WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:12.200 Well, good morning. It's my privilege this morning to preach out of the book 2 Corinthians. 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:19.320 So I would ask you if you would open with me to chapter 10 of 2 Corinthians. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:25.679 Our main passage this morning will be verses, chapter 10, verse 3 through 6, 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:30.379 but I wanted to start this morning in verse 1 so you get a bit of the context here. 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:36.100 This is Paul speaking to the church at Corinth in reference to his ministry. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:42.960 And so if you will, in honor of God's Word, stand with me as we read this passage this morning. 00:00:48.239 --> 00:00:49.079 Verse 1. 00:00:49.079 --> 00:00:55.420 I, Paul, myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:01.939 I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold towards you when I am away, 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:10.379 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:16.859 as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:25.140 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:35.360 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 00:01:36.020 --> 00:01:42.740 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:48.199 and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 00:01:48.199 --> 00:01:54.019 being ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete. 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:55.699 Let me pray. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:01:59.299 Father, I pray that you would empower the preaching of your Word this morning. 00:01:59.459 --> 00:02:02.659 Father, if there's anything from me, I pray that it would wash away. 00:02:03.399 --> 00:02:06.299 But Father, I pray that you would cause your Word to bear fruit. 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:12.180 And Father, I pray that you would open our hearts to hear and receive what you have for us this morning. 00:02:12.379 --> 00:02:13.819 I pray in your name. Amen. 00:02:14.579 --> 00:02:15.439 Y'all can have a seat. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:23.939 You know, my story, my spiritual story, just a little portion of it is this, 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:26.180 is that I grew up in church. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:32.020 From the time I was a baby, an infant, I've been in the church that whole time. 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:41.280 And yet, I was shocked when at 22 years old, someone shared with me the gospel. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:45.340 Now, surely somewhere along the line I'd heard about Jesus. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:50.879 Surely somewhere along the line I had heard someone say that He died on the cross 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:53.659 in order to save us from our sins, that He was God's Son. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:56.580 Surely somewhere along the way I'd heard it. 00:02:57.659 --> 00:02:59.099 But I'd not understood it. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:07.240 And so I had a lady by God's providence share the gospel with me, 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:09.159 and she started with my sin. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:13.840 And she asked me if I thought that I was a sinner. 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:20.379 And because I had a balance scale that had, in my mind, more morality than it had evil, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:23.319 I didn't think I was lost. 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:25.439 I didn't think I was a sinner. 00:03:25.519 --> 00:03:27.859 And I answered, no, I don't see myself as a sinner. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:33.740 And yet, by God's grace, He showed me the truth. 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:36.979 She asked me a question about pride. 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:42.519 And I answered, yeah, I'm proud of all the trophies I have lying in my room 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:45.019 and all the successes and things that I've accomplished. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:47.539 I said, yes, ma'am, I am proud of that. 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:49.280 She said, no, no, no, that's not what I mean. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:51.780 Let me read a couple of verses to you. 00:03:51.839 --> 00:03:58.159 So she read a couple of verses out of Scripture that have to do with pride that goes before a fall, 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.979 how God hates the proud and loves the humble. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:09.579 And by the grace of God, He opened my eyes to see that my sin was much deeper than I ever thought. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:13.679 In my pride, I thought I had achieved my own salvation. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:21.000 And that day, I saw my sin in a way that I'd never understood it before. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:26.939 And how is it possible that a guy who'd been all those years in church, 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:30.360 who had heard whatever was preached, I can't remember, 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:36.540 how is it that I'd heard it, I'd been around it, and yet I'd never understood it? 00:04:37.259 --> 00:04:41.220 You know, I would say the reason is because of the war. 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:45.400 The war we see in this passage this morning. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:51.360 And I would turn your eyes to verse 3 and 4. 00:04:53.940 --> 00:04:59.400 And I think you will notice this morning as we read this passage that this is military language. 00:05:00.780 --> 00:05:10.980 Paul is using this military language to illustrate the reality of a war that we find ourselves in. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:17.580 You know, it's not a physical war that he's referring to as a spiritual war. 00:05:19.840 --> 00:05:25.780 And so Paul says this to those who would claim that he's operating in the flesh, 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:30.400 that he's walking according to the flesh, that his ministry was according to the flesh. 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:33.920 He says, no, no, no, that is not true. 00:05:35.320 --> 00:05:39.000 He says, though we walk in the flesh, though we're humans just like you, 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:42.339 though we have temptations that we fall to just like you, 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:44.540 though we are like you in the flesh, 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:48.899 we do not wage war according to the flesh. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:54.860 And it begs the question, Paul, what are you talking about a war? 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:58.339 What war are you in? 00:05:58.339 --> 00:06:04.639 And I would say this, that it's not a physical war that he refers to. 00:06:04.739 --> 00:06:08.399 He's using this as an illustration to the church at Corinth. 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:13.679 And you know, Corinth would understand what he's talking about. 00:06:15.179 --> 00:06:19.299 Perhaps the reason he shared this, there's no way to know, 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:23.420 is that he would refer back to a war that happened, 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:28.639 the Corinthian War in roughly 397 B.C., 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:32.420 where their strongholds were destroyed, many of them, 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:37.160 where they were in an intense battle for a period of time. 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:40.639 Whether Paul had that in mind or not, 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:45.639 the illustration stands strong and allows us to see some insight 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:49.800 into this war that we have against our enemy, 00:06:49.919 --> 00:06:52.279 our arch enemy, the devil, Satan, 00:06:52.599 --> 00:06:54.219 and his kingdom, the dark kingdom. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.519 So Paul says, yes, we walk in the flesh, 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:01.319 but we don't war with human wisdom. 00:07:01.479 --> 00:07:03.439 We don't use human techniques. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:06.639 We war in a different way. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:09.939 We don't war according to the way men war. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:16.560 He goes on to say, the weapons of our warfare are not this, but this. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:21.459 The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.439 but they're this, they're divine. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:33.019 We wage war not in our own strength, 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:36.360 but we rely on the strength of another. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:40.580 Christian, you and I would see what he's talking about. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:46.439 We rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in this war. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:50.460 Paul relied on the strength of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:54.580 In chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians, 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:58.340 when Paul was talking about ministry with them 00:07:58.340 --> 00:08:02.800 and reminding them of when he came to Corinth with the gospel message, 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:05.480 you understand that the gospel was not prevalent. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.439 In this region of the world, 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:11.720 that Paul in his missionary journeys was taking the gospel 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:14.900 to those who didn't understand salvation, 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.620 to those who didn't understand their sin and their separation from God, 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:22.400 to those who didn't know why Jesus came 00:08:22.400 --> 00:08:26.300 and maybe had never heard the name of Jesus the Messiah before. 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:29.060 And Paul says this to the Corinthians. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:30.660 He says, 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:32.879 And when I came to you, brothers, 00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:36.980 I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:39.320 with lofty speech or wisdom. 00:08:40.920 --> 00:08:43.600 For I decided to know nothing among you 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:46.259 except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:51.180 And I was with you in weakness and in fear 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.560 and in much trembling, 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:54.899 and my speech and my message 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:58.620 were not with enticing words of wisdom, 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:02.960 but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:07.019 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:09.299 but in the power of God. 00:09:12.060 --> 00:09:18.460 Paul was not trying to use wisdom and clever words 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:22.320 to share with them the need of Christ. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:26.660 He says He came to them with this simple message, 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.120 the message of the gospel. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:32.379 The message of their sin and their separation, 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.420 their need for a Savior. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.400 Looking back at the passage in 2 Corinthians, 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:40.460 he says this, 00:09:40.520 --> 00:09:43.400 The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:47.780 but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:50.480 This morning, I want to look at this passage 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:51.799 from two different angles, 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:53.579 from two different perspectives. 00:09:55.199 --> 00:09:57.100 When we talk about war, 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:01.699 we talk about often one entity or one nation 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:03.980 or one person or one group against another. 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:07.120 And in this war, it's the same. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:10.139 We talk about those who are in war 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:13.679 against the enemy, that is Satan. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:17.000 Paul says that he's in war. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:20.019 He says our warfare, our fight 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.199 against the dark kingdom 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:24.959 is not something that can be accomplished 00:10:24.959 --> 00:10:26.599 with human ability. 00:10:30.979 --> 00:10:34.739 I want to look first from the perspective of Satan, 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:37.899 from the perspective of the dark kingdom. 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:40.179 And I think it would be helpful for us 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:41.839 to look at another passage. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.280 And that passage is a common, familiar passage 00:10:45.280 --> 00:10:46.639 probably to most of y'all. 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:48.639 It's Ephesians chapter 6. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:51.899 Paul, again, is sharing with the church at Ephesus 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:54.820 about this battle, this war, 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.820 this real spiritual conflict 00:10:57.820 --> 00:10:59.220 that touches all of us. 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.780 You can turn there if you like. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.019 No need to turn there for sake of time. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.420 Chapter 6 says this. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.420 He's talking to the church, Christians. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:09.820 He says, 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:11.500 finally, be strong in the Lord 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.100 and in the strength of His might. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.560 And I would note here, 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:19.200 he's not telling them to be strong 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.180 in their own power, 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:21.140 their own ability, 00:11:21.280 --> 00:11:22.060 their own wisdom, 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:22.980 their own strength. 00:11:23.140 --> 00:11:24.879 He's saying be strong in the Lord. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.840 There is a means by which we fight 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:29.600 that's not our own ability. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:33.820 There's a means by which we fight this war 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.160 that is spiritual. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:38.659 He goes on to say, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.819 put on the whole armor of God 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:42.899 that you may be able to stand 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:45.919 against the schemes of the devil. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:48.659 Do you know that the devil has schemes? 00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:52.059 You know what Satan is planning? 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:55.480 I don't think any of us really know all the details, 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:57.159 but we can get the general outline 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.139 by reading Scripture. 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.460 From Satan's perspective, 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:02.819 what he's attempting to do 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:07.419 in the lives of those who don't know Christ, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:09.159 like me when I was young 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.419 and all those years, 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.000 20-something years in church, 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:15.100 he's attempting to do what he shares 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:18.039 in 2 Corinthians 4. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.059 It says this. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:22.539 It says, 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.939 the God of this world, 00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:25.360 i.e. Satan, 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.339 the God of this world 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:29.860 has blinded the minds of unbelievers. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:34.379 He's blinded the minds of unbelievers. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.779 What is the methodology of Satan? 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:42.319 His methodology is to blind the eyes 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:44.219 of those who don't understand, 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.219 who don't know, 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.919 who don't recognize their sin, 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.719 their separation, 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.819 their need for a Savior. 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:51.839 He said he's blinded the minds of unbelievers, 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:52.959 not the eyes. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:56.559 I want us to see he's blinding the mind 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:58.899 of unbelievers 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:02.419 to keep them from seeing the light of what? 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:05.299 The gospel of the glory of God. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:09.339 What does Satan do in the lives of those 00:13:09.339 --> 00:13:10.219 who are not in the kingdom? 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:10.759 You know what he does? 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:12.240 He blinds them. 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:15.639 He doesn't want them to hear 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.960 the gospel message. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:19.580 He doesn't want it to hear it in their ears 00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:21.179 and he doesn't want them specifically 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:22.059 to hear it in their heart. 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:24.340 How is he going to accomplish that? 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.639 How does he blind? 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:29.059 Well, we turn back to chapter 10, 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.120 our passage this morning. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.039 How does he blind? 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:34.519 The eyes of those who don't know Jesus, 00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:37.319 who don't understand the gospel message. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.659 Here's an interesting look 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:40.779 in our passage this morning. 00:13:42.079 --> 00:13:42.600 He establishes, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:46.139 Satan establishes strongholds in their life. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:48.339 So we look at this military language 00:13:48.339 --> 00:13:50.039 and we envision a walled city, 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.779 a stronghold. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:55.339 So when someone comes to fight against a stronghold, 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:57.219 they come up against a fortress, 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.219 a walled city. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:01.199 And how is it we're going to take that walled city? 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.620 With great difficulty, correct? 