Proverbs Tag

Find Joy Even When You are Lonely (Joy to the World)

December 1 Find Joy Even When You are Lonely: Acts 16; Philippians 1:1-14
U.S. Dec of Ind- all men are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Joy to the World?
88% of people feel stressed during the holidays
56% of people bite their lip with family during the holidays
Top 3 topics avoided with family – politics, personal matters, religion.
The average couple has seven arguments during the holidays
Top 5 holiday arguments – where to go, money, family, cleaning up, cooking
85% of people overeat during the holidays
42% of people unbutton their pants after a holiday meal
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/the-holiday-stress-out-88-percent-of-americans-study-claims
Lk 2:10-11 “the angel said…“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Philippians is God’s Guide to Joy
The church
First church in Europe (Acts 16)
No Bible – 10 men for synagogue
Planted by Paul 10-12 years prior after walking 9 miles
Started with women’s prayer meeting, Lydia, & possessed girls
Does not say “apostle”; Perhaps the best church in the NT (“sin” omitted)
The book
4 chapters 104 verses – read 15 minutes
“joy” theme 19X; & Jesus 61X
1:4 my prayer with joy
1:18 Christ is proclaimed…in that I rejoice.
1:25 joy in the faith,
2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind…the same love
2:17-18 I am glad and rejoice with you all… be glad and rejoice with me
2:28-29 rejoice at seeing him again…receive him in the Lord with all joy
3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.
4:1 brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
Our problems are big – illegally arrested, imprisoned Rome, awaiting trial
God’s joy is bigger
Servants and Saints
Philippians 1:1-5 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
#1. Who is God?
Jesus Christ – 7x first 11 verses, 61/104 verses
#2. Who are you? – Paul did not start as servant or saint
Servant – focused on others, requires humility (vs pride)
We serve Jesus because He served us (Isaiah 40-66)
Matt 20:25-28 “…whoever would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Pals: “Paul & Timothy”, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” =serve together
Prayer: “my prayer with joy” = focus on God & others is good for you
Partnership: “your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” = $
Saint
First Catholic saints honored martyrs
1. Be a Catholic 2. Die 3. A local devotion grows up around your memory 4. Your life is investigated
5. Your local bishop sends your case to the Vatican 6. Pray for a miracle 7. The Vatican investigates the miraculous cure 8. The Vatican declares you, “Blessed” 9. Pray for another miracle 10. You’re a saint!
Can be venerated – holiday, patron saint schools & churches
Over 300X Bible refers to “sinners”
Only 3X does Bible “possibly refer to XN as “sinners”
0X “sin” in Philippians
Over 200X Bible XN saints/holy/righteous
1. Sin may describe some of your activity, but does not define your entire identity in Christ.
2. You will sin some of the time, but you are a saint all of the time in Christ.
3. Sin is some of what you do, but not the totality of who you are in Christ.
4. There is a big difference between having sin and being sin.
5. Because you have a new identity as saint you can have a new victory over sin in Christ.
6. As a sinner, you have a dark past. As a saint you have a bright future.
1 Bible step – Jesus “grace and peace”

God is Faithful for You, in You, and Through You
Philippians 1:6-11 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
1. God is faithful for you – Jesus finished His work for you, & began the work in you
2. God is faithful in you – Holy Spirit brings more love, knowledge of God, life discernment
3. God is faithful through you – “your love may about more and more” – best church gets better
Your pastor: “I hold you in my heart”, “I yearn for you…w/the affection of JC” -TONE FITS
Find Joy Even When You are Lonely
Philippians 1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic = 15 cigarettes day
· Paul – Roughly decade of ministry, walked avg 20 mi day, hated, beaten, single, future??
There is big difference between isolation and solitude
You may not get new circumstances, but you can get a new mindset (11X Php. “mind”)
Behind enemy lines, 9000 soldiers, one always chained to him
You need a purpose bigger than ur pain/problem – “gospel” more % verses any NT book
Appreciate Jesus suffering for me? Become more like Jesus through suffering? Ministry?
CLOSE
Taught Php 2007? Dark hard season. Taught joy, did not much experience it.
Sat down prep this series, God revealed a spirit of darkness had been over me
I knew about Jesus & forgiveness more than HS & joy
Joy came – contentment, appreciation, hope, thankfulness
“I give people joy so that they can enjoy the people and things I also give them”
Lk 10:21 [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit; Gal 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…
Php 1:19 through your prayers & the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance
1. Your joy is your responsibility 2). Cheerlessness is a bad advertisement

Jesus Heals Father Wounds

Jesus’ Lived from the Father’s Identity 

Luke 3:22 a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.

