1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,520 Amen, I'm gonna invite you at this time to join me in the book of Ephesians chapter 6. 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,920 A very important assignment this afternoon. God's been dealing with me 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:11,760 these last 4 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:13,760 few days and really 5 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:16,160 these last few 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:23,680 well this season I should say God's been dealing with me and I'm gonna be reading today out of Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 12 7 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:27,560 I'll tell you from the get-go that because there's a lot I want to cover 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:32,160 This may end up being like a two-part message. So whatever I don't 9 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:40,520 Finish today. We'll just pick it up next week. Amen, because I don't want to cut any corners. I don't want to 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,560 Rush through the things that God wants to speak to us today 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:52,160 The word of the Lord says this Ephesians 6 and verse 12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood 12 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:54,960 but against principalities 13 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:56,960 against powers 14 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:01,280 Against the rulers of the darkness of this age 15 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:06,800 Against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places 16 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:13,400 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to 17 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:17,520 withstand every man everyone say withstand 18 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:24,080 in the evil day having done all to stand and 19 00:01:24,960 --> 00:01:28,960 Amen with the help of the Holy Ghost. I'm gonna speak simply on that thought 20 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:35,000 withstand with stand. I'm gonna invite you if you can pray with me. Amen. God's already in this place 21 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:40,920 We feel his spirit moving, but why don't we pray this? That's God to speak to us father. We thank you 22 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:44,280 All that has already happened in this service 23 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,720 Lord for the divine visitation of your presence God 24 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:55,160 Anointing that is in this place and God as we enter your word. I ask that you would help us 25 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,200 to clearly understand the word today 26 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:06,340 Illuminated in our hearts and our minds anoint every hearer in this place God because we know that faith 27 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:08,760 comes by hearing and 28 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:14,160 And hearing of the word of God. I pray God that we would receive it today 29 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:18,280 And I ask for an anointing upon my life my lips of clay 30 00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:23,440 And that your word would fill my mouth and that you would be glorified today 31 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,520 We give you the honor and the praise 32 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:28,440 Someone say in Jesus name 33 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,320 Amen, you may be seated in 34 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,080 God's presence. I 35 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:41,600 Have read this passage countless times throughout my life and 36 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:48,920 I think that I have more than a basic understanding of what it means I have 37 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:55,640 Not only read it from my own personal consumption, but have taught and preached from it many times 38 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,360 But upon re-reading it 39 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,720 Recently the word which stand 40 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,080 Stopped me in my tracks 41 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:14,640 And it was one of those moments you all who spent time in the word will know this there are just moments when the Holy Ghost 42 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:18,400 will just stop you in the middle of a verse or a passage and 43 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,080 You seem to not be able to get away from it and that's 44 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:30,280 Pretty much what happened the Holy Ghost just led me to investigate this word even further and 45 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:32,600 upon my 46 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,600 my study my research 47 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:45,160 Revealed some strategic keys that I think and I believe in my heart of hearts are very important the key to living a godly life a 48 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:51,340 overcoming life a life that is not only pleasing to God, but 49 00:03:51,340 --> 00:03:58,020 Victorious and and I believe it's the will of God that we all walk in victory because someone say amen 50 00:03:59,020 --> 00:04:02,200 Amen, let's try that again because someone say amen 51 00:04:03,140 --> 00:04:10,380 It's his will and and you need to know that you need to know that God's will for you is to triumph and 52 00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:17,400 to live in total victory in every aspect of your life and 53 00:04:17,780 --> 00:04:19,780 So therefore this word 54 00:04:19,780 --> 00:04:21,780 Lifted from the text 55 00:04:22,740 --> 00:04:30,780 Magnified in the text today is very important which stand is a unique word in our vocabulary 56 00:04:31,340 --> 00:04:33,340 It's a special word 57 00:04:33,900 --> 00:04:36,980 It's not a word that we use in everyday language 58 00:04:37,540 --> 00:04:42,000 It's one of those words that you only use it if you need to use it 59 00:04:42,020 --> 00:04:44,420 You know, it's not a word that comes up in 60 00:04:44,420 --> 00:04:49,420 Conversation often it has a specific purpose 61 00:04:50,180 --> 00:04:59,700 It has a meaning behind it. It's the word with Stan is a compound word with the prefix with and 62 00:05:00,260 --> 00:05:01,900 the verb 63 00:05:01,900 --> 00:05:03,340 stand 64 00:05:03,340 --> 00:05:11,140 And despite having the word stand in it with Stan has a modified meaning and 65 00:05:11,140 --> 00:05:19,740 Implication so clearly