SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(1 Peter 5:8-9) (8) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (9) "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5) (3) "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:" (4) "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" (5) "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
(Ephesians 6:10-12) (10) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (11) "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (12) "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
PROLOGUE
As I consider the influence of the church in the world today, I am left with some very important questions that I am not sure everyone will agree on. However, there is hope in the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18, which states that the Lord will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This means that Christ, who is the head of the church, will build His church on falsehoods, broken dreams, and broken hearts, including divorce and worldly views. Yes, beloved, the true church of Jesus Christ is not and will never be a weak church.
I have two important questions regarding the nature and role of the church Jesus is returning for. I want to explore the characteristics that define this church, how it aligns with scripture, and the expectations for its members as they prepare for His return.
1. What is it that allows people to sit comfortably in some churches today and feel at ease with their sin?
2. Have church leaders and Christians overlooked or even forgotten why they were saved?
I believe you can agree that we are living in a time when we desperately need a spiritual cleaning to remove the confessed sins and ungodliness among Christian leaders. I also believe that the living God is gathering an army that has weathered life's storms and is prepared to face the enemy on every front.
You might be surprised to learn that many of these powerful soldiers of the cross are not widely recognized by today’s religious leaders because God has kept them hidden, waiting for the right time to reveal them.
Due to their past mistakes, these men and women have had to fight for every inch of ground they gain because nothing is handed to them; they earn it through their life experiences, which prepare them to face adversity head-on.
These undesirables who form the overlooked church of the hedge will become the worship leaders and clergy in this final effort by the Spirit of God to rescue as many as possible from Satan’s rebellion.
Many religious leaders, filled with self-pride, love to reject and look down on these people, but what happened to the scripture in Galatians 6:1, which warns us to consider ourselves lest we be tempted?
Notice that at the start of that verse, the writer indicates that when we encounter a man caught in a fault or trespass, those who are spiritual should be willing to restore him with open arms into fellowship.
Therefore, I conclude with a message to the church elders on this final day of grace: you had better be ready because the Forgotten-Church of the Hedge is approaching, and they will become your new worship leaders—including your pastors—in this last-day revival that is now upon us.
There is a lost and hungry world searching for answers, and we have them. We, who make up this church, have faced life's tests and gained strength from our struggles, which qualify us for our role.
There is an invisible war going on around us between good and evil, and it is not so bad to miss the mark in target practice. Remember that we were bought at a high price, and does not the word in (Acts 20:28) refer to the church as a purchased possession?
"THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL."
The Holy Bible speaks of a massive war happening around us, and we have no choice but to get involved. We are part of this because it is a battle between good and evil, which involves satanic and heavenly forces—fallen angels and demonic powers.
Paul describes in (Ephesians 6:10-18) principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, representing the evil rulers and entities of the unseen world.
I woke up this morning and posted a saying on Facebook: "Your enemies will still be standing tall until your idols fall." Romans 7:18-24 discusses the inward and outward struggles a person faces against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
There is a spiritual war between good and evil happening all around us that is leaving many casualties behind, especially those who do not believe that a real devil is lurking nearby, seeking whom he may catch off guard and destroy.
Satan hates and despises humankind because we are made in the image and likeness of almighty God, and he knows his time is limited; therefore, beloved, human souls are the only way he can hurt God.
This invisible war is real, and as we go through this message, we'll see that our weapons may not be visible. However, they are powerful in breaking down strongholds in life, including defeating the devil and putting him where he belongs — under our feet.
(Ephesians 6:10-18) (10) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (11) “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
This battle, according to the Apostle Paul, is not a physical fight with people but a struggle against the unseen forces of evil surrounding the world. When we talk about things that cannot be seen, heard, or touched by our five senses, some people tend to see them as a lower level of reality compared to the visible world around us.
Let us never forget that Ephesians 6:11 instructs us to put on the whole “armor of God,” consisting of seven pieces, for our spiritual defense against Satan, who seeks to destroy us all.
(1 Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
The Apostle Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion looking to destroy our relationship with God by bringing temptations that cause us to stumble and weaken us, opening the door for him to destroy our faith and damage our credibility in front of other believers.
