Steadfast Faith: Navigating Hostility as Heavenly Citizens

Devotional

Day 1: Our True Citizenship in Heaven

As believers, we are called to live as pilgrims and foreigners in this world, with our true citizenship in heaven. This identity shapes how we navigate the challenges of life, recognizing that the world may be hostile towards us because we belong to God. Our allegiance is to a higher kingdom, and this calls us to live differently, with our eyes set on eternal things. The world, in its fallen state, is at enmity with God, and this enmity often manifests as antagonism towards His people. Yet, we are reminded that our ultimate home is not here, but with God in heaven. [03:35]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live today with the mindset that your true citizenship is in heaven, rather than being overly concerned with the things of this world?

Day 2: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

The increasing hostility towards Christians is a manifestation of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. The world, under the influence of the spirit of antichrist, seeks to erase the truth of God's Word. As believers, we must be vigilant and discerning, standing firm in our faith and the teachings of Scripture. This spiritual battle is not new; it has been present since the early church, and it requires us to be equipped with the armor of God to withstand the schemes of the enemy. [07:49]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What specific piece of the armor of God do you need to put on today to stand firm against the spiritual battles you are facing?

Day 3: The Unaltered Word of God

The Bible is the church's source of power and authority. In a world that seeks to censor and alter the message of the gospel, we must hold fast to the unaltered Word of God, recognizing its eternal truth and life-giving power. The spirit of antichrist employs deceptive strategies to lead believers astray, but the true power of the church lies in the unaltered Word of God. Our task is to remain steadfast, to watch and pray, and to be vigilant in our faith. [14:53]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize spending time in God's Word today, allowing it to shape your thoughts and actions?

Day 4: Vigilance Against Deception

The spirit of antichrist employs deceptive strategies to lead believers astray. We must be aware of these tactics, recognizing that the true power of the church lies in the unaltered Word of God. Our task is to remain steadfast, to watch and pray, and to be vigilant in our faith. This vigilance requires discernment and a commitment to truth, as we navigate a world that often seeks to obscure or distort the message of the gospel. [20:57]

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: What are some deceptive philosophies or ideas you encounter in your daily life, and how can you guard against them with the truth of Scripture?

Day 5: Hope in Christ's Return

Despite the increasing darkness and hostility, we find strength and comfort in the promise of Christ's return. Jesus is coming again to make all things new, and this hope sustains us as we navigate the challenges of this life. We are called to stand firm, knowing that God is sovereign and His Word is eternal. This hope is not just a future expectation but a present reality that empowers us to live with purpose and perseverance. [24:20]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence the way you live today, and what steps can you take to be more watchful and prepared for His coming?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound reality of our identity as pilgrims and foreigners in this world, emphasizing our citizenship in heaven. As believers, we are called to navigate a world that is increasingly hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This hostility is not new; it has been present since the early church and is rooted in the fact that we belong to God. The world, in its fallen state, is at enmity with God, and this enmity manifests as antagonism towards His people.

We are reminded of the evil days described in Ephesians 5:16, where the apostle Paul speaks of the challenges faced by the early church. These challenges are not unlike those we face today, as political powers and societal norms increasingly oppose the teachings of Christ. The analogy of the hounds of hell being released serves as a vivid illustration of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in. Yet, amidst this, we are called to stand firm in our faith, holding fast to the truth of God's Word.

The message also highlighted the importance of being vigilant and discerning in these times. The spirit of antichrist seeks to erase the truth of Scripture, much like a black sharpie obscures the words on a page. We must be aware of the deceptive strategies employed by those who oppose the gospel, recognizing that the true power of the church lies in the unaltered Word of God.

In closing, we are encouraged to find strength and comfort in the promise of Christ's return. Despite the increasing darkness, we hold onto the hope that Jesus is coming again to make all things new. Our task is to remain steadfast, to watch and pray, and to be vigilant in our faith, knowing that God is sovereign and His Word is eternal.

Key Takeaways

1. giving power. [14:53]
4. Vigilance Against Deception: The spirit of antichrist employs deceptive strategies to lead believers astray. We must be aware of these tactics, recognizing that the true power of the church lies in the unaltered Word of God. Our task is to remain steadfast, to watch and pray, and to be vigilant in our faith.

5. Hope in Christ's Return: Despite the increasing darkness and hostility, we find strength and comfort in the promise of Christ's return. Jesus is coming again to make all things new, and this hope sustains us as we navigate the challenges of this life. We are called to stand firm, knowing that God is sovereign and His Word is eternal.

