Take On Faith Series

Sunday January 20th, 2008 Series: the Fight part three

Scripture: Mark 9:23 (AMP)

Sermon: Take On faith Speaker: pastor Michael, River of Life

In spite of worldwide conflicts, the Holy Spirit is at work and is continuing to guide the true Church into her greatest season of transformation. This means that we, as a part of that true Church, must not look at the pressures of the times as some sort of great obstacle set in place to restrict us. Because, in God’s hands these are the very tools He will use to help perfect us.

One problem in interpreting end-time events is our tendency to focus on one set of conditions or circumstances in front of us or what “might be” up ahead. If we look at the fact Satan is raging war against us, or see how many earthquakes, famines and freak weather there is these days, we just might conclude that difficulty and darkness is going to grow stronger and happen more often as we approach the day of the rapture of the Church. We know that. We have been taught that. We see it. Life, growing more evil as the days are coming to a close.

But, the fact is, the very same Spirit that predicted these perilous times at the end of the age, also forecasts that, in spite of the difficulties and battles, the Gospel of Christ’s love will be proclaimed worldwide…

Matthew 24:14 (AMP)

And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.

The Lord also said that the “crop” of the last days Christians will reach full stature…

Mark 4:28-29 (AMP)

28 The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

And that those who know their God will be strong, do exploits, shine like stars and lead multitudes to righteousness...

Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

32 And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].

Daniel 12:3 (AMP)

3 And the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (to uprightness and right standing with God) [shall give forth light] like the stars forever and ever.

In every age God’s plan for His people has never changed, He has always required that we walk as overcomers. Our call is to prayer, to stand in spiritual warfare, to intercede for our leaders and soldiers, and not to surrender our vision of a world in revival regardless of whatever temporary setbacks we may face. The very fact that there are distant nations having revivals on a large scale reminds us that there is still time for our nation, our state, where we live today!

Our focus must remain riveted on becoming like Jesus, in all things.

We might feel overwhelmed by the evil flood of evil storming against us as Christians and against our land called America, yet the promises of God are stronger and more real than the breath you breathe, the promise like, when the enemy comes—in like a flood, He shall raise up a standard against him...

Isaiah 59:19 (AMP)

19 So [as the result of the Messiah’s intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives].

So we must ask ourselves: Is our focus on the enemy’s flood? Or God’s flood? What the enemy raises? Or the standard God raises that will counter the onslaught, tear down so we can overcome the devil’s evil?

Let’s not ever forget that when darkness comes and comes upon the people, the promise of God is that His glory shall rise upon us and His presence shall be visibly seen through us!

Darkness seems to be never ending, the Lord promises at the end of the war between light and dark...

Isaiah 60:1-3 (AMP)

1 ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you. 3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.