SERMONS

Sermon Series: “A Comparison between Christianity, and Other Religions and Cults!”

Sermon: “Introduction to Series on Christianity, Other Religions and Cults!”

Date:         May 8, 2022        

Praise the Lord Saints! You may be wondering why I am teaching “A Comparison between Christianity, and Other Religions and Cults?”  There are many reasons why.  Let me give you a few. The New Testament gives us two examples of why Christians should study other religions. First, in Acts 17:24-28, the Apostle Paul interacts with the non-Christian religions of his day. He knew their religions so well that he could   quote their spiritual authorities. The idea here was for the Apostle Paul to build bridges with them to help them to better understand the gospel. Second, in Paul, Peter, John and Jude’s epistles, they too engaged with the counterfeit gospels of their day. These New Testament writers had to be familiar with the teachings of the false apostles and prophets, in order to warn and instruct Christians about their erroneous teachings.    

We are living in the 21^st Century, during a time like none other in the history of the world, where we are faced with more religions than ever before. What with advanced technology, and the internet that has the capability of reaching countless people all over the world. This allows other religions and cults to evangelize in nations and areas of the world that may have been inaccessible to them in the past. Then, you have another group of people who can set up and conduct blogs that are seen all over the world. This group of people are able to, with little or no money, set up and begin a ministry based on their belief system and viewed by people all over the globe, thereby, possibly gaining converts. As a result, we need to be able to engage with world religions and cults effectively and compassionately using the methodology of the apostles and other biblical writers.

 While I was preparing this series, the winter Olympics in China was taking place. The eyes of the world were on China and the winter Olympics. While they were enjoying watching the games and supporting their favorite athletes, China was using this opportunity to take the world’s attention away from their increasing human and religious rights abuses.

 China was in the midst of a well-coordinated, multi-year, systematic plan to “Sinicize” Christianity in China. This means that they were working to bring Christianity under the influence of Chinese culture and ultimately the Chinese communist party. China is even rewriting the Holy Bible, making it more culturally relevant to their communist ideology, and even depicting Jesus as a “sinner and killer.”

Christians in China are seeing more restrictions, increased persecution, and arrests of Christian leaders who dare to preach the Gospel. By the time, I preach this series, this will have already occurred.  One week after the winter Olympics, on March 1, 2022 China made any online Christian activity illegal. As mentioned above, China sees the potential in social media and online broadcasts to promote Christianity, and they want to shut it down ASAP.

There is a large network of underground house churches in China that are continuing to report significant growth.  So far, these restrictions have only motivated more creative and secretive ministry opportunities. A group has developed a “Sunday School in a Box” resource kit for families, house churches, and youth leaders. The kit includes hours of quality Christian programming created specifically for youth, along with other resources, a video player and an animated film of The Pilgrim’s Progress in Mandarin. The Chinese government has a short list of Christian books that are strictly forbidden in China and guess what book is on the list?  The Pilgrim’s Progress.  In spite of the persecution, the Chinese house churches are lining up to be included in this year’s distribution of the Sunday School boxes.

 China is not the only Communist nation persecuting our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is Vietnam where Christian worship is illegal. The government restricts worship and views believers and churches as a threat to its power and control. As a result, certain tribes in the rural areas face the harshest persecution, while Christians in the urban areas experience pressure and harassment.

Then, there are the Christians in Laos who are not membered to the Lao Evangelical Church, that are persecuted by the Communist government along with the Buddhist monks. Again, the government leaders view Christianity as a foreign religion and a tool used by the West to undermine the Communist Laotian regime.

Despite a change in leadership in 2018, the Cuban government continues its unrelenting pressure on Christians. The government remains committed to communism’s atheistic ideology and views churches as a threat to the revolution begun by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro in the 1950s.

 As Christians, we have religious competition from other missionary religions, such as, the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.  In fact, Islam is the fastest growing religion in not only the United States but in the world. As it stands today, most of you, if not all will encounter these other religions and/or cults. They could knock on your door at home, work in your office, be a member of your family, friend, etc. The possible connections are endless.

There are three types of injuries suffered by believers in the false beliefs of other religions and cults. They are: physical, emotional and spiritual.

 Physical= Some Christian Scientist followers have died because they believe sickness and death are illusions therefore, they reject medical treatment. Some Jehovah’s Witnesses have lost their lives by refusing blood transfusions, vaccinations, and organ transplants because their cult teaches that receiving blood transfusions violate Jehovah’s law and organ transplants were cannibalism. In these and other religions and cults, people have unwittingly held these erroneous beliefs and lost their lives needlessly.

 Emotional= Members of other religions and cults often feel extreme guilt because they are trapped in a religion where they have to earn their salvation. The qualifications are so high that they can never measure up. They are required to follow the organizations’ rules to the letter and if they don’t, then they are not saved.

Spiritual= Other religions and cults proclaim a different Jesus by denying what the Bible teaches about who Jesus is and what he did for us on the cross. By doing so, they have redefined the gospel of salvation. This results in people having a counterfeit Jesus with a counterfeit gospel that leads to a counterfeit salvation.

This series is intended to give you a basic understanding of other religions and cults and how they differ from the beliefs of Christianity.  My desire is to equip you so you will be able to dispel stereotypes, and be able to identify other religions or cults. I want you thinking biblically, so you will be able to evangelize the person with clarity, conviction and compassion. Especially, after learning the physical, emotional and spiritual injury caused to members of other religions and cults. As well as, remembering the sufferings, persecutions, imprisonments and deaths endured by our brother and sisters in Christ around the world for their soul winning and for just being Christians. In order to accomplish this, I must first lay a Biblical foundation. The following is a Biblical foundation upon which we stand in ministering to members of other religions and cults.

 

As Christians we are told in our foundational scripture of: 1 Peter 3:15 = “Be ready always to give an answer [a “ready defense”] to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you …” To be ready to give an answer, means that you have to prepare and that is what this series is going to do.

Jesus gave Christians an assignment and instructions in: Matthew 28:19= The Great Commission= we were told to do three things:  1) Go into all the world. 2) Teach or declare the Gospel and defend the faith. 3) And make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Christians were warned by Jesus and His disciples that there would be false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing and we were given instructions, such as in:

 

Jude 3-4: In these two verses, Jude warns us and we are given four things to do:  We are to: 1) earnestly contend for 2) the faith. Why? 3) because the faith has enemies and 4) because it is immutable or unchangeable.

Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24:  Jesus warns and tells us, what to expect: 1) Let no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ and shall deceive many. 2) Many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. 3) These false prophets and false Christs will show great signs and wonders and if possible, shall deceive the very elect.  

