every time is when we do baptisms at church when we do baptisms at church when we do baptisms at church and even when they're strangers, even and even when they're strangers, even and even when they're strangers, even when I don't know their who they are and when I don't know their who they are and when I don't know their who they are and they're just talking about their story they're just talking about their story they're just talking about their story of what God's doing, I just can't help of what God's doing, I just can't help of what God's doing, I just can't help it. I start crying.

it. I start crying. it. I start crying. And she's not alone, is she? We when we And she's not alone, is she? We when we And she's not alone, is she? We when we see God's strength on display through see God's strength on display through see God's strength on display through people testifying, I was lost, now I'm people testifying, I was lost, now I'm people testifying, I was lost, now I'm found. found. found. I was this and and and now I'm strong. I was this and and and now I'm strong. I was this and and and now I'm strong. God gives us strength that we need too. God gives us strength that we need too. God gives us strength that we need too. We stand against the devil's schemes, We stand against the devil's schemes, We stand against the devil's schemes, yes, with his protection for his yes, with his protection for his yes, with his protection for his purpose. But when someone testifies purpose. But when someone testifies purpose. But when someone testifies about God's work in their lives before about God's work in their lives before about God's work in their lives before getting baptized, they help us stand getting baptized, they help us stand getting baptized, they help us stand against the schemes of the devil as against the schemes of the devil as against the schemes of the devil as well. When you worship at the top of well. When you worship at the top of well. When you worship at the top of your lungs, when we lean in and learn your lungs, when we lean in and learn your lungs, when we lean in and learn from a busted, broken preacher preaching from a busted, broken preacher preaching from a busted, broken preacher preaching a sermon how God's trying to teach him a sermon how God's trying to teach him a sermon how God's trying to teach him something, you don't just help your own something, you don't just help your own something, you don't just help your own faith, your own strength to stand. You faith, your own strength to stand. You faith, your own strength to stand. You help the people around you because the help the people around you because the help the people around you because the armor of God is yours, but the battle is armor of God is yours, but the battle is armor of God is yours, but the battle is ours. Let's pray. thank you.

thank you. Thank you for the forgiveness of our Thank you for the forgiveness of our Thank you for the forgiveness of our sins. That we are safe and protected from the That we are safe and protected from the lies of our enemy. that we have strength that is not just that we have strength that is not just conjured up in our own energy level or conjured up in our own energy level or conjured up in our own energy level or how much we've prayed or talked to you, how much we've prayed or talked to you, how much we've prayed or talked to you, but God is strength that comes directly, but God is strength that comes directly, but God is strength that comes directly, Jesus, from the strength you had in that Jesus, from the strength you had in that Jesus, from the strength you had in that desert. The strength you had is that you desert. The strength you had is that you desert. The strength you had is that you shouldered that cross as you died for shouldered that cross as you died for shouldered that cross as you died for us, as you conquered death. That us, as you conquered death. That us, as you conquered death. That strength is ours. strength is ours. strength is ours. It does not depend upon us. It depends It does not depend upon us. It depends It does not depend upon us. It depends on your strength. on your strength. on your strength. God, help us cry out to you to remind us God, help us cry out to you to remind us God, help us cry out to you to remind us of that and give it to us. Aresh of that and give it to us. Aresh of that and give it to us. Aresh God, help us remember we have a purpose. God, help us remember we have a purpose. God, help us remember we have a purpose. God, if we're feeling useless at work, God, if we're feeling useless at work, God, if we're feeling useless at work, useless at home, if we haven't thought useless at home, if we haven't thought useless at home, if we haven't thought about how you bought us, not just for about how you bought us, not just for about how you bought us, not just for heaven one day, but for bringing heaven heaven one day, but for bringing heaven heaven one day, but for bringing heaven down, Jesus, would we would we act down, Jesus, would we would we act down, Jesus, would we would we act accordingly today? Would we remember accordingly today? Would we remember accordingly today? Would we remember this purpose you've given us? when we this purpose you've given us? when we this purpose you've given us? when we study your scripture today and find God, study your scripture today and find God, study your scripture today and find God, what is the text you have in mind for what is the text you have in mind for what is the text you have in mind for us, us, us, God? How can we align to you, Jesus? I God? How can we align to you, Jesus? I God? How can we align to you, Jesus? I praise you for this family of God praise you for this family of God praise you for this family of God together here. And I ask for your help.

