Next Level Praying (7)

THE CHURCH THAT OVERCOMES!

Revelation 2:7 He who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradis of God!

The Risen Christ gave a specific promise to the angel or messenger of each of the seven churches He addressed in Revelation 2-3.

We are in the process of taking our church to the next level through our prayer ministry!

Please don’t think for a moment that the enemy does not recognize the threat a praying Church full of praying Christians poses to his agenda!

Today, I want to describe for you three things The Church That Overcomes Knows!

The Church That Overcomes:

I. Knows WHERE Satan operates on the earth!

Revelation 2:12 To the angel of the Church in Pergamum write . . .

Revelation 2:13 I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is . . .

There are some places on the face of this earth, where you can sense the presence of evil is stronger than in other places!

It seems as if Satan carries out his agenda with these three targets in mind:

A. In the life of a SINNER!

2 Cor 4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

2 Cor 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God!

B. In the life of a BELIEVER!

Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm agains the schemes of the devil!

C. In the life of a CHURCH!

Rev 2:12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is!

The Church That Overcomes:

II. Knows HOW Satan operates on the earth!

Satan utilizes at least three main schemes:

A. He will STEAL the WORD when it is sown!

Luke 8:12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe!

B. He will SIFT the BELIEVER!

Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat!

Luke 22:32 But, I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers!

C. He will STOP the WORK!

1 Thess 2:17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face

1 Thess 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—I Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us!

The Church That Overcomes:

III. Knows WHAT must be overcome while on earth!

Each of the seven churches Christ addressed had one major demonic influence to overcome:

A. The spirit of COLDNESS!

Rev 2:4 I have this against you, that you have left your first love!

Rev 2:5 Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first, or else, I am coming to you and will remove your lamp-stand out of its place!

B. The spirit of FEAR!

Rev 2:8 And to the angel of the Church in Smyrna write: Do not fear what you are about to suffer! Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life!

C. The spirit of COMPROMISE!

Rev 2:12 To the Church in Pergamum write; I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is, and you hold fast My Name and did not deny My faith!

D. The spirit of CONTROL!

Rev 2:18 And to the angel of the Church in Thyatira write: I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess!

E. The spirit of RELIGION!

Rev 3:1 To the angel of the Church in Sardis write: You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead! Wake Up, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die!

F. The spirit of INFERIORITY!

Rev 3:7 And to the angel in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

Rev 3:8 Behold, I have set before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word and have not denied My name!

G. The spirit of BLINDNESS!

Rev 3:14 To the angel of the Church of Laodicea write: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot;

Rev 3:17 and you do not even know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked!

Rev 3:18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire . . . and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see!

Rev 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent!

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me!