Acts 20:28-31a: Paul warns the Ephesians (Christians) 1) Feed the flock that God has made you overseers. 2) After his departure, he warns that grievous wolves will enter in not sparing the flock. 3) Even some men among them will rise up and speak perverse things in an attempt to draw away disciples after them. This is happening in many churches today.  4) Paul says watch or be on guard.

 

2 Cor. 11:3-4: Paul warns the Corinthians (Christians) 1) That as Eve was beguiled by the serpent, their minds may be corrupted and led away from their sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2)  In this state of mind, Paul felt that: If one preached another Jesus which he had not preached; or you received a different spirit from the one you received; or a different gospel from the one you accepted; you would welcome the deception.

 

Gal. 1:6, 9: The Apostles didn’t have any problems calling false prophets out and identifying them. Paul was amazed that the Galatians (Christians) were 1) so soon removed from the grace of Christ unto another religion.  And, 2) with a boldness, Paul reiterated, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 Next, we need to cover some Practical definitions such as:

a. What is a religion?

Religion: “A set of beliefs that answers the ultimate questions. According to Dean Halverson, he believes that all religions should answer the five ultimate questions, which are:  What is ultimate reality? What is the nature of the world? What is the nature of humanity? What is humanity’s primary problem? What happens after death?”

I will answer these five questions, for Christianity.

What is ultimate reality?  Ultimate Reality as defined by Merriam Webster “is something that is the supreme, final, and fundamental power in all reality, in Christianity, it is God. God is the ultimate reality—the absolute foundation of everything that is and the end toward which all points!”

Two distinct characteristics define Divine ultimacy that make God, unlike any reality, other than God: 1) self-sufficiently and 2) control over all things. All things, God and non-God, exist and have a nature but the difference is God has His existence and nature from Himself. He is a necessary being, one who could not have failed to have the nature He has or to exist. In contrast, everything else’s nature and existence are not from itself, but outside of itself, and from God. The Doctrine of Creation demonstrates the relationship between God and everything else.

b. What is the nature of the world?

What is the nature of the external reality, that is the world around us? In Christian theism, external reality is the world that God created. He created all the people and things in the world and all the rules that govern the world.

 c. What is the nature of humanity?

Most theologians have said that the ways in which humans are like God (but not God) include our capacity for a right relationship with God, ability to reason, creativity, sociability, dominion over creation, and freedom of choice.

d. What is humanity’s primary problem?

Every problem humanity has faced throughout history, be it social injustice, greed, slavery etc., has stemmed from one underlaying problem – sin and death (Rom. 5:12).

e. What happens after death? For believers in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that after death their souls/spirits are taken to heaven because their sins have been forgiven having received Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16, 18, 36). The physical body remains in the grave “sleeping” while the believers’ souls/spirits go to be with the Lord immediately. At the resurrection of believers, the physical body is resurrected, glorified and then reunited with the soul/spirit. This resurrected and glorified body-soul-spirit will be the possession of believers for eternity in the new heaven and new earth (I Cor. 15:50-54; I Thess. 4:13-17 and Rev. 21-22).

On the other hand, those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Savior, death means everlasting

punishment. Similar to the destiny of believers, unbelievers are sent immediately to a temporary

holding place in hell to await their final resurrection, judgment and eternal destiny in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).

 1. What is a cult?

 A cult is an organization that is held together by certain beliefs and behaviors and run by charismatic people who demand total commitment. Total commitment is a trademark of cults. A religious cult has its beginnings as diametrically opposed to the tenets of Christianity and fervently maintains that heretical commitment.

An example of a Christian cult is a group representing themselves as Christians who follow a leader or group of leaders whose teachings deny or are in opposition to the central doctrines of the Christian faith in one or more areas.

1. What is a heresy?

Heresy is a teaching that goes against the very foundational basis of the Christian faith, so much so, that Christians must separate themselves from those who hold these beliefs. In heresy, you may hear that something is like a Trojan horse. A Trojan horse, in heresy, is a host that has been impregnated with a different belief system that appears to be Christian but is really an enemy of faith sown to destroy faith.  The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God!

 

We need to know what are the areas of false teaching?  There are six categories of false teaching. At this point, I will mention them and give a brief statement about each. When I cover each religion and/or cult covering their beliefs/tenets, you will realize what is a false teaching in comparison to what is taught in the King James Bible. The six categories are:

1. Revelation= Many religions distort or add to the Scriptures. The Mormon’s and Jehovah’s Witnesses have done this. When I cover their religions, I will bring it to your attention.
2. God= Teachings about false gods or a distortion of God. Many of the religions and/or cults have numerous gods, some in the millions.
3. Jesus Christ= Teachings that deny Jesus’s lordship, the Trinity, that He is Michael the Archangel, not born of a virgin, etc.
4. d. Salvation= Teachings that deny the need for salvation; must be baptized in their religion; and you are already eternally saved, etc.
5. The church= Teachings on meetings that must be held in Kingdom Halls, Secret temples, Unity churches, no need for one, etc.
6. The future= Teachings that deny a hereafter or eternal life, reincarnation, and no heaven or hell.

Cults: I will discuss why people are drawn into cults? And, the tactics used to recruit, convert, and hold members. Not all cults are religious: some are political, therapy-based, focused on self –improvement or otherwise. Most cults share some basic characteristics, such as a “high-level of commitment from its members,” a strict hierarchy and “claims to provide answers to life’s biggest questions.”  Cults have little tolerance for dissent from either the inside or outside. The difference between cults and religions can seem slight, but cults separate their members from the larger society and seek direct and total control over their lives. While most mainstream religions do not. Religions may proselytize but cults use methods to pressure recruits into personally identifying with their ideology and spreading it. By exploiting our desires for connection, comfort, meaning and belonging, they create the term “identity disturbance due to prolonged and intense coercive persuasion.”

The Bible talks about the personal vulnerability of the potential recruit in:

Prov. 27:7 “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

Prov. 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

These scriptures let you know that a hungry soul is not satisfied and will be searching for something that is sweet and will take paths or roads that seem right but end in ways of death.  These ways of death are cults in many of the following cases. Many cult survivors have told Therapist Rachel Bernstein the three reasons why they joined cults.

 

1. They were never given all of the information about a group from the beginning.
2. They wanted to better themselves, either professionally or personally, make themselves susceptible to joining a cult. Cults usually market themselves as self- improvement organizations or promises of enlightenment or the skills to make all of your professional dreams come true. People who are trying to heal from childhood or past trauma or those desirous in becoming more productive and successful in their careers might be persuaded to join a cult.
3. Close relationships are a human need. So, people who want a greater sense of community, a human connection—especially people they may have something in common with, are more likely to become a victim of an insidious cult. Community is a trademark of cults because it allows cult leaders to create a pack mentality, building peer pressure.