Near the end of his life, Paul stated that he had fought a good fight, and he was not referring to the church down the street. He was speaking of the battle or fight of faith that had preserved him through many trials, leading him to make the statement found in (Romans 8:18): "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
"PEOPLE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMY."
God is calling us to engage Satan in spiritual warfare with weapons that are not of this world and cannot be seen, but they are effective in tearing down the strongholds in our lives and ministry.
Many churches today might have misunderstood Paul when he said in 2 Timothy 4:7 that he fought a good fight, because it doesn't look good to sinners when church leaders are fighting over property rights, especially when the fighting happens within the same organization.
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5) (3) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:” (4) “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” (5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Paul speaks in the word of God (1 Timothy 6:12) about fighting the good fight of faith so that he may lay hold of eternal life. In Jude 1:3, the writer speaks of contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.
According to Paul, our only offensive weapon in armor is the word of God. The word of God is the only book that will read us, for it pierces to the core of the heart, dividing both the soul and the spirit.
(Hebrews 4:12) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
2 Corinthians 2:11 reminds us that we are not ignorant of Satan's cunning schemes and devices, emphasizing the importance of spiritual awareness and discernment, urging us to remain vigilant against the various ways in which evil may seek to influence our lives.
In summary, just as retired generals often appear on TV to explain how our government trains personnel to analyze our enemies' strength and tactics, God has designed us to be more than conquerors through Christ, who loved us and sacrificed himself for us.
"SATAN’S THREE METHODS OF ATTACK."
To succeed in this spiritual battle for our souls, we need to understand our enemy's strategies, including the three methods he uses to attack us.
Satan is described in the word of God as our adversary, and elsewhere he is called the accuser of the brethren. Therefore, if slander and accusations are spreading in your church, you likely know who is behind it, and you need to cut it off at the source.
Three names describe Satan and the methods he loves to use, and they can be found in the word of God.
1. “The Tempter.” The first method he uses against us is “The Tempter.” We can better understand this by examining how he tempted Eve in the garden and how Christ was tempted in the wilderness.
(1 Thessalonians 3:5) “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.”
Sin often begins with a slight temptation, and dwelling on it allows it to take root in our hearts. Essentially, temptation means, “if you give Satan an inch, he will become your ruler.”
2. “The Great Deceiver,” the second method he uses against us is deception. That’s why he’s sometimes called “The Trickster” or “The Great Deceiver.” He aims to trick us, just as he did with Eve, into believing false truths and to make us think that God is withholding something from us.
The word 'states' in 2 Corinthians 11:15 informs us that he can disguise himself as an Angel of light. It is easy to recognize him when he approaches us with temptation, but when he acts as the deceiver, he can hide himself and is not easily recognized. Therefore, we must engage him with the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Accuser of the Brethren,” The third method he likes to use is “The Accuser of the Brethren,” a lying accusing spirit that can be seen working in some churches today because he enjoys causing Christian brothers and sisters to accuse one another.
He sows suspicion, distrust, and fault-finding among them, aiming to turn suspicion against church leadership, which can lead to church splits. This results in people getting hurt, sometimes so severely that they never set foot in a church again for the rest of their lives.
Now that we understand his methods of attacking the believer, let us always remember that Greater is He (The Holy Spirit) who is in us than he (Satan) who is in the world.
In summary, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the courts of heaven. He has never lost a case or battle. With this in mind, let us honor the Son of God, who has been made both Lord and Christ, as the great and wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father. (Isaiah 9:6)
"LEARN TO RUN TOWARD THE ROAR."
(1 Peter 5:8-9) (8) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (9) "Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
The word of God describes Satan as our adversary, a roaring lion, which means all he can do is use scare tactics to create confusion and chaos.
Satan has already been defeated, and the fact is that too many times we run into more trouble trying to escape from it. We can better understand this better by studying lions.
When a male lion gets older, his gums and teeth weaken, but he remains valuable to the pride because of his loud roar. He remains valuable because younger, stronger lions depend on him to ambush prey with his roar, which startles and surprises the prey.