together here. And I ask for your help. together here. And I ask for your help. Keep us standing together today. Amen. Keep us standing together today. Amen. Keep us standing together today. Amen. >> Amen. If you're able, will you stand >> Amen. If you're able, will you stand >> Amen. If you're able, will you stand with us? Lord, we look to you to be our strength Lord, we look to you to be our strength today. God, I look to you. God, I look to you. I won't be overwhelmed. to see things like to see things like God. I look to you. God. I look to you. God. I look to you. you where my help comes from.

you where my help comes from. you where my help comes from. Give me wisdis. You know just what to do. You know just what to do. Yeah. God, I look to you. God, I look to you. I won't be overwhelmed. to see things like you do. God, I look to see things like you do. God, I look to you. to you. to you. You where my help comes from. You where my help comes from. You where my help comes from. >> Give me wisdom. You know just what to do. And I will You know just what to do. And I will love you, Lord, my strength. We are love you, Lord, my strength. We are love you, Lord, my strength. We are strength, Lord. I will love you, Lord, strength, Lord. I will love you, Lord, strength, Lord. I will love you, Lord, my shield.

my shield. my shield. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock. Forever all my days. I will love you, Forever all my days. I will love you, Forever all my days. I will love you, God. God, I look to you. God, I look to you. I won't be overwhelmed. to see things like you do. God, I look to see things like you do. God, I look to you. to you. to you. You're where my help comes from. You're where my help comes from. You're where my help comes from. >> Give me wisdom. >> You know just what to do. And I will >> You know just what to do. And I will love you, Lord, my strength.

love you, Lord, my strength. love you, Lord, my strength. >> Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. >> Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. >> Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Oh. I will love you, Lord, my rock, Oh. I will love you, Lord, my rock, Oh. I will love you, Lord, my rock, forever all my days. I will love you, forever all my days. I will love you, forever all my days. I will love you, God. Oh, we love you. Yes, I will love God. Oh, we love you. Yes, I will love God. Oh, we love you. Yes, I will love you, Lord, my strength. you, Lord, my strength. you, Lord, my strength. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock, Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock, Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock, forever. All my days I will love you, forever. All my days I will love you, forever. All my days I will love you, God. God. God. You reign. You reign. You reign. You reign. You reign. You reign. Oh, hallelu. Oh, hallelu. Oh, hallelu. Our God reigns.

Our God reigns. Our God reigns. Oh hallelu Oh hallelu Oh hallelu our God reigns. our God reigns. our God reigns. Oh hallelu Oh hallelu Oh hallelu our God reigns our God reigns our God reigns forever all my days. Hallelujah. forever all my days. Hallelujah. forever all my days. Hallelujah. Yes he reigns. Yes he reigns. Yes he reigns. Oh hallelu Oh hallelu Oh hallelu our God reigns over all. Hallelu our God reigns over all. Hallelu our God reigns over all. Hallelu our God reigns. our God reigns. our God reigns. Hallelu Hallelu Hallelu our God reigns. Oh forever all my days. our God reigns. Oh forever all my days. our God reigns. Oh forever all my days. Hallelujah. Yes, you reign over all.

