Embracing Active Faith in Spiritual Warfare
Summary
In Matthew 11:7-13, Jesus speaks about John the Baptist, highlighting his pivotal role in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. John was not just a prophet; he was the herald of a new era, marking the transition from the Old Testament's focus on heart principles to the New Testament's revelation of God's ultimate plan. This plan culminates in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, who declares Himself as the only way to the Father. This declaration was revolutionary and signaled the end of the devil's reign, as Jesus' sacrifice would break the power of sin and open access to God for all believers.
The kingdom of heaven, as Jesus describes, suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. This means that spiritual advancement requires a proactive and forceful approach. The devil is aware of his impending defeat and seeks to disrupt God's plans, much like the chaos that often precedes a significant event, such as a wedding. This spiritual conflict is mirrored in our lives when we pursue God's dreams for us. The closer we get to fulfilling these dreams, the more opposition we face. However, we are reminded that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We have the authority and power through Jesus' name to overcome any spiritual opposition.
To realize God's dreams for our lives, we must first define them clearly, imagining them vividly and declaring them as God's will. This involves taking small, actionable steps toward these dreams, trusting that God will expand our efforts. It's crucial to seek advice from those who have walked similar paths and to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God has equipped us for greater works. The call is to move beyond passive faith and actively engage in the spiritual battle, using the authority given to us by Jesus to bring His kingdom to earth.
Key Takeaways:
1. John the Baptist's Role: John the Baptist was more than a prophet; he was the forerunner of a new covenant, preparing the way for Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice. His announcement of Jesus as the Lamb of God was a revolutionary declaration that signaled the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era of grace and truth. [02:18]
2. Spiritual Warfare: The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and advancing it requires a proactive and forceful approach. Spiritual warfare is real, and as we draw closer to fulfilling God's plans, we face increased opposition. Yet, we are equipped with the authority of Jesus' name to overcome these challenges. [08:32]
3. Greater is He: The power within us, through the Holy Spirit, is greater than any force in the world. This truth should be a foundational belief, empowering us to stand firm against spiritual attacks and to pursue God's purposes with confidence and boldness. [11:45]
4. Defining and Pursuing Dreams: To fulfill God's dreams for our lives, we must first define them clearly, visualize them, and declare them as God's will. This involves taking small, actionable steps, trusting that God will expand our efforts and lead us into the fullness of His plans. [22:57]
5. Active Faith: Passive faith is insufficient; we must actively engage in the spiritual battle, using the authority given to us by Jesus. This involves seeking guidance, taking practical steps, and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about God's purposes in our lives. [31:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:18] - John the Baptist's Role
- [03:32] - Jesus as the Only Way
- [04:40] - The Lamb of God
- [05:23] - Spiritual Warfare Begins
- [06:55] - The Urgency of the Kingdom
- [07:35] - Chaos Before the Event
- [08:32] - Spiritual Conflict Illustrated
- [11:45] - Greater is He Within Us
- [14:27] - The Power of Jesus' Name
- [15:12] - Facing Spiritual Opposition
- [17:36] - Authority in Jesus' Name
- [19:25] - Not by Might, But by Spirit
- [21:03] - Defining Your God-Given Dreams
- [22:57] - Visualizing and Declaring Dreams
- [26:44] - Taking Steps Toward the Dream
- [31:58] - Active Faith and Spiritual Engagement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 11:7-13
- 1 John 4:4
- John 14:12-14
#### Observation Questions
1. What role did John the Baptist play in preparing the way for Jesus according to Matthew 11:7-13? How was he more than just a prophet? [02:18]
2. How does the sermon describe the kingdom of heaven suffering violence, and what does it mean for the violent to take it by force? [08:32]
3. In 1 John 4:4, what assurance do believers have about the power within them compared to the world? [11:45]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of spiritual warfare using the analogy of a wedding? [07:35]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does John the Baptist's announcement of Jesus as the Lamb of God signify a transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament? [04:40]
2. What does it mean for believers to have the authority of Jesus' name in overcoming spiritual opposition? How is this authority depicted in the sermon? [15:12]
3. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" in the context of spiritual battles? [11:45]
4. What practical steps does the sermon suggest for defining and pursuing God's dreams for our lives? [22:57]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced significant opposition while pursuing a goal or dream. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now with the understanding of spiritual warfare? [08:32]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of defining and visualizing God's dreams for our lives. What is one dream you believe God has placed in your heart, and how can you begin to take actionable steps toward it this week? [22:57]
3. How can you actively engage in spiritual warfare in your daily life, using the authority given to you by Jesus? Identify one area where you can apply this authority. [15:12]
4. The sermon mentions the power of declaring God's will over our lives. What is one declaration you can make this week to align your actions with God's purposes? [26:44]
5. Consider the role of community and seeking advice from those who have walked similar paths. Who is one person you can reach out to for guidance in your spiritual journey, and what specific advice do you hope to gain? [30:32]
6. How can the truth that "greater is He that is in you" empower you to face current challenges? Identify a specific challenge and how you can apply this truth. [11:45]
7. The sermon calls for moving beyond passive faith. What is one practical step you can take this week to actively engage in your faith journey? [31:58]
Devotional
Day 1: John the Baptist: Herald of a New Era
John the Baptist was not merely a prophet; he was the pivotal figure who prepared the way for Jesus, marking the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament. His role was to announce the coming of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. This announcement was revolutionary, signaling the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era of grace and truth. John’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah was a turning point in history, emphasizing the shift from the law to grace, and from prophecy to fulfillment. His life and mission remind us of the importance of preparing our hearts for the transformative work of Christ. [02:18]
Matthew 11:9-11 (ESV): "What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart today to receive the transformative work of Jesus, just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Him?
