Momentum - Week 5

During my college days, my friends and I put together an Ultimate Frisbee team, competed against all the fraternities and clubs in Intramural sports, and beat everybody. Season after season, we dominated the league.   Ultimate Frisbee is a little like Soccer with a frisbee.  But I am not as light as I once was!

I am not just heavier, I am out of shape! I went to the beach last week with family from out of town.  I was throwing a Frisbee with my nephew.  One of his throws went astray and was headed toward a family relaxing in the sun.  So, I took off running like I was still playing Ultimate Frisbee in college.  And as I reached for that disc, I miscalculated my pacing and my momentum, tripped in the sand, fell, and hit my head on the back of the chair or the family I was trying to protect. In my mind, it felt like I was running as fast as I could in my college days, but in reality, I am sure my fall looked more like a slow-motion scene from a bad movie.

I had momentum, but it was going in the wrong direction. In Acts 3, we’re going to read about a man whose entire life changed when God gave him a new direction.

Acts 3:1-12 (NLT2)

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2  As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4  Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5  The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6  But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7  Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8  He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9  All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10  When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11  They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. 12  Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?

I don’t know how old this man was, but I do know that since he was born, he had been carried around wherever he went. He never learned to stand or walk, and he never knew what it was like to run and feel the wind on his face. Most likely, he was not married, he did not have children, and was dependent on others. During this time period – anybody that was crippled, blind, paralyzed, or diseased was considered an outcast. From the time of his birth – this crippled man had been rejected by the world. This man was just sitting outside the temple asking for money…and unexpectedly, his life was changed forever.

Peter and John looked at him and said to him, “We do not have any money, but what we do have, we give you. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk!” Then Peter took him by the hand – and as the man rose to his feet – his feet and his ankles were healed!

Suddenly this meant: No more begging for food! No more depending on other people to move him around. No more dragging himself through the town.

He was changed. He was made better. He was a new person.

If by faith you believe that you have been forgiven. If by faith you believe that you Jesus rose from the dead and one day he will return. If, by faith, you took a moment, received Jesus into your life, and committed to follow Him. Then you KNOW exactly how this man felt.

Before you and I became a follower of Jesus, we were just like this crippled beggar. We lived crippled by sin. Crippled by shame. Crippled by guilt. Crippled by hopelessness. Crippled by doubts.

But when we became followers of Jesus, we were made new and set free! We were set free to follow Jesus. We were set free to show GRACE to others. We were set free to HOPE and to BELIEVE THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD. We were set free to experience the overwhelming, never-ending, breathtaking love of God found through Jesus.

So, as we seek to build momentum in our lives, understand that…

STEPS OF FAITH BUILD MOMENTUM

Acts 3:8-9 (NLT2)

He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9  All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.

Every step that man took was a step of faith. He was accustomed to his legs NOT working.  Since birth, his mind and body had been wired to understand his legs were useless.  He learned to live without his legs.  But, if he continued to believe that his legs were useless, the miracle would not have mattered one bit. Every step he took, was a step of faith in his new life. With every step, his mind told him, “This is not possible. Our legs are useless. We are going to fall.” And, I am willing to bet since you became a follower of Jesus, you have probably heard some of that same type of negative self-talk too.

Maybe you tell yourself that you can’t stop living the way you used to live, because you are too old, to entrenched in your ways and unable to live a changed life. It’s not true.  If you want to build momentum in your new life, look at what this man did…

He didn’t just take a few steps – this man was walking, leaping, and praising God with his body.

WALKING – this shows us that this man was healed.

LEAPING – this shows us this man had strength.

PRAISING – This shows us that Jesus was credited for the change, not Peter and John.

This man understood that his useless legs were gone, and now he was a brand new man. He had strong feet and legs, and he CELEBRATED with all his might.

If there is anything that the people of Myrtle Beach do well – whether they are born again or not – is CELEBRATE! People love to PARTY! We party on the beach – we party one boats in the ocean. We celebrate on the miniature golf courses. We go on helicopter rides and race go-karts. We like to celebrate and gather with friends. We ride Harley’s from all over and party hard.

And…at Beach Church, we really seem to CELEBRATE well.

We celebrate Baptisms. We have dropped Beach Balls from the ceiling, we have shot confetti cannons off, we have celebrated through cheers and applause…And, today we will be celebrating with the 33 people who will be baptized in the ocean.  And, I want to encourage you to come out and make a scene of celebration. Cheer and applaud when somebody comes out of the water.

And, we don’t just celebrate baptisms. We celebrate when marriages are rescued from the brink of divorce and redeemed. We celebrate stories of people being rescued from addictions and their new life in Jesus. We Celebrate Recovery every Friday night.  We have a pattern of celebrating because…

WHEN WE CELEBRATE JESUS,
PEOPLE NOTICE

As this man was whooping and hollering, leaping and shouting and praising God, all the people who were outside the Temple area heard the celebration and came rushing in!

Acts 3:9-11 (NLT2)
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10  When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11  They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

The people who heard the CELEBRATION were curious about what had happened, so they ran together and surrounded the man, Peter, and John.

When we celebrate our faith those without Jesus –those on the outside of our faith – will be curious and notice. They will be captivated as they see us living lives that CELEBRATE GRACE, REDEMPTION, FORGIVENESS, HEALING, SECOND CHANCES. CELEBRATION will draw others in – because people love to have a good time! People love to celebrate!

If you don’t believe me – stand up in a crowded restaurant, tell people it is your child’s birthday, and ask them to join you in singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY and see if they join in.

When I was a Student Pastor in Georgia, Kristy and I hosted some college students at the house.  I was at the grocery store buying food.  My daughter Naomi was about four years old. She found out we were having a party, and she stood up in the shopping cart – spread her arms wide, and yelled – EVERYBODY COME TO MY HOUSE! The more, the merrier.

CELEBRATING WINS
LEADS PEOPLE TO JESUS

Crowds of people rushed in when they heard the celebration of the former crippled man. Jesus had told Peter and John to tell everybody about him – and now, because of the hollering and celebration of this man, all these people gathered around Peter and John. We see how Peter responded in verse 12.

Acts 3:12 (NLT2)
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?

Peter SAW his opportunity to tell others about Jesus!

The crowd was full of questions. They wanted to know how Peter and John had made this man walk – and Peter took the opportunity to tell them about Jesus. Peter tells them about forgiveness and hope through Jesus for the rest of this chapter.  He helped them understand that the power of Jesus healed the crippled man and that the Power of Jesus can give them new life as well – new spiritual life. The only reason why those people were there was because the celebration of the man had drawn them in.

I love it when friends and family are invited to celebrate baptisms! I love it when they give their lives to Jesus and are baptized as well. An invitation to celebrate your faith in Jesus can result in more people experiencing a lifechanging relationship with Jesus.

So, check it out – Peter took the opportunity to tell them about Jesus – and skip to Acts 4:4 as Peter wrapped up his message.

Acts 4:4 (NLT2)
But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.

When followers of Jesus celebrate our faith – others can be drawn in out of curiosity and become followers of Jesus as well. Followers of Jesus can celebrate because Jesus defeated sin. Followers of Jesus can celebrate because Jesus has defeated death. We can celebrate because Jesus holds the keys to life and death in his hand. We can celebrate because Jesus has defeated hopelessness, loneliness, and addiction. We can celebrate because Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to guide us. Followers of Jesus can celebrate because we know for certain that we will be in heaven.

We can celebrate because NOT ONE THING will ever be able to separate us from the love of God.

That is why CAPTIVATING CELEBRATION is one of our GUIDING VALUES at Beach Church – and I invite you to make it one of yours.

Momentum - Week 4

When I say “Momentum” I am hoping that all of us will experience the definition.  I want you to experience:

Momentum
Transformation gained by a series of personal wins

Throughout this series, I want to help you gain personal wins in your life that builds momentum.

Growing up, I acted just like the friends I hung out with. The more time I spent with them, the more I became like them. If they spit spitballs from a straw in the cafeteria, I spit spitballs from a straw in the cafeteria. If they superglued their fingers together, I superglued my fingers together. If they did dumb things, I did dumb things. My teachers always told us that we acted just like each other.

If you are a follower of Jesus, the more you observe the life of Jesus through prayer and reading the Bible, the more you will reflect the character of Jesus. In the passage of scripture we are about to read, momentum was building and on the side of God’s Kingdom.  Over 3,000 people responded to the first sermon Peter ever preached and surrendered their lives to Jesus.  And from that moment, every single day, somebody on our planet is being saved and trusting Jesus as their Savior.

The passage we are about to read is a snapshot of spiritual momentum: how a personal decision to follow Jesus leads to daily transformation that draws others to Him.

Acts 2:41-47 (NLT2)
Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42  All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46  They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47  all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

The promise Jesus made to his followers in Matthew 6:33 had been embraced by these new believers.  They believed if they focused on God’s Kingdom, God would provide all their needs.  And that is precisely what we see take place.

How do we know that they were putting God’s Kingdom first in their lives?  Because every single day the Lord saved people. Every day, the good news of Jesus was changing people's lives.  But it was not because of what believers were saying, it was because of how they were living.

If you want to put God’s Kingdom first and begin to develop momentum in your life,

THE FIRST WIN:
BE BAPTIZED PUBLICLY

They REPENTED, then, they were baptized. Understand this: Baptism always comes after you make a life-changing decision to trust and commit your life to Jesus.  Baptism is a PUBLIC sign of the PERSONAL decision you have made to follow Jesus. Have you been baptized since you trusted Jesus as your Savior?

See, I have been baptized twice.  My mom was catholic, and I was baptized as an infant.  There was this belief that I needed to be baptized so that I could go to heaven. But that is not a biblical belief.  It was a tradition, yes. But it is not biblical.  Baptism is the first step of obedience after a person surrenders their life to Jesus. Going under the water symbolizes Jesus’ death and burial. You are saying, “The old me is gone.” Your past is buried. Coming out of the water represents Jesus’ resurrection. You are raised as a new person, forgiven, free, and fully alive in Christ.

We have our Beach Baptisms scheduled for June 1, July 6, or August 10 @ 7:00 pm at Plyler Park. And you can sign up through the connect tab on the Beach Church app.

You can be baptized if…

YOU CAN BE BAPTIZED IF:

1. You have received Jesus as your Savior at some point and have not yet been baptized.

2. You were baptized BEFORE you received Jesus as your Savior.
   (Perhaps as an infant…)

3. You want to publicly recommit to Christ.

One of the reasons more people were having a life-changing relationship with Jesus every single day is that believers were being baptized. Can you imagine what it was like to see 3,000 people become believers in Jesus and then see 3,000 people get baptized! It must have been amazing! If you cannot make it to the beach, complete an online connection card and let us know you would like to be baptized.

Secondly,

MOMENTUM GROWS AS YOU LIVE LIKE JESUS DAILY.

People were surrendering their lives every day, but it was not because people were preaching; it was because of how people were living.

As a Pastor for 27 years I believe the Church has been getting evangelism training wrong for the past century. At Beach Church, as we think through leading people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus, it is important that everyone understands that EVANGELISM happens through more methods than simply telling others about Jesus. Evangelism happens naturally when people who follow Jesus, live their lives as Jesus did.

After Peter preached, 3,000 people became followers of Jesus. But the momentum didn’t stop there, the church grew daily. Why? Because evangelism isn't only about one preacher sharing the Gospel. Evangelism involves the entire community flexing the life-changing power of Jesus together. If you have been attending our church over the last few years, we probably have noticed that my belly has…expanded.

The good news is if you are looking for an “anchor” for a tug of war competition, I can help.  I weigh more now than I have at any point in my life. And, I have been a member of a gym since January, and it hasn’t helped one bit.  I went to get my money back because I have not dropped any weight.  They scratched their head and asked how often I used the Gym, I told them I haven’t yet, but I have a membership. It’s intimidating.  Guys are looking in the mirror, flexing their muscles, and women are filming their workouts. Every time they flexed, a different muscle was shown. Triceps, biceps, pecs, lats, calfs, thighs…

And at Beach Church, if you have never told anybody else the Gospel, the good news of Jesus, take a deep breath and relax, because we believe that evangelism should look more like Evangelism in Acts 2:41-47 when the body of Christ flexed the Gospel.

Look back at Acts 2:41-47 and see the ways these new believers flexed Jesus:

1. They were baptized (41)

2. They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching (42)

3. They lived transparently (fellowship) (42)

4. They were welcoming and hospitable by sharing meals together (42)

5. They spent consistent time in prayer (42)

6. They generously shared their resources (45)

7. They gathered in both large and small groups (46)

8. They celebrated often (46)

9. They worshiped God and enjoyed being together (47)

As a result, more people were drawn to Jesus and surrendered their lives to him.

Acts 2:47 (NLT2)
… And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Every single day, somebody was surrendering their lives to Jesus. Not because of the preaching. Not because the people had been trained in the Evangelism Cube, The Bridge Illustration, The Romans Road, or any other method – it was because the people of God loved each other without excluding those who were not yet part of the people of God. So, that’s why we view evangelism a little differently. We believe that leading people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus involves living like Jesus did.

LET’S FLEX THE G.O.S.P.E.L. TOGETHER

The first thing that stands out in this passage is the generosity of the believers.  They were generous with their food, their homes, their possessions, their time, their joy, and their money. Generosity is one of the ways evangelism occurs here at Beach Church.

Generous Giver

You may keep everything about following Jesus private.  But you have still been involved in the mission to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.  How so?  You have been financially supporting the mission of the church through giving.  You regularly contribute to the church and support the ministries, the building fund, mission trips, etc.

Others Focused

We see people inviting others to their homes, inviting others to worship, inviting others to experience life as a follower of Jesus together. You often INVITE people to worship. You say things like, “Come check out Beach Church, you will love it.” You want people to experience the powerful presence of God through our worship service each week.  You use the invite cards, know our service times, and invite people to events we have.

Selfless Servant

In Acts, someone was responsible for cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the household. You are doing evangelism if you are serving in an area of the church.  It may be that you are serving on the Tuesday Crew, First Impressions, the tech team, the children’s ministry, the student ministry, or the nursery…You may serve in our community, with Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, food distribution, or Parents Night Out…You may not be talking about Jesus yourself, but you are actively serving in whatever capacity is needed. Serving is part of sharing the Gospel.

Prayer Warrior

If you ask God to draw people to Jesus during the message, you are part of evangelism.  If you serve on the Prayer Team and pray for others as they come forward, you are part of the Body of Christ at Beach Church, flexing the Gospel.

Earnest Evangelist

You often share your story of how Jesus has changed your life.  You might tear up as you speak about the grace, forgiveness, and mercy you have found.  You know the Romans Road, the Bridge Illustration, you quote scripture and invite people to surrender their lives to Jesus.

Live Transparently in Lifegroup and Large Group

The early believers did not just attend church; they lived transparently while they were there.  And if you are involved in a sermon-based life group and are transparent about how you can apply God’s Word to your life, you are drawing others to Jesus through your transparency.  If you are in large Group worship and you engage with God through lifting your hands, tears, or just singing loudly, you are involved with evangelism!

See, evangelism happens through smiles, laughter, prayer, tears, generosity, confessing your struggles, sharing meals with others, life groups, and baptism. And every time someone flexes their part of the body, that’s a win. And those wins stack. And that’s how momentum is built.

Evangelism happens when the whole body flexes. Not everyone teaches. Not everyone tells. But everyone reflects the character of Jesus together.

That’s what happens in the Book of Acts, and that is what will continue to happen here at Beach Church, if we stay out of God’s way, and flex the Gospel with Joy.

Momentum - Week 3

Have you ever felt stuck in your faith, wondering how to move forward or feel more connected to God? In Week 3 of our Momentum series, Pastor Shawn reminded us that momentum in our spiritual lives doesn’t come from striving harder—it comes from surrendering to the power, presence, and purpose of the Holy Spirit.

We walked through the powerful moment in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was first poured out on the early believers. It wasn’t subtle. It was loud, supernatural, and unforgettable.