Worked FROM not for identity
Tested – Luke 4:3,9 “If you are the Son of God”

Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

Jesus Reflected the Father’s Heart

John 14:9 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

Worship is to mirror/image
How can I reflect God (love, justice, generosity)?

Jesus Did the Father’s Work

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Me as boy construction w/dad

Gideon Scotland Story –

My transition & God Father – 

Learn to Discern Between what God Creates and Satan Counterfeits (Win Your War)

Learn to Discern Between what God Creates and Satan Counterfeits

God Creates, Satan Counterfeits

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 [NLT] the work of Satan…counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception

“false”

God Creates             Satan Counterfeits

angels/demons    obedience/ rebellion     truth/lies     Spirit-filled/demon-possessed

cleansing/ defilement      humility/pride    forgiveness/bitterness

worship/idolatry        contentment/coveting   peace/fear   unity/ division

shepherds/wolves    God-esteem/self-esteem    covenant with God/inner vow with self

Spirit/flesh     freedom/slavery    revival/riot    life/death   church/ world     kingdom/hell

You Need Discernment

1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist…Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world…We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Message – John 8 Pharisees said Jesus was the demonic counterfeit
Messenger – Spirit of God in them?

Subverting Satan’s Battle Plan

Demonic process In heaven, Eden, OT, Jesus ministry, church
Defeat pride with humility

Ezekiel 28:2 [ESV?] “Thus says the Lord God…your heart is proud and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods”

I know what’s best and should have more power
Defeat rebellion with honor

1 Samuel 15:23 [NLT] Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

Because I’m right and they are wrong, it’s time to force my change
Defeat division with unity 

Romans 16:17-20 watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ…I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

I am recruiting people to join my side – troop buildup
Defeat mob mentality with loving family

John 13:16-17 Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot….Satan entered into him.

John 18:2-3 Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Now that I’ve got my army assembled, it’s time to war
Defeat war by choosing peace

Revelation 12:7-9 [ESV] Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

= Church battles are part of the Big War 

Satan Sends Counterfeits into the Church

Happened in heaven, OT, Jesus ministry, early church, today

False Apostles – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 2:2-5
False Prophets – Ezekiel 13:8-9; Matthew 7:15
False Teachers – 2 Peter 2:1-9
False Doctrines – 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Galatians 1:8, 3:1
(Legalism/Galatia and Liberalism/Corinth)

5. False Brothers – 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4
6. False Elders – Acts 20:17-38

= causes church hurt, most likely are leaders

1). Wise – Spirit = win/win

2). Foolish – Flesh = win/lose

3). Evil – Demonic = lose/lose

Healing from Church Hurt

Hurt
Decision pull hell up or invite heaven down
Bitterness is defeated by forgiveness
Lies are cast out by the truth
Inner vow is broken by covenant with God
Fight or flight is replaced by faith
Fight – declare war
Flight – isolation (vs solitude) 

The Lord rebuke you spirit of…

Heal from Wounds In the Past and Fears for the Future (Win Your War)

Heal from Wounds In the Past and Fears for the Future (ch 16-17)
Past – Father Wound; Future – Fear
The biggest variable in life apart from God is who your Father was/is

5 Kinds of Fathers
Malachi 4:5-6 (NKJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
1. Tragic dad
2. Terrible dad (broken, selfish)
3. Tough dad (push, performance, punish)
4. Tender dad
5. Terrific dad

The Father Wound
Ephesians 4:27,31,32 (NIV) do not give the devil a foothold. Get rid of all bitterness…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 6:4,11-12 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord….take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Kinds Fathers
1). Physical (genealogies)
2). Spiritual Paul (1 Cor. 4:15 Tim/Titus/Ones) John “my little children”
= Father Wound – Unforgiven/Unresolved/Unhealed hurt from physical or spiritual father
View of Heavenly Father Often Projection or Rejection of earthly father
Atheism – I have no Father.
Agnosticism – I may or may not have a Father, but I’ve never met Him, don’t care to
Deism – I have a Father but He lives far away and we don’t have a relationship.
Reformed theology – I have Father who is distant, controlling, and not very relational
Arminian theology – I have Father who is passive and lets me make my own decisions
Liberal/Progressive – I have Father who acts more like an enabling older sibling.
Feminist theology – I don’t need Father as men are dangerous, worship God as Mother

God the Father
John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said…“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Father Forgotten
OT
Lots about fathers (patriarchal)
Little about God Father – roughly 15X, national not personal
JESUS
· #1 name for God – 65X Matt-Luke; 100X John = 165X
· Abba – no indication this word used before Jesus of God
· John 14:9 “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”
· Colossians 1:15 “the image of the invisible God”

