Chris Hippe

Awaken Fast

Sermon Summary

Luke 5:33–35 (ESV)

³³ And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” ³⁴ And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? ³⁵ The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

 

Pastor Chris prepared us for the annual, all-church fast which runs Jan. 6^th through the 26^th. Since fasting and prayer go hand in hand, he invited Delaney McCall, Prayer Coordinator, to help us focus on the ways to pray as we fast.

First, Chris reminded us of the biblical importance of fasting and prayer:

Ten Thoughts on Fasting

1. Fasting is a voluntary absence from food for the purpose of dedicating yourself to prayer.
2. Fasting changes us, not God.
3. Fasting is an invitation and grace. 
   1. When facing impossible circumstances (Nehemiah 1:4).
   2. To change the destiny of a people, a city, a nation (Nehemiah 9:1).
   3. To hear from God fresh and new and to seek His direction (Ezra 8:21).
   4. To receive God’s aid in battle and to defeat the enemy (2 Chronicles 20:3).
   5. To get hold of God to receive specific answer to prayer (Acts 10:30).
   6. To seek the mind of God (Acts 13:2). 
   7. To prepare for ministering in the power and grace of God (Matthew 4:2).
   8. To obtain a greater degree of God’s authority and power (Matthew 17:21).
   9. To afflict the soul, dig down, pull out anything in our mind, will, and emotion that would hinder the life and power of God fully expressed in our lives (Leviticus 16:29, Psalms 35:13, Proverbs 20:27, Hebrews 4:12).
   10. To break the strongholds of the physical appetites.
4. Purposes in Fasting: 
   1. Fasting deepens humility and dependence on God. 
   2. It can deepen the hunger for God to work in our lives and ministries. 
   3. Fasting intensifies prayer concentration. 
   4. Solidifies determination. 
   5. Feeds your faith.
   6. Sensitizes and opens you up more to the Holy Spirit’s working in your life. 
   7. Fires earnestness and zeal - honest sincerity in your walk with God.
   8. What do you need to fast about? 
   9. Heightened awareness of God. Start to hear God more clearly. 
   10. Gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.
5. Benefits of fasting and prayer:
6. Why should you fast?

Need a breakthrough? Restored relationship? Clear direction? 

7. Fasting is a short season that brings long-term results. 

Expectation of God’s direction, answers to prayer.

8. Fasting is a time of spirit-led self-examination.
9. Fasting Expectations: options to choose a liquid only fast, or the Daniel fast (no meats, sweets, treats), or the Benedict fast (give up one meal per day). God meant for us to fast from food. If you elect to also fast from other activities (social media, entertainment, etc.) that’s really abstaining. 
10. If you are not praying, you are not fasting. 

 

Delaney then shared these thoughts on praying as we fast:

Two-fold process: 1) fasting is laying down, 2) prayer is picking up

Joel 2:12-13 “…return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love….”

If you consider prayer boring, consider what the Lord does through the prayers of his people.

1. Prayer is first ministry to the Lord – Rev. 1:6, we are a kingdom of priests
   1. James 5 – for faith
   2. Romans 10 – grow in faith
   3. Hebrews 11 – cling to faith
   4. Mark 11:23-24 – speak out faith
2. Prayer is an act of faith, not empty words or feelings:
3. Prayer is our primary way to grow and maintain intimacy with Jesus. Our foundation of intimacy is our initial surrender of salvation, the starting point. Prayer is the catalyst to keep building intimacy. 

 

Were meant to be on mission as a Praying Church. Prayer is a lifestyle. 

 

Discussion Questions

1. When you think of fasting, what first comes to mind? How does it make you feel preparing to fast?
2. Why do you suppose God instituted the discipline of fasting for His people?
3. What are some benefits of fasting that you’ve personally experienced? Maybe a breakthrough or miracle?

Application Points

1. City Central has provided many resources to help you in this fasting time. Explore the “Awaken Fast” button on the City Central mobile app. You’ll have access to the reasons for our church-wide fast, answers to questions about fasting, and weekly devotionals to guide you for the three weeks.
2. Also, there will be times for personal and corporate prayer during the fast. Our prayer room is open the following hours during the fast:
   Personal Meditation and Prayer
   Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm

Corporate Prayer Times
Monday: 12-1pm
Tuesday: 6:30-8am, 12-1pm
Wednesday: 12-1pm, 6:30-8pm
Thursday: 12-1pm, 6:30-8pm

Sermon Summary

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. ³⁶ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.