The Spirit Comes with Power

“When the day of Pentecost came... suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven...” (Acts 2:1–4)
God’s Spirit didn’t sneak in quietly—it came with power. Flames, wind, languages. It was clear that something divine was happening. The Holy Spirit still empowers believers today, giving strength and boldness we can’t generate on our own.

The Spirit Speaks to All People

What’s remarkable is that everyone heard the message in their own language—dozens of nations represented, all understanding. (Acts 2:5–13)
It’s a beautiful reminder that the gospel is for everyone. No one is left out. The Spirit speaks every language, reaches every heart, and moves across every barrier we tend to put up.

The Spirit Points to Jesus

Peter didn’t waste a moment. He stood up and, filled with the Spirit, preached boldly about Jesus. (Acts 2:14–36)
The Holy Spirit doesn’t draw attention to itself. It always points us to Jesus—His life, His death, His resurrection, and the invitation to new life.

The Spirit Convicts and Converts

Peter’s words cut to the heart. People asked, “What should we do?” And the answer was clear: Repent. Be baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37–41)
That day, about 3,000 people said yes to Jesus. That’s what the Spirit does—He awakens our hearts, convicts us of truth, and leads us into life-changing transformation.

Reflection: Are You Experiencing the 3 P’s?

Pastor Shawn closed with a challenge—the “3 P’s Litmus Test” for your walk with God:

• Power – Are you walking in God’s strength or your own?

• Presence – Are you aware of God with you, even in ordinary moments?

• Purpose – Do you know your life matters in His bigger story?

Momentum builds when we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

Whether Sunday’s message encouraged you, convicted you, or left you with questions—lean in. The Spirit hasn’t stopped moving. He still speaks, empowers, and leads today.

Momentum - Week 2

Last week we kicked off our sermon series from the book of Acts.  When I say “Momentum” I am hoping that all of us will experience the definition.  I want you to experience:

Momentum:
Transformation gained by a series of personal wins

Throughout this series, I want to help you gain personal wins in your life that builds momentum.

Growing up in Bumpus Mills, we had a small hill that we explored daily.  It was overgrown with Kudzu, bushes, briars, weeds and trees.  Every now and then, a neighbor would mow it all down with his tractor and bushhog. Sometimes we would try to ride down the hill on our bikes, but the terrain was too rough to build up momentum to keep going. Then, my dad brought home an old 50-gallon burn barrel.  It took about thirty minutes for my brother and me to push that barrel to the top of the hill, stick our youngest brother inside it, and push him down the hill.

Now, unlike our bikes, the weight of that metal barrel and brother handled the stumpy terrain like a boss, and with just a nudge, that barrel took off with Mike inside it. While the barrel rolled faster and faster, gaining momentum, his arms and legs flopped out of the opening.When we finally caught up to him at he bottom, he probably had a concussion, but we talked him into going down again.

Momentum in life is easy when everything is going downhill.  When my brother and I were grunting and rolling that barrell uphill, we had ZERO momentum, but that sucker had a whole lot of momentum going down hill. I hope that this series keeps you rolling in the right direction and helps generate serious momentum in your life.

Acts 1:6-11 (NLT2)

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7  He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9  After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

There were two plans in this passage of scripture for the lives of the disciples.  The disciples had their plans, and Jesus had his plans for them, but only one of those plans was going to be realized. The disciples had BIG plans now that Jesus defeated death. They believed that Jesus would declare himself as King over Jerusalem. They believed they would be in leadership positions under this new Kingdom, serving on the right and the left of the man who defeated death. They believed that their path forward was now EASY. They could coast. They would no longer have to follow Jesus around, sleep in the fields, and travel from house to house, city to city. Now, they could live in a castle, have dominion over their enemies, eat the finest foods, and make all the rules for life. I mean, they were going to reign with the man who raised himself from the dead. They would reign with the man who took the worst punishment possible. Jesus' back was ripped open through the scourging, he was nailed to a cross, then stabbed through the heart, and then died. They knew the world could not overthrow the Kingdom that Jesus was about to establish on this earth, and they would be right there with him, ruling and winning. So, if you are looking to build momentum in your life, understand that…

MOMENTUM STALLS WHEN WE SEEK CONTROL
Acts 1:6

The disciples had their plans, but Jesus had other plans for them.Jesus told them his plans in this conversation when he told them, “No.  I am not establishing a  Kingdom on this earth right now.  In fact, I am leaving the planet.  And the way you lead in my Kingdom is to tell everybody about me.”

If you are already a follower of Jesus, meaning you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior. You have become a born-again follower of Jesus, and you have already surrendered CONTROL of your life to HIM. And since you surrendered control of your life to Him, the plans for your life changed, too!

Jesus was very clear with his disciples that their new plans was a mission to carry the message of hope into the world wherever they went. And the mission of Jesus is now your Mission too.  Because Jesus came to seek and save the lost, it is now your mission as well.

At Beach Church, we are not confused about why we exist as a church.  Because Jesus came to seek and save the lost, the mission of Beach Church is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. It is not our mission to grow a large church. It is not our mission to make a difference. It is not our mission to feed the hungry, provide stoves for the Mayan people, build homes for people in our community, take care of orphans, or have a great kids ministry.

Our mission is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.  The mission of Jesus comes first and is the reason for every single thing we do. We feed the hungry, provide stoves, build homes, take care of orphans, TO lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. And as a church, the more we understand and focus on our mission, the more God provides the resources to continue the mission.

Three years ago, Beach Church was in a downward spiral of giving and attendance.  But because we refocused and refined our mission, God has blessed with the resources to continue his mission. It is not karma that it works out like that; it’s a result of the promise Jesus made to his followers. He said,

Matthew 6:33 (NLT2)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

We seek the Kingdom of God by leading people to a lifechanging relationship with Jesus, and God provides for us. If you want to gain momentum in your life and build momentum by stringing together little wins, you must put the Kingdom of God first in your life, because

PURPOSE POWERS
MOMENTUM IN LIFE
1 John 2:6

There is something about living for the greatest purpose in all of life that powers momentum.

There is no greater purpose than to seek the Kingdom of God by leading people to Jesus. And when you make the decision to put God’s Kingdom first, you will begin to LOVE people and show the love of Jesus to others. And, when you show the Love of Jesus to others, it means you interact with others the same way Jesus interacted with others. That means: Don’t trample on others. Don’t point out the faults of other people. Don’t make it your mission to judge everybody else for their actions.

When purpose powers your momentum in life, you don’t shame others for what they wear, decisions they make, or mistakes they have made. Jesus came to this earth on a mission to SHOW people that there was a God who created them, who loved them, and he would show the fullness of His love for people by dying for their sins. And if we are followers of Jesus, we are to SHOW that we love others too.

LOVE is the most excellent way to live
1 Cor. 12:31

Love is defined and described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1 (NLT2)

31  ….But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. 1  If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

The very best way to live out the mission in life to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus is through love. We could build homes, take care of orphans, feed the hungry, lead people in worship, but if we didn’t love them, we could never lead them to Jesus because we would only be as obnoxious as a clanging cymbal!

Now imagine if you were serving in a soup kitchen, cooking, preparing the food, and serving the food to those who were hungry.  But while people came through the line, as you served them their food, you insulted them, called them names, and made fun of them. That would be crazy.

Yet, people who focus on their purpose, without operating in the power of Jesus love, do just that. They fall into the trap of judging friends and family. They become known as “bible thumpers”. They become skilled in knowledge. They become excellent apologists – but they are irritating because they are not loving other people. They may often say things, “The truth hurts.”  “If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t say it.”

That doesn’t have to be you!  I have found that when that little Pharisee in me begins to raise his little head, the more I pray, the more I become like Jesus in my actions. And since LOVE is the most excellent way to live, the more you genuinely love others, the more you use your influence to lead people to Jesus, and the more you lead people to Jesus, the more God provides for you, and the more God provides for you, the more momentum is built in your life because you stop worrying about the necessities in life, because God is keeping his promise and providing for you!

And, as the momentum begins to churn in your life…

Pray for family, neighbors, coworkers

As you talk to the Lord, the greatest thing you can do is mention another person’s name as you talk to God. Rather than simply talking to the Lord about your own needs, you include the names of other people in your life who need to experience the life-changing power of the Love of God. What an incredible way to love and honor somebody else, when you mention their name to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I am humbled when people tell me that they are praying for me.  To learn that when other followers of Jesus are mentioning my name and my needs to God during their personal quiet time – it is such an honor. When you pray for your family, your neighbors, and your coworkers, you are going to see God begin to build momentum in their lives.  You are going to see God interact with others and use your love to impact them.

Now, let me point out the end of this passage of scripture to you. As the disciples stood there staring up into the sky, and watched until Jesus disappeared from their sight, angels showed up and said something significant. They said, “Why are you standing here staring – just as you saw him leave – he is going to return.

By faith, I believe that one day Jesus is going to come back.

Some people predict dates and times that Jesus is going to come back – and they never come true. Why? Jesus said that not even he knew when he was going to return to the earth – so I immediately doubt anytime somebody says that they know when Jesus is going to come back. In fact, if somebody says a date that Jesus is going to return – I can guarantee He will not return on that day – because Jesus said he his going to return like a thief in the night – unexpectedly!

So the date and time is not important – but this truth and question for you is:

ARE YOU READY
FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS?
Acts 1:10-11

I am ready for Jesus to return because I know Him as my Savior. By faith, I have been made a new creation through the GRACE and FORGIVENESS of Jesus death on the cross.  By faith, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, that he rose from the dead, went up into heaven and will one day return. But I am not ready based on what I believe. I am ready because I have RECEIVED the free gift of forgiveness.

In 1991, I knelt beside my youth pastor, and I asked Jesus to forgive me, and I invited Jesus into my life.  I had already KNOWN what Jesus had done for me.  But I never received him as my Savior. The Bible says in 1 John 1:12:

John 1:12 (NLT2)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Have you accepted Jesus?  If you haven’t, I invite you to pray with me right now and ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord. Say something like this:

Dear God.

I am ready to receive Jesus as my Savior.  I believe that Jesus paid the punishment for my rebellion and sin. I believe he suffered, died, and rose from the dead. I believe he went up into Heaven and will one day return.  God, I give you my life and accept Jesus as my Savior.  Thank you for forgiving me!

Momentum - Week 1

Today we are beginning a new series called Momentum. For the sake of this series, I am defining Momentum as:

Momentum:
transformation gained by a series of personal wins.

Most of us want to change. We want something to move. Something to shift. We want transformation to happen in our mindset. In our habits. In our relationships. But for a lot of people, life feels stuck.

Growing up, there were many dirt roads around my home in Tennessee.  And, after a good thunderstorm or a long season of rain, those dry dirt roads became perfect roads for “muddin’.”  My friend Chad and I would ride with his dad down those old muddy roads, and his dad would intentionally steer into the mud puddles and mud.  I loved the smell of the spinning tires, the truck sliding and rocking around.  The tires would spin, the mud would spray into the treeline and cover the sides of the truck. And, when the truck got stuck, Chad and I were the ones behind the tailgate pushing the truck forward, and the mud would spray all over us.

Sometimes we would just have to give the truck a little nudge, and it would move forward.  Other times, we would be stuck for hours, rocking backward and forward, trying to build momentum to get the truck unstuck.

Getting stuck in the mud in an old, firewood hauler is one thing.  But feeling like you are getting stuck in life is – well – it stinks.  Even since I became a follower of Jesus, there have been so many times in my life when I have felt stuck. I have felt stuck in depression and anxiety. Finances. Health. But the only thing that has lifted me out of that mud in life has been the Holy Spirit.

You may feel stuck in anxiety. You may feel stuck in addiction. You may feel stuck in unforgiveness.  And, you wish you could just get a good grip with your feet and move forward.  You want a win.  You want a victory.  You just wish you could come up for air and breathe, but you feel like life just keeps knocking you back down. You are trying – your engine is revving, but your wheels keep spinning in the mud. You want just a couple of wins, because you feel like if you could get a couple of consecutive wins, you will start to be able to build some momentum to take that step into the next step that God has for you.

Jesus said if we seek first the Kingdom of God, all the other things we worry about will be taken care of. Then, he left.

As we begin this series through the first fourteen chapters of the Book of Acts, it is my prayer that you will be able to string together little wins to develop momentum to move forward.

Acts 1:1-5 (NLT2)

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2  until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3  During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4  Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5  John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The very first thing I want you to understand – if you are a follower of Jesus -  is that…

JESUS' MOMENTUM WILL CONTINUE THROUGH YOU

If you were with us in 2023, you may remember that we walked through the entire Gospel of Luke in a sermon series called “Meeting Jesus.” In his Gospel, Luke told the story of Jesus. Luke was a medical doctor, a travel companion of the Apostle Paul, and he had been changed by Jesus through surrendering his life to Him. Like you, Luke never met Jesus.

Luke was not one of the twelve disciples.  He was not one of the crowd that followed Jesus.  At some point after Jesus ascended into heaven, Luke surrendered his life to Jesus, was forgiven for his sin, and began to live for Him. And, he wanted to know everything he could about Jesus, so he exhaustively interviewed the people who knew Jesus best.  He listened to their eyewitness testimony, he cross-examined other witnesses, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the Gospel of Luke.

He showed us how Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He showed us how Jesus healed the broken, welcomed the outcast, taught with authority, and gave His life on the cross. And Luke had no intention that you and I would be reading his words 2,000 years later.  He didn’t write the Gospel of Luke for a church; he wrote it to share the life-changing power of Jesus with one man: Theophilus.

In the very beginning of the Gospel of Luke, Luke writes:

Luke 1:1-4 (NLT2)

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2  They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3  Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4  so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

In his own words, Luke carefully investigated the reports, the people, and the early followers of Jesus. So, why did I take us back in time to a sermon series from 2023? Because our Momentum Series will lead us through the first fourteen chapters of Acts. And, you will never guess who wrote Acts.  Luke.

Acts 1:1 (NLT2)

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

Luke wrote Acts to describe what happened to the mission of Jesus after Jesus left the earth. Jesus rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He sent the Holy Spirit. And the momentum of change that began in the life of Jesus continued to build through his followers in the Book of Acts.

And, the difficulty for those of us who feel stuck is that…

MOMENTUM BEGINS BY WAITING, NOT FORCING

We want to get unstuck, yesterday. We want the win, now. We want to fix it. We want to change it.

Jesus' mission is to see every single person surrender their lives to Him, receive forgiveness for their sin, and begin a relationship with Him. Nobody wants to see more and more people become followers of Jesus than Jesus himself.  But the first thing Jesus told them to do was to wait. He told them to stay in place. He told them not to move, yet.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites faced war after war and battle after battle.  Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost. King Jehosophat was the King of Israel at the time when three nations joined together to wipe the Israelites from the face of the earth.  The armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir marched together to overthrow the Israelites.

When the messenger brought news of this to the King, he was terrified. If you know anything about leadership, if you know anything about being a King of a nation, you know you have people looking to you for protection, direction, and leadership.  Warriors were warriors because they had children and wives, and they fought to protect their families. Warriors do not want a terrified King – they want the King to be fearless and lead them courageously.

But, sometimes, courage and fearlessness are foolish. Sometimes, rushing ahead and forcing a plan to get unstuck is foolish, too. So, King Jehosophat called all of Judah and Jerusalem together, prayed, and said something significant:

2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT2)

O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

Momentum begins with waiting, so we learn to stop trying to wriggle free of the mud and the mire by ourselves. We wait because we are often too prideful to ask God for help.
We wait because we think we can do it on our own. The more we fight and wrestle in the quicksand, the deeper we sink. But if in the waiting, we can be vulnerable with the Lord and say, "God, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You." "I am looking to you for help."

If we can say that and mean it, if we can say that and wait…then we are closer to getting unstuck than we realize. And maybe for the first time in a long time, we can start to build a little momentum. So, tell God, “I don’t know what to do, but I’m looking to you for help.”