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.659 In this case, 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.539 the illustration Paul is trying to represent here 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:07.960 is this, 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:14.080 is that Satan causes people to believe lies. 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:18.440 He establishes a thought process in their mind 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.159 that keeps them from hearing 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.060 and understanding the word of God. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.960 Look at the next verse, if you will. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:28.159 Paul explains a little further 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.779 what these strongholds are. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.820 He says, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.540 we, that is those of us who minister the gospel, 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:35.800 those of us that are taking the gospel 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:37.620 to the lost world, 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:40.060 to the places that have never heard it before. 00:14:40.420 --> 00:14:43.720 We destroy arguments and lofty opinions. 00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:47.320 A way of thinking that's not biblical, 00:14:47.520 --> 00:14:49.540 a way of thinking that's not true. 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:52.100 It's based on lies. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.600 It's based on fallacies. 00:14:56.380 --> 00:14:58.220 We destroy arguments 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:00.120 and every lofty opinion 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:02.740 raised against the knowledge of God. 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:05.000 You know what Satan would say? 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.960 There is no God. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:06.879 Are you kidding? 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.200 And God's good anyway. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.600 God will forgive you all. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.779 All of you will be in heaven. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.320 You're fine. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.320 You don't have to worry about that. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.220 Just live life. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:21.300 There's probably hundreds and hundreds of angles 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:24.620 that Satan uses to propagate the lies 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.460 and establish the stronghold 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:28.600 in our lives. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:30.279 It's like a fortress. 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:33.100 They hear the gospel like I heard the gospel 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.960 and it just goes right over. 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:37.139 They don't really hear it. 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.580 They don't understand it. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:40.639 And Satan wants to build up 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:43.240 these strongholds of lies 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:47.820 in the minds of unbelievers. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:53.500 But what does Satan do with Christians? 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:57.440 Do you realize that all of us 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.620 were in that condition? 00:15:58.760 --> 00:16:00.040 That all of us were lost? 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.400 That all of us were unbelievers? 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:04.180 That all of us were separated from God? 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.340 But by the grace of God 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:08.720 and His mercy, 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.720 we have received salvation. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:13.080 Many of us have come to know 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.040 our need for a Savior. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.799 Many of us have seen our own sin 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.959 by the grace of God. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.519 What did He do? 00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:20.219 He illuminated our understanding. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.120 So all those years, 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.639 22 years I'm living, 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.919 I didn't see my sin 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.839 for what it really was. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.500 I didn't think I was separated from God. 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:32.639 I thought for sure I was in the kingdom. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.079 When God opened my eyes 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.319 to see the depth of my sin 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:38.039 and the reality that my sin 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:39.579 had caused me to be separated from God, 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:42.519 I was absolutely shocked. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:45.519 blown away that I wasn't a Christian. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.740 How did that happen? 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.960 You know, all of us are there. 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.360 Do you realize all of us 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.340 have a misunderstanding 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:57.699 about who we really are? 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.919 We have a misunderstanding. 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:00.220 We don't really understand 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.299 our separation from God. 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:03.100 We don't really understand His holiness. 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.500 Why? 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.960 It's because all this 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:08.519 stronghold of lies, 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.940 this stronghold of belief 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.279 that's not according to truth 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.599 is where we've lived. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:15.180 And by the grace of God, 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:17.420 He's shined His light. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.039 What is the light? 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.119 It's the gospel. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.859 It's the truth. 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.039 He's shined the light. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:21.779 You know what happens 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.480 when lies are exposed to truth? 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.339 Poof, they're gone. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:28.180 It exposes the lies. 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.899 This lie that I'm good, 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.119 in good standing with God, 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.460 when the truth came 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.500 and I saw my sin, 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.740 I realized that was a lie. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:37.620 The Holy Spirit 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:39.079 illuminated my understanding, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.920 opened my eyes 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.759 that I might see 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.859 that I really, truly 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.039 was separated from God. 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.599 And you know what I did? 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.940 I bowed my knee 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.319 in a third floor room 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:50.799 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.359 a place I'd never been in my life, 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.700 the house of someone 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:55.140 I'd never met in all my life. 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.240 By the grace of God, 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:58.880 I got on my knee, 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.039 I said, 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.680 God, forgive me. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:04.360 I didn't know I was a sinner. 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.360 I didn't know, 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.160 at least I didn't know 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.120 you saw me as a sinner. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.680 Yeah, I had these secrets 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.480 that I didn't want anybody 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.120 to know about 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:11.860 during my life. 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.140 But I didn't realize 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.620 I didn't, 00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:15.420 I wasn't in the kingdom. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:15.980 I didn't realize 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.660 I wasn't going to heaven. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.299 I didn't realize 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.039 I wasn't your child. 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:18.700 I didn't realize 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.920 that I wasn't forgiven. 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.080 I didn't realize God. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.100 By the grace of God, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.980 he opened our eyes to see. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.320 You know, Satan doesn't want 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:26.240 your eyes to be opened. 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.440 But some of us 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.519 are in the kingdom now. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.779 You know the call 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.640 to the church? 00:18:34.060 --> 00:18:34.840 He says, 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.240 go. 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.019 All authority, 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.680 Jesus says, 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.200 all authority is given to me. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.380 Now go 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:42.100 and proclaim my gospel 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:43.580 and teach them. 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.039 Baptize them 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.759 and teach them 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.820 to obey everything 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.759 that I've commanded you. 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:49.460 Take the gospel 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:51.680 to the far corners 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.360 of the earth. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.680 Start in your neighborhood. 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.380 Start in your town. 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.060 Wherever I lead you, 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.580 go and take the gospel. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.159 with you. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.720 And what's the impact 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.119 going to be? 00:19:03.199 --> 00:19:03.439 You know, 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.500 Satan can't stop 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.419 the spread of the gospel. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.639 You know why? 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.559 Because the gospel 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.720 exposes a lie. 00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:11.500 Satan's method is what? 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:13.039 To establish strongholds, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.720 arguments, 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.899 lofty opinions, 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:15.839 philosophies 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.500 that are not 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.299 according to truth. 00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:18.159 And you know, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.199 we by nature 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.839 grab them 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.759 and believe. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:24.099 What does it take 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.000 for the lies 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.680 to be exposed? 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.720 The light of the gospel. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.960 The light of God's word. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.379 You know what 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.140 they don't need? 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.940 They don't need 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.579 all these fancy arguments. 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.960 You know what Paul said? 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.680 I just read it. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:36.960 He says, 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.740 I decided to know nothing 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:41.599 among them 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.980 except Jesus Christ 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.680 and Him crucified. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:46.539 You know what someone 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.340 who's not in the kingdom 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:47.900 needs to hear? 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.900 The gospel. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.720 You know the call 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.900 of God to Christians? 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.060 Take the gospel. 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.980 How does Satan 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.120 fight against you and me? 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.080 You know what he uses 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.740 the same way? 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.660 I go back to Ephesians, 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.660 this parallel passage, 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.620 and I want you to listen 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:07.640 to what Satan uses 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.360 against Christians. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:08.640 So, 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.220 he's talking to Christians 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.460 here in Ephesians 6. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.460 He's talking to the Christians 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.059 in Ephesus. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.259 And he's saying to them, 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.279 fight. 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.960 He said in chapter 5, 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.360 walk in love. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.259 He says, 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.120 walk not as unwise, 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.160 but wise. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.200 Christian, 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.480 you are called 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.900 to live in a way 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.740 that is in accordance 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.759 with wisdom 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.340 and with humility 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:32.900 and with love. 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.840 And he's saying to them 00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:35.819 that there's a battle. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.799 And you're not going 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.779 to be very effective 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.500 in this battle 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.200 and this war 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.160 unless you 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:42.319 understand 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.799 how it's fought. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.720 So, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.559 if I ask you a question 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:46.939 right now, 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.240 church, 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.639 do you know 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.319 how to fight 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.319 this battle? 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.299 Do you know 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.179 how to be 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:53.139 successful 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:53.899 in this war? 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:56.819 Listen, 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.259 it's, 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.799 when you're 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.639 talking to people 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.059 that are not 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.579 in the kingdom, 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:02.179 that's one thing, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.019 but when it's happening 00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.759 in your own heart 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.559 and your own life, 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:06.159 how do you fight? 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:07.919 How do you stand? 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:10.560 Listen to the word here. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.740 He says, 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.019 put on the whole armor 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.640 of God. 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.680 I'm not thirsty, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.400 I really am not. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.100 And I think 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.060 Jonathan's had his lips 00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:20.519 on that one, 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.300 so I'm not going to, 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:22.320 I'm not going to drink 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:22.720 that one. 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.640 So, 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:25.420 he says, 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.440 put on the whole armor 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:26.880 of God 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.840 that you may be able 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.779 to stand against 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.480 the schemes 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.000 of the devil. 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:30.680 What are schemes? 