Choosing God's Kingdom: A Call to Warrior Worship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered in the presence of the Lord, feeling the palpable energy and readiness among us. We began with a heartfelt prayer, acknowledging God's sovereignty and thanking Him for His protection and guidance. We delved into Ephesians 2, discussing how Satan is the prince of this world, a system set against God. This world system, or "cosmos," is distinct from the earth, which belongs to the Lord. We explored the dichotomy between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world, emphasizing that as believers, we are part of God's kingdom and must not straddle the line between the two.
We discussed the importance of worship and reverence for God. Worship is not just about singing; it's about reverencing God, setting Him apart, and acknowledging His supreme authority. This reverence leads to true worship, which in turn exalts God and drives away the enemy. We also touched on the recent events that display the world's rebellion and indifference to God, such as the blasphemous depictions at the Olympics and the anti-Christian sentiments in society. These events are manifestations of the spirit of this world, which is in direct opposition to God's kingdom.
We were reminded that the church must be a warrior church, always ready and armored with the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6. The spirit of Antichrist is already at work, and we must be vigilant and steadfast. Despite the increasing darkness, we are not dictated by the kingdom of this world but by the kingdom of God. We are called to be passionate and energetic, like the violent army that seizes a city, as described in Matthew 11:12. This passion and dedication will lead us to victory, as we are part of God's unshakeable kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Dichotomy of Kingdoms: There are only two kingdoms on this planet—the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. As believers, we must choose to fully commit to God's kingdom and not straddle the line between the two. The world system, or "cosmos," is set against God, but we are called to be part of His unshakeable kingdom. [47:06]
2. The Power of Reverence and Worship: True worship stems from reverence for God. When we set God apart and acknowledge His supreme authority, our worship becomes powerful and drives away the enemy. This reverence leads to exaltation, which in turn brings God's presence and protection into our lives. [52:15]
3. The Spirit of This World: The recent events displaying rebellion and indifference to God are manifestations of the spirit of this world. This spirit is in direct opposition to God's kingdom and seeks to undermine His authority. As believers, we must recognize this and stand firm in our faith, knowing that we are part of God's victorious kingdom. [54:57]
4. The Warrior Church: The church must be a warrior church, always ready and armored with the full armor of God. The spirit of Antichrist is already at work, and we must be vigilant and steadfast. Despite the increasing darkness, we are not dictated by the kingdom of this world but by the kingdom of God. [01:19:39]
5. Passionate and Energetic Faith: We are called to be passionate and energetic in our faith, like the violent army that seizes a city. This passion and dedication will lead us to victory, as we are part of God's unshakeable kingdom. Our faith should be so intense and focused that it drives us to action and brings about God's purposes on earth. [01:26:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Opening Prayer
[3:30] - Introduction to Ephesians 2
[7:15] - The World System vs. God's Kingdom
[12:00] - The Importance of Worship and Reverence
[18:45] - Recent Events and the Spirit of This World
[25:30] - The Warrior Church
[30:00] - The Spirit of Antichrist
[35:45] - Passionate and Energetic Faith
[40:30] - Encouragement and Call to Action
[45:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV): "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
2. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."
3. Matthew 11:12 (NIV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:1-2, who is described as the ruler of the kingdom of the air, and what is his influence on the world? [47:06]
2. What does Ephesians 6:10-11 instruct believers to do in order to stand against the devil’s schemes? [01:19:39]
3. In Matthew 11:12, what does Jesus say about the kingdom of heaven and the people who take hold of it? [01:26:26]
4. How did the pastor describe the recent events at the Olympics and their significance in relation to the spirit of this world? [54:57]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be part of the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of this world, as discussed in the sermon? [47:06]
2. How does true worship and reverence for God drive away the enemy, according to the pastor’s explanation? [52:15]
3. Why is it important for the church to be a "warrior church" and what does this entail based on Ephesians 6? [01:19:39]
4. How can believers maintain passionate and energetic faith in the face of increasing darkness in the world? [01:26:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where you find yourself straddling the line between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world? How can you fully commit to God’s kingdom? [47:06]
2. Think about your worship practices. How can you deepen your reverence for God to ensure your worship is powerful and drives away the enemy? [52:15]
3. The pastor mentioned the importance of being vigilant and steadfast as a warrior church. What practical steps can you take to put on the full armor of God daily? [01:19:39]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate passionate and energetic faith in your community, similar to the violent army that seizes a city described in Matthew 11:12? [01:26:26]
5. How can you recognize and resist the spirit of this world in your daily interactions and decisions? What specific actions can you take to stand firm in your faith? [54:57]
6. The pastor emphasized the importance of corporate worship and the anointing that comes with it. How can you actively participate in and contribute to your church’s worship and community life? [01:07:19]
7. Reflect on a recent event that challenged your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to better handle future challenges? [01:11:02]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of the sermon, encouraging both personal reflection and communal discussion.
Devotional
Day 1: The Dichotomy of Kingdoms
As believers, we are faced with a clear choice between two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. The world system, or "cosmos," is fundamentally set against God and operates under the influence of Satan, who is described as the prince of this world. This system is characterized by rebellion, indifference, and opposition to God's authority. In contrast, the kingdom of God is unshakeable, eternal, and governed by His righteousness and love. As followers of Christ, we are called to fully commit to God's kingdom, rejecting the values and influences of the world system. This commitment requires a conscious decision to live according to God's principles and to be distinct from the world in our actions, thoughts, and priorities. [47:06]
Ephesians 2:1-2 (ESV): "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to straddle the line between God's kingdom and the world system? What steps can you take today to fully commit to living according to God's kingdom principles?