it sounds very similar to the word stand and there are some similarities 66 00:05:19,740 --> 00:05:25,240 but it is altogether its own separate word with its own 67 00:05:26,260 --> 00:05:28,780 implications or its own meaning and 68 00:05:30,180 --> 00:05:34,560 Paul in writing here in Ephesians toward the ends of this letter 69 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:39,560 Makes emphasis and he makes a distinction between 70 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:46,320 With Stan and the word stand so when you read the text when you study it on your own 71 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:47,880 You kind of go back and you read it 72 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:53,600 You'll see that that there were times where he chose the word Stan and with Stan 73 00:05:53,600 --> 00:06:00,080 So clearly they don't mean the same thing exactly because if you wanted just to say Stan that he could have 74 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:02,480 repeated that word but he chose 75 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,480 With Stan everyone say with Stan 76 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:13,120 You made it a made it a point for us to know that this is a different concept that I'm introducing to you here 77 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:20,040 And he chose this word and I believe he chose it to describe what the Christian 78 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,680 Must do to live 79 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,440 In total victory very important words 80 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:33,200 So we are today essentially going to do a bit of a word study and hopefully take this word 81 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,960 To the limits of what it could do for us in our life what it's meant to do for us 82 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:45,280 But let's break it down a little bit here. Amen the word which Stan in the original Greek as we know 83 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:53,160 And if you don't now you know that the New Testament was primarily written in the language of Greek and the Greek word for which 84 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:58,720 Stan is anti-stem I meaning to stand or to set against 85 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:01,600 to withstand or 86 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:04,520 resist 87 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,000 anti-stem I this is where we get the the modern word 88 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:16,640 Antihistamine you know what an antihistamine is its medication that is used to block the symptoms of a cold or 89 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:23,080 Allergies and so some of you might be taking some antihistamines today or as the 90 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:28,000 Allergy season begins claritin allegra all of those types right 91 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,960 It gets the original meaning from this word 92 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:41,040 Antistamide which is to withstand to stand again. So this word with Stan is a term of defense 93 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,200 Everyone say defense 94 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:48,520 It's a term of defense not offense and you know 95 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:51,040 Whenever I think of defense and offense 96 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:55,080 I always go to the world of sports and I start thinking about football 97 00:07:55,760 --> 00:08:02,680 Because it they have to unlike other sports like basketball where players have to be able to play both 98 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,360 Defense and offense they got to be two-way players in football 99 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:11,960 You've got a whole separate squad that plays defense and a whole other that plays offense 100 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:16,600 And it reminds me of football where the defense has to withstand 101 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:25,120 the pressure and the progress of their opponent they have to hold the line 102 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:33,040 They got to hold the line and prevent the offense from moving forward and gaining yardage 103 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:41,840 Now sometimes the defense you know throughout the process of a game get stuck on their own goal line and 104 00:08:42,680 --> 00:08:46,920 What they have to do is they have to mount it. I'll explain this in a moment 105 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,200 They have to mount its strongest 106 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:59,080 Defense so that their opponent does not score on them in their own in zone and 107 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:02,680 Usually when they're up against their own goal line 108 00:09:02,680 --> 00:09:08,640 I mean they throw everything out their opponent to stop them because as they say in the game of football 109 00:09:08,680 --> 00:09:13,680 It's a game of inches and just a couple of inches could decide the game 110 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,160 That's how close it could be 111 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:20,120 Amen now this particular picture here is from the year 112 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,400 2001 some of y'all were still crawling around you're too little for this time 113 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:33,160 But this is from the year 2001 when the 49ers stuff the Philadelphia Eagles and Donovan McNabb a total of six times 114 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,640 in the red zone and 115 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:43,880 It's considered one of the one of the greatest goal line stands in an NFL history six total times 116 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:51,080 The opposing offense had a chance to stuff in to the end zone and score and win the game 117 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:54,360 But the 49er defense held up. I 118 00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:58,680 Look excited when I said this 119 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:06,640 Alright they held up and they did not let the enemy go that is what you're looking at there is a stand now 120 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,640 The offense is doing everything it can to penetrate 121 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:15,040 Just get in if I could just get the tip of my helmet or the ball over that line 122 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:23,440 We could win the game and so everything is colliding right here at the goal line and stopping them one play after another 123 00:10:23,560 --> 00:10:29,000 It's