North Campus | Jonathan Teague | A Winning Walk | Prestonwood Baptist Church

I want to invite you to be part of the I want to invite you to be part of the third annual birdie for babies golf third annual birdie for babies golf third annual birdie for babies golf scramble on Monday, October 19th scramble on Monday, October 19th scramble on Monday, October 19th benefiting Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. benefiting Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. benefiting Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. >> Every life matters to God. One of the >> Every life matters to God. One of the >> Every life matters to God. One of the greatest callings as believers is to greatest callings as believers is to greatest callings as believers is to stand for life and with life and support stand for life and with life and support stand for life and with life and support those facing difficult decisions. The those facing difficult decisions. The those facing difficult decisions. The Prestonwood Veterans Organization is Prestonwood Veterans Organization is Prestonwood Veterans Organization is honored to host the 3rd annual Birdies honored to host the 3rd annual Birdies honored to host the 3rd annual Birdies for Babies Golf Scramble. Join us on for Babies Golf Scramble. Join us on for Babies Golf Scramble. Join us on Monday, October 19th for a great day of Monday, October 19th for a great day of Monday, October 19th for a great day of golf, fellowship, special guest, a golf, fellowship, special guest, a golf, fellowship, special guest, a silent auction, and the opportunity to silent auction, and the opportunity to silent auction, and the opportunity to make some lasting impact in lives. make some lasting impact in lives. make some lasting impact in lives. >> Every golfer, sponsor, and donor helps >> Every golfer, sponsor, and donor helps >> Every golfer, sponsor, and donor helps provide compassionate care, free provide compassionate care, free provide compassionate care, free services, and the hope of Jesus to women services, and the hope of Jesus to women services, and the hope of Jesus to women and families facing unplanned and families facing unplanned and families facing unplanned pregnancies. pregnancies. pregnancies. >> Whether you're a golfer, a sponsor, or >> Whether you're a golfer, a sponsor, or >> Whether you're a golfer, a sponsor, or simply someone who wants to support this simply someone who wants to support this simply someone who wants to support this ministry, there's a place for you. Thank ministry, there's a place for you. Thank ministry, there's a place for you. Thank you for standing for life and supporting you for standing for life and supporting you for standing for life and supporting this extremely important ministry. Spots this extremely important ministry. Spots this extremely important ministry. Spots are filling up fast, so register today are filling up fast, so register today are filling up fast, so register today at the link below.

Hey everyone, welcome to Prestonwood. Hey everyone, welcome to Prestonwood. We're so glad you've chosen to worship We're so glad you've chosen to worship We're so glad you've chosen to worship with us today. right here at our north with us today. right here at our north with us today. right here at our north campus. Whether you're watching from campus. Whether you're watching from campus. Whether you're watching from home, traveling, or joining us for the home, traveling, or joining us for the home, traveling, or joining us for the very first time, you're a part of what very first time, you're a part of what very first time, you're a part of what God is doing here, and we're truly God is doing here, and we're truly God is doing here, and we're truly grateful you're with us. Our hope is grateful you're with us. Our hope is grateful you're with us. Our hope is that today's service encourages you, that today's service encourages you, that today's service encourages you, strengthens your faith, and helps you strengthens your faith, and helps you strengthens your faith, and helps you take the next step in your walk with take the next step in your walk with take the next step in your walk with Christ. To follow along and stay Christ. To follow along and stay Christ. To follow along and stay engaged, you can text the word connect engaged, you can text the word connect engaged, you can text the word connect to 55125, to 55125, to 55125, and you'll receive a link to a short and you'll receive a link to a short and you'll receive a link to a short guest registration form where we can get guest registration form where we can get guest registration form where we can get to know you better. Wherever you are to know you better. Wherever you are to know you better. Wherever you are joining us from, we believe God has joining us from, we believe God has joining us from, we believe God has something meaningful for you today. And something meaningful for you today. And something meaningful for you today. And from right where you are, our service from right where you are, our service from right where you are, our service begins now.

Well, good morning church. Well, good morning church. Let's stand and worship together today. Ever since the day that I got saved, set Ever since the day that I got saved, set free and delivered, washed, clean, my free and delivered, washed, clean, my free and delivered, washed, clean, my sin forgiven. sin forgiven. sin forgiven. Glory to his holy name. When I call on Glory to his holy name. When I call on Glory to his holy name. When I call on Jesus, I got saved.

I got saved. I got saved. Hey, Hey, Hey, I was born with blood on Calary. I know this story is in victory. I know this story is in victory. Oh yes, we know what we say. Oh yes, we know what we say. Oh yes, we know what we say. with him. with him. with him. I am I s I s glory to his holy name when I glory to his holy name when I glory to his holy name when I Jesus God who I used to be. I got the Holy God who I used to be. I got the Holy Spirit down inside of me. My God calls Spirit down inside of me. My God calls Spirit down inside of me. My God calls me by a brand new name. That's how I

me by a brand new name. That's how I me by a brand new name. That's how I know that I am chosen, spoken for, and know that I am chosen, spoken for, and know that I am chosen, spoken for, and born again. Not by my life, but because born again. Not by my life, but because born again. Not by my life, but because of him. He said it's done. Every day is of him. He said it's done. Every day is of him. He said it's done. Every day is how I know that I am who I used to be. how I know that I am who I used to be. how I know that I am who I used to be. Heat. Heat. free and free and wash wash wash I give I give I give to his holy name when I call on Jesus >> I don't know about you, but I can't

>> I don't know about you, but I can't stand still and sing that song. I'm stand still and sing that song. I'm stand still and sing that song. I'm thankful to be saved, rescued from hell, thankful to be saved, rescued from hell, thankful to be saved, rescued from hell, and here today to give praise and glory and here today to give praise and glory and here today to give praise and glory to Jesus. I hope that's your prayer this to Jesus. I hope that's your prayer this to Jesus. I hope that's your prayer this morning. morning. morning. We're victors in Christ. We're victors in Christ. We're victors in Christ. this beast that outlast darkness this beast that outlast darkness this beast that outlast darkness and hope that's in the blood. and hope that's in the blood. and hope that's in the blood. There's future grace that's my day that There's future grace that's my day that There's future grace that's my day that Jesus Christ has won. Jesus Christ has won. Jesus Christ has won. So I can face tomorrow So I can face tomorrow So I can face tomorrow for tomorrow's for tomorrow's for tomorrow's in your hands. Amen. in your hands. Amen. in your hands. Amen. All I need you will All I need you will All I need you will just like you always have. Come on, just like you always have. Come on, just like you always have. Come on, sing. I'm fighting a battle.

You've already won. You've already won. And no matter what comes my way, And no matter what comes my way, And no matter what comes my way, I will overcome. I'm fighting a battle. I'm fighting a battle. You are a one. Come on, church. Let's sing about his Come on, church. Let's sing about his mercy today. There's mercy in the way mercy today. There's mercy in the way mercy today. There's mercy in the way and there's man for today. and there's man for today. and there's man for today. And when it's gone, I know you're mine. And when it's gone, I know you're mine. And when it's gone, I know you're mine. You are my hope and stay. You are my hope and stay. You are my hope and stay. So when the sea is raging, So when the sea is raging, So when the sea is raging, your spirit is my help.

your spirit is my help. your spirit is my help. You'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ. I'll You'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ. I'll You'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ. I'll say that it is well. say that it is well. say that it is well. Oh, I know that it is well. ain't no battle. ain't no battle. You already won. I know how the story ends.

I know how the story ends. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. We will be with you again. We will be with you again. We will be with you again. Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. You're my savior mighty hand. stand. stand. No more feel you No more feel you No more feel you cuz I know how the story.

I'm fighting a battle. I'm fighting a battle. Sing it out. You already No matter what comes my way, No matter what comes my way, I will done. done. Thank you, Lord. I'm fighting a battle Thank you, Lord. I'm fighting a battle Thank you, Lord. I'm fighting a battle that you already won. I'm fighting a battle. I'm fighting a battle. You already won. You already won. You already won. Yeah. Oh, I'm fighting a battle Oh, I'm fighting a battle that you want for me, Jesus. Can we celebrate church? Come on. Let's Can we celebrate church? Come on. Let's celebrate the victory that's ours in celebrate the victory that's ours in celebrate the victory that's ours in Jesus.

I don't know about you, but I'm so I don't know about you, but I'm so thankful that it's not dependent on my thankful that it's not dependent on my thankful that it's not dependent on my strength, strength, strength, my energy. Even though I feel a lot of my energy. Even though I feel a lot of my energy. Even though I feel a lot of energy this morning, it's about the energy this morning, it's about the energy this morning, it's about the energy of God, the power of God in us. energy of God, the power of God in us. energy of God, the power of God in us. That's where the victory comes. Can I That's where the victory comes. Can I That's where the victory comes. Can I get a witness? Hey, before you're get a witness? Hey, before you're get a witness? Hey, before you're seated, turn to someone this morning. I seated, turn to someone this morning. I seated, turn to someone this morning. I want you to give a high five this want you to give a high five this want you to give a high five this morning. Say, give a high five and say, morning. Say, give a high five and say, morning. Say, give a high five and say, "I'm victorious in Jesus." We have the victory in Jesus. Amen. We have the victory in Jesus. Amen. Amen. Aren't you glad you came to church this Aren't you glad you came to church this morning? I know I am. Our first service morning? I know I am. Our first service morning? I know I am. Our first service was was power-p packed just like this was was power-p packed just like this was was power-p packed just like this morning. It's so good to see you. Before morning. It's so good to see you. Before morning. It's so good to see you. Before we get into the welcome though, we have we get into the welcome though, we have we get into the welcome though, we have four coming to be baptized this morning, four coming to be baptized this morning, four coming to be baptized this morning, y'all. Four. y'all. Four. y'all. Four. Let's celebrate with these families. Let's celebrate with these families. Let's celebrate with these families. Take your attention over here and let's Take your attention over here and let's Take your attention over here and let's celebrate with these families.

celebrate with these families. celebrate with these families. >> Amen, Rick. Well, thank you, church. >> Amen, Rick. Well, thank you, church. >> Amen, Rick. Well, thank you, church. This is Preston Carson, and he's coming This is Preston Carson, and he's coming This is Preston Carson, and he's coming with his wife today to follow in with his wife today to follow in with his wife today to follow in believers baptism. Preston, are you believers baptism. Preston, are you believers baptism. Preston, are you following Christ today because you have following Christ today because you have following Christ today because you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Savior? Savior? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Amen, brother. Well, based on that >> Amen, brother. Well, based on that >> Amen, brother. Well, based on that public profession of faith in him and public profession of faith in him and public profession of faith in him and obedience to Christ's command, it's my obedience to Christ's command, it's my obedience to Christ's command, it's my privilege to baptize you, my brother, in privilege to baptize you, my brother, in privilege to baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the the name of the Father, the Son, and the the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All right, step. All right. And this is All right, step. All right. And this is his wife, Asia Carson. Asia, I'm so his wife, Asia Carson. Asia, I'm so his wife, Asia Carson. Asia, I'm so proud of you guys. Asia, are you proud of you guys. Asia, are you proud of you guys. Asia, are you following Christ today in baptism following Christ today in baptism following Christ today in baptism because you've accepted Jesus as your because you've accepted Jesus as your because you've accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? personal Lord and Savior? personal Lord and Savior? >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public profession of faith in him, in obedience profession of faith in him, in obedience profession of faith in him, in obedience to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to baptize you, my sister, in the name to baptize you, my sister, in the name to baptize you, my sister, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Brother, you've got a group out here Brother, you've got a group out here that's cheering you on. Don't you ever that's cheering you on. Don't you ever that's cheering you on. Don't you ever forget that. This is Leopold Young. forget that. This is Leopold Young. forget that. This is Leopold Young. >> Leopold, >> Leopold, >> Leopold, are you following Christ today in are you following Christ today in are you following Christ today in baptism because you've accepted Jesus as baptism because you've accepted Jesus as baptism because you've accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? your personal Lord and Savior? your personal Lord and Savior? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public profession of faith in him and obedience profession of faith in him and obedience profession of faith in him and obedience to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to baptize you, my brother, in the name to baptize you, my brother, in the name to baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And church family, this is Judah hit. And church family, this is Judah hit. >> Judah, are you following Christ today, >> Judah, are you following Christ today, >> Judah, are you following Christ today, buddy? Because you've trusted Jesus as buddy? Because you've trusted Jesus as buddy? Because you've trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Yes. your personal Lord and Savior. Yes. your personal Lord and Savior. Yes. >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public >> Amen. Well, based on that public profession of faith in him and obedience profession of faith in him and obedience profession of faith in him and obedience to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to Christ's command, it's my privilege to baptize you, my brother, in the name to baptize you, my brother, in the name to baptize you, my brother, in the name of the father, the son, and the holy of the father, the son, and the holy of the father, the son, and the holy spirit, buried with Christ in baptism. spirit, buried with Christ in baptism. spirit, buried with Christ in baptism. Praise to that is awesome.

that is awesome. You know, scripture says, I was glad You know, scripture says, I was glad You know, scripture says, I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into when they said unto me, let us go into when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Aren't you glad the house of the Lord. Aren't you glad the house of the Lord. Aren't you glad you came to church this morning? you came to church this morning? you came to church this morning? Wait up. Wait up. Wait up. Aren't you Wait up. Wait up. Wait up. Aren't you Wait up. Wait up. Wait up. Aren't you glad you came to church this morning? >> And I as we were listening to those >> And I as we were listening to those friends and family that were cheering friends and family that were cheering friends and family that were cheering these people on, I was I was reminded of these people on, I was I was reminded of these people on, I was I was reminded of this church family. Do you know that as this church family. Do you know that as this church family. Do you know that as we gather in worship like this and we we gather in worship like this and we we gather in worship like this and we sing and lift our voice to the Lord, all sing and lift our voice to the Lord, all sing and lift our voice to the Lord, all the angels in heaven are cheering us on the angels in heaven are cheering us on the angels in heaven are cheering us on because they know we're standing in the because they know we're standing in the because they know we're standing in the victory that's ours through Jesus. and victory that's ours through Jesus. and victory that's ours through Jesus. and our and our praise and worship is worth our and our praise and worship is worth our and our praise and worship is worth bringing every Sunday morning. So, if bringing every Sunday morning. So, if bringing every Sunday morning. So, if you woke up this morning kind of feeling you woke up this morning kind of feeling you woke up this morning kind of feeling blue or a little down, I hope God's blue or a little down, I hope God's blue or a little down, I hope God's turned that around in your heart this turned that around in your heart this turned that around in your heart this morning. It's really, really good. We're morning. It's really, really good. We're morning. It's really, really good. We're invigorated just being together in God's invigorated just being together in God's invigorated just being together in God's house. If you're a firsttime guest house. If you're a firsttime guest house. If you're a firsttime guest today, my name is Rick Brisco, by the today, my name is Rick Brisco, by the today, my name is Rick Brisco, by the way. I'm one of the worship pastors here way. I'm one of the worship pastors here way. I'm one of the worship pastors here at Prestonwood. And if you're a at Prestonwood. And if you're a at Prestonwood. And if you're a first-time guest, maybe you came out first-time guest, maybe you came out first-time guest, maybe you came out just because your neighbor wouldn't quit just because your neighbor wouldn't quit just because your neighbor wouldn't quit talking about their church. Well, we're talking about their church. Well, we're talking about their church. Well, we're glad you came. We really are. And we glad you came. We really are. And we glad you came. We really are. And we want you to feel like you're just part want you to feel like you're just part want you to feel like you're just part of the family this morning. If you would of the family this morning. If you would of the family this morning. If you would at some point in the service, yes, I at some point in the service, yes, I at some point in the service, yes, I have permission to say this. You can have permission to say this. You can have permission to say this. You can text during the service. As long as text during the service. As long as text during the service. As long as you're texting the word connect to the you're texting the word connect to the you're texting the word connect to the number 55125.