POWER FOR DAILY CHANGE COMES THROUGH THE SPIRIT

The disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit, but now, you do not have to wait to receive the Holy Spirit.  When you surrender your life to God and trust Jesus as your Savior, you also receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples to wait because He would send them the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:5 (NLT2)

John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

If you are new to following Jesus, please understand. The HOLY SPIRIT of God does not live inside a church building, a statue, or a painting on the wall.  The Holy Spirit of God lives inside YOU. Growing up, I was told the church building was God’s House. I had to speak reverently and quietly. I had to dress nicely. I couldn’t wear a hat. When I would run through the worship center and play hide and seek in the basement, I was lectured to behave in God’s HOUSE.

I now know that God does not live inside brick, steel, and drywall. The house of the Holy Spirit is reserved for God’s most incredible creation - you and me. The same Spirit of the Lord that created all of life lives in you. But the Spirit of God is not your shortcut.  The Spirit does not drop you at the finish line overnight. But to build momentum in your life, the Spirit will guide you, and you will begin to string together small, faithful wins.

Under the Holy Spirit's daily leadership, He will lead you to…

• One hard conversation at a time.

• One confession of sin at a time.

• One apology you have been putting off.

• One decision to walk away from temptation today.

• One act of generosity when you feel stretched thin.

• One moment of worship when you feel empty inside.

• One choice to stay in your marriage rather than running.

• One invitation to church when fear wants you to keep quiet.

• One more day of reading and praying in the Word.

• One phone call to check in on someone who is hurting.

• One more morning, you choose prayer before scrolling your phone.

• One night, you go to bed forgiving instead of resenting.

Momentum is not experienced by trying harder; it is built through small steps of obedience, stacked day after day, in the same direction. You will not fix everything today. You will not wake up tomorrow and find that every problem is solved. But you can start waiting instead of pushing forward to trust God. Start trusting the Spirit of God to lead you to the next right step.

And if you do that, if you will trust Him for today, then momentum will begin to build.

And little by little, the Spirit will do what you could never do by yourself.

Easter - Ascension/Return

Last week, we examined the Resurrection, and this week, we will examine Jesus's ascension.

Luke 24:36-53 (NLT2)

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37  But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38  “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39  Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40  As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41  Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43  and he ate it as they watched. 44  Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46  And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48  You are witnesses of all these things. 49  “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” 50  Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52  So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53  And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

If you are a follower of Jesus, at some point, you understood that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, you asked him to forgive you, and you accepted him as your Savior and surrendered your life to him.

As we see in verse 45, that only happened because:

GOD HAS OPENED YOUR MIND TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

The only reason you are a follower of Jesus today is because God has opened your mind to understand the bible. The disciples already had a lot of head knowledge about the Bible. By the time a Jewish boy turned ten, they were required to have the first five books of the Old Testament memorized. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy.  In the Jewish language, that was roughly 80,000 words!

Yet even though they had memorized 80,000 words. Even though they attended the synagogue for worship every week of their lives. Even though they spent roughly three years with Jesus. They still needed God to open their minds to understand scripture.

They knew God created them. They knew that Adam and Eve chose to sin, and sin entered the world. They knew that all descendants of Adam and Eve sinned. They knew THEY were sinners…and they knew they were separated from God…But they did not UNDERSTAND why JESUS died on the cross and rose from the dead.

I grew up Catholic. I understood that God created me.I understood Jesus paid the price for sin on the cross. I understood he rose from the dead.  But I wasn’t changed on the inside until God opened my mind to understand how to surrender my life to Jesus.

And, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus, it is only because God has opened your mind to understand the hope found in the Bible. That means God loves you and has chosen to open your mind to HIS TRUTH about your life. You have been FORGIVEN.

FORGIVEN PEOPLE LIVE DIFFERENTLY

When you repent and surrender your life to Jesus, everything changes. You do not just stop doing certain things. You start doing new things. You stop lying. You start telling the truth. You stop stealing. You start working and giving. You stop tearing people down. You start building others up. The change in your life is not behavior modification, it is transformation.  You live differently because you have been transformed.

Jesus described these believers as witnesses that prove to the world they saw Jesus alive.  Paul described how forgiven people live differently:

Ephesians 4:24-32 (NLT2)

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Paul does not say, “Try harder.”He says, “Put on your new nature.” That means we stop living like we used to. And we begin to live like Jesus.

When you are forgiven for your sin, your life changes. Here is what it looks like:

• You stop lying. You tell the truth.

• You stop letting anger control you. You deal with it quickly.

• You stop stealing. You work hard. You give to others.

• You stop using harmful words. You say what is helpful.

• You stop holding onto bitterness. You choose to forgive.

Paul is clear, if Jesus has changed your life, your life should look different. There has been an inward change because you have been forgiven.

Now, some of us stopped doing the obvious things, but we never started doing the right things. We stopped stealing, but we never started giving. We stopped lying, but we aren’t really speaking the truth. We stopped using foul language, but we never started building people up. Have you stopped the obvious things but never started doing what is right?

If we truly have surrendered our lives to Jesus, then we understand we live differently. So, embrace the freedom that God has given to you through Jesus. Demonstrate the freedom of forgiveness through a visible change in your life. So, since God opened your mind, you have been changed, and you are being changed to become more like Jesus…

JESUS BLESSED OTHERS, AND SO CAN YOU

Luke 24:50 (NLT2)

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them.

The word BLESSED can be hard to understand. I was an altar boy. I remember the Priest taking Holy Water and flicking it on people in the church – and they considered that a blessing. In the movie Rocky…right before his big fight, Rocky asks Father Carmine for a blessing. Father Carmine says a prayer in Italian and makes the sign of the cross. We say God Bless you when somebody sneezes. A biblical blessing means to speak life, give thanks, or ask for God’s favor over someone.

So, as Jesus was leaving, he wasn’t telling his disciples what a bunch of miserable sinners they were…He did not threaten to punish them if they did something wrong while he was gone. Before he ascended into Heaven, Jesus spoke well of his disciples, thanked them, and asked God’s favor upon them. He BLESSED them through ENCOURAGEMENT.  He spoke words of LIFE over them.  He did not point out all their flaws; he focused on using his words to cause their hearts to swell with joy…not just joy – GREAT JOY.

51  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52  So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.

The words Jesus said to them filled their hearts with GREAT JOY. He blessed them, and you can bless others, too. You can encourage others with words of life and hope. Your words can bless others. Rather than finding the flaws and pointing out the failures of people around you, use your words to bless them and point out their good.

I am reminded of the Seinfeld episode in which Frank Costanza creates a holiday called Festivus, and at the Festivus dinner, he goes around the table and tells everybody why he is sick of them! The sad truth is that while many people may not have a Festivus tradition like that, many choose to live every day like that. They use their words to criticize, tear down, and destroy others. But, WORDS of BLESSING can bring great JOY to others.

Don’t you feel good when others speak well of you? Don’t you feel good when somebody goes out of their way to say THANK YOU to you and appreciate and value you?   

So here is your challenge: find one person to bless with your words. Encourage them. Speak life. Show the change that Jesus has made in you.

Easter - The Resurrection

I have not always been a follower of Jesus. I grew up Catholic. I was an altar boy. I said the rosary. I knew the prayers. I believed in Jesus. But I was not a Christian. I believed in Jesus. But I was not following Him. I was eighteen in 1991 when I became a follower of Jesus.

And it may surprise you to know - after Jesus was brutally murdered on the cross and rose from the dead - His friends struggled to believe he was really alive.

Luke 24:1-12 (NLT2)

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2  They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3  So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4  As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5  The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7  that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8  Then they remembered that he had said this. 9  So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11  But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.

It makes sense to me that if anybody ever wanted Jesus to be alive, it would have been the men who followed him for three years of their lives. When somebody you love dies tragically and suddenly, you miss them and want them to be alive.

Jesus did not die of a long, drawn-out battle with cancer or disease.  One moment, Jesus was healthy and enjoying dinner with his closest friends; the next moment, he was arrested and murdered.

The disciples had seen him work miracles and change lives. They ate with him, learned from him, and saw the hope he brought to people. They wanted Jesus to be alive more than anybody.  And their initial response reminds us that when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus…

SOME WILL ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE

The disciple's first response was not “Jesus is alive!” Their first reaction was that they believed the women were nuts! Their story sounded like nonsense to them. They refused to believe Jesus was alive.

That may be where you are today. You believe Jesus existed. You believe he did good things. You believe that he was put to death by execution on the cross…But just like the disciples, you struggle to believe He rose from the dead.

Let me say this. I am glad you are here today.

You came because you love someone who kept inviting you to church. Maybe you said yes after being asked five or six times. Maybe it was your mom, your wife, or your friend. And you finally said, “Fine. I will go.” That says something about you. That says you care about them.  So, thanks for accepting their invitation.

Now, it is important to note that the disciples changed their minds. They went from refusing to believe to fully surrendering their lives to Him. How did they get there?

Well, in between verses 12 and 36, Jesus made a few special appearances. Jesus appeared to a couple of his disciples walking down a road and talked with them. Then he appeared to Peter. Then he appeared to his disciples, to show them the nails in his hands and feet.

And the disciples got together, and they were talking about it.

“Jesus appeared to me!” “Me too!”

“He showed us his hands and feet…”

“We had an entire conversation with him…”

And right in the middle of those conversations…

Luke 24:36-41A (NLT2)

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder…

This was a moment when the disciples could not believe their eyes. Jesus, who had suffered and died on the cross, was now standing in front of them. And they still stood there in disbelief. They looked Him in the eye. They saw the wounds in His hands and feet. But their minds could not accept what they were seeing. His body was supposed to be decomposing. Not standing. Not speaking. Not alive.

They wanted to believe he was alive, but they had watched him die.  Their resistance reinforces the suffering and brutality of the cross they witnessed. The fact of his suffering left no room for hope.

Before Jesus was arrested in the Garden, he had been pleading with God to find another way to bring forgiveness to mankind rather than face the brutality of the cross.

Luke 22:42 (NLT2)

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

We do not understand the phrase “cup of suffering” the way the Jewish people did back then. In the Old Testament “the cup” is often used as a metaphor for the wrath of God.

Isaiah 51:17 (NLT)

Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem! You have drunk the cup of the LORD’s fury. You have drunk the cup of terror, tipping out its last drops.

Jeremiah 25:15 (NLT)

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled to the brim with my anger, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it.

Habakkuk 2:16 (NLT)

But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the LORD’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.

Isaiah called it a cup of terror. Jeremiah called it a cup filled to the brim with God’s anger. Habakkuk called it a cup of the Lord’s Judgement. In the Garden, Jesus asked God to let the CUP OF SUFFERING PASS.

We have seen God’s wrath in other places in the Bible…In the flood that covered the earth. In the fire that fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. In the ten plagues that crushed Egypt.

But on the cross, God’s wrath over sin would fall on Jesus. That is what Jesus feared. That is what He faced. And the disciples saw every bit of it. They saw His back ripped open by the scourging. They heard His final breath. They watched Him die. And they knew, nobody could possibly be alive after that.

If you have heard the message that JESUS is ALIVE over and over again, yet walk away with doubt, understand so did the very same men that followed Jesus!

Jesus stood in the same room.  He looked these men eye to eye…yet they STILL had their doubts! They wanted to believe – but because of the punishment Jesus paid for our sin, they just couldn’t.

Is that you? Maybe you really would like to believe that Jesus is alive, but you have your doubts. If the disciples - who talked with Jesus face to face - struggled to believe, it makes sense that some still struggle today. But Jesus did not give up on the disciples. He kept showing up.

And then we read in verse 45 that everything began to change…

Luke 24:45 (NLT2)

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

JESUS STILL OPENS MINDS TO BELIEVE

So if you want to believe - ask Him. Right now. In your own words, say, “God, open my mind to understand Jesus.”

After Jesus opened their minds to understand, He taught them...

LUKE 24:46b-47 (NLT)

…it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

If you asked God to open up your mind, the first thing Jesus wants you to understand is WHY he suffered, why he died, and why he rose from the dead. Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead, for YOU to receive forgiveness for your sin, and repent.

1 Peter 3:18 (NLT2)

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

Jesus rose from the dead to bring you safely home to God.

Maybe today God has opened your mind to understand Jesus. Maybe something has clicked, and you understand why Jesus paid the price for your sin. In verse 47, Jesus said, “There is forgiveness of sin for all who repent.”

There is forgiveness of sin for all who repent. The word repent simply means, to change your direction.  It’s a U-turn. Repentance changes your direction.

REPENTANCE LAUNCHES A NEW LIFE

When Jesus opened their minds, the disciples chose to believe that Jesus was alive, that he had died for their sins, and they fully believed by surrendering their lives to him through repentance.

In order to be forgiven for your sins, you too must repent. In order to experience a brand new life, in order to start over, you must first repent.

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

“God,

I BELIEVE that Jesus paid my penalty for sin on the cross.

I BELIEVE he died and rose from the dead.

I BELIEVE he is now with you in Heaven, and one day he will return.

I CHANGE MY DIRECTION and SURRENDER my life to you to be my SAVIOR…

THANK YOU for forgiving me and changing my life.

AMEN.”

If God has been speaking to you today, apply it to your life, invite a friend, and I will see you back here next week. Let’s keep loving God with all our heart, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Easter - The Crucifixion

Next Sunday, we’ll celebrate the most significant event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, before we reach the empty tomb, we must sit at the foot of the cross. Because before Jesus rose, He bled. Before there was life, there was sacrifice.

Today, we’re walking through Luke 23:26–56, the crucifixion of Jesus. But this isn’t just a history lesson. This is the moment that changed eternity. This is the moment that changes you.

Luke 23:26–56

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[f]

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Jesus Took Our Place

Luke tells us that Jesus wasn’t crucified alone. Two criminals were led out with Him—men guilty of their crimes. But Jesus? He had done nothing wrong. And yet, He’s treated like the worst of them. He’s mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross like a criminal. And then, with blood dripping from His body and the weight of the world’s sin crushing His shoulders, Jesus says: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Church, that’s your Savior

Not crying out in rage. Not defending Himself. He’s asking God to forgive the very people killing Him. Why? Because this wasn’t just a tragedy—it was a divine exchange. Jesus took our place.

Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death,” and someone had to pay. That someone was Jesus. He took what we deserved so we could receive what He earned. Let that hit your heart today: Jesus died for you. He died instead of you.

Grace Is Offered to the Undeserving

As the cross stands tall, one of the criminals joins in the mocking. But the other criminal speaks up. He says, “We’re getting what we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he looks at Jesus—beaten, bloody, dying—and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

What does Jesus say? “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Are you kidding me? No good deeds. No baptism. No church attendance. Just a simple request: “Remember me.” And Jesus says, “I will. You’re coming with me.” That’s grace.

Grace doesn’t wait for you to clean yourself up. Grace meets you right where you are. Grace says, “You still belong.” And maybe some of you today feel like that criminal; you’ve made mistakes, you’ve messed up big time, and you wonder if it’s too late.

It’s not. If you still have breath in your lungs, you still have a chance to say yes to Jesus.

Darkness Fell So Light Could Shine

Luke says it was noon midday when darkness covered the land for three hours. Creation itself responded to the death of its Creator. Then, in verse 46, Jesus cries out, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.” And with that, He breathed His last. This wasn’t defeat.

Jesus didn’t get killed; He gave up His life. He chose this moment. He laid it down. And in doing so, He took on all the darkness of the world so you could walk in the light. The cross is not just about pain. It’s about purpose.

He was separated so you could be brought near. He was crushed so you could be healed. He was abandoned so you could be accepted. That’s the power of the cross.

The Cross Demands a Response

After Jesus dies, the Roman centurion, this hardened soldier who had likely witnessed countless crucifixions, praises God and says, “Surely this man was innocent.” Other people beat their chests and walked away in grief. Still others, like the women who had followed Jesus, stayed close.

Everyone saw the same cross, but not everyone responded the same way. And the same is true today. The cross demands a response. You can walk away from it and keep living like nothing’s changed…You can feel sad, feel convicted, and then go back to life as usual…Or you can fall to your knees and say, “Jesus, I believe. You died for me. I give you my life.” There is no neutral ground at the cross.

