STRNGHLDS - SESSION 1

THIS WEEKEND WE ARE WAGING WAR

Ephesians 6:10 (NLT) — 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

PAUL BACKGROUND – SUPER INFLUENTIAL – THIS IS HIS LIFE MESSAGE – HE IS IN PRISON WHEN WRITING THIS… IN CHAINS – HE KNOWS WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT

Ephesians 1:19–20 (NLT) — 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

YOU’RE IN A BATTLE

One commentary called this passage “the christian battle”

LIFE IS LOT LESS LIKE THE NOTEBOOK AND A MORE LIKE SAVING PRIVATE RYAN – LIFE IS A CONSTANT BATTLE – Between who I am and who I want to be – Who God wants me to be and what feels normal – What my friends want to do and what God wants me to do

HAVE YOU EVER FELT THAT PRESSURE? IT’S ALL AROUND ISN’T IT?

Here’s what I want to do. Here’s what my friends want me to do. Here’s what my parents what me to do. And it’s confusing because it doesn’t always align with what God wants me to do.

HERE’S THE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK:

WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE A YEAR FROM NOW, AT STRONGHOLDS 2024 IF THIS WEEKEND YOU DECIDED TO DO THINGS GOD’S WAY AND PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE AHEAD OF YOU?

FROM EXPERIENCE: THE BATTLE DOESN’T STOP. BUT YOU DO GET TO CHOOSE WHAT YOU ENTER THE BATTLE WITH

You have faced these battles:

Temptation, daily reading God’s word, depression, Hard seasons, loneliness, abandonment, loss, hardships, YOU FACE THESE BATTLES. AND YOU GET TO CHOOSE WHAT YOU FACE THEM WITH

HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS: GOD KNEW YOU WOULD FACE BATTLES AND HE WANTS YOU TO BE PREPARED.

Ephesians 6:11–12 (NLT) — 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

WHAT YOU ARE FIGHTING IS UNSEEN

There are forces at work fighting for your attention and your future at all times. And my question is ARE YOU FIGHTING AS HARD AS THEY ARE??

EVERY DAY THERE IS A FIGHT FOR YOU, YOUR ATTENTION, YOUR FOCUS, YOUR DECISIONS AND YOUR FUTURE.

New Living Translation Chapter 6

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.* 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.* 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

THERE IS A PANDEMIC OF PEOPLE NOT READING GOD’S WORD. THIS IS THE ONLY WEAPON MENTIONED. THE ONLY OFFENSE. YOU FIGHT BACK, YOU FIGHT YOUR BATTLES WITH GOD’S WORD

WHEN THE ENEMY SAYS IM WORTHLESS I REMIND HIM THAT GOD’S WORD SAYS I WAS PURCHASED WITH A HIGH PRICE

WHEN THE ENEMY SAYS IM NOT LOVED. I REMIND HIM THAT JOHN 3:16 Tell me that HE LOVED ME SO MUCH HE SENT HIS ONLY SON

WHEN THE ENEMY TELLS ME I HAVE NO FUTURE I REMIND HIM THAT JEREMIAH 29:11 SAYS THAT GOD HAS PLANS FOR ME A HOPE AND A FUTURE FOR GOOD AND NOT FOR HARM

GODS WORD SAYS IM A CHILD OF GOD

THAT I AM A NEW CREATION

THAT I AM REDEEMED

THAT I AM FORGIVEN

THAT I AM CHOSEN!

BUT YOU CANNOT FIGHT BACK IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WEAPON

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) — 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper…

To be oblivious to the battle is to not be ready – CAUSE YOU’LL KEEP BEING SURPRISED INSTEAD OF PREPARED

GOD HAS THE ARMOR

YOU NEED THE RIGHT ARMOR FOR THE RIGHT BATTLE – I’ve just learned that I don’t know how to dress myself.

There’s armor everywhere – Alcohol – Relationships – Anger – Your job… – WOKE is a popular armor – GOD HAS WHAT YOU NEED – When you don’t know that you take things into your own hands — YOU DON’T GET TO CHOOSE THE BATTLE BUT YOU DO CHOOSE THE ARMOR

Philippians 4:19 (NLT) — 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

YOU GOTTA PUT IT ON

Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) — 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Why do we need to put it on? Because the battle WILL come – and if you are wearing the armor of God then afterwards… you will be standing firmgus

Are you looking for an escape and you are gonna let someone else fight the battle? Or are you going to put on the armor and fight??

You’re gonna let tiktok fight the battle for your attention and their worldview?

You gonna let porn fight your battles? Alcohol fight your battles?

IF YOU DON’T PICK UP YOUR ARMOR AND FIGHT THEN THE FIGHT WILL STILL CONTINUE YOU JUST WON’T BE READY