number 55125. number 55125. That's the word connect to the number That's the word connect to the number That's the word connect to the number 55125. If you're a guest, do that this 55125. If you're a guest, do that this 55125. If you're a guest, do that this morning as a blessing to us and we'll morning as a blessing to us and we'll morning as a blessing to us and we'll connect with you. We'll send you a quick connect with you. We'll send you a quick connect with you. We'll send you a quick text back and give you a list of all the text back and give you a list of all the text back and give you a list of all the great ways you and your family might get great ways you and your family might get great ways you and your family might get connected in our church. So many great connected in our church. So many great connected in our church. So many great things are going on right now in this things are going on right now in this things are going on right now in this summer. It is hot, right? Man, are we summer. It is hot, right? Man, are we summer. It is hot, right? Man, are we ever going to get a fall breeze? I don't ever going to get a fall breeze? I don't ever going to get a fall breeze? I don't know. We'll see. I bet we will know. We'll see. I bet we will know. We'll see. I bet we will eventually at some point. But we're eventually at some point. But we're eventually at some point. But we're really, really glad you're here. Guests, really, really glad you're here. Guests, really, really glad you're here. Guests, if you would at the end of this service, if you would at the end of this service, if you would at the end of this service, go right out into the atrium, our go right out into the atrium, our go right out into the atrium, our beautiful atrium, right out those doors. beautiful atrium, right out those doors. beautiful atrium, right out those doors. There's a connection area right out in There's a connection area right out in There's a connection area right out in the middle of that atrium. Go by the the middle of that atrium. Go by the the middle of that atrium. Go by the guest central area and pick up a a free guest central area and pick up a a free guest central area and pick up a a free book. It's our gift to you as as a book. It's our gift to you as as a book. It's our gift to you as as a church. It's Pastor Graham's brand new church. It's Pastor Graham's brand new church. It's Pastor Graham's brand new book, Visible Faith. Not Invisible book, Visible Faith. Not Invisible book, Visible Faith. Not Invisible Faith, but Visible Faith. Fantastic new Faith, but Visible Faith. Fantastic new Faith, but Visible Faith. Fantastic new book that I know will be a blessing to book that I know will be a blessing to book that I know will be a blessing to you. So, go buy no strings attached. Get you. So, go buy no strings attached. Get you. So, go buy no strings attached. Get that as our gift to you this morning. that as our gift to you this morning. that as our gift to you this morning. And um I want to also mention later this And um I want to also mention later this And um I want to also mention later this week, Wednesday night to be specific, week, Wednesday night to be specific, week, Wednesday night to be specific, right here in this room at 6:30, we're right here in this room at 6:30, we're right here in this room at 6:30, we're having our Wednesday worship service.

having our Wednesday worship service. having our Wednesday worship service. Can I get a quick poll? How many of you Can I get a quick poll? How many of you Can I get a quick poll? How many of you in this room have ever attended one of in this room have ever attended one of in this room have ever attended one of our Wednesday night worship services? our Wednesday night worship services? our Wednesday night worship services? Come on. Yeah, there's many, many, many Come on. Yeah, there's many, many, many Come on. Yeah, there's many, many, many of you. Yeah. And many that have not. of you. Yeah. And many that have not. of you. Yeah. And many that have not. Well, can I just encourage you, church, Well, can I just encourage you, church, Well, can I just encourage you, church, to look at your schedule this week and to look at your schedule this week and to look at your schedule this week and make some adjustments if needed. gather make some adjustments if needed. gather make some adjustments if needed. gather right here with us 1 hour 6:30 to 7:30. right here with us 1 hour 6:30 to 7:30. right here with us 1 hour 6:30 to 7:30. We gather as a team. We worship. We pray We gather as a team. We worship. We pray We gather as a team. We worship. We pray specifically for our church, for our specifically for our church, for our specifically for our church, for our community, for any needs that are community, for any needs that are community, for any needs that are represented in that service. It's a represented in that service. It's a represented in that service. It's a one-hour service. You're in and out. one-hour service. You're in and out. one-hour service. You're in and out. It's it's really a special, sweet, sweet It's it's really a special, sweet, sweet It's it's really a special, sweet, sweet service we'd like every one of our service we'd like every one of our service we'd like every one of our church uh family members to experience. church uh family members to experience. church uh family members to experience. So, this Wednesday, 6:30 in this room, So, this Wednesday, 6:30 in this room, So, this Wednesday, 6:30 in this room, Wednesday worship. Ushers, if you'll Wednesday worship. Ushers, if you'll Wednesday worship. Ushers, if you'll come forward at this time, we'll prepare come forward at this time, we'll prepare come forward at this time, we'll prepare for the offering. I do have one more for the offering. I do have one more for the offering. I do have one more awesome announcement. You may be awesome announcement. You may be awesome announcement. You may be wondering, man, why is that guy so wondering, man, why is that guy so wondering, man, why is that guy so energized this morning? Well, let me energized this morning? Well, let me energized this morning? Well, let me tell you why. We are starting a worship tell you why. We are starting a worship tell you why. We are starting a worship choir at the North Campus.

choir at the North Campus. choir at the North Campus. Yeah, that's worth celebrating. Yeah, that's worth celebrating. Yeah, that's worth celebrating. I'm going to have the privilege of I'm going to have the privilege of I'm going to have the privilege of shephering for pastoring an incredible shephering for pastoring an incredible shephering for pastoring an incredible worship choir. If you've ever been in a worship choir. If you've ever been in a worship choir. If you've ever been in a worship choir, uh it's not just about worship choir, uh it's not just about worship choir, uh it's not just about the music. Can I just tell you? It's the music. Can I just tell you? It's the music. Can I just tell you? It's it's about community. It's about it's about community. It's about it's about community. It's about friendship. It's about taking your friendship. It's about taking your friendship. It's about taking your worship to a deeper level. And we're worship to a deeper level. And we're worship to a deeper level. And we're going to start on Wednesday night. It's going to start on Wednesday night. It's going to start on Wednesday night. It's the Wednesday after Labor Day, the 9th the Wednesday after Labor Day, the 9th the Wednesday after Labor Day, the 9th of September, right in this room, 6:30 of September, right in this room, 6:30 of September, right in this room, 6:30 to 7:45. There's child care available. to 7:45. There's child care available. to 7:45. There's child care available. We would love for you to come check us We would love for you to come check us We would love for you to come check us out. We're going to have a choir open out. We're going to have a choir open out. We're going to have a choir open house on the 9th of September. and we house on the 9th of September. and we house on the 9th of September. and we would love for any of you in this room would love for any of you in this room would love for any of you in this room to bring your worship and to be a part to bring your worship and to be a part to bring your worship and to be a part of our North Campus choir. Can't wait to of our North Campus choir. Can't wait to of our North Campus choir. Can't wait to get it started. Let's pray together. get it started. Let's pray together. get it started. Let's pray together. Lord Jesus, we are excited to be here Lord Jesus, we are excited to be here Lord Jesus, we are excited to be here this morning. We we love our church. We this morning. We we love our church. We this morning. We we love our church. We love what you're doing here, oh God. And love what you're doing here, oh God. And love what you're doing here, oh God. And I pray that I pray that I pray that as we gather this morning, like we do as we gather this morning, like we do as we gather this morning, like we do every week, Lord, we might pause and every week, Lord, we might pause and every week, Lord, we might pause and say, "Thank you, Jesus, for your say, "Thank you, Jesus, for your say, "Thank you, Jesus, for your presence. For Lord, it's your presence presence. For Lord, it's your presence presence. For Lord, it's your presence that makes a difference. It's not just that makes a difference. It's not just that makes a difference. It's not just being worked up in your spirit, but being worked up in your spirit, but being worked up in your spirit, but truly your presence truly your presence truly your presence makes all the difference. And Lord, we makes all the difference. And Lord, we makes all the difference. And Lord, we already sense that you're here among already sense that you're here among already sense that you're here among your people. Lord, I pray for every need your people. Lord, I pray for every need your people. Lord, I pray for every need represented here, every battle, every represented here, every battle, every represented here, every battle, every struggle, every mountaintop, and every struggle, every mountaintop, and every struggle, every mountaintop, and every valley that's represented in this room valley that's represented in this room valley that's represented in this room that you might meet us at the point of that you might meet us at the point of that you might meet us at the point of our need, Lord. And as we give of our

our need, Lord. And as we give of our our need, Lord. And as we give of our offering, I pray that you might be offering, I pray that you might be offering, I pray that you might be blessed and might continue to use the blessed and might continue to use the blessed and might continue to use the generosity of your people to spread the generosity of your people to spread the generosity of your people to spread the gospel through this community and gospel through this community and gospel through this community and beyond. Lord, we love you and we pray beyond. Lord, we love you and we pray beyond. Lord, we love you and we pray this in your powerful name, Jesus. Amen. I'm also reminded that we can build our I'm also reminded that we can build our life on our intellect. We can build our life on our intellect. We can build our life on our intellect. We can build our life on finances, life on finances, life on finances, all the things that God reminds us today all the things that God reminds us today all the things that God reminds us today that we build our lives on the strong that we build our lives on the strong that we build our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus. That's where it's foundation of Jesus. That's where it's foundation of Jesus. That's where it's at. In Christ alone, at. In Christ alone, at. In Christ alone, my hope is found. my hope is found. my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my soul. He is my light, my strength, my soul. He is my light, my strength, my soul. This cornerstone, This cornerstone, This cornerstone, this solid ground, this solid ground, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and firm through the fiercest drought and firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

storm. storm. What heights of love and what depths of What heights of love and what depths of What heights of love and what depths of peace? When fears are still, when peace? When fears are still, when peace? When fears are still, when striving cease, my comforter, striving cease, my comforter, striving cease, my comforter, my all in all, my all in all, my all in all, here in the love of Christ, I stand. Would you sing this together? Would you sing this together? Christ alone Christ alone Christ alone his body laid his body laid his body laid the light of the world by darkness the light of the world by darkness the light of the world by darkness slain then bursting forth in glorious slain then bursting forth in glorious slain then bursting forth in glorious day day day up from the grave he rose again and as he stands in victory and as he stands in victory since curse has lost his grip on me. For since curse has lost his grip on me. For since curse has lost his grip on me. For I am his and he is mine.

I am his and he is mine. I am his and he is mine. with the precious blood of Christ. If you believe that, no guilt in life. If you believe that, no guilt in life. No guilt in life, no fear in dancing. No guilt in life, no fear in dancing. No guilt in life, no fear in dancing. This is the power of Christ in me. From This is the power of Christ in me. From This is the power of Christ in me. From my first try to find a way. my first try to find a way. my first try to find a way. Jesus commands my destiny. Jesus commands my destiny. Jesus commands my destiny. And no power of hell, no sea of man can And no power of hell, no sea of man can And no power of hell, no sea of man can ever ever ever me from his hands till he returns me from his hands till he returns me from his hands till he returns or calls me home.

or calls me home. or calls me home. Here in the power of Christ, make this your declaration this morning. make this your declaration this morning. Come on, sing it out. I find my Come on, sing it out. I find my Come on, sing it out. I find my strength. I find my home. I find my help strength. I find my home. I find my help strength. I find my home. I find my help in Christ alone. And when fear, in Christ alone. And when fear, in Christ alone. And when fear, when darkness falls, I find my peace in when darkness falls, I find my peace in when darkness falls, I find my peace in Christ alone. Christ alone. Christ alone. I give my life. I give my all. I sing I give my life. I give my all. I sing I give my life. I give my all. I sing this song to Christ the Lord the King of this song to Christ the Lord the King of this song to Christ the Lord the King of Kings, Kings, Kings, the Lord of Lords.

the Lord of Lords. the Lord of Lords. All heaven see to Christ. Church, can we celebrate this morning Church, can we celebrate this morning that Jesus Christ is Lord of all? Come that Jesus Christ is Lord of all? Come that Jesus Christ is Lord of all? Come on, let's celebrate. Praise the Lord. We praise you, oh God. Praise the Lord. We praise you, oh God. Till he returns Till he returns Till he returns or calls me home. or calls me home. or calls me home. Here in the power of Christ, Here in the power of Christ, Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand. I'll stand. I'll stand. Yes. Here in the power of Christ, Yes. Here in the power of Christ, Yes. Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand. >> Heavenly Father, we stand in that truth >> Heavenly Father, we stand in that truth here today here today here today in your presence giving you all glory in your presence giving you all glory in your presence giving you all glory and recognition.

and recognition. and recognition. We thank you Lord for this time. We thank you Lord for this time. We thank you Lord for this time. We sing this to you. A thousand We sing this to you. A thousand We sing this to you. A thousand generations generations generations falling down in worship 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 will believe will believe will believe will sing the song of ages to the lamb. will sing the song of ages to the lamb. will sing the song of ages to the lamb. Your name and your name is the highest. Your name and your name is the highest. Your name and your name is the highest. Your name is the greatest. Your name Your name is the greatest. Your name Your name is the greatest. Your name stands above them all. stands above them all. stands above them all. of all thrones and dominions, of all of all thrones and dominions, of all of all thrones and dominions, of all powers and positions. Your name powers and positions. Your name powers and positions. Your name stands above them all in the angels cry.

stands above them all in the angels cry. stands above them all in the angels cry. Holy Holy Holy all creation cries. all creation cries. all creation cries. Holy. Holy. Holy. You are lifted high You are lifted high You are lifted high and holy and holy and holy and holy forever. And if you've been if you've been And if you've been if you've been forgiven forgiven forgiven and if you've been redeemed and sing the and if you've been redeemed and sing the and if you've been redeemed and sing the song forever to the land. If you walk in song forever to the land. If you walk in song forever to the land. If you walk in freedom, if you walk in freedom, oh, and freedom, if you walk in freedom, oh, and freedom, if you walk in freedom, oh, and if you bear his name, if you bear his name, if you bear his name, sing the song forever to the lamb. sing the song forever to the lamb. sing the song forever to the lamb. Oh, we will. Oh, sing the song forever. Oh, we will. Oh, sing the song forever. Oh, we will. Oh, sing the song forever. And David And David And David and the angels cry. and the angels cry. and the angels cry. Holy Holy Holy you are lifting.

You will always be You will always be holy We declare your name is the highest. We declare your name is the highest. 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, it does. All stands above them all. Yes, it does. All stands above them all. Yes, it does. All thrones and dominions, all house and thrones and dominions, all house and thrones and dominions, all house and position. Your name. position. Your name. position. Your name. It stands above them all. Your name, It stands above them all. Your name, It stands above them all. 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 is the greatest. Your name is the greatest. Your name is the lowest above the world and dominions and dominions all powers and position your name. He all powers and position your name. He all powers and position your name. He stands above them all and the angels stands above them all and the angels stands above them all and the angels cry. He say all creation all creation is holy.

is holy. is holy. You are lied You are lied You are lied and holy You You people to the king to the king is And the angels cry, And the angels cry, "Holy all creation of Christ, all creation of Christ, holy, you are lifted high, you are lifted high, holy, Oh, we sing and hear people sing. He is Oh, we sing and hear people sing. He is holy

to the king of to the king of >> He will always be holy. >> He will always be holy. >> He will always be holy. And you will always be And you will always be And you will always be holy, You will always You will always be You will always You will always be holy, Heavenly Father, we love you. We thank Heavenly Father, we love you. We thank you for this time that we can you for this time that we can you for this time that we can acknowledge you for who you are acknowledge you for who you are acknowledge you for who you are and that is present, loving and holy and and that is present, loving and holy and and that is present, loving and holy and so much more God that we don't have time so much more God that we don't have time so much more God that we don't have time Lord to just explain how much we are Lord to just explain how much we are Lord to just explain how much we are grateful for Lord and what you have done grateful for Lord and what you have done grateful for Lord and what you have done for us and what have and what the plans for us and what have and what the plans for us and what have and what the plans that you have that you have that you have for us Lord and that we can worship you for us Lord and that we can worship you for us Lord and that we can worship you in confidence knowing that you have gone in confidence knowing that you have gone in confidence knowing that you have gone before us and we can place our faith our before us and we can place our faith our before us and we can place our faith our trust and our hope in you and you alone.