God as Master vs God as Father
Lk 3:22 a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.
Romans 8:14-17 all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
A master uses a slave A father blesses a son
You serve them They serve you
Beats you down Builds you up
No inheritance Full inheritance
Motivate you by fear Motivate you by love

8 Reasons Most Fear is a Fraud
Genesis 3:10 (ESV) I was afraid
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Most fearful people think they are loving – a lie.
Fear – anxiety – or even phobia – “you are not safe” – reveals who/what we love/hate
Something triggers our fear = stronghold
Fear is the counterfeit to discernment.
Fear makes us selfish. (self-consumed)
Fear makes us ineffective. (paralyzed, stuck, inactive)
Fear causes us to lose touch with reality. (fears layer & driven by emotions)
Fear causes us to seek to be God. (knowing & controlling)
Fear robs us. Jesus – thief “steal and kill & destroy” (sleep, health, adventure)
Fear makes us double-minded and unstable – James 1:5-8; step forward & back
Fear turns us into false prophets
You create an environment of fear or love (e.g. parenting – same issue love vs fear)

Bring Your Fears To Your Father
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Focus one eye on each track – “rejoice” “thanksgiving” (naïve vs scared)
Make your will your rudder – “reasonableness” emotions sail, fear hurricane, will rudder
Replace panic with prayer – “do not be anxious about anything” prayer and supplication”
· Release valve/Lightning rod/Verbally process privately
Tell the Father what you want – “your requests” know what you don’t want vs do want
· He wants to hear you; tightrope vs highway
Enjoy God’s peace and presence – “guard” 150’X? “fear not, I’m with you”
Haiti & our Rambo
1). What you fear may not happen
2). Your fear may be more harmful to you than what you fear
3). Even if what you fear happens, you might be fine
Jesus Gethsemane – fear, anxiety, prayer, “if”, “your will be done”
Jesus endured all of our worst fears
Even if you get buried God can raise you up, I said “we’re good” Grace said “we’re better”

Win Your War Endorsement – Robert and Debbie Morris

We’re in an all-out war with an enemy who wants to destroy us. Whenever we’re being attacked, it’s important to remember that we don’t wage war against flesh and blood—we’re in a spiritual battle. That’s why we’re so glad our dear friends Mark and Grace Driscoll have written Win Your War, a book that looks at spiritual warfare through the eyes of a married couple. In it they help you see the practical and biblical nature of spiritual warfare in your relation- ship with God, self, others, and the church. If you want to better understand how to access the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy, we encourage you to read this book.
—Robert and Debbie Morris
Founding Lead Senior Pastor and Executive Women’s Pastor, Gateway Church
Best-Selling Author, The Blessed Life, Frequency, and Beyond Blessed

Finding Freedom through Full Forgiveness (Win Your War)

Finding Freedom through Full Forgiveness
Texas, a young man in apartment, female cop entered thinking it was her apartment, shot & killed innocent man. In court, 18 yr victims brother forgave & embraced convicted killer. Judge gave her Bible, referenced John 3:16, embraced killer said, “You haven’t done so much that you can’t be forgiven. You did something bad in one moment in time. What you do now matters.”
Good news still makes the news because it’s counter-cultural
There’s no relationship without forgiveness

Are you forgiven?
Luke 11:4 [ESV] forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
The Lord’s Prayer
Sin and debt
All other religions, you pay. Only gospel it’s paid by Someone else.
Ransom is payment
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
1st of 7 words on cross
Sponge
Jesus forgave a guy, died to answer his prayer
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus changes your relationship with God & Satan
Are you forgiven?

What does forgiveness mean and not mean?
Hebrews 12:14-15 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…
11 Things Forgiveness is
The opposite of vengeance (you pay vs I pay debt) = counterfeit to forgiveness
Shifting your focus from the one who hurt you, to the One who can heal you
Both a one-time event, and an ongoing process (70×7)
Passing the case to a Higher Court
Taking the burden you cannot carry and handing it to Jesus to carry
Giving up control of the outcome
Giving up on unenforceable rules
Making but not keeping a record of wrongs
Boxing it up & putting it out of sight
Opening the door for their repentance and your reconciliation
Choosing health for your body and soul
9 Things Forgiveness is not
Denying or pretending
Minimizing or Globalizing
Covering a crime (legal vs personal)
Based upon their repentance or apology (nouthetic counseling)
Completely forgetting (Jer. 31:34) “I will forgive…and their sin I will remember no more”
Trust – forgiveness is free in a moment, trust is earned over time
Agreement
Public – often other person or anyone else has to know about
God’s forgiveness
Why Should You Forgive?
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Forgiveness – 1) For you 2). In you 3). Through you
Blessing – test of forgiving
What happens if you don’t forgive?
Ephesians 4:26-27 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil….Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
1. Bitterness – unforgiveness, disappointment, woundedness, brokenness, holding a grudge, being offended, or just plain old hurt
Big deal vs big person
2. Emotional unhealth – todays anger is not a problem, yesterdays anger is a problem
3. War
2 people are at war, enlist army (Cold War)
Unholy Alliance – demons introduce people
4. Demonic Torment – Choosing to invite the Holy Spirit and not unholy Spirits empower
Matthew 18
Types of Bitter People
Archeologist
Case-builder
Negative narrative reporter
Bridge burner
Broken believer (compounded pain)
Identity – Naomi “sweet” vs Mara “bitter”