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:31.160 Do you know? 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:32.600 Listen, 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.580 how are we going to fight 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.420 against the dark kingdom 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:34.960 if we don't know 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.380 the schemes? 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:37.920 Do you know the schemes? 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.560 Do you know what Satan does? 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.440 Do you know his methodology? 00:21:42.260 --> 00:21:43.220 We would turn to many, 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.940 many passages 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.080 and here's what we'd see. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:45.600 You know, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.560 Satan is a tempter. 00:21:47.780 --> 00:21:49.120 He's going to tempt you 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:50.540 to dishonor God. 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.460 He's going to tempt you 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.280 to walk in sin. 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:53.200 He's going to tempt you 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.920 to pursue the flesh. 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.680 And what is the flesh? 00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:59.100 We turn to Galatians 5. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:00.020 I'm not going to turn there, 00:22:00.020 --> 00:22:03.560 but it's sexual promiscuity. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:08.700 It's anger. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.720 It's wrath. 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.400 It's sorcery. 00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:15.540 It's chasing after things 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.180 of this world, 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:17.640 flesh, self. 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.980 You can read Galatians 5 later. 00:22:20.540 --> 00:22:22.960 You can read Romans 10 later 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:25.760 and you'll see what the Word says 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:27.200 about walking after the flesh. 00:22:27.280 --> 00:22:28.160 But the call of God 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.780 to His children 00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:29.960 is to walk according 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.700 to the Spirit, 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.740 to walk in step 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.400 with the Spirit, 00:22:32.780 --> 00:22:33.860 that the fruit of the Spirit 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.900 might be evident in our life. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.580 So here we go. 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.920 The schemes of the devil. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:37.800 Deception. 00:22:39.040 --> 00:22:40.700 He wants to propagate lies. 00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:41.740 Do you think that Satan 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.920 still lies to you and me 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.560 as Christians? 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.860 Do you think he throws lies our way? 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.740 How do you handle it? 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.040 Remember, 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.740 what is it that causes lies 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.420 to disappear, 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.000 to be broken, 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.720 to be shattered? 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.280 It's truth. 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:58.840 How do you war 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.940 when all these lies 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.320 come into your ears? 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.280 How do you war? 00:23:02.280 --> 00:23:03.800 You war with truth. 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.859 How often do you hear 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.220 untruths, 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.480 lies that come to you 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.619 and say, 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.019 whoa, whoa, whoa, 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.720 that's not right. 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.000 No, no, no, no. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.579 How often does the Word of God 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.440 come up in your mind 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.740 and you say, 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.659 no, no, no, no. 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.500 I don't believe that. 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.399 I don't accept that. 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.619 I reject that. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.399 That's not true. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:19.940 Deception. 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.139 Temptation. 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.359 He wants you 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.899 to be on the sideline 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:25.940 in this war, 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.539 in this battle, 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.559 in this mission 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.519 that he's called us to, 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.579 to take the gospel 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.899 to the lost and dying world. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.000 He doesn't want you 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.700 to be effective. 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:34.940 And how is it 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.780 he's going to keep you, 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.140 Christian, 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.960 from being effective? 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.420 He's going to cause you 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.480 to live in sin, 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:40.460 to live in lies. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.519 The temptations 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.519 are going to draw you away 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.360 from God's honor 00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:45.240 and God's call in your life. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.720 And he's going to accuse you. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.480 Three things. 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:49.300 Temptation, 00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:50.519 deception, 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.720 and accusation 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.900 are the main methodologies 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.300 of Satan 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.340 against the church, 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.700 against Christians. 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:01.880 Revelation chapter 12, 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:08.019 it's a story 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:12.400 and it talks about 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.380 a dragon 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.279 and it talks about 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.640 a woman 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.500 and it talks about 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.160 a child. 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.019 And it's, 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:21.000 in this story 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.759 in chapter 12, 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.860 the dragon is Satan 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:23.660 and the child 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.340 is a church 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.799 and the, 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.440 excuse me, 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.240 the woman is a church 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.200 and the child is Jesus. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.000 And you can read the story 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.860 but the end of the story 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.039 is very revealing 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.259 in verse 17, 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.539 the last verse 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.960 in chapter 12 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.160 of Revelation. 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:37.740 It says this, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.720 Then the dragon, 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.299 that is Satan, 00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.340 became furious 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:40.960 with the woman, 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.840 that's the church, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.740 and went off 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.539 to make war 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.200 with the rest 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.840 of her offspring. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.900 Satan, 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.700 the dragon, 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.460 went off 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.440 to make war 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.980 with the rest 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.660 of her offspring. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.519 Who are offspring? 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.940 Those who keep 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:56.080 the commands of God 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:56.980 and hold 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.740 to the testimony 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.340 of Jesus. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.259 Church, 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.220 let me just say, 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.799 whether you're aware 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.400 of it or not, 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.220 there is a war 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.920 that's going on 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.920 and you as a Christian 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.700 are in the middle of it. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.000 And Satan 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.580 is after you. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.019 But greater 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.980 is he that is in you 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.900 than he that is in the world. 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.120 Amen? 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:17.960 Greater 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.920 is the Holy Spirit, 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.940 greater is he 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.940 that is in you 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.539 than he that is in the world. 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.059 Satan 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:24.120 doesn't stand 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.759 a chance 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.539 when truth 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:27.279 exposes the lies. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.720 You know, 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.559 we don't fight 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.399 in human ways. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.759 If we fought 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.399 in human ways, 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.160 we might be full 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.559 of fear. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.839 We don't fight 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.440 in human ways. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.759 Ephesians 6 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.299 says this, 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.920 We do not wrestle 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.559 against flesh 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.019 and blood, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.359 but against rulers, 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.200 against the authorities, 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:45.740 against the cosmic powers 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.399 over this present darkness, 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.379 against the spiritual 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:48.980 forces 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.740 of evil 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.099 in the heavenly places. 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:53.500 You know, 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.399 we are in a 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.379 genuine battle 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.699 with the satanic kingdom, 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.879 with the demonic world. 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.379 And he says, 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:01.759 therefore, 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.740 take up the whole 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.619 armor of God. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.819 Don't take up 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.480 your own strength, 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.059 your own wisdom, 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:06.699 your own ability. 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.039 Take up the armor 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.699 of God. 00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:09.259 Why? 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.059 That you may be able 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.659 to withstand 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.599 an evil day 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.639 and to stand firm. 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:18.360 And the call is this, 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.020 is then take 00:26:19.020 --> 00:26:20.200 the helmet of salvation 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.220 and the sword 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.660 of the Spirit, 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.620 which is the word of God, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.759 praying at all times 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.340 in the Spirit 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.700 with all prayer 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.540 and supplication. 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.560 To that end, 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.620 keep alert 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:30.080 in this battle. 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:30.360 You know, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.920 Satan desires 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.580 to devour. 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.280 Satan, 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.380 like a roaring lion, 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.000 is seeking 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.100 whom he may devour. 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.720 You know he's 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.759 after Christians? 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:43.180 Back to our passage. 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:47.019 The perspective 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.980 of Satan 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.579 is to destroy, 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.299 to kill. 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.220 I want to look at it 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.359 from a different perspective. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.240 That's the perspective 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.740 of Paul. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.799 You know what 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.700 Paul sees here? 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.440 He sees people 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.319 that hadn't yet heard 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:01.799 the gospel, 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.519 that hadn't come 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.220 into the kingdom. 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:05.039 And what is he doing? 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.259 He is going. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.660 As God has instructed him 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:07.920 to go, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.460 he's going. 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:10.079 He's taking the gospel 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.440 to the lost and dying world. 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:13.079 And what does he understand? 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.720 That the enemy 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.759 has sold them 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.420 this lie 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.500 and they've latched 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.980 onto it 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.660 and they believe it. 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.880 And so what does he take 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.460 as he goes 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.600 to the lost and dying world? 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.720 He takes the gospel. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.039 He takes the gospel. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.480 He takes the truth 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:31.059 of God's word 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:33.600 and he destroys 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.299 the arguments 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.420 and the lofty opinion 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.220 raised against 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.019 the knowledge of God. 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.660 How does he do that 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.160 with the truth? 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.980 What does the truth do? 00:27:39.040 --> 00:27:40.000 It exposes lies. 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.580 Church, 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.019 you know 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.940 when we're sharing 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.400 the gospel, 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.100 what are we sharing? 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.840 We're not sharing 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.380 our opinion, 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.340 our thoughts. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.380 We're sharing God's word. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.180 It's needful 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.080 for us to know 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:50.779 God's word 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.240 that we, 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.040 like Paul, 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.519 would see this battle 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.460 that the battle 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:58.300 is against the light. 00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:00.100 The real true battle 00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:01.720 is Satan 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.920 in the dark kingdom 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.160 against the kingdom 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.600 of light. 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.320 And who's a part 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.100 of the kingdom of light? 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.460 Us, 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.000 Christians. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:07.819 Do you think 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.019 God can destroy Satan 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.740 with a word of his mouth? 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.299 You think he can destroy 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.740 him right now, 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.100 just boom, 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.440 he's done? 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.980 You bet he can. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:17.539 But by God's providence, 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.259 he's allowed you and me 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.019 to be involved 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.140 in this eternal thing, 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:23.539 this taking of the gospel 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.740 to the nations. 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.840 It's our great privilege 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.519 to do it 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.660 and that he would use us 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.500 in this call 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.160 of ministry, 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.660 of what he's doing 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.600 in the lives of people. 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:37.399 I love the verse here. 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:37.699 It says, 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:40.039 he's destroying strongholds. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.319 Paul, 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.519 as he's looking at those 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.419 who aren't in the kingdom, 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.879 destroying strongholds, 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.679 these arguments, 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.559 these lies 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.719 that are not according 00:28:46.719 --> 00:28:47.099 to truth. 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:47.659 And how's he doing? 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.539 He's taking the truth, 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.459 the gospel to them 00:28:49.459 --> 00:28:51.159 so they might understand 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.699 and taking captive 00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:53.500 every thought. 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.339 So have y'all ever 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:56.279 tried to do that? 00:28:56.279 --> 00:29:00.240 In this battle 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.220 against the dark kingdom, 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.279 do you take account 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.839 of your thoughts? 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.139 Do you know how 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:07.039 this battle is fought? 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.680 Again, 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.599 I ask the question, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.599 how is this battle fought? 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.220 It's a fault 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.099 against the lies. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.420 The truth is what 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:14.960 exposes them. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.960 You shall know the truth 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.440 and the truth 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.500 shall set you free. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:23.579 And we'll end on this 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.859 as Paul's perspective 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.939 to fellow believers. 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:28.099 So Paul's perspective 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.799 to those who aren't 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.240 in the kingdom, 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.059 take the truth, 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.879 share the truth, 00:29:30.959 --> 00:29:31.740 help them to understand 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.139 the truth, 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.139 expose the lies, 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.500 and it isn't going to happen 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.659 without the power of God. 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.679 And to the Christians, 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.439 he says this, 00:29:39.479 --> 00:29:40.199 if you sneak over 00:29:40.199 --> 00:29:41.059 in chapter 11, 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:41.619 verse 3, 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.339 it says this, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.019 as Paul is speaking 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.179 to the Corinthian church, 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.939 he says this, 00:29:45.939 --> 00:29:47.299 but I'm afraid 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.479 that as the serpent 00:29:48.479 --> 00:29:49.240 deceived Eve 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.959 by his cunning, 00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:51.119 your thoughts 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.559 will be led astray 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.599 from the sincere 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.719 and pure devotion 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.279 to Christ. 00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.980 When I was younger, 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:01.039 I played a lot of golf. 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.620 I still play a little bit. 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.240 My heart, 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:07.059 my goal at the time, 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.180 as sinful as it was, 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.640 to be really, 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.920 really good at golf. 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.720 And briefly, 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.539 I would say this, 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:13.720 that the challenge in golf 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.360 is not learning 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:15.299 how to swing real well. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.880 There's a lot of people 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.000 that swing well. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.519 And if you do it 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.259 a million times 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.440 and you duplicate it 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.100 a million times, 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.079 the ball tends to go 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.899 where it's supposed to go. 00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:25.419 You know, 00:30:25.459 --> 00:30:26.439 the challenge is this, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.079 is when I get up 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.740 on the tee box 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.919 and I look at the problems, 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.839 the trap, 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.339 and the pond, 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.000 and the out-of-bounds. 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:33.480 I don't know 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.159 if y'all play golf 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.099 and know what those things are, 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:36.099 but I'm hitting a golf ball 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.719 and I'm trying to keep it 00:30:36.719 --> 00:30:37.459 on the grass, okay? 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.740 I don't want it to go 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.319 on those other things 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.299 because there's penalties involved. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.019 Do you know the difficulty 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.359 is not in being able 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:43.639 to hit it? 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.899 Because I can go on the range 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.839 during practice 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.659 and I can just hit them 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.119 just boom, 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:47.759 boom, 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.259 boom, 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.639 boom. 00:30:48.959 --> 00:30:49.279 Straight, 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.719 long, 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.679 make them curve this way, 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.539 that way could do a lot, 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.840 but when I get up on the tee, 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.400 you know what the problem is? 