trust and our hope in you and you alone. trust and our hope in you and you alone. We thank you. We worship you. And all We thank you. We worship you. And all We thank you. We worship you. And all God's people said, "Amen." You may be God's people said, "Amen." You may be God's people said, "Amen." You may be seated. All right, turn in your Bibles to the All right, turn in your Bibles to the book of Ephesians, chapter 6. Ephesians, book of Ephesians, chapter 6. Ephesians, book of Ephesians, chapter 6. Ephesians, chapter 6. We're in the middle of a chapter 6. We're in the middle of a chapter 6. We're in the middle of a series of messages. We're on a journey series of messages. We're on a journey series of messages. We're on a journey together throughout the summer towards together throughout the summer towards together throughout the summer towards the end here now. just a few more the end here now. just a few more the end here now. just a few more Sundays in our follow series where we're Sundays in our follow series where we're Sundays in our follow series where we're learning what it means to follow Jesus learning what it means to follow Jesus learning what it means to follow Jesus one day at a time every day with him as one day at a time every day with him as one day at a time every day with him as his disciple. And I want to just join his disciple. And I want to just join his disciple. And I want to just join Rick and his welcome to all of you here Rick and his welcome to all of you here Rick and his welcome to all of you here in the room and those of you worshiping in the room and those of you worshiping in the room and those of you worshiping with us online from literally all over with us online from literally all over with us online from literally all over the world. We're so thankful that you the world. We're so thankful that you the world. We're so thankful that you have shared your Sunday here with us at have shared your Sunday here with us at have shared your Sunday here with us at Prestonwood here at our north campus. Prestonwood here at our north campus. Prestonwood here at our north campus. And this is a message And this is a message And this is a message that I have been uh praying about for a that I have been uh praying about for a that I have been uh praying about for a while in this series. and and looking while in this series. and and looking while in this series. and and looking forward to uh but also um forward to uh but also um forward to uh but also um just one of those messages as a pastor just one of those messages as a pastor just one of those messages as a pastor that's on your heart when we come to a that's on your heart when we come to a that's on your heart when we come to a text like this in Ephesians chapter 6 text like this in Ephesians chapter 6 text like this in Ephesians chapter 6 because you may not know but you woke up because you may not know but you woke up because you may not know but you woke up this morning in the middle of a war. Did this morning in the middle of a war. Did this morning in the middle of a war. Did you know that you are in the middle of a you know that you are in the middle of a you know that you are in the middle of a battle?

battle? battle? Not a physical battle necessarily, but Not a physical battle necessarily, but Not a physical battle necessarily, but but a spiritual one that every one of us but a spiritual one that every one of us but a spiritual one that every one of us that know and follow Jesus, the that know and follow Jesus, the that know and follow Jesus, the scripture is going to teach us today, we scripture is going to teach us today, we scripture is going to teach us today, we find ourselves in the midst of what find ourselves in the midst of what find ourselves in the midst of what we're going to call spiritual warfare. we're going to call spiritual warfare. we're going to call spiritual warfare. And how do we fight the battles that lie And how do we fight the battles that lie And how do we fight the battles that lie before us as believers as we follow before us as believers as we follow before us as believers as we follow Jesus? Uh, every week I I get on the Jesus? Uh, every week I I get on the Jesus? Uh, every week I I get on the phone with a buddy of mine. He and I phone with a buddy of mine. He and I phone with a buddy of mine. He and I have been friends now for just about 20 have been friends now for just about 20 have been friends now for just about 20 years. And uh he's a pastor up in years. And uh he's a pastor up in years. And uh he's a pastor up in Michigan and a very very dear brother. Michigan and a very very dear brother. Michigan and a very very dear brother. Uh we're very very close. Our families Uh we're very very close. Our families Uh we're very very close. Our families love each other. And um every week we love each other. And um every week we love each other. And um every week we call each other and we talk about what call each other and we talk about what call each other and we talk about what we're going to preach that Sunday. And we're going to preach that Sunday. And we're going to preach that Sunday. And we pray for each other's families, for we pray for each other's families, for we pray for each other's families, for our kids, and of course for our our kids, and of course for our our kids, and of course for our churches. And and I told him what the churches. And and I told him what the churches. And and I told him what the message was going to be about this message was going to be about this message was going to be about this Sunday. I said, ' Man, we're going to be Sunday. I said, ' Man, we're going to be Sunday. I said, ' Man, we're going to be we're going to be preaching on spiritual we're going to be preaching on spiritual we're going to be preaching on spiritual warfare. and he said, "Well, warfare. and he said, "Well, warfare. and he said, "Well, get ready." get ready." get ready." And he was right. Anytime you step into And he was right. Anytime you step into And he was right. Anytime you step into a topic like this, anytime you lean into a topic like this, anytime you lean into a topic like this, anytime you lean into what the scripture has to say about this what the scripture has to say about this what the scripture has to say about this issue in particular, I just want you to issue in particular, I just want you to issue in particular, I just want you to understand understand understand that our enemy, the devil, does not want that our enemy, the devil, does not want that our enemy, the devil, does not want us preaching about spiritual warfare us preaching about spiritual warfare us preaching about spiritual warfare this morning. Our enemy, the devil, does this morning. Our enemy, the devil, does this morning. Our enemy, the devil, does not want you as God's people. He doesn't not want you as God's people. He doesn't not want you as God's people. He doesn't want any of us today to really want any of us today to really want any of us today to really understand the stakes in this battle.

understand the stakes in this battle. understand the stakes in this battle. And he certainly doesn't want any of us And he certainly doesn't want any of us And he certainly doesn't want any of us to get equipped for the fight. But you to get equipped for the fight. But you to get equipped for the fight. But you know what we're going to do? We're going know what we're going to do? We're going know what we're going to do? We're going to preach about it. to preach about it. to preach about it. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> We're going to talk this morning about >> We're going to talk this morning about >> We're going to talk this morning about spiritual warfare. How do you, how do I, spiritual warfare. How do you, how do I, spiritual warfare. How do you, how do I, how do we fight the battles that lie how do we fight the battles that lie how do we fight the battles that lie before us as followers of Jesus? How do before us as followers of Jesus? How do before us as followers of Jesus? How do we win? Well, the good news is God has we win? Well, the good news is God has we win? Well, the good news is God has given us a strategy, a plan, a way for given us a strategy, a plan, a way for given us a strategy, a plan, a way for us to approach spiritual warfare. And we us to approach spiritual warfare. And we us to approach spiritual warfare. And we need his word and we need his Holy need his word and we need his Holy need his word and we need his Holy Spirit to lead us and to guide us. So, Spirit to lead us and to guide us. So, Spirit to lead us and to guide us. So, we're going to lean in today to the book we're going to lean in today to the book we're going to lean in today to the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, beginning in of Ephesians, chapter 6, beginning in of Ephesians, chapter 6, beginning in verse 10. Now, let me just state the verse 10. Now, let me just state the verse 10. Now, let me just state the obvious. Uh, I'm in my own little obvious. Uh, I'm in my own little obvious. Uh, I'm in my own little battle. You probably hear it uh in my battle. You probably hear it uh in my battle. You probably hear it uh in my voice. This has been going on for like a voice. This has been going on for like a voice. This has been going on for like a month now. I don't know what happened. month now. I don't know what happened. month now. I don't know what happened. If I brought home some sort of contagion If I brought home some sort of contagion If I brought home some sort of contagion from New York City on mission trip, I from New York City on mission trip, I from New York City on mission trip, I have no idea. Uh, but uh, you know, have no idea. Uh, but uh, you know, have no idea. Uh, but uh, you know, we're all battling something today. we're all battling something today. we're all battling something today. Everybody in this room, everybody that's Everybody in this room, everybody that's Everybody in this room, everybody that's watching this message, watching this message, watching this message, you're battling something. And we not you're battling something. And we not you're battling something. And we not may be able to see it.

may be able to see it. may be able to see it. Nobody would necessarily know if they Nobody would necessarily know if they Nobody would necessarily know if they looked at you. I mean, you know, for looked at you. I mean, you know, for looked at you. I mean, you know, for many of us, we walk in the door, we look many of us, we walk in the door, we look many of us, we walk in the door, we look like we got it together, and we're happy like we got it together, and we're happy like we got it together, and we're happy and we're all put together and and we're all put together and and we're all put together and everything's great. But for many of us everything's great. But for many of us everything's great. But for many of us today, today, today, we're in the midst of a battle. And I we're in the midst of a battle. And I we're in the midst of a battle. And I believe that there's nobody here today believe that there's nobody here today believe that there's nobody here today that wants to fight a losing battle. I I that wants to fight a losing battle. I I that wants to fight a losing battle. I I believe at the end of the day, every one believe at the end of the day, every one believe at the end of the day, every one of us as we confront these spiritual of us as we confront these spiritual of us as we confront these spiritual battles, we want to know how to win. And battles, we want to know how to win. And battles, we want to know how to win. And the good news is God has a plan and a the good news is God has a plan and a the good news is God has a plan and a strategy for you to do it. But you've strategy for you to do it. But you've strategy for you to do it. But you've got to understand the battle that we're got to understand the battle that we're got to understand the battle that we're in and you've got to be willing to come in and you've got to be willing to come in and you've got to be willing to come to Jesus and ask him to lead you every to Jesus and ask him to lead you every to Jesus and ask him to lead you every step of the way. So the Apostle Paul is step of the way. So the Apostle Paul is step of the way. So the Apostle Paul is going to give us an understanding of going to give us an understanding of going to give us an understanding of spiritual warfare beginning in Ephesians spiritual warfare beginning in Ephesians spiritual warfare beginning in Ephesians chapter 6 and we're going to look we're chapter 6 and we're going to look we're chapter 6 and we're going to look we're going to start in verse 10. Here's what going to start in verse 10. Here's what going to start in verse 10. Here's what the scripture says. Now, finally, be the scripture says. Now, finally, be the scripture says. Now, finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of strong in the Lord and the strength of strong in the Lord and the strength of his might.

his might. his might. Verse 11 says, "Put on the whole armor Verse 11 says, "Put on the whole armor Verse 11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God." You're going to want to circle of God." You're going to want to circle of God." You're going to want to circle that little phrase right there. We're that little phrase right there. We're that little phrase right there. We're going to hear it a few more times. That going to hear it a few more times. That going to hear it a few more times. That you may be able to stand against the you may be able to stand against the you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Verse 12 says, schemes of the devil. Verse 12 says, schemes of the devil. Verse 12 says, "For we don't wrestle against flesh and "For we don't wrestle against flesh and "For we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against blood, but against the rulers, against blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic the authorities, against the cosmic the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and powers over this present darkness, and powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in against the spiritual forces of evil in against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Verse 13 says the heavenly places." Verse 13 says the heavenly places." Verse 13 says this. Therefore, take up the whole armor this. Therefore, take up the whole armor this. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand of God that you may be able to withstand of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to in the evil day and having done all to in the evil day and having done all to stand firm. So, this is God's battle stand firm. So, this is God's battle stand firm. So, this is God's battle plan for me and for you to stand up and plan for me and for you to stand up and plan for me and for you to stand up and to stand firm in the fight. So, what do to stand firm in the fight. So, what do to stand firm in the fight. So, what do we need to know today? Three things I we need to know today? Three things I we need to know today? Three things I want to say to you this morning about want to say to you this morning about want to say to you this morning about spiritual warfare. And I hope you'll spiritual warfare. And I hope you'll spiritual warfare. And I hope you'll write these down as we go together and write these down as we go together and write these down as we go together and learn. Here's the first one. learn. Here's the first one. learn. Here's the first one. When it comes to spiritual warfare, you When it comes to spiritual warfare, you When it comes to spiritual warfare, you and I need to understand that our savior and I need to understand that our savior and I need to understand that our savior is undefeated.

is undefeated. is undefeated. Our savior is undefeated. So, we need to Our savior is undefeated. So, we need to Our savior is undefeated. So, we need to be strong. That's what Paul says in be strong. That's what Paul says in be strong. That's what Paul says in verse 10. Read it again with me. verse 10. Read it again with me. verse 10. Read it again with me. Finally, he says, "Be strong Finally, he says, "Be strong Finally, he says, "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his in the Lord and in the strength of his in the Lord and in the strength of his might." Now, I love that Paul starts might." Now, I love that Paul starts might." Now, I love that Paul starts here with the source of our strength. He here with the source of our strength. He here with the source of our strength. He doesn't say, "Look at the grammar. Look doesn't say, "Look at the grammar. Look doesn't say, "Look at the grammar. Look at the the buildout of that sentence." at the the buildout of that sentence." at the the buildout of that sentence." He doesn't say, "Be strong with the He doesn't say, "Be strong with the He doesn't say, "Be strong with the Lord." This isn't you and God kind of Lord." This isn't you and God kind of Lord." This isn't you and God kind of like high-fiving each other like we did like high-fiving each other like we did like high-fiving each other like we did a moment ago to say hello, saying, "All a moment ago to say hello, saying, "All a moment ago to say hello, saying, "All right, God, you do your part and I'll do right, God, you do your part and I'll do right, God, you do your part and I'll do mine." No, no, no, no. You fight in the mine." No, no, no, no. You fight in the mine." No, no, no, no. You fight in the strength of the Lord. Your strength, my strength of the Lord. Your strength, my strength of the Lord. Your strength, my strength for the battle comes from the strength for the battle comes from the strength for the battle comes from the Lord. Now, here's some really good news Lord. Now, here's some really good news Lord. Now, here's some really good news for you on a Sunday morning. What you for you on a Sunday morning. What you for you on a Sunday morning. What you need to know is that our Jesus is need to know is that our Jesus is need to know is that our Jesus is indomitable. He's undefeated. He's indomitable. He's undefeated. He's indomitable. He's undefeated. He's unbeatable. He cannot be conquered. He unbeatable. He cannot be conquered. He unbeatable. He cannot be conquered. He is Lord now, today, tomorrow, yesterday, is Lord now, today, tomorrow, yesterday, is Lord now, today, tomorrow, yesterday, and forever. Nobody, nothing can ever and forever. Nobody, nothing can ever and forever. Nobody, nothing can ever defeat your Jesus.

defeat your Jesus. defeat your Jesus. >> Jesus is the definition of victory. And >> Jesus is the definition of victory. And >> Jesus is the definition of victory. And when he went to the cross and he gave when he went to the cross and he gave when he went to the cross and he gave his life and he took his place and he his life and he took his place and he his life and he took his place and he took my place in your place and he took took my place in your place and he took took my place in your place and he took our sin upon himself and he died and he our sin upon himself and he died and he our sin upon himself and he died and he shed his blood and he b and he was shed his blood and he b and he was shed his blood and he b and he was buried and then he rose again. The Bible buried and then he rose again. The Bible buried and then he rose again. The Bible says when he rose he rose in says when he rose he rose in says when he rose he rose in resurrection victory. Our savior resurrection victory. Our savior resurrection victory. Our savior is undefeated. is undefeated. is undefeated. Therefore we can be strong and we need Therefore we can be strong and we need Therefore we can be strong and we need to be strong. The fact that we would be to be strong. The fact that we would be to be strong. The fact that we would be strong in the strength of the Lord strong in the strength of the Lord strong in the strength of the Lord indicates for us how serious the battle indicates for us how serious the battle indicates for us how serious the battle really is. The fact that we need to be really is. The fact that we need to be really is. The fact that we need to be in the strength of the Lord, not our own in the strength of the Lord, not our own in the strength of the Lord, not our own strength, tells us that these battles strength, tells us that these battles strength, tells us that these battles are real and that they're going to be are real and that they're going to be are real and that they're going to be hard. It reminds me of a pickup hard. It reminds me of a pickup hard. It reminds me of a pickup basketball game that I was involved in basketball game that I was involved in basketball game that I was involved in several years ago in high school. I was several years ago in high school. I was several years ago in high school. I was 17, 18 years old and it was offseason. 17, 18 years old and it was offseason. 17, 18 years old and it was offseason. This was in downtown Dallas and we were This was in downtown Dallas and we were This was in downtown Dallas and we were running one afternoon and uh we were running one afternoon and uh we were running one afternoon and uh we were having fun, you know, but there's always having fun, you know, but there's always having fun, you know, but there's always that one guy, fellas. You know what I'm that one guy, fellas. You know what I'm that one guy, fellas. You know what I'm talking about? that one guy that he's talking about? that one guy that he's talking about? that one guy that he's convinced in his heart of hearts that he convinced in his heart of hearts that he convinced in his heart of hearts that he was this close to the NBA. So, he just was this close to the NBA. So, he just was this close to the NBA. So, he just needs to let you know, you know, when needs to let you know, you know, when needs to let you know, you know, when you're playing and and so, man, this guy you're playing and and so, man, this guy you're playing and and so, man, this guy was high intensity, uh, high high was high intensity, uh, high high was high intensity, uh, high high octane. He was flying around the court.

