PART III
Imagine this...
What if there was a supernatural war raging throughout the universe between God and His angels and Satan the forces of darkness?
What if out of great disgust for God this enemy sought to ravage and damage us?
What if God in His grace opted not to hide us from the danger but rather gave us weapons to engage in the war?
Would you use them? Would you engage in this war, or would you opt to stay helpless, feeble, and weak?
Paul closes His letter to the Ephesians in chapter 6 with a warning about this war and instructions on how to win it. He tells us about 6 pieces of spiritual armor that equip us to resist and overcome Satan’s assaults.
The good news is that is that ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the Great War is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquer the power of sin and death and the devil.
So the war is won, but the battle continues.
In this battle we are to “pray at all times”. Why? Because God energizes prayer. Prayer is the power in the weaponry and the strength in the armor.
Ephesians 6:18 says that we are to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints... because God answers prayer”.
As you look for a church, be sure you find one that prays all the time, in a variety of ways, no matter what, for all the saints. At Harvest Bible Chapel Miami we're all about prayer because God hears and answer's prayer!
We can be certain that, nuclear wars cannot be won with rifles and army tanks. Likewise, satanic wars cannot be won by human energy. Therefore look for a church that takes heed to Paul's warning and believes firmly in the power of prayer!
PART IV
Let me ask you...
What is the one thing that will matter 100 years from now? Have you ever thought of that before? When you and I are dead and gone, what is the one thing that will matter? Will it be that new car? What about the dream vacation? My job? My family? My marriage? What will matter 100 years from now? The answer to this question is your salvation. Your standing before God is the only thing that will matter 100 years from now.
In Ephesians 6:19-20 Paul says, “and also for me (pray), that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak”.
Here we learn that God’s work of Salvation requires Bold Prayer (19). During his prison term, Paul does not plead in order that his ankles, raw and sore from his shackles, might be healed. He does not plead for visitors to come or for better food. Rather, he asks that they would pray for him to be bold!
Paul didn’t long for prosperity, earthly success, or results. All he wanted was prayer that he could be bold. When Satan tempts him to keep quiet about Jesus, he wanted God’s help to be bold and to faithfully to proclaim the gospel.
Do you have a passion for the one thing that matters? Does Paul’s prayer sound like your prayers? How did you do this week in prayer? We’re they horizontal in nature or vertical in focus? Were they focused on the physical or aimed at the spiritual? Did they linger on Aunt Martha’s rheumatism or press toward Aunt Martha’s need for a Savior?
God’s work of Salvation also requires a Bold Witness (20). Biblical boldness is a Spirit led, Spirit enabled conviction to act. Boldness is not jerkiness. Its not in my flesh, its not harsh and hard, its not “I’m going to get them”, its not “turn or burn you vipers”, its not “where’s my huge sign and blow horn because I want to tell someone their going to Hell”!
Biblical boldness says, “Can I tell you about Jesus Christ and what He means to me”? “Can I tell you about the only thing that will matter 100 years from now”? Did you know that Jesus Christ came in to the world to save sinners, and anyone who calls on His name can be radically changed by His grace?
When you look for a church make sure you find one that has a passion for the one thing that matters. Make sure you find a church that shares the Good News about Jesus with boldness! It’s through that bold message that God rescues sinners.