Empowered by the Spirit: Praise, Assurance, and Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: The Simplicity of Praise in Spiritual Warfare

In spiritual warfare, the power of praise lies not in the complexity or quality of our songs but in the sincerity and earnestness with which we offer them. The story of a simple song like "Hallelujah" bringing liberation to a demon-possessed woman highlights the profound impact of genuine praise. When we praise God with a sincere heart, it can break spiritual strongholds and bring freedom. This teaches us that in moments of spiritual battle, turning to God with simple, heartfelt praise can be a powerful weapon against the enemy. [03:04]

Psalm 149:6-9 (ESV): "Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!"

Reflection: Think of a current struggle or challenge in your life. How can you incorporate simple, sincere praise into your response to this situation today?

Day 2: Living by the Spirit's Power

Living by the Spirit involves a daily commitment to put to death the deeds of the body and to live out our identity as those justified and united with Christ. This is not about earning salvation but about allowing the Spirit to transform us from within. The Spirit empowers us to fight sin and live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. This transformative power is a testament to our relationship with God and our calling to live according to His will. [09:38]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle to live by the Spirit. What practical steps can you take today to surrender this area to the Spirit's guidance?

Day 3: Assurance Through Sanctification

Assurance of salvation is deeply connected to the evidence of sanctification in our lives. While our justification is secure, the Spirit empowers us to fight sin, which is a testament to our identity as children of God. This assurance is not about earning our place in heaven but about living out the reality of being united with Christ. The Spirit leads us into a relationship of sonship, where we can confidently cry out, "Abba, Father," knowing that our inheritance with Christ is secure. [26:17]

1 John 3:9-10 (ESV): "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits and actions. What evidence of sanctification can you identify in your life, and how does it assure you of your identity as a child of God?

Day 4: Embracing Suffering with Christ

Suffering is an integral part of the Christian journey, encompassing all trials of this fallen world. Our response to suffering should be one of endurance with Christ, trusting that it leads to glorification. This perspective helps us endure, knowing that our inheritance is secure and glorious. The creation itself awaits the revealing of the sons of God, and our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. [47:56]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Consider a current or past trial you have faced. How can you shift your perspective to see this suffering as a path to glorification with Christ?

Day 5: The Hope of Future Glory

Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. This hope of future glory helps us endure the trials of this life, knowing that our inheritance with Christ is secure and glorious. The anticipation of being glorified with Him provides strength and encouragement to persevere through difficulties, as we trust in His promises and await the fulfillment of His kingdom. [53:13]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How does the promise of future glory with Christ influence your perspective on current challenges? What steps can you take to keep this hope at the forefront of your mind today?

Sermon Summary

In the sermon, I shared a profound experience from my early ministry days, where I encountered a demon-possessed woman. This encounter taught me the power of simple, earnest praise in spiritual warfare. Despite my lack of experience, God used the simplest song, "Hallelujah," to bring liberation. This experience underscores the importance of praising God with sincerity, as it can break spiritual strongholds and bring freedom.

Transitioning to Romans 8, I emphasized the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit dwells within us, making us debtors not to the flesh but to the Spirit. This means we are called to live by the Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the body. This is not just a call to moral living but a profound spiritual truth that our justification and ultimate glorification are evidenced by our sanctification. The Spirit empowers us to fight sin, and this battle is a testament to our identity as children of God.

I also addressed the tension between assurance of salvation and the warnings against living according to the flesh. While the justified will be glorified, the evidence of true justification is a life that battles sin. This is not about earning salvation but about living out the reality of being united with Christ. The Spirit leads us not into fear but into a relationship of sonship, where we cry out, "Abba, Father." This relationship assures us of our inheritance with Christ, which includes glory, all things, and ultimately, being glorified with Him.

