Battle – Kingdom 2 Connect

The BATTLE

Feed on life

Hebrews 5:12-14 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.

John 6:27 - “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

John 6:32-35 – Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 10:9 - I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

*Go in and out is a Hebrew expression. Psalms 121, esp. vs 8 says, “The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” 1 Sam 18:16 says, “But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.” This means David was an acting leader in the civil and military interest of his country and they were satisfied with his conduct. There was a measure of protection & rest under his actions. For us today, we come in to God’s presence to linger, pray, worship etc… and take care of business in the spiritual realm while abiding in His rest. We go out to work and labor in the world and take care of business in the natural realm. We are abiding in Him throughout the coming and going but the emphasis of getting quiet and having dedicated time with Him spiritually is so we can be built up and win the battle in the spirit then have that fulfilled in the natural. In a sense we go in to find pasture (grazing and feeding) then we go out. This is a practical picture of striving to enter. Consider Heb 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” So, come to the throne to go out to face the practical need in peace and faith as it’s already been addressed in the spirit and there is strength and confidence to walk it out.

Luke 13:24 - "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

*Strive comes from “agonizomai.” In 1 Cor 9:25 it is used to contend in the public games. In John 18:36 it means to fight or engage in conflict – to persevere against opposition and temptation. Straining in every way – putting forth every effort.

*Enter comes from “eiserchomai” which means to enter in or to come into. There are several reasons we don’t enter. Perhaps the parable of the wedding feast gets to the heart of every reason --- the dangerous consequences of “delay.” Heb 4:6,7 say they didn’t enter His rest because they were stubborn and rebellious.

Matthew 25:37-40 - "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

1 Peter 2:1-3 - Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Proverbs 15:14 - The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Psalm 101:3 - I will set no worthless thing before my eyes........It shall not fasten its grip on me.

Reset & Redirect

James 1:15 - Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

**( Be on guard, this happens in the blink of an eye. As we “whip” and discipline our bodies we are prepared to overcome and to walk in victory. In the moment of decision we allow the weight of the Spirit to reset and redirect to a place of health and life before we veer from the narrow path of righteousness. Once we veer, the heaviness of decay begins to overtake us. Friends, this is no way to live!)

Learn

1 John 2:27 - As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

John 14:26 - But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My yoke upon you (naturally looks to the response that goes with the contact) and learn (from experience, come to realize) from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find (learn, discover especially after searching) rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy (useful, kind, of good service, gental, light, easily carried, not burdensome) and My burden is light.

**(As two oxen are yoked together with a bar, it causes them to move in the same direction and performing the same task in unison. The Lord invites us to join him in unison as we run our race. In doing so, He will always equip us to handle anything that comes our way. We rest in being yoked with Him because the nature of His presence brings joy, peace and encouragement. He is all the hope we need to win the battle)

Psalm 25:5 - Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day.

Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Pride before a fall

1 Peter 5:5 - You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 16:17-20 - The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Conviction of belief

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance (standing under a guaranteed legal agreement – entitled. The Lord’s guarantee to fulfill the faith He inbirths / imparts) of things hoped for (actively waiting), the conviction (proof or test) of things not seen.

Romans 8: 8-13 - and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

**(We are under obligation to put to death the deeds of the body so that we may live. This is the battle in which we are engaged. Fear not, because the Spirit of the Father who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and powerfully at work within you.

Godly Character

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

Romans 5:3,4 - And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Timothy 3:2-13 – Overseers & Deacons

Blameless – Husband of one wife, temperate
Sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable
Able to teach
Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money
Gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous
Rule his own house well
Not puffed up with pride
Have a good testimony, be reverent, stable
Have a pure conscience, confidence in faith, tested

1 Timothy 6:10-12 - For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called….

Daily Habits

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 - but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

**(Now I would like to point out that this says a “natural man” does not accept OR understand the things of God but what about a spiritual man? He DOES accept the things of God, right? However, even for a spiritual man, he still needs to understand because it says the things of God are spiritually appraised. This means our mind must be subject to our spirit man and not the other way around. We must constantly seek the Lord and submit our mind to the direction of the Holy Spirit abiding within us. When the thoughts of our mind try to influence our body, we are well conditioned and prepared to recognize it, bring it into the light of our spirit man and continue on. We practice and grow in this way from now on. The mind cannot be allowed to bypass the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within us. )

Ecclesiastes 10:10 - If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

**(Psalm 103:7 says He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. It is profitable to know the Word of God. As it's been expressed in other areas, what good is knowledge alone? Yearn to know the heart of God. Long to know His ways. Our desires should be to walk according to the character of our heavenly Father and then to develop the skills and daily habits to actually make it happen. Sharpen the edge of the axe.)