What happens if you do forgive?
Ephesians 4:30-31 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
You live heaven down, not hell up
You experience a Holy Spirit miracle
Stephen Acts 7 – prayed for Paul, saw Jesus standing in heaven, Paul saved

Who Do You Need to Forgive?
Joseph – Dad favored & rebuked, brothers betrayed, Potiphar’s wife, cupbearer forgot
Forgave brothers long before they saw one another
Was emotional not vengeful when they were brought together
He did not immediately trust them, but did test them
Genesis 50:19-20
Name it, Forgive it, Use it
RT – deeper forgiveness = greater anointing (“Spirit of God in him” – Pharaoh)
Spirit (win-win); Flesh (win-lose); Demonic (lose-lose)
Chinese Proverb? “The person who seeks revenge should dig 2 graves”

Win Your War Foreword – Michael Heiser

As a biblical scholar I’m prone to only read scholarly works produced under peer review and highbrow academic publishers. The focus of my own work for both the academy and the person in the pew has largely been the supernatural worldview of the Bible. Consequently, when I was approached by Mark to read the manuscript of Win Your War, I was drawn out of my scholarly bubble by the twofold goal he and his wife, Grace, sought to accomplish in the book: to convince Christians that they need to embrace the reality of the supernatural world and to process every area of the Christian life (every personal “war”) in accord with that belief.
The implication, of course, is that being conformed to the image of Christ involves more than the daily struggle to turn from self-destructive behavior, character flaws, and human evil. It also means believing that there are intelligent evil forces at work that not only impede the process of our growth in becoming more like Jesus but seek to manipulate our thinking and behavior to undermine our joy and usefulness to God. In short, God has enemies, and His enemies are our enemies—and they are not passive.
This may sound odd to some readers. How does it make sense to tell Christians that they need to embrace the supernatural? Don’t Christians believe in God, that Jesus was God in the flesh, and that God the Holy Spirit resides within? Don’t they believe what happened on the cross super- naturally resulted in the forgiveness of sin and everlasting life to all who believe that God sent Jesus for those purposes?
The answer put forth by Mark and Grace is straightforward. For many Christians, belief in the supernatural ends with the points of doctrine noted above. Affirming the reality of intelligent evil the way it is portrayed in the Bible—where supernatural agents of darkness actively participate in misdirecting our thoughts and behavior to self-destruction, unbelief, and apathy—isn’t on the table for many Christians in the modern Western world, driven by “enlightened” rationalism.
The unfortunate reality is that many Christians are selectively super- natural in their outlook, a stance that not only denies biblical authority on a range of ideas but anesthetizes believers as to what’s really happening to them and their churches on social, cultural, and geopolitical levels. Most believers don’t realize that demons occupy a low status in the pecking order of supernatural darkness. It’s no accident that the Book of Daniel includes supernatural intelligences in the operations of empires (Daniel 10’s “princes”). It’s also no coincidence that Paul’s vocabulary for intelligent evil (rulers, principalities, powers, thrones, etc.) follows suit—the terms are common ones for geographical dominion.
This is not to endorse a cartoonish view of spiritual warfare, a term that has become a buzzword in certain circles of Christianity. Mark and Grace are not finding demons under every rock (nor every church, corporate, or governmental board). While they refer to some truly strange supernatural incidents in their lives, they are quite clear from the outset that Win Your War is not about baptizing Hollywood’s portrayals of the supernatural. Biblically speaking (and when we discuss supernatural darkness, we should indeed be speaking biblically), spiritual warfare should not be defined as soliciting angels, engaging in shouting matches with supernatural powers, or blaming our failures on demons. Rather, spiritual warfare is fundamentally about the conflict between two kingdoms, a conflict within and without for every true Christian, whether he or she discerns that or not. Followers of Jesus win their spiritual war when they spread the gospel, protect the gospel against false teaching, and live out the gospel by becoming more conformed to the loving, sacrificial character of Jesus.
Not surprisingly, these things are encapsulated in the last words of Jesus before He ascended to heaven (Matt. 28:18–20). It follows, then, that these are the things the supernatural powers of darkness fear, for they grow the kingdom of God and are the catalyst for the Lord’s return. As the apostle Paul so eloquently noted, when the gospel spreads to the nations, the moment of the kingdom’s consummation draws closer (Rom. 11:25–27; cf. Gal 3:7–9, 26–29). Believers weren’t tasked by Jesus with “ghost-busting” in His name. We are instead supposed to be making disciples of all nations. But doing that requires each of us to be a useful and effective believer. The powers of supernatural darkness are on the clock, and they know it. We must win our spiritual war to do our part. This is why we face supernatural opposition.
Win Your War is a pastoral plea that needs to take hold in the hearts and minds of serious believers in every church that preaches the gospel. My hope is that Win Your War will prod readers toward realizing that the powers of darkness are real and that they work to influence our thinking and behavior to distract us from fulfilling—and enjoying—our lives in Christ and our kingdom tasks.
—Dr. Michael S. Heiser
PhD, Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies
Executive Director, Awakening School of Theology and Ministry
Author, The Unseen Realm, Angels, and Supernatural