The word of God describes the devil as being like this roaring lion, However, he was stripped of his power when Jesus our Savior stripped him of his power over death, hell and the grave when in hell, he threw of principalities and made a show of them openly taking the keys of death, hell and the grave from Satan the devil or in other words, he took the very weapon out of Satan's hands which is death that he held over our heads and destroyed him who had power over death, the devil. (Colossians 2:15)
In studying lions, we will see that they stalk a herd for days, searching for a weakness. When they find one that seems weak, they will charge at the whole herd as if attacking the strongest, causing a stampede. Throughout this, they watch how the weak react, then follow up to claim them as their meal.
In summary, believers should understand that our God is a God of covenant who has already defeated the powers of darkness through His virgin birth, His interaction with nature during His life, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. Therefore, we can rest in His word, which assures us that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
MY CONCLUSION
The attacks on our faith are meant to shape us into the image of God’s Son, transforming us into humble servants. They teach us how to apply God’s word more effectively in our lives. While some observe us going through these trials, they are also experiencing their breakthrough.
These trials will help us become men and women of God who appreciate and gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual battle around us, and who recognize how important it is to understand the meaning of Jesus's words on the cross: “It is finished.” Understanding this enables us to fight our battles from a place of victory that has already been won.
Understanding that when God raised Christ from the dead, the word says He gave him a name above every name that is known, making him to head over all things to the church, which is his body, declaring him to be recognized as both Lord and Christ.
Satan is a created being and was called an archangel because he was one of the first angels created. However, since he is a created being who fell from grace —including his place with God —"his power is limited, and he can be restricted" — by God’s people.
We find in Job 1:12 that God can impose limits on him because the writer states that God had built a hedge around Job, preventing Satan from attacking him.
I recall an event in history in which Alexander the Great sent envoys to the Jewish nation, asking for assistance and supplies for his army, but the Jewish leaders refused his request. This angered him, and he assembled his army against them. However, the priests went out to meet him dressed in their priestly garments, and when he saw them, God touched his heart, causing him to show them favor.
History will show that God has a way of preserving His church, and His Holy word declares that we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loved us; for we overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
In closing, I would like to quote Romans 8:35-37: (35) "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?" (36) "As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are considered as sheep for the slaughter." (36) "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us
MY CLOSING PRAYER
Father, my prayer is that your name may be glorified as you leave your mark through us to future generations. Lord, I ask that you assign an angel to accompany this work into the homes of everyone who takes time to read it. Heavenly Father, we also ask that you keep us from evil so that we will not be grieved, tempted, or cause pain.
Help us realize that the same authority delegated to Jesus has also been delegated to His church, His body on earth. Lord, help us direct our prayers toward unifying the body of Christ so that it becomes one cohesive body working together in harmony and doing Your will, just as it is already being fulfilled in Heaven.
Father, we ask that you help us make our lives count. With our whole hearts, we pledge our allegiance to you and your kingdom. Father, I pray for those who have genuinely prayed this prayer, and I ask that you support and protect them from the enemy's evil schemes.
Lord, help them recognize and realize that your enduring love is the one thing everyone can rely on to get through the trials, tests, and unexpected challenges that may come their way.
Help us realize that there is strength in numbers and that we need each other to be fruitful and live a prosperous life as Your people, and help us not be careless and prideful in our Christian Walk. Help us realize that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves; that we are a part of your glorious body as sons and daughters in your kingdom.
Lord, I ask in Jesus' mighty name that You will touch, heal, and deliver all who read this prayer and call upon Your wonderful name, meeting their needs where they are, especially Christians persecuted for their faith,
Father, my prayer is that you stir us up and burden our hearts for true revival to break out —yes, Lord —in every country throughout the world, and to demonstrate to the people in these countries that you are the Unchanging God. Lord, your word declares it: what you were yesterday, you are today, and will be tomorrow! (Hebrews 13:8)
Dear Lord, we urgently seek your guidance as we continually hear news of school shootings and lives lost in a world where the young have been taught that life is pointless and meaningless.
Lord, help us to show everyone that we truly are the body of Christ, and in this difficult time of unrest and confusion, may we always remember that you are a very present help in times of trouble.
Father, we believe You have heard my humble prayer, and I ask for these favors in the wonderful name of Jesus, for it is in His name that I humbly say, Amen & Amen.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
