"faith Under Fire"

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.