Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 John 2:18-29
The days are growing gloriously dark; the time is ripe for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:18-29 heeds three warnings to us as we near the rapture and Great Tribulation prophesied in the Book of Revelation.
First, we are living in the last days, and we need to be awake.
“Little children, it is the last time....” (v. 18)
Ever since the ascension of Jesus Christ, we have been on the brink of His return. And because the signs of the revelation are here, we know the rapture must be very close.
When He raptures His church, He will come secretly, like a thief in the night; we must be spiritually awake.
Second, the antichrist is coming, and we need to be aware.
“...and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (v. 18)
There is a wicked, malevolent, ungodly person waiting to be revealed after the rapture of the church; he is called the antichrist. We must be aware that he is devilish, divisive, deceptive, and destructive.
Third, our Lord is on His way, and we need to be abiding.
“Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye shall also continue in the Son, and in the Father.” (v. 24)
While living in the last days, we need to make ourselves at home in the word of God.
Now more than ever, we need to appreciate, appropriate, and assimilate Scripture.
We must make ourselves at home with the Spirit of God.
Adrian Rogers says, “Anything I can talk you into, somebody else can talk you out of; the one who teaches you is the Holy Spirit of God.”
Finally, we need to make ourselves at home with the very Son of God.
When Jesus comes for us, we shouldn’t have to be formally introduced. Rather, when we see Him face-to-face, it should feel like uniting with someone we’ve known heart-to-heart.
Apply it to your life
The signs of the upcoming revelation are all around us in these last days. Are you ready for Jesus to come? Are you awake and aware — are you abiding in Christ?
Sermon Overview
Scripture reference: Matthew 24:1-3
Mankind has always been fascinated with knowing the future; our only reliable source of prophecy is the Word of God. In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied His literal, physical return to earth, offering signs of the times and the beginning of the end. “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (v. 2)
The temple was the center of Jewish life – spiritually and socially. No one could believe it would ever be desolated. Yet, Jesus had prophesied its destruction and it came to fruition. In response, the disciples ask Jesus three questions: When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (v. 3) Jesus gives them seven marks of the beginning of the end.
1. Deceptions of counterfeit christs
One of the marks of the last days will be a time of great deception, in which all the world will be deceived by the antichrist.
2. Division of continuing conflicts
The generations to come will see more terrorism, hijackings, bombings, and assassinations than ever before.
3. Disasters of cataclysmic consequence
Jesus spoke candidly of famine, plagues, and earthquakes.
4. Defamation of committed Christians
Religious persecution will increase, particularly toward those who follow Jesus Christ.
5. Distortion of christless cults
Adrian Rogers reiterates G.K. Chesterson’s statement: “When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing, they then become capable of believing in anything.”
6. Disposition of carnal coldness
Adrian Rogers says, “When you take away moral limits, you destroy the fire and the glow of true love and you substitute that with the false fire of lust, and theology turns to me-ology.”
7. Discharge of Christ’s commission
Before Jesus left this earth, He commissioned us to take the Gospel to all of the world.
Jesus calls these marks “the beginning of sorrows.” (v. 8) In this context, the word “sorrow” also translates to, “birth pangs.” As these sorrows multiply and intensify, we know we are nearing the return of Jesus Christ, and the Great Tribulation that comes with it.
Apply it to your life
Knowing Jesus could return at any moment, the wisest thing to do is follow Jesus and spend time in His Word.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 13:5-6
So many of us do not explore new territories because of our fear of potential opposition. But we can overcome fear when facing the unknown future, particularly a new year.
There are four key principles from Hebrews 13:5-6 to help us face the new year without fear:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
The Contentment of His Provision
We must first be content with what we already possess. Adrian Rogers says, "Contentment is not getting what you want, but it is wanting what you already have."
Material things cannot truly satisfy the heart's deepest needs (Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:15). True satisfaction and security are found in something that can't be tampered with, which is Jesus Christ.
The Companionship of His Presence
God promises not to leave us or forsake us. The Greek translation of this phrase is noted to contain five negatives: "I will never, no not ever, no never leave nor forsake you.”
It is clear that God will not abandon, give up on, or leave even one believer as a "helpless orphan". God's presence is a source of solace when discouraged, lonely, or worried.
The Confidence of His Promise
“For He Himself has said" emphasizes the value of this promise by the identity of the one who makes it: the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. This assurance addresses our fears of lacking strength, facing the unknown, or not knowing what to do. The God of all comfort will be faithful.
The Comfort of His Protection
The final principle states that contentment, companionship, and confidence in Christ lead to the ability to boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What man can do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
Although the New Year may bring heartaches and trials, we can rely on God's promises. The original Hebrew Christians faced severe opposition, mockery, and robbery, yet could boldly declare God’s presence and protection, and so can we.
Apply it to your life
If you are fearful of what the New Year has in store, rest assured, you can find contentment, companionship, confidence, comfort, and courage in Jesus.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 2
One of the chief weapons that God has given us is the principle of submission; it is the thing that closes the mouths of those who oppose us and allows us to exercise our kingdom authority.
However, what if we experience the problem of unworthy authorities? 1 Peter 2-3 reveals how to submit to godless authority figures.
Submission is simply getting under the authority that God has established, not for that authority’s sake, but for God’s sake. Being submissive does not demean us, it exalts us; it makes us like Jesus Christ.
This passage recognizes three places in which our submission is needed: the government, the job, and the home.
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake...” (1 Peter 2:13).
We are called to demonstrate a spirit of submission in our social lives, in our churches, and in our politics, for 1 Peter 2:17 confirms, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
We are also instructed to submit in the workforce. Anyone can gripe and rebel against a bad boss, but Christians are held to a higher standard.
Adrian Rogers says, “There is no better place for you to demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if you have an unfair or an ungodly boss.”
Third, we’re to submit in the home: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:1). Women are not inferior to men; however, when a wife voluntarily places herself under her husband, who is her equal, God is glorified.
But we must understand that submission doesn’t always mean obedience. All human authority is limited because our ultimate loyalty belongs to God. If there comes a time when someone commands us to do something antithetical to the Word of God, we must obey God rather than men.
Adrian Roger says, “Submission does not embolden tyranny, it destroys it. It was the spirit of these early Christians that brought the Roman Empire crashing down. They turned that world upside down because they learned the strength of submission.”
Apply it to your life
Do you have the spirit of submission? Remember: We will never be over those things that God has put under us, until we get under those things that God has put over us. Submit to the Lordship of Christ, the Word of God, and the institutions that God has put in place.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Luke 2:7-11
The Book of Luke describes the beautiful moment Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:7 says, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
How fitting that the Lamb of God was born in a stable, for the destiny of the world is wrapped up in Mary’s little lamb.
When we think about this Lamb, we should first think of Him in prophecy.
It is not incidental that Jesus was born near the fields where shepherds bred sacrificial Passover lambs. The Book of Exodus explains the origin of the Passover tradition, in which the Israelites sacrificed lambs and painted the doors of their homes in lambs’ blood. The lambs had to be spotless in order for the death angel to pass over their homes.
After the special lambs were slain, the families would share in a feast, celebrating their atonement.
The Passover is an historic portrayal of Jesus; John 1:29 confirms: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”” Being born of a virgin, Jesus was sinless, free from the curse of Adam. On our behalf, He became the sacrificial and saving lamb. When we receive salvation in Jesus Christ, we are called to share the feast with others.
Jesus is also the victorious Lamb of Revelation 5.
In these passages, the Apostle John sees a prophetic vision of the Lamb of God, who was slain for us. He, who was resurrected, now stands strong and omniscient, and He reigns forever.
Lastly, Jesus is the majestic Lamb; He alone is worthy of our praise.
Adrian Rogers says, “Mary had a little Lamb, His fleece was white as snow. That little Lamb was crucified to pay the debt you owe. If you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior, His scarlet red blood will take away your scarlet red sin and make you whiter than snow.”
Apply it to your life
As we observe Christ’s birth, may we see Him as the Lamb in prophecy and history: the one the Old Testament prophesied long before His miraculous birth. Today, worship the victorious, majestic Lamb of God.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: John 1:1-9
Luke 1:78-79 says, “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Our world is in a desperately dark condition, but thanks be to God, who sent us His Son, Jesus, the Light of the World.
There are five things to learn about the light of Jesus Christ:
This light is pure.
Jesus was in the world, but He was not of the world. Light can never be defiled, no matter what it passes through. Light can expose the vilest, corrupt darkness, but it’s not touched by it.
Adrian Rogers says, “This is a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ. He exposes sin, but He is never touched by sin. Jesus could touch sinners, but sin never touched Jesus.”
This light is constant.
God is absolutely unchangeable. The only thing that is constant in our universe is light. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, Jesus is the one constant.
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
This light is victorious.
John 1:5 says, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
This light is vital.
Jesus is the one who gives life. Light and life are inextricably interwoven; you cannot have life without light.
When God first initiated life in this universe, He first commanded, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3) If the sunlight were to disappear, our world would become cold and dark and dead. Likewise, when Jesus came into the world, in Him was life, and that life was the light of Man!
If we want to revive our lives, we need the light of Jesus Christ.
Finally, this light is glorious.
It is full of multifaceted splendors. Pure white light consists of a spectrum of colors, the most gorgeous bouquet in the world. If you take away the light, it has no color. Color is not in objects…it’s in light.
Christ is the one who gives glory and joy, and victory. He’s the one who makes this world beautiful in His time.
Apply it to your life
Don’t blot out the light of Jesus Christ; rather, let Him shine through you today.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15
Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E, as it reflects God's ultimate gift of love through Jesus Christ as described in John 3:16. Love is crucial for using spiritual gifts effectively.
Adrian Rogers says, "The real mark of the spirit-filled life is love."
1 Corinthians 13 unveils three main aspects of love.
The Virtues and Indispensability of Love
Love is absolutely indispensable, with no substitute. Without love, other highly valued attributes or actions are rendered meaningless:
Oratory or speaking with tongues becomes like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (v. 1)
Prophecy, understanding mysteries, and knowledge are as nothing. (v. 2)
Faith, even faith that can move mountains, is "nothing" without love. (v. 2)
Feeding the poor (bestowing all goods) or martyrdom (giving one's body to be burned) profit nothing if not motivated by genuine love. (v. 3)
Adrian Rogers says, "What our Lord is looking for more than people who will die for their faith, is people who will live for their faith, and show that living by loving."
The Characteristics of Love
These are described in verses 4-5: love is portrayed as having specific qualities:
Patient ("suffers long"); a lack of patience indicates a lack of love.
Kind, described as "love in the little things" and courtesy.
Not jealous ("envies not"); willing to give credit and praise others.
Humble ("not puffed up"); able to apologize and forgive.
Not rude ("does not behave unseemly").
Unselfish ("seeketh not its own"); focusing on showing love rather than personal gain.
Even-tempered ("not easily provoked"); an "evil temper" is highlighted as significantly damaging to Christian society.
Not suspicious ("thinks no evil"), avoiding paranoia or "mud-slinging".
The Victory and Eternality of Love
1 Corinthians 13:4 states simply, “Love never fails.”
It is eternal and will never pass away, unlike prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, which are temporary. Faith and hope find their fulfillment in Heaven, but love endures and is perfected in Heaven.
Love is the greatest virtue, the greatest commandment, the greatest testimony, the greatest motivation, and the greatest confirmation of salvation. Jesus' disciples will be recognized by their love for one another (John 13:35).
Apply it to your life
Prioritize demonstrating patient, kind, humble, and unselfish love in all aspects of your life. It is the most indispensable and enduring virtue, far better than any other achievement or gift.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7
Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest event in human history was not when Man first put his feet upon the moon, but when Almighty God came down and walked upon this Earth."
No amount of secular knowledge compares to the vital knowledge of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6-7 presents three thoughts about history’s greatest happening.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
His Supernatural Nature
This passage speaks to both Jesus's humanity (“a child is born”) and His deity (“a son is given”). Jesus Christ's beginning was not in Bethlehem; He is the eternal Word, who was with God and was God from the beginning, and through whom all things were made. Jesus Christ is fully God; He possesses everything God is, has, and does.
His Sovereign Nobility
Jesus is a noble ruler, a sovereign king. He came not only to redeem but also to reign. His Second Coming is certain, and when He returns, it will be as a mighty monarch, with the government upon His shoulder. We cannot "make" Him Lord, as He already is Lord; we can only recognize and bow before His Lordship.
His Saving Name
The name “Jesus” means "Jehovah saves". This name was given by God, designating Jesus as the "great I AM" (Jehovah) who saves. This passage also calls Him:
Wonderful: He is wonderful in His birth, life, works, words, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and future return.
Counselor: There is wisdom in His name, as He possesses all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Mighty God: Jesus made everything and has all power in Heaven and on Earth.
Everlasting Father: This invokes worship, as Jesus and the Father are one, and seeing Him is seeing the Father. Worshipping Jesus is not idolatry because He is indeed God.
Prince of Peace: Jesus offers peace to those who labor and are heavy laden. The world will not know true peace until He returns, but personal peace with God is available through Him now.
Apply it to your life
To gain true wisdom and peace, recognize Jesus Christ as the key to all knowledge and the source of ultimate peace. Acknowledge His divine nature and sovereign Lordship,and trust Him as your personal Savior.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:23
Adrian Rogers says, “We can never be over those things that God wants to be under us -- until we get under those things that God has put over us.”
In order to learn how to cultivate a marriage and a healthy home, we must first understand godly authority.
Ephesians 5:23 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body.”
This does not mean wives are inferior to their husbands; in Christ, we’re equal. But God created us to meet different needs and fulfill different roles within the home. When the Bible speaks of the husband being the head of the home, it is not speaking of his rights; it speaks of his responsibilities.
There are three major responsibilities that deal with the husband, the first being his servant leadership.
Ephesians 5 does not call the husband a dictator. Rather, we are given the example of Jesus Christ, who is head of the Church, yet serves her and meets her needs. We are to meet the needs of our wives, who submit to our servant leadership.
Husbands are also responsible for sacrificial love, which is first passionate. It is a commitment that comes from the deepest part of our being.
It is also a purifying love, as Ephesian 5:26-27 says: “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word... not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Husbands are to express their love through their protection. If the enemy wants to attack our homes, he has to go through the husband. Husbands are also responsible for offering loving provision, to meet our family’s physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
Finally, husbands are responsible for showing steadfast loyalty. Jesus promised to never leave nor forsake His church. (See Hebrews 13:5.) Likewise, we are responsible for keeping the vows we made when we entered our marriage covenant. If we think of marriage as a contract, we will look for loopholes, and miss the blessing that it truly is. But if viewed as a covenant, we will cultivate something beautiful.
Apply it to your life
Are you cultivating a marriage based on servant leadership, sacrificial love, and steadfast loyalty?
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 24:1-7
King David was a remarkable man after God’s own heart. He lived by principle, not by appearance. He was a warrior who knew many victories, but perhaps his greatest victory was the one over his own spirit when subjected to authority.
In 1 Samuel 24, David is hiding in a cave after King Saul has put a bounty on his head. King Saul comes into the cave, unaware that David and his men are hiding just out of sight. David has the opportunity to kill Saul, the man actively trying to kill him. But he does not; instead, he shows us how to behave in a cave, when no one else is watching.
He refuses to take vengeance and acts as we should according to Scripture: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Like David, we must remember the principle of spiritual authority. David knew that he had no right to take Saul’s life because Saul was God’s chosen and anointed king. There is no king, no power, no ruler that has not been ordained of God. To rebel against them is an act of rebellion against God. We are all subject to them and must submit to their leadership.
Second, David gently pleaded for change, with reverence, respect, and reason. David relied on God to change Saul’s heart.
If the authority in question commands us to do something that is contrary to the Word of God, we should obey God rather than men. But we must be sure that even when we disobey our appointed leader, we have a warrant from Scripture. Even still, we should act in a manner that respects authority. God took care of Saul, and God will take care of our enemies as we learn to rely on the Lord.
Finally, David made a gracious promise to King Saul, that when he became king, he would protect Saul’s loved ones.
The spirit of God was in David. Adrian Rogers says, “David never won a greater victory than he won that day in the cave: a victory over self, a victory over Saul, and a victory over sin.”
Apply it to your life
Are you facing conflict in submitting to spiritual authority? Consider how David behaved in the cave. Recognize the great principle of authority and show respect to those God has placed over you.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 5:1-5, 17
Any Christian who has not discovered the tremendous power of kingdom authority is living beneath his privileges.
However, Adrian Rogers says, “God will never place you over those things that He means to put under you, until you get under those things that He has put over you.”
Many of us fail to think of the Holy Spirit as a person with authority, yet the Holy Spirit has authority to rule and reign in our lives. In fact, kingdom authority is mediated by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5 reveals why we should be under the authority of the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).
Adam was the first man created by God and was given dominion over the Earth. But Adam sinned; he forfeited his dominion to sin. And because we are his offspring, we are identified with Adam in this slavery to Satan. Through Adam, we received weakness rather than power and gained ungodliness rather than godliness. We also received wrath rather than approval, warfare instead of peace. We inherited our sinfulness from Adam: not only when we do as we shouldn’t, but also in failing to do as we should.
But Romans 5 also reveals what we receive through Jesus when we join the kingdom of light:
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17).
When we submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit, we receive justification of our sins and reconciliation with the Father. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the fellowship with God that was severed when Adam sinned. We’ve also been regenerated and made righteous to reign through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apply it to your life
Each one of us is either with Adam in the kingdom of death, or we are with Christ reigning in the kingdom of life. Choose Jesus today; choose kingdom authority through the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 1:23-25
There is an ongoing war over the Bible. There are those who despise it, but some of the greatest enemies of the Bible are those who disregard that it is the very Word of God.
If we want the kingdom authority that God has promised His children, we must be under the authority of the Word of God.
We must see it as incontestable:
There is no contest, controversy, or denial that the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible is absolutely perfect, for the God of truth cannot speak in error.
1 Peter 1:23 claims: “...having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…”
Second, we must see the Bible as the incorruptible Word of God; there is no blemish or spot in it.
Though many have come against it with their own personal agendas and opinions, the Bible outstands them all.
Third, we see that it is indestructible:
“...because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever...” (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Finally, the Word of God is indispensable:
“Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:25).
The Gospel is the message of the church, and we get the Gospel from Scripture. We don’t need a new or modern Gospel for the new and modern age; it stands the test of time. The Bible also prescribes the church’s method, which is (and always will be) preaching.
Adrian Rogers says, “No church will ever grow and prosper and be a New Testament church until the pulpit is central and the Gospel is central in the pulpit.”
In order to join a church body, one must be born again into the family of God. Only the Gospel can grow this family, and therefore, grow the Church.
Apply it to your life
Do you see the Bible as the incontestable, incorruptible, indestructible, indispensable Word of God?
Adrian Rogers says, “We can never have Kingdom Authority, speak or preach with authority, witness with authority, live with authority until we get under the authority of the Word of God.”
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 14:7-12
God wants us to live with kingdom authority, but there can be no reigning in this life until we confess these three words: Jesus is Lord.
Lord means “someone or something having power, authority, or influence.” When we claim to commit to Jesus Christ, we must surrender to His lordship, as Paul explains in Romans, “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7)
First, remember the redeeming claim of His lordship.
“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).
When Jesus died for us, He purchased our souls with His redeeming blood; we are no longer our own, we belong to Him.
Adrian Rogers says, “When you gave your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, that was the last independent decision you ever made.”
Second, we see the resurrection conquest of His lordship.
“For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9). There can be no other king in our lives; no man can serve two masters (see Matthew 6:24). Christ requires our submission and absolute ownership of all we possess with unquestioned obedience.
We shouldn’t be afraid to trust our lives to the One who loved us enough to die for us.
Finally, there must be a regal confession of His lordship.
“...As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11). We will confess Christ as Lord, whether in this world or the next.
Confessing Christ as Lord seals our salvation and conquers Satan; it also comforts and confirms the saints. The more we assert it to others, the stronger our faith becomes.
As we confess Christ’s lordship, the things of this world fall away. Our separation from this world convicts those who see the difference in our lives and want to understand the source of our joy.
And when we claim Christ as Lord, our decisions seem to make themselves, as He guides us in all things.
Apply it to your life
Have you surrendered to the lordship of Christ? Is He Lord of all that you have and do, Lord of your thoughts, your tongue, your temper, time, and testimony?
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Luke 10:17-19
When we were born again, we became spiritual freedom fighters in God’s invasion army. We cannot be neutral in this spiritual battle: we are in a fight to the finish. We must learn how to come against the enemy and use our kingdom authority in the warfare of prayer.
First, let us remember that our kingdom authority has been sovereignly established by God. He delivered us from the bondage of spiritual death. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead, but when Jesus came, He gave us life through His sacrificial death.
We’ve also been delivered from our staggering debt; in His death, Jesus paid the debt of our sins in full.
Jesus also delivered us from the bondage of satanic dominion. Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Through His resurrection power, Jesus stripped, shamed, and subdued the enemy. Adrian Rogers says, “We don’t pray for victory, we have the victory; we stand in victory.”
Secondly, kingdom authority must be strongly enforced if we want to do what our King wants us to do. While we were slaves to Satan, in bondage to his dark kingdom, Jesus came to set us free. Even though Satan’s defeat is absolute, it must be appropriated. He will not roll over in defeat; he will fight to keep us bankrupt, brokenhearted, and bound to our sin. We must come against him in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, kingdom authority must be strategically exercised through the children of God who bear clean hearts. Those who act according to the Spirit must also come from the right position: seated with Jesus in the heavenlies.
Adrian Rogers says, “Without Jesus, you are in Satan’s dark kingdom, and Calvary is your defeat. But when you come into the kingdom of God, it is now your victory.”
Apply it to your life
Are you longing to pray with kingdom authority? Understand the necessity of your clean heart and begin praying from your victory in Heaven. Remember this wisdom from Adrian Rogers: “Stop praying from earth to Heaven, and start praying from Heaven to earth.”
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Luke 7:1-10
The Lord did not create us to live crushed and defeated lives, but to reign and live victoriously. The centurion’s faith in Luke 7 is an example of strength through kingdom authority.
“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick” (Luke 7:9-10).
In this passage, we first see the source of kingdom authority: it comes from a higher power. Adrian Rogers says, “Authority comes from above; therefore, any authority that you may hold is no better or stronger than the one who is over you.”
The reason God’s children have authority is that God is over them. It is the doctrine of identification. When He died, He died for us, so we died with Him and when He rose, we rose with Him, bearing resurrection life. When Jesus ascended, we ascended with Him; therefore, Jesus’ victory is our victory.
Second, we see the secret of kingdom authority: God does not give it to rebels. Adrian Rogers says, “You cannot be over until you are under; if you do not know the restraint of the Spirit, you will never know the release of the Spirit. If you cannot operate the spiritual brakes, God’ll never show you the spiritual accelerator.”
Jesus lives as an example of how we are to subject ourselves to authority. Though He was God, He lived as a man, under the authority of God, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, His earthly parents, and the government.
Third, we see the scope of our authority: we cannot refuse, confuse or abuse it. In Genesis, Adam was given authority over the forces of nature, but in Christ, we are given spiritual authority over the power of the enemy.
Finally, we see the strength of kingdom authority, which comes from surrender. The centurion in Luke 7 was a man who had many people working under him; yet, he humbled himself, surrendering to the authority of Jesus as he pleaded for his servant’s life. True surrender takes incredible strength.
Apply it to your life
Do you understand the source, secret, and scope of your kingdom authority? Have you surrendered to the Holy Spirit and been strengthened by His power?
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:15-2:6
As Christians, most of us can accept that Jesus Christ is King and He has authority. However, some of us fail to grasp that He has given that kingdom authority to His servants.
Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
We’re in a spiritual battle, up against the organized, mobilized, and demonized powers of Hell. Therefore, we must understand what kingdom authority is in order to utilize it.
First, kingdom authority over all God's creation was gloriously given to Adam.
God made us to have dominion; it is the very reason we were created.
Second, that kingdom authority was legally lost by Adam.
When tempted by the devil, Adam and Eve failed to use the kingdom authority that God had given to them, and therefore, they became slaves of Satan.
Third, kingdom authority has been righteously regained by Jesus Christ.
Adrian Rogers says, “God owes Satan nothing, but God owes everything to His own justice and His own holiness; Jesus Christ came to this Earth as the second Adam, to gain back what the first Adam lost.”
Kingdom authority was lost by a man, and it was legally regained by a man: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus died that we might have spiritual authority, not to do what we want, but authority to do what He wishes.”
Until you are under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, and the things God has set over you, you will never live with authority.
The devil hopes that you will not understand the incredible power we’ve been given; that he can keep you in the dark. If we ever utilize kingdom authority, all of Heaven will break loose.
Apply it to your life
If you are struggling to claim your kingdom authority, remember: the same weapons that belonged to Adam in the Garden of Eden were the weapons that Jesus Christ used in the wilderness. Spend some time in Scripture, saturating your life in the Word and in the Spirit of God, that you may understand your kingdom authority.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you ever feel there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it?
Many of us are emotionally fatigued, physically drained, and spiritually defeated; and the reason is stress. Stress is the gap between the demands placed upon us and our ability to meet those demands.
It’s not a sin to be stressed, but it is a sin to reject the help given to you to relieve your stress. God offers His insurmountable strength to us so that we may learn how to handle stress.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.”
God will help us fly in the rigors of life.
A mother eagle teaches her eaglets to fly by making the nest uncomfortable. In the same way, God lovingly nudges us to the edge of our comfort zone, so that we may learn to fly.
God will teach us to run in the rush of life.
There’s enough time every day to do everything God wants you to do; sometimes we have to run to get it done. We need to run like an athlete, trusting God to sustain us, so that we will not grow weary.
God will aid us as we walk in the routines of life.
Our greatest need is day-by-day faithfulness in the little things, steadily walking day by day in the regular humdrum times of life.
Adrian Rogers says, “Do you know what victory is? It is all day, every day, hot days, cold days, dull days, bright days, good days, bad days, walking the Christian life.”
What does waiting upon God do for us?
In times of adversity, we soar like an eagle.
In times of opportunity, we run like an athlete.
And in times of necessity, we keep walking day by day.
Apply it to your life
If you believe in the promises of God, you must wait upon Him. What does that mean, practically?
Long for Him daily
Listen to Him in your quiet time
Look to Him for your every need
Live for Him, dedicating your life to the service of the Lord.
Spend some time waiting on the Lord today. Let His Word be your strength in times of stress.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Luke 4:1-2
No one is immune to temptation, not even Christians.
Temptation can come to any person, at any point, wherever you may be. In fact, many times, the greatest temptations come after our highest spiritual experiences. This was the case for Jesus, who was tempted by Satan after His baptism in Luke 4:1-2.
In order to learn how to handle temptation, we look to the story of when Jesus had a head-on collision with the devil, so that we may also have victory over temptation.
First, we must understand the three types of temptation we may be bombarded with:
The lust of the flesh deals with our passions.
The lust of the eyes deals with our possessions.
The pride of life deals with our person, with who we are.
They can take a myriad of forms, but our temptations are not new. The Bible says, “Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are.” (Hebrews 4:15) This means Satan tempted Him with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life —doing, having, being—passions, possessions, pride.
Yet He was without sin.
How did Jesus overcome the temptation to sin?
He remembered He was a child of God. He submitted to God’s authority. He overcame Satan as man filled with the Holy Spirit, which is promised to us when we become Christians.
Jesus also used Scripture to combat the devil’s lies. And lastly, Jesus remembered that He was completely satisfied in His relationship with God.
As Adrian Rogers says, “Sonship, submission, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, knowing who you are in Christ... Jesus is both the example and the power to do that.”
Apply it to your life
Are you being tempted to sin? Remember Jesus’ example. Remember who you are in Christ, submit to the Father, ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and use Scripture as your weapon. Follow the example of Jesus and win the battle against temptation with His power!
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Psalm 119:9
It seems as though the chaos of this world is ever-increasing, day after day; when taking a closer look, the primary problem is the thoughts of man.
We’ve seen this before in Scripture. Just before the Great Flood in Genesis, the thoughts of men’s hearts were shockingly wicked before the Lord. This is not a new problem, although it does seem to push new boundaries every day.
We are constantly being exposed to narratives of violence, promiscuity, perversion and greed. No wonder our thoughts are out of control!
Satan is very sinister, very clever and diabolically wicked. He wants to capture the hearts and minds of an entire generation; why? When Satan has your mind, he has you!
Though it seems daunting, it is possible and imperative to control your thought life.
First, there must be the purification of the mind. Your mind must be clean to begin with, and the Word of God is the cleansing agent. Jesus says in John 15:3, “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The Word of God points us toward confession and repentance (the Greek word for “repentance” translates to mean “changing of the mind”).
After your mind is clean, you must be determined to keep it clean. There is a battle for your mind. If you’re half-hearted, you will lose it. You must be serious about taking every thought captive and comparing it the truth of Scripture, before it captivates you. You must fiercely guard your heart with the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” It is the Word of God hidden in your heart that is the antidote to future temptation. Therefore, you must saturate yourself with the Word of God.
When Scripture gets in your mind, it changes your attitude; your attitude determines your actions.
Adrian Rogers says, “When you begin to meditate on God’s Word, then you become a second-nature Christian, which is your true nature, the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Apply it to your life
Do you carefully consider the influences you allow to pollute your thoughts? Deep clean your mind today. Choose to meditate on Scripture. Memorize it, personalize it, verbalize it, vitalize it, and internalize it.
Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Titus 2:14-15
Every Christian is in need of a passionate love for the Lord Jesus Christ that overflows into service and worship. However, the cause of Christ has been deeply hurt by extremists and their misguided zeal. We must understand the dangers of extremism and the beauty of God’s grace.
Titus 2:14 speaks of Jesus: “...who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
First, zeal can affirm the grace of God.
When we truly love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will become zealous about truth and excited to do good works for the kingdom of God. This is a good and godly thing because we are called to go “all in” with our love for Jesus; however, when taken to the extreme, good things can become bad things.
While affirming zeal, grace avoids extremism.
Adrian Rogers says, “Zeal and moderation go together, properly understood; they are not enemies, they’re friends. But extremism is the enemy of both zeal and moderation.”
Zeal that is divisive and destructive can be deadly to our churches, homes, and communities. Principles are great when used as tools to live by, rather than as weapons to hurt others.
We do not need to compromise on holy living, but we need to learn to live by grace.
When we obsess and debate over incidental things, we lose sight of what is fundamental. This kind of zeal is foolish, profitless, fruitless, and divisive. When we have zeal for the wrong things, we’ll often fight the wrong enemy with the wrong weapons and wrong energy.
Compromise is not the answer to extremism: grace is.
Titus 2:15 says, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
Grace is not an excuse to sin or an encouragement to laziness, it is an invitation to give everything we are to the cause of Christ.
We must be zealous of good works, with an attitude of sweet reasonableness. We may not always agree with everyone on everything, but we must prioritize what is important.
Apply it to your life
Each and every one of us must be filled with a passionate love for Jesus Christ, but what we do with that love is crucial. Affirm zeal, avoid extremism, and remember that we will achieve more together than divided.