it's it's this is for everything here. This is very important. There is a saying in sports 124 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,840 You probably some of you have heard this that offense 125 00:10:32,680 --> 00:10:34,200 wins games 126 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,840 But defense wins championships 127 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:42,680 Doesn't matter how good your offense is you can have a high flying offense 128 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:47,400 Huh, you can score, you know, I mean you could rack up the score 129 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:53,160 But if you don't have a defense amen that could make or break your season now 130 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:57,880 That's not only true in sports, but it's also true in the spirit 131 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:05,320 It's true in the kingdom of God. It's true in our lives our greatest offense is 132 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,880 Actually born out of our defense 133 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:16,320 Our greatest offense our greatest ability to win the chapter. I don't know about you 134 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:19,480 I don't just want to win the battle brother. I want to win the war 135 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:29,240 Amen, I want to win the war. I don't just want to have a great regular season and not win the championship 136 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:34,240 Man, I know that's a sore subject for some of us warriors fans in here, you know 137 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:41,480 You have an impeccable record. I don't want to have a historic season and then 138 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:44,240 Lose it at the very end when it all counts 139 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:46,440 No, no, no, no, no 140 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:51,360 We can't have a high flying offense break all kinds of records throughout the season and don't win it all 141 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:59,440 We are in a greater fight than any game than any sport than any physical 142 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:04,600 Competition that exists in this world. Why because this is not a game. This is war 143 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:13,640 We are fighting for the souls of men. We are fighting this here. Let me tell you this is life and death 144 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:18,360 This is heaven or hell. This is eternity 145 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:26,720 And so if we're going to win the war if we're going to have ultimate victory in our lives for us our 146 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:33,080 Merchants our families our children. Amen. Hear me today. We better learn how to withstand 147 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:39,920 Because that's what it's all about and as Paul was writing this he had Romans 148 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:47,040 Sports in mind they were they were very fanatical and 149 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:56,400 Passionate about their sports and and also the the battlefield and so he's got different word pictures that he is drawing 150 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,400 But he exhorts us 151 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,760 within the context of spiritual warfare to withstand 152 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:08,080 And he gives us a picture of what our position towards the enemy should be 153 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:18,080 Contrary to what a lot of a lot of believers think I want to set the record straight right now about something because there's there are some 154 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,480 believers who think that it's their job to go and 155 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:25,480 go attack the devil and 156 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,360 Go pick a fight with the devil 157 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:36,520 There is nowhere in scripture where Jesus ever commanded you as the believer to go pick a fight with the devil 158 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,880 Nowhere he never told us to go fight the devil 159 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:46,600 He never told us to go and and you know start trouble 160 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:51,040 With the devil never did that it all throughout the New Testament 161 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:58,720 Even the apostles in the early church you never see them fighting the devil go pick a fight with the devil 162 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:05,220 Huh, you don't see that but what the Bible does tell us in James 4 7. He says resist 163 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,800 Someone say resist 164 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,640 Resist the devil and he will flee from you 165 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:17,400 therefore submit to God and 166 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:24,920 Resist the devil if you resist if you would stand and hold the line 167 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:30,280 You know what's gonna happen the devil is gonna run away from you 168 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:33,040 if you will resist 169 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:37,720 And that's where the key is this corresponds with 170 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:45,000 Another text we find very familiar in infusions 4 27 which says neither give place 171 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,840 To the devil 172 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:55,320 So what is the attitude of the Christian supposed to be in the 21st century? 173 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,840 What is the attitude of the apostolic the Holy Ghost field apostolic? 