Awakening Faith: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

In Matthew 17, we encounter a profound lesson about faith, prayer, and the spiritual battles we face. The story of the disciples' inability to cast out a demon from a boy serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual realities that surround us. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith, emphasizing that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. This passage challenges us to examine our own faith and the spiritual potency of our churches today.

The disciples were given authority by Jesus to cast out demons, yet they failed in this instance. This failure was not due to a lack of authority but a lack of faith and spiritual preparation. Jesus highlights the necessity of prayer and fasting as means to cultivate the kind of faith that can overcome even the most entrenched spiritual forces. This is a call to recognize the spiritual warfare we are engaged in and the need for earnest prayer and fasting to equip us for the battle.

As we look at the state of the church and the world today, we must ask ourselves if we are truly impacting the world as we should. Are we content with the status quo, or do we recognize the signs of the times and the spiritual challenges we face? The church is called to be a mountain-moving force, yet often we find ourselves powerless and ineffective. This is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber, to recognize the spiritual forces at work, and to engage in the battle with the weapons of prayer and fasting.

The signs of the times are all around us, and we must be like the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do. We must discern the spiritual climate and respond with faith and action. The enemy is real, and the battle is fierce, but we are not without hope. Jesus assures us that with faith, nothing is impossible. Let us rise to the challenge, seek God earnestly, and become the powerful, effective church that God has called us to be.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith and Spiritual Authority: The disciples' failure to cast out the demon was not due to a lack of authority but a lack of faith. Jesus emphasizes that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, challenging us to examine the strength and depth of our own faith. [03:42]
• 2. The Role of Prayer and Fasting: Jesus highlights the necessity of prayer and fasting as means to cultivate the kind of faith that can overcome entrenched spiritual forces. This is a call to recognize the spiritual warfare we are engaged in and the need for earnest prayer and fasting to equip us for the battle. [05:07]
• 3. Recognizing the Signs of the Times: We must be like the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do. The signs of the times are all around us, and we must discern the spiritual climate and respond with faith and action. [22:29]
• 4. Spiritual Warfare and the Church's Role: The church is called to be a mountain-moving force, yet often we find ourselves powerless and ineffective. We must awaken from spiritual slumber, recognize the spiritual forces at work, and engage in the battle with the weapons of prayer and fasting. [32:13]
• 5. The Enemy's Strategy and Our Response: The enemy is real, and the battle is fierce, but we are not without hope. Jesus assures us that with faith, nothing is impossible. Let us rise to the challenge, seek God earnestly, and become the powerful, effective church that God has called us to be. [46:21]
  ** [46:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - Introduction to the Sermon
• [01:00] - Discontent with the Status Quo
• [02:11] - The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Boy
• [03:27] - The Disciples' Question
• [04:32] - Faith Like a Mustard Seed
• [05:07] - Prayer and Fasting
• [07:01] - The Disciples' Task and Authority
• [08:24] - The Enemy We Face
• [10:33] - The Disciples' Failure
• [13:10] - Jesus' Rebuke and Our Condition
• [15:10] - The Disciples' Potential
• [19:09] - Recognizing Our Spiritual Condition
• [22:29] - Interpreting the Signs of the Times
• [32:13] - Our Duty in the Present Crisis
• [46:21] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

1. What was the disciples' task as given by Jesus, and why were they unable to fulfill it in this instance? ([07:01])
2. How does Jesus describe the generation in response to the disciples' failure, and what does this imply about their spiritual condition? ([12:00])
3. What specific instructions does Jesus give regarding the kind of faith needed to move mountains? ([03:42])
4. According to the sermon, what are the signs of the times that believers need to recognize today? ([22:29])

1. How does the sermon interpret the disciples' failure to cast out the demon, and what does it suggest about the role of faith in spiritual authority? ([08:11])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer and fasting are essential for overcoming entrenched spiritual forces? ([05:07])
3. How does the sermon relate the story of the demon-possessed boy to the current state of the church and its effectiveness in spiritual warfare? ([19:09])
4. What does the sermon imply about the church's role in recognizing and responding to the signs of the times? ([22:29])

1. Reflect on your personal faith. Do you believe it is strong enough to "move mountains"? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith? ([03:42])
2. How often do you engage in prayer and fasting? What changes can you make to incorporate these practices more regularly into your spiritual life? ([05:07])
3. Consider the spiritual challenges facing your community. How can you and your church become more effective in addressing these challenges? ([19:09])
4. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually powerless? How can you apply the lessons from this sermon to overcome these feelings? ([08:11])
5. How can you and your church better recognize and respond to the signs of the times? What practical steps can you take to be more discerning? ([22:29])
6. In what ways can you encourage your church to awaken from spiritual slumber and engage more actively in spiritual warfare? ([32:13])
7. Identify one specific area where you feel called to make a difference. What actions can you take this week to begin addressing that need? ([46:21])