“ … I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Mt.16:18)
One that was in an ongoing process of growth, health and influence One that would face strong adversity throughout this process One that will stand firm in the midst of such adversity and overcome in it
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 (Eph.6:12).
Adversity can either destroy or build up, depending on our chosen response. (Tim Hansel)
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph.6:13)
they will be casualties of war The disciple of Jesus can be well trained (knowledge of God’s word) and armed (spiritual weapons) but unless they stand firm in the face of the enemy – not backing down and use their training & weapons they will be casualties of war
Be self-controlled and alert Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. (1Peter 5:8-9)
What will help us stand firm and fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience in the midst of adversity? 1. Relax – patience
This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity (Jer.29:10-11 & 13-14)
They cannot change their circumstances but if they can relax and wait patiently for God’s intervention they will come through their adversity with a deeper intimacy with him.
Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains. (William Penn -1644)
Because patience surrenders our weaknesses for Father God’s strengths through faith and patience that we inherit what has been promised. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction faithful in prayer. (Rom.12:12)
Generates peace and comfort Dispels discouragement because it dispels doubt Gives control to God, releasing faith and hope for a better day Generates peace and comfort
What will help us stand firm and fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience in the midst of adversity? Relaxing – being patient
2. Rebuild – be forward focused This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. (Jer. 29:4-6)
It's not what happens to me that matters most; it's how I react to what happens to me. (Robert Schuller)
Allowing adversity to derail our relationship with Father God will rob us of our hope and faith in him who knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us plans to give us hope and a future
What will help us stand firm and fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience in the midst of adversity? Rebuilding – being forward focused
3. Refocus their prayer life “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (29:7)
Prayer has the power to touch heaven & change earth – to change their period of adversity into one of blessing.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chron.7:14)
Prayer releases the power of God into our adversity:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:25-26)
Prayer is our lifeline to God and the greatest weapon we have to overcome the devils schemes /deceptions in the midst of adversity.
"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.“ (Samuel Chadwick)
"I would rather teach one man to pray than 10 men to preach "I would rather teach one man to pray than 10 men to preach." (Spurgeon) What will help us stand firm and fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience in the midst of adversity = refocusing our prayer life
“ … I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Mt.16:18)
One that was in an ongoing process of growth, health and influence One that would face strong adversity throughout this process One that will stand firm in the midst of such adversity and overcome in it
“Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past “Do not remember the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (Amp.)
A capacity to relax - patiently trusting in Father God A Heart to rebuild - forward focused A Refocus on prayer