174 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:05,000 It's supposed to be in this hour that we are in right now. This is our position our position is this 175 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:10,640 I'm not going to look for trouble, but honey if trouble comes looking for me. I've got an answer 176 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:21,280 My god, I've got security. I've got withstanding in my spirit. I've got some I'm tough on the inside 177 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:26,200 I'm made tough. I'm born and I'm built by God to withstand 178 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:31,240 Whatever that comes against me. I'm not looking for a fight with the devil 179 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:37,080 But when the fight shows up on your doorstep, you cannot just roll over and play dead 180 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:42,840 You cannot just let the devil do what he wants to do in your you gotta be willing to stand 181 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,640 Somebody give God a hand praise today 182 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:50,360 Hallelujah 183 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:59,120 Most of our confrontations with the enemy are decided by our the strength of our defense 184 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:04,960 And Paul's metaphor of the armor of God, you'll notice something 185 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:07,520 Only one 186 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:10,160 weapon 187 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,160 was for offense 188 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:21,480 All six weapons the armor of God and if I have time we'll get into that in this message if not we'll kick it to next week 189 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,200 but 190 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:29,520 Of all the six weapons check it out only one of them is an offensive weapon the sword of the spirit 191 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:32,400 the word of God and 192 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:37,720 Powerfully enough it is the one weapon that can act both as an offense and a defensive weapon 193 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:41,040 Whoo, this is bad right here. Let me tell you 194 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:46,440 Awesome gotta have your Bible. Amen, but that's that's only one 195 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:52,440 All of the other five weapons are all weapons of defense 196 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:58,280 So what is the Apostle teaching us about the Christian life? 197 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:02,200 That for the majority of the fights that we are in 198 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,240 The key to victory is having 199 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:08,080 excellent defense 200 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:12,600 Hmm, that's where the battle is decided 201 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:17,000 So in order to withstand listen, there are some things that we need to consider 202 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:24,240 Some things that we need to get into our spirits get into our hearts today if we're going to withstand now 203 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:26,960 Behind everything I'm saying today 204 00:17:27,360 --> 00:17:31,400 This is this is a very pastoral message. I need to understand behind everything. I'm saying today 205 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:35,400 Trust me something in the spirit. God is wanting to alert to the church 206 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:40,880 And to all of us about where we need to be situated 207 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:46,960 Right now and how we ought to be living our lives. This is very important 208 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:50,320 And so there is a sense of urgency of 209 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,520 Concern hallelujah 210 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:58,800 Burdened in my heart today as we think about this and and the first thing I want to do is 211 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:05,760 Dissecta when we are to withstand when to withstand because 212 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:11,400 Something that Paul says is that that you ought to be able that you may be able to 213 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:16,600 withstand and then he puts in the evil day 214 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,240 When to withstand 215 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:27,640 Very important that we understand the timing and the hour of 216 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:34,720 of which standing the season of it this does not just refer 217 00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:42,320 To the last days or the end time which we're living in but the evil day refers to any 218 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:44,920 moment of spiritual 219 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:47,080 attack 220 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,920 It's like saying the day of attack 221 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:55,120 That you may be able to withstand in the day that you are attacked 222 00:18:55,120 --> 00:19:01,880 Now on a grand scale on a macro level 223 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:09,320 This began that the evil day began the moment that sin entered the world 224 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:12,840 That's really when the fight started 225 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:21,160 That's really when it all began and we see obviously with the serpent and with mankind 226 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:24,320 That's where the war began 227 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,560 for our souls on a 228 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,120 Grand scale we're talking about the whole world and 229 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:39,400 From that day on God's people have been engaged and I've been at war and will continue to be at war 230 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:42,080 when well 231 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,200 Until he returns 232 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:48,760 And when he returns guess what's happening. He's coming with all his armies folks 233 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:58,400 He's coming with all his armies and it's gonna be a complete wipeout of his enemies 234 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:07,240 Go flatten his enemies the armies of heaven are coming with him and he's gonna take his rightful place in the world 235 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:09,320 That's it 236 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:12,240 But until then we're in a spiritual battle 237 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:15,720 on a personal level on a 238 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:21,680 Micro level there are moments of intensified spiritual conflict 239 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:25,800 That we all will encounter at some point 240 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:28,800 and so therefore we have to 241 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:34,880 Each day of our life we have to understand is potentially an evil day 242 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:39,080 Where you're going to have to face an