Win Your War Foreword – Jimmy Evans

As a young believer I knew nothing about spiritual warfare. And that is the exact state the devil wanted for me. His dream is for people to be completely ignorant of his evil intent for them and his specific schemes to defeat them and keep them in bondage. Since the Garden of Eden, when the devil took the form of a serpent, stealth has been his greatest advantage. It allows him to wreak havoc on innocent people without ever being suspected as the agent of harm.
And that is exactly what he did in my life and marriage. We were under assault and had no idea what was happening. But an event occurred that exposed the enemy’s hand in our lives. My wife, Karen, and I had a good marriage and had actually experienced a miraculous healing in our relation- ship several years before this particular event.
But one day we started fighting. It just happened, and there really wasn’t any specific reason for it. We were just irritated by each other’s words and actions and our nerves were on edge when we were around each other. This went on for over a week, and it was escalating. Finally, one Wednesday evening around 6:00 p.m., Karen informed me that we needed to get ready to go to our Bible study, which we went to every week. It started at 7:00 p.m., and she didn’t want to be late.
Out of spite I told her I wasn’t going to go. I did it just to irritate her and get back at her, and it worked. She left the house angrily and went to the Bible study without me. Bob and Sarah Key were the leaders of the group, and they were wonderful people. Karen was at their home that night for several hours and then returned home.
I was sitting in the living room when Karen walked in. Her countenance and spirit were completely different than when she had left. She came into the room and sat across from me and said, “I need to tell you what happened at Bible study tonight.” I replied, “OK, what happened?”
She said calmly, “Tonight Sarah Key told me that we had been on her heart all week when she was praying. And she told me that the Lord had showed her a vision of a lion’s head in our living room, roaring, and it was here to destroy our marriage. She said it was a demonic spirit and we needed to hold hands and bind it and command it to leave in the name of Jesus.”
Nothing like this had ever happened to us before. But as Karen spoke, I knew it was true. It was like the Lord was drawing back a drape and let- ting us see what was happening in the realm of the spirit we were ignorant of before. For the first time ever, I held my wife’s hand and we prayed and bound the devil over our marriage and our home. It was a very simple prayer. I said, “Satan, in Jesus’ name we bind you over our marriage and our home. We command you to leave us and never come back. Amen.”
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, the atmosphere in our marriage and home was completely different. Tension was replaced by peace. Anger was replaced by affection. We had experienced an awakening, and our marriage would never be the same again.
In sharing this story, I’m not suggesting that every problem in marriage or life is the devil’s fault. We have to learn many skills and spiritual les- sons on many levels to be successful in life and love. But what I am saying is the devil is real, he is evil, and he is our personal enemy. We must learn to overcome him if we are going to live free, fulfilled, and victorious lives.
Mark and Grace Driscoll are two of my favorite people. I have so much love and respect for them. You can be assured as you read this powerful book that they live these truths out every day in their lives, marriage, family, and relationship with God. They are mature, victorious believers who have the authority to teach on this subject.
As I read through the pages of this book, I thought how I wished I could have read this as a young believer. It would have been such an incredible help then, but it is still a blessing to me today. There are so many rich truths and spiritual insights in this book. Mark and Grace have a unique ability to share deep biblical truths in a very practical manner.
Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to give us the ability to live an overcoming life of freedom and victory. And that is what this book will help equip you to do. This book is about helping all of us realize our destinies in the Lord and win every war against the enemy!
—Jimmy Evans
Senior Pastor of Gateway Church
Founder and CEO of MarriageToday
Senior Elder of Trinity Fellowship Church, Amarillo, Texas

Win Your War Foreword – R.T. Kendall

The book you are about to read is very unusual. In fact I know of no book quite like it. You will find it easy to read; it will grip you from the beginning. But you may not be prepared for it. And yet if you are a Christian, you will be edified and thankful for a book like this. If you are not a Christian but are open to what is reliable and trustworthy, this could be the instrument that will change your life—forever.