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:56.740 This. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:59.539 The mind is the problem. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.460 I get up 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.120 and I'm looking, 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.720 I'm here, 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.080 I'm like, 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.480 all right, 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.720 there's a pond over there. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.799 The problem is 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.920 my mind is focusing 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.720 on those things, 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:10.080 focusing on the problems, 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.259 focusing on the danger, 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.539 and my body is not able 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.900 to do what it should do. 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.460 You know the hard thing 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:17.920 about golf? 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.380 You see it in the pros too. 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:21.560 If you watch any golf 00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:22.020 on TV, 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:22.960 especially in majors, 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:23.860 and the pros are getting 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.940 close last day, 00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:26.920 they're near or on top 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.560 of the leaderboard, 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:29.040 near the top of the leaderboard, 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:29.940 and what happens? 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.860 You see these guys 00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.840 that are doing it for a living 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:33.340 that are incredible golfers, 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.140 and what happens? 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.740 They fold. 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.040 Why? 00:31:35.520 --> 00:31:36.620 Because there's a battle 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.760 going on in the mind. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.280 It is difficult 00:31:39.280 --> 00:31:40.300 to remain focused 00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:40.900 when I'm trying 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:41.420 to play golf. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.320 Let me just say, 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:42.600 church, 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.360 you know the battle, 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.680 the spiritual battles 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.180 in the mind? 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.400 You know what Satan 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.000 is going to do 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.500 to you and me? 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:49.720 He's going to tempt us. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.839 He's going to accuse us. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.160 He's going to deceive us 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.980 so that we are on the sidelines. 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.759 And Paul says to them, 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.140 he says, 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.920 I'm worried that your thoughts 00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.859 will be led astray 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.839 from sincere 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:02.880 and pure devotion to Christ. 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.059 Are we willing 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.420 to take every thought captive? 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:07.000 That's the call, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.319 church, 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.240 that we would take 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.160 every thought captive 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.240 and make it obedience 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.779 to Christ, 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.680 that we would walk 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.320 in obedience 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.960 to Him. 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.180 Let's pray. 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:20.820 Father, 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.279 thank You for Your Word. 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:24.920 Lord, 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.019 we confess that 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:29.779 Father, 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.420 we're weak. 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:33.000 In many ways, 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:33.500 we're weak 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.779 in that we can be deceived 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.440 by the enemy. 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.620 We can believe lies. 00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:36.980 Father, 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:37.660 many times, 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.160 we're weak 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.880 because we give 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.820 in to temptations 00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:40.360 and the lust 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:41.039 of this world. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.460 God, 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.059 and in a sense, 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:45.599 we're sidelined. 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.460 Father, 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.420 I'm grateful, 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.799 like Jonathan mentioned 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.859 earlier, 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.720 is that Father, 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:57.819 You say that You're 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.700 faithful and just 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.279 to forgive us 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.779 of our sins 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:01.019 if we will confess to You. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.579 So Father, 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.420 I pray that You would help us 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.559 to live a life 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.220 of confession 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.779 because truly, 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.139 God, 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.139 we are weak. 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:07.819 We're so weak, 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.139 Father. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.339 We try to walk 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.099 in our own strength. 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.319 I pray that You would 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.099 teach us to walk 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.799 in Your strength, 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.639 that we would not 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.419 be sidelined 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:17.199 with these sins 00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:17.679 that we allow 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:18.119 in our life. 00:33:18.179 --> 00:33:18.299 God, 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.819 that You would give us 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.740 strength to be faithful 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.199 to You. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.539 And God, 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.319 I pray that You would 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.899 empower Your Word 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.819 so that many people 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.679 would come into the kingdom. 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.000 God, 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.740 take us, 00:33:26.179 --> 00:33:26.899 Your church, 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:29.939 I should say, 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.559 send us, 00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:30.779 God, 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.379 Your church, 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.559 to people that we 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.699 come in contact with 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:35.639 with the gospel message 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.619 that they need to hear 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.099 the gospel, 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.399 Father, 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.219 so their ears 00:33:38.219 --> 00:33:38.699 could be opened, 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.740 they would not be blind, 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.399 God, 00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.379 I pray that You would 00:33:41.379 --> 00:33:42.359 use us in Your kingdom. 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.240 I pray in Your name. 00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:43.599 Amen.