A cult provides instant community, love-bombing and a language you all speak. Each cult has its own language. Converts are in a state of extreme vulnerability.

Don’t forget about timing! Former cult members said that they were going through a difficult life event at the time they were approached. For example: they were diagnosed with terminal or chronic illnesses; living on their own for first time; experienced death of a loved one, or had a serious career blunder that put them in a fragile state. Therefore, they might join a group they might not otherwise have joined or even acknowledged.

 

How can we respond to cult messages or members?

We respond by having a mature grasp of Scripture= by rightly discerning and dividing the Scriptures.

Heb. 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Ephes. 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

Be vigilant:= Examine every prophetic message.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 

 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

 

Practice caring outreach to those caught in deception.

2 Timothy 2:25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

 

In conclusion, I was looking at a map of Asia and Africa that recorded the countries that restricted and/or were hostile toward Christianity. I am sorry to report that 3/4ths of the countries color coded black restricted Christianity. One fourth of the countries color coded light and dark gray were hostile toward Christianity. These are examples of the countries in the world where Christians endure all kinds of persecutions, imprisonment, sufferings and death as Christians. But, Praise God, these churches are growing because of the faithfulness of the Christians to witness for the Lord in spite of the perils they face.

 

As we study these false religions and cults, I want you to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution, imprisonment and dying, all around the world for their witness, testimony and/or for just being a Christian. Surely, we as Christians in the United States that are not under persecution or any of the perils listed above can make a pledge not to remain Silent Witnesses any longer. Let’s reach out and minister to the “lost” whenever the opportunity presents itself! Give the Lord a praise offering for His Word!!

Sermon Series: “The Resurrection Series”

 Sermon (Part 4)”Every One, Enjoy The Praise Parade: Satan The Defeated Foe Has No Power Over Us!”

Good morning Saints of the Most High God, and praise the Holy name of Jesus Christ, the Lord forevermore! I have truly enjoyed this Resurrection Series, and hope you have too. Now, watch this, turn to Matthew 28:18, it reads:

And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth.

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus Christ is talking to His disciples, who would soon become Apostles of the Lord. In the same manner, Jesus Christ—who is the same yesterday, to day, and forever—is talking to His Church and every Christian. (Heb. 13:8)

Sometimes I think the body of Christ (The Church) has forgotten that Jesus Christ has “ALL POWER” in heaven and on earth. Let’s affirm this truth in you right now—say “All Power belongs to Jesus Christ!”

God, the Father, gave “ALL POWER” to His only begotten Son Jesus Christ after He achieved our redemption on the cross and Resurrection from the dead on the third-day. Before the foundations of the world, Jesus Christ enjoyed and shared equally with God and the Holy Ghost “ALL POWER,” but when Jesus became flesh (man), he became limited in his authority while ministering on earth as the son of man. After His Resurrection, God restored to Jesus Christ His former and full glory. (Php. 2:7 and John 17:5)

Now, in Matthew 28:18, the word “power” in the Greek translation is “Exousia.” It conveys the meaning of one who has been delegated authority, jurisdiction, liberty, right, power, and strength.

Excuse me, but the last time I checked, “ALL” means “ALL” (leaving nothing without, absolute, or complete) So, when Jesus Christ told the Apostles that he had been given “ALL POWER,” that leaves Satan with no power!!! 

Our adversary the devil, Satan, the Wicked One, Great Red Dragon, Father of lies—whatever you want to call him, has been defeated by Jesus Christ through His finished works on the cross, and he has no authority; certainly none in heaven, and never again any authority here on earth over those who believe in and place their trust in God in Christ Jesus. 

Satan and the kingdom of darkness still exists, and he remains a master deceiver of people, using those that yield to him to work evil and rebellion in the earth. However, at the appointed time by God—Satan and every fallen angel will be brought into captivity, bow down, and confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. (Php. 2:10-11)

Oh yes, everything created in the heavenly realm, earthly realm, and demonic realm will confess that Jesus Christ is the “Master!” And, ultimately, Satan and every fallen angel will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

In the meantime, the amazing good news we have is, to all those who will believe in and receive Jesus Christ as Lord, God through Christ Jesus gives the power (Exousia) to become the sons of God. (John 1:10-12) And, as the children of God, we have been made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:17)

As joint heirs with Jesus Christ, Jesus has delegated His power and authority to us to tread down and trample over Satan and the kingdom of darkness—and nothing by any means shall hurt us! (Luke 10:17-20 & Acts 1:8) We are to make a complete mockery of the devil in every arena of life by walking in the abundant life that Jesus Christ made available to us. (John 10:10)

Jesus Christ, and we in Him, are seated at the right hand of God in all power, dominion, and majesty expecting His enemies be made His footstool. (Heb.10:13) The Church and every Christian is authorized to exercise complete mastery over the devil and his evil works—to give the enemy the footstool treatment!

We have been called and commanded to go and “Parade” all over the works of the devil with the preaching of the gospel, winning the lost to Christ, and doing the mighty works of God. Examine the words of Jesus Christ at Mark 16:15-18, and look at the Parade.

 He said unto them, Go into all the world and preach

 the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is

 baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall

 be damned. And these signs shall follow them that

`believe. In my name, they shall cast out devils, they

shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up

serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing,

it shall not hurt them, and they shall lay hands on

the sick and they shall recover.

 

From these verses we can see that the Church, and Christians individually, have been empowered by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to the lost and do supernatural works to overcome evil in the world. The power and authority vested in us by Jesus Christ is far superior to the wicked schemes and wiles of Satan and the kingdom of darkness.

 

Moreover, the Church of Jesus Christ has been established to march against and tear down the gates of hell. We are to rejoice that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life and boldly Parade over the devil because he has no power to resist the POWER OF JESUS CHRIST in us!

 

Satan had the power over death, hell, and the grave but Jesus’s Resurrection from dead abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. (Rev. 1:18 & II Tim. 1:10) We never have to fear death—not just physical death but gross failure of any kind—because we have the Resurrection power of Christ living on the inside of us! (Rom. 8:11) Glory be to God, that’s a reason for a Victory Parade every day of your life! 

Examine I Peter 2:9, it reads:

 

But ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood,

an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should

shew forth the praises of him who hath called you

out of darkness into his marvelous light.

 

Also see Ephesians 2:10, as the Apostle Paul wrote,

 

For we are his workmanship created in Christ

 Jesus unto good works, which God hath before

ordained that we should walk in them.