octane. He was flying around the court. octane. He was flying around the court. He he really had a spiritual gift for He he really had a spiritual gift for He he really had a spiritual gift for fouling people as they would go up for fouling people as they would go up for fouling people as they would go up for layups. I mean, he was all he was doing layups. I mean, he was all he was doing layups. I mean, he was all he was doing all the things. And as the game went on, all the things. And as the game went on, all the things. And as the game went on, I could just tell he really didn't like I could just tell he really didn't like I could just tell he really didn't like me. And so, you know, we kind of go back me. And so, you know, we kind of go back me. And so, you know, we kind of go back and forth and and as we kind of got to a and forth and and as we kind of got to a and forth and and as we kind of got to a moment in the game where I guess I went moment in the game where I guess I went moment in the game where I guess I went up for a shot and he kind of fouled me up for a shot and he kind of fouled me up for a shot and he kind of fouled me and I might have I might have said and I might have I might have said and I might have I might have said something and he kind of said something something and he kind of said something something and he kind of said something back and and I kind of noticed in that back and and I kind of noticed in that back and and I kind of noticed in that moment that this guy, he was he was a moment that this guy, he was he was a moment that this guy, he was he was a grown man. He was bigger than me. Uh he grown man. He was bigger than me. Uh he grown man. He was bigger than me. Uh he was pretty big dude and and he was all was pretty big dude and and he was all was pretty big dude and and he was all of a sudden really unhappy with me. And of a sudden really unhappy with me. And of a sudden really unhappy with me. And I discovered in that moment, to quote I discovered in that moment, to quote I discovered in that moment, to quote the great theologian Deion Sanders, I the great theologian Deion Sanders, I the great theologian Deion Sanders, I had a b a business decision to make. Uh had a b a business decision to make. Uh had a b a business decision to make. Uh I had to figure out what I was going to I had to figure out what I was going to I had to figure out what I was going to do next. a 17, 18 year old kid versus a do next. a 17, 18 year old kid versus a do next. a 17, 18 year old kid versus a a grown man here. And this guy, man, a grown man here. And this guy, man, a grown man here. And this guy, man, he's fired up. He's upset. In fact, he he's fired up. He's upset. In fact, he he's fired up. He's upset. In fact, he was getting to a place where he was kind was getting to a place where he was kind was getting to a place where he was kind of wanting he was kind of indicating we of wanting he was kind of indicating we of wanting he was kind of indicating we were about to fight. He about to throw were about to fight. He about to throw were about to fight. He about to throw down. It's it was it was about to down. It's it was it was about to down. It's it was it was about to happen. And in that moment, I was so happen. And in that moment, I was so happen. And in that moment, I was so glad to know that on my team was my glad to know that on my team was my glad to know that on my team was my youth pastor. See, my youth pastor, his youth pastor. See, my youth pastor, his youth pastor. See, my youth pastor, his name's Shane. He still serves the Lord name's Shane. He still serves the Lord name's Shane. He still serves the Lord faithfully up in Tennessee. He about faithfully up in Tennessee. He about faithfully up in Tennessee. He about 6'2, 300 lb. Played offensive line for 6'2, 300 lb. Played offensive line for 6'2, 300 lb. Played offensive line for Carson Newman University. And so right Carson Newman University. And so right Carson Newman University. And so right in that moment when it was about to go in that moment when it was about to go in that moment when it was about to go down, it about to get real for your boy down, it about to get real for your boy down, it about to get real for your boy right here. My man Shane stood in front right here. My man Shane stood in front right here. My man Shane stood in front of me, looked at that guy and said to of me, looked at that guy and said to of me, looked at that guy and said to him, "Hey man, do we have a problem?"

him, "Hey man, do we have a problem?" him, "Hey man, do we have a problem?" Which at that point I felt a lot of Which at that point I felt a lot of Which at that point I felt a lot of passion in my heart. So I stood behind passion in my heart. So I stood behind passion in my heart. So I stood behind Shane. I was like, "Yeah, do we got a Shane. I was like, "Yeah, do we got a Shane. I was like, "Yeah, do we got a problem problem problem in my face?" You know, in my face?" You know, in my face?" You know, you know, in that moment, what I you know, in that moment, what I you know, in that moment, what I discovered was on my own, I might have discovered was on my own, I might have discovered was on my own, I might have been in big trouble. But if I could been in big trouble. But if I could been in big trouble. But if I could stand in the strength of someone greater stand in the strength of someone greater stand in the strength of someone greater than me, listen to me now. If I could than me, listen to me now. If I could than me, listen to me now. If I could stand in the strength of someone greater stand in the strength of someone greater stand in the strength of someone greater than me, I could win the battle. Do you than me, I could win the battle. Do you than me, I could win the battle. Do you understand that you weren't built to understand that you weren't built to understand that you weren't built to fight alone? Do you know today that you fight alone? Do you know today that you fight alone? Do you know today that you don't have to go into the battle alone? don't have to go into the battle alone? don't have to go into the battle alone? You serve a savior who's undefeated. You serve a savior who's undefeated. You serve a savior who's undefeated. There's a God in heaven that made you There's a God in heaven that made you There's a God in heaven that made you and knows you and loves you. And his and knows you and loves you. And his and knows you and loves you. And his plan for you is to experience a life of plan for you is to experience a life of plan for you is to experience a life of real freedom, hope, and victory. real freedom, hope, and victory. real freedom, hope, and victory. And you could know that savior today And you could know that savior today And you could know that savior today who's never lost a battle. and he never who's never lost a battle. and he never who's never lost a battle. and he never will. And you could learn what it means will. And you could learn what it means will. And you could learn what it means to be strong like Paul says in the Lord to be strong like Paul says in the Lord to be strong like Paul says in the Lord so that you can fight the battles in so that you can fight the battles in so that you can fight the battles in front of you. Now, we need to understand front of you. Now, we need to understand front of you. Now, we need to understand something else about spiritual warfare.

something else about spiritual warfare. something else about spiritual warfare. Yes, our savior, he is undefeated. So, Yes, our savior, he is undefeated. So, Yes, our savior, he is undefeated. So, let's be strong. But we must understand, let's be strong. But we must understand, let's be strong. But we must understand, and this is not a message about the and this is not a message about the and this is not a message about the devil. We'll have time together in the devil. We'll have time together in the devil. We'll have time together in the years to come for us to study all of the years to come for us to study all of the years to come for us to study all of the council of God's word. and and there'll council of God's word. and and there'll council of God's word. and and there'll be more that we can say about this. This be more that we can say about this. This be more that we can say about this. This is not a message where we're going to is not a message where we're going to is not a message where we're going to give Satan any credit at all. But if give Satan any credit at all. But if give Satan any credit at all. But if we're going to preach on spiritual we're going to preach on spiritual we're going to preach on spiritual warfare, church, we must be honest and warfare, church, we must be honest and warfare, church, we must be honest and biblically uninformed about who our biblically uninformed about who our biblically uninformed about who our enemy is. So, let me give you the second enemy is. So, let me give you the second enemy is. So, let me give you the second principle about spiritual warfare. And principle about spiritual warfare. And principle about spiritual warfare. And listen carefully to this. Write it down. listen carefully to this. Write it down. listen carefully to this. Write it down. Our enemy Our enemy Our enemy is strategic. is strategic. is strategic. Our enemy is strategic. Our enemy is strategic. Our enemy is strategic. So we must be alert. Look at verse 11 So we must be alert. Look at verse 11 So we must be alert. Look at verse 11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God says, "Put on the whole armor of God says, "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." Now that is the schemes of the devil." Now that is the schemes of the devil." Now that is an interesting word right there. The an interesting word right there. The an interesting word right there. The word scheme in the original language of word scheme in the original language of word scheme in the original language of the text, it can mean craftiness and it the text, it can mean craftiness and it the text, it can mean craftiness and it can mean strategies.

can mean strategies. can mean strategies. Now, in the latter years of World War II Now, in the latter years of World War II Now, in the latter years of World War II out on the Pacific, our sailors woke up out on the Pacific, our sailors woke up out on the Pacific, our sailors woke up one morning to discover a horrifying new one morning to discover a horrifying new one morning to discover a horrifying new weapon in the arsenal of the Japanese weapon in the arsenal of the Japanese weapon in the arsenal of the Japanese Navy. Japan was being defeated. It was Navy. Japan was being defeated. It was Navy. Japan was being defeated. It was being demoralized and it had one more being demoralized and it had one more being demoralized and it had one more weapon at its disposal and it was called weapon at its disposal and it was called weapon at its disposal and it was called the kamicazi pilot. So the Japanese uh the kamicazi pilot. So the Japanese uh the kamicazi pilot. So the Japanese uh Navy actually trained and mobilized a Navy actually trained and mobilized a Navy actually trained and mobilized a whole really generation of of pilots and whole really generation of of pilots and whole really generation of of pilots and their job was to climb into their plane their job was to climb into their plane their job was to climb into their plane fully armed, fly and find the biggest uh fully armed, fly and find the biggest uh fully armed, fly and find the biggest uh most robust American target out on the most robust American target out on the most robust American target out on the water that they could and as you can see water that they could and as you can see water that they could and as you can see in the picture on the screen, their job in the picture on the screen, their job in the picture on the screen, their job was to crash right into that target. the was to crash right into that target. the was to crash right into that target. the kamicazi pilot. He was an already kamicazi pilot. He was an already kamicazi pilot. He was an already defeated enemy whose job was to create defeated enemy whose job was to create defeated enemy whose job was to create as much destruction as possible. I love as much destruction as possible. I love as much destruction as possible. I love what my buddy Dr. Josh Lily says. That's what my buddy Dr. Josh Lily says. That's what my buddy Dr. Josh Lily says. That's who your enemy is. Satan is at the end who your enemy is. Satan is at the end who your enemy is. Satan is at the end of the day, he is a kamicazi pilot. He of the day, he is a kamicazi pilot. He of the day, he is a kamicazi pilot. He is defeated. Don't get it twisted. Make is defeated. Don't get it twisted. Make is defeated. Don't get it twisted. Make no mistake. The devil does not win.

no mistake. The devil does not win. no mistake. The devil does not win. He is a defeated enemy. He is a defeated enemy. He is a defeated enemy. But But But what he is motivated to do is to what he is motivated to do is to what he is motivated to do is to strategically dive bomb into your life strategically dive bomb into your life strategically dive bomb into your life and create as much destruction as he and create as much destruction as he and create as much destruction as he can. Now, we ought to understand this in can. Now, we ought to understand this in can. Now, we ought to understand this in a little bit more in depth. And Jesus a little bit more in depth. And Jesus a little bit more in depth. And Jesus actually can give us more of the profile actually can give us more of the profile actually can give us more of the profile of our enemy. What makes him so of our enemy. What makes him so of our enemy. What makes him so strategic? Well, there's actually three strategic? Well, there's actually three strategic? Well, there's actually three different passages that would help us different passages that would help us different passages that would help us describe who our enemy, the devil, is describe who our enemy, the devil, is describe who our enemy, the devil, is first. His nature. You can write these first. His nature. You can write these first. His nature. You can write these down. his nature. Jesus says in John down. his nature. Jesus says in John down. his nature. Jesus says in John 8:44, speaking to a group of religious 8:44, speaking to a group of religious 8:44, speaking to a group of religious leaders says, "You are of your father, leaders says, "You are of your father, leaders says, "You are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your the devil, and your will is to do your the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires." Jesus is describing father's desires." Jesus is describing father's desires." Jesus is describing now the nature of the devil. now the nature of the devil. now the nature of the devil. He says he was a murderer from the He says he was a murderer from the He says he was a murderer from the beginning beginning beginning and he does not stand in the truth and he does not stand in the truth and he does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When because there is no truth in him. When because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own he lies, he speaks out of his own he lies, he speaks out of his own character. For he is a liar and the character. For he is a liar and the character. For he is a liar and the father of lies.

father of lies. father of lies. If Jesus's nature is to always tell us If Jesus's nature is to always tell us If Jesus's nature is to always tell us the truth, John 14:6 says Jesus is the the truth, John 14:6 says Jesus is the the truth, John 14:6 says Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. Satan's way and the truth and the life. Satan's way and the truth and the life. Satan's nature is to lie. His mission, what is nature is to lie. His mission, what is nature is to lie. His mission, what is your enemy's mission? Jesus goes on to your enemy's mission? Jesus goes on to your enemy's mission? Jesus goes on to describe it in the Gospel of John describe it in the Gospel of John describe it in the Gospel of John chapter 10 verse 10 when Jesus speaking chapter 10 verse 10 when Jesus speaking chapter 10 verse 10 when Jesus speaking of the devil says the thief has come of the devil says the thief has come of the devil says the thief has come only to steal and to kill. Can you only to steal and to kill. Can you only to steal and to kill. Can you finish this one with me? And to destroy. finish this one with me? And to destroy. finish this one with me? And to destroy. His mission is to create spiritual havoc His mission is to create spiritual havoc His mission is to create spiritual havoc in your life in your life in your life which flows from his nature which is to which flows from his nature which is to which flows from his nature which is to constantly be lying about what God has constantly be lying about what God has constantly be lying about what God has said. Now, Jesus will go on to say in said. Now, Jesus will go on to say in said. Now, Jesus will go on to say in John 10:10 that yes, the thief has come John 10:10 that yes, the thief has come John 10:10 that yes, the thief has come only to steal and kill and destroy. But only to steal and kill and destroy. But only to steal and kill and destroy. But here's the good news of the gospel. here's the good news of the gospel. here's the good news of the gospel. Jesus says, "I have come that you may Jesus says, "I have come that you may Jesus says, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly." have life and have it abundantly." have life and have it abundantly." So, if you're a little bit new to church So, if you're a little bit new to church So, if you're a little bit new to church this morning, or maybe you're just kind this morning, or maybe you're just kind this morning, or maybe you're just kind of trying to explore what it means to of trying to explore what it means to of trying to explore what it means to follow Jesus, you're not yet a a Christ follow Jesus, you're not yet a a Christ follow Jesus, you're not yet a a Christ follower, maybe you came here at the follower, maybe you came here at the follower, maybe you came here at the invitation of a friend, or as many invitation of a friend, or as many invitation of a friend, or as many people are doing these last several people are doing these last several people are doing these last several weeks, just driving by our church and weeks, just driving by our church and weeks, just driving by our church and walking in. and we're we're so glad walking in. and we're we're so glad walking in. and we're we're so glad you're here and you hear a message like you're here and you hear a message like you're here and you hear a message like this and we're talking about battle and this and we're talking about battle and this and we're talking about battle and warfare and enemies and all these things warfare and enemies and all these things warfare and enemies and all these things and it's like man what what is this all and it's like man what what is this all and it's like man what what is this all about? I want you to understand about? I want you to understand about? I want you to understand that there is an enemy of your soul and that there is an enemy of your soul and that there is an enemy of your soul and his nature is to lie. His mission is to his nature is to lie. His mission is to his nature is to lie. His mission is to come and destroy. And his pattern,

come and destroy. And his pattern, come and destroy. And his pattern, his pattern we see in 1 Peter 5:8, his pattern we see in 1 Peter 5:8, his pattern we see in 1 Peter 5:8, Peter is speaking to the churches and he Peter is speaking to the churches and he Peter is speaking to the churches and he says, "Be be alert, be sober minded." 1 says, "Be be alert, be sober minded." 1 says, "Be be alert, be sober minded." 1 Peter 5'8 says that your adversary, the Peter 5'8 says that your adversary, the Peter 5'8 says that your adversary, the devil, are you listening? Your devil, are you listening? Your devil, are you listening? Your adversary, the devil, is prowling around adversary, the devil, is prowling around adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to like a roaring lion, seeking someone to like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. devour. devour. What is the pattern of our enemy? What's What is the pattern of our enemy? What's What is the pattern of our enemy? What's a part of his strategy? a part of his strategy? a part of his strategy? He wants to devour you. You know what He wants to devour you. You know what He wants to devour you. You know what that word means in the original language that word means in the original language that word means in the original language of the text? It literally means to of the text? It literally means to of the text? It literally means to swallow up whole. swallow up whole. swallow up whole. Satan's whole design, his whole ex Satan's whole design, his whole ex Satan's whole design, his whole ex existence is predicated around getting existence is predicated around getting existence is predicated around getting you you you to be discouraged, to be discouraged, to be discouraged, disillusioned, disillusioned, disillusioned, frustrated, and confused. His whole frustrated, and confused. His whole frustrated, and confused. His whole mission is to try to destroy what God mission is to try to destroy what God mission is to try to destroy what God would want to build in your life because would want to build in your life because would want to build in your life because his nature is to always be lying. So his nature is to always be lying. So his nature is to always be lying. So what does he do? He loves to tempt us in what does he do? He loves to tempt us in what does he do? He loves to tempt us in our weakest moments. He loves to find a our weakest moments. He loves to find a our weakest moments. He loves to find a small crevice in our heart and speak his small crevice in our heart and speak his small crevice in our heart and speak his lies. He loves to distract us lies. He loves to distract us lies. He loves to distract us in isolation.