evil enemy 243 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:46,280 Paul wants us to see that there are days there are moments in our life where they're gonna be worse than other days 244 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:52,200 He said you need to be able to withstand in the evil day 245 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:59,360 the evil day that that day of attack that day where you are 246 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,480 ambushed a 247 00:21:03,120 --> 00:21:05,120 surprise attack 248 00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:11,680 There are gonna be times when the pressures here in today are more intense than other times 249 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:15,800 Isn't that true 250 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,000 Isn't that true where problems and trials 251 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:26,080 Lies and temptations they have you ever felt like they all seem to gang up on you all at once sometimes 252 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:35,680 Hmm? Maybe you feel like you're living through a nightmare or everything is being thrown at you at once 253 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:37,720 and 254 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:40,400 This is how opposition works opposition 255 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,840 Tends to come in these waves if you've noticed 256 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:50,920 These waves these seasons and well this coincides with what scripture teaches 257 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:57,880 King Solomon wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 3 1 to everything there is a season a 258 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:01,880 Time for every purpose 259 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:10,960 Under heaven and then a few verses later he adds this so we would know the types of time he said a time of war and 260 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:13,320 a time of peace 261 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,440 This is true in our own lives 262 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:19,080 There are times of war and there are times of peace 263 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:21,080 Here's the thing 264 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:25,560 We'd love times of peace. Hey man somebody. How many of you love times of peace? 265 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:32,120 But what can happen is if we get too comfortable in 266 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:38,880 Our times of peace and we start to think well, you know, maybe 267 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,240 You know, I could just ride the wave 268 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,200 maybe I can coast and 269 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:54,960 We get too comfortable and then what happens is the enemy encroaches the enemy attacks us and 270 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:58,240 Because we were so at ease 271 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,520 We were so 272 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:10,120 Caught up in the joy and in the relaxation of our time of peace that we're not ready for when he strikes 273 00:23:10,120 --> 00:23:16,880 Can I tell you something right now? The devil is not gonna fire a warning shot to give you time to prepare 274 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:19,800 Are you hearing me today? 275 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:21,840 He's not gonna 276 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,840 He's not gonna fire his shot and say hey, I'm gonna give you time to prepare over there get to it 277 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,360 So is it no the devil does not fight fair? 278 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:37,760 He doesn't play fair. He's a dirty fighter. Huh? I said he's a dirty fighter 279 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:44,400 He doesn't you know, sometimes we think of the enemy like like us and him and it's two boxers getting in the ring 280 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:49,280 And we're all no no no that's not how the devil fight he throws cheap shots at us 281 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:55,560 When you're not looking when you're minding your own business come on now somebody when you're just going about your life 282 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:59,280 He just looks for a moment and clock he comes at you're like well 283 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:05,820 This is why you've got to be ready at all times and be vigilant and sober minded 284 00:24:05,820 --> 00:24:12,800 Why because the enemy is roaring around like a roaring lion seeking whom he made of our 285 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:20,680 We've got to be sober minded we can't we got to have our eyes open someone say amen today 286 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:24,160 Devil he don't fight fair 287 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:27,680 He don't fight fair. No, no, no, he takes advantage 288 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,960 Well, well while we sleep at times 289 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:36,720 that spiritually he's plotting and he's scheming and and this is something we see in 290 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:39,120 the life of David 291 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:44,200 David's biggest moral failure for all the good that he did 292 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,120 For all the great victories that he had 293 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:52,000 He was not without his failures and his mistakes 294 00:24:52,000 --> 00:25:00,000 And one of his biggest moral failures happened when he wasn't ready to withstand 295 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:10,000 The Bible reads in second Samuel chapter 11 verse 1 it says it happened in the spring of the year 296 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:16,840 Notice at the time when the kings go out to battle 297 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:21,800 Is battle time? It's time to fight right now 298 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:29,160 That David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel everybody's going out there and 299 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,800 They destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged 300 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:36,560 Rabba why well God was with them God was with his people 301 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:39,240 But David 302 00:25:39,360 --> 00:25:41,760 Remained at Jerusalem 303 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:46,640 David made the mistake of 304 