 

As born-again Christians, we are the handiwork of God, ordained to do the mighty works of God. We have been chosen from the foundation of the world to Parade all over the devil—decreeing things from the Word of God and seeing them come to pass. Then we are to declare things—making our boast in the Lord that God in Christ Jesus is the sole source for every victory, as we always win!

 

But, instead of exercising our authority over the devil and Parading over him, so many Christians spend their time glorifying the devil and his antics in all sorts of ways. Rather than being transformed into the image of Christ, many Christians are being conformed to the norms, values, and thinking of the carnality of Mankind (who remain under the control and influence of Satan.)

 

For example, many Christians are: yielding to the temptation of sin, claiming sickness and disease in their lives and those of others, speaking evil and lies, and uttering worthless words that glorify the devil.

 

Furthermore, when we hear news reports of all the chaos in the world, we sit around saying, “the devil is busy.” In analyzing data on the job, we say “the devil is in the details.” In debating issues, so often people like to say, “let me play devil’s advocate.” We even name foods after the devil—like “devil’s food cake.” Someone talks about a person just before entering a room; then they enter the room and people say—“speaking of the devil.”

 

We speak fear, doubt, and unbelief—fears of relationships, flying, heights, public speaking, being broke financially, or dying. I tell you, so many of us give the devil far too much credit and place in their lives. But the Scripture commands us to give the devil no place in our lives. (Eph. 4:27)

 

We must come to understand, that in the lives of Christians, the devil has no power, but that which we allow him to use against us. With respect to Christians, all the devil has is the same old tired trick he used to tempt and deceive Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I call it, The One Question: “Has God said,” which is intended to separate us from “God and good.” (Gen. 3:1)

 

Think about it—every temptation to sin you have ever been subjected to and/or committed as a sinner or Saint has involved the root question, “Has God said.” The question implies whether God’s Word is true, or did God really mean what He said?

 

Immediately following this question, Satan attempts to fan the flames of fear, lies, doubt, unbelief, deception, and accusation. The spirit of fear is from the devil and not from God. Contrary-wise God has given to us power, love, and a sound mind. (II Tim. 2.7)

 

Recently, I read a piece written by a Pastor that I think is a great illustration about the reality of Satan (the enemy) in this world. The Pastor recalled a story told to him by a friend who worked as a volunteer fireman. One day, while training in the mountains, the fireman and crew came across a very large rattlesnake in the road. The fire captain grabbed a shovel, and with a hard swing cut off the head of the snake. 

 

The fireman told the Pastor he was amazed to see that the body of the snake kept moving and twisting all over the place, even twitching and jumping. His natural reaction was to jump back, as the snake looked as if it was still live. 

 

Fascinated by this, the fireman decided to take the snake back and show his buddies at the fire station. So he picked the snake up, placed it in a bag, and put it in a side compartment of the fire truck. When they got back to the station the fireman called his friends over and opened the compartment, and the snake had wiggled out of the bag.  

 

The fireman was shocked that the snake had gotten out. He had to climb back up into the truck and reach for the reptile which had nestled itself down into the hoses. He recalled that as he reached for the snake, he had to keep telling himself not to be afraid, as the snake was dead—there were no fangs to bite him with and had lost its power to hurt him. He finally found the snake, and low and behold, it was still twitching.  

The Pastor went on to write about this story saying, “and for the last 2000 years Satan has been moving, twisting, and twitching and fooling believers into thinking he has real power over us. Even though he has no power over us. All he has is the spirit of fear.”

He added that Satan, as I said before, “only has power if you give it to him. He only can hurt you if you allow him to. If you allow fear, stress, anxiousness, or intimidation to have a place in your life. But we must remember that we have been set free.”

The Pastor also commented that “in his own life in times of temptation, he has to remind himself that Jesus Christ has set him free—that Satan has no power over him. He is a mortally wounded enemy who is very angry. And true, one day he will be cast into the lake of fire, but until then, he’s still roaming the earth; he’s still alive and that makes him a serious enemy” to those who do not know Jesus Christ.

Finally, the Pastor affirmed that as Christians we need not be afraid of the devil because we have been set free from his rule, dominion, and power over us. 

To all of this I say, the Pastor is right that Jesus Christ has set us free. We have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God. (Col. 1:13) But, not only are we free from the dominion and rule of Satan and his kingdom; we have been given “All Power” over him!

 

As born-again Christians, we have to treat the devil just like the fireman did the snake—he stuck his hand in the fire hose and pulled the dead snake out even though it appeared to still have life. Recall that, the spirit of fear (authored by the devil) tried to make him fear again when taking the snake out of the fire hose—even though he had picked the dead snake up before and placed it in the bag during the training exercise.

 

In dealing with our adversary the devil, we need to remember that Jesus Christ and his finished works on the cross stripped the devil of all of his power 2000 years ago—there is no reason for us to fear the devil and yield to his temptations. Rather, the devil, if you will, has been “defanged “ by Jesus Christ, and he fears and is intimated by us!

 

The Pastor’s story reminds me of I Peter 5:8-10, in which the Apostle Peter admonishes us to be watchful of the enemy. Peter wrote: 

 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God

of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after

that ye have suffered a while will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,

settle you.

 

I am also reminded of James 4:7, which reads,

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil

 and he will flee from you.

 

The Apostle Peter says the devil comes as a roaring lion. He is pretending to have power to harm and hurt, but if resisted earnestly in faith, (Word of God) both the Apostle Peter and James wrote that we get the victory over the devil as he will flee from us.

 

The reason why so many Christians today are not Parading over the enemy is because we are not resisting the devil by standing in faith. When you fail to stand in faith, you fail to operate in the power of God. When you fail to operate in the power of God you give the devil permission to devour you.

 

His attacks of sickness and disease, poverty, demonic possession, hatred, lying, stealing, idol worship, fornication, adultery, homosexuality—all the works of the flesh—have opportunity to come into our lives when we are not operating in the power of God.

 

We must learn that we are fighting against spiritual wickedness in high places. Thus, we must compare spiritual things with spiritual things. We must have and use God’s power and might against Satan and the kingdom of darkness. The Spirit realm is much greater than the natural realm. The natural man is no match for the wiles of the devil. Likewise, any Christian who chooses to operate in carnality has no chance to defeat Satan.