Let me ask you: What’s your response to the cross?

This is not just a story from 2,000 years ago, it’s your invitation today. To receive forgiveness. To find healing. To begin a life-changing relationship with the Savior who gave His life for you. Jesus took your place. He offers you grace. He carried your darkness. Now He asks for your response.

If today you want to say yes to Jesus…If you want to come back to the God who never gave up on you…If you’re ready to stop running, stop pretending, and just surrender…

Then pray this in your heart with me:

“Jesus, I believe You died for me. I believe You rose again. I give You my heart, my past, my future. I don’t want to live without You anymore. Today, I surrender. Be my Savior. Be my Lord. Amen.”

Next week, we celebrate the empty tomb. But today, we honor the cross, the place where death met its match. And where love paid the price for our freedom.

The cross changed everything. Let it change you.

Easter - Agony & Temptation

Last week, we concluded our Spiritual Warfare series by talking about the Valley of Darkness in Psalm 23.  And today, we are launching our four-week Easter series, and we will look at the temptation  Jesus faced in the Garden, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension into heaven.

If you have ever given into temptation – and afterward thought – how on earth did I end up here – today’s message will help you out.

In 4th grade, I was playing “Keep Away” on the playground. Keep Away was a little like Rugby and football. We had two teams, and each team would kick off to the other team, and the receiving team would try to run the ball all the way back down the field into the endzone.  We would pass it back and forth…but if you were tackled with the ball, it immediately became the other team's ball. I wasn’t wearing my glasses…so I couldn’t see the ball. The team kicked the ball off to us…I scooped up the ball and began to run like mad toward the end zone.  As the OTHER TEAM is chasing me down, one of my own teammates, Tammy, is behind me screaming, “Back Door!”  “Back Door!” I had no idea that she wanted me to throw the ball back to her. I thought she was yelling at me to go toward the back door of the school…So I aimed for the door and kept going. Suddenly, Tammy grabs the short hairs on the back of my head and jerks me to the ground. The ball fell…the other team picked it up and started making their way down the field. Tammy is standing over me, yelling, “I said, Back Door!”  I felt confused and disoriented.  I couldn’t believe one of my own teammates took me out.

For many, the feeling I felt lying there on the ground is the very same that many have when temptation overtakes them and they give into temptation and choose to sin rather than to obey God’s will. They think, I was running along so well, I can’t believe I did this….How did I wind up down here?

Luke 22:39-46 (NLT2)

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40  There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” 41  He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42  “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43  Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44  He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45  At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46  “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

There is a medical condition called Hematidrosis (He-muh-ta-drosis). You can look it up on WebMD. On rare occasions, if an individual goes through intense pressure and stress, they sometimes actually sweat blood through their skin. This wasn’t a pretty picture.  Jesus wasn’t saying a PROPER churchy prayer.  He was kneeling on the ground, groveling, begging, and pleading with God that he would not have to suffer. This was the JESUS – fully God and fully man, experiencing the fear of death, pain, and torture.

But it was not only the concern of physical pain and death that Jesus was experiencing that caused blood to seep out of the pores of his skin. Jesus told his disciples twice to pray… so that they would not “enter into” temptation. Have you ever wondered what temptation was that Jesus was so concerned about? It was not a temptation toward lust. The disciples were not lounging around the couch late at flipping through channels and seeing flesh on TV.  They weren’t browsing the internet. They weren’t rolling dice, playing cards, and gambling money at the local casino. They weren’t fighting with one another or stealing money. It wasn’t a temptation to gossip or slander others.

The temptation that Jesus cautioned his friends about was the very same temptation he was in agony over.  In the Garden…Jesus faced the temptation to do what HE wanted to do, rather than do what God wanted him to do. Jesus was being torn apart in agony because he wanted to be obedient to God – but he didn’t want to walk the talk. Jesus was in agony because he wanted to obey God, but he didn’t want to carry his cross. He wanted to obey God, but he didn’t want to be arrested, whipped, and tortured.  He wanted to free people from their sins, but he didn’t want to be crucified. That is why Jesus sweat blood. He was torn.

TEMPTATION IS STRONGER WHEN YOU ARE ALONE

All he asked of his friends was that they stay awake and pray.  This was a group of friends that he had “done life” with for the past three years. Jesus had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. He had blessed them with a ridiculous catch of fish that they could profit off of. He laughed with them, spent time with them, and invested in them even when nobody else would give them the time of day…He gave them hope. He showed them God’s love. And now, when Jesus wanted his friends to pray, they couldn’t even stay awake.

So, Jesus faced the worst time of his life, alone. Maybe you know what that is like. Maybe you know what it is like to face difficulties, changes, temptation, diagnoses, and fears all alone. Perhaps you do not have any friends who will gather around you and pray with you as you walk through struggles in this life. You don’t have too anymore.  I can not say this more plainly: Join a lifegroup!

Last fall, Kristy and I joined a life group.  And, we are growing to care for one another. We are growing to trust one another.  We are building friendships rooted in the Word of God, his love, and love for each other. If you are walking through life alone, you do not have to. Maybe you have joined a lifegroup in the past and it wasn’t a good fit. Try again. God has a circle of friends waiting for you.  They will help you turn and trust in God during seasons of challenge and change.  And, they will be able to stand with you when you face temptations of all kinds.

If you are a follower of Jesus…and you are serious about following Jesus, you understand that…

NO BELIEVER IS IMMUNE TO TEMPTATION

1 COR. 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man…

As a follower of Jesus, sometimes we convince ourselves that other believers have it together and WE are the only ones who struggle with sin. We know others struggle with the temptation to sin – but we sometimes convince ourselves that others don’t struggle like WE DO. We think, “They read their Bibles all the time; they don’t struggle like me…Something must be wrong with me…”

Every marriage is hard.  Parenting is hard. Finances are hard. Obedience to God is hard. Life is hard. And just like Jesus faced in the Garden, in the midst of the HARD, temptation OVERTAKES us all and we give into temptation and sin.

So where does that temptation come from? I am convinced that our MEMORIES can stir up a desire and temptation to sin. Think about it. Jesus was and always will be God. Jesus existed long before he became a human.  He knew what it was like to EXIST as LORD overall. Before he became a human, he could do all He wanted to do.

But when he became a human, he gave up his rights as God…and in the Garden…Jesus was tempted to TAKE UP his rights once again. His MEMORIES of his LIFE AS GOD stirred up this DESIRE he faced to take control of his own life and do what he wanted to do. And you and I need to understand that…with certainty:

PAST PLEASURES CAN REIGNITE PRESENT TEMPTATIONS
(JAMES 1:13-14)

Usually, we are only going to be tempted to do something that we like to do.  We are only going to be tempted to do something that we find pleasure in.

There are things that we like and things we do not like. For instance, chocolate. The only reason you find pleasure and enjoy eating chocolate is because you have tasted it before.

James 1:14 (NLT2)

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

A DESIRE to sin occurs only because we have experienced it or something similar to it before…and we liked it! Maybe the experience came through people, places, or your past. Maybe you remember how you used to live before you became a follower of Jesus. Memories of experiences that appealed to us in the past, can stir up temptation in our present and future. If we enjoyed it in the past, our flesh tells us we will enjoy it again.

This highlights the importance of guarding our families, ourselves, and our marriages today. We may have messed up in the past – but we know if we give into those pleasures in the future, it could damage those around us, and hinder our relationship with God. Parents, it is vital that you stand with your children to guard their eyes and hearts while they are young. Internet filters, cell phone apps, password codes for the tv channels…  If your child or teenager ever stumbles one time in this area – those lingering memories of what they saw will stay with them for a lifetime. So guard against creating new memories that could lead to temptations by gathering with friends and practicing prayer, because,

PRAYER + GODLY FRIENDS = POWER TO OVERCOME
(JAMES 4:6-8, HEB 2:18)

If you have been walking blindly into temptation after temptation…strengthen your prayer life. Begin to pray on a regular basis what Jesus prayed in the Garden – not my will, but your will be done. Ask God for his will to be done in your marriage, with your children, at your work…Ask God to help you be content and trust in His plan for you.

The brother of Jesus, writes in James 4:7:

James 4:7-8 (NLT2)

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

We see Jesus demonstrate this truth in the Garden.  He humbled himself before God. He bared his soul. He resisted temptation and God strengthened him. And Jesus will strengthen you today. Whatever you are facing. Whatever you are challenged with. If you surround yourself with friends. If you begin to pray like never before and humble yourself to God…Every temptation you face in life CAN be overcome.  You have Jesus on your side fighting for you…

Hebrews 2:18 (NLT)

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

And I thank God that He has not left us alone to walk in this world. He has given us friends, he promises to help us himself.

Warrior - The Dark Valley

Today, as we conclude Warrior, our sermon series on Spiritual Warfare, we are going to walk through one of the most recognized passages of scripture in the world.

For the last 11 weeks, we have been training for war. We have talked about armor. We have talked about standing firm. We have talked about casting out demons and fighting our battles in prayer. But today we are ending this series with the words of the greatest warrior in the Old Testament. A man who killed a giant, led armies, and lived through scandal, grief, and betrayal. The warrior is David.

Whether you are already a follower of Jesus or not, you most likely have heard the words written by David in Psalm 23 quoted in movies, funerals, or even pieces of it woven into popular songs.

Coolio’s “Gangsta Paradise” from 1995 even quotes the Psalm. But, rather than focusing on the peace that comes from following God, Coolio sings about the cycle of fear and hopelessness from street life and gang violence.  His “Valley of the Shadow of Death” are the streets he grew up in. His song struck a chord with the heart of the world.  So many people connected with the emptiness, hopelessness, and pattern of pain found in the lyrics.  Coolio even won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo in 1996 for his song.  And, unfortunately, we can all relate to the pattern and cycle of pain in life.  We go from one battle to another and often fight battles on many fronts.

Pain and suffering are inevitable in this world.  In one way or another, if you are a follower of Jesus, you will face battles that will leave scars. Some battles are demonic. Some battles are because of our own decisions. Some are fighting battles in their marriage, in their finances, with their children, with their health. Some are recovering from past battles with churches and are still overcoming church hurt.

But Psalm 23 is NOT a Psalm written for funerals or for the dead.  Psalm 23 is a daily battle plan for those who are alive. So today I want you to leave with Psalm 23 in your heart that you will carry forward in life as your daily plan for battle.

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT2)
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

To help understand the power of this Psalm, it is important to understand that at the time he wrote this Psalm, David was an older King of Israel and he was reflecting back on his life.

As a teenager, he fought lions and bears and killed them with his bare hands. He stood toe-to-toe with Goliath when trained soldiers cowered.

David had seen the battlefield. He had led men into war. He had lost people he loved. He had run for his life. He had slept in caves. He had been betrayed by friends and hunted by a king he once served. He led armies. He failed publicly. He buried children. He faced every type of battle possible, and as an older King, he writes this “Battle Plan” for other people who desired to be people after God’s own heart.

The first thing we need to remember about spiritual warfare and the battles that we face might sting a little bit.

FOR WARRIORS, THE DARK VALLEY IS THE RIGHT PATH

Through this Psalm, David is painting a picture of God as our caring Heavenly Father, leading us and guiding us.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT2)
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

As David looked back and reflected on his life, he remembered running from the wicked King Saul in the wilderness.  He thought of how God guided him through the wilderness.  How God guided every step, located every cave for David to find shelter, and led David to streams to quench his thirst, to lay down, and rest even though he was being hunted down. Then, David acknowledged something that all of us need to remember:

The same God that protected Him, renewed his strength, and quenched his thirst, also led him led him to the dark valley.   Because, as David already acknowledged, the Dark Valley is the right path.

Psalm 23:4 (NLT2)
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

God, who led David beside the right path in verse 3, is still leading David through the darkest valley in verse 4.  David said, “even when I walk through the darkest valley…you are close beside me.”

When we walk through dark valleys, as followers of Jesus, we often assume we have taken a wrong turn. We presume that pain equals punishment. We assume that struggle means something is broken. We assume we are being punished for sin. We whisper prayers like, “God I don’t know what I did, but please help me to learn from this.” But David says, “This valley of the shadow of death - it is a right path.”

If you are walking through the valley right now, it may not feel right. It may not look right. But if the Shepherd is leading you, it is right. You do not have to second-guess every hardship. You do not have to wonder if God left you behind. The Battle you are facing hurts.  But it is the right path.

How dare I say that to you?  How could I possibly suggest that the pain you experience in life is the right path for you?

Well, I was sexually abused by my alcoholic father until I was 13 years old.  He called me names, put me down, and terrified our home.  Kristy and I faced six years of infertility.  We had a miscarriage.  I have been betrayed by followers of Jesus.  I have experienced church hurt from trusted friends. I watch three of my children fight an autoimmune disease every day.  We face hardships that we whisper to God about. And, I can honestly tell you.  The Dark Valley is the Right Path.

We live in a broken world that has been impacted by sin.  And, sin broke the painless and perfect life that God planned for us. So, the Dark Valley is the right path…now.  And, as you fight battle after battle. As you fight health battles. Marriage Battles. Finance Battles. Dating Battles. Work Battles… In time, you will understand that…

SEASONED WARRIORS LEARN NOT TO FEAR

The reason David said, “I will not be afraid” is because David had learned that the Shepherd never abandons during the battle. He learned that God never retreats. God never waves a flag of surrender. God never ducks and runs when you have been cut deep in the battle. David had learned to expect God’s presence in the valley. He remembered what it felt like to walk out onto the battlefield with nothing but a sling and five stones and to feel the presence of God steady his hand.

He remembered being in the back of a cave while Saul was breathing down his neck to murder him, and knowing that it wasn’t just David and Saul in that dark cave – but God was there shielding him and protecting him.

He remembered the cry of heartbreak after the death of his newborn, and how he experienced the comfort of God holding him up. David was a seasoned warrior. Seasoned warriors do not learn to fear less because the battles get easier and are less painful. They learn to fear less because they experience God’s presence in the middle of pain.

And Kristy and I are learning that, too. Some battles we have experienced together really don’t feel right.

If you are in a valley today and fear is gripping you, please understand…You will not always feel like this. Fear will visit you and your household, but it does not get to move in with you. You may feel afraid, but you are not abandoned.

And that is why seasoned warriors learn not to fear—Not because we are strong, but because He is close. And, when you feel like you go from bad to worse.  When you go from one battle to the next…David did, too. And, even when David was going through a Valley of the Shadow of Death…Saul kept on chasing him to kill him!

We see in this Psalm that…

THE ENEMY IS RELENTLESS—BUT SO IS GOD

While David was in that Dark Valley – it wasn’t just he and God. His enemy was there, too.  In fact, many of his enemies were there.  Enemies who wanted to end his life and destroy him.  But look how God showed off!

Psalm 23:4-5 (NLT2)
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

In the presence of David’s enemies, look what God did. Right smack dab in the middle of the darkness, death, and fear.  God pulled out a picnic blanket, spread it on the ground, picked up his rod and staff, faced David’s enemies, and said:

“Sit down, David. You are safe. I’ve got this.”

Even while the battle rages, God is honoring you, anointing you, and blessing you. He does not get intimidated. He does not hide. God walks right into the presence of your enemies, looks them in the eye, and spreads out a feast for you. You may feel surrounded. You may feel like the battle is raging. You may feel like you are not winning. But God is honoring your faithfulness, even while the enemy watches. So, sit down. Stuff your face. And, surrender.

Surrender because…

SURRENDERING TO YOUR ALLY BRINGS REST FOR YOUR SOUL

Psalm 23:6 (NLT2)
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

David understood that God’s unfailing love would pursue him all the days of his life.  He didn’t live in fear that his enemies would continue to pursue him…He lived with confidence that God’s love would pursue him – through the battles, through the valley, through the fields of life. David had lived long enough to realize that real rest comes from surrendering to the One who is in control. And surrender is not weakness. Surrender is not giving up and throwing in the towel.  It actually requires a great deal of humility to surrender to God. Surrender is saying, “I cannot fight this battle in my own strength anymore. I am laying down my weapons and placing my trust in my Shepherd.”