Day 2: Spiritual Warfare: Advancing the Kingdom with Force
The kingdom of heaven is described as suffering violence, and advancing it requires a proactive and forceful approach. Spiritual warfare is a reality, and as believers draw closer to fulfilling God's plans, they often face increased opposition. This opposition is a sign of the enemy's awareness of his impending defeat. However, believers are equipped with the authority of Jesus' name to overcome these challenges. The spiritual battle is not just a passive experience but an active engagement where believers must stand firm and push forward with the power given to them by Christ. [08:32]
Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV): "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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively engage in spiritual warfare and advance God's kingdom in your life?
Day 3: Greater is He: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The power within believers, through the Holy Spirit, is greater than any force in the world. This truth is foundational and should empower believers to stand firm against spiritual attacks and pursue God's purposes with confidence and boldness. The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is a source of strength and assurance, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. This empowerment is not just for personal victory but for advancing God's kingdom and fulfilling His purposes on earth. [11:45]
1 John 4:4 (ESV): "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome challenges and pursue God's purposes?
Day 4: Defining and Pursuing God-Given Dreams
To fulfill God's dreams for our lives, it is essential to define them clearly, visualize them, and declare them as God's will. This process involves taking small, actionable steps, trusting that God will expand our efforts and lead us into the fullness of His plans. It is crucial to seek advice from those who have walked similar paths and to remain steadfast in faith. By doing so, believers can align their desires with God's will and actively participate in bringing His kingdom to earth. [22:57]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV): "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.'"
Reflection: What is one God-given dream you need to define more clearly today, and what small step can you take toward it?
Day 5: Active Faith: Engaging in the Spiritual Battle
Passive faith is insufficient; believers must actively engage in the spiritual battle, using the authority given to them by Jesus. This involves seeking guidance, taking practical steps, and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about God's purposes in their lives. Active faith requires believers to move beyond mere belief and into action, demonstrating their trust in God through their choices and behaviors. By doing so, they can experience the fullness of God's plans and make a significant impact in the world around them. [31:58]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can move from passive belief to active faith today, and what specific action will you take to demonstrate this faith?
Quotes
1. "The moment that John the Baptist was revealed, everything changed. For before his revealing, everything was, in the Old Testament, was establishing principles of the heart, heart behavior toward God, about responses to God. But now everything was about to come to an end and everything was about to come to a head. John the Baptist, the messenger, the one getting the people of God prepared for the Son of God to come, has now arrived. And it's about to see the implementation of the idea, the ultimate plan of God. This is a moment. A perfect sacrifice is about to occur. The Son of Jesus, the Son of God." ([00:01:56] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "And John the Baptist, counteracting all of what was going on up the hill at the temple, he said, behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. See, you just read that as a sentence and go, oh, yeah, he's the Lamb of God. I tell you that culturally, historically had such cataclysmic impact. You cannot even begin to imagine what that was for the Jews at that time, especially the priests, the Levites and the Pharisees, the Sadducees. That was heresy." ([00:05:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "The closure Jesus gets to fulfilling God's will to be the Lamb, the devil is very, very aware of. He knows with that announcement, the Lamb of God, that his time is up. That his dominance, his power, his influence, his power, his influence, is about to be challenged and ultimately defeated. And I want you to think of it like this." ([00:05:40] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "The devil realizes his time is up, and there is a disturbance in the force, and he realizes that he's got to do something in order to stop the Son of God being crucified, and for once and for all, laying his life down so that you and I would have free access to God the Father, and he knows his time, he is going to be dealt with. He's going to be defeated. The power of sin is going to be broken. The kingdom of heaven begins to suffer incredible violence, and only the violent take it by force." ([00:08:50] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "You know, what you find is when you start to get a dream and you start to establish the call of God in your life and do stuff, you suddenly find thoughts seem to come to drown out the thoughts of God. Thoughts to discourage you further pursuing the possibilities suddenly come up and you think, and that's not normal, but they suddenly arise and they seek to, get this, immobilize you." ([00:20:08] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "You've got to define the dreams that you have for God. Did you write that down? You've got to define the dreams you have for God. You see, if finances, resources, time, opportunity, people were not an issue, if you had everything perfect for you to do the purpose of God, the dream that's on your heart, what is it that you do if you had everything?" ([00:22:57] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "My bottom line is you're not doing it because you're lazy, but you've got to think, what is the thing that I would do if I had everything that I required to be able to do it? What is that dream? And you begin to understand, God gives you the desires of your heart. You've already got that dream. Every one of you have already got dreams like that. But until you come to a point where you define that dream, it's absolutely critical." ([00:24:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "You've got to paint in your imagination that dream now boy this is important you've got to paint it like a picture like a movie camera and you've got to see it you've got to smell it you've got to feel it you've got to imagine it you've got to create this imagination this movie to become so real that you can feel it and smell it it is absolutely critical." ([00:25:53] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "God gives you the desires of your heart. You have got dreams that God have placed within you. And you have to bring those dreams and you've got to flush them out. You've got to brush them to the surface of your heart and begin to paint them. And then you begin to own them in prayer. The prayer of declaration. The prayer that this is the will of God for my life." ([00:27:32] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "I find it so distressing that in our nation and in Australia and even in America, many Christians are sitting in church and they just think they've fulfilled their responsibility and their obligation before God. No, you haven't, because God has gifted you and he expects a return on his investment. That's Matthew 25. And every believer has got to take what God has given, begin to invest it in the dream. The dreams that he's also given you." ([00:33:45] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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