Standing Firm: Unity and Action in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Stand Firm in Faith Amidst Global Challenges

Description:
Christianity is facing significant challenges both globally and locally, with particular emphasis on the influence of the Islamic religion, which is perceived to be driven by a Luciferian agenda. This is not just a distant issue but one that is making inroads into American cities like Minneapolis and Aurora. As Christians, we are called to be vigilant and proactive in our faith, recognizing that we are born for such a time as this. Our mission is to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the gospel and standing firm in our beliefs. This is a call to action for every believer to be aware of the spiritual battles we face and to stand resolute in our faith. [01:24:02]

Bible Passage:
"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." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a specific area in your life where you feel your faith is being challenged. How can you take a proactive step today to stand firm in your beliefs and share the gospel in that context?

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Day 2: Unity Among Churches for a Stronger Front

Description:
Unity among churches is essential for pushing back against the forces that seek to undermine our faith. The vision is to create a neutral ground where churches can come together, strategize, and collaborate without feeling threatened or competitive. This unity is crucial for advancing God's kingdom and ensuring that we are not divided by competition or threats. By working together, churches can create a stronger front against spiritual and societal challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. [01:37:15]

Bible Passage:
"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider a local church or ministry that you have not collaborated with before. What is one practical step you can take this week to reach out and foster a spirit of unity and collaboration?

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Day 3: Faithful Preparation for Future Growth

Description:
Setting up systems and processes now, even if our numbers are small, is an act of faith. This preparation is essential for creating a bastion of freedom and a headquarters of Christian leadership that will be spoken of for generations to come. By preparing for the growth and increase that God has promised, we demonstrate our trust in His plans and our readiness to steward the resources and opportunities He provides. This forward-thinking approach ensures that we are not caught unprepared when God brings the increase. [01:41:59]

Bible Passage:
"Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house." (Proverbs 24:27, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify one area in your personal or church life where you can start preparing for future growth. What specific steps can you take today to lay the groundwork for what God might do in the future?

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Day 4: The Vital Role of Church Ministries

Description:
Every team within the church, from hospitality to worship, administration to mental health counseling, plays a crucial role in advancing God's kingdom. Their dedication and hard work are vital for the smooth running of the ministry and for creating a welcoming environment for outreach efforts. Recognizing and supporting these various ministries is essential for the overall health and effectiveness of the church. Each ministry, no matter how behind-the-scenes it may seem, contributes significantly to the mission of the church. [01:30:11]

Bible Passage:
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a ministry in your church that you may not be directly involved in. How can you show appreciation and support to the people serving in that ministry this week?

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Day 5: The Imperative of Collaboration

Description:
The collaboration among area churches is imperative for the survival and growth of our faith community. We must work together, understanding our quirks and differences, and not quit despite the challenges. This collaboration is essential for creating a unified front against the forces that seek to divide and conquer us. By fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual support, churches can better serve their communities and advance the kingdom of God. [01:53:43]

Bible Passage:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when collaboration with others made a significant difference in your life or ministry. How can you actively seek out and foster collaborative relationships with other believers or churches this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's gathering, we delved into the pressing issue of Christianity being under attack globally and locally. We discussed how the Islamic religion, driven by a Luciferian agenda, is making significant inroads, even in American cities like Minneapolis and Aurora. This is a call to action for us to be vigilant and proactive in our faith. We are reminded that we are born for such a time as this, and our mission is to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the gospel and standing firm in our beliefs.

We also highlighted the importance of our local church community and the various ministries that are integral to our mission. From hospitality to worship, administration to mental health counseling, every team plays a crucial role in advancing God's kingdom. Our hospitality team, for instance, has been exceptional in creating a welcoming environment, which is vital for our outreach efforts.

Moreover, we emphasized the need for unity among churches. Our vision is to create a neutral ground where churches can come together, strategize, and collaborate without feeling threatened or competitive. This unity is essential for pushing back against the forces that seek to undermine our faith.