Finally, I touched on the role of suffering in the Christian life. Suffering is not just persecution but encompasses all the trials of this fallen world. Our response to suffering should be one of endurance with Christ, trusting that it leads to glorification. The creation itself awaits the revealing of the sons of God, and our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. This perspective helps us endure, knowing that our inheritance is secure and glorious.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Praise: In spiritual warfare, the simplicity and sincerity of praise can be a powerful weapon. It is not the quality of our voice but the earnestness of our praise that frightens the enemy and brings liberation. [03:04]
2. Living by the Spirit: We are called to live by the Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the body. This is not about earning salvation but about living out our identity as those justified and united with Christ. [09:38]
3. Assurance and Sanctification: Assurance of salvation is rooted in the evidence of sanctification. While our justification is secure, the Spirit empowers us to fight sin, which is a testament to our identity as children of God. [26:17]
4. Suffering with Christ: Suffering is an integral part of the Christian journey. It is not limited to persecution but includes all trials. Enduring suffering with Christ leads to glorification, as we trust in His promises. [47:56]
5. The Hope of Glory: Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. This hope helps us endure, knowing that our inheritance with Christ is secure and glorious. [53:13]
** [53:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Encounter with Spiritual Warfare
[01:50] - The Power of Simple Praise
[03:21] - Prayer for Guidance
[04:57] - Romans 8: The Spirit's Indwelling
[06:05] - The Call to Die to Self
[07:59] - The Reality of Spiritual Death
[09:05] - Assurance and Security
[12:05] - Killing the Deeds of the Body
[14:02] - Setting the Mind on the Spirit
[16:15] - The Role of Faith and the Word
[18:01] - Battling Anxiety with Scripture
[21:32] - Overcoming Vengeance
[24:59] - Fighting Lust and Selfishness
[27:09] - Evidence of Sonship
[30:18] - Spirit of Adoption
[33:28] - Witness of the Spirit
[36:39] - Assurance in the Christian Life
[41:38] - Heirs with Christ
[45:02] - Suffering and Glorification
[48:26] - Help in Suffering
[53:13] - The Hope of Glory
[57:31] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:12-18
- Galatians 3:5
- Ephesians 6:17

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Observation Questions:

In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about encountering a demon-possessed woman. What role did the simple song "Hallelujah" play in this encounter? ([01:50])
According to Romans 8, what does it mean to be a debtor to the Spirit rather than to the flesh? How does this relate to our identity as children of God? ([05:17])
The pastor mentioned the importance of putting to death the deeds of the body. What does this process involve, and how is it connected to living by the Spirit? ([12:05])
How does the pastor describe the role of suffering in the Christian life, and what is its ultimate purpose according to the sermon? ([47:56])

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Interpretation Questions:

The pastor emphasized the power of simple, earnest praise in spiritual warfare. How does this concept challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual battles? ([03:04])
Romans 8 speaks about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. How does the Spirit's indwelling change a believer's relationship with sin and righteousness? ([09:38])
The sermon discussed the tension between assurance of salvation and the warnings against living according to the flesh. How can believers find balance in understanding these concepts? ([26:17])
The pastor mentioned that suffering is not limited to persecution but includes all trials. How does this broader understanding of suffering impact a believer's perspective on their personal challenges? ([47:56])

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced a spiritual battle. How did you respond, and what role did praise or worship play in that situation? How might you incorporate more praise into your spiritual practices? ([03:04])
Consider your daily life and actions. In what ways can you actively live by the Spirit and put to death the deeds of the body? Identify one specific area where you can focus on this week. ([09:38])
Assurance of salvation is rooted in the evidence of sanctification. How do you see evidence of sanctification in your life? What steps can you take to strengthen your assurance in your relationship with God? ([26:17])
Suffering is an integral part of the Christian journey. How do you currently respond to trials and suffering? What changes can you make to endure suffering with Christ, trusting in His promises? ([47:56])
The pastor mentioned the hope of glory and how our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed. How does this hope influence your perspective on current challenges? How can you remind yourself of this hope daily? ([53:13])
The sermon highlighted the importance of being led by the Spirit to kill sin. What practical steps can you take to be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading in your life? ([28:00])
Reflect on the concept of sonship and crying out "Abba, Father." How does this relationship with God as a loving Father impact your daily walk with Him? How can you deepen this relationship? ([30:18])

