#OOTD | “Proper Alignment” Sermon

Impact Church London Podcast

Series “#OOTD” – Sermon #1 “Proper Alignment”

Ephesians 6:10-12 (TPT) “Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies (wiles KJV) of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings,

but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”

The essence of all spiritual warfare is to embrace your UNION with Christ Jesus!

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Wiles:— methodeia (meth-od-i’-ah) two words; Journey and With, to follow up or investigate by method and settled plan; to follow craftily, frame devices, deceive.

I thought the devil was defeated. Why do I have to engage the enemy?

Colossians .2:15 “…he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

Hebrews 2:14 “…he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil”

1 John 3:8 “The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].”

The New Testament also says:

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin : do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil”

2 Corinthians 2:11 “… lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

John 17:15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Why do we have this battle? Why did God allow the influence of evil after the cross?

Judges 3:2 “It was only that the generations of the Israelites might know and be taught war, at least those who previously knew nothing of it.”

The Kingdom of God is eternal but DOMINION is generational.

Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep,…”

Psalm 115:16 “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, … because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
HIS BASIC TOOL IS DECEPTION. Everything he does is rooted in lies!!!

Genesis 3:4 “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”

Satan’s challenge to Adam and Eve was, don’t you want to be like God.

The fruit of self was introduced to mankind. INDEPENDENCE

We have the ability to now determine what is right and wrong. We will self govern!

Ezekiel 28:17 (NLT) “Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.”

Don’t trust God. Be your own boss.

Pride in your appearance

Pride in your own understanding knowledge

Pride in your own giftedness

Pride in your experience, in life or in God

Pride in your rights you have offended me.

James 4:6-7 (AMP) But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.”

1 Corinthians 15:10 (TPT) “But God’s amazing grace has made me who I am! And his grace to me was not fruitless. In fact, I worked harder than all the rest, yet not in my own strength but God’s, for his empowering grace is poured out upon me. “

“Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis

Matthew 16:17-19 “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

RESTORED TO REIGN!!!

Matthew 22:11-12 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.”

2 Kings 2:12-13 “And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.”

John 14:30-31 (AMPC) “… for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]

But [Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know (be convinced) that I love the Father and that I do only what the Father has instructed Me to do. [I act in full agreement with His orders.] Rise, let us go away from here.”

The choice remains for every person: Who do I trust? Who is in CONTROL?
God doesn’t want to control you.

He wants you to live your life with Him as your source, partnering under an open heaven.

JOKE: Speaking dog.

A man tried to sell his neighbor a new dog. “This is a talking dog,” he said, “and you can have him for five dollars.”

The neighbor said, “Who do you think you’re kidding with this talking dog stuff? There’s no such animal.”

Suddenly the dog looked up with tears in his eyes. “Please buy me, Sir,” he pleaded. “This man is cruel. He never buys me a meal, never bathes me, never takes me for a walk. And I used to be the richest trick dog in America. I performed before kings. I was in the army and was decorated ten times.”

“Hey!” said the neighbor. “He can talk. Why do you want to sell him for just five dollars?”

“Because,” said the seller, “I’m getting tired of all his lies.”