A. You are Royalty – Rom. 8:17. We’re co-heirs
B. There is an attack going on (news bulletin)
There is no such thing as a soldier that doesn’t have scars!
Terrorists are lose!
C. Islamic Fundamentalists: (sorrow)
You can’t have a hostage without a ransom
D. Somebody has to pay ransom! *He that the son sets free is free indeed! There are terrorists loose. Tonight mercy meets judgment! *2 Cor. 10:5 Take every thought captive.
E. We are the Ransomed! Col. 2:15 He led the enemy captive! 2 Tim. 1:7 – Spirit of fear but of power
F. We preach fire! We shout! We worship! But are you free! You are valuable! Eph. 5:1 – It is for freedom Christ set us free!
G. Did you know that it is possible to be saved & in bondage. Cutters. The enemy wants to kidnap you!
H. How does the attack come? Most of the time we are drawn in by a piece of candy? Why does he want you? You’re royalty.
Paul describes the attack:
2 Cor. 12:7 – To keep from becoming conceited because of great revelation, there was given a thorn in my flesh. Three times I prayed for deliverance. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Luke 4 – Jesus was attacked by the devil in the wilderness – God allowed it to happen to show Satan his time was coming to an end.
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II. Luke 4 – Jesus was attacked
A. We are called to be free! We are called to be different! We are called to declare liberty!
B. Is. 13 – Proclaim his name to nations! You can’t if you’re held hostage!
“Worry is accepting responsibility that God never intended for you to carry.”
*Principalities can work through personalities.
The enemy wants to kidnap a generation!
Jesus said
Luke 4:18 – He was sent to proclaim freedom to set the prisoner free!
* Since 9-11 we have lived in a state of fear!
C. Every day; there are pictures from Al Joizeer of hostages being captured in Israel, Palestine, Baghdad, Fulujah, Egypt, Saudi Arabia – Whether it is Al Quaeda or it is Homees – They all are similar – wild demands. Eventually leading to be headings!
D. Just remember its one goal is to strike fear! A hijacker doesn’t go through a travel agent – their goal is to change your destination.
E. Do you understand I believe there are demonic terrorists in the body of Christ! These are dispatched spirits sent to harass, attack, John 10:10.
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F. Your picture in hell’s post office!
High profile Case. *Elizabeth Smart, Salt Lake City – Bad. *Courdelena, ID-Denny’s-Shosta Groene-8 yrs. Old-dead family
G. The demands are simple: Allow demonic power to roam free in your life!
Remember Gadarenes Mark 5:10 – Legion – Don’t send us out of the area.
H. Did you know that Jesus knows when you come up missing! He knows when you become hostage! Too many Christians on milk cartons!
I. In the O.T. God used people to negotiate for his people.
a. Moses. Set my people free – I can’t I am a stutter – God said don’t worry I will give you the voice
Moses stuttered
Counselor: One who negotiates
John 14:15
Heb. 13:5 – never leave you nor forsake you
Every attack is to get your faith out of place & quit trusting God
b. Gideon
c. Nehemiah
d. Esther
e. Judges
f. Samuel
J. But what about us! We are the N.T. Church! Why? Jesus! Why? The Holy Spirit! He took over the negotiation!
2 Corinthians 5:5- He has given us his spirit as a deposit!
K. John 14:15 – I will ask the Father & he will give you another counselor to be with you forever! The Spirit of Truth – The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him.
27 – Don’t let your heart’s be troubled & be not afraid!
Acts 16:26 – worship until your chains fall off!
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Show VIDEO
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4 Terrorists:
III. Let me point out the terrorists in the church. There are four Spirits or Terrorists!
Four Contrary Spirits!
Adult Version of Hostage:
FIRST SPIRIT – TERRORIST
II Sam. 15 – Absalom – When he stole the hearts of the people.
The ABSALOM spirit – disloyalty and self-interest. It will most always show up in staff relations. It can show up in laity, but mostly staff relations.