I met Mark and Grace Driscoll in Dallas for the first time a year ago. Various Christian leaders wanted us to meet. They said that Mark and I had a lot in common—being Word and Spirit men: Reformed in theology but open to the immediate and direct work of the Holy Spirit. I knew about Mark’s ministry in Seattle, Washington, and that he moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Mark and Grace flew to Dallas to meet with me and others. I listened to Mark as he recounted what he and Grace had been through in recent years. Seldom have I run across a couple who have suffered as they have. I was stunned by Mark’s candor and transparency. I will never forget the look of utter devotion on Grace’s face as she sat next to her husband as he answered our questions. There is nothing more painful than the with- holding of vindication. And yet God is at the bottom of such—which Mark and Grace know full well.

It is precisely their suffering that has prepared them for the making of the book you are about to read. This book was not written in an ivory tower—separate from the real world—as some are known to be. Mark and Grace have lived through what they write about. It is quite theological but immensely practical.You will be confronted with strong truth but blessed with simple and clear ways such truth can be applied in your life.

I have learned a lot from this book. I used to think I would write a book one day on angels and demons. But that is one aspiration I will permanently drop! Their book is better than I could have written.

Satan has one of two wishes for all people, namely, that either you would not believe in his existence at all or you would go overboard and give him undue attention. This book strikes a prudent balance between these extremes. You will come away with the conviction that the demonic world is very real—yes, but you will learn that the power of the blood of Jesus Christ is infinitely greater than Satan’s lies. Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). But what impressed me even more is the sense of sin and a realistic view of human nature that emerge throughout the book. This book puts to rest any notion of the goodness of man—a worldview that has too long deceived humankind.

Win Your War is a team effort. Mark and Grace have given us a book that will enable you to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. But not in your own strength. It is because Christ overcame Satan at the cross!

—R. T. Kendall
DPhil, Oxford University
DD, Trevecca Nazarene University
Senior Pastor of Westminster Chapel for Twenty-Five Years
Author of More Than Sixty Books, Including Total Forgiveness  

Your Savior is a Dragon Slayer (Win Your War)

Your Savior is a Dragon Slayer (ch 3-6)
God creates, Satan counterfeits
· North Korea like demonic cult under control of a godlike leader
· Everyone born into country brainwashed from early age in gov’t schools.
· Study dictator, sing to him, pledge allegiance, memorize 10 principles of regime
· Schoolchildren propaganda paintings US soldiers killing Korean kids, recess stab & beat dummies dressed like US soldiers
· Children born into this world are captives in war and do not know it
· 2 Cor. 4:4 the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ
· Our culture – entertainment, education = captives in war
Friends mandatory “Equity Summit” w/mayor, sex & gender spectrum, anti-binary

God won His War in Heaven
Revelation 12:7-9 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Everyone of us was born into a battlefield on the Enemy’s side
Your battles part of the Great War that God Won & keeps winning
Adam and Eve lost our war on earth
Genesis 2:24-3:1 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made…
Satan showed up at the place of Divine Council meeting on earth (cherubim)
Satan recruited angels in heaven & is recruiting people on earth
Satan shows up uninvited & hopes you don’t walk away
Satan wants us to follow him in living independently of God
Satan tries to overthrow singular headship & plural leadership
Satan lies that God is holding out something better for us
Satan tries to deceive women into thinking they are biblical and helpful
Satan will lead a family if the man won’t
We all have our forbidden fruit
This world cannot fix the Problem behind the problems (Gen. 3:15)
Someone human + enter our world from another realm to deliver from doom. Wolverine rapidly heals from injury. Invisible Woman becomes invisible at will. Nitro reforms his own body after it explodes. Superman can fly. The Hulk -superhuman power. Aquaman – breathe underwater. Spiderman climbs walls. Wonder Woman understands any language. Infinity all-knowing. The Silver Surfer manipulates gravity. Doomsday resurrects death. Kitty Pryde passes thru solid matter. Flash superhuman speed
We have something greater – not mythical but actual – Sin Forgiving; Kingdom Ruling; Dragon Slaying Jesus Christ! (Rev. 19) God-man beats aqua, bat, super

