From Past Defeats to Future Victories in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today is Baptism Sunday, and we are excited to celebrate those who have made the decision to follow Jesus. We are continuing our series called "The Well," where we explore the significance of having our wells filled with living water. This week, we focus on the devil's attempts to remind us of our past sins and failures, and how we can counteract that by declaring his future defeat.
The devil constantly tries to make us feel unworthy and steals our faith by reminding us of our past. However, we should remind him of his future—eternal torment in the lake of fire. Jesus has already defeated the devil on the cross, and we have the authority to declare this victory over our lives. We must not let our past dictate our future; instead, we should focus on the promises of God.
We also discussed the importance of persistent prayer, using the story of Peter in Acts 12 as an example. Despite James being killed, the church continued to pray for Peter, leading to his miraculous release from prison. This teaches us not to let past disappointments hinder our faith and prayers for current situations.
Moreover, we need to understand that we are not designed to go from deliverance to deliverance but from deliverance to dominion. We must close the doors we have opened to the enemy and walk in the authority and power given to us by Jesus. This involves waking up to our salvation, rising up in discipline, dressing up in the full armor of God, and finding a church home to connect with other believers.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of coming forward for prayer and not letting pride or fear hold us back. God wants to set us free, and we must be willing to step out in faith and receive the prayers and support of our church community.
### Key Takeaways
1. Declare the Devil's Future: The devil constantly reminds us of our past to make us feel unworthy and steal our faith. Instead, we should remind him of his future—eternal torment in the lake of fire. This shifts our focus from our past failures to the victory we have in Jesus. [29:43]
2. Persistent Prayer: Just as the church prayed continuously for Peter despite James' death, we must persist in prayer even when past prayers seem unanswered. Our faith should not be dictated by past disappointments but by the promises of God. [34:30]
3. From Deliverance to Dominion: We are not designed to go from deliverance to deliverance but from deliverance to dominion. This means closing doors to the enemy and walking in the authority and power given to us by Jesus. Renewing our minds with the Word is crucial in this journey. [58:15]
4. Importance of Community: Finding a church home is essential for spiritual growth and support. We are not meant to walk this journey alone but in the fellowship of believers who can pray for us and help us grow in our faith. [01:15:43]
5. Step Out in Faith for Prayer: Do not let pride or fear hold you back from coming forward for prayer. God wants to set you free, and the church community is here to support you. Stepping out in faith can lead to significant breakthroughs in your life. [48:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:38] - Series Introduction: The Well
[28:18] - The Devil's Tactics
[29:43] - Declare the Devil's Future
[31:18] - Authority in Christ
[34:30] - Persistent Prayer: Peter's Story
[36:05] - Overcoming Past Disappointments
[37:47] - Living Water and God's Promises
[39:05] - Testimonies of Healing
[42:20] - The Power of Prayer
[45:13] - Continual Prayer for Others
[46:43] - Invitation for Prayer
[48:12] - Breaking Chains and Finding Freedom
[49:47] - Expectation vs. Reality in Prayer
[51:29] - Deliverance for All
[53:08] - Stepping Out in Faith
[54:44] - The Importance of Family and Legacy
[56:24] - Patience in God's Process
[58:15] - From Deliverance to Dominion
[01:01:09] - Closing Doors to the Enemy
[01:04:06] - Renunciation Prayer
[01:06:00] - Dominion Over the Enemy
[01:06:51] - Four Steps to Dominion
[01:07:18] - Wake Up: Salvation
[01:09:31] - Rise Up: Discipline
[01:14:28] - Dress Up: Full Armor of God
[01:15:43] - Home Up: Find a Church Home
[01:21:10] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[01:23:02] - Praise and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 9:48 - "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."
2. Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
3. Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 9:48, what is the fate of those who are cast into the lake of fire? How does this relate to the devil's future as described in the sermon? [29:43]
2. In Acts 12:5, what was the church's response to Peter being imprisoned? How does this demonstrate the power of persistent prayer? [34:30]
3. What does Genesis 1:26 say about the dominion given to mankind? How does this concept of dominion relate to the sermon’s message about moving from deliverance to dominion? [58:15]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does reminding the devil of his future, as described in Mark 9:48, help shift our focus from past failures to the victory we have in Jesus? [29:43]
2. What can we learn from the church's persistent prayer for Peter in Acts 12:5, especially in light of past disappointments like the death of James? How should this influence our own prayer lives? [34:30]
3. How does the concept of dominion in Genesis 1:26 challenge the idea of living from deliverance to deliverance? What practical steps can we take to walk in the authority and power given to us by Jesus? [58:15]
### Application Questions
1. Declare the Devil's Future: How often do you find yourself dwelling on past mistakes? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of the devil's future and your victory in Jesus instead? [29:43]
2. Persistent Prayer: Have you ever stopped praying for something because of past disappointments? How can the story of Peter's release from prison encourage you to persist in prayer despite past unanswered prayers? [34:30]
3. From Deliverance to Dominion: Are there any "open doors" in your life that you need to close to move from deliverance to dominion? What specific actions can you take to walk in the authority and power given to you by Jesus? [58:15]
4. Importance of Community: Do you have a church home where you feel supported and connected? If not, what steps can you take to find and commit to a church community? [01:15:43]
5. Step Out in Faith for Prayer: Is there something in your life that you need prayer for but have been hesitant to ask due to pride or fear? How can you overcome these barriers and step out in faith to receive the support and prayers of your church community? [48:12]
6. Rise Up in Discipline: What areas of your life lack discipline, such as prayer, Bible reading, or fasting? What specific steps can you take this week to rise up in discipline and strengthen your spiritual walk? [01:09:31]
7. Celebrate Small Victories: How can you start celebrating small victories in your spiritual journey, such as chains being broken, even if the full deliverance hasn't yet come? How can this change your perspective and encourage you to keep moving forward? [49:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Declare the Devil's Future
The devil constantly reminds us of our past to make us feel unworthy and steal our faith. Instead, we should remind him of his future—eternal torment in the lake of fire. This shifts our focus from our past failures to the victory we have in Jesus. [29:43]
The devil's primary tactic is to keep us chained to our past mistakes and sins, making us feel unworthy of God's love and grace. He whispers lies that aim to steal our faith and keep us in a state of spiritual paralysis. However, as believers, we have the authority to counteract these lies by declaring the devil's future defeat. Jesus has already won the victory on the cross, and the devil's ultimate fate is eternal torment in the lake of fire.
By focusing on the devil's future rather than our past, we can shift our perspective from one of defeat to one of victory. This empowers us to live boldly in the promises of God, knowing that our past does not define us. Instead, we are defined by the victory we have in Jesus Christ. When the devil tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future and stand firm in the authority given to you by Jesus.
Revelation 20:10 (ESV): "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
Reflection: What past mistakes or sins does the devil often use to make you feel unworthy? How can you remind yourself of the devil's future and your victory in Jesus when these thoughts arise?
Day 2: Persistent Prayer
Just as the church prayed continuously for Peter despite James' death, we must persist in prayer even when past prayers seem unanswered. Our faith should not be dictated by past disappointments but by the promises of God. [34:30]
The story of Peter's miraculous release from prison in Acts 12 serves as a powerful example of the importance of persistent prayer. Despite the recent death of James, the church did not let this disappointment hinder their faith. Instead, they continued to pray fervently for Peter, and their prayers were answered in a miraculous way. This teaches us that past disappointments should not dictate our current faith and prayers.
Persistent prayer is about trusting in God's promises and His timing, even when we don't see immediate results. It's about holding on to faith and continuing to seek God's intervention, knowing that He is faithful. When we persist in prayer, we align ourselves with God's will and open the door for His miraculous work in our lives.
Acts 12:5 (ESV): "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been disappointed by unanswered prayers. How can you renew your commitment to persistent prayer in light of God's promises?
Day 3: From Deliverance to Dominion
We are not designed to go from deliverance to deliverance but from deliverance to dominion. This means closing doors to the enemy and walking in the authority and power given to us by Jesus. Renewing our minds with the Word is crucial in this journey. [58:15]
God's plan for us is not just to experience deliverance from our struggles but to walk in dominion over them. This involves closing any doors we may have opened to the enemy and fully embracing the authority and power given to us by Jesus. It's about moving from a mindset of constant need for rescue to one of reigning in life through Christ.