Spirit of Disloyalty
A. Characteristics – It inappropriately receives for
itself affection that should be fastened on higher
official.
B. Disloyalty keeps it for himself.
C. Demigod – Greek – One who finds a gap between the leader and the follower and exploits that gap for self-interest.
D. It is the primary issue of union organizers used between management and labor.
E. I deal with issues with the wrong people. And wrong motives – Say bad things.
F. It is the spirit of disloyalty.
G. Set ways to contrast his leadership with leadership. No protocol. General - 30 something don’t understand protocol.
H. Shake hands! Look in the eye. Those old guys are hung. Visible contrast. Don’t bow, that is dad. He does it for the sake of contrast.
I. We need a national conference for staff loyalty.
J. Talk about staff, you will be better off be supported and faithful to an unworthy. This is the number one cause of later ministry demise.
K. King of Ghana slept in armored car.
SECOND SPIRIT OR TERRORIST
A. Acts 8 – Simon Sorcerer. SIMONY– English word – Vatican try to sell leadership – English called it Simoney – Simon had to be in front. He considered himself the messiah Vs. 14 Peter & John came. Vs. 19 “give me this power.” He wanted to buy it.
B. Simon is not buying the Holy Spirit. He is trying to buy his way into apostolic leadership. Thy money perishes thee. Greek – to hell with you and your money. People gad mouth issues.
C. Spirit of Simon uses a control factor to gain religious preeminence. Bribery. Annanias and Saphira – tried to buy it. Wife came three hours late. Anaias tries to fake him out.
D. They were trying to use the finances to gain position. I just want you to know I’m the number one tither.
E. The spirit of Simoney it reveals its desire to gain leverage thru influence, power and money.
THIRD SPIRIT OR TERRORIST
A. The Spirit of JEZEBEL. Not females, not sensuality, not make-up. We do not know what Jezebel did. Maybe a truly legalistic person, but can be a Jezebel. You cannot have a Jezebel without an Ahab. Jezebel spirit always operates in leadership vacuum.
B. When someone gives up their leadership authority someone will take it back.
1 Kings 21:4 – Naboth asked to buy his vineyard, but can sell his inheritance. It is against Jewish law. I can’t sell it, I have other things to sell, but not the largest. “I’ll get you that vineyard”-She wrote letters and got the people to stone him.
D. She says are you the king or not. The Jezebel spirit will appeal to their ego, and intellect. She operates from behind the scenes, back room operator. She wants to control the outcome. She is about power, not position. She said so much that they stoned him. The boards of elders were Ahab’s. They knew she write this. Wrong signature.
E. Stubborn perjury – murder & cover up.
F. The Jezebel spirit hates confrontation. They depend on somebody to do the confronting at any cost.
*When you don’t understand the kingdom of God, you live a life of frustration.
FOURTH SPIRIT OR TERRORIST
DECEPTION
2 Tim. 3:2 – Lovers of themselves
Luke 9:25 – Gain the whole world but lose your soul
85% no absolute truth
43% having sex
2 Cor. 11:13 – masquerade as servants of righteousness
Gal. 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ set us free
Don’t go back to bondage
Rom. 8:37 – Know in all things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us!
Romans 2:10 – on that day God will judge the secrets of men!
“Burnout is what we bring on ourselves by taking what God did not command.” –R.T. Kendall
IV. 3 Most popular groups to be taken hostage by demonic terrorists.
1. Families. Despair, finances, offenses. First family was in a garden. The enemy hates families. If you get free mom & dad, so can your kids. House of prayer. Joshua – “As for me and my house”. David lost his family. II Sam. 11 – God says is my arm too short for you. Prov. 11:29 – He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wound & fools is a servant to the wise Prov. 15:27 – A greedy man brings trouble to his family but he who hates bribes will live. Esther 4:12 – If you remain silent your father’s family will perish.
2. Ministers – Psalms – Praise him all you servant of the Lord. Paul despaired of life – Eph 4 – I Cor. 4, Hebrews 10:32 – We’re not of those who shrink back. Joel 2:17 – Priest lye between doorpost & threshold. Luke 4:23 – Physician heal thyself.