So here we are at the end of our Warrior Series. Thirteen weeks of armor, strategy, truth, and battle. I hope you walk away from this series with the understanding that this life is not easy. But you are not powerless. And you were never meant to fight alone. Begin to live transparently with a sermon-based life group.  Battle for yourself with others. And invite others to battle for you. And, remember.  When you walk through the darkest valley…when you fight battles…He walks with you. He leads you. And He defends you. You never battle alone. You have a Savior. A Warrior King. A Shepherd.

So, you can keep trying to carry your own burdens. You can keep trying to win your own battles.

Or…

You can surrender to your Ally. And you can give your life to Jesus.

Romans 10:9 (NLT2)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

That is it. It is about surrender. It is about saying,

Jesus,

I am ready to surrender to you. Thank you for paying the price for my sin on the cross. I trust and believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross and rose from the dead. I believe you went up to Heaven, and one day you will return. And today, I surrender my life to you.

Amen.

Warrior - Faith-Shaking Battles

If you grew up in the ‘90s, you probably remember Church Lady from Saturday Night Live. Dana Carvey played this over-the-top, judgmental Christian woman who interviewed celebrities, politicians, and dictators like Saddam Hussein. And when she criticized them for wrong, then asked why they did it…she would squint her eyes, purse her lips, and ask in a high pitched voice “Could it be… Satan?” That phrase, along with “Well isn’t that special…” became one of the most iconic catchphrases on television at the time.

Honestly, we blame the Devil for a lot that goes wrong in our lives…If you are running late and hit every red light on the way to work? The devil is testing my patience. You forgot your anniversary, and your spouse is upset? The enemy is attacking my marriage. We often play the "The Devil Made Me Do It" card.

We all know, that not every battle we face is caused by the devil.

Mark 9:14-29 (NLT2)
14  When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15  When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16  “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. 17  One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18  And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” 19  Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20  So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21  “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22  The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23  “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24  The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” 25  When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” 26  Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27  But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. 28  Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” 29  Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

Jesus addresses two battles in this story: the demon and the lack of faith.

NOT ALL BATTLES ARE CAUSED BY THE DEVIL

Notice what happens. The father assumes this is a demonic issue, and the disciples assume they have the power to fix it. But Jesus doesn’t rush to conclusions—He asks questions.

And alternatively, sometimes, we assume a battle is purely spiritual when, in reality, it’s something else entirely. Think about how often we do this in our own lives. Something goes wrong, and we immediately assume that the devil is attacking us.

If your marriage is struggling, it must be spiritual warfare.
If your finances are a mess, the enemy must be stealing your blessing.
If you feel exhausted, the devil must be trying to wear you down.

But, what if your marriage is struggling because you stopped making time for each other?
What if your finances are a mess because you spend more than you earn?
What if you are exhausted because you don’t have healthy boundaries?

Yes, Satan attacks. But sometimes, the battle we are in is the result of life in a fallen world.

James 1:14-15 (NLT2)
14  Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

James does not say, “Satan drags us away.” He says our own desires drag us away. This means the battle we are fighting isn’t always demonic—it’s often a battle against our own flesh. Sometimes, the real enemy isn’t the devil—it’s our own decisions. Sometimes, what we call a “spiritual battle” is just reaping what we’ve sown.

Now, look what Jesus addressed initially.  First, he focuses on the people’s faith.

Mark 9:19 (NLT2)
19  Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

Can you hear the frustration in his voice? Jesus was frustrated with the people because the demon wasn’t their biggest issue.  They were sitting around arguing because their biggest issue was their imperfect faith.

When Jesus asked the dad about his boy’s condition, the father told him exactly what was going on, then said:

Mark 9:22c (NLT2)…Have mercy on us and help us, if you can…

IMPERFECT FAITH CAN GROW

The father in this story had faith. He wouldn’t have brought his son to Jesus if he didn’t believe something could happen. He had hope. He had seen or heard enough about Jesus to believe a miracle was possible.  But, he had his doubts. And, it is important that we all understand that Faith is almost always mixed with some level of doubt.  We do not have perfect faith, we have imperfect faith.  And the good news is that imperfect faith can grow…and imperfect faith can still see a miracle happen.

We see in verse 24 that this father had faith, but it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t unwavering. It was faith that struggled. Faith mixed with doubt. Faith that said, “I believe, but I still have questions.” Jesus didn’t rebuke him. Jesus didn’t tell him to come back when his faith was stronger. Jesus didn’t say, “You need 100% certainty before I will work in your life.” Jesus didn’t demand perfect faith before He healed his son and worked a miracle.

Some people think they need a flawless, doubt-free faith before they can trust God. They believe that if they have even the smallest amount of uncertainty, God won’t move in their lives. But that is not how faith works. Faith is about trusting God even when you don’t. Trusting God even when I don’t… what? Even when I don’t see results? Even when I don’t feel it? Even when I don’t understand?

Yes. All of the above.

Faith isn’t about having everything figured out. It is about trusting God when you don’t have all the answers. When you don’t know how He is going to work things out. When you don’t see the progress. When you don’t feel strong. When you don’t understand why things are happening the way they are.

Jesus took the imperfect faith the man had and brought a miracle anyway. Faith is trusting God even when you don’t have all the answers, don’t see how things will change, and even when you don’t feel strong. God isn’t waiting for you to have perfect faith. Just bring what you have. If you feel like your faith is weak, bring what you have to Jesus. Because faith, even when mixed with doubt, is still faith. And God can grow it.

Now, as we see in this story, faith doesn’t always lead to instant answers. Sometimes, it actually feels like things are getting worse before they get better.

BATTLES CAN FEEL WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER

That is exactly what happened. When Jesus commanded the demon to leave, the boy didn’t immediately sit up, healed and whole.

Mark 9:26 (NLT2)
26  Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.”

Imagine being that father. At that moment between faith and waiting – he thought his son had died. The boy isn’t moving. He isn’t speaking. He looks dead. The crowd murmurs, people whisper, and the father is standing there. He brought his son to Jesus to heal him, Jesus took action, and now his son is dead.

Have you ever been there? You trust God with a situation, and for a moment, it looks like it got worse instead of better. You pray for healing, but the symptoms intensify. You trust God with your finances, but an unexpected bill comes. You step into a new occupation, and get hit with unexpected obstacles.

We assume that if God is in it, things should immediately get better. We assume that the presence of struggle means the absence of God. BUT, if we stop trusting God in that moment, you might walk away before you see the miracle.

The boy looked dead. The crowd thought it was over. But Jesus wasn’t finished.

Mark 9:27 (NLT2)
27  But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

One touch from Jesus, and the battle that looked like a loss, became a victory.

What if you are in that moment right now? What if things are feeling worse because the enemy wants you to give up before you see what God is about to do? Maybe today, your faith is being tested. I know for some of you the battle has been long, and you feel like things are getting worse instead of better. Do not walk away before a miracle happens.

Hold onto your imperfect faith. Keep praying. Keep trusting.

PRAYER ACTUALLY WORKS

When Jesus is finally alone with His disciples, they ask the question that has been bothering them…

Mark 9:28b (NLT2) 28  Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?

Jesus points them to something they had neglected.

Prayer.

He says:

Mark 9:29 (NLT2) 29  Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

This means the disciples had been trying to cast out the demon without praying. Think about that for a moment. They had done this before, so they thought they knew what to do. They had experience. They had seen results. They likely thought, “We’ve got this. We don’t need Jesus. But their past success made them overconfident in themselves. And Jesus calls them out for it.

This wasn’t about using the right words. It wasn’t about trying harder. It wasn’t about saying the name of Jesus louder. This was about dependence on God.

How many times do we make the same mistake? We try to fix the situation on our own before we ever take it to God. We step into the battle in our own strength and wonder why we are exhausted. We treat prayer like an emergency button instead of our first move.

Jesus reminds us today, some battles will never be won without prayer. Not because prayer is a ritual. Not because prayer is magic. But because prayer keeps us dependent on God.

When we pray, we are acknowledging, “God, I cannot do this without You.” When we pray, we are shifting the battle from our strength to His.

PRAYER ACTUALLY WORKS!

Maybe today, you feel like the disciples—you have tried everything, but you keep hitting a wall. Maybe you are in a battle, and nothing seems to be working. Maybe you have been relying on your own strength, your own wisdom, your own ability—and you are exhausted.

It is time to stop fighting in your own strength. It is time to stop trying to handle it on your own. It is time to pray. Because prayer actually works. So, I invite you to come forward to pray.  To cast all your anxiety, all your fears to God, because He cares for you. To Pour out your heart to God because he is a refuge for you.

Warrior - known in heaven, feared in hell

Have you ever noticed how unoriginal Hollywood is when it comes to movies about demons and the devil?

It is almost always the same formula:

• The room gets cold.

• Lights flicker.

• The priest walks in, armed with a crucifix and a bottle of holy water.

• Some Latin chanting starts.

• A creepy child voice says something backwards.

And then they expect you to believe that waving a cross, lighting candles, and reciting a Rosary sends the demon packing. It's funny that movie writers all think that demons are scared of a King James Bible or a silver cross. Hopefully, you now understand that Spiritual Warfare is real, and our enemy does not care about props.

Spiritual power does not come from rituals…power comes from relationship. And if you do not have a real relationship with Jesus, you can say all the right words and still get wrecked. That is exactly what happens in Acts 19, where seven guys thought they could fake their Armor and ended up running through the streets naked.

Acts 19:11-20 (NLT2)

11  God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12  When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. 13  A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14  Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15  But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16  Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. 17  The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18  Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19  A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20  So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

We have all heard the expression, “Fake it until you make it.” And in some areas of life, that might work. You can fake confidence in a job interview. You can fake knowing the lyrics to a song. You can even fake liking your mother-in-law’s green bean casserole. But there’s one thing we think we can fake, but can’t.  “Wearing the full armor of God.”

The Seven Son’s of Sceva thought they could fake the power of God. These men had been watching Paul. They had watched him cast out demons. They saw how crowds reacted as people were being healed. And at some point, they may have thought: What an amazing way to make a little money!  Let’s just say the name of Jesus, and the demons will leave! And people will give us their money to be healed. So, they begin working the name of Jesus into their incantation. Maybe they came up with a rhyme, maybe they patterned it after a children’s Jewish song, but they created an incantation and they used the name of Jesus.

Now, initially when they recited this incantation, they must have had some “actors” playing the part of people who were demon-possessed – but then they encountered the real deal.  They encountered a man who was possessed by the devil, and this is where the wheels fell off their wagon. They say: "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!"

They said the right name.  They used the name of Jesus.  But they were overpowered, beat up, and embarrassed in the village because they did not understand something that many of us often forget:

AUTHORITY COMES FROM WHOSE FAMILY YOU BELONG TO
(Acts 19:15, Luke 10:19, Romans 8:15-17)

Authority over evil is not about saying a prayer correctly, or having the right attitude.  Spiritual warfare is not wrestling against an equal and opposite force. Jesus has already won the war. The enemy tries to deceive, discourage, and destroy, but in Christ, we are standing in victory (Colossians 2:15). Authority over evil comes from belonging to the family of God through a relationship with Jesus. The demon said,

Acts 19:15b (NLT2) … ‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?’”

These men may have been known in the community, but they were not known in the spiritual world, because they did not belong to the Family of God. They were invoking the name of Jesus without having a relationship with Jesus. They knew about Jesus, but they did not know Jesus. The sons of Sceva tried to use the name of Jesus like a formula. They thought if they just said the words, the power would show up. But spiritual authority does not come from magic words. It comes from being part of the family of God.

In the Gospel of Luke, (Luke 10:19) Jesus gave authority to his disciples to work miracles in his name, then he sent them out and they brought the life-changing message of Jesus to people who were broken, hurting, and needed a miracle. But, Jesus did not give authority to random people passing by, he gave authority to his disciples, people who surrendered their lives to Him. The enemy does not just recognize the name of Jesus, the enemy recognizes those who belong to Jesus. That is why Paul had authority. Paul belonged to Jesus. Paul was known in heaven. Paul was known in hell. The seven sons of Sceva? The demon said, “Who are you?” Authority does not come from what you say. It comes from whose you are.

Maybe your marriage is struggling. Maybe your kids are hurting. Maybe you are facing addiction, bad habits, or the weight of your past. So you turn to religion. You ask others to pray. You try to clean up your life. You go to church. You learn the right phrases. You memorize a verse or two. But spiritual battles are not won by showing up at church or repeating Christian words.

They are won by belonging to Jesus.

So, the question is not "Are you religious?” The real question is "Are you His?"

Romans 8:15-17 (NLT2)

15  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16  For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

When you gave your life to Jesus, you were adopted into His family. You carry His name. You stand in His authority. You rely on His power. That means when you do step into a spiritual battle, you do not stand there in your own strength, you fight that battle under the banner of the name of JESUS. The devil does not fear people who attend church. The devil and his demons fear the children of God who walk in the authority of Jesus. The sons of Sceva got beat up and humiliated because they were spiritually powerless.

RELIGIOUS WORDS DON’T DEFEAT SATAN, OBEDIENCE DOES
(Acts 19:13, Acts 19:14-16, Matt. 7:21-23)

Paul wasn’t chasing status. He wasn’t trying to build a brand or make a name for himself. His only goal was to make Jesus known.

Today, some people try to commercialize faith—selling prayer cloths, miracle water, or anointing oil as if God’s power could be bought instead of received through faith. Some have motives that try to make financial profit off the name of Jesus.

But that wasn’t Paul’s attitude.Paul simply wanted to live in obedience, follow the one who paid the price for his sins on the cross, and tell other people about him. When he wrote to the Corinthian church he said,

2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT2)

5  You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.

And, Paul could have attempted to make his ministry about him.  At the beginning of this passage we see that God chose to use Paul in unusual ways:

Acts 19:11-12 (NLT2)
11  God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12  When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

How crazy is this?  When you see televangelists on TV asking you to send them money and they will send a prayer cloth to you to heal you or others of their disease, it is an attempt to claim the authority that God gave to Paul. Paul could have created a dynamic ministry all about him. Like a barker at a Carnival, he could have pitched a large tent, charged admission, and made money. “Bring your sick. Bring your diseases. He will heal them all…” But, Paul kept his ministry focused only on Jesus.  That’s why the devil knew who Paul was. Paul lived unselfishly with a ministry that was never about him.  He lived in humble obedience to make everything about Jesus. And, because of his OBEDIENCE, the devil knew who Paul was.

Wouldn’t you love to live in such a way that hell takes notice when you wake up in the morning Because of your obedience. Because of your relationship with God. Because of your faith? When you wake up each day, the powers of hell say, “Oh crap.” Not because of how loud you pray. Not because of how many Bible verses you can quote. Not because of religious words. But because you belong to the King. You are growing in your relationship with Him, and you strive to live for Him every single day.

So, if you want to live victoriously, you can’t borrow someone else’s relationship with Jesus. You need your own faith. You need your own relationship. You need to wear your own ARMOR.

DON’T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR ARMOR
(Ephesians 6:11, Acts 19:16)

The sons of Sceva went into battle unprepared, and they got wrecked. They tried to take on a demon, and it stripped them, beat them, and sent them running for their lives. They weren’t just overpowered. They were humiliated. And that’s what happens when you step into a battle without the armor of God.

If you enter into a marriage without the armor of God, you are vulnerable to bitterness, resentment, and temptation. If you go to work every day without the armor of God, you are wide open to pride, greed, and compromise. If you parent without the armor of God, you may find yourself reacting in frustration instead of leading with wisdom. You cannot go up against the enemy unarmed. You need your armor.

Maybe you are thinking, "Wait a second. The Seven Sons of Sceva weren’t followers of Jesus. That’s why they were defeated.” That’s true. But just because you belong to Jesus does not mean you are automatically prepared for battle. Even as followers of Jesus, if we live like disobedient followers of Jesus, we will be defeated, too. That is why Paul tells us to put on all of our Armor!