in isolation. in isolation. One of the strategies of the enemy is to One of the strategies of the enemy is to One of the strategies of the enemy is to find a way to get you alone find a way to get you alone find a way to get you alone and then to do his worst. We need to and then to do his worst. We need to and then to do his worst. We need to recognize recognize recognize the strategic reality of our enemy. We the strategic reality of our enemy. We the strategic reality of our enemy. We need to be alert, soberminded, Peter need to be alert, soberminded, Peter need to be alert, soberminded, Peter says, aware and prepared. This spiritual says, aware and prepared. This spiritual says, aware and prepared. This spiritual warfare warfare warfare is personal. And you might hear this is personal. And you might hear this is personal. And you might hear this message and think, "Well, man, that's message and think, "Well, man, that's message and think, "Well, man, that's for somebody else. That's not that's not for somebody else. That's not that's not for somebody else. That's not that's not my deal." No, listen to me. Every one of my deal." No, listen to me. Every one of my deal." No, listen to me. Every one of us is going to have to engage in this us is going to have to engage in this us is going to have to engage in this battle. Some of you, maybe even right battle. Some of you, maybe even right battle. Some of you, maybe even right now, you're trying to listen to a now, you're trying to listen to a now, you're trying to listen to a message about freedom in Christ and hope message about freedom in Christ and hope message about freedom in Christ and hope and victory in Jesus. And right now, and victory in Jesus. And right now, and victory in Jesus. And right now, man, you can't get your mind to focus. man, you can't get your mind to focus. man, you can't get your mind to focus. Your buddy that's that's bothering you Your buddy that's that's bothering you Your buddy that's that's bothering you about your fantasy draft is texting you about your fantasy draft is texting you about your fantasy draft is texting you already. You're you're you're you're already. You're you're you're you're already. You're you're you're you're getting distracted in a million ways. Am getting distracted in a million ways. Am getting distracted in a million ways. Am I am I real? Am I real right now? I am I real? Am I real right now? I am I real? Am I real right now? The enemy, even right now in this The enemy, even right now in this The enemy, even right now in this message, right now in this place, message, right now in this place, message, right now in this place, doesn't want you to get freedom. Doesn't doesn't want you to get freedom. Doesn't doesn't want you to get freedom. Doesn't want you to get set free. Doesn't want want you to get set free. Doesn't want want you to get set free. Doesn't want you to be released from the bondage and you to be released from the bondage and you to be released from the bondage and the addiction. He doesn't want you to the addiction. He doesn't want you to the addiction. He doesn't want you to understand the gospel. He wants to find understand the gospel. He wants to find understand the gospel. He wants to find a way for the next 10, 15 minutes to a way for the next 10, 15 minutes to a way for the next 10, 15 minutes to just get you through another Sunday just get you through another Sunday just get you through another Sunday morning. He's a liar.

That's why this is personal. That's why this is personal. That's why it's personal in our lives, That's why it's personal in our lives, That's why it's personal in our lives, men and women. It's personal in our men and women. It's personal in our men and women. It's personal in our marriages. It's personal for our kids, marriages. It's personal for our kids, marriages. It's personal for our kids, students. It's personal for us, man. We students. It's personal for us, man. We students. It's personal for us, man. We love you students. As you guys seek to love you students. As you guys seek to love you students. As you guys seek to know and follow Jesus, these formative know and follow Jesus, these formative know and follow Jesus, these formative years of your life, boys and girls in years of your life, boys and girls in years of your life, boys and girls in the room, it's personal. As your parents the room, it's personal. As your parents the room, it's personal. As your parents seek to bring you to Jesus, to train you seek to bring you to Jesus, to train you seek to bring you to Jesus, to train you to know and follow him, it's personal. to know and follow him, it's personal. to know and follow him, it's personal. That's why Paul says in verse 12, we got That's why Paul says in verse 12, we got That's why Paul says in verse 12, we got to take it seriously by wrestling. Look to take it seriously by wrestling. Look to take it seriously by wrestling. Look what he says in Ephesians 6:12. We don't what he says in Ephesians 6:12. We don't what he says in Ephesians 6:12. We don't wrestle against flesh and blood. That wrestle against flesh and blood. That wrestle against flesh and blood. That word wrestle there means literally word wrestle there means literally word wrestle there means literally grapple to contend to get in the arena. grapple to contend to get in the arena. grapple to contend to get in the arena. We don't wrestle against flesh and We don't wrestle against flesh and We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and the blood, but against the rulers and the blood, but against the rulers and the authorities, authorities, authorities, the cosmic powers over this present the cosmic powers over this present the 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, take up here it is again the Therefore, take up here it is again the Therefore, take up here it is again the third time. Take up the whole armor of third time. Take up the whole armor of third time. Take up the whole armor of God that you'll be able to withstand in God that you'll be able to withstand in God that you'll be able to withstand 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. So, we know about spiritual stand firm. So, we know about spiritual stand firm. So, we know about spiritual warfare that our savior is undefeated.

warfare that our savior is undefeated. warfare that our savior is undefeated. So, let's be strong. We know that our So, let's be strong. We know that our So, let's be strong. We know that our enemy is strategic. So, let's be alert. enemy is strategic. So, let's be alert. enemy is strategic. So, let's be alert. Now, let's come to the armor. Now, we Now, let's come to the armor. Now, we Now, let's come to the armor. Now, we could without question preach for weeks could without question preach for weeks could without question preach for weeks and weeks on this passage, and there'll and weeks on this passage, and there'll and weeks on this passage, and there'll be a season for us to come back and do be a season for us to come back and do be a season for us to come back and do that more exhaustively and thoroughly. that more exhaustively and thoroughly. that more exhaustively and thoroughly. My assignment this morning is for us to My assignment this morning is for us to My assignment this morning is for us to get through verse 18. And I want to help get through verse 18. And I want to help get through verse 18. And I want to help you identify every piece of this armor you identify every piece of this armor you identify every piece of this armor because it's all important. And we're because it's all important. And we're because it's all important. And we're going to say a few things about it as we going to say a few things about it as we going to say a few things about it as we go. Because here's the third principle go. Because here's the third principle go. Because here's the third principle about spiritual warfare that I want you about spiritual warfare that I want you about spiritual warfare that I want you to hear this morning. Our armor is to hear this morning. Our armor is to hear this morning. Our armor is necessary. necessary. necessary. It's necessary. It's necessary. It's necessary. So my challenge to you today is to be So my challenge to you today is to be So my challenge to you today is to be equipped, is to put it on. Love what one equipped, is to put it on. Love what one equipped, is to put it on. Love what one guy said. Suit up. guy said. Suit up. guy said. Suit up. For us as believers, we have the For us as believers, we have the For us as believers, we have the opportunity every day to be equipped opportunity every day to be equipped opportunity every day to be equipped with the armor God has given us. Now, with the armor God has given us. Now, with the armor God has given us. Now, when we get to this part of the passage, when we get to this part of the passage, when we get to this part of the passage, you might, if you know anything about you might, if you know anything about you might, if you know anything about the Apostle Paul, he was at no point in the Apostle Paul, he was at no point in the Apostle Paul, he was at no point in his life, as far as we know, was ever a his life, as far as we know, was ever a his life, as far as we know, was ever a soldier. Paul was raised to be a soldier. Paul was raised to be a soldier. Paul was raised to be a religious leader. He was a Pharisee religious leader. He was a Pharisee religious leader. He was a Pharisee before he trusted Jesus. And then uh he before he trusted Jesus. And then uh he before he trusted Jesus. And then uh he was a very religious person. Knew all was a very religious person. Knew all was a very religious person. Knew all the scriptures, knew all the Old the scriptures, knew all the Old the scriptures, knew all the Old Testament. He actually persecuted Testament. He actually persecuted Testament. He actually persecuted Christians. He gets radically saved in Christians. He gets radically saved in Christians. He gets radically saved in Acts chapter 9 and 10. We'll we'll learn Acts chapter 9 and 10. We'll we'll learn Acts chapter 9 and 10. We'll we'll learn about that in a few weeks when we launch about that in a few weeks when we launch about that in a few weeks when we launch our new series in the book of Acts. And our new series in the book of Acts. And our new series in the book of Acts. And then Paul just goes on mission. He then Paul just goes on mission. He then Paul just goes on mission. He plants churches. He preaches. He plants churches. He preaches. He plants churches. He preaches. He evangelizes. He ultimately gives his evangelizes. He ultimately gives his evangelizes. He ultimately gives his life for the message of the gospel. But life for the message of the gospel. But life for the message of the gospel. But Paul at no point was ever a soldier. So,

Paul at no point was ever a soldier. So, Paul at no point was ever a soldier. So, you might wonder, how in the world does you might wonder, how in the world does you might wonder, how in the world does Paul know about how a Roman soldier Paul know about how a Roman soldier Paul know about how a Roman soldier geared up to go into battle? He was geared up to go into battle? He was geared up to go into battle? He was never on a Roman battlefield as far as never on a Roman battlefield as far as never on a Roman battlefield as far as we know. He never enlisted in the Roman we know. He never enlisted in the Roman we know. He never enlisted in the Roman army. Well, probably we can deduce the army. Well, probably we can deduce the army. Well, probably we can deduce the fact that Paul knew a lot about soldiers fact that Paul knew a lot about soldiers fact that Paul knew a lot about soldiers because he got arrested a lot. because he got arrested a lot. because he got arrested a lot. Paul got arrested a lot of times for the Paul got arrested a lot of times for the Paul got arrested a lot of times for the gospel and he got put in jail a lot of gospel and he got put in jail a lot of gospel and he got put in jail a lot of times. And what we know is time and times. And what we know is time and times. And what we know is time and again, in fact, we have instances, again, in fact, we have instances, again, in fact, we have instances, several instances where Paul's being several instances where Paul's being several instances where Paul's being guarded by Roman soldiers, where he's guarded by Roman soldiers, where he's guarded by Roman soldiers, where he's around Roman soldiers. Paul was an around Roman soldiers. Paul was an around Roman soldiers. Paul was an evangelist. You don't think that that evangelist. You don't think that that evangelist. You don't think that that joker wasn't talking I just called Paul joker wasn't talking I just called Paul joker wasn't talking I just called Paul a joker. I'm sorry. You don't think You a joker. I'm sorry. You don't think You a joker. I'm sorry. You don't think You don't think that that guy was talking don't think that that guy was talking don't think that that guy was talking about Jesus all the time? We know he about Jesus all the time? We know he about Jesus all the time? We know he was. You don't think that Paul wasn't was. You don't think that Paul wasn't was. You don't think that Paul wasn't talking with these guys about tell me talking with these guys about tell me talking with these guys about tell me your story and tell me where you've your story and tell me where you've your story and tell me where you've served and tell me your journey. And served and tell me your journey. And served and tell me your journey. And along the way, he hears all these battle along the way, he hears all these battle along the way, he hears all these battle stories and learns all about their life stories and learns all about their life stories and learns all about their life and all about how they go to fight. and and all about how they go to fight. and and all about how they go to fight. and he learns about the armor and then he he learns about the armor and then he he learns about the armor and then he comes to Ephesians 6 and he places the comes to Ephesians 6 and he places the comes to Ephesians 6 and he places the armor before me and you and says here's armor before me and you and says here's armor before me and you and says here's what we are to put on if we are to what we are to put on if we are to what we are to put on if we are to battle well. So go to verse 14. Let's battle well. So go to verse 14. Let's battle well. So go to verse 14. Let's look at all the armor. Now as we talk look at all the armor. Now as we talk look at all the armor. Now as we talk about this armor, I want you to see about this armor, I want you to see about this armor, I want you to see quick three quick things about it.

quick three quick things about it. quick three quick things about it. Number one, I want you to see that the Number one, I want you to see that the Number one, I want you to see that the armor is sent from God, which is really armor is sent from God, which is really armor is sent from God, which is really exciting because that means you can exciting because that means you can exciting because that means you can trust its craftsmanship. You can trust trust its craftsmanship. You can trust trust its craftsmanship. You can trust its design. Unlike 97% of the stuff that its design. Unlike 97% of the stuff that its design. Unlike 97% of the stuff that you buy from Amazon, you will never have you buy from Amazon, you will never have you buy from Amazon, you will never have to return it. The armor is absolutely to return it. The armor is absolutely to return it. The armor is absolutely tried and tested and trustworthy because tried and tested and trustworthy because tried and tested and trustworthy because it comes from God. it comes from God. it comes from God. The armor is specific. You're going to The armor is specific. You're going to The armor is specific. You're going to see this in just a moment. It covers see this in just a moment. It covers see this in just a moment. It covers vulnerable areas and it fits perfectly vulnerable areas and it fits perfectly vulnerable areas and it fits perfectly for what we need. for what we need. for what we need. And the armor, and I think this is And the armor, and I think this is And the armor, and I think this is really important, the armor is to be really important, the armor is to be really important, the armor is to be worn as a set. worn as a set. worn as a set. And look what Paul says. Verse 11, put And look what Paul says. Verse 11, put And look what Paul says. Verse 11, put on the whole armor of God. Verse 13, put on the whole armor of God. Verse 13, put on the whole armor of God. Verse 13, put on the whole armor of God. Every piece on the whole armor of God. Every piece on the whole armor of God. Every piece of the armor is important, and it was of the armor is important, and it was of the armor is important, and it was meant to be worn together. Could it be meant to be worn together. Could it be meant to be worn together. Could it be that for some of us in our lives that for some of us in our lives that for some of us in our lives spiritually, we're losing battles that spiritually, we're losing battles that spiritually, we're losing battles that we ought to win because we're picking we ought to win because we're picking we ought to win because we're picking and choosing the armor when God says, and choosing the armor when God says, and choosing the armor when God says, "Put all of it on together." So, let's "Put all of it on together." So, let's "Put all of it on together." So, let's put on the whole armor together and go put on the whole armor together and go put on the whole armor together and go through each of these and see what the through each of these and see what the through each of these and see what the Lord would teach us. Verse 14 says this, Lord would teach us. Verse 14 says this, Lord would teach us. Verse 14 says this, "Stand therefore, having fastened on the "Stand therefore, having fastened on the "Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth." So here's the first belt of truth." So here's the first belt of truth." So here's the first piece of your armor as you go to battle piece of your armor as you go to battle piece of your armor as you go to battle every day in your life spiritually is every day in your life spiritually is every day in your life spiritually is the belt of truth. What is the belt of the belt of truth. What is the belt of the belt of truth. What is the belt of truth? It is our certainty.