Yes, you reign over all. Sing hallelujah. Sing hallelujah. Sing hallelujah. Oh hallelu Oh hallelu Oh hallelu our God reigns. He does. Oh hallelu our God reigns. He does. Oh hallelu our God reigns. He does. Oh hallelu our God reigns. our God reigns. our God reigns. Oh hallelu Oh hallelu Oh hallelu our God reigns our God reigns our God reigns forever all my days. Hallelujah. Just sing that chorus one more time. You Just sing that chorus one more time. You have a strength in the Lord our God. You have a strength in the Lord our God. You have a strength in the Lord our God. You have a shield. You have a rock. have a shield. You have a rock. have a shield. You have a rock. I will love you, Lord, my strength. I will love you, Lord, my strength. I will love you, Lord, my strength. Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Yes, I will love you, Lord, my shield. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock.

Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock. Oh, I will love you, Lord, my rock. Forever all my days. I will love Forever all my days. I will love Forever all my days. I will love you, God. Peace Peace like a river Sorrows Sorrows like sea like sea like sea pillows pillows pillows roll.

my Lord, my Lord, thou has taught thou has taught thou has taught me to say. me to say. me to say. It is well. It is well. It is well. It is well It is well It is well with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. >> The Lord is our strength. It can be >> The Lord is our strength. It can be >> The Lord is our strength. It can be well. well. well. >> It is well. >> It is well. >> It is well. >> It is well >> It is well >> It is well with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. >> with my soul. >> with my soul. >> with my soul. It is well. It is well. It is well. It is well It is well It is well with with with my soul.

Oh, the bliss Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. thought. My sin My sin My sin not in part not in part not in part but the whole. his nail his nail to the cross to the cross to the cross and I bear and I bear and I bear it no more. it no more. it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, oh my soul. It is well. It is well. >> It is well >> It is well >> It is well with my soul.

with my soul. with my soul. >> with my soul. >> with my soul. >> with my soul. It is well. It is well. It is well. It is well It is well It is well with my soul. And Lord, And Lord, haste the day haste the day haste the day when my face when my face when my face shall be sight. shall be sight. shall be sight. The clouds The clouds The clouds be rolled back be rolled back be rolled back as a scroll. The trump The trump shall resound shall resound shall resound and the Lord and the Lord and the Lord shall descend.

Even so, Even so, it is well it is well it is well with with with my soul. It is well. It is well. It is well It is well It is well with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. with my soul. It is well. It is well. It is well. It is well It is well It is well with my soul. Is well. Is well. It is well It is well It is well with with with my soul. >> can we thank him this morning that those >> can we thank him this morning that those things are true? Amen.