Ephesians 6:11 (NLT2)
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

The Seven Sons of Sceva only had an incantation. They threw the name of Jesus into their man-made formula and expected power. And if we are honest, we do the same thing. We sprinkle a little Jesus into our dating relationships but ignore purity. We sprinkle a little Jesus into our finances but refuse to trust Him with our giving. We sprinkle a little Jesus into our parenting but do not model real faith at home. We rub Jesus like a lucky charm instead of wearing the full armor of God, holding up our shield of Faith, and moving forward into the battle. Too many followers of Jesus are not putting on the armor, we are just quoting the name.

If you have been trying to fight spiritual battles in your own strength, without the armor of God, you already know how that ends. You feel exhausted. Defeated. Discouraged. But it does not have to be that way. Today is the day to make a change. Put on the armor. Walk in His strength. And stand firm.

Warrior - Firepower

Last weekend I was in Washington DC to ask lawmakers to fast-track cell therapies proven effective in other countries against Type One Diabetes. I shared with them the stories of my three warrior daughters who battle against T1D every minute.  Before insurance, the cost of insulin, and their supplies is over $24,000 for a three-month supply.  So, I also asked them to help get the cost of prescription drugs lower. I hate saying these words, but I am going to say them:

Without insulin, my children will die.

And, without Prayer, followers of Jesus grow cold and ineffective. We can wear all the armor, hold the sword, and carry the shield, but if we do not pray — we are just standing there waiting to get hit. And for many, they believe in Jesus. They try to do what is right. But they do not pray. And prayer is where the firepower is.

Paul wraps up his teaching on the armor of God with a command to pray.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT2)

 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT IS OUR AMMUNITION
(1 John 5:14-15, Rom 8:26-27)

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:18, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” This phrase "praying in the Spirit" has been widely misunderstood.  Some believe it refers to praying in tongues, while others think it means praying with strong emotion. However, if we look closely at the Greek text and the context of Ephesians 6, we see a clearer meaning.

The phrase “in the Spirit” comes from the Greek words which means to be under the direction or influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul is not introducing a separate kind of prayer but rather describing how we are to pray, prayer that is Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-aligned. This fits within the larger context of Ephesians 6.  In the previous verse, Paul calls the Bible “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). The Spirit operates through the Word of God, which means praying in the Spirit is prayer that aligns with God’s Word, and God’s will.

I want to be clear: When I say prayer is our ammunition, I do not mean that prayer is just about firing back at the enemy, or we pray just to attack.  Prayer is not a weapon we launch, prayer is how we stay connected to the One who holds all power. Prayer is not just ammunition, prayer is how we stay supplied, how we communicate with our Heavenly Commander, and how we remain alert on the battlefield.

The Apostle John explains this in 1 John.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT2)

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

He will give us what we ask, if what we ask for aligns with his perfect will. Praying in the Spirit means praying according to God's will—not just listing our own desires, but seeking His purposes. The Holy Spirit will not lead us to pray selfishly, but always according to God’s will. Prayer is powerful because it aligns us with what God has already promised, and that is why prayer is our firepower in Spiritual warfare.

When the enemy tempts us with fear, we fire back with prayer. When the enemy whispers lies, we fire back with truth-filled prayer. When the enemy attacks those we love, we fire back with intercession. And when we do not even know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

Romans 8:26-27 (NLT2)

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

The phrase “helps us in our weakness” comes from the Greek and it means to take hold of something together with someone else, to assist by sharing the burden. This means the Holy Spirit does not pray instead of us, He prays with us. He strengthens our prayers when we are weak, and aligns our prayers with God’s purposes.

This is crucial in spiritual warfare because the enemy works through lies, fear, and confusion. Without Spirit-led prayer, we may end up praying in the flesh, reacting emotionally instead of seeking God’s will. A Christian who does not pray in the Spirit is like a soldier carrying a weapon but never loading it. Prayer is how we advance. It is how we stand firm. So let me ask you…are you praying in the Spirit? Are you praying with an open Bible, allowing God’s Word to shape your prayers? Are you relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers instead of just praying what you want? Are you engaging in spiritual warfare through persistent, Spirit-led intercession?

If we want to walk in victory, we must be people of prayer.

PRAYER STRIKES THE ENEMY BEFORE HE STRIKES YOU
(2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

Most people wait until the attack comes before they start praying. When life falls apart—then they pray. When the doctor gives bad news—then they pray. When their marriage is in trouble—then they pray. Prayer was never meant to be a last resort, it was meant to be your first strike.

Too many followers of Jesus are fighting defensive battles when they should be fighting offensive battles. We get comfortable in our relationship with Jesus and fall out of the routine of having a daily prayer time, and open up the door for the enemy to attack. But consistent daily prayer is how we go on the attack before the enemy even has a chance to strike.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NLT2)

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4  We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

Did you catch that? We do not fight with human weapons. We do not battle in the way the world battles. We do not rely on strength, strategy, or willpower.

But let me be honest with you…I struggle with this. I have taken so many personality tests over the years, and do you know what they all say about me? Joe is a problem solver. Joe is a strategist. Joe is an activator. Joe gets things done.

I am wired to see the problem, analyze the situation, and execute a solution—fast. That is how God designed me. I can walk into a room, spot what is broken, and immediately start thinking of how to fix it. I understand that this is a gift.  Not a lot of people are wired this way.

And here is where giftedness gets in the way. Because I am so wired to solve problems, my first instinct is to “fix” not “pray.” I think I can move mountains through my own wisdom. I think I can figure it out on my own. I think I can strategize my way through anything.

But if I am not careful, I can remain stuck in “Joe Fix-It” mode and fail to be dependent on the Spirit of the Living God. That is why “Praying in the Spirit” is so important. When I rely on my problem-solving ability without prayer, I fight battles in my own strength. But when I pray in the Spirit, I am fighting with the power of God.

If you want to solve the problems in your life, pray. If you want to fix the problems you are facing in life, pray. If you want to overcome the attacks of the Devil, pray. And, your prayer will tear down the strongholds of the devil.

A stronghold could be anything that has a grip on your life. A stronghold could be any lie that the enemy has convinced you is true. A stronghold could be any sin, addiction, fear, or shame that keeps you from walking in victory. And Paul says when we pray, we knock them down.  So, go on the offense and prevent those strongholds from ever developing in the first place.

Prayer does not remove every battle, but it gives you the power to overcome. When you pray in advance, you are ready before the attack comes. When you pray consistently, you are not caught off guard by the enemy. When you pray without ceasing, you are not waiting for an emergency to seek God.

So, pray for your marriage before it starts falling apart. Pray over your children before they wander away. Pray for our church before problems ever arise. Pray for the city of Myrtle Beach before the enemy takes more ground.

PRAYER KEEPS US LOCKED IN FORMATION
WE STAND STRONG TOGETHER
(James 5:16)

None of us are in this battle alone. If you are a follower of Jesus, you belong to the most supplied army in history. There is nothing our Father does not own. There is no resource He cannot supply. There is no battle too great for Him.

But the enemy loves isolation. If he can separate you from other believers, he can weaken you. And one of the most effective ways he does this is through unconfessed sin. Some sins you may confess easily. But there are other sins—the ones that have taken root, the ones that have become strongholds—that feel impossible to talk about.

Strongholds do not just happen overnight. They start as a temptation, a struggle, a moment of compromise. Then, before you realize it, they become chains. You feel stuck. You feel powerless. And over time, you start to believe the lie that this is just who you are. That change is not possible. That freedom is out of reach. And if that stronghold remains, you will never be free.

But James 5:16 tells us how to destroy strongholds at their foundation.

James 5:16 (NLT2)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Confession is your path to freedom and victory in spiritual warfare. The enemy wants you to believe that if people knew the real you, they would reject you. That if you were honest about your struggles, you would be alone. That if you admitted your weakness, people would think less of you. But the moment you drag that sin into the light of confession, you win because strongholds cannot survive in transparency.

At Beach Church, we believe God desires us to be real, open, and honest about who we are and allow others to do the same. That is why Transparent Living is one of our guiding values. Transparent Living does not mean calling out people’s sin. Transparent Living means creating a culture where confession leads to healing, not shame. When we pray, we tear down strongholds together. When we pray for each other, we stand in formation. We carry one another’s burdens.

The enemy wants you isolated. Prayer locks you into formation with others. The enemy wants you ashamed. Confession sets you free. So let’s be a people that confesses, prays, and stands strong together.

Warrior - Praying for Your Pastor and Church Leadership

In this impactful message, Guest Pastor Kevin Thompson emphasizes the importance of praying for your pastor and church leadership. He shares biblical insights on how prayer strengthens church leaders, supports their mission, and fosters a healthier church community. Be encouraged to lift up your leaders in prayer and be part of God’s work in your church!

Warrior - Battle Ready

We are in week eight of our Warrior: Spiritual Warfare series, and today, we are talking about the Helmet and the Sword. I don’t have any experience wielding a sword, but I once had a beautiful pocket knife. A Case XX, with a wooden handle and pearl swirl. It was so sharp I could cut the hair off my arm… I showed it off every chance I got.  And one day in 9th grade, I showed it to the wrong person. Shawn—the biggest, meanest guy in school. Shawn was six-foot-four, nearly three hundred pounds, and at the time, I weighed about 120 pounds soaking wet. I showed him my knife, and he took it. Put it in his pocket and walked away. And there was nothing I could do about it! Just like that, my knife was gone.

One year later, during history class, he turned around and teased me by showing me my own knife! He had the knife opened, I reached for it, and as I pulled it back, I sliced his thumb from the center tip down to the knuckle.  The side of his thumb flopped like a piece of bacon. Shawn did.not.even.flinch. He turned to face the front of the class, tore off the tail of his shirt, wrapped it around his bleeding thumb, and looked back at me.

Without a word, I gave my knife back to him.

He left class, went to the office, then drove to a small clinic near the school. Two hours later, the intercom buzzed, and the office asked me to come to the office. The clinic that Shawn drove to had called the school and relayed that Shawn had left the clinic and he said he was coming back to the school to kill me. The office staff barricaded me in a small room, pushed a desk up against the door, and the reception lady and I waited for his return. Even though there was a desk and a door, I felt defenseless, helpless, and vulnerable.

Many of us know what it feels like to feel vulnerable to something bigger and stronger than we are. And sometimes, when we talk about Spiritual Warfare, followers of Jesus feel vulnerable and exposed to the strategies of the devil.  We live in fear, waiting for the next shoe to drop, rather than living with a sense of purpose and mission. That is why we have spent so much time on this passage from Ephesians.

If you are a follower of Jesus, you cannot afford to feel vulnerable, because you certainly are not unarmed. As followers of Jesus, we never know when the enemy is going to attack, so we must always be ready for the battle.   Once again, let’s read how God has equipped us to be engaged in spiritual battles.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT2)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

A soldier can survive wounds to other parts of the body, but if the head is struck, the battle is over. The helmet protected the head, the place where decisions were made, where strategies were formed, and where every command was processed. A soldier without a helmet was a soldier vulnerable to instant defeat. Paul chose this imagery intentionally…because…

SALVATION TRANSFORMS AND PROTECTS YOUR MIND
(Romans 12:2, Isaiah 26:3)

The primary battleground for followers of Jesus is the mind. If the devil can strike a fatal wound to your thoughts…if he can shape how you see yourself…if he can shape how you see God…if he can shape how you think God works…Then, he has already won the battle.

In other words, if you see yourself as “worthless,” you will never be engaged in a spiritual battle worthy of putting on the spiritual armor.  A person who believes he is already defeated will not even attempt to go into battle – because he believes he will be defeated. But if you are a follower of Jesus, and you understand you are a co-heir with Christ. If you understand, you belong to God’s family. If you understand the Spirit of God lives in you…And you understand that the Devil has been stripped of his power, and all he has left is his bag of lies…then there is nothing on this planet that can prevent you from living a victorious life through Jesus Christ.

When we become a follower of Jesus, we are born again and given a new way of thinking, a new perspective, a new identity. That is why Paul calls salvation a helmet—because it protects the way we think, the way we make decisions, and the way we respond to attacks. The devil knows that if he can influence your thoughts, he can control your life. His fiery arrows—distraction, deception, and fear—are aimed at your mind. That is why his first attack is always against your thoughts. If he can make you doubt God's Word, question God's goodness, or believe lies about yourself, he does not even have to fight you—he can make you fight yourself.

Romans 12:2 (NLT2)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

When you trust Christ as your Savior, you are given the ability to see life through the lens of truth instead of lies, faith instead of fear, and clarity instead of confusion. A mind transformed by salvation is not shaken by fear, not controlled by doubt, not consumed by distraction. It is secure. So the question is, are you wearing your helmet? Are you allowing salvation to shape your thinking, or are you letting the enemy have free access to your mind?  Are you going into battle with your mind protected, or are you leaving your mind exposed to the devil's attacks?

And, we protect our mind with our Shield of Faith (God is who he says he is, and He will do what he says He will do) and with the one weapon he provides, the Sword of the Word of God.

And, it is important to understand that…

THE WORD OF GOD IS A WEAPON, NOT A DECORATION, DESIGNED TO CUT YOU
(Hebrews 4:12)

For many, the Bible is just a religious decoration.  It sits on a shelf, untouched. It’s displayed on a coffee table, collecting dust. Some people even carry it under their arm every Sunday, but never actually open it. They treat it like a lucky charm, as if having a Bible in their home brings some kind of spiritual protection.

Yet, Paul calls the Bible a sword—not a relic, not a decoration, not a sentimental keepsake. A sword is a tool, meant for battle, and meant to inflict harm. But, what makes this sword unique—what makes it unlike any other weapon—is that it is not a weapon to use against someone else. It is a weapon God uses against me. Listen to how the author of Hebrews describes the Word of God:

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT2)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

God’s Word cuts through me before it can ever cut through anything else. It exposes my heart. It reveals my sin. It convicts me long before I can even think about using it against someone else. The danger is that many followers of Jesus want to swing the sword at others while never allowing it to cut them first. They want to use the Bible to judge other people’s sin but ignore their own. They want to quote scripture to condemn someone else’s choices but refuse to let it challenge their own heart. They want to wield the Bible as a weapon against the world while avoiding the way it cuts them open and exposes their own brokenness.

That is not how this weapon works.

Jesus did not give us His Word so that we could win arguments. He gave us His Word so that we could die to ourselves.  He gave us the Word, to cut us deep and to go to battle against the sinful person we used to be.

1 John 2:16 (NKJV)

For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

God isn’t as concerned about other people.  He is concerned about your personal relationship with God and how you represent him to the broken world around us. He is concerned about your desires, your lusts, your cravings, your pride, your heart more than he is with those around you. If every follower of Jesus were convinced of this perspective, we would see radical change and transformation happening across the planet.

The role of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction to the world. The role of the Word of God is to bring conviction to me. It is not your job to walk around pointing out the sins of unbelievers.

The Bible is a weapon, but it is not a weapon for me to attack others with. It is a weapon that keeps me humble. It is a weapon that keeps me repentant. It is a weapon that keeps me following Jesus. It is our job to make sure we each are reading the Word, applying the Word, and allowing it to shape us into the image of Jesus. To whittle us into the shape of Jesus with the purpose to love God with all our hearts, and love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED, WE STAY FOCUSED ON THE MISSION
(Romans 10:14-15, Acts 1:8)

If God has transformed us—if we are wearing the helmet of salvation and his Word is cutting us and whittling us into the image of Jesus – then – the mission of Jesus becomes our mission too. The moment we surrender our life to Jesus, we are drafted into His Army, and we are sent out on His mission.  The same grace that saved us now sends us to save others.

When Paul was writing to the Roman church about inviting other people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus, he asked this about those who had not yet surrendered:

Romans 10:14-15 (NLT2)

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Once again, look down at your feet!  You are wearing Shoes of Peace, to move forward, crush the enemy, and to bring the hope of Jesus to other people. This is not someone else’s job. This is our mission. God did not save us so that we could keep this good news to ourselves. He saved us, changed us, and equipped us so that we could bring the message of salvation to the people around us. And, the MOST effective way you can bring the good news of Jesus is to invite people you interact with to worship with you at church.

