Enemies that attack the faith

Sunday Oct 25, 09
Guest Speaker from Mexico friend of Pastor Tony's.
Notes:
So who really are the enemies? Ephesians 6:12-16 reads "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers,against authorities, against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of FAITH with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

These enemies have a strategy to attack us daily. There are 3 enemies that attack our faith.

1. Doubt- is a natural enemy. James 1:6-7 It becomes a super limitation from allowing super natural to become reality. See without faith you cannot please God (Heb 11:6). When we come close to Gods presence 2 things should happen. One you believe God hears your prayer. Two be sure there will be an answer/reward.

2. Laziness- Prov 13:4 "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." This is not only to talk about natural laziness, but comfort. Comfort in expecting that a spiritual life will be easy. There are people who spend years in churches, but until they go to another place where they can lose their security, they do not understand the security they can have in the Lord. As children of God we need to be sure that where ever we go God is with us. We live in an age where we want everything fast. Microwaves, high speed internet, jets for travel. The problem is when we bring this fast pace mind set into our spiritual lives and think things have to happen quickly. This quickness hinders patience and perseverance. Heb 6:11-12 Carry out your faith in diligence. See many things will take time, but do not get discouraged. Joseph the dreamer. When he was 36 he was in jail from injustice, alone, without money or family. We would look at him and say "awe poor guy". But one day can make the difference. Wait on the Lord. A lazy attitude of "I don't have to do this it should be easier", or "God cannot be calling me to this it is impossible," but where has the desire gone that is beyond our limitations? *Work hard and diligently for something worth it. An old dutch saying "the harder I work the luckier I get."

3. Fear- is a silent and secret enemy. The problem is it can be a result of a tramatic experience in your life, or very hard discipline that was not at all pleasant. But Prov 29:25 explains how fear can be a prison of physical bondage that prevents us from the freedom in Christ. Christ who can give us Love. 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." How can we overcome failure? Thinking of the day Peter caught the many fish. Why did God come on a day that it was difficult for Peter, a day when he couldn't provide income, a day not sucessful? Because God wants to take us back to that place where our fears made us feel incapable of lifes expectations. Jesus takes us back to that place to show us how much we need him. You must defeat fear in Jesus name. Put your foot down on the enemies neck, let doubt, laziness and fear be cast out. Amen.