Sermon Clips

I commend to you singing and praising your way into Liberty in all kinds of situations whether you're a singer or not the devil is not impressed with anybody's quality of voice he's very frightened at people's earnestness of Praise. [00:03:04]

Since the spirit of God dwells in you since you are in the sway of the spirit since you belong to Jesus Christ by virtue of his homesteading in you and purchasing you since your life is alive or you are alive or the spirit is your life though your body is dead and since your body one day will be raised from the dead because the spirit since the spirit has done all that for you, therefore Brothers we are debtors not to the flesh. [00:05:04]

If you live according to the flesh you'll die that does not mean bodily die everybody dies bodily so you can't say if you live according of the flesh you'll die because everybody dies it means hell it means spiritual death so here he is threatening the Roman churchgoing professing Believers with hell. [00:07:52]

You can believe both of those if putting to death the Deeds of the body is the evidence necessary evidence of justification if putting to death the Deeds of the body necessarily follows being truly Justified there's no contradiction between saying the Justified will most definitely be glorified nobody will drop out you will be preserved and if you live according to the flesh you will go to hell both of those are true. [00:09:38]

The way you put to death the Deeds of the body by the spirit is by means of the word of God however that doesn't quite flesh out how just kind of gives you the contents and the how comes from Galatians 3:5 Galatians 3:5 is a tremendously important verse in my spiritual warfare and it goes like this uh does he who supplies the spirit to you so now we're talking about a supply of the spirit. [00:16:15]

The spirit flows into a life and becomes Miracle workking energetic when a person takes the word of God hears it and believes it that's the way you put to death the Deeds of the body let's get real specific I mean this is huge I wrote a whole book a fat book on this it's called future Grace maybe the most important thing I've ever written because it outlines how to do this. [00:17:09]

The spirit of the father dwells in them they hate what the father hates they love what the father loves one of the evidences that you're a child of God Justified is that you make war on sin and I find that very freeing because you don't always succeed I not say you always succeed because we're in process but you make war you hate it. [00:29:18]

The way he moves and enables us to conquer sin is by quickening and Awakening a sense that I'm a son and not a slave I'm a son you'd think it's just the opposite wouldn't you if you have a certain mindset you think well if I'm a good slave I'll always do he says if I'm a good slave I'll really make hash out of sin I'll just kill it all the time. [00:31:39]

The spirit himself Bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God that should have been connected here with verse 15 can we do that yeah now we need to dwell in this for minute about the witness of the holy spirit that we are the children of God. [00:31:59]

The witness of the holy spirit is not a statement made by the spirit to your brain from which you deduce a status of spiritual adoption that's not the way it works don't listen for a voice it is rather the inner work of the spirit Awakening a heartfelt confident reaching out and taking God as our father. [00:36:40]

The Holy Spirit has coming into your life he's beginning to give you the power to make war on sin his testimony of the Cry of God's fatherhood Rises at times to Sweet deep unshakable assurance and if you have the Assurance if you are the children of God then you an heir of God. [00:41:38]

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory the answer is all suffering that comes from this time of Fallen feudal decaying broken sinful Humanity all suffering cancer and persecution loss of job wayward children broken marriages collapsing balconies in churches or Towers in New York any kind of suffering. [00:45:02]

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Empowered by the Spirit: Praise, Assurance, and Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: The Simplicity of Praise in Spiritual Warfare

Day 2: Living by the Spirit's Power

Day 3: Assurance Through Sanctification

Day 4: Embracing Suffering with Christ

Day 5: The Hope of Future Glory

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Empowered by the Spirit: Praise, Assurance, and Suffering

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