Maranthalife.com – Pastors
1500 learn ministry every month.
80% feel unqualified
50% are discouraged & would like to leave ministry, but feel they have no other way to make a living.
85% of pastor’s problems are problem people.
70% feel underpaid
90% feel God called them but after 3 years only 50% did.
Pastors Wives
80% feel spouse is overworked
80% feel unappreciated & left out
80% wish he would find another profession
80% feel pressured to be what they are not
50% end in divorce
70% of pastors do not have a close friend, mentor or confidant.
80% of Pastor’s adult children have had to seek professional counseling
3. Teens
Trend Setting Teens – we need teenage mutant world changers!
George Barna:
7 million unsaved kids – youth groups each month
82% graduate from faith
A. This is the generation gone mad (a quote from a respected news anchor).
B. Youth pastors did not exist until the early 70’s. The family gave up their role.
C. This generation has three cries: Will somebody love me, will somebody listen to me, and will somebody be the example.
D. I am reminded of I Sam. 10:22 – Saul had hidden himself amongst the baggage. That is this generation.
E. Here are some powerful scriptures for this generation – Ps. 24:7, Lam. 2:19, Judges 2:10.
F. This is the generation that has thrown off labels. It is the dot.com generation or generation y. meaning they are thirsty for information.
70% cheat on exams
92% lie to parents
60% of all websites are pornographic
G. 89% of all students say that their number 1 problem is not peer pressure, lust, anger, fear, or insecurities they say the greatest thing they are concerned with is their families.
H. Moms are screaming at dads and dads are screaming at teenagers. We must understand no generation has ever successfully disciple itself!
Dillon Klebold (Columbine shooting) was in a Pentecostal youth group the night before the shooting. Kip Kingle (Springfield, Oregon Thurston High shooting of 19 people) was in a Pentecostal youth group the night before the shooting.
I. “Many do not believe that Christianity is credible, so they do not believe it is important!”
–Ravi Zacharias
J. If the enemy cannot kill them through abortion (25% of today’s teens are dead due to abortion) then he will get them to simply kill each other. There is an outpouring for the truth. We must get the fire of God tot his generation.
K. We need some warriors that would rather lose their coats like Joseph instead of their virginity. We need some Daniels that will pray.
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V. 3 Levels of Attacks. There are 3 levels of attacks by terrorists. Missiles of the terrorists are temptation.
1) Seasonal – Luke 4. The devil departed for a season.
2 Cor. 4:7 – we have this treasure in jars of clay to show this all surpassing power is from God
2) Common Terrorist – The Bible says there is * 1 Cor. 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man!
a. These are the everyday basic attacks that we all face
b. You’re no different
c. God says – You won’t be tempted beyond what you can handle!
*If the world is uncomfortable around you, they will do everything to change you!
Temp – Peradzo
Test one meticulously; make trial of; to inflict evils upon me in order to prove his character and steadfastness of his faith
d. We know that Jesus was tempted in every way – Heb. 4:15. Yet was. without sin. Pastor – Paul said in I Thes. 3:2:
“you will face turmoil., you will be persecuted and it did happen For this reason when I couldn’t stand it no longer I sent word to find about your faith.” I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and my effort might have been useless!
3) Hour of Testing. This is when the terrorist you face brings you to the point of death. Remember the devil had his sites on Jesus – Herod – drown in boat – push him off cliff, stone him; devil couldn’t touch him for 33 ½ years! But then the bible says in John 18 – His hour has come – when it says this notice his sweat turned to blood!
VI. I hear the sound of the Negotiator! It is finished! The hour is here for the church. *Rev. 13 – The devil is spitting his garbage all over the earth. *Rev. 14 – Man on a cloud – crown on his head
Isaiah 54:17 – no weapon formed against you shall prosper!
Ransoming your self for another is not exceptional it is called friendship!
No greater love has a man for another than to lay his life down.