We also touched on the importance of preparing for the future by setting up systems and processes now, even if our numbers are small. This preparation is an act of faith, expecting God to bring growth and increase. We are tasked with creating a bastion of freedom and a headquarters of Christian leadership that will be spoken of for generations to come.

Finally, we acknowledged the hard work and dedication of our teams, especially those working behind the scenes. Their efforts are crucial for the smooth running of our ministry, and we prayed for their strength and guidance.

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Key Takeaways

1. Christianity Under Attack: The global and local attacks on Christianity, particularly from the Islamic religion driven by a Luciferian agenda, are a call to action for us to stand firm in our faith. We must be vigilant and proactive, recognizing that we are born for such a time as this. Our mission is to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the gospel and standing firm in our beliefs. [84:02]
2. Unity Among Churches: The vision to create a neutral ground where churches can come together, strategize, and collaborate is essential for pushing back against the forces that seek to undermine our faith. This unity is crucial for advancing God's kingdom and ensuring that we are not divided by competition or threats. [97:15]
3. Preparation as an Act of Faith: Setting up systems and processes now, even if our numbers are small, is an act of faith. We are preparing for the growth and increase that God has promised. This preparation is essential for creating a bastion of freedom and a headquarters of Christian leadership that will be spoken of for generations to come. [101:59]
4. Role of Various Ministries: Every team within our church, from hospitality to worship, administration to mental health counseling, plays a crucial role in advancing God's kingdom. Their dedication and hard work are vital for the smooth running of our ministry and for creating a welcoming environment for outreach efforts. [90:11]
5. Importance of Collaboration: The collaboration among area churches is imperative for the survival and growth of our faith community. We must work together, understanding our quirks and differences, and not quit despite the challenges. This collaboration is essential for creating a unified front against the forces that seek to divide and conquer us. [01:53:43]
### [113:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[84:02] - Christianity Under Attack
[85:01] - Vigilance and Proactivity
[85:49] - Local Examples of Persecution
[87:39] - The Great Commission
[88:31] - Vision and Mission
[89:09] - Local Government Influence
[90:11] - Role of Various Ministries
[91:25] - Five Conference
[92:23] - Hospitality Team
[93:00] - Worship and Admin Teams
[93:50] - Mental Health Counseling
[94:20] - Grounds and Maintenance
[95:01] - Training Center
[96:03] - Evangelism
[97:15] - Regional Initiative
[98:12] - Unity Among Churches
[99:44] - Guarding Against the Enemy
[101:00] - Do Not Despise Small Beginnings
[103:31] - Call to Serve
[104:31] - Fighting Back
[105:00] - Prayer Team
[106:08] - Vision and Mission Recap
[107:20] - Call to Action
[110:49] - Property Management
[112:08] - Miraculous Provision
[113:43] - Collaboration Imperative
[114:01] - End Times and Our Role
[115:12] - Bastions of Freedom
[116:17] - Preparing for the Future
[117:05] - Next Leaders
[136:54] - Testimonies and Miracles
[138:22] - Importance of Sharing
[139:11] - Supporting Our Teams
[140:26] - Worship Team
[150:07] - Praying for Our Teams
[154:20] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What is the Great Commission, and how does it relate to our mission as Christians? (Matthew 28:19-20)
How does the sermon describe the current state of Christianity globally and locally? [01:24:02]
What role do various ministries within the church play in advancing God's kingdom according to the sermon? [01:30:11]
What is the vision for unity among churches as discussed in the sermon? [01:37:15]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for Christians to be vigilant and proactive in their faith, especially in the current global and local context? [01:24:02]
How can the concept of "for such a time as this" from Esther 4:14 be applied to our lives today?
What are the potential benefits and challenges of creating a neutral ground for churches to collaborate and strategize together? [01:37:15]
How does setting up systems and processes now, even with small numbers, demonstrate an act of faith? [01:41:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on the current global and local challenges to Christianity. How can you personally stand firm in your faith and be proactive in sharing the gospel? [01:24:02]
In what ways can you contribute to the unity among churches in your area? Are there specific actions you can take to foster collaboration and reduce competition? [01:37:15]
Think about the various ministries within your church. How can you support these ministries, and is there a specific team you feel called to join or assist? [01:30:11]
How can you prepare for future growth in your church or ministry, even if the current numbers are small? What systems or processes can you help set up now? [01:41:59]
Consider the idea of creating a bastion of freedom and a headquarters of Christian leadership. What steps can you take to contribute to this vision in your local church community? [01:43:31]
How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes promote unity and collaboration rather than division and competition within the body of Christ? [01:46:31]
Reflect on the importance of prayer and support for those working behind the scenes in your church. How can you actively encourage and pray for these individuals? [02:31:57]