things are true? Amen. things are true? Amen. >> Church, let me just pray over us and >> Church, let me just pray over us and >> Church, let me just pray over us and pray that that would be true of us. God, pray that that would be true of us. God, pray that that would be true of us. God, thank you so much for the truth that we thank you so much for the truth that we thank you so much for the truth that we just got to sing. Um God and I pray for just got to sing. Um God and I pray for just got to sing. Um God and I pray for myself. I pray for my brothers and myself. I pray for my brothers and myself. I pray for my brothers and sisters in this room that you would give sisters in this room that you would give sisters in this room that you would give us faith to know that we can sing that us faith to know that we can sing that us faith to know that we can sing that with confidence that it is well because with confidence that it is well because with confidence that it is well because of the lived life of Jesus. A perfect of the lived life of Jesus. A perfect of the lived life of Jesus. A perfect life that we never could have lived. And life that we never could have lived. And life that we never could have lived. And then he went to the cross on our behalf then he went to the cross on our behalf then he went to the cross on our behalf for my brokenness, for my sin, for the for my brokenness, for my sin, for the for my brokenness, for my sin, for the sin and brokenness in this room. And sin and brokenness in this room. And sin and brokenness in this room. And then he got up out of the grave and he then he got up out of the grave and he then he got up out of the grave and he defeated the devil and Satan and his defeated the devil and Satan and his defeated the devil and Satan and his schemes so that we may be set free. so schemes so that we may be set free. so schemes so that we may be set free. so that those truths could be preached that those truths could be preached that those truths could be preached today, that we have confidence to today, that we have confidence to today, that we have confidence to operate in the strength of Jesus that he operate in the strength of Jesus that he operate in the strength of Jesus that he has gone before us. And so God, I pray has gone before us. And so God, I pray has gone before us. And so God, I pray for our church body that they would take for our church body that they would take for our church body that they would take the preached word of God today, the the preached word of God today, the the preached word of God today, the encouragement in the scripture about the encouragement in the scripture about the encouragement in the scripture about the very real attack that we might be very real attack that we might be very real attack that we might be experiencing, but that we would leave experiencing, but that we would leave experiencing, but that we would leave today with hope. That we have hope today with hope. That we have hope today with hope. That we have hope because of uh Jesus Christ getting up because of uh Jesus Christ getting up because of uh Jesus Christ getting up out of the grave. God, that we can have out of the grave. God, that we can have out of the grave. God, that we can have that strength that you've given that to that strength that you've given that to that strength that you've given that to us. And so God, would you produce that us. And so God, would you produce that us. And so God, would you produce that that faith, that joy, and would we do it that faith, that joy, and would we do it that faith, that joy, and would we do it together as a community knowing that we together as a community knowing that we together as a community knowing that we do not have to do it alone. You call us do not have to do it alone. You call us do not have to do it alone. You call us to be a part of a family within your to be a part of a family within your to be a part of a family within your church. And so would we praise, would we church. And so would we praise, would we church. And so would we praise, would we worship, would we share stories so that worship, would we share stories so that worship, would we share stories so that we might be an encouragement to one we might be an encouragement to one we might be an encouragement to one another and we might persevere as we another and we might persevere as we another and we might persevere as we feel the attacks of the enemy because he feel the attacks of the enemy because he feel the attacks of the enemy because he does not get the last word. Jesus does not get the last word. Jesus does not get the last word. Jesus already has. So God, we love you and we already has. So God, we love you and we already has. So God, we love you and we trust you. We praise this in your name.