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:53,040 Lounging at home when he should have been battle ready 305 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:57,200 This was a season. This was a time of 306 00:25:58,120 --> 00:26:05,320 Action this was a time of warfare. This was time. These were serious time the kings were going out to battle 307 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:12,160 There was warfare taking place on the battlefield lives and and and nations 308 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:19,160 Were at stake and instead of being out there fighting instead of withstanding the enemy David 309 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:24,720 Stood at home. He chose to sit this one out and 310 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,760 This is where he got himself into great trouble because in 311 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:32,120 his state of comfort and ease 312 00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:37,840 He went for a little little evening stroll on his in his palace 313 00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:45,560 And that's where he encountered Bathsheba and fell into sin. The rest is history. He paid 314 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:48,360 dearly 315 00:26:48,360 --> 00:26:50,360 for that 316 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:52,800 And why 317 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:56,520 Because at a time where he should have had his own run 318 00:26:56,520 --> 00:27:02,960 My god at a time he should have been fighting. He was taking it easy 319 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:06,800 He was saying well, I have fought enough battles already 320 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:12,320 He did what a lot of what a lot of sports teams do sometimes, you know 321 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:15,080 They look at the scoreboard 322 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:20,360 In the middle of the game and they're like man, it's a blowout. We're gonna win 323 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:24,280 So what they do is they start taking their foot off the pedal 324 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:26,120 Huh? 325 00:27:26,120 --> 00:27:30,480 They take their foot off the pedal the coaches start taking their starters out 326 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:33,520 They're just like we've got this game 327 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:36,440 Under wraps. It's over 328 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:38,640 We it's a blowout victory 329 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:43,640 They look at the scoreboard in fact even the fans start going home 330 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:48,640 Huh, let's hit the parking lot and get out of here the game's over 331 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:56,120 The victory is done and I think David did that and what happens is that this 332 00:27:56,840 --> 00:28:03,760 Mentality starts to sink in well, you know what it's already over and we won. I mean really how bad can it get and 333 00:28:04,360 --> 00:28:08,920 He's there relaxing and little by little the enemy is gaining ground 334 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:12,960 And some of you have seen this happen in sports 335 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:19,640 You know where the team the opposing team comes all the way back and wins the game even of just by one point 336 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,880 How did this happen the game was already over we were winning 337 00:28:25,280 --> 00:28:28,480 You know and in some cases man, they were getting ready to you know 338 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:36,320 Pop the bottles and everything we're ready to celebrate and then they find themselves on the other side of the victory 339 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:39,880 They find themselves in defeat why because they got comfortable 340 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:45,640 And there are a lot of people right now hear me today church. I'm almost done 341 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:50,520 But there are a lot of people who that's their mentality right now 342 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:56,520 Pastor we got it in the bag 343 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:05,400 We win it's all good my name's written in the Lamb of life 344 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:08,560 All right 345 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:14,520 Everything's gonna be alright, you know, we're we're good, you know nothing bad has happened yet 346 00:29:16,760 --> 00:29:18,760 Yet 347 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:22,200 But meanwhile 348 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:24,200 See this is what David missed it 349 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:27,000 Because he was having victory see 350 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:34,320 See all that Joe at his generals are out there all of Israel and they're just wiping the floor 351 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:36,640 Mopping the floor with the enemy and 352 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:43,520 The trap that we can fall into is having success and victory in one area of our life 353 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:45,840 Oh 354 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:50,160 Well, we must be good. We must be good. I'm making more money than I've ever made. Wow 355 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:54,960 That must be God's stamp of approval then that everything is kosher in your life 356 00:29:56,000 --> 00:30:01,560 Not realizing that while I am resting on the success that's happening over here 357 00:30:01,560 --> 00:30:07,840 I've taken my eye off the most important part of my life, which is my home 358 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:19,160 So then you have people who are making the most money they've ever made or doing things they never done but they're addicted to pornography 359 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:27,960 Having success over here, but they're but they're soured with bitterness 360 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:36,320 And and their heart has been consumed, you know, the Bible says that our heart is the wellspring of life 361 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:38,320 It says guard your heart 362 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:44,360 With all diligence because out of it flow the issues of life 363 00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:48,520 Guard it defend someone say defend it 364 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:52,040 We're living in the evil day 365 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:54,640 The day is evil the day is evil 366 00:30:54,640 --> 