 

Satan and the demonic world fights against born-again Christians to accomplish three basic things:

 

1. To keep Christians from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. Thereby, keeping Christians from using the power of God to cast out devils, heal the sick, and save souls. (Rom. 1:16)

 

2. To keep Christians from inheriting the manifestation of the blessing of Abraham—prosperity, divine health, and protection from all enemies—by refusing to give tithes and offerings to the local church. Satan does not want Christians to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make them wax rich! (Gen. 14:20, Gal. 3:13-14, II Cor. 8:9)

 

3. To block the financial enrichment of the Church of Jesus so that it cannot meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. Only the Church of Jesus Christ can eradicate poverty and social depravity. Money becomes anointed in the hands of true worshippers of God to eradicate poverty. (Deut. 8:18)

 

So it takes the power and might of God to conquer and get the victory over Satan to fulfill the will of God for the body of Christ. When we operate in the power and might of God, the devil is powerless to hurt us and is completely no match for us.

 

The operative question is how can the Church, and born-again Christians individually become strong in the Lord and power of His might? Most Christians either struggle to answer this question, or have to admit they don’t know the answer. In fact, many Christians do not even know that they can be as strong and powerful as God and can wield the same power and might as God!

 

At Ephesians 6:10-17, the Apostle Paul provides us with instructions on how to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Let’s read through it now.

 

We are strong in the Lord and the power of His might when we:

 

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!

 

Would you please just think about this for a moment?

 

What a loving God we serve. God has given to us His Armor to wear in battle with Satan. The same Armor God used to defeat the devil with, is the same Armor we are to use to Parade all over him. God’s armor is not man-made, but made of God’s own handiwork.

 

God would never tell us to stand up and resist the devil—He would never tell the Lord’s Church to march against and tear down the gates of hell—unless He had already given to us the necessary Armor to conquer the enemy in every battle.

 

Oh, praise God here is an awesome piece of wisdom for us. If you are wearing “God’s Armor” every day, there is no battle with Satan, principalities, powers, and demons that you can ever lose; because God in Jesus Christ has already defeated the enemy for you! Every confrontation you have with Satan has already been fought and won by God before you ever enter into the battle! This is why we are born-again overcomers, we always win. It’s in our spiritual DNA to always win. (I John 4:4 & 5:4-5)

 

So let’s learn how to put on the whole Armor of God, and use it correctly. The putting on of the whole Armor of God is a two-step process. You put on the full armor of God by:

 

• Believing (to the knowing) what God has done for you through Jesus Christ’s finished works on the cross.

 

Believing (to the knowing) that after Jesus’ Resurrection, God through Christ Jesus quickened us all together, raised us up together and made us all sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus at the right hand of God the Father. (Eph. 2: 4-8) So that God would behold us, just as He ordained and called us before the foundations of the world, according to the express purpose of His will.

 

Namely, that we should be holy and blameless in His sight, that we should be His adopted children, and accepted in the beloved. (Eph. 1:3) God wants the Christian soldier to know they are “holy,” “blameless,” His sons, and “accepted of God!” Not based on their human performance, but based on Jesus Christ’s performance on the cross.

 

• Daily living out the elements of the Armor of God in every arena of your life. We are to live the life of Christ before all people. (Eph. Chapters 4 & 5).

 

With the whole Armor of God on, we are not wrestling with Satan and the forces of darkness in our own strength, but rather in God’s strength. In every temptation and attack of the enemy we are operating in God’s strength.

 

So, remember, putting on the whole armor of God is standing in the victory of Jesus Christ on the Cross and applying it to your daily life. 

In Chapter 6 of Ephesians, as the soldier of Christ, fully armed with the whole Armor of God, the Apostle Paul commands us three times to “stand” in verses 11, 13 and 14. Paul uses the word stand as a military/combat term, meaning to resist and overcome the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11). And, in verse 13, Paul tells us to “stand” having conquered all, stand again ready for the next battle and to be victorious. In other words, when you have God’s Armor on, it is a for-gone conclusion, that we win every wrestling match with the enemy!

As a Christian soldier, you can stand firm because you’ve already been seated with Jesus Christ as Paul wrote in (Eph. Chapters 1-2) and then walk according to the Word of God as delineated in (Eph. 4-6).  The Bible says that there will be tensions, tribulations, and even persecutions in the days ahead before Jesus Christ return to rapture the Church (Matt. 24:9-24). But we are to keep standing firm by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and His wisdom-filled leadership. For Jesus has overcome the world for us! (John 16:33)

As we read, Ephesians 6:14-17 presents the 6 pieces of the Armor of God:

1. Belt of truth
2. Breastplate of righteousness
3. Shoes – readiness of the Gospel of peace
4. Shield of faith
5. Helmet of salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit

Some Bible commentators say that there is a 7th piece, which is “praying at all times in the Spirit.” Indeed, praying in the Spirit is a very important thing we must do to stand against spiritual attack, but it’s not connected to a piece of armor like the others are in Ephesians 6.

 

In my opinion, it would be more accurate to say that praying in the spirit comes about as a result of putting on the full Armor of God. In fact, the whole Armor of God causes the Christian to flow into praying in the Holy Ghost. When you have the Whole Armor of God on, you are worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth—and thereby unsusceptible to the vices of the devil’s lies and deceptions. (John 4:23-24)

So let’s go through each piece of the Armor of God.

(1) The Belt of Truth (gird about with truth). Essentially, it means we are to live in the Truth of God’s Word—wrap yourself around and buckle up tight in the Truth! For we are to live in Truth—to put your complete trust in God’s Word and say only what God says.

You are wearing the belt of truth when you are only willing to believe what Jesus Christ has done for you, and refusing to trust in the lies of the enemy. When you are ready to stand with the truth of God’s Word against the falsehoods and traditions of men, even when persecuted for it.

(2) The Breastplate of Righteousness is what protects the core of your being from every spiritual attack of the enemy. The breastplate covers what’s closest to your heart. It affects whether you walk in confidence as someone who is assured that God loves them. It affects how you feel about yourself at the heart-level with God.

When you are wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness you know that God—because He loves you, just as He loves Jesus Christ—has made you equal with Himself. (Php. 2:6). Not because you earned nor deserved to be called righteous, but because Jesus Christ made you Righteous. (Rom. 5:17) It was Jesus Christ alone that qualified us to receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

You know you have the breastplate of righteousness affixed to your core when you can boldly declare before Satan and all people in the world, that “God has made you equal to Himself.” Moreover saying, “God has freely given me all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Saying, “He proved His love for me when He gave me Jesus Christ, and He is ever so kind toward me, in that He has also given me His Whole Armor!”

(3) Shoes – Readiness of the Gospel of Peace (or as written, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace) is a very important piece of the Armor of God that assists you with standing against spiritual attacks by enemy. Examine I Peter 3:15, it reads:

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone

who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and respect.

 

The people of the world (sinners) want to know why you are a Christian. Many people think it is a waste of time to serve God, other people think there are many ways to God, or that there are many gods that can be served. But, the soldier of Jesus Christ is prepared and ready to explain with gentleness to all people why they are a Christian, why a sinner should become a Christian, and how to become a Christian if after hearing the preaching of the gospel they choose to believe in Jesus Christ.