To walk in dominion, we must renew our minds with the Word of God. This means immersing ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to transform our thinking and align us with God's truth. As we do this, we become more aware of the authority we have in Christ and are better equipped to stand against the enemy's schemes.
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: Are there any areas in your life where you feel you are constantly seeking deliverance? How can you begin to walk in dominion in these areas by renewing your mind with God's Word?
Day 4: Importance of Community
Finding a church home is essential for spiritual growth and support. We are not meant to walk this journey alone but in the fellowship of believers who can pray for us and help us grow in our faith. [01:15:43]
Community is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. God designed us to live in fellowship with other believers, where we can find support, encouragement, and accountability. A church home provides a place where we can grow in our faith, receive prayer, and build meaningful relationships with others who share our commitment to following Jesus.
Being part of a church community helps us to stay grounded in our faith and provides a network of support during challenging times. It also offers opportunities for us to serve others and use our gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ. In community, we find strength and encouragement to continue our walk with God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Do you have a church home where you feel supported and encouraged in your faith? If not, what steps can you take to find and connect with a church community?
Day 5: Step Out in Faith for Prayer
Do not let pride or fear hold you back from coming forward for prayer. God wants to set you free, and the church community is here to support you. Stepping out in faith can lead to significant breakthroughs in your life. [48:12]
One of the barriers to receiving the freedom and breakthrough God has for us is our own pride or fear. We may hesitate to come forward for prayer, worried about what others might think or doubting that anything will change. However, God calls us to step out in faith and seek the support of our church community.
When we humble ourselves and ask for prayer, we open the door for God to work powerfully in our lives. The church community is there to support us, pray for us, and help us experience the freedom that God desires for us. Stepping out in faith for prayer can lead to significant breakthroughs and a deeper experience of God's love and power.
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need breakthrough or healing? What is holding you back from seeking prayer and support from your church community? How can you take a step of faith today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "How much does the devil remind you of your past? How much does he do it? And if he can remind you of your past, how many times do you think he'll try to do it to you in a day? Bring back that sin. Bring back that regret, that concern that's in your heart. Right? How often does he do it? Right? You know the answer to that, right? It's often. It's all the time. And you know what he's trying to do? He's trying to make you feel not good enough. That's all he's trying to do is get you to agree that you're not good enough. You're not worthy to be a child of God." [28:18] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If the devil can remind you of your past over and over again, I want to ask you this. Why aren't you reminding him of his future? Why aren't you telling him what his future is going to look like? Right? Why aren't you sticking his nose in it? Because he's constantly trying to remind you that your past is a problem. And we're not declaring to him what his future is. And you know what his future is, right? His future is not just getting cast in the lake of fire. No, no, no. He gets cast in the lake of fire and then he suffers forever and ever and ever. Amen?" [29:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Man, what would happen if every time you felt the pressure of something being brought back to your memory, you just started declaring the future of the enemy going into the lake of fire. Amen. Praise the Lord. He's a criminal. He doesn't belong here. We are the spiritual police. He is the carter. We have the badge. We have the gun. We have the authority to tell him where he is. We walk on snakes and scorpions. The Bible says, amen. You have already inherited the kingdom of God. It's already done. You can walk in the kingdom of God right now because Jesus has already done that in your life. He's finished it. Amen." [31:18] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Hey, God is still Jehovah Jireh. God is still Jehovah Rapha. God is still Jehovah Nisi. Amen, church. And he's here to heal us and set us free. The living one. The living one. The living water at your well is not based off of how many people you pray for that get healed. The living water at your well is based off of who God is and what his promises says are for you. Amen. That's who he is. He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen." [37:47] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you had to bury your prayer of James, don't give up on your prayer for Peter. Don't give up on it. Don't let that dictate how you're going to continue to walk out your life. Never give up on the hope of Jesus. Never give up on the situation that's in front of you. The situations that's in front of you with your brother, your sister, your friend that they're struggling with. And the point of this is, is don't let your