There is only one adversary (enemy)
for the saints of God and that is the devil.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour
It’s important for us to note that the
Christian race is a warfare.
The Bible enjoined us to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). We were also charged to contend for the faith that was once for all, entrusted to God’s people (Jude 3).
Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12).
The Bible enjoined us to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). We were also charged to contend for the faith that was once for all, entrusted to God’s people (Jude 3).
Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12).
The main agenda of the devil is to
ensure that we don’t finish our race in Christ. Therefore, let’s be watchful,
diligent and prayerful in order to ensure that we fulfil God’s purpose for our
lives.
A victorious Christian is one who
finishes strong! We will finish strong in the name of Jesus Christ...
The devil is the accuser of the
brethren. He accuses them day and night before God; he appears before God as an
adversary to the church of God (the people of God), he brings accusations
against them, in the presence of God. E.g. Job, Joshua the high priest.
Though he hates the presence of God,
yet he is willing to appear there to accuse the people of God.
We must take heed to ourselves, and we
must not give the devil any cause of accusation against us;
However, when we have sinned, we must go in before the Lord, and accuse and condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate.
However, when we have sinned, we must go in before the Lord, and accuse and condemn ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate.
How
to overcome/How to secure victory
The
Blood of the Lamb
Without shedding of blood, there is no remission....(Hebrews 9:3b)
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" - Hebrews 2:14
Without shedding of blood, there is no remission....(Hebrews 9:3b)
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" - Hebrews 2:14
The Blood of Jesus is the token for
our right standing before God. The Blood of the Lamb is the basis for our
righteousness and the reason for our salvation.
Our righteousness, which is like a filthy rag, cannot give us access to the throne of grace; it is on the basis of the Blood of the Lamb, that we can have access to the presence of God.
In order to secure victory in life, we must continually plead the blood of Jesus.
Pleading the blood of Jesus also talks about building an effective prayer life and having a constant fellowship with the Lord.
The Blood of Jesus cleanses our spiritual garments and makes us blameless in the sight of God. The Blood of Jesus cleanses, heals and strengthens our conscience to do what is right in the sight of God.
Our righteousness, which is like a filthy rag, cannot give us access to the throne of grace; it is on the basis of the Blood of the Lamb, that we can have access to the presence of God.
In order to secure victory in life, we must continually plead the blood of Jesus.
Pleading the blood of Jesus also talks about building an effective prayer life and having a constant fellowship with the Lord.
The Blood of Jesus cleanses our spiritual garments and makes us blameless in the sight of God. The Blood of Jesus cleanses, heals and strengthens our conscience to do what is right in the sight of God.
The
Word of our testimony
The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit through which we secure victory against the adversary.
Remember, Jesus is the Word of God! (Rev 19:13, John 1:1)
Until the word of God becomes the word of our testimony, victory is not in view.
Our lives must reflect the Word. We must live by the Word. We must become doers of the Word. Moreover, we must draw personal revelation from the Word. It is at this point that the Word of God becomes our spiritual sword.
Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God.....the moment the Word of God (which we preach, teach or hear) produces faith in us or in others, a faithful testimony is being borne about Christ.
At this instance, victory is secured in Christ Jesus. (Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world; this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith....).
The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit through which we secure victory against the adversary.
Remember, Jesus is the Word of God! (Rev 19:13, John 1:1)
Until the word of God becomes the word of our testimony, victory is not in view.
Our lives must reflect the Word. We must live by the Word. We must become doers of the Word. Moreover, we must draw personal revelation from the Word. It is at this point that the Word of God becomes our spiritual sword.
Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God.....the moment the Word of God (which we preach, teach or hear) produces faith in us or in others, a faithful testimony is being borne about Christ.
At this instance, victory is secured in Christ Jesus. (Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world; this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith....).
Loving
not our lives unto death (self denial)
Experiencing the power of the Cross
Experiencing death to self – losing interest in the cravings of the flesh...
He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal (John 12:25)
Bearing the testimony of Christ in the face of adversity and threats of death.
Not minding to lose our lives for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Identifying with the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.
E.g. The 4 lepers at the gate of Samaria, the 3 Hebrews (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego), Esther the queen
Experiencing the power of the Cross
Experiencing death to self – losing interest in the cravings of the flesh...
He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal (John 12:25)
Bearing the testimony of Christ in the face of adversity and threats of death.
Not minding to lose our lives for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Identifying with the fellowship of Christ’s suffering.
E.g. The 4 lepers at the gate of Samaria, the 3 Hebrews (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego), Esther the queen
We will overcome in the name of Jesus
Christ! May the Lord grant unto us, grace to finish strong...
PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
Resident pastor
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