 

God in Christ Jesus went through the utmost to reconcile all of mankind to Himself, and He has made you a minister of reconciliation. (II Cor. 5:18-19) You are His personal ambassador. You are the salt and light of the world—look down at your feet and ask yourself where have you traveled this week, last month, or last year to preach the Gospel of Peace in an effort to bring others to God?

 

The chastisement of our Peace was placed upon Jesus on the cross. The Prince of Peace died on the cross so that we could all receive God’s Peace. Every man can be at peace with God, and when you have peace with God He will fill your life with peace—health and prosperity.

 

Don’t you see this world is full of tribulation that every person experiences. As ambassadors of Christ, in the midst of times of hardship, discouragement and even persecution, we are to stand up and out and bring the good news of the Gospel of Peace to the lost.

It is easy to see when a Christian has on their shoes and are prepared and ready to preach the Gospel of Peace to every person—they say to the Lord, “Lord I’m ready to go whenever and wherever you call and lead me. I’m in your service!” Finally, the shoe wearing Christian has peace knowing that they will ultimately stand before God in peace and in rest.

4. The Shield of Faith is the part of the Armor that protects you from the fiery darts of the enemy. Faith is integral to your relationship with God.

Without faith you can never please God. (Heb.11:6) When you believed and received Jesus Christ as Lord, He gave you His faith—it is the gift of God. (Eph. 2:8) You start out your Christian walk with God in faith. The exercise of faith is how you grow spiritually in God. And, faith is what will keep you standing until the end, when you stand before Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb.12:2)

To take up the Shield of Faith means to put all your trust in God in every circumstance of life. To always have, “Faith in God.” To always know that God has given you the authority and dominion over the earth, and to use it! Look at it this way:

You take up the Shield of Faith when you choose to trust in God more than anything else. You are willing to lay it all on the altar of sacrifice for God—just as Abraham offered up Isaac the covenant seed of promise. (Gen. 22:1-19) You are willing to speak to the mountains of your life without doubting and see them cast into the sea. (Mark 11:22-24)

When the enemy attacks to try and make you doubt God: God’s Word and His love for you—you grasp on to firmly and hold on to the unchanging Hand of God—you lean on the everlasting Arm of God who is the source of all good things.

You know how important it is not to sway back and forth—from believing God one minute and doubting God the next minute. This is the making of a double minded man. So that person will receive nothing from the Lord. (James 1:6-8) The enemy’s plan is to cast doubt in your thinking with the foolish question: Hath God said? So you put up the Shield of Faith to shut the devil up and say what God says instead!

(5) The Helmet of Salvation, I always say is for making sure you have and keep your head on straight all the time. What I mean by this is, Christians must always have their thinking together, knowing that our God, is “The God of Salvation.” God is the One who brings salvation to the world. God through Jesus Christ alone is the One who saves and delivers. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life—no man can come to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6 & Acts 4:12) Jesus’ very name means, “The Lord Saves.”

We know that the whole world is in a state of brokenness and confusion but our head is on straight! Darkness will continue to increase until Jesus Christ returns. Jesus Christ is our hope (expectation with anticipated pleasure) of His return to rapture the Church. (I Thess. 5:8) And Jesus Christ will return again at the end of this age to bring God’s Kingdom fully on the earth (Revelation 21-22).

Salvation is not only about going to heaven when you die. It’s about God making all things new when Jesus returns (Rev. 21:5).

You put on this helmet of salvation when you put your hope fully in God. Look to the One who started the work of redemption and will one day complete it. Jesus Christ is the reason why even as we go through troubles in this life we enjoy the Parade.

(6) The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God is our offensive weapon we use to destroy the crafty works of darkness. Sharper than any two-edged sword, Jesus Christ, used the Word of God to answer and defeat each temptation from Satan. (Matt. 4:1-11)

Jesus answered each temptation by saying: “It is written,” and quoted from the Scriptures. The Spirit of God always acts in conjunction with the Word of God spoken from our mouths. In times of temptation, when you quote the written Word of God it cuts in pieces the tricks and deceits of the devil.

Satan fights against us to try and keep us from hearing, receiving, and planting the Word of God in our hearts. But the soldier that has the Sword of the Spirit drawn will always consider the Word more necessary than their daily food. (Job 23:12) They understand that man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God. (Luke 4:4)

As the born-again Christian commits to daily reading, studying, and obeying God’s Word, they are wielding the Sword of the Spirit. Freedom and deliverance from all evil will be their mantel, and the devil will fear and run in terror from them.

Lastly, Praying in the Spirit, as I mentioned earlier is not one of the pieces of the Armor of God, but flows out of putting on the Whole Armor of God. To pray in the Spirit on all occasions is to engage in fellowship with God at the deepest level of your heart. (Jude 20)  Praying in the Spirit is an ongoing communion with God—with a longing to know God’s heart, mind, and agenda. This is Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:17-23, that God would give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that you might know Him more. 

To pray in the Spirit is prayer empowered by God’s Spirit. As He touches your spirit, you are able to abide in Jesus Christ, His love, and Anointing (John 15:4). Now, daily take the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—and pray in the Spirit and you will be able to break and defeat spiritual powers of darkness that seek to devour your family, friends, the Church and Christians everywhere.

In closing, the Christian life is to be filled with victory and not victimization! We are forever to move from faith to faith, to glory to glory. (II Cor. 3:18) All for the experience of a continual joyous Parade over Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Even in times of hardship and persecutions, with the Whole Armor of God on, we stand, praise, and exalt the finished works of Jesus Christ, and bring others to Christ to join and enjoy the Praise Parade.

 

The absolute joy and laughter of it all is that Satan has already been defeated and there is nothing he nor his wicked kingdom can do to stop us from putting on the Whole Armor of God. (Rom. 8:31) So daily, you make sure to keep the Whole Armor of God on, make full display of it, and use of it against Satan and you will always win a more than decisive victory!

 

ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY IS GIVEN UNTO JESUS CHRIST, ALL HAIL TO THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

 

Please send your tithes and offerings in support of Exousia Ministries, Inc. to the PayPal link below. May God exponentially multiply your cheerful and hilarious giving to our ministry.

http://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=H928GMBX3YG8S

Sermon Series: “The Resurrection Series”
Sermon Part (3): “I Love A Parade: Jesus Christ Our Conquering King!”

April 17, 2022

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

We need to see Jesus Christ as He is—and celebrate Him—from where He sits at all times! Jesus Christ is not lying in a manger, hanging on an old rugged cursed cross, nor dead and buried in a rich man’s borrowed tomb. Oh no! Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is forever seated at the right hand of God in all power, dominion, majesty, and honor!