The enemy will try to convince you that inviting people to church does not matter, that it is not your responsibility and that someone else will do it. Don’t listen to his lies! The Lord has equipped you to advance into enemy territory and take back the territory that the enemy has stolen.  You have the armor of God on the outside, and you have the Spirit of God on the inside.

When Jesus left his mission in the hands of his followers, he said:

Acts 1:8 (NLT2)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to advance His mission. And as a church, we are stepping into a brand-new season of reaching people.

On Easter weekend, we are launching Saturday Night Worship. We are creating another opportunity for people to hear about Jesus. We need to invite people to experience the life-changing love of Jesus on Saturday nights.

So today, we are providing you with invite cards: On one side, they invite people to our Easter Services. On the other side, they invite people to our brand-new Saturday Night Worship Experience. So, take a bundle. Pass them out. Be intentional. Hand one to your server at lunch. Give one to a coworker. Leave one at the gym. Share one with a neighbor.

Do not assume that someone else will do it. Do not let the enemy distract you from this mission. If we believe Jesus changes lives, then we should be doing everything we can to bring people into a culture where they can experience Him. There are people in our city—your friends, your family, your coworkers—who are one invitation away from meeting Jesus.

So let’s stay focused. Let’s advance the mission. Let’s invite, let’s share, let’s be followers of Jesus who lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.

Warrior - Shield of Faith

WARRIOR WEEK 7

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

EPHESIANS 6:16

February 16, 2025

Today, we are in the sixth sermon of our Warrior Series, focusing on Spiritual Warfare from Ephesians 6.  If you have missed any of the sermons, I encourage you to go back and watch the sermons you may have missed.

For the last couple of months, Naomi, Jessie and I have been playing Fortnite. Fortnite is an online game of battle where you fight other people from around the world on a Battle Island. Games have changed since the days of Super Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt! On this Battle Island, there are Treasure Chests filled with all types of weapons, ammunition, and shields.

I love the shields.  When the game begins, the first thing I do is load up on weapons and shields – because I am not very skilled at the guns – and when I start to battle others – I need to be protected by the shield to help me last longer and ultimately win. If you are a follower of Jesus, whether you see it or not, you have a shield, and your shield is made up of a substance called Faith.

Let’s read about that shield in Ephesians 6.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT2)

10  A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

As a follower of Jesus, our shield of faith is supposed to stop the fiery arrows of the devil – so why do we sometimes get burned?  Why do we get hurt?  If we have a shield of faith – why do we have so many wounds and scars from past battles? I am not trying to victim shame or blame, but I think the main reason so many followers of Jesus get wounded and carry scars is because we often get in front of our shield.

So – the first point I want to make today is…

FAITH IS A SHIELD WE MUST STAY BEHIND
(Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Proverbs 3:5-6)

First, let me define faith in a practical way: The internal conviction that God, as revealed through the Bible, is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do.

Faith is more than a feeling, a hunch, or a guess. Faith is a deep conviction rooted in the confidence of the character of God. Faith doesn’t begin with my thoughts, my feelings, or my ideas. Faith is generated from the character of God.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT2)

For we live by believing and not by seeing.

That means we do not go through life making decisions based on what we feel, what we see, or what we understand. We make decisions based on our confidence in the character of God.

Battle wounds and hurts usually come when I begin making decisions on what I feel or see. I get hit by the fiery arrows of the devil when I start trusting my own wisdom instead of God’s character.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT2)

5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

We get hit by the fiery arrows of the devil when we make decisions and live depending on our own understanding, not God’s character. When you make decisions about dating, marriage, retirement, children, parenting…When you make big decisions or small choices…without faith rooted in the character of God, you are tossing your shield of faith to the side and saying, “I can do this on my own.”  It’s like saying, “Shields? We don’t need no stinkin’ shields!”  If you desire to repel the fiery arrows of the Devil – you must stay behind your shield.

So, how can you tell when you have placed your shield to the side and run on ahead of God? You know. Trust me.  You know. So many people in this room and watching online have been wounded and scarred by the fiery arrows of the devil.

THE FIERY ARROWS ARE DISTRACTION, DECEPTION, AND FEAR
(Luke 10:40-42, 2 Tim 1:7)

One of the ironies of spiritual warfare is that as followers of Jesus, we are battling the devil, who does not have any real power. The devil is a liar, a thief, and a deceiver. He has no real power—only strategies to make you believe he does. He is defeated—but if he can distract you, deceive you, or paralyze you with fear, he can make you live like you are defeated..

See, when Jesus paid the price for our sin on the cross, he stripped the devil of his power.

Colossians 2:15 (NLT2)

15  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Jesus disarmed the devil and his demons.  Jesus took away the Devil's power – that is why he shoots the arrows of distraction, deception, and fear; that is all he can do! He has the appearance of power because he is a LIAR and wants you to be intimidated and live powerlessly.

Answer these questions about the Devil…
Did he create the universe? No!
Is He the author of Life? No!
Does he hold the universe in his hands? No!
Did he form you in your mother’s womb? No!
Did he know every one of your days before they ever happened? No!

The Devil’s strategies of distraction, deception, and fear only give him the appearance of power.

Distraction is one of the enemy’s most effective weapons because it does not look dangerous—it just looks like life. If you are stretched too thin to serve other people selflessly, you have an arrow of distraction sticking out of your head.  The devil will keep you scrolling, keep you chasing, keep you grinding—as long as it keeps you from getting into the presence of Jesus and loving your neighbor as yourself.

The second fiery arrow is deception.  Speaking of the devil, Jesus said he was "the father of lies."

John 8:44b (NLT2)

44  …He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Lying is the devil’s native language. He lies to you about who you are. He lies to you about who God is. He lies to you about what will bring you happiness, peace, and purpose.If we are not careful, his lies and deception can creep into our minds and hearts.

You walk through a trying season and think things like…
Maybe God is not really with me.
Maybe God does not really care about my problems.
Maybe this one sin is not that big of a deal.
Maybe I am always going to struggle with this, so why fight it?

If the arrow of distraction does not work…If the arrow of deception does not work…Then, maybe the arrow of fear will. Fear will paralyze you. It will make you hesitate when God tells you to move. It will make you question what you know to be true. It will make you assume the worst about others. When we are paralyzed by fear, our problems always loom larger than what they actually are. We “hold our spiritual breath,” waiting for the next disaster to happen. Rather than living by faith, we live in fear, waiting for the next shoe to drop. The devil uses fear to stop you from moving forward into what God has called you to.

And quietly, because of fear, you may wind up saying things to yourself like…
I am alone.
Nobody else understands.
I am not strong enough.
I am too broken for God to heal.
I am too weak.
I am too far gone.

And if you wrestle with these fiery arrows, as I talked about last week, look down at your feet.  God has given you shoes of peace to wear to keep you moving forward.

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT2)

15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

The shoes that the Roman Soldiers wore had cleats that curved forward so soldiers could always get a grip when they were moving forward.  The cleats were useless if they were moving backward…Our shield of faith…our deep conviction in the character of God…repels every fiery arrow from the

FAITH CRUSHES EVERY ATTACK OF THE ENEMY
(Romans 16:19-20)

Now remember FAITH is our conviction that God is who He says He is, and He will do what He says he will do. Well, if you are a follower of Jesus, take a look at what God says he will do.

Romans 16:19b-20a (NLT2)

…I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet…

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. God does the crushing, but it happens under your feet. God does the crushing, but it happens under your Shoes of Peace! That means you are not paralyzed by fear, you are moving forward. Satan wants you to drop your shield, lower your guard, and believe his lies. Satan wants you to think you are weak, outnumbered, and defeated. Satan wants you to see the battle and forget the victory. But he is already defeated. He has already been disarmed.

All he has left are lies, distractions, and fear to try and keep you down. And for too long, followers of Jesus have let him get away with it. For too long, we have let distractions pull us off course. For too long, we have listened to his lies. For too long, we have let fear hold us back.

But because we believe God is who he says he is, and He will do what he says He will do – The distractions, the deception, and the fear stops today. It stops right here. Right now. I want you to picture that lying, conniving, deceptive devil on the floor in front of you. I want you to think about all the years you have allowed that no-good liar to speak into your life.

Think about the damage he has done.
Think about the hurt he has caused in your family.
Think about the distance he has tried to create between you and Jesus.

And now, think about all those lies he has whispered to you:
You are worthless.
You will never get it together.
You are a failure and always will be.
God could never really love someone like you.
You are stuck.
You will never change.

TODAY, the arrows of distraction, deception, and fear lose their power and get crushed. By faith, let’s believe that “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” That devil that is on the floor in front of you needs a good crushing, doesn’t he?

By faith, I want you to claim the promise of Romans 16:20 and crush every lie, fear, and doubt under your feet.
Crush that devil under your feet!
Crush every time you almost walked away from God.
Crush every time you wondered if God still saw you.
Crush every time you wondered if your prayers even mattered.
Crush for every moment you felt abandoned and alone.
Crush for every time the enemy made you believe you had no future.

Crush, Crush, Crush, because God will do what he says he will do and God says he will crush the devil under your feet.

FAITH CRUSHES EVERY ATTACK OF THE ENEMY

Starting TODAY—crush distraction.
Starting TODAY—crush lies.
Starting TODAY— move forward and stay behind your shield of faith.

And, as we walk by faith, the powerless defeated devil will move out of our way and flee.

Warrior - Shoes of Peace

Today, we are in the 6th Sermon of our Warrior Series, focusing on Spiritual Warfare from Ephesians 6.  If you have missed any of the sermons, I encourage you to go back and watch the sermons you may have missed.

When I was a child, I loved getting a new pair of shoes. Because the bones in my legs were turning, I walked on the inside of my shoes and wore out the inside soles faster than the outside – and it always felt like I ran a little awkwardly. But when I would put on a new pair of shoes – I felt a spring in my step, a cushion when I walked – and it felt like I could run ten times faster than I could in my old shoes. I would take off running outside, and stare down at my new shoes running so fast to make them blur. I felt like I could run faster, jump farther, and change direction more easily.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT2)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Like many kids back in the Seventies and Eighties, I had one pair of shoes at a time for my growing feet.  It didn’t matter what I was doing or where I was going; I had one pair of shoes to do it in. I wore the same shoes with dress pants, shorts, jeans, playing kickball, fishing, hunting, to go to school, and for PE.

My dad was an abusive alcoholic, we lived off of food stamps,  we had a family with 6 children, and shoes were expensive.  So, when the treads on the shoes started flapping before my feet grew out of the shoes, my mom would take my shoes to the little country shoe store, and Ms. Dill would hot glue the treads of my shoe together. The only time we got new shoes is when our feet had grown so much that our toes poked out.

As the Apostle Paul describes the shoes that Warriors are supposed to wear, it is important to understand first that…

THE SHOES HAVE BEEN PAID FOR, BUT YOU MUST PUT THEM ON. (Rom. 5:8, Eph. 2:8-10, Rom. 10:9)

The shoes you see on my feet right now are not the only shoes I have on.  I actually have two pairs of shoes on my feet.  These worn-out, $30 Under Armor running shoes are worn in, comfortable, and I have had them for at least five years. But the other pair of shoes, are shoes of Peace.  They were given to me when I surrendered my life to Jesus and received Christ as my Savior.

I have been wearing these shoes of peace since 1991 when I was saved, born again, forgiven for my sin, and made new. You can’t see them – but I wear them every single day. You can’t buy these shoes. You can’t tithe for these shoes. You can’t earn these shoes by doing good works. The only way to put on these shoes is by repenting of your sin, and surrendering your life to Jesus, and by receiving Him as your Savior.

Earlier in the book of Ephesians Paul said…

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT2)

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

You and I cannot earn forgiveness for our sin. We can’t love other people enough to be forgiven for our sin. We can’t distribute enough food to hungry people to be forgiven for our sin. We can’t give enough money to pay off our mortgage enough to be forgiven for our sin. We can’t care enough for people in the Western Carolinas. There is NOT one thing you and I can do to earn forgiveness for our sin from God. All we can do is accept forgiveness, we cannot earn it.

God loves us, and he has forgiven our sin, because Jesus has already paid the price for our sin and given forgiveness to us.

Romans 5:8 (NLT2)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

You can’t put on the Armor of God unless you first invite Jesus to be your Lord.   You can’t be a Warrior for God, if you aren’t a soldier of God. And you can’t be a soldier, unless you are part of God’s family. The Bible is very clear on how a person can receive forgiveness for their sin and become a follower of Jesus:

Romans 10:9 (NLT2)

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

So – confess. Confess that you are a sinner. Confess you can’t earn forgiveness. Confess Jesus is LORD. Repent of your sin. Receive Jesus as your Savior. You can do this right now:

God, I confess I am a sinner, and I can’t earn forgiveness for my sin. But I understand I can be forgiven for my sin, if I repent and turn toward you. So, I do. I repent and confess that Jesus paid the price for my sin on the cross – and I receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

I am so glad that YOU chose to put on the Shoes of Peace. So, when I was younger I had one pair of shoes for all occasions - but now that I'm older, I have boots, tennis shoes, golf shoes, black dress shoes, brown dress shoes, Jordans, Adidas, and Chuck Taylor’s. I have specific shoes, for specific events.  And, if you are a woman, you have shoes to match every shade of color in the world. If you are going to spend all day shopping, you will want to wear comfortable shoes. If you are going to spend the day playing golf, you will wear shoes for the greens. If you are going to be dressed up in a suit, you will most likely wear dress shoes. We all have felt the pain in our feet at the end of the day, and we wish we had put on different shoes that morning.

In order for you and I to stand firm in spiritual warfare, we are told to wear specific items for war. In this passage, we are told to wear:

The Belt of Truth

The Body Armor of God’s Righteousness

The Shield of Faith

The Helmet of Salvation

The Sword of the Spirit.

The belt, armor, shield, helmet, sword…these all support this idea that we are entering a conflict, a battle, and a war. The first five pieces of armor make sense in battle, but the sixth—"Shoes of Peace"—stands out as unusual…

If we are in a war, why would we put on shoes of peace?  Shouldn’t we put on COMBAT BOOTS?  Why would we put on shoes of peace? Why is that? It’s because…

PEACE MOVES US FORWARD IN MISSION

We read through this passage and think – I am ready to FIGHT!  We get inspired to FIGHT the enemy, put on the armor, and use the weapons…The mission for the Warrior is not COMBAT! The Mission is not to fight. The Mission is determined by the type of shoes that God has placed on our feet.  He didn’t put Combat boots on us because our purpose is not to be combative. Our mission in Spiritual Warfare is to bring PEACE.

Now, some followers of Jesus are mistaken and think they are supposed to be combative and confrontational with others. But they are wrong. Followers of Jesus wear Shoes of Peace because our mission is not just to fight battles and engage in warfare but to bring the peace of Jesus into enemy-occupied territory. We are not fighting to prove we are right. We are not fighting for a victory. We are moving forward in our mission because we are compelled to bring PEACE.

When you became a follower of Jesus, you became a Warrior assigned to bring peace to the world around you. Paul ties this mission of peace into our salvation in 2 Corinthians 5.

RESURRECTION POWER SENDS US TO BRING PEACE TO OTHERS. (2 Cor. 5:17-20)

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT2)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him.  This means, the whole purpose of spiritual warfare is to spread the life-changing message of Jesus to the world around us.  He wants us to be known as Peace bringers, not fighters.  He has equipped us with the Shoes of Peace that come from the Gospel because he wants you, engaged in spiritual warfare, to bring the life-changing message of Jesus to others. You and I have been set free from sin, so that we can help set others free from sin too. And because we wear Shoes of Peace, that is why we are launching a new Saturday night service in April.

We are not launching this service because we need another option for people who already go to church. We are launching this service because there are people in this city who need Jesus, but Sunday morning is not an option for them. There are workers in the hospitality industry, restaurant servers, grocery store clerks, hotel staff, and emergency responders who cannot be here on a Sunday morning. There are young families juggling sports, school, and weekend shifts, and they need a place where they can encounter Jesus without the weight of their schedules keeping them away.