Jesus won your war
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
Backdrop of Jesus life on earth is spiritual warfare
Angels showed up to tell Mary & Joseph & name Jesus
Angels showed up to worship at Jesus birth, and invited shepherds to join them
Angels warned family to flee (Egypt) genocide from Herod (Edomites)
Tempted by Satan, led by Spirit (pleasure or pain path)
After temptation, ministered to by angels
Satan got Judas, tried to get Peter to help kill Jesus
CROSS – Jesus turned the greatest evil into the greatest good
Fallen divine beings cannot be saved. Only fallen human beings can be saved
Why war continues? WWII 50 million died, Hitler suicide, Karl Donitz surrender, some soldiers kept fighting 1. Did not believe the truth 2. Wanted to inflict harm
4 Reasons You can win your war
1. You have moved from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Generational sins – incest, addiction, violence, self-destructive
Invisible friends – white magic,
Night terrors – trauma/PTSD “stay alert” & “resist the devil & he will flee from you”
Job 4:13-16 “Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice”
= 1. Set home atmosphere 2. Pray offensively 3. Bedtime routine little kids
2. Demonic attack is not uncommon.
1). World 2). Flesh 3). Devil
Baal & other demons – Baals/the host of heaven; Ashtaroth/Asherah; Chemosh; Molech; Artemis; Legion; Hermes; Zeus; Dike/Justice; Castor & Pollux, the twin gods; Kiyyun, the star-god; the queen of heaven; & Lilith/the night creature or screech owl. Prince Persia & Greece at spiritual war with the Lord’s angels, & “unknown gods”. Bible speaks Satan/demons dangerous beasts, Satan as a serpent/dragon and a lion, and other demons – python spirit, goat demons, & wild animals including ostriches, bulls, hyenas, birds, and scorpions. Bible also refers to evil people as vipers, serpents, goats, cows, dogs, wolves, leeches, donkeys, & evil beasts
= Choice, pride, spectrum, tolerance–powerful slogans may have powerful spirits
3. Your defeated enemy has to surrender to your victorious King
Ephesians 1:19-22 the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church
Kids game – uncle or mercy
They do not share in our human limitations
The only way to defeat an unholy spirit is by the power of the Holy Spirit
= Michael vs devil “The Lord rebuke you”
4. You come with your King’s authority
Ephesians 2:4-7 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Cops – willingly or unwillingly (you are the cop, they are the criminal)
When Satan reminds you of your past, you remind yourself of your future
King is coming w/Kingdom & you will be perfect, ruling over angels

God and Angels vs Satan and Demons (Win Your War)

LINK TO SERMON

God and Angels vs Satan and Demons (ch 1-2)

No matter how many tears we shed, bodies we bury, elections we hold, wars we wage, taxes we raise, & degrees we earn, all of human potential only increases evil!

Why?

Something has gone terribly wrong in this world, solution not in this world (superheroes)  

Anyone can see the problems, only the Bible reveals the Problem behind the problems

To understand God’s world, we need to open God’s Word

God’s families

Job 38:4-7 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

God’s Divine Family

Angels are Mainly Worshippers and Messengers

“stars” – ancient language for angels, between us & heavens
angels 300X Bible, roughly 90% of the books
“innumerable angels”, “a thousand thousands and 10k X 10k “
3 named angels Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer? (Isaiah 14:12 KJV, NKJV)
Categories (archangel, commander, cherubim/seraphim, guardian, church Rev 2-3)

Other Divine Beings are Mainly Worshippers and Senior Leaders

Called “sons of God”, “the gods”
No human body, gender, physical limitation
No divine attributes or qualities 
God’s Human Family

= God’s 2 families not created out of need but out of love

Ministry is going to work with your Dad

The Divine Council

Psalm 82:1 “God [Elohim] has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods [Elohim] he holds judgment.”

Other titles “the assembly of the holy ones”, “the council of the holy ones”, “hosts”, “the seat of the gods,” “the mount of assembly,” “the court…in judgment,” “the heavenly host.”
The Divine Council met with Jacob with a ladder at Bethel (house of God).
Daniel, Isaiah, John and others experienced the Divine Council saw “throne”

The governance war in heaven 

Revelation 12:7-9 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Everyone of us was born into a war on the Enemy’s side
Your battles part of the Great War
The presence of God does not ensure holiness, it requires obedient heart