Jesus Christ is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and we are seated together with Jesus in heavenly places in Christ at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus Christ rules over ALL things, and He holds the world in the palm of His hand!

And, before we start today’s Message, we ought to take time out and give Jesus Christ a shout of glorious combustible praise for the things He has done! Come on and lift your hands up to God and give Him the delight of your best praise and thanksgiving!

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again on the third-day for us all. He did it “One Time,” for All Times, for All People!” Every day of our lives, every born-again Christian ought to find themselves telling somebody about the marvelous, wonderful, supernatural works of Jesus Christ! And, telling someone about what Jesus Christ has personally done for them! For consider these Scriptures:

I Peter 3:18 reads:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,
the just for the unjust, that he might bring us
to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit:

Romans 6.10 witnesses,

For the death that He died, He died to sin once
for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Hebrews 10:12-14 assures us:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice
for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of
God; From hence expecting till his enemies
be made his footstool. For by one offering he
hath perfected forever them that are sanctified

Yes, Jesus Christ is our “Conquering King.” For while we were all yet in sin, Jesus Christ brought us “All” into eternal union and unity, with God! Without Jesus Christ no man can come to the Father, Almighty God! (John 14:6)

God through Jesus Christ placed us all in unity, one with another, to make up a “holy community.” As things have been ordained and arranged in heaven, so likewise let them be done on earth. (Matt. 6:10) Thus, the Church of Jesus Christ, must come into unity across church denominations and non-denominations, so we can spread and have unity throughout all of our communities. Until there is unity in the Church, there can be no unity in the Community!

Well again I say, Happy Resurrection Sunday to All, especially to those who are of the household of faith. We are citizens of this great and everlasting commonwealth of the Kingdom of God. We all have been made uncommonly wealthy and healthy in Christ Jesus.

You know Saints, I love a big and beautiful “Parade.” How about you? Parade events are a happy and joyous time. There are so many fun things to see and do at parades.

There are many kinds of parades: Holiday Parades, Festival Parades, Sporting Parades, and Military Parades, including Victory parades. And, what especially marks most parades is they are free of charge to attend—the whole family and everyone is invited to come and enjoy the fun.
In fact today, on Easter Sunday, in several places around the United States and the world, people are holding very lavish Easter Parades: Featuring Easter bonnets, artful hats, costumes, and various fictional characters; like Mr. and Mrs. Bunny Rabbit riding on floats. On Easter—and Easter Monday, the people of this world are celebrating everything that is unrelated to the true meaning of Easter.

Oh but, I say to the Body of Christ—Churches and Christians from every walk of life, we ought to come together locally and nationally and hold “Resurrection Sunday Praise Parades.” We should not only celebrate Good Friday observances publically in our streets, as some churches do.

But, on Easter Sunday, our congregations ought to pour out of churches and hold mass parades in the streets, singing the songs of Zion, preaching the good news that Jesus Christ is resurrected from the dead, alive and well, and seated at the Right Hand of God the Father. (Rev. 1:18)

Yes, as Pentecostals and Apostolic folks in particular, we love to sing, shout, and dance within the four-walls of our churches—and that’s good—but Praise Parades are to be held outdoors, not indoors!

Whether you are a proclaimed Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Pentecostal, or Non-denominational; we all need to make our Praise Parade for Jesus Christ public. We need to take the gospel to the streets, not just on Resurrection Sunday, by every week!

During our Praise Parades for Jesus Christ, the healing power of God would be present to set captives free from sin and to do mighty miracles right in the streets, parks, alley ways, and farmlands of America—all because the “Gospel Cycle” would be turned on! (Mark 16:15-20)

Blinded eyes would open, deaf ears would open to hear, the disabled would leave their wheel chairs behind, and the sick would take up their beds and walk! Gangs would be disarmed and dismantled, the poor would become wealthy, and the homeless and hungry would be made safe and satisfied.

Whenever the “Church of Jesus Christ” goes out of the House of God and into the streets, the Lord goes with us, confirming the Word of God that is preached with signs and wonders following. (Mark 16:15-20) My, my, my when will we ever learn that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for preaching in our Churches, but must be preached in the streets for the people who do not go to Church!

Jesus Christ ministered as the Son of man on earth, for the purpose of seeking to save that which is lost! Jesus Christ is forever in the soul saving business. Therefore, His business ought to always be our business!

We have so much truth—good news—to share with people everywhere about our Conquering King Jesus Christ, and what He has done for the world. Today, I want you to know about Jesus Christ our Conquering King—because the Bible tells us that as He (Jesus) is, so are we in this world. (I John 4:17) To know Jesus Christ is to know yourself! When you know about Jesus Christ—you can’t help but want to join the Praise Parade!

Now, let’s examine, verse by verse, Colossians 2:13-15.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

I tell you, Satan and the kingdom of darkness (principalities, powers, and the rulers of darkness) working through the Romans and Jews conspired to kill Jesus, but after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, they all have nothing but eternal regret for crucifying the Lord of Glory.

Had they known Jesus Christ would be risen from the dead, they would never have crucified Him. (I Cor. 2:8) The Jewish religious leaders and Romans thought that the cross would kill Him, and put a stop to His religious teachings and claims of being the Messiah. But His death on the cross only brought the gospel into an even more glorious light, for it was not possible for death to hold Jesus! (Acts 2:24)

Colossians 2:13 informs us that while we were dead in sins, through Jesus’ Resurrection, He quickened the spirits of us all together, raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Him. (Eph. 2:6-8)

God made us all alive in Jesus Christ so we could be presented before God, “holy” and “blameless” and beyond reproach. (Col.1:22) Just as God had declared us all to be from the foundations of the world. (Eph.1:4) And, to top it all off, Jesus Christ our Conquering King, placed inside of our born-again hearts, His same mighty and Conquering Spirit! (I John 4:4)

Just imagine the shame, grief, and embarrassment Satan and the kingdom of darkness (demons, devils, principalities, and powers) experienced when word got out that the stone placed in front of the tomb, where the Lord’s body was laid, had been rolled away, and the body of Jesus Christ was gone. Only the Lord’s grave clothes remained in the tomb! (Luke 24:1-3)

Ohhhh, the failure Satan and his demonic company realized when Jesus Christ showed Himself alive with many infallible proofs to more than 500 brethren at once—and again, Jesus Christ came for 40-days speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3 & I Cor. 15:6) His religious teachings were alive and thriving even greater than before!