There are thousands of people in Myrtle Beach who are completely disconnected from church, not because they do not want to come, but because no one has invited them into a time that works for them. Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”

The harvest is not the problem. The lost are everywhere. The problem is whether we will show up and do something about it. And let me be really clear: this is not just another service—this is a mission. This is a beachhead in enemy territory. This is an opportunity to take back ground the enemy has claimed.

And now, I am asking you—will you step up? Will you get in the fight? Because,we cannot do this  without you.

If you serve on a team, I am asking you to consider shifting to Saturday night for six months to help us build momentum. If you are not serving anywhere yet, this is your moment to jump in.

We need kids team members to pour into children who will walk through our doors for the first time. We need First Impression teams to welcome every person. We need prayer team who will cover this service and every person in it. We need worship team members, tech teams, production teams, life group leaders, and people willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. And we need people who are willing to personally invite the lost, the disconnected, and the searching to come and experience the peace that only Jesus can bring.

There are people in this city who need to hear the Gospel—but will they?There are people in this city whose lives could change forever—but will they? That depends on us.

We wear Shoes of Peace, and that means we do not sit back and hope people find their way here on their own. We go. We serve. We invite. We make it impossible for them to miss it.

Will you step forward? Will you be part of this? Will you help carry the Gospel into enemy-occupied territory? Because this is what spiritual warfare looks like - not just standing your ground, but taking ground back. You have been set free, so you can help set others free.

Let’s do this together.

Warrior - Belt of truth

Warrior - Stand Your Ground

A few years after I became a follower of Jesus, I began dating a young woman who was also a follower of Jesus, very active in her church, and a student at a local Bible College in Ohio. We met at a Christian coffee house through mutual friends. I was flattered that she demonstrated interest in me, so we went on a few dates. I ended the relationship with her quickly after I understood a bit more about her view of God’s grace and mercy regarding physical intimacy between a man and a woman.

Shortly after I became a follower of Jesus, I attended a “True Love Waits” weekend with our student ministry. I made a commitment to keep myself pure until marriage so that I could give myself to my wife and my wife alone. I had already messed up once in this area, and I committed to the Lord I would not fall in this area again.

Would you like to know the reason I ended the relationship with this woman who was a follower of Jesus, active in her church, a student at a Bible college, and who actually thought I was attractive? Granted, it wasn’t a long relationship, but would you like to know why I ended the relationship? When we were alone together, she pressured me to sleep with her. I told her about my commitment to abstain until marriage. I explained to her that I believe “True Love Waits” and that it would be a sin if we slept together before marriage. The line she said to me that caused me to end the dating relationship was something like: “God has already forgiven us for all of our sins at the cross, so it is okay if we are sexually active. God has forgiven us.” Shortly after that, I ended it.

What she said was true: God has indeed forgiven us for all of our sins—past, present, and future. That’s true. But that doesn’t mean she was correct.

And that leads us to our sermon today, “Stand Your Ground” from Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10-14 (NLT2)

10  A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

Regarding spiritual warfare, one of the strategies that the devil and his demons employ is to deceive through false teaching, false teachers, and false shepherds. His strategy is to create deceptive teaching that appeals to our flesh and looks like the truth. The old expression shared for hundreds of years is true:

THE DEVIL PUTS A QUESTION MARK WHERE GOD PUTS A PERIOD.
(Matt 4:3)

Satan, false teachers, false teaching, and false shepherds design lies to have the appearance of the truth. After all, if lies looked and sounded like lies, nobody would believe them. But to deceive and attack the people of God, deception must appeal to our sinful nature and have the ring of truth to it. To be honest, there was part of me that wanted to put a question mark where God put a period.

The young woman I had been dating was attending a Bible College, and one of her Bible teachers actually taught the principle that since God has already forgiven us for all of our sins, we may as well enjoy what sin has to offer. I know because she placed me on a phone call with him, and we had a very long discussion. He tried to present it as right, but I knew, based on my relationship with Jesus, it was wrong.

He quoted scripture like:

Romans 8:1 (NLT2)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:20 (NLT2)

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

Galatians 5:1 (NLT2)

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Every verse he shared with me was accurate, but it was out of context. What about in context? Well, I told him flat out he was wrong. Then I started flipping through my Bible and quoted these scriptures to him:

Romans 6:1-2 (NLT2)

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2  Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

1 Peter 2:11 (NKJV)

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

He couldn’t believe that I, an untrained new believer, was repelling his false teaching by standing firm in the truth. He continued to attempt to make me question the truth of God’s Word. He wanted me to begin placing question marks where God had already placed periods. Finally, I ended the conversation with one final scripture:

Galatians 5:13 (NLT2)

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Look, there are no loopholes when it comes to following God in obedience. You can bet as a young 20-year-old man, I wanted physical intimacy with a woman, but I knew that God planned for physical intimacy to happen inside the boundary of marriage. That situation I faced as a young believer helped me realize the incredible power of knowing and applying God’s Word. I realized this simple truth that has become one of our guiding values today:

WHEN WE APPLY GOD’S WORD TO OUR LIVES, WE REPEL ATTACKS
(2 Tim. 3:16)

When we apply the Word of God to our lives, we repel attacks of the enemy.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, it was instruction on how to teach others, but also instruction on how to live. If you want to live your life in a way that repels the enemy’s attacks, you must know how to apply God’s Word to your life. It is one thing to know what the Bible teaches about some things. The woman and the man who challenged me to question God’s Word knew a lot of scripture and Bible passages that could cause me to question God’s Word. And the very first thing that happens when you begin to question God’s Word is that you stop applying His Word to your life. Then you become a target for the evil one to attack, discourage, and destroy. Applying God’s Word to our personal battles, struggles, and relationships is the only absolute way to repel the attacks of the evil one.

When Jesus was tempted in the desert by the Devil in Matthew 4, He quoted scripture and spoke of the scripture as application. Since God’s Word says this, then I will live this way. Although the Devil misused and twisted the meaning of scripture that he threw at Jesus, Jesus understood the heart of God’s Word, its meaning, and precisely how to apply it to His life. All scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

When you apply God’s Word to your life, you demonstrate that Jesus is the LORD of your life. When you do this consistently, you repel the attacks of the Devil.

When you live your life consistently in this manner, you discover that…

LIVING IN THE TRUTH MAKES YOU BRAVE
(Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10)

Living in the truth doesn’t just help us stand our ground and stand firm in the midst of a spiritual battle. Living in the truth makes us brave and gives us courage we never imagined we could experience.

Let’s take a look at two passages that teach this.

First, let’s look at something God said to Joshua.

Joshua 1:9 (NLT2)

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Now, let’s understand the context: Joshua had just taken over the leadership of Israel after Moses. He was tasked with leading God’s people into the Promised Land, a land full of enemies, battles, and unknown challenges. God wasn’t telling Joshua to muster up his own strength or bravery. He was telling Joshua that as he moved forward in obedience and lived in the truth, “I will be with you. My power and My presence will go before you.”

That kind of bravery is what you and I will experience when we live in the truth and follow God in obedience. Not bravery because of who we are, but because of who God is.

When Kristy and I accepted God’s call on our lives in December of 2022 for me to serve the Lord as the Lead Pastor of Beach Church, I did not want to be here! The church faced division in 2021, and tackling the challenges was far too much for me to handle. But I knew that if I stayed out of God’s way and let Him work, God would work great miracles… and He has.

Now, I no longer feel that way about Beach Church. I am grateful to be a part of the movement of God that we have seen. And maybe there are roles and things that God is calling you to do right now that are frightening and scary for you. Like Joshua, when we stand in the truth and live in obedience to God, we will not be alone. God is with you.

Memorize the promise of God from Isaiah 41:10:

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT2)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

This is a direct promise from God. You will find bravery because of three things. God says:

“I am with you.” That means you will never face any situation alone.
“I will strengthen you and help you.” When you feel weak, overwhelmed, or out of options, God steps in with His strength.
“I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” The “right hand” in biblical times symbolized strength, power, and authority. Kings and rulers often held scepters or made decrees with their right hand.

So, when God says, “I will hold you up with My right hand,” He is telling us that He is using His full strength and authority to sustain us. The word “victorious” is key!

God has already won every battle. He doesn’t operate from a place of uncertainty or defeat. He is not wringing His hands and worried about your future. God is holding us in the same hand of power that parted the Red Sea, defeated death on the cross, and raised Jesus from the grave. We are secure in His strength, sustained by His authority, and protected by His victory. Even when we feel weak, discouraged, or overwhelmed, if we walk in obedience, God holds us steady, and He will not let us fall.

OBEDIENT LIVING MAKES US BRAVE!

Whatever you are facing today, you can trust that His mighty right hand is holding you up. You are not alone, and you will not be defeated. Living in the truth makes us brave because we stand in God’s strength, not ours. His presence gives us confidence, His power gives us strength, and His promises give us peace.

So let me ask you: what are you afraid of today? What battle are you facing? Maybe it’s a temptation, a relationship, or a fear about the future. Whatever it is, God is with you.

He hasn’t left you.

He hasn’t forgotten you.

Stand in His truth and live with courage.

Warrior - Demons & Jesus

As a child, I was afraid of the dark many times. It wasn’t a common thing. It wasn’t an everyday thing. But at night sometimes, my imagination would wander, and fear would override my common sense.

We slept on a school bus, and at night, the faces of Freddy Kruger. Jason Vorhees. Mike Myers…and Norman Bates…would float out of the shadows and shapes at night, and sometimes, the darkness would paralyze me to the point I barely breathed.  I believed that they were going to leap out at me and kill me.

Today, this sermon may begin a bit unsettling for some of us.  The truth is, If we could tear a hole in the air around us, we might see the "dark world" where evil operates and reigns. We are continuing in our sermon series called WARRIOR from Ephesians 6.  And today, we will focus on an unseen “dark world” just beyond the tip of our five senses that impacts the world around us.

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT2)

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

In this one verse, we learn that there is an unseen world, a dark world, where evil rulers, evil spirits, and mighty powers reign. We don’t talk about this world much. We don’t talk about demonic influence much. We kind of stuff it down and hide the idea of demonic spirits as things of myth…And, when we observe things like human trafficking, abusive powers, child slavery, and hate, we tend to blame the evil of people rather than looking into the world we cannot see for the bigger picture.

We hold people accountable without trying to understand the larger picture of spiritual warfare and how the unseen world around us impacts our present reality. To understand how this dark world operates and the authority Jesus has over it, let’s look at one of the most dramatic encounters in the Bible.

Luke 8:27 (NLT2)

As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.

Mark 5:5 (NLT2)

Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

Luke 8:28-35 (NLT2)

As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29  For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. 30  Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31  The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32  There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33  Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. 34  When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35  People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.

We clearly see the impact of the demonic power of the dark world through this encounter.

Demons are not something to play around with.  Ouija Boards, Seances, and Fortune Tellers seem to communicate that demonic activity is innocent. But the Bible teaches us that…

DEMONS ARE DESTRUCTIVE AND TROUBLING

These DEMONS brought destruction and loss to this man’s life.

Because of the Demons:

• He was naked, homeless, and lived in a cemetery. (v. 27)

• He howled and cut himself with sharp rocks. (Mark 5:5)

• People didn’t know what to do with him so they CHAINED and SHACKLED him to the rocks (v. 29)

This man was tormented and bound, and his life was a mess. And he was possessed by hundreds, maybe thousands of demons.

So, can a follower of Jesus be Demon-possessed? No. I don’t believe so. Once a person has become a follower of Jesus, once they have surrendered their life to Jesus, received Jesus as their savior, and have committed their lives to Him, they have been made NEW. They have been born AGAIN, and the Holy Spirit is living in them. So, I do not believe that a follower of Jesus can become DEMON possessed because the Holy Spirit of God already possesses them.

But, I do believe that…

DEMONS CAN INFLUENCE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

I believe that a follower of Jesus can begin to believe the lies of the devil and live as confused and feel as isolated and powerless as this man. In verse 30, Jesus asked the man a very simple question.

“What is your name?” This man had lived under the influence of the devil for so long that he could not answer the question correctly. His name was NOT Legion. His real name was a good Jewish name.  Thomas, Matthew, Peter, or John…  He had lived under the influence of Demons for so long, he forgot his identity.

As a follower of Jesus, you cannot be demon-possessed, but you CAN BELIEVE LIES that prevent you from living a Spirit-Filled, resurrection power life. You may be a believer in lies, discouragement, harsh words, and whispers of hopelessness that have been spoken into your thoughts. You may have allowed demonic lies about your identity to steal away your love for the Lord, your joy for life, and your faith in God.

Maybe like this man… You are overcome by evil in this world. Maybe you are overwhelmed with an addiction to anxiety. Maybe your relationship with your spouse is crumbling, and you feel like you will never experience a HEALTHY relationship with them. Maybe you have a hidden addiction to drugs…an addiction to alcohol…or hopelessness. Like this man, perhaps you feel like you have been cowering and hiding in the darkness for so long that you have forgotten who you really are and who you belong to. And like this man, you too can be set free from your past, forgiven for your sin, and experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus. And, there are beings from the unseen world that are very interested in seeing humans set free from sin. There are beings in the unseen world that will celebrate and worship God as you step out of the darkness.

When you step out of darkness into the light of Jesus, not only does heaven rejoice, but God has also provided supernatural helpers to care for you—His angels.

God has provided Angels to help us that most of us take for granted and never mention. In the unseen world…

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF ANGELS

I don’t have all the answers when it comes to ANGELS, but just as demons are real, ANGELS are real as well. Angels are referenced roughly 300 times throughout the Bible. They appear in both the Old and New Testaments as messengers of God, warriors, and servants of His will. And, there are millions of them.

Revelation 5:11 (NLT2)

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.

There are thousands and millions of Angels. So, if we were to tear a hole in the air around us, not only would we see demons – we would see Angels, too. And, all those millions of Angels have a pretty incredible responsibility… If you are a follower of Jesus…

GOD SENDS ANGELS TO CARE FOR YOU

While demons aim to destroy, God has sent His angels to protect, guide, and minister to us. This means you are never alone in the battle, no matter how dark it feels.

Hebrews 1:14 (NLT2)

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Psalm 91:11-12 (NLT2)

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12  They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

In this unseen world, while demons are fighting to destroy, angels are actively fighting for God’s purposes and protecting His people. This means that even when you can’t see it, God is working for you. His angels are actively involved in protecting you, guiding you, and fighting for you in the unseen battle.

While most of us, myself included, may never have seen an angel or had an encounter with an angel, that doesn’t mean angels aren’t at work. The Bible shows us that God’s angels are constantly working in a world we cannot see.

So, when you face challenges or feel overwhelmed, remember that God has not left you alone. His angels are guarding you, and He is working for your good in every situation. Trust Him.

And, if you feel overwhelmed today – let me end with a Biblical understanding that no matter what you are in bondage to…

JESUS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SET YOU FREE

Throughout the Gospels, JESUS demonstrates AUTHORITY…

Over nature: by calming the storm, walking on water, and multiplying food.

Over death: by raising the dead and conquering sin through His resurrection.

Over spiritual forces: by casting out demons and defeating the evil one through the cross.

Over creation itself: by ascending into heaven and demonstrating power over the laws of physics.

He demonstrates AUTHORITY over sin by paying the penalty for sin through his death and rising from the dead. THERE IS NOTHING THAT MY JESUS CANNOT DO!

Jesus is standing at the edge of your darkness today, and he is calling your name. So, step out of the shadows of shame and darkness.  And begin to live how this man did.

Jesus cast the demon out of the man, people who witnessed it ran to the town and told everybody and when they all came running back, the man was clothed, sitting calmly and in his right mind. He wanted to follow Jesus at this point, but Jesus would not let him.

Luke 8:38-39 (NLT2)

The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39  “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

He told everybody about what Jesus had done for him. So, go and do the same.