truth? It is our certainty. truth? It is our certainty. The belt was the most important part of The belt was the most important part of The belt was the most important part of the armor. Every Roman soldier knew at the armor. Every Roman soldier knew at the armor. Every Roman soldier knew at the end of the day that the belt is what the end of the day that the belt is what the end of the day that the belt is what pulled everything together. He would pulled everything together. He would pulled everything together. He would wear a tunic and then put everything wear a tunic and then put everything wear a tunic and then put everything else over it. But the belt is what drew else over it. But the belt is what drew else over it. But the belt is what drew everything and held it in place. It had everything and held it in place. It had everything and held it in place. It had a scaburn on the belt where you would a scaburn on the belt where you would a scaburn on the belt where you would put your sword in it. In fact, the put your sword in it. In fact, the put your sword in it. In fact, the breastplate, which we'll meet in just a breastplate, which we'll meet in just a breastplate, which we'll meet in just a moment, would actually fit inside the moment, would actually fit inside the moment, would actually fit inside the belt. In other words, everything hung on belt. In other words, everything hung on belt. In other words, everything hung on the belt. That's why Paul calls it the the belt. That's why Paul calls it the the belt. That's why Paul calls it the belt of truth. Because everything in our belt of truth. Because everything in our belt of truth. Because everything in our lives hangs on truth. What do we know is lives hangs on truth. What do we know is lives hangs on truth. What do we know is true? That God is the creator of all true? That God is the creator of all true? That God is the creator of all things. That his word is true. That things. That his word is true. That things. That his word is true. That Jesus is alive. That the resurrection is Jesus is alive. That the resurrection is Jesus is alive. That the resurrection is real. That our savior is coming again real. That our savior is coming again real. That our savior is coming again for us one day. that the enemy has been for us one day. that the enemy has been for us one day. that the enemy has been defeated and you and I in Christ can defeated and you and I in Christ can defeated and you and I in Christ can walk in victory. That's the truth. walk in victory. That's the truth. walk in victory. That's the truth. >> One of the schemes of the enemy, >> One of the schemes of the enemy, >> One of the schemes of the enemy, one of his strategies one of his strategies one of his strategies is to keep you guessing about truth.

is to keep you guessing about truth. is to keep you guessing about truth. This his very first play in the garden. This his very first play in the garden. This his very first play in the garden. We meet our enemy for the very first We meet our enemy for the very first We meet our enemy for the very first time in the earliest pages of the Bible. time in the earliest pages of the Bible. time in the earliest pages of the Bible. Genesis chapter 3 verse one. The enemy, Genesis chapter 3 verse one. The enemy, Genesis chapter 3 verse one. The enemy, the serpent, he comes to the woman in the serpent, he comes to the woman in the serpent, he comes to the woman in the garden. She's isolated the garden. She's isolated the garden. She's isolated and all he does is start a conversation and all he does is start a conversation and all he does is start a conversation with her that goes like this. Did God with her that goes like this. Did God with her that goes like this. Did God say remember what Jesus describes Satan? say remember what Jesus describes Satan? say remember what Jesus describes Satan? His nature is to lie. His scheme, his His nature is to lie. His scheme, his His nature is to lie. His scheme, his move, his play is to get you to be move, his play is to get you to be move, his play is to get you to be confused. Satan wants to confuse you so confused. Satan wants to confuse you so confused. Satan wants to confuse you so that you can question everything. And that you can question everything. And that you can question everything. And then once you question everything, you then once you question everything, you then once you question everything, you can start to deconstruct what you've can start to deconstruct what you've can start to deconstruct what you've been told. And once you deconstruct, he been told. And once you deconstruct, he been told. And once you deconstruct, he will leave you discouraged. will leave you discouraged. will leave you discouraged. Every four-year-old will tell you when Every four-year-old will tell you when Every four-year-old will tell you when he goes to grandma's house and she's got he goes to grandma's house and she's got he goes to grandma's house and she's got those blocks on the floor, he builds the those blocks on the floor, he builds the those blocks on the floor, he builds the blocks up, right, grandma? So he can blocks up, right, grandma? So he can blocks up, right, grandma? So he can knock them all down. knock them all down. knock them all down. At the end of the day, if you boil it At the end of the day, if you boil it At the end of the day, if you boil it down very simply, that's what the down very simply, that's what the down very simply, that's what the deconstruction movement that we're deconstruction movement that we're deconstruction movement that we're seeing in the 21st century really is, seeing in the 21st century really is, seeing in the 21st century really is, friends. It's simply a friends. It's simply a friends. It's simply a philosophical ascent towards philosophical ascent towards philosophical ascent towards nothingness. How can I get you to pull nothingness. How can I get you to pull nothingness. How can I get you to pull apart the bricks of truth in your life apart the bricks of truth in your life apart the bricks of truth in your life one by one? What does the scripture say?

one by one? What does the scripture say? one by one? What does the scripture say? What is the armor that you and I are to What is the armor that you and I are to What is the armor that you and I are to put on? We are to put on the belt of put on? We are to put on the belt of put on? We are to put on the belt of truth. Everything hangs on truth in your truth. Everything hangs on truth in your truth. Everything hangs on truth in your life. I want to ask you this morning, life. I want to ask you this morning, life. I want to ask you this morning, have you discovered the truth? have you discovered the truth? have you discovered the truth? Because Satan wants to give you lies. Because Satan wants to give you lies. Because Satan wants to give you lies. Did God say our life needs to hang on Did God say our life needs to hang on Did God say our life needs to hang on truth because truth brings clarity? truth because truth brings clarity? truth because truth brings clarity? What else does Paul say? What's another What else does Paul say? What's another What else does Paul say? What's another piece of the armor in verse 14? He says, piece of the armor in verse 14? He says, piece of the armor in verse 14? He says, "Then having put on the breastplate of "Then having put on the breastplate of "Then having put on the breastplate of righteousness." righteousness." righteousness." We'll say this about the breastplate of We'll say this about the breastplate of We'll say this about the breastplate of righteousness. This is our purity. righteousness. This is our purity. righteousness. This is our purity. And I hope you'll write that word down And I hope you'll write that word down And I hope you'll write that word down in all capital letters. in all capital letters. in all capital letters. This is our purity. This is our purity. This is our purity. The breastplate would cover the The breastplate would cover the The breastplate would cover the soldier's entire chest. He would have a soldier's entire chest. He would have a soldier's entire chest. He would have a piece. It would go from shoulder to piece. It would go from shoulder to piece. It would go from shoulder to shoulder right under his neckline all shoulder right under his neckline all shoulder right under his neckline all the way down and kind of tuck into the the way down and kind of tuck into the the way down and kind of tuck into the belt and wrap around to the sides. And belt and wrap around to the sides. And belt and wrap around to the sides. And many soldiers would also have a piece on many soldiers would also have a piece on many soldiers would also have a piece on the back as well. It was designed to the back as well. It was designed to the back as well. It was designed to protect the the vulnerable organs and protect the the vulnerable organs and protect the the vulnerable organs and and all of the vulnerability of the and all of the vulnerability of the and all of the vulnerability of the chest area and particularly and chest area and particularly and chest area and particularly and specifically the breastplate was specifically the breastplate was specifically the breastplate was designed to guard the heart.

designed to guard the heart. designed to guard the heart. Proverbs 4:23 puts it this way in the Proverbs 4:23 puts it this way in the Proverbs 4:23 puts it this way in the New Living Translation. Guard your heart New Living Translation. Guard your heart New Living Translation. Guard your heart because from it, I love how this because from it, I love how this because from it, I love how this translation puts it. Guard your heart translation puts it. Guard your heart translation puts it. Guard your heart above all else for it determines the above all else for it determines the above all else for it determines the course of your life. Now, you need to course of your life. Now, you need to course of your life. Now, you need to know something this morning that if you know something this morning that if you know something this morning that if you are in Christ, and this is a wonderful are in Christ, and this is a wonderful are in Christ, and this is a wonderful truth that ought to get you celebrating. truth that ought to get you celebrating. truth that ought to get you celebrating. This is a wonderful fact of the This is a wonderful fact of the This is a wonderful fact of the Christian life that ought to get you Christian life that ought to get you Christian life that ought to get you fired up on a Sunday morning. That if fired up on a Sunday morning. That if fired up on a Sunday morning. That if you have crossed a line of faith and put you have crossed a line of faith and put you have crossed a line of faith and put your hope and faith in Jesus, if you your hope and faith in Jesus, if you your hope and faith in Jesus, if you have be if you've been saved from your have be if you've been saved from your have be if you've been saved from your sin and received his free gift of grace, sin and received his free gift of grace, sin and received his free gift of grace, the Bible says that you have been the Bible says that you have been the Bible says that you have been justified. That the moment when you justified. That the moment when you justified. That the moment when you cross that line of faith to trust Jesus, cross that line of faith to trust Jesus, cross that line of faith to trust Jesus, that you have been justified, made right that you have been justified, made right that you have been justified, made right with God. And the Bible says that his with God. And the Bible says that his with God. And the Bible says that his righteousness comes to live in you. So righteousness comes to live in you. So righteousness comes to live in you. So the good news of the gospel is that you the good news of the gospel is that you the good news of the gospel is that you don't have to work anymore to be right don't have to work anymore to be right don't have to work anymore to be right with God or to do right to make God with God or to do right to make God with God or to do right to make God happy. The gospel is is that God has happy. The gospel is is that God has happy. The gospel is is that God has done all the work for you. You just done all the work for you. You just done all the work for you. You just receive his gift by faith. Surrender receive his gift by faith. Surrender receive his gift by faith. Surrender your life to him and then he fills you your life to him and then he fills you your life to him and then he fills you with his righteousness. What that means with his righteousness. What that means with his righteousness. What that means is is that you have all of the is is that you have all of the is is that you have all of the righteousness of Jesus covering you.

righteousness of Jesus covering you. righteousness of Jesus covering you. That ought to get somebody excited. That ought to get somebody excited. That ought to get somebody excited. >> You have every bit of righteousness >> You have every bit of righteousness >> You have every bit of righteousness covering you. If you're in Christ, God covering you. If you're in Christ, God covering you. If you're in Christ, God doesn't look at you and say, "I don't doesn't look at you and say, "I don't doesn't look at you and say, "I don't know." He sees the blood of his son and know." He sees the blood of his son and know." He sees the blood of his son and he sees the redemption of the lamb he sees the redemption of the lamb he sees the redemption of the lamb covering you. You have the righteousness covering you. You have the righteousness covering you. You have the righteousness of Christ living in you. But when we go of Christ living in you. But when we go of Christ living in you. But when we go to battle, we have to proactively and to battle, we have to proactively and to battle, we have to proactively and intentionally take up the breastplate of intentionally take up the breastplate of intentionally take up the breastplate of righteousness and guard our hearts. This righteousness and guard our hearts. This righteousness and guard our hearts. This is our purity. is our purity. is our purity. This is about being sure that we are This is about being sure that we are This is about being sure that we are living holy and blameless lives. This is living holy and blameless lives. This is living holy and blameless lives. This is about being sure that in every area of about being sure that in every area of about being sure that in every area of our life, we are seeking and striving our life, we are seeking and striving our life, we are seeking and striving for righteousness. Did you know that the for righteousness. Did you know that the for righteousness. Did you know that the New Testament uses the word righteous 92 New Testament uses the word righteous 92 New Testament uses the word righteous 92 times? times? times? I think this is important to the Lord. I think this is important to the Lord. I think this is important to the Lord. We need to live righteously and take We need to live righteously and take We need to live righteously and take righteousness seriously. One of the righteousness seriously. One of the righteousness seriously. One of the schemes of the enemy is to tempt you to schemes of the enemy is to tempt you to schemes of the enemy is to tempt you to forfeit your purity.

forfeit your purity. forfeit your purity. And if he can get you to do that, he can And if he can get you to do that, he can And if he can get you to do that, he can get you defeated. So I have to ask you get you defeated. So I have to ask you get you defeated. So I have to ask you this morning, this morning, this morning, are you taking sin seriously? are you taking sin seriously? are you taking sin seriously? Or is sin taking hold of you? Or is sin taking hold of you? Or is sin taking hold of you? Are you living with the breastplate of Are you living with the breastplate of Are you living with the breastplate of righteousness covering your heart? And righteousness covering your heart? And righteousness covering your heart? And are you desiring to live and walk in are you desiring to live and walk in are you desiring to live and walk in holiness? It's part of the armor that we holiness? It's part of the armor that we holiness? It's part of the armor that we use to fight our battles. Look at verse use to fight our battles. Look at verse use to fight our battles. Look at verse 15. We keep going with the shoes of 15. We keep going with the shoes of 15. We keep going with the shoes of peace. The verse says, "And as shoes for peace. The verse says, "And as shoes for peace. The verse says, "And as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness your feet, having put on the readiness your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." What's given by the gospel of peace." What's given by the gospel of peace." What's that word readiness there? The word is that word readiness there? The word is that word readiness there? The word is preparation. So, we'll put it this way. preparation. So, we'll put it this way. preparation. So, we'll put it this way. The shoes of peace. That's our The shoes of peace. That's our The shoes of peace. That's our preparation. Every day, you're going to preparation. Every day, you're going to preparation. Every day, you're going to step out into life into a series of step out into life into a series of step out into life into a series of unknown, unplanned, and unforeseen unknown, unplanned, and unforeseen unknown, unplanned, and unforeseen circumstances. But everywhere you go as circumstances. But everywhere you go as circumstances. But everywhere you go as a follower of Jesus, you have a purpose a follower of Jesus, you have a purpose a follower of Jesus, you have a purpose and a mission. Your feet need to be and a mission. Your feet need to be and a mission. Your feet need to be fitted with the readiness of the gospel fitted with the readiness of the gospel fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. It's like moms and dads when of peace. It's like moms and dads when of peace. It's like moms and dads when we teach our kids to tie their shoes.

we teach our kids to tie their shoes. we teach our kids to tie their shoes. And you remember when you were a big boy And you remember when you were a big boy And you remember when you were a big boy and a big girl back in the day, you and a big girl back in the day, you and a big girl back in the day, you could finally tie your shoes and have could finally tie your shoes and have could finally tie your shoes and have whatever knot system you used and single whatever knot system you used and single whatever knot system you used and single knot, double knot, or whatever you did, knot, double knot, or whatever you did, knot, double knot, or whatever you did, and you were so happy. And your mom and you were so happy. And your mom and you were so happy. And your mom would say, "Hey, don't leave the house. would say, "Hey, don't leave the house. would say, "Hey, don't leave the house. Tie your shoes." Why? Because untied Tie your shoes." Why? Because untied Tie your shoes." Why? Because untied shoes make you trip. shoes make you trip. shoes make you trip. And I think for many believers, what's And I think for many believers, what's And I think for many believers, what's happening is we're tripping over happening is we're tripping over happening is we're tripping over ourselves in the battle. We're falling ourselves in the battle. We're falling ourselves in the battle. We're falling over ourselves because our feet aren't over ourselves because our feet aren't over ourselves because our feet aren't fitted with the preparation of the fitted with the preparation of the fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace. And one of the schemes gospel of peace. And one of the schemes gospel of peace. And one of the schemes of the enemy of the enemy of the enemy is to try to keep you from being is to try to keep you from being is to try to keep you from being prepared. One of the schemes of the prepared. One of the schemes of the prepared. One of the schemes of the enemy is to try to rob you of your enemy is to try to rob you of your enemy is to try to rob you of your boldness by distracting you from your boldness by distracting you from your boldness by distracting you from your mission. If he can get you to go through mission. If he can get you to go through mission. If he can get you to go through your day and forget that you are an your day and forget that you are an your day and forget that you are an ambassador of Jesus, he's won the battle ambassador of Jesus, he's won the battle ambassador of Jesus, he's won the battle in your life that day. Our job is to in your life that day. Our job is to in your life that day. Our job is to wake up every morning as we put on our wake up every morning as we put on our wake up every morning as we put on our armor and to get our gospel shoes on, to armor and to get our gospel shoes on, to armor and to get our gospel shoes on, to get fitted on our feet with the get fitted on our feet with the get fitted on our feet with the readiness to be the messenger and the readiness to be the messenger and the readiness to be the messenger and the ambassador that God has called us to be ambassador that God has called us to be ambassador that God has called us to be to step out and to be bold and to live to step out and to be bold and to live to step out and to be bold and to live on mission.