** [14:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus
[00:26] - Prayer for Faithfulness
[02:18] - Pilgrims on the Move
[03:35] - Our Identity as Foreigners
[04:42] - Hostility Towards Believers
[06:36] - Evil Days and Spiritual Warfare
[08:31] - Political Powers and Persecution
[11:46] - The Church's Resilience
[12:42] - Incoming Warnings
[14:53] - The Power of God's Word
[18:41] - Bewitching Deceptions
[22:00] - Standing Firm in Faith
[24:20] - Hope in Christ's Return
[28:21] - Vigilance and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Ephesians 5:16 - "Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
Romans 14:8 - "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
John 15:18 - "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

---

Observation Questions:

What does the term "pilgrims and foreigners" mean in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to our identity as Christians? [03:35]
How does the sermon describe the current state of the world in relation to the hostility towards Christians? [04:42]
What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the spiritual warfare Christians face, and what does it signify? [06:36]
How does the sermon illustrate the power and importance of God's Word in the life of the church? [14:53]

---

Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the sermon suggest that the spirit of antichrist is working to erase the truth of Scripture? How does this relate to the analogy of the black sharpie? [16:38]
How does the sermon interpret the increasing hostility towards Christians as a sign of spiritual warfare? What are the implications for believers today? [07:49]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of vigilance and discernment in the life of a believer? How can this be practically applied in today's context? [20:57]
How does the promise of Christ's return provide strength and comfort to believers, according to the sermon? [24:20]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on your identity as a "pilgrim and foreigner" in this world. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [03:35]
The sermon speaks of increasing hostility towards Christians. Have you experienced this in your own life? How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [04:42]
Considering the analogy of the hounds of hell, what are some practical steps you can take to stand firm in your faith amidst spiritual warfare? [06:36]
The sermon emphasizes the power of God's Word. How can you ensure that you are regularly engaging with Scripture in a way that strengthens your faith? [14:53]
In what ways can you be more vigilant and discerning about the deceptive strategies that oppose the gospel? How can you support others in your community to do the same? [20:57]
How does the hope of Christ's return influence your outlook on current challenges and future uncertainties? What specific actions can you take to live in light of this hope? [24:20]
Identify one area in your life where you feel challenged to remain steadfast in your faith. What steps can you take this week to address this challenge? [22:00]

Sermon Clips

We are pilgrims on earth, and no doubt we are pilgrims on earth. Our citizenship is in heaven. When I look at that word pilgrim, we can also have the word foreigner. We are foreigners as Christians above all things. We are foreigners on this earth. [00:03:07]

The days are coming when the majority are not hospitable to us but openly hostile as believers. There are a number today, no doubt in our land and other lands, and they are hostile and antagonistic towards the Christian church, towards the people of God. [00:04:14]

The days are evil, as Paul said. That word evil can mean bringing toils, annoyances, pearls, hardships. I think of the days of evil in Acts chapter 12. I think of how the scripture says about that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. [00:07:52]

The Bible is the church's boom. There's no doubt about that. The gospel, it's the heart of the church, indeed His gospel, His message. Government and laws now indeed, and laws that will be, are being proposed and shall come to pass, seek to remove indeed the firing pen, the scriptures. [00:14:45]

The spirit of antichrist seeks to take, as a word, the black sharpie to the scriptures, and even more so in the days to come, to take God's holy and infallible word and remove and seek their arrays, books, on chapters of the word of God. [00:16:47]

There are many witches today, and they are not in black cloaks with pointy hats. They are dressed in suits with shirts and ties, and they have the American flag or we barge on their lapels, or they have the Union Jack behind them as they give speeches. [00:18:57]

Stand firm in the Lord. That's what we are to do. With all these things happening and all that shall come to pass, the charge to us is stand firm in the Lord. Stand firm in the word of God. Stand firm in the tenants of the faith. [00:22:01]

We strengthen ourselves in the word of God that the Lord is coming. That's what we stand upon. We stand firm in the promise that the Lord is coming, regardless of these things, regardless of what is happening, what will happen, what will snowball. [00:24:17]

We believe wholeheartedly that everything within the Bible here today is God-breathed, for all scriptures given by the inspiration of God, all scripture from Genesis to Revelation, from the beginning to the end, it is God's word. It is the infallible and errant word of God. [00:27:38]

We look to God and we look to God's word, but we watch and pray and we be vigilant. Amen. To God be the glory. [00:28:21]

We know that you have all power, that you ain't supreme, that you are sovereign overall. And Lord, we know just as you have kept Lord the church through persecution, a tribulation Lord down through the years, Lord, so you shall keep your church and persecution today, tomorrow. [00:30:12]

We thank you that you are coming to conquer and subdue. The God indeed be the glory in Jesus mighty name. Amen. [00:32:58]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Steadfast Faith: Navigating Hostility as Heavenly Citizens

Devotional

Day 1: Our True Citizenship in Heaven

Day 2: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Day 3: The Unaltered Word of God

Day 4: Vigilance Against Deception

Day 5: Hope in Christ's Return

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Steadfast Faith: Navigating Hostility as Heavenly Citizens

Share