trust you. We praise this in your name. trust you. We praise this in your name. Amen. and man church family. You can Amen. and man church family. You can Amen. and man church family. You can take a seat if we have not had a chance take a seat if we have not had a chance take a seat if we have not had a chance to meet. My name is Kate Terry. I serve to meet. My name is Kate Terry. I serve to meet. My name is Kate Terry. I serve as our spiritual formation director as our spiritual formation director as our spiritual formation director here. Happy July 4th weekend. I hope you here. Happy July 4th weekend. I hope you here. Happy July 4th weekend. I hope you had a great time yesterday celebrating had a great time yesterday celebrating had a great time yesterday celebrating with family and friends, hanging out in with family and friends, hanging out in with family and friends, hanging out in our amazing city. If you're new, if our amazing city. If you're new, if our amazing city. If you're new, if you're visiting this Sunday, we're so you're visiting this Sunday, we're so you're visiting this Sunday, we're so glad that you're here. Want to encourage glad that you're here. Want to encourage glad that you're here. Want to encourage you to swing by the connect area out in you to swing by the connect area out in you to swing by the connect area out in the foyer. Some of our staff are there. the foyer. Some of our staff are there. the foyer. Some of our staff are there. They would love to answer any questions They would love to answer any questions They would love to answer any questions you might have about our church. But I you might have about our church. But I you might have about our church. But I want to direct you really specifically want to direct you really specifically want to direct you really specifically towards this handout. It says towards this handout. It says towards this handout. It says partnership matters on the front. It's partnership matters on the front. It's partnership matters on the front. It's going to be by the stairs as you exit on going to be by the stairs as you exit on going to be by the stairs as you exit on your left. Whether you are brand new, your left. Whether you are brand new, your left. Whether you are brand new, this is your first Sunday, or you're a this is your first Sunday, or you're a this is your first Sunday, or you're a partner, I want to encourage you to partner, I want to encourage you to partner, I want to encourage you to swing by and grab one of these. In May swing by and grab one of these. In May swing by and grab one of these. In May and then throughout June, we go through and then throughout June, we go through and then throughout June, we go through a process of annual partnership renewal a process of annual partnership renewal a process of annual partnership renewal where we reflect on the year. We invite where we reflect on the year. We invite where we reflect on the year. We invite our partners to say, "What are some of our partners to say, "What are some of our partners to say, "What are some of the or reflect and see what are some of the or reflect and see what are some of the or reflect and see what are some of the stories of what God has been doing? the stories of what God has been doing? the stories of what God has been doing? How has he been persevering you, How has he been persevering you, How has he been persevering you, enduring you? What are some of the enduring you? What are some of the enduring you? What are some of the prayer requests that we can come prayer requests that we can come prayer requests that we can come together and pray together as a family?" together and pray together as a family?" together and pray together as a family?" family and then we look forward and we family and then we look forward and we family and then we look forward and we talk about the core convictions of our talk about the core convictions of our talk about the core convictions of our church and we say, "Are we in? Are we church and we say, "Are we in? Are we church and we say, "Are we in? Are we going to do this together? Are we going going to do this together? Are we going going to do this together? Are we going to commit to these so that we might to commit to these so that we might to commit to these so that we might become more like Christ?" And guys, this become more like Christ?" And guys, this become more like Christ?" And guys, this is one of my favorite things that we do is one of my favorite things that we do is one of my favorite things that we do as a church because it leads to so many as a church because it leads to so many as a church because it leads to so many intentional conversations. Intentional intentional conversations. Intentional intentional conversations. Intentional conversations as brothers and sisters in conversations as brothers and sisters in conversations as brothers and sisters in Christ and then story after story of Christ and then story after story of Christ and then story after story of getting to be encouraged just like the getting to be encouraged just like the getting to be encouraged just like the baptisms that Scott was talking about of baptisms that Scott was talking about of baptisms that Scott was talking about of the ways that God is moving in our the ways that God is moving in our the ways that God is moving in our church. And so that's what this is. It's church. And so that's what this is. It's church. And so that's what this is. It's a snapshot of those stories and I don't a snapshot of those stories and I don't a snapshot of those stories and I don't want to miss I don't want you to miss want to miss I don't want you to miss want to miss I don't want you to miss out on an opportunity of being out on an opportunity of being out on an opportunity of being encouraged. And so if you're new and encouraged. And so if you're new and encouraged. And so if you're new and wondering what is this church all about?

wondering what is this church all about? wondering what is this church all about? This is a great place to start. Go and This is a great place to start. Go and This is a great place to start. Go and pick this out. Pick this up and read pick this out. Pick this up and read pick this out. Pick this up and read stories about our church. And if you're stories about our church. And if you're stories about our church. And if you're a partner, go grab it and be encouraged. a partner, go grab it and be encouraged. a partner, go grab it and be encouraged. Okay, the next announcement I have for Okay, the next announcement I have for Okay, the next announcement I have for us is just to let you know about some us is just to let you know about some us is just to let you know about some fun summer hangouts that our women's fun summer hangouts that our women's fun summer hangouts that our women's ministry is offering throughout the ministry is offering throughout the ministry is offering throughout the month of July. Guys, we do this in July month of July. Guys, we do this in July month of July. Guys, we do this in July because schedules are a little bit because schedules are a little bit because schedules are a little bit slower. gives us a chance to have some slower. gives us a chance to have some slower. gives us a chance to have some fun together, make memories, cultivate fun together, make memories, cultivate fun together, make memories, cultivate friendship. And so, we have two of those friendship. And so, we have two of those friendship. And so, we have two of those coming up hosted by partners at our coming up hosted by partners at our coming up hosted by partners at our church, just opening up their doors and church, just opening up their doors and church, just opening up their doors and inviting you into their home. So, a inviting you into their home. So, a inviting you into their home. So, a great chance, get to get to know one great chance, get to get to know one great chance, get to get to know one another, build friendships. Like I said, another, build friendships. Like I said, another, build friendships. Like I said, next Sunday, we're going to be hanging next Sunday, we're going to be hanging next Sunday, we're going to be hanging out by the pool because if you're out by the pool because if you're out by the pool because if you're outside, that's the only thing you outside, that's the only thing you outside, that's the only thing you should be doing around a body of water. should be doing around a body of water. should be doing around a body of water. And so, I hope you come and join us next And so, I hope you come and join us next And so, I hope you come and join us next Sunday for that. Check out the details Sunday for that. Check out the details Sunday for that. Check out the details of the QR code behind me, RSVP, so that of the QR code behind me, RSVP, so that of the QR code behind me, RSVP, so that we know how many are coming uh for for we know how many are coming uh for for we know how many are coming uh for for those gatherings. And then last but not those gatherings. And then last but not those gatherings. And then last but not least, guys, how great was it to be led least, guys, how great was it to be led least, guys, how great was it to be led by these two this morning in worship? by these two this morning in worship? by these two this morning in worship? It's pretty great, right? I know it's a It's pretty great, right? I know it's a It's pretty great, right? I know it's a little bit of a different vibe. There's little bit of a different vibe. There's little bit of a different vibe. There's only Y'all look so sad, just two of you only Y'all look so sad, just two of you only Y'all look so sad, just two of you standing up here alone. But where they standing up here alone. But where they standing up here alone. But where they were amazing. It was great to be led in were amazing. It was great to be led in were amazing. It was great to be led in this kind of stripped down worship set, this kind of stripped down worship set, this kind of stripped down worship set, guys. Typically, the stage is filled guys. Typically, the stage is filled guys. Typically, the stage is filled with six to seven volunteers, gifted men with six to seven volunteers, gifted men with six to seven volunteers, gifted men and women, musicians, vocalists who give and women, musicians, vocalists who give and women, musicians, vocalists who give of their time every single Sunday to of their time every single Sunday to of their time every single Sunday to serve this church family. And so, we're serve this church family. And so, we're serve this church family. And so, we're really praying and hoping that that really praying and hoping that that really praying and hoping that that volunteer team grows. And so if you're volunteer team grows. And so if you're volunteer team grows. And so if you're hearing that and you're interested in hearing that and you're interested in hearing that and you're interested in that, you have questions about that, that, you have questions about that, that, you have questions about that, come and talk to Will or Monica after come and talk to Will or Monica after come and talk to Will or Monica after service. They would love to share more service. They would love to share more service. They would love to share more about what that might look like to grow about what that might look like to grow about what that might look like to grow our our worship volunteer team. Okay our our worship volunteer team. Okay our our worship volunteer team. Okay guys, that's all I have for us. Go ahead guys, that's all I have for us. Go ahead guys, that's all I have for us. Go ahead and stand and we will end with a short and stand and we will end with a short and stand and we will end with a short benediction.

All we're going to close just by singing All we're going to close just by singing that bridge. If God I look to you, that bridge. If God I look to you, that bridge. If God I look to you, remembering that our God reigns. What a remembering that our God reigns. What a remembering that our God reigns. What a truth to go out into our weeks with. So truth to go out into our weeks with. So truth to go out into our weeks with. So let's sing that together. let's sing that together. let's sing that together. Hallelu Hallelu Hallelu our God reigns. our God reigns. our God reigns. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Our God reigns. Our God reigns. Our God reigns. Hallelu Hallelu Hallelu our God our God our God forever all my days. Hallelujah. Amen. church family. Thanks so much for Amen. church family. Thanks so much for being here today. We'll see you next being here today. We'll see you next being here today. We'll see you next week.