on mission. on mission. What's another piece of the armor that What's another piece of the armor that What's another piece of the armor that we need? The shield of faith. we need? The shield of faith. we need? The shield of faith. Here it is in verse 16. In all Here it is in verse 16. In all Here it is in verse 16. In all circumstances, Paul says, "Take up the circumstances, Paul says, "Take up the circumstances, Paul says, "Take up the shield of faith with which you can shield of faith with which you can shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the extinguish all the flaming darts of the extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." Man, there's so much we could evil one." Man, there's so much we could evil one." Man, there's so much we could say about this, but let me say it say about this, but let me say it say about this, but let me say it quickly here. Notice what Paul says in quickly here. Notice what Paul says in quickly here. Notice what Paul says in verse 16. In all circumstances, verse 16. In all circumstances, verse 16. In all circumstances, your shield of faith needs to be up in your shield of faith needs to be up in your shield of faith needs to be up in every circumstance. Our faith in God every circumstance. Our faith in God every circumstance. Our faith in God goes with us everywhere we go. We trust goes with us everywhere we go. We trust goes with us everywhere we go. We trust him completely to be our shield. Now, him completely to be our shield. Now, him completely to be our shield. Now, what the enemy wants to do, part of his what the enemy wants to do, part of his what the enemy wants to do, part of his strategy is to fire a barrage of firing, strategy is to fire a barrage of firing, strategy is to fire a barrage of firing, doubtfilled darts on our way in the doubtfilled darts on our way in the doubtfilled darts on our way in the middle of our toughest circumstances. middle of our toughest circumstances. middle of our toughest circumstances. So, what the enemy wants to do, his So, what the enemy wants to do, his So, what the enemy wants to do, his strategy is is for you and I to go out strategy is is for you and I to go out strategy is is for you and I to go out into battle this week and when life into battle this week and when life into battle this week and when life happens and things unfold and happens and things unfold and happens and things unfold and circumstances come our way, what he circumstances come our way, what he circumstances come our way, what he wants to do is he wants us to lower our wants to do is he wants us to lower our wants to do is he wants us to lower our shield and increase our doubt. Our shield and increase our doubt. Our shield and increase our doubt. Our shield of faith is our trust. And what shield of faith is our trust. And what shield of faith is our trust. And what we trust is what we know. And what we we trust is what we know. And what we we trust is what we know. And what we know is that our God is good. And he's know is that our God is good. And he's know is that our God is good. And he's never failed and he never will. We trust never failed and he never will. We trust never failed and he never will. We trust in the goodness of God.

in the goodness of God. in the goodness of God. So no matter what I'm going through, I So no matter what I'm going through, I So no matter what I'm going through, I don't let doubt don't let doubt don't let doubt come in to discourage me or confuse me. come in to discourage me or confuse me. come in to discourage me or confuse me. I place my faith in the goodness of my I place my faith in the goodness of my I place my faith in the goodness of my God. So I I get a boss this week that I God. So I I get a boss this week that I God. So I I get a boss this week that I didn't ask for. Changes at the company. didn't ask for. Changes at the company. didn't ask for. Changes at the company. I trust God. I get an assignment that I I trust God. I get an assignment that I I trust God. I get an assignment that I really don't want. I trust God. I get a really don't want. I trust God. I get a really don't want. I trust God. I get a coach that I really don't like. I trust coach that I really don't like. I trust coach that I really don't like. I trust God. I get a setback financially that I God. I get a setback financially that I God. I get a setback financially that I didn't ask for. I didn't create it, but didn't ask for. I didn't create it, but didn't ask for. I didn't create it, but I got to deal with it. I trust God. I I got to deal with it. I trust God. I I got to deal with it. I trust God. I get a diagnosis that I didn't ask for. that I didn't ask for. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. Last night as I was praying for you and Last night as I was praying for you and Last night as I was praying for you and preparing preparing preparing for this morning, I got a text from a for this morning, I got a text from a for this morning, I got a text from a buddy. buddy. buddy. It's a friend of Michelle and I's. It's a friend of Michelle and I's. It's a friend of Michelle and I's. They're about same age as us. Kids are They're about same age as us. Kids are They're about same age as us. Kids are about the same age. about the same age. about the same age. My buddy was letting me know that his My buddy was letting me know that his My buddy was letting me know that his bride bride bride got an unexpected and very serious got an unexpected and very serious got an unexpected and very serious cancer diagnosis this week.

cancer diagnosis this week. cancer diagnosis this week. Young mom, wonderful family. Listen. Young mom, wonderful family. Listen. Young mom, wonderful family. Listen. Faithful in the church, loves Jesus, Faithful in the church, loves Jesus, Faithful in the church, loves Jesus, reads their Bible, generous, kind, reads their Bible, generous, kind, reads their Bible, generous, kind, serves. Am I ringing some of your bells serves. Am I ringing some of your bells serves. Am I ringing some of your bells this morning? Some of us, this is where this morning? Some of us, this is where this morning? Some of us, this is where the battle gets the toughest. Lord, I've the battle gets the toughest. Lord, I've the battle gets the toughest. Lord, I've been faithful. Lord, I've shown up. been faithful. Lord, I've shown up. been faithful. Lord, I've shown up. Lord, I've been consistent. Lord, I've Lord, I've been consistent. Lord, I've Lord, I've been consistent. Lord, I've been doing all these things and then been doing all these things and then been doing all these things and then this. this. this. But what we have to understand is is But what we have to understand is is But what we have to understand is is that sometimes the Lord allows those that sometimes the Lord allows those that sometimes the Lord allows those things in the lives of his most faithful things in the lives of his most faithful things in the lives of his most faithful servants. Listen. listen to show his servants. Listen. listen to show his servants. Listen. listen to show his glory in the midst of the circumstance. glory in the midst of the circumstance. glory in the midst of the circumstance. Now, what the devil wants to do is he Now, what the devil wants to do is he Now, what the devil wants to do is he wants to fill you up with doubt as you wants to fill you up with doubt as you wants to fill you up with doubt as you go through that journey. What your enemy go through that journey. What your enemy go through that journey. What your enemy wants to do strategically is to wants to do strategically is to wants to do strategically is to frustrate you and to get you to lower frustrate you and to get you to lower frustrate you and to get you to lower your shield of faith, to stop trusting your shield of faith, to stop trusting your shield of faith, to stop trusting the goodness of your God and start the goodness of your God and start the goodness of your God and start thinking that God's not going to come thinking that God's not going to come thinking that God's not going to come through. But I love what my buddy said through. But I love what my buddy said through. But I love what my buddy said last night when I said, "Man, I just last night when I said, "Man, I just last night when I said, "Man, I just want you to know I'm praying for you and want you to know I'm praying for you and want you to know I'm praying for you and I love you." He said, "Hey, I thank I love you." He said, "Hey, I thank I love you." He said, "Hey, I thank you." But listen what he said. This you." But listen what he said. This you." But listen what he said. This ministered to me big time.

ministered to me big time. ministered to me big time. I said, "How are you doing? How are you I said, "How are you doing? How are you I said, "How are you doing? How are you and your bride doing?" He said, "We are and your bride doing?" He said, "We are and your bride doing?" He said, "We are prayerful and hopeful. We know we have a prayerful and hopeful. We know we have a prayerful and hopeful. We know we have a tough road ahead, but we are ready to tough road ahead, but we are ready to tough road ahead, but we are ready to fight." fight." fight." I tell you, that's the kind of faith I I tell you, that's the kind of faith I I tell you, that's the kind of faith I want, church. When the circumstances want, church. When the circumstances want, church. When the circumstances come, I want my shield of faith to be come, I want my shield of faith to be come, I want my shield of faith to be up. I wanted to be strong, not in my up. I wanted to be strong, not in my up. I wanted to be strong, not in my strength, but in the strength of the strength, but in the strength of the strength, but in the strength of the Lord to trust that my God is good and Lord to trust that my God is good and Lord to trust that my God is good and that he will come through and that even that he will come through and that even that he will come through and that even if I have to go through deep valleys and if I have to go through deep valleys and if I have to go through deep valleys and hard days, even if I have to lose my hard days, even if I have to lose my hard days, even if I have to lose my life, I know at the end of the day where life, I know at the end of the day where life, I know at the end of the day where my home and my hope is and my God is my home and my hope is and my God is my home and my hope is and my God is good and he will take me through it and good and he will take me through it and good and he will take me through it and I can trust him every step of the way. I can trust him every step of the way. I can trust him every step of the way. Don't you ever doubt Jesus. Don't you ever doubt Jesus. Don't you ever doubt Jesus. Don't you let the enemy students for one Don't you let the enemy students for one Don't you let the enemy students for one second, don't you let him for one second second, don't you let him for one second second, don't you let him for one second make you doubt the goodness of God. Our make you doubt the goodness of God. Our make you doubt the goodness of God. Our God is faithful.

God is faithful. God is faithful. So this is not in the Greek. This is not So this is not in the Greek. This is not So this is not in the Greek. This is not in the scripture. This is just me. Fire in the scripture. This is just me. Fire in the scripture. This is just me. Fire away, devil. away, devil. away, devil. Look at me. Fire away, devil. Look at me. Fire away, devil. Look at me. Fire away, devil. I'm not tempting temptation. But what I I'm not tempting temptation. But what I I'm not tempting temptation. But what I am saying is for us, for our family, for am saying is for us, for our family, for am saying is for us, for our family, for your family as a church, our shield of your family as a church, our shield of your family as a church, our shield of faith is up and we're going to trust the faith is up and we're going to trust the faith is up and we're going to trust the Lord. Paul goes on to say, we need to Lord. Paul goes on to say, we need to Lord. Paul goes on to say, we need to have the helmet of salvation. What is have the helmet of salvation. What is have the helmet of salvation. What is this? This helmet that we speak of. We this? This helmet that we speak of. We this? This helmet that we speak of. We win with these two. It's our security. win with these two. It's our security. win with these two. It's our security. He says in verse 13, you're to take the He says in verse 13, you're to take the He says in verse 13, you're to take the helmet of salvation. The head was the helmet of salvation. The head was the helmet of salvation. The head was the easiest easiest easiest part of the body to experience a fatal part of the body to experience a fatal part of the body to experience a fatal blow. The scheme of the enemy is to blow. The scheme of the enemy is to blow. The scheme of the enemy is to attack our mind all the time. 2 attack our mind all the time. 2 attack our mind all the time. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says we're to take Corinthians 10:5 says we're to take Corinthians 10:5 says we're to take every thought captive. This is why we every thought captive. This is why we every thought captive. This is why we want to stop being so ridiculously bored want to stop being so ridiculously bored want to stop being so ridiculously bored in our lives and live on mission for in our lives and live on mission for in our lives and live on mission for Jesus. Because I believe in the 21st Jesus. Because I believe in the 21st Jesus. Because I believe in the 21st century, in many of our homes and in century, in many of our homes and in century, in many of our homes and in many of our lives where the enemy is many of our lives where the enemy is many of our lives where the enemy is winning is just in the absolute scourge winning is just in the absolute scourge winning is just in the absolute scourge and curse of boredom and numbness and and curse of boredom and numbness and and curse of boredom and numbness and apathy. If the enemy can get you to just apathy. If the enemy can get you to just apathy. If the enemy can get you to just stop caring, if he can get you I'm stop caring, if he can get you I'm stop caring, if he can get you I'm sorry, I'm going to say this students.

sorry, I'm going to say this students. sorry, I'm going to say this students. if he can just get you to just keep on if he can just get you to just keep on if he can just get you to just keep on scrolling. Adults, forgive me, but I scrolling. Adults, forgive me, but I scrolling. Adults, forgive me, but I watched a couple do this at Chili's the watched a couple do this at Chili's the watched a couple do this at Chili's the other night because Michelle and I roll other night because Michelle and I roll other night because Michelle and I roll pretty ritsy, so we go up to Chili's. pretty ritsy, so we go up to Chili's. pretty ritsy, so we go up to Chili's. So, I saw a husband and wife sitting So, I saw a husband and wife sitting So, I saw a husband and wife sitting across from each other and he was across from each other and he was across from each other and he was scrolling and she was scrolling and he scrolling and she was scrolling and he scrolling and she was scrolling and he was scrolling and she was scrolling. was scrolling and she was scrolling. was scrolling and she was scrolling. Nobody looked up. Nobody made eye Nobody looked up. Nobody made eye Nobody looked up. Nobody made eye contact. They just sat there in the contact. They just sat there in the contact. They just sat there in the abyss and the oblivion of their phones. abyss and the oblivion of their phones. abyss and the oblivion of their phones. I know nobody wants to hear this this I know nobody wants to hear this this I know nobody wants to hear this this morning and we're all guilty of it. But morning and we're all guilty of it. But morning and we're all guilty of it. But do you know one of the schemes, the do you know one of the schemes, the do you know one of the schemes, the strategies of our enemy is just to get strategies of our enemy is just to get strategies of our enemy is just to get you to be bored. you to be bored. you to be bored. and to numb your mind with nothingness and to numb your mind with nothingness and to numb your mind with nothingness and no vision and no passion for your and no vision and no passion for your and no vision and no passion for your life and to wake up years from now and life and to wake up years from now and life and to wake up years from now and say, "What am I living for?" The helmet say, "What am I living for?" The helmet say, "What am I living for?" The helmet of salvation. of salvation. of salvation. This is our our armor. And finally, This is our our armor. And finally, This is our our armor. And finally, the only weapon in the arsenal, the only weapon in the arsenal, the only weapon in the arsenal, the only weapon in your armory is the the only weapon in your armory is the the only weapon in your armory is the sword of the spirit. Look what Paul says sword of the spirit. Look what Paul says sword of the spirit. Look what Paul says and then we'll be done. and then we'll be done. and then we'll be done. He says this is the sport of the sword He says this is the sport of the sword He says this is the sport of the sword of the spirit which you are to take of the spirit which you are to take of the spirit which you are to take which is the word of God. Now he means which is the word of God. Now he means which is the word of God. Now he means your Bible but he also means your Bible.

your Bible but he also means your Bible. your Bible but he also means your Bible. Let me tell you what I mean by that. The Let me tell you what I mean by that. The Let me tell you what I mean by that. The word here is not the word for that we word here is not the word for that we word here is not the word for that we sometimes see is the logos. The word sometimes see is the logos. The word sometimes see is the logos. The word that's Jesus in John 1. He was the word that's Jesus in John 1. He was the word that's Jesus in John 1. He was the word it's the rama. It's the specific word. it's the rama. It's the specific word. it's the rama. It's the specific word. It's the individual things. Here's what It's the individual things. Here's what It's the individual things. Here's what it means. It means that when we go to it means. It means that when we go to it means. It means that when we go to battle we have one weapon at our battle we have one weapon at our battle we have one weapon at our disposal and it's this Bible right here. disposal and it's this Bible right here. disposal and it's this Bible right here. When George Patton was moving a whole When George Patton was moving a whole When George Patton was moving a whole army at the end of World War II from one army at the end of World War II from one army at the end of World War II from one side of Europe to the other, he said, 'I side of Europe to the other, he said, 'I side of Europe to the other, he said, 'I can get any group of soldiers to move can get any group of soldiers to move can get any group of soldiers to move anywhere, but if I can get them fed, anywhere, but if I can get them fed, anywhere, but if I can get them fed, they'll go fight anywhere. This is your they'll go fight anywhere. This is your they'll go fight anywhere. This is your nourishment as a man and woman of God. nourishment as a man and woman of God. nourishment as a man and woman of God. We eat from this word every day. We know We eat from this word every day. We know We eat from this word every day. We know it. We pick it up. We know how to hold it. We pick it up. We know how to hold it. We pick it up. We know how to hold it. We know how to use it. We can defend it. We know how to use it. We can defend it. We know how to use it. We can defend when Satan wants to come to attack, and when Satan wants to come to attack, and when Satan wants to come to attack, and we can attack when the truth needs to be we can attack when the truth needs to be we can attack when the truth needs to be told. We're not here to weaponize our told. We're not here to weaponize our told. We're not here to weaponize our Bibles. We're here to put them to work Bibles. We're here to put them to work Bibles. We're here to put them to work in the life of a believer. Your in the life of a believer. Your in the life of a believer. Your spiritual nourishment, church family, is spiritual nourishment, church family, is spiritual nourishment, church family, is this Bible right here. this Bible right here. this Bible right here. >> We've got to be eating from it and >> We've got to be eating from it and >> We've got to be eating from it and learning it and memorizing it and hiding learning it and memorizing it and hiding learning it and memorizing it and hiding it in our hearts every day. Why? Because it in our hearts every day. Why? Because it in our hearts every day. Why? Because the battle is real and the armor is the battle is real and the armor is the battle is real and the armor is necessary.

