Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

A Different Kind of Battle

Episode Summary

Acts 13:4-13 The uniqueness of Christ is not that he was just an excellent teacher or mentor or philosopher - he is a SAVIOR! He is the only one who can deliver us from all the works of the devil! He is the Victor who includes us in his victory! We become more than conquerors when we receive Jesus into our lives!

Episode Notes

When God calls us, he has already taken our stupidity into consideration. When I first got saved, I experienced many healings. But since then there have been many different results. 

The Joys of Salvation!

  1. The transition from death to life, darkness to light, renewing of the mind, 
  2. forgiveness, cleansing, confidence of eternal life

The Excitement of Discovery

  1. What it means to be filled with the Spirit of God
  2. Greater works

The Surprise of Conflict

  1. It ought to be no surprise at all – Jesus met with the devil after the Holy Sprit fell on him
  2. His unusual promise: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”” John16:33NASB
  3. Later Paul would write: “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans5:3-5NASB
  4. The promises of God do not always present clear sailing, neither in the early church, in the history of the church, or even in our own lives.  The devil is real, sin is real, and as Billy Sunday said: “One reason sin flourishes is that it is treated like a cream puff rather than a rattlesnake

The Battle on THREE Fronts: three areas of conflict where Christians must overcome

  1. The battle without: open attacks from non Christians, from intimidation, lies deceptions, aggressive behavior, attacks, and persecutions
  2. The battle within: from brothers and sisters of the faith, jealousy, positions, authority, power struggles, personal desires, power plays, and control.
  3. The battle of the mind: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians10:3-5
  4. “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 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.” Romans8:5-11NASB

The Confidence of Victory

  1. The confidence of victory is that Jesus has overcome!
  2. He is the victor and gives us the victory!