A. There is a battle in the heavenly realms. * Listen, what are you carrying into battle – be careful that you don’t have so much junk on you – you don’t have weapons.
B. The Bible says in the O.T. that in Judges that when Deborah and Sisera began to battle against the kings – It says that stars fought in heaven – stars – angels – A flood of war came to destroy the enemy & it’s chariots.
C. When Deborah got to praying the principalities started warring! Then God allowed there to be a flood to destroy the enemy.
Tears are good because leaky heads don’t swell.
D. Are you weary – Did you know he fights for you! Daniel 10 – 21 days. Gideon – (network difficulty please stand by”)
E. God is working in your situation!
Matt 24:8 - Talk about war, rumors of war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and natural disaster. Vs. 8 This is the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus on the mainline, tell Him what you want!
F. The Special Forces are going in!
G. We are no longer at a stand off!
H. Your ransom has been paid!
I. You have been set free! Cross the bridge!
J. You’re no longer just living, you’re alive in Christ! *Here is the Kings Blood!!!!!
*1 Tim. 2:16 says he has become are mediator and ransom!
*Tonight you don’t have to live in bondage but in freedom!
Zec. 4:6 – not by might nor by power
Douglas MacArthur-“Chance comes to those who are secretly prepared.”
2 Cor. 5:20 – Christ Ambassadors
2 Cor. 7:10 – Godly sorrow leads to repentance
*Heb. 9:15 – For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance
Now that has died is a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant!
1 Cor. 7:23- you are bought with a price!
He has given you inheritance to live free not in bondage! Run across the bridge.
M. Today you are in chains! You are being allured by your captor!
*Ezra 9:9 – god has not deserted us in our bondage.
N. The Bible says the devil is the accuser of the brethren! Rev. 12:10
VII. This is your Hostage Crisis Manual! He has the manual!
1. You were created to be a captor not a hostage! You are not alone! 2 Corin. 3:17- Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
2. He knows the enemies’ demands. He’s countered with His commands and truths.
2 Corin. 5:20-We are Christ’s ambassadors. Know this in all things we are more than conquerors. He knows the enemy’s demands and he has countered with his commands of truth
3. The only power the enemy has knows you lost your power! John 14:27 – I leave with you my peace. John 16
4. You may be blinded right now, but it’s only temporary because the light just came on!
1 John 1:5 – God is light and in Him there is no darkness
Psalm 119:45 – I will walk about in freedom for I have sought your precept
5. The enemy is not in control. Matt. 28: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me.
Psalm 49:7 – “No man can redeem the life of another or give God a ransom for him – The ransom for a life is costly – no payment is ever enough – that he should life on forever & not see decay.”
VIII. Luke 10:17 – We have the power to tread on serpents & scorpions & over all the power of the enemy.
What is holding you hostage? Despair, failure, insecurities, offense, deception.
*Paul said for whatever state I am in I am content.
C. The ransom was paid – its time to meet the captor at the bridge – Ezekiel 22: Is. 50:7 – Because the Sovereign Lord helps me – I will not be disgraced – I have set my face like flint.
D. He paid the ransom – Hosea 13:14 – I will ransom them from the power of the grave – I will redeem them from death.
Matt. 20:29 – The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to server and to give his life as a ransom.
IX. Closing
Psalm 37 – angels have encamped around this place
A. The war has begun for you – He has an army of Special Forces.
*Ps. 91:11 – He will give his angels charge over you – to guard you in all your ways.
*Matt. 4:11 – The devil left him in the wilderness & the angels came and tended to him.
*Luke 22:43 – An angel attended him in the garden.
*Hebrews 1:14 – Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
Psalm 103:20 – Praise the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding.
Gal. 3:19 – The angels are our mediators.
Hebrews 13:2 – You have entertained angels without knowing it!
*Story: Pastor in New Orleans – 37,000 rolled the stone away!
Gal. 3:19 – The angels are our mediator and ransom
Psalm 33:6 – By his word was the heavens created – the starry host by the breath of His mouth – as He breathes the angels are sent!