In this week’s message, Pastor Chris encouraged us to mirror Mary in this Christmas season. He urged us to learn from Mary as she responded to God’s call on her life. By the world’s standards, Mary had nothing. She was a 12-14 year old girl in small town with no social status. However, God said that she was perfect. At Christmas, we are invited to walk the joy-filled road of Mary. 

5 Thoughts on how to live in light of this good new of great joy – How did Mary respond?

1. Mary received – Luke 1:28-30
2. 1. She received a word, plan, and vision for her life from God. Like us, Mary surely had a plan for her own life, but God showed up in a divine encounter and entrusted her with His very own son.
   2. There is a tension, because often we have a plan for life until God intervenes and invites us to align with His vision. Mary was positioned for such an encounter and for the receiving of grace.
   1. It is okay to audit, to weigh, and to ponder God’s calling on your life. Mary was greatly troubled and tried to discern what kind of greeting this was.
      1. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
      2. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
   2. Mary would have contemplated the prophecies of the Old Testament:
   3. There is closed-minded doubt and open-minded doubt. Closed-minded doubt responds in unbelief, while open-minded doubt says “help me in my unbelief”.
   4. The Angel says, “do not fear”, not that there is nothing to fear. Mary recognized she didn’t need to fear because she found favor (grace). When we live this way, it breaks anxiety.
   5. In verse 38, Mary responds with “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
3. Mary wondered. – Luke 1:31-38
   1. Genuine Christianity displays humility. It says, “I can’t do this alone” and chooses to partner with God. Pastor Chris called this “grounded obedience”. 
   2. Mary believed in, not just about. 
4. Mary Surrendered and Believed. – Luke 1:39-45
   1. Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat. 
   2. When surrender and belief come together, it produces celebration. 
   3. To magnify is to make big. Whatever we magnify will control us.
5. Mary Celebrated. – Luke 1: 46-49
   1. What do you think about? Whatever it is will control you. Mary pondered the promises of God. When we follow God, He lets us in on what He is doing.
   2. Mary treasured the things of the Lord.
6. Mary Pondered. – Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51

 

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God chose Mary for this task?
2. Do you think Jesus learned how to serve and surrender from his mom?

 

Response Questions

1. What happens to Mary is very personal, but it’s also for us today. How do you think this story is for you?
2. Whose plan or vision are you fulfilling over your life? Would you say you are walking on God’s road or your own road?
3. What have you been magnifying in your life? 

Sermon Summary

Matthew 1:21 (ESV)

²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

In this week’s message, Pastor Chris asked, “Where are you looking for Joy, this Christmas?” He challenged us to discern the difference between the secular and sacred Christmas celebrations around us. He inspired us with the idea of believers discovering deeper meaning in the birth of Christ, and those searching for truth responding to the message of the nativity. Are we simply enamored with the baby Jesus the way we fawn over a newborn? Or, are we astounded and humbled that God came in the flesh as an infant to live a sinless life, embody the good news, die a torturous death, and rise from the dead, so that we might have a restored relationship with our Father in Heaven?! That is the audacity of the message of Bethlehem’s holy child!

The consumerism of Christmas has a strong agenda, pulling people away from its true meaning. Getting wrapped up in the material gifts can bring pleasure, but blind us from seeing pure Joy in God’s gift to the world. God’s design for Christmas is for all to have an encounter with Christ that will fill us with His Spirit and bless us with everlasting life.

At Christmas, worship and praise songs are piped-in all around us – in commercials, elevators, radio stations, department stores, and malls. Consider the theology of this beloved carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, which answers vital life questions with theological aplomb:

1. Who was Jesus? “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord. Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace!”
2. Why did he come as an infant? “Offspring of a Virgin's womb, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel”
3. What did Jesus come to do? "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth"
4. How can this life be ours? “Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings”

Where we are looking will be the level of our Joy this Christmas. Like the wise men seeking the newborn king by looking intently at the brightest star in the heavens, there is a direct correlation between our focus and our joy.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 

Five Thoughts on How Jesus’ Name Impacts our Lives

1. His name is WONDERFUL. That takes care of the DULLNESS of this life. 

 

Psalm 8:3–4 (ESV)

³ When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

 

2. His name is COUNSELOR. That takes care of the DECISIONS of life. 

Psalm 73:24 (ESV)

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

 

James 1:5 (The Message) 

⁵ If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. 