necessary. necessary. Your adversary, he's strategic. Your adversary, he's strategic. Your adversary, he's strategic. But praise God, But praise God, But praise God, our savior our savior our savior is undefeated. is undefeated. is undefeated. Bow your heads with me. Let's pray. Lord Bow your heads with me. Let's pray. Lord Bow your heads with me. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, we love you this morning. God, we thank you for the truth of your God, we thank you for the truth of your word. word. word. And Father, right now with heads bowed And Father, right now with heads bowed And Father, right now with heads bowed and eyes closed, and eyes closed, and eyes closed, and I just want to say to all of us here and I just want to say to all of us here and I just want to say to all of us here in the room, those of you watching in the room, those of you watching in the room, those of you watching online, you're here today, online, you're here today, online, you're here today, you never placed your faith in Jesus. you never placed your faith in Jesus. you never placed your faith in Jesus. You've heard all this talk about battles You've heard all this talk about battles You've heard all this talk about battles and victories this morning. And you've and victories this morning. And you've and victories this morning. And you've you've not known a victory for a long you've not known a victory for a long you've not known a victory for a long time. You're stuck in a cycle of time. You're stuck in a cycle of time. You're stuck in a cycle of addiction and hopelessness and addiction and hopelessness and addiction and hopelessness and and fear. Today's your day to be set and fear. Today's your day to be set and fear. Today's your day to be set free. You need to you need to know you free. You need to you need to know you free. You need to you need to know you don't walk alone. You can come forward don't walk alone. You can come forward don't walk alone. You can come forward this morning and you can join this this morning and you can join this this morning and you can join this church and become a member of this church and become a member of this church and become a member of this place. You can be baptized like these place. You can be baptized like these place. You can be baptized like these four that were standing up for Jesus to four that were standing up for Jesus to four that were standing up for Jesus to speak truth and to stand for him.

speak truth and to stand for him. speak truth and to stand for him. And I just want to say on a Sunday And I just want to say on a Sunday And I just want to say on a Sunday morning when we preach a message like morning when we preach a message like morning when we preach a message like this about spiritual warfare. this about spiritual warfare. this about spiritual warfare. We know the battles that so many of us We know the battles that so many of us We know the battles that so many of us fight. And you may be here today and you fight. And you may be here today and you fight. And you may be here today and you just need a word of hope. So across this just need a word of hope. So across this just need a word of hope. So across this room, I just want to pray for us. Then room, I just want to pray for us. Then room, I just want to pray for us. Then we're going to stand and sing and then we're going to stand and sing and then we're going to stand and sing and then we'll go. But with heads bowed and eyes we'll go. But with heads bowed and eyes we'll go. But with heads bowed and eyes closed, if you're here today and you closed, if you're here today and you closed, if you're here today and you would just say, "Jonathan, I I just need would just say, "Jonathan, I I just need would just say, "Jonathan, I I just need somebody to pray for me today. I'm I'm somebody to pray for me today. I'm I'm somebody to pray for me today. I'm I'm in the midst of a battle. in the midst of a battle. in the midst of a battle. I just need somebody just to just to I just need somebody just to just to I just need somebody just to just to lift me up to the Lord. lift me up to the Lord. lift me up to the Lord. I don't feel like I'm walking in I don't feel like I'm walking in I don't feel like I'm walking in victory. victory. victory. I just need to know the hope of Jesus I just need to know the hope of Jesus I just need to know the hope of Jesus today. If that's you today, heads bowed, today. If that's you today, heads bowed, today. If that's you today, heads bowed, eyes closed, nobody's looking around. eyes closed, nobody's looking around. eyes closed, nobody's looking around. Just for a moment, if you just would Just for a moment, if you just would Just for a moment, if you just would like somebody to pray for you, would you like somebody to pray for you, would you like somebody to pray for you, would you just slip your hand up across this room? just slip your hand up across this room? just slip your hand up across this room? Yeah. Keep them up. Hands are going up Yeah. Keep them up. Hands are going up Yeah. Keep them up. Hands are going up all over this room. Say, Jonathan, I'm all over this room. Say, Jonathan, I'm all over this room. Say, Jonathan, I'm in a battle. I need somebody to pray for in a battle. I need somebody to pray for in a battle. I need somebody to pray for me. Anybody else? Hands up. Anybody me. Anybody else? Hands up. Anybody me. Anybody else? Hands up. Anybody else? I see you in the back. I see you else? I see you in the back. I see you else? I see you in the back. I see you guys over here. All across this room, I guys over here. All across this room, I guys over here. All across this room, I see you right here, buddy. Man, I'm just see you right here, buddy. Man, I'm just see you right here, buddy. Man, I'm just in a battle, guys. I see you right here.

in a battle, guys. I see you right here. in a battle, guys. I see you right here. I'm in a battle with those of you that when you have with those of you that when you have your hands raised this morning, I just your hands raised this morning, I just your hands raised this morning, I just want to say to you that God sees you. He want to say to you that God sees you. He want to say to you that God sees you. He loves you. And he knows what you're loves you. And he knows what you're loves you. And he knows what you're going through. And your hand up is a way going through. And your hand up is a way going through. And your hand up is a way for you to call out to God. And I want for you to call out to God. And I want for you to call out to God. And I want to just say for those of you with hands to just say for those of you with hands to just say for those of you with hands raised this morning, if you've never raised this morning, if you've never raised this morning, if you've never trusted Jesus as your savior, part of trusted Jesus as your savior, part of trusted Jesus as your savior, part of why your hand is up is because you know why your hand is up is because you know why your hand is up is because you know you don't need to run anymore and you you don't need to run anymore and you you don't need to run anymore and you can come to Jesus. Your hand is up can come to Jesus. Your hand is up can come to Jesus. Your hand is up because you know you can call on Jesus. because you know you can call on Jesus. because you know you can call on Jesus. Your hand is up because you know that in Your hand is up because you know that in Your hand is up because you know that in Jesus you can have victory. So I want to Jesus you can have victory. So I want to Jesus you can have victory. So I want to pray. And if there's others across this pray. And if there's others across this pray. And if there's others across this room, even as just these last moments, room, even as just these last moments, room, even as just these last moments, if you need prayer, just slip your hand if you need prayer, just slip your hand if you need prayer, just slip your hand up. Anybody else? Anybody else? Just up. Anybody else? Anybody else? Just up. Anybody else? Anybody else? Just say, "Will you pray for me?" I see you, say, "Will you pray for me?" I see you, say, "Will you pray for me?" I see you, man. Will you pray for me? I see you, man. Will you pray for me? I see you, man. Will you pray for me? I see you, buddy. Will you pray for me? buddy. Will you pray for me? buddy. Will you pray for me? Church, I want us to pray right now. The Church, I want us to pray right now. The Church, I want us to pray right now. The enemy doesn't want this moment to enemy doesn't want this moment to enemy doesn't want this moment to happen, but we're going to go right now happen, but we're going to go right now happen, but we're going to go right now to Jesus and we're going to pray. to Jesus and we're going to pray. to Jesus and we're going to pray. Father, we're asking you in the name of Father, we're asking you in the name of Father, we're asking you in the name of Jesus. For everyone that's raised a hand Jesus. For everyone that's raised a hand Jesus. For everyone that's raised a hand this morning, God, we don't know all this morning, God, we don't know all this morning, God, we don't know all their story or their struggle, but you their story or their struggle, but you their story or their struggle, but you do. Father, for every hand that's raised do. Father, for every hand that's raised do. Father, for every hand that's raised this morning, Lord, I pray you'd meet this morning, Lord, I pray you'd meet this morning, Lord, I pray you'd meet them right where they are. Lord, if they them right where they are. Lord, if they them right where they are. Lord, if they need to step out today and come forward need to step out today and come forward need to step out today and come forward and stand for you for the very first and stand for you for the very first and stand for you for the very first time to trust you, let them do it, God.

time to trust you, let them do it, God. time to trust you, let them do it, God. If they need to get free from addiction If they need to get free from addiction If they need to get free from addiction and brokenness, let them be free today and brokenness, let them be free today and brokenness, let them be free today in Christ, God. If they need hope and a in Christ, God. If they need hope and a in Christ, God. If they need hope and a and a win and a victory in their life and a win and a victory in their life and a win and a victory in their life when everything else seems lost, God, when everything else seems lost, God, when everything else seems lost, God, give them a victory today in the name of give them a victory today in the name of give them a victory today in the name of Jesus. Father, restore marriages, save Jesus. Father, restore marriages, save Jesus. Father, restore marriages, save kids, rebuild homes, strengthen our kids, rebuild homes, strengthen our kids, rebuild homes, strengthen our church, and Lord, let us do it all for church, and Lord, let us do it all for church, and Lord, let us do it all for your glory. So, Father, in this moment, your glory. So, Father, in this moment, your glory. So, Father, in this moment, we give this invitation to you. We want we give this invitation to you. We want we give this invitation to you. We want to respond by faith as we follow you. We to respond by faith as we follow you. We to respond by faith as we follow you. We pray it in your name. Amen. And amen. pray it in your name. Amen. And amen. pray it in your name. Amen. And amen. Would you stand with me? We're going to Would you stand with me? We're going to Would you stand with me? We're going to sing. If God's moving in your life, come sing. If God's moving in your life, come sing. If God's moving in your life, come forward right now. >> You need somebody to pray with you, come >> You need somebody to pray with you, come on down. on down. on down. >> You want to trust Jesus for the very >> You want to trust Jesus for the very >> You want to trust Jesus for the very first time? Come forward. >> Want to come be a part of this church? >> Want to come be a part of this church? Come forward. I want to Come forward. I want to Come forward. I want to >> come stand for Jesus today. He'll stand >> come stand for Jesus today. He'll stand >> come stand for Jesus today. He'll stand with you.

with you. with you. >> My hope is found here on holy ground. >> My hope is found here on holy ground. >> My hope is found here on holy ground. Here I bow down. Here I bow down. Here Here I bow down. Here I bow down. Here Here I bow down. Here I bow down. Here arms open wide. Here you save my life. arms open wide. Here you save my life. arms open wide. Here you save my life. Here I bow. Here I bow. Here I bow. Here I am. At the cross. At the cross. I Here I am. At the cross. At the cross. I Here I am. At the cross. At the cross. I surrender surrender surrender my life. I'm in all of you. Yes, I'm in my life. I'm in all of you. Yes, I'm in my life. I'm in all of you. Yes, I'm in all you. all you. all you. Where your love Where your love Where your love and my sin wash. and my sin wash. and my sin wash. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. >> Church. Let's celebrate these that have >> Church. Let's celebrate these that have >> Church. Let's celebrate these that have come forward and others that are making come forward and others that are making come forward and others that are making decisions. let them know. I want to just say if you're here in the I want to just say if you're here in the room and you've got you got some room and you've got you got some room and you've got you got some questions still, you're you're trying to questions still, you're you're trying to questions still, you're you're trying to understand all this, you you really want understand all this, you you really want understand all this, you you really want to know what does it mean to follow to know what does it mean to follow to know what does it mean to follow Jesus, you're watching online and you're Jesus, you're watching online and you're Jesus, you're watching online and you're with us in this service as we go, you with us in this service as we go, you with us in this service as we go, you can use that number that Rick shared can use that number that Rick shared can use that number that Rick shared with you a moment ago, 55125.

with you a moment ago, 55125. with you a moment ago, 55125. And you can text Jesus, text his name And you can text Jesus, text his name And you can text Jesus, text his name right now. You can do it in the room. right now. You can do it in the room. right now. You can do it in the room. This happens every week. You may not This happens every week. You may not This happens every week. You may not know this. people that'll at the end of know this. people that'll at the end of know this. people that'll at the end of the invitation they didn't step out they the invitation they didn't step out they the invitation they didn't step out they didn't go they don't but they they just didn't go they don't but they they just didn't go they don't but they they just want to send a text some of us it's hard want to send a text some of us it's hard want to send a text some of us it's hard for us to step out and step forward some for us to step out and step forward some for us to step out and step forward some of us man that the shadows have been so of us man that the shadows have been so of us man that the shadows have been so thick the darkness has been so strong thick the darkness has been so strong thick the darkness has been so strong the brokenness has been so real man to the brokenness has been so real man to the brokenness has been so real man to just even be here on a Sunday morning is just even be here on a Sunday morning is just even be here on a Sunday morning is a big deal we praise God just to be in a big deal we praise God just to be in a big deal we praise God just to be in his house this morning his house this morning his house this morning for some people just to come to church for some people just to come to church for some people just to come to church it's a big thing but I want to say this it's a big thing but I want to say this it's a big thing but I want to say this man there's nothing like standing in the man there's nothing like standing in the man there's nothing like standing in the strength of the Lord on a Sunday strength of the Lord on a Sunday strength of the Lord on a Sunday morning. Can you say amen to that, morning. Can you say amen to that, morning. Can you say amen to that, church? There's nothing like being church? There's nothing like being church? There's nothing like being strong in the strength of the Lord. And strong in the strength of the Lord. And strong in the strength of the Lord. And I'm just believing today that if there's I'm just believing today that if there's I'm just believing today that if there's somebody here yet still, and maybe we somebody here yet still, and maybe we somebody here yet still, and maybe we didn't see you in the aisle, but God's didn't see you in the aisle, but God's didn't see you in the aisle, but God's working in your life, you raised your working in your life, you raised your working in your life, you raised your hand. Let me tell you something. There's hand. Let me tell you something. There's hand. Let me tell you something. There's nothing like walking in the victory of nothing like walking in the victory of nothing like walking in the victory of Jesus. There's a church full of people Jesus. There's a church full of people Jesus. There's a church full of people that would testify today. So, family, as that would testify today. So, family, as that would testify today. So, family, as we go from this place, if you have we go from this place, if you have we go from this place, if you have questions, you need somebody to pray for questions, you need somebody to pray for questions, you need somebody to pray for you, our staff will be right here. We'll you, our staff will be right here. We'll you, our staff will be right here. We'll be here Wednesday night to praise. I be here Wednesday night to praise. I be here Wednesday night to praise. I hope you'll be here. Make it a priority.

hope you'll be here. Make it a priority. hope you'll be here. Make it a priority. go out to guest central. We'll put a go out to guest central. We'll put a go out to guest central. We'll put a Bible in your hand today if you want to Bible in your hand today if you want to Bible in your hand today if you want to trust Jesus. We don't want anybody to trust Jesus. We don't want anybody to trust Jesus. We don't want anybody to leave this place today in another losing leave this place today in another losing leave this place today in another losing battle. We want to go in victory this battle. We want to go in victory this battle. We want to go in victory this morning. We want to see God move in a morning. We want to see God move in a morning. We want to see God move in a mighty way in your life and in our mighty way in your life and in our mighty way in your life and in our lives. So, we're going to put the armor lives. So, we're going to put the armor lives. So, we're going to put the armor on this week. Amen. We're going to get on this week. Amen. We're going to get on this week. Amen. We're going to get equipped. We're going to go out and equipped. We're going to go out and equipped. We're going to go out and we're going to do battle in the name of we're going to do battle in the name of we're going to do battle in the name of Jesus for his glory and in his victory. Jesus for his glory and in his victory. Jesus for his glory and in his victory. And the church said, "Amen." Amen. Have And the church said, "Amen." Amen. Have And the church said, "Amen." Amen. Have a great Sunday. God bless you. Thanks for joining us today right here Thanks for joining us today right here at Prestonwood. It truly means a lot at Prestonwood. It truly means a lot at Prestonwood. It truly means a lot that you chose to spend part of your day that you chose to spend part of your day that you chose to spend part of your day with us. And we hope today's service with us. And we hope today's service with us. And we hope today's service encouraged you and met you right where encouraged you and met you right where encouraged you and met you right where you are. If you'd like to stay connected you are. If you'd like to stay connected you are. If you'd like to stay connected or learn more about what's happening or learn more about what's happening or learn more about what's happening here, we'd love for you to take that here, we'd love for you to take that here, we'd love for you to take that next step. And if you made a decision to next step. And if you made a decision to next step. And if you made a decision to follow Christ today, text the word Jesus follow Christ today, text the word Jesus follow Christ today, text the word Jesus to 55125. to 55125. to 55125. We would be honored to walk alongside We would be honored to walk alongside We would be honored to walk alongside you, pray with you, and help you grow in you, pray with you, and help you grow in you, pray with you, and help you grow in your faith. Have a great week, and we your faith. Have a great week, and we your faith. Have a great week, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Move the immovable Move the immovable breaks.