00:31:00,200 A lot of a lot of a lot of people are 367 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:03,320 They're just coasting 368 00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,560 They're coasting they have the Holy Coast 369 00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:14,520 Not the Holy Ghosts, amen 370 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:22,400 Look, I don't want the Holy Coast. I want the Holy Ghost and there's some people man. They're walking in the Holy Coast 371 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:25,400 They're like, it's all good 372 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:29,960 Everything is fine. My kids are fine. My you know, everything is fine 373 00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:37,280 And what they don't realize is that while they're taking their eyes off the off the off the battle and while they're they're letting 374 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:40,280 They're they're letting their guards down and 375 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:46,120 They're getting comfortable. Oh, we'll just let a little bit of this into our fill. That's all right 376 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:49,520 God's not gonna wipe us out of this plan because you know 377 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:54,280 We you know, we we let some filthy entertainment into our family 378 00:31:55,200 --> 00:32:00,320 God's you know, it's not all gonna be over because you know, we skip a few Sundays every month 379 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:08,880 You know, it's gonna be where we're just it's gonna be fine. We convince ourselves that everything is going to be fine 380 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:15,440 We've got it all under control. We're holding it together and we're just going through it. We're comfortable. We're cruising 381 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:19,880 We're coasting everything is fine and then one day boom 382 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:29,440 What is happening in my life and I say this with sensitivity because maybe there's somebody here today 383 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:32,320 You feel like you you're already caught off guard 384 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:35,200 And you've got some things that you're fighting right now in your life 385 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:42,040 And I'm here to tell you that if you hear me if you are hearing this preacher preach today, there is hope for you 386 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:45,720 Amen somebody I said there is hope for you 387 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:48,880 Amen 388 00:32:49,120 --> 00:32:51,120 Church we need to wake up 389 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:56,840 We need to wake up we need to wake up why because as brother if you come come up and start to play 390 00:32:56,840 --> 00:32:59,920 We need to wake up because we're living in the evil day 391 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:04,240 We're living in the evil day 392 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:07,600 I'm concerned 393 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:14,880 I'm concerned that that in our attempts to to progress we could be hurting ourselves because we're not 394 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:18,400 Defending 395 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:23,280 So what are we doing today pastor? Well, maybe we're gonna check our armor 396 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,040 Where do I stand with God 397 00:33:29,520 --> 00:33:33,040 Where do I stand how's my how's my armor? 398 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:37,680 We're living in the evil day 399 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:41,200 And it's not gonna get prettier 400 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:44,640 Gonna get darker 401 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:51,840 We're living in her someone say that this they made a comparison with Matthew chapter 24 and we're living in the year 402 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:54,080 2024 403 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:56,320 We're living Matthew 24 right now 404 00:33:56,320 --> 00:34:01,960 It's happening on a global level. Amen somebody 405 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:04,720 It's happening on a global level 406 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:05,640 right 407 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:07,640 it's happening 408 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:09,840 Around the world 409 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:12,360 Earthquakes and divers places 410 00:34:13,680 --> 00:34:18,120 Wars and rumors of wars nations rising against 411 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:23,040 Men's hearts waxing cold 412 00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:29,360 People becoming lovers of themselves more than lovers of God 413 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:33,760 I mean the signs are all 414 00:34:36,200 --> 00:34:38,880 But then you have the personal signs in our life 415 00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:44,520 I've gotten a little too loose 416 00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:47,080 With my holiness standards 417 00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:52,840 I've gotten too loose in my prayer life 418 00:34:54,040 --> 00:34:58,840 If you don't have a prayer life, I mean a burning 419 00:35:04,680 --> 00:35:06,680 Fire prayer life 420 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:14,960 Then you need to get in your closet with God every morning every morning you need to get you need to get into prayer 421 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:20,680 Why because you don't know if that day is gonna be the day of attack 422 00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:27,920 You don't know what the enemy has been planning and plotting to come against you that day 423 00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:32,680 And so every morning I need to get with God I 424 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:37,800 Need to put on the army of God. I need to put on the mind of Christ 425 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:39,920 I need to be clothed with righteousness 426 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:47,760 I need to be ready and vigilant because it might be the day of attack and when the enemy comes looking for trouble 427 00:35:47,880 --> 00:35:51,040 He's gonna know that he messed with the wrong house 428 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:54,040 Would you stand with me today? 429 00:35:54,520 --> 00:36:00,640 He messed with the wrong man. He messed with the wrong woman of God because I am anointed 430 00:36:00,640 --> 00:36:10,640 I am appointed and I'm ready to fight the good fight of faith