James prayer steal the miracle of Peter that's still coming. Don't let it steal it it didn't happen in the way that you thought it should. Happen." [42:20] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And if the devil, and listen to this church, if the devil can remind you of your past over and over again, I want to ask you this. Why aren't you reminding him of his future? Why aren't you telling him what his future is going to look like? Right? Why aren't you sticking his nose in it? Because he's constantly trying to remind you that your past is a problem. And we're not declaring to him what his future is. And you know what his future is, right? His future is not just getting cast in the lake of fire. No, no, no. He gets cast in the lake of fire and then he suffers forever and ever and ever. Amen? He's tormented every single day forever. But that's not the only thing that happens. The word tells us that he will be devoured by worms. Forever and ever. Did you know that? He will be devoured by worms. And the word tells us in Mark 9, 48, it says, the worms that eat them do not die and the fire is not quenched. And so every time he tries to remind you of your past, why don't you start declaring to him what his future is so that he doesn't have power over your life?" [29:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In the word, in the message and story I want to share with you today is in Acts 12, King Herod, he kills James, one of the apostles. He kills him. Listen to me church. He kills him. And then he takes Peter and throws Peter in jail, in prison. And the assumption is the same fate is going to take place with Peter. But you know what the people did? They refused to believe that that was going to be the will of God for Peter. And it says that they continually prayed over him, continually prayed over his life. And I want you to hear, I want you, I want you to hear this. I want you to hear this. I want you to hear this. I want you to hear this. When you start declaring over your life, don't allow your defeats, your unanswered prayers, your disappointments to dictate your life over God. Your life is of the future and where he wants to take you to. Amen." [34:30] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can't focus on that stuff in your life anymore. You got to set that stuff. You got to let go of it. And what you need to do is you need to let your Peter prayer not get squashed because your James prayer was killed. Think about that. Just because this didn't get answered in the way we expected doesn't mean we stopped praying for this situation over here. Oh, James got killed. I'm not going to pray for Peter. Well, if you don't pray for Peter, then we don't get the testimony that comes out of the word. Amen. Everybody in this room has a James story where you were praying for something and you were praying for healing. You were praying for a situation. You were praying for an expectation to change or whatever. And it just didn't happen the way that you thought it was going to happen. And we allow ourselves to get conditioned. Well, if my James prayer didn't work, then obviously my Peter prayer is not going to work. And that's not true." [36:05] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can't get tripped up on the enemy and how he tries to take you in that direction and make you feel like one situation. All of a sudden, God doesn't do any work in our lives anymore. That's what he tries to get you to do is think that way. Hey, God is still Jehovah Jireh. God is still Jehovah Rapha. God is still Jehovah Nisi. Amen, church. And he's here to heal us and set us free. The living one. The living one. The living water at your well is not based off of how many people you pray for that get healed. The living water at your well is based off of who God is and what his promises says are for you. Amen. That's who he is. He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen. The same. He's our hope. He's our living water. He wants to be around us, with us, and help us walk through anything that we're struggling with." [37:47] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And the reason why that happens is because when we get set free from something, we turn it over to the Lord. We don't start renewing our mind with the word so we don't go back to that place again. And you got to renew your mind with the word. You got to find the piece of word that helps you overcome the situation where you open and close the door. Ask that question on Wednesday. We were talking about some of this open doors and we were talking about scary movies. And I love this topic because there's a lot of people say, I love scary movies. They don't affect me at all. Right? But I know for a fact that you're not going to sit down and watch the exorcist with Jesus. You ain't going to do it. You won't. And the difference in that situation is, is that you just have a higher tolerance to that than I would. But I was telling the class, I said, let me tell you something about the enemy. He will never give you a free pass. He will call in that situation somehow, somewhere along your life. It's a tolerance thing, but eventually he's going to, he's going to do something. He's going to bring a torment to you. He's going to bring a temptation to you. He's going to do something to you because you've opened the door. You can disagree with me and that's absolutely okay. But I have prayed with so many people, renunciation prayer to surrender those things and amazing things have happened in their lives. They didn't even know were taking place." [01:01:09] (95 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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