The four legs of a Biblical worldview

The unseen realm

Ephesians 6:12 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

2 realms 1 reality
Scripture = supernatural
Academia = Natural -Rationalism –  Scientific Method – Naturalism(Cessationism)

o   Luther story

o   Walking on water story

Pent/Charismatic – wild speculation = no teaching or bad Bible teaching
Your personal relationship w/God includes unseen persons
XN’s cannot assume God is only at work when we see it
Non XN’s – fascination w/paranomal & aliens (Int. Space Station)
Binary thinking

Evil = privation

God Creates            Satan Counterfeits

angels /demons    obedience/ rebellion      truth/lies         Spirit-filled/demon-possessed

cleansing/ defilement      humility/pride    forgiveness/bitterness

worship/idolatry        contentment/coveting   peace/fear   unity/ division

shepherds/wolves    God-esteem/self-esteem    covenant with God/inner vow with self

Spirit/flesh     freedom/slavery    revival/riot    life/death   church/ world     kingdom/hell

= Warfare like gravity, exists whether you believe it or not and affects you

EXODUS

Group guilt
Genesis 3 – 4X God, man, woman, Serpent (passive/omission)
The governance war attacks the head (Father, Adam, Jesus, Peter, you)
Satan showed up at the place of Divine Council meeting on earth,

o   Eve not startled, guardian cheribum angel w/flaming sword on duty of realm

Wedding- War; Satan did not even show up until after Adam got a wife
Men if you do not lead your family, Satan will
You can make excuses on why you lost or make plans on how you win
Blameshift Adam (God & woman); Eve (devil)
She sinned 1st, he is 1st responsible = Covenant Head (fault vs responsibility)
Protoevangelion preached for fallen people, not fallen demons
Heaven down or hell up

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 

James 3:15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Satan attacks relationships 1). God 2). Self 3). Others 4). Church
All cultures end, and only 2 cultures remain
Daily decisions invite heaven down or pull hell up.

Overt & extraordinary vs covert & ordinary – Bin Laden hiding in plains sight near military academy in Pakistan for nearly a decade

How do you get your life organized? (Proverbs)

How do you handle your money?

3 Shovels That Dig Your Hole

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Car debt
College debt
Credit card debt

Average American has $38,000 in debt not including mortgage if they own their residence
• Average credit card balance in AZ is about the national average: $6,389

5 Money Personalities

The Hoarder – money gives me security
The Spender – money gives me rewards
The Avoider – money and bills stress me out
The Hater – money is evil and dangerous
The Manipulator – money buys me influence/control
The Show-Off – money gives me status through possessions
The Giver – money is how I show God and people love

= Money Personalities cause strain in a marriage

3 Perspectives of Possessions

What’s mine is mine – selfish

Proverbs 1:19 [NLT] Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.

What’s yours is mine – stealing

Proverbs 30:15 [ESV] The leech has two daughters: Give and Give…never satisfied…never say, “Enough”:

What’s mine is His – stewarding

Proverbs 21:26 [NLT] Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

Rich and Poor in Proverbs

·Culture – political war rich vs poor (class wars)
Church – poverty vs prosperity theology

Ungodly Poor

Proverbs 10:4 [NIV] Lazy hands make a man poor…

Godly Poor

Proverbs 28:6 [NIV] Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

Ungodly Rich

Proverbs 15:27 [ESV] Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household…

Godly Rich

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

Financial Planning

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

God and Government

Tithe: Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…

Taxes: Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…

Forbes & Wallet Hub named AZ the least charitable state in U.S. (despite Mormons)
Expenses

Proverbs 22:26-27 [NIV] Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

housing – usually the biggest expense, roughly 25% of income
auto – 2nd highest expense (i.e. maintenance, gas, insurance). Half of cars 10 years and older are on the road, and 200k miles is the deterioration point for most metal. New cars depreciate 15%-25% when driven off the lot. Older cars are cheaper (parts, taxes, insurance, tabs) and it is best to buy from friends and family.
food – lack of meal planning & eating out drive this upward
debt elimination – women ages 21-34 are most likely to have credit card debt
insurance (medical, dental, renters/homeowners, disability, life, comprehensive auto)

Savings

Proverbs 30:25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer…

Proverbs 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

6 months of your expenses in an accessible account,
2nd account saving for large upcoming purchases

Investments

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children…

Proverbs 27:23-24 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Investment portfolio – college fund, stocks, bonds, real estate etc.

4 Reasons For Christians Give Generously?

1.    God takes our worst and gives his best

John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Your wallet is God’s scalpel for heart surgery

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” Former Notre Dame vice-president James W. Frick

You cannot take it with you, but you can send it ahead

Matthew 6:19-20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Heaven is an investment account

4.Giving is a blessing 

Acts 20:35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

God is a generous Father who wants us to enjoy & share with his other kids
Givers are forgivers who live better lives