Day 2: The Power of Reverence and Worship
True worship is born out of a deep reverence for God. It goes beyond singing songs and involves setting God apart in our hearts, acknowledging His supreme authority, and living in a way that honors Him. This kind of worship is powerful because it exalts God and drives away the enemy. When we truly reverence God, our worship becomes a weapon against the forces of darkness, bringing God's presence and protection into our lives. This reverence is not just an emotional response but a deliberate choice to honor God in every aspect of our lives. [52:15]
Psalm 29:2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your worship is not just an outward act but a true reflection of your heart's reverence for Him?
Day 3: The Spirit of This World
The spirit of this world is characterized by rebellion and indifference to God. Recent events, such as blasphemous depictions at public events and the rise of anti-Christian sentiments, are manifestations of this spirit. This spirit seeks to undermine God's authority and lead people away from His truth. As believers, we must recognize these manifestations and stand firm in our faith, knowing that we are part of God's victorious kingdom. We are called to be vigilant and discerning, not allowing the spirit of this world to influence our beliefs and actions. [54:57]
1 John 4:3 (ESV): "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
Reflection: Can you identify any areas in your life where the spirit of this world has subtly influenced your thoughts or actions? How can you actively resist this influence and align yourself more closely with God's kingdom?
Day 4: The Warrior Church
The church is called to be a warrior church, always ready and armored with the full armor of God. The spirit of Antichrist is already at work in the world, and we must be vigilant and steadfast in our faith. Despite the increasing darkness, we are not dictated by the kingdom of this world but by the kingdom of God. This means being prepared for spiritual battles, standing firm in the truth, and being proactive in our faith. The full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6, equips us to withstand the enemy's attacks and to advance God's kingdom on earth. [01:19:39]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Are you actively putting on the full armor of God in your daily life? What specific pieces of the armor do you need to focus on strengthening, and how can you do that starting today?
Day 5: Passionate and Energetic Faith
We are called to have a passionate and energetic faith, like the violent army that seizes a city. This kind of faith is intense, focused, and driven by a deep desire to see God's purposes fulfilled on earth. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take bold actions for the sake of the kingdom. Our faith should not be passive or lukewarm but should propel us into action, making a tangible impact in our communities and the world. This passion and dedication will lead us to victory, as we are part of God's unshakeable kingdom. [01:26:26]
Matthew 11:12 (ESV): "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a more passionate and energetic faith? What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate your dedication to God's kingdom and to make a tangible impact in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Every single, every single person in the sound of my voice, whether you're here today, you're watching whenever, wherever it is. We're all have been part of the kingdom of this world. We've been saved from the kingdom of this world, the kingdom of darkness. We've all been a part of it. We bought, we bought clothes to enjoy it and dresses and makeup and new shoes and, and, and fancy cars and did all kinds of stuff we do so we can help have fun in this world. But thanks be to God, we've been delivered from this world. Amen." [48:27] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You worship him because you reverence him. It's easy to worship him because we reverence him. He, we reverence him. We reverent him. We separate him. We set him apart. We put him up on a pedestal. He is reverence. Therefore we can worship him. If you don't reverence him, you cannot worship him. Anything or anybody can praise him. But you cannot worship him unless you reverence him." [52:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The enemy moves us. David was a little shepherd boy until Goliath showed up. Goliath didn't call him a punk. called his God a punk. This is my translation. Little man, would you little guy? David says it moved him. I'm going to take care of this. If Goliath wouldn't have run his mouth, he wouldn't have moved David. And David would have never been everything that God has called him to be." [01:34:05] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The kingdom of darkness will not win. The church is victorious. And we're going to see great and mighty things again. Amen? Give the Lord a handclap of praise." [01:38:23] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We're not dictated by the kingdom of this world. It doesn't matter what the Olympic committee does. It doesn't matter what the liberals say. It doesn't matter what the spirit, so the spirit of this world says, we're not of that kingdom. We don't serve that kingdom. We are the kingdom of God and we serve him and we march to the beat of his drum. Jesus is still on the throne." [01:22:21] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There's only two kingdoms on this planet. There's the kingdom of God and there's a kingdom of this world. And we'll look at this in just a few minutes. But the devil is the prince of this world. He's the king, if you will, that's been enthroned of this world over this system. And so whenever we see worldly things happen." [47:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The church will remain a warrior church. Ephesians 6 tells us that we have to put on, if there's ever been a time to not just put on but to wear the whole armor of God is right now. And we put on the whole armor of God that we're able to stand against the schemes of the enemy, that when the enemy comes in, that we have it." [01:19:04] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The spirit of this world, it's evil, it's immoral and it is a picture of sinful pleasures of this world. It also refers to a spirit of rebellion. I mean this is what we what we've been seeing this week is is rebellion against the things of God, um resistance it's a resistance against the things of God." [01:00:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The enemy has declared war. It didn't just happen this week. He's declared war since Adam and Eve was in the garden. But he knows he has but a short time. But let me tell you something. It is according to 2 Thessalonians that we're in a fight. It's not, this is the way it's going to be. The kingdom of darkness is here and it wants to control everything that we have. It's not going to get any better." [01:21:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The world does not know who he is. Jesus is therefore they can't worship him we throw it back on us but we do and let our worship be louder than the ignorance of who god is i want to talk to you about this term does the the spirit of this world it's evil it's immoral and it is a picture of sinful pleasures of this world it also refers to a spirit of rebellion." [59:32] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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