Spiritual Warfare
Have you watched any football lately? Do you have a favorite NFL team? I must confess, my team isn’t doing so well this year. I worked for a Reformed church in Wisconsin right after seminary. It was the same year Brett Favre led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory. Packer mania grew on me and I became a Packer’s fan. How could I not? To not root for the Packers might be considered grounds for excommunication from the church! But this year, my allegiance is waning.
Yet, in every good sports contest – whether it be football, baseball, soccer, basketball, etc. – the teams usually send a scout or “spy” to study the other team ahead of time. Why? Because each team wants to know the patterns, habits, and characteristics of their opponent before facing them. If you know your “enemy’s” strategy and trick plays, you can then be prepared to defend against them. Good coaches draw from this valuable information when going into the big game. It’s important.
This Sunday’s message is about knowing our opponent as Christians. Fact is, when you became a believer, you not only received a new heart from Jesus. But you also received a big target on your back. The Devil, our common enemy, has it in for you. He would like nothing more than to discourage, distract, depress, and diminish you and your joy in the Lord. In fact, Jesus said the Enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. For way too many people, Satan is doing exactly that in their lives today!
Sunday’s message, “Overcoming Demons,” based on Mark 9:14-29 will reveal three important things you need to know about your enemy, including how to defeat him. It’s a message of hope, of encouragement, and challenge. Learn four ways the agents of the Devil called demons tend to work in our lives. And, learn three specific and practical ways you can defeat these demons. Maybe you wrestle with your personal demons. Maybe you feel defeated in your faith. If so, this message is for you!
Traditional worship begins at 9:00 AM. Contemporary worship begins at 10:45 AM. The early services features hymn singing; the second features praise and worship songs. Both services feature the same biblical message, heart-felt worship, warm friends, and the healing presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. A nursery and Busy Bags are available for children. Refreshments may be served between services. OCC shoeboxes are also due. Please join us with your loved ones and be renewed!