Sermon Clips

1. "How many of us here can see in the world Christianity is under attack? We've been able to see that. For years, right, we've been able to see that. And the weird difference is a lot of the things that we've heard of the persecuted church in other countries, how many of you here it is on our doorstep? It may not be literally on your doorstep today, but I'm telling you, that's what's happening." [01:24:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I believe what God's wanting us to do. Okay? Here, and through the Great Commission, has accomplished two things simultaneously. One, personally for us here, right, what we've all, including all of you, have been given charge over. This isn't buying a carer's property. This isn't the F5. It isn't the Barnes. And it's not even the person who currently owns it. He said he felt like the Barnes Church was supposed to be in control of this property." [01:27:39] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have to be healthy. We have to be strong enough to be here first, to be able to be strong enough to accomplish this bigger mission, which is the big pants that we've been given, okay? Our hospitality team, just as case in point, we have somebody that's coming to the five conference, which I believe is going to be crucial in the up-and-coming season that's coming forth." [01:30:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We need to be able to get along together and understand our quirks and our differences and not quit. And this world is trying to bring us into a place where we give up and quit, and we're fractured and divided and easily offended, and we quit. I'm like, seriously, don't quit. Keep committing and recommitting. Stand back up. Fail forward. God told us this at the very first year that we were, we started our ministry. He said, do not despise. Small beginnings." [01:39:44] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I don't know what your gifting is, but again, this is a call to prepare your heart to serve. We're literally tasked with creating a bastion of freedom. A bastion of freedom here in this place. A headquarters of Christian leadership. That's who you are. To fight back against what is coming. You're part of something that is and will be spoken of for generations to come. Even those who don't follow Christianity are going to hear of us and what we're doing here." [01:43:31] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are not going to sit back And when it comes to our doorstep We're going to be fighting back In every way that we can And because of that We're going to be front and center We won't be the only ones Christianity will be In our area, we will be And we're going to be known as a center That brings people together That is collaborating I'm going to tell you, the enemy knows that The enemy doesn't go after the front line soldiers They're looking for the leadership They're looking for headquarters They're looking for the places of power." [01:44:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We have a team It's not by luck or coincidence That our prayer team Right now Felt compelled to come together To begin praying intensely We started that today like an intense More than ever Over our ministry So that the enemy Because we're not stupid We've been doing this a long time As you step up, so do they And we have to come at them all times From the power of God And through the Holy Spirit." [01:45:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We are to be a team To be a healthy, loving ministry Serving one another God wants that But it is no less Than that It is our overarching ministry call That as we come To that finish line If we die And fall forward And the flag that we're carrying Lands on the other side Is to bring unity to the body In our region That is our vision and mission That he gave us." [01:46:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We have to begin The collaboration We have to With the area churches It's imperative guys The church is so fractured Right now If we don't start Bringing the churches together We won't make it I'm telling you Hear what I'm telling you And a lot of people Are thinking Well it's end times It's coming It's coming What does it matter We just take our hand Off the wheel It's supposed to happen." [01:53:43] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Just because it says It's supposed to happen Or it's going to happen Doesn't mean You weren't supposed To fight against it Doesn't mean You shouldn't know Thy enemy Doesn't mean You shouldn't be Doing what you need to do Because guess what You can add days To your life And you can take days away Those are both In the word of God When people say Well you know You never know your day That is not true You can add years To your life You can take years away." [01:54:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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