Think of the horror and mockery the enemy Satan goes through every day, knowing that all of mankind has been set free from Sin—that all those who believe in Jesus Christ have the Godhead (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost) abiding in their born-again hearts. (Col. 2:10) And that he (Satan) has no power over them!
Also, think about the whipping Satan and kingdom of darkness took when Jesus Christ died on the cross and descended into Hell—crushing Satan’s head. How that Jesus Christ tasted death for every person, so all who would believe on Him would never see, taste, nor experience death. (Heb. 2:9)
How Jesus Christ snatched away from Satan the keys of death, hell, and the grave. (Rev.1:18). How while in Hell, Jesus Christ preached the gospel to the souls of the Old Testament Saints held captive against their will in a compartment of hell—setting the captives free and leading them onward and upward to glory with us! (I Peter 3:18-19 & Eph. 4:8) And, by Jesus Christ’s Resurrection on the third-day, He abolished death and brought immortality to light. (II Tim. 1:10)
In Jesus’ Resurrection, He became Lord over the dead and living. (Rom. 14:9). How cool is that? Jesus Christ is the Ruler and Controller of all who are dead and alive. So whether we are awake or asleep, as believers, we will live together with Him. (I Thess. 5:10) What is there to fear about death, when you have eternal life and know your physical body will be one day raised up from the dead, and clothed in a glorified body like unto the Lord’s glorious body?

Moreover, consider at Colossians 2:13-15, how the Apostle Paul described several aspects of the forgiveness from sin that our Conquering King Jesus won for us through His finished works on the cross. Verse 13 says when God in Christ Jesus quickened us together with Him, all transgressions were forgiven; past, present, and future.

Jesus Christ “blotted out the handwriting of the ordinances that were against us.” Meaning He wiped away clean the complete Law of Moses, all 613 laws, which included all of the ceremonial laws and 10 Commandments written on parchment, so that no trace of the Law could be seen afterward.

Every detail of the Old Testament contract was erased forever! Understand that the entire Law of Moses was against us, contrary to us, and had to be taken away or our God-great and graced redemption could never have been experienced.

For you see, the Law made no provision for our redemption. The Law only cursed and killed all men because every person broke the law, for it was not possible for any man to keep it perfectly, with the exception of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8.3, Gal. 1:6, 3:5, 19; and II Cor. 3:6) The Law, strengthen sin and pointed to the exact truth, that everyone needs a Savior—His name is Jesus Christ.

Our Conquering King Jesus Christ took the Law of Moses out of the way nailing it to His cross—completely out of our midst—so we do not have to remain under its curse, and eternal penalty of death. Since the Law is out of our way, we should not stumble over it again! With there being no Law for Satan to accuse us with of breaking, there could be no judgement held against us, and condemnation to destroy us with!

Moreover, verse 14 says, “having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Here it means, Satan and his wicked forces were stripped of their power to condemn and kill mankind. With the Law of Moses blotted out, Satan and his company had no further claim to hold man in sin and bondage, as they did by means of the Law.

When Jesus Christ showed Himself alive again with sundry proofs, that which He had conquered spiritually (the defeat of Satan) had now been made known publically to the world. Jesus, in His Resurrection, triumphed over Satan and his demonic forces in the very cross that they thought was triumphing over Him. The shame He endured on the cross for a moment in time, turned out to be the public defeat and shame of Satan and his human agents for all eternity. (Romans and Jews) (Acts 2: 23 3: 13-18, 5:28 & I John 3:8)

Indeed, their persecution, torture, and killing of the Son of God, turned out to be Jesus’ Praise Parade in which all of heaven rejoices forevermore! The word in the Greek for “triumphing” over them in verse 15 is “thriambeuo” Meaning to make an acclamation procession, (to conquer and make a loud parade over the enemy). Jesus Christ conquered and got the victory over Satan, sin, death, the grave, and hell.

Thereby rendering all evil completely and utterly dead, irrelevant, and separated from mankind. Having no ability to hurt mankind through faith in Christ Jesus finished works. Glory be to God, this is the truth heaven knows, that the Church must also echo around the world!

This is why Jesus Christ, in anticipation of His finished works on the cross told His disciples, though tribulations would come, to be of good cheer as He had conquered the world for them. (John 16:33) The Amplified Bible remarks that Jesus has “deprived the world of power to hurt you.” In other words, though in this world we have tribulation, we are to remain undaunted because in every trouble we face, Jesus Christ has already triumphed over it for us. Jesus Christ and all of heaven has already led a victorious procession over every trouble-some situation we face on earth.

Every day, no matter the problem, we are to be assured that we always get the victory! As I close, check out this Scripture at II Cor. 2:14, it reads:

Now thanks be unto God, which always causes
us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the
[savor] of his knowledge by us in every place.

The word “triumph” here is the same word, “thriambeuo.” In every battle in life, Jesus Christ causes us to come out victorious so we can have an “acclamation procession,” (Praise Parade) over all the works of the devil and His forces. To declare the works of the Lord before all men, and the humble shall hear of it and be made glad. (Ps. 34:2)

This is what Jesus Christ is expecting of His Church and Christians individually—that we be thankful unto God, go forth and preach and teach the gospel throughout the world, treading and trampling down on Satan and his works. (Luke 10:19. Matt. 16: 17-19, II Cor. 10:4-6) By using the name of Jesus Christ everywhere and in everything we do, Jesus is expecting us to make His enemies His footstool. (Ps.110:1 & Heb. 10:13) We are to leave the sweet smelling aroma of Jesus Christ in every place the soles of our feet tread.
Oh yes, I love a Parade!

As born-again Christians, we should not be mere spectators in the Praise Parade, but be active participants in parading over the enemy. Having been given the power over Satan and the kingdom of darkness, we must march against the gates of hell, tear down demonic strong-holds and fortresses in our families, communities, and the nations.

On this Resurrection Sunday, I invite you to begin taking part in the Praise Parade—fully knowing that Jesus Christ our Conquering King has already won every battle in this life we face. With an ardent zeal and boldness, let us decree and declare before the people of this world that their sins, problems, faults, failures, and insecurities have all been conquered by Jesus Christ the Lord of All things.

Right now even, we extend the opportunity to everyone to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished works on the cross, come and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We encourage them to place their complete trust in the good news that Jesus Christ our Conquering King has already won every battle they have or ever will face in life, and everything is all right!

Next week, will be our last Sermon in the Resurrection Series, and is entitled: “Everyone Enjoy The Parade: Satan The Defeated Foe Has No Power Over You!”

Please send your tithes and offerings in support of Exousia Ministries, Inc. to the PayPal link below. May God exponentially multiply your cheerful and hilarious giving to our ministry.

http://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=H928GMBX3YG8S

Should the Lord tarry, see you next week!