Making Spiritual Progress in Hostile Settings
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Purpose of This Message:
Define what it means to thrive
See why progress is an uphill battle
Know how to make spiritual and natural gains when you are in a battle
(Let us pray)
Your Presenter: OrLando Yarborough III
At age 6 I accepted Christ into my life
I was in a mature church and community of believers
I was shielded and protected from many things
As I grew older, lived outside of the house, etc I had to become more proactive in my own spiritual and natural progress
To Thrive Is God's Idea
To Thrive Is God's Idea
Genesis 1:27–28 (NKJV)
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Wellbeing Is Multidimentional
3 John 1–2 (NKJV): The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Faith, relationships, vocation, finances, and physical & mental health.
Living Full Is An Uphill Battle
Living Full Is An Uphill Battle
God wants for you a full life in Christ.
John 10:10 (NKJV): The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
There is a real enemy.
Internally, Our sin nature is contrary to the Spirit and will of God. (Romans 7:13-25)
Galatians 5:16–17 (NKJV): Walking in the Spirit 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Externally, there is a spiritual battle to be fought and won.
Luke 22:31–32 (NKJV): And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Natural Progress: Better Gains Than Losses
There is something to be gained.
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:10–11 (NKJV): Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
Spiritual Progress: Better Gains Than Losses
There is something to be lost. (your soul)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
There is something you have that God wants for you to keep. (revelation. truth. joy. courage.)
John 16:33 (NKJV): These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So What Do We Do To Make Spiritual Progress In Settings Hostile To Progress?
So What Do We Do To Make Spiritual Progress In Settings Hostile To Progress?
Ephesians 6:10–20 (NKJV): The Whole Armor of God10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Get Dressed
Get Dressed
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Dress For (Spiritual) Success
Ephesians 6:10–20 (NKJV): The Whole Armor of God
Truth--holds everything together and keeps us on track.
Galatians 5:7–9 (NKJV): You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Righteousness--is what sets us apart, reflecting God's character and nature.
John 13:35 (NKJV): By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Gospel of Peace--ready to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV): Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Faith--grounds us in God's reality.
Hebrews 11:1–2 (NKJV): Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Salvation--don't forget Who to call.
Acts 2:21 (NKJV): And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
God's Word--offensive vs defense.
Hebrews 4:12–13 (NKJV): For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Prayer and Vigilance
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV): Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Big Idea Summary:
Thriving as multidimensional and what God thinks about it.
Why progress is an uphill battle
How to make spiritual and natural gains when you are in a battle
Additional Information and Resources:
The Books of Joshua and Ephesian speak to natural and spiritual progress in Christ.
Conclusion / Final Thoughts:
To dress for spiritual success, put on the whole armor of God.
Holy Spirit-empowered growth environments reinforce the dress code.
Next Steps:
Suit up.
Link up.
But do it prayerfully, wisely, consistently. (Once a week won't cut it. Your spiritual battle is every day, through the day.)