Living with Purpose Amidst Spiritual Warfare

Today, we stand at a profound inflection point—not only as a church, but as a nation and a generation. God has not placed us here by accident; each of us is designed with purpose, intention, and a calling that goes far beyond the routines of daily life. In a world that often feels adrift, especially for our young people, it is vital to seek out and embrace God’s plan for our lives, to move from passivity to intentionality, and to live lives that count for eternity.

We are witnessing a dramatic moment in our culture, marked by the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk—a man who lived boldly for Christ, for his family, and for his country. His death is not just a political or cultural event; it is a spiritual battle, a clash of light and darkness, good and evil. The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the bedrock of our faith, the ultimate proof of God’s power over sin, death, and the forces of evil. As the early church faced opposition for proclaiming the resurrection, so too do we face spiritual warfare in our time. Yet, we are called not to shrink back, but to stand firm, to grieve together as a family, and to respond with courage, clarity, and unity.

In these days, discernment is more necessary than ever. We must be vigilant in seeking out churches and leaders who are faithful to the authority of Scripture, the bodily resurrection of Christ, and the unchanging truths of the gospel. The church is not a social club or a weekly event, but a family—a community where we care deeply for one another, grow together, and protect each other from spiritual harm. Shepherds must be courageous, willing to confront evil and protect the flock, not merely pacify or entertain.

The spiritual battle we face is real and pervasive, manifesting in cultural confusion, attacks on the family, and the normalization of evil. Yet, God is sovereign, and even in the face of tragedy and mystery, He works all things for the good of those who love Him. Our response must be to pray, to support one another, to invest in the next generation, and to boldly proclaim Christ. Let us not waste this moment, but build on the foundation laid by those who have gone before us, making our lives count for the kingdom and seeking a true revival that transforms hearts and lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Purpose in Every Life and the Call to Intentional Living Each person is uniquely designed by God, not for a life of aimless routine, but for a purpose that brings glory to Him. We are called to move beyond passivity, to seek out God’s plan, and to live intentionally—especially in a culture that tempts us to distraction and complacency. The challenge is to discover and walk in the life God has engineered for us, making every day count for eternity. [58:55]
• 2. The Resurrection as the Bedrock of Faith and the Source of Courage The resurrection of Jesus is not just a doctrine, but the very foundation of Christian identity and hope. It proves Christ’s divinity, His power to forgive sin, and His victory over evil. In times of opposition and spiritual warfare, the resurrection empowers us to stand firm, knowing that our faith is anchored in the living Christ who has conquered death. [68:02]
• 3. Grieving as a Family and the Role of Courageous Shepherds When crisis and tragedy strike, the church must respond as a true family—gathering together, grieving honestly, and providing space for healing. Shepherds are called to lead with courage and clarity, not shying away from hard truths or the realities of spiritual warfare. True unity is found not in compromise with evil, but in standing together for righteousness and truth. [72:50]
• 4. Discernment in a Time of Spiritual and Cultural Confusion We live in an age where evil is often celebrated and truth is obscured. Christians must exercise discernment, both in choosing spiritual communities and in navigating cultural narratives. This means seeking out churches that are faithful to Scripture, clear on essential doctrines, and committed to both theological truth and relational love. [78:54]
• 5. God’s Sovereignty in Mystery and the Call to Bold Witness There are moments and tragedies we cannot fully understand—these belong in the “mystery box” we bring before God. Yet, even in the face of evil, God is able to bring about greater good, using what was meant for harm to advance His kingdom. Our calling is to trust Him, to pray for those who suffer, and to boldly proclaim Christ, making our lives count and building on the legacy of faithful witnesses. [93:31]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Announcements and Getting Involved
• [03:10] - The Importance of Life Planning
• [07:30] - God’s Purpose for Your Life
• [10:55] - Understanding Inflection Points
• [14:20] - The Bedrock of the Resurrection
• [19:00] - Spiritual Warfare in the Early Church
• [23:40] - The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk
• [28:15] - Responding to Tragedy as a Church Family
• [32:50] - Discernment in Choosing a Church
• [37:10] - The Role of Courageous Shepherds
• [41:00] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare Today
• [46:30] - God’s Sovereignty and the Mystery Box
• [51:00] - The Call to Revival and Bold Witness
• [55:00] - Benediction and Closing Invitation

Bible Reading

Acts 4:1-4 (ESV) — > And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Romans 1:4 (ESV) — > and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

John 12:23-26 (ESV) — > And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 4:1-4, what was the main reason the religious leaders were upset with Peter and John, and what was the result of their preaching?
2. According to Romans 1:4, what does the resurrection of Jesus prove about who He is?
3. In John 12:23-26, what does Jesus say about the purpose of His death and the impact it will have?
4. The sermon described the church as a family, not just a weekly event. What are some ways the church is called to act like a family, especially in times of crisis? ([01:12:50])

Interpretation Questions

1. The early church faced opposition for preaching the resurrection. Why do you think the resurrection was (and still is) such a controversial and powerful message?
2. The sermon mentioned that each person is designed by God with a purpose, not just to go through the motions of life. What does it mean to move from passivity to intentional living as a Christian? ([58:55])
3. The pastor talked about the need for discernment in choosing a church and spiritual leaders. Why is it important to look for both doctrinal faithfulness and relational love in a church? ([01:18:54])
4. The idea of a “mystery box” was introduced for things we can’t understand, like tragedy or evil. How does trusting God’s sovereignty help us deal with unanswered questions or suffering? ([01:33:31])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us not to waste our lives in routine or distraction. Is there an area of your life where you feel you’ve been passive or just “going through the motions”? What is one step you could take this week to live more intentionally for God’s purpose? ([58:55])
2. The resurrection is described as the bedrock of our faith and the source of courage. When was the last time you drew courage from the truth of the resurrection in a difficult situation? How could you remind yourself of this hope in the week ahead? ([01:08:02])
3. The church is called to grieve together and support each other in times of loss or crisis. Is there someone in your church family who is hurting right now? What is one practical way you could reach out to them this week? ([01:12:50])
4. The pastor emphasized the need for discernment in a culture that often celebrates evil and confuses truth. Are there cultural messages or influences you need to be more discerning about? How can you seek God’s wisdom in these areas? ([01:18:54])
5. The sermon called for courageous shepherds and believers who are willing to stand for truth, even when it’s unpopular. Is there a situation in your life where you need to show more courage or speak up for what is right? What is holding you back? ([01:22:32])
6. The “mystery box” idea invites us to trust God with things we can’t understand. Is there a specific question, pain, or situation you need to put in the “mystery box” and trust God with today? ([01:33:31])
7. The pastor encouraged investing in the next generation and building on the legacy of faithful witnesses. Who is one younger person you could encourage, mentor, or pray for this month? ([01:35:38])