In His Presence

Acts 19:5-6 - When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 - For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

**(In His presence, while we pray and worship with other brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the Lord will impress things upon our spirits and lead us according to His will. Learn to receive what He is laying upon you and voice it out to those around you as you all remain in the flow of His presence. He will present Himself to us in these ways. Let your imagination be full of Him and His direction and embrace what He wants to do with you. May your imaginations, dreams, visions and prophecies be totally led by Him and completely for the glory of His kingdom.)

2 Peter 1:21 - for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

SELF CONTROL

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

(---Running is running.....right? If so then how do we run in such a way to win? If everyone is running but only one can win then what is happening or what are they doing differently to achieve that goal? There is physical, mental and spiritual discipline and self-control that plays a critical part in our running. There is a also a very strong determination, focus, and concentration that are common among top performers. There certainly is not a “ho-hum” easy come – easy go attitude if you want to win the prize. Never forget, we run and live as ambassadors of Christ Jesus. He IS the prize and we run with these characteristics so that His life in and through us may shine brightly to bear fruit and so that we ourselves may not fall short and be overcome by sin. ---)

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Ephesians 6: 10-20 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Verse 12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Galatians 5: 13-26 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

** Living under law then the motive of good behavior stems from fear of punishment. Living in the reality of freedom in Christ drives us to love and serve; this is true freedom.

Isaiah 55: 10-11 - For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

James 3: - Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Wisdom from Above - Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

**Especially we who teach must live out what we share. Otherwise, our testimony and light is tainted. Be pure, honest and make real progress. Don’t live making excuses but live in Him!

1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. Our prayer life should not be based upon panic and emotional instability but upon faith.

1 Peter 5: 6-8 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2 Peter 1: 3-11 - seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Proverbs 25:28 - Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Titus 2: - But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Authority in Jesus Name:

EW Kenyon – The wonderful name of Jesus

They performed miracles which opened doors for ministry and service. It gave authority to their credentials, a standing in the communities where they preached. They had the coin of the unseen kingdom.
When reason takes the place of the miraculous, Christianity loses its virility, fascination and fruitfulness.
If we take the supernatural out of Christianity, we have a religion.
The object of the miracles of Israel that shook Egypt was to separate Israel from the dead gods of Egypt and bind them to the worship of the living God of Abraham.
A dry, dead meeting has no drawing power, but a service where men are being richly blessed in the unfolding of scripture or the saving of souls, the healing of the sick, or the filling with the Holy Spirit has a drawing power.
Life of faith – Sin has made us workers, grace empowers us to trust in God. Sin dethroned the spirit and crowned the intellect. Grace is restoring the spirit to its place of dominion.
Are we using scriptural expressions and high sounding phrases that have no meaning to our inner consciousness?
The church is a supernatural body, clothed with supernatural power, gathered about a supernatural name!
Many live as if we have outgrown the teaching of the Holy Spirit and instead live according to the wisdom of man. We’ve allowed this to take the place of the power of the name of Jesus Christ. The natural result is we live as if His name has been stripped of its power because we, through our colleges, universities, and our great intellectual development, have outgrown God, and we can perform mental miracles so that god's physical and spiritually transformative miracles are unnecessary. Shame upon us! We have become an apostate (renounced or abandoned living in His name) One mighty miracle today in the name of Jesus Christ is worth more than 100 modern sermons that are being preached in many churches.

3 classes of people:

Those dominated by the physical. These people are governed by their passions, appetites and physical desires.
Those dominated by the mind. These people are leaders in the financial, educational, social and political landscapes.
Those dominated by the spirit. These people are great spiritual leaders of the church today. Those who are seeking to restore man to his original spiritual realm.

Sin dethroned the spirit and made the body or mind dominant. Humanity is divided between those whose minds rule the body and spirit and those whose bodies rule the mind and spirit.
The reason why believers are unable to get into the word and enjoy the fruit and privileges in Christ is because their fellowship is either broken or they have a very low type of fellowship.
Fellowship is not a mental thing, it is spiritual. The mind comes into harmony with the spirit and enriches the fellowship.
Our fellowship is with God through quiet time, prayer and worship, with his word, and with one another. It is not safe to be out of fellowship for even a moment, for when you are out of fellowship you are in satan's fellowship without protection.