 

3. His name is MIGHTY GOD. That takes care of the DEMANDS of life. 

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

 

Philippians 2:12–13 (NLT)

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

 

4. His name is EVERLASTING FATHER. That takes care of the FUTURE. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 

5. His name is PRINCE OF PEACE. That takes care of the DISTURBANCE of life. 

Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

⁷ Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

 

Luke 2:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 

Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. What is it that you want to get out of this Christmas season?
2. What would make your Christmas wonderful and satisfying?

Does it have anything to do with the worldly pleasures?

3. How might you be putting your hope in something that will bring fulfillment?

Could you be putting your hope in something that brings disappointment?

4. What series of single-words comes to mind when you ponder the true meaning of Christmas?

 

Application Questions

1. What will you do to experience Jesus in his fullness this Christmas!

How will He be your Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father?

2. How will you find and experience true peace (shalom) during this Christmas season?

Orphan Sunday

Sermon Summary

Guest Speaker: Darrin Miller, Youth for Christ

Pastor Chris introduced our guest speaker who shared the challenge and joy of meeting the need for Foster Care in our community. Guest speaker, Darrin Miller shared his family’s journey. Just 9-years ago, the Millers said, “Yes!” to foster care and then adoption. Darrin challenged us to examine our hearts in light of God’s Father Heart as expressed in His Word. He asked us the overarching question, “How should we live out God’s mission in the way of City Central:  “We Adore God, Become like Jesus, and Contend for the Kingdom.”His answer: becoming like Jesus is to know the Father’s love for the fatherless.

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Cor. 3:2-3 (ESV)

God manifests His love through the example of Jesus, the penultimate “Rescuer.” Scripture is clear, we believers are the ones who’ve been rescued and who are imparted by His Spirit to become rescuers, bringing especially the orphan, widow, and foreigner. Darrin reminded us that we are the vehicle that God uses to extend His kingdom. While the emphasis in this mission is on the orphans, we need to see them as the Father does, as individuals – people, like us, created by God with divine design and purpose.

4 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[b] of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 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. Romans 12:8-17(ESV)

 

Darrin and Sue have needed to rely on God as Jehovah Jireh, “Provider,” in their answer to His call. Their six children are the living testament to their response to be the extension of God’s love to those who were unloved. God has performed miracles in response to tragic circumstances to make the Millers a family like the family of God, adopted sons and daughters of the King! Darrin’s clear lesson from this experience is that it’s not about us doing something great, but about God doing something great in our hearts.

 

3 … when we were children, [we] were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:2–5 (ESV)

 

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)

 

Questions with eternal impact have been asked. The Millers have answered. They are presenting them to us as witnesses that answering God’s call to be the family of God means he’ll provide what we need to spend our lives on behalf of others. Darrin interviewed two of his kids who shared what family means to them. His son knew the answer immediately, “Family means people who love me, both family and church family and friends.” His daughter was reflective, but clear, “Following the Lord means doing the little things, taking kids to soccer, helping with my younger siblings, I don’t regret anything I’ve said, “Yes” to, over the years.”

 

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 (ESV)

 

If we’re not careful, we can leave Church the same way we came in. Darrin insisted that the Bible supports the truth that God has a heart for the orphans and that every generation must rise to the quest of opening our hearts and lives to them as well.

 

17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

 

5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV)

 

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Psalm 27:10 (ESV)

 

Lastly, Darrin encouraged us, “Don’t disqualify yourself. We are all adopted. Ask the Lord what you should do. He will bless your “Yes!””

 

19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (ESV)

 

Discussion Questions

1. What do you suppose it was so important to God that He created a “family of God?” Why not simply disciples, or followers, or adherents of God?
2. Read James 1:27 again. How do you think God wants us to live out “religion that is pure and undefiled?”

In what ways do we as the church, and individual Christians, demonstrate this principle?  

3. What might some people say they are scared of if they answer the call to become a foster or adoptive parent?
4. What opportunities exist for us to say, “Yes!” to God’s call to be the rescuer to the orphans and vulnerable children in our community?

 

Application Questions

1. After hearing of the need and the challenge, what is God opening your heart to with regard to foster and adoptive care?
2. List some of the ways that you’ve “disqualified” yourself from helping meet this need.

Ask God what might qualify you to be a foster parent?

How might you otherwise support the church and community in providing these orphans a “forever-home?”

 

City Central has partnered for many years with the foster care agency Olive Crest. Representatives were on-hand to help anyone considering fostering to reach out for their guidance. You can find more information on opportunities like Standard Fostering, Respite Care, Foster-to-Adopt, and Emergency Care by visiting their website at https://www.olivecrest.org/pacific-northwest/fostering/. Staff are glad to answer any questions, even put you in touch with a family at City Central who have been on a foster parenting journey already.

Ephesians: True Identity – Battle for Our Identity

Sermon Summary

Ephesians 6:10–24 (ESV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For 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. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. ²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Pastor Chris wraps up this series in Ephesians with a powerful reminder of our identity as spiritual warriors. With similar zeal as the Apostle Paul had in challenging the believers in Ephesus, Pastor Chris emphasizes that we are born-again into a battle, with a real, eternal enemy, a fight which God has strengthened and equipped us to win.

This is a message for both the individual believer and the church. Pastor Chris expressed concern that we may be only hearers of this word and not doers. He exhorted us to take intentional, disciplined steps to recognize the battle, understand the enemy’s tactics, stand firm in His power, and put on the full armor to withstand the accuser’s schemes. We are designed for victory!

Four Revelations of Spiritual Warfare

1. You are in a Battle
2. We Have an Enemy
3. Live in His Strength
4. Understand Your Weapons

 

1. You are in a battle

”¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (ESV)

• Desires of the Flesh: Gluttony, disordered sexual acts, drug & alcohol abuse, etc. 
• Desire of the Eyes: Disordered desire for material possessions. 
• Pride of Life: Desire to be like God but apart from God.

Take a stand, don’t be passive. Stand = vigorously oppose and resist your enemy

“⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV)

 

2. We Have an Enemy 

Satan = accuser, deceiver, tempter, destroyer

“…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.” Eph. 6:12 (ESV)

 

Our enemy is a silent operator. He tempts with whispers. When we succumb to his deception and seek what satisfies that is not from God, we relinquish territory in our hearts and minds. Our enemy uses the place we give as a forward operating base to execute an onslaught of attacks. He wears us down until we are physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually weak robbing us of the joy of the Lord which is our strength. In this state, we are vulnerable, passive, and burdened with torment keeping us from the work and will of God.

 

3. Live in His Strength 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Eph. 6:10 (ESV)

 

¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” Eph. 3:16 (ESV)

 

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Eph. 3:20 (ESV)

 

 

4. Understand Your Weapons 

¹³ 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. (Eph. 6:13)

• Belt of Truth – Luke 12:35, 1 Peter 1:13; God’s Word is the only antidote to the lies from the Father of Lies, Satan

• Breastplate of Righteousness – Proverbs 4:23; protecting the heart of the saint, standing in Christ’s cleansing blood

• Boots of the Gospel – Romans 8:37; feet fitted to stand at the ready, able and willing to walk as a witness
• Shield of Faith – Revelation 12:10; when properly lifted, it can help us defuse the attacks on our mind
• Helmet of Salvation – John 6:37, John 10:28; protecting our center of thought with the truth of our eternal position in Christ as redeemed
• Sword of the Spirit – Hebrews 4:12–13; declaring the Word at times of attack will disarm the enemy, walking in its truths will bring victory
• Praying at All Times in the Spirit – prayer is like the oil helping all of the armament to work effectively 

 

Discussion Questions

1. What does the battle against ‘spiritual forces in heavenly places’ look like in our lives? 
2. Why does the enemy begin with questions? Think about how did he deceived Eve and, in-turn Adam? Or, he attempted to disarm Jesus while he fasted in the desert? 
3. How should we deal with being weary in battle?
4. According to the scriptures, how do we prepare for battle? What is our posture, our preparation, and our plan to defend ourselves? 
5. What are some tactics available to us to go on offense against the devil?
6. What item in the spiritual armory God provides is easiest for you to wield? Which one presents the most difficulty?

 

Application Questions

1. How will you become trained to use the spiritual weapons God has provided?
2. Having been trained, what is your plan to be victorious in the daily battle against your enemy?
3. Commit this week to pray with battle awareness. 

Commit this week to start each day by “putting on the armor of God.”

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Bebhinn and Salima share Salima's powerful story about how she came to know and follow Jesus.

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Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Chris Hippe

Darrin Miller

JB Lim

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Chris Hippe

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Chris Hippe

PNW Director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries