Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Sometimes you hear a message so often that it can lose its impact. Today, as I read that scripture I was challenged in a fresh way.
You see, the devil will do everything in his power to stop the church from reaching lost people that he can do... one of the best ways is to get our focus off of God and making disciples and onto ourselves and our problems. The fact is, the devil IS going to attack us and try to destroy us. The scriptures tell us the he has a plan for our lives. He wants to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY YOU... and ME... and the church.
Southside is encountering some big attacks in this season of ministry and I want to ask you to be in prayer for our church.
One of my colleagues preached a sermon on this verse and I wanted to share part of it with you as an encouragement:
You know, I believe in Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church." I believe He wants glory in His Church and I believe He gains that glory by allowing the Church through His power to do things beyond what we can even dream, and I think God wants to go way beyond where we are now. I think we're just beginning to see what God would do when a group of people as totally committed to walk a worthy, when a group of people is totally committed to live the kind of life that Ephesians 4, 5, and 6 calls for. But as soon as that begins, Satan will oppose it. We see it all around us. You go back into the Old Testament, for example, and you see God sending an angel in Daniel chapter 10, and a demon withholds that angel so that that angel cannot accomplish the divine purpose, and God had to dispatch a greater angel, a stronger angel, to blast that demon out and send that angel on his way.
You find in Jude 9 Michael the archangel having a battle with Satan over the body of Moses. Satan trying to restrain Michael from claiming the body of Moses for God. So there is a high level spiritual struggle and we're even involved. Ephesians 6:12, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. So we're engaged in this tremendous conflict, and that's why I say it's way. I think American Christianity is become very smug and very content and it is almost sub cultural, rather than confronting we're just kind of waltzing along with the system, trying to accommodate. We believe we can win them by becoming what they are. But just the opposite is true--we have to counter the system.
Well, we need to be aware of the fact that Satan's going to attack. You know, James in chapter 4 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." I Pet. 5:8,9 Peter says, "Be sober, be vigilant." Why? "Because your adversary the devil like a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." In other: words, Satan is going to be there. Resist him. Be sober. Be vigilant, be aware. Be alert, and know what he is doing
Southside, now is the time to be bold for God and not to shrink back! Here is my parting prayer for